(The Message)

Ecc 4:9-10 It's better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth. And if one
falls down, the other helps, But if there's no one to help, tough!

Today, I just experienced the value of a friend, also applied my 'attitude of selflessness' that I shared about during YLT.

Just a small story to share...

In class, we only have two powerpoints for us to plug our laptop to. But we have four of us using the laptop. At times, Titus would bring an extension cable where all of us could benefit from. However, he didn't bring it today. So Titus & I had our laptop plugs in because we came before the rest.

Then, the unexpected happened.

Anthony said, "Can I plug mine in? I'm out of battery."

My first reply was, "See, I told you! Don't sit here! There's no more powerpoint here for you!"

I got shocked at my own response. I believe the Holy Spirit convicted me.

I checked my laptop power level and realise that the battery is full. At that moment, I remembered the verse I quoted above and told him, "Come, I'll unplug my laptop and you can use charge your battery. My battery is full."

Though it might seem like a minor situation but it was a major lesson learnt for me!

Others before myself! Have friends around you to watch your back and watch theirs! If one fall, the other is there to help him up!

Settling in...

Ah... finally...

A sense of settling in to a new environment, a new neighbourhood. I actually feel quite alien to this place but m very grateful to Cheryl Tan who made me feel to welcome! She brought me around and introduced me to the great makan places here! Thanks GaL!

Am very happy because there's this beauty salon at my place! I went for their waxing. Both legs only cost me $35! At Jurong, I would pay $40 for half of both legs! Their waxing for full arms including underarms is only $25! I'm going to go crazy!!! hahahahahahaha....... They have threading services too... $8 (slightly more expensive compared to the Lil India one that we go to).

Today,

Had a lot of fun with Cheryl & Michelle. They accompanied my to Lil India for threading and then we went to Killiney's for dinner (Siglap)...

We sat at Table 23 @ Killiney's and, this was my first time eating Lontong...don't really like it. Too much curry, too much vege and very little rice.. very little meat... practically none! How can it have no meat?! :P

This was the aunty doing some weird exercise at the park.. haha.. to end off our day..

Prayer Request:

I would like to seek everybody's help to devote a few moments a day to pray for my aunt!

She has been diagnosed with stage 2b Cancer in her womb, which is not very promising.

Please pray that she will recover ASAP and that it will be God and not man engineering the healing.

Also pray that her radio theraphy will not cause too much of emotional havoc for her and that she will not experience symptoms of fatigue and nausea!

I love her a lot and I really don't know how serious her condition is. So I'm just praying that God will use this incident to shine his light into the family and that her family will be more united and be more fervent in Christ!

So Frustrated.

Today's the worst day of the week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't stop ranting in my head.........

Don't know who I can call to confide in....... Everybody seems like the wrong choice.

Firstly, I was late for my school chapel and Ps Wilson had to stnad in front of everybody and say "YOU ARE NOT KIDS ANYMORE. PLEASE DON'T BE LATE."

Great...

Then Dr Shelly had to give me a double 'slap' on my face... "You were very late"..

Oh man...

Then Shawn asked me to lead worship this week but I can't lead new songs..... *sigh*.......

I feel so bored with all the songs so I don't know what songs to put in.... God help me!

Suppose to go with Michelle for threading with Shu Ling, Lindy, Chery Tan and others... But Michelle went with other people on Sunday....... great......

Just great...............

Now who wants to go threading?

it's so difficult to arrange a timing suitable for everybody.... I think i'll just go on my own....

and the list of bad stuff just goes on....

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John

I'm been immersed in the character John after doing my own study into John 1:1-5 and leading a Bible Study on 1 John. And I'm preparing a short sharing on John 10:11 tomorrow.

But to my amazement,

this is what I discovered just now...

Everybody knows John 3:16.

In the NIV version, it reads,

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Parallel that to this.

1 John 3:16

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Isn't it cool? The former tells us of the one who came and died for us - the son of God. And the latter tells us the same thing! I wonder whether the people who put the chapters and verses in knew that they helped to orchestrate this divine occurrence!

My Body Clock

My body clock is ticking randomly...

Slept at 7,

woke up at 11...

He hasn't called.

Went back to sleep...

Re-woke up at 1.30...

He was at my door.

So random.

I had ignored the ringging of my phone

because of MBC.

It told me I needed more sleep.

The day was bad.

Suffering from fatigue.

It keeps me from tasting the food.

It makes me emotional.

The highs and the lows.

My body clock, my body clock. you shall tick properly or never tick again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uprooting

WHew......... time check: 3.06am

while everybody in my home is sound asleep, i lie awake in bed gathering my thoughts for the day.

I had just finished a massive packing session.

I have only today and tomorrow to pack because the movers will come in the morning on Friday to move our boxes to the new place. Finally, after much deliberation, it's official that I'm moving this Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's so strange.. I think I've been a nomad like my whole life.

When I was in Nan Hua Primary, the school shifted from the current NHSS to Jalan Lempeng, which is where NHPS is located now. I still remember the long symbolic walk we had to walk. Our teachers made us walk from the old place to the new as a symbolic act. I was too young to understand it at that time. We weren't so concerned about the serious stuff. We talked and teased each other throughout the journey. It wasn't so bad after all! We had great bonding time!

Then in Secondary School. River Valley announced that it was going to shift to another location! We had to be part of the fund raising by asking all our friends and family to sign on the donation card and give a kind donation. I still remembered, I lost my donation card because I couldn't be bothered :P Andrew had to accompany me to the Police Post to report the lost card! Well, it was an excuse to see him! (hehehe... don't get the wrong idea... that was in the past)

After Junior College, I worked at a Kindergarten called "Little Fellow" and in the short span of six months, I helped them move to a new place during my fifth month of work, that was November 2006. The reason why they had to move was quite interesting. I can't divulge too much details because I'm not allowed to. But anyway, the kindergarten was one of those in a private semi-detached and they weren't on friendly terms with the neighbours on the right. The neighbours often complained about the noisy children and their parents' cars that blocked the entrance of their house. They would do nasty things like let the leaves of their plants clutter our front porch and at times we had to line the joint wall with trash bags just to prevent the leaves from coming in! They were so inconsiderate! They complained about the darnest things and got the police to check on us! Oh well... such neighbours.. I'm glad we moved.

And now,

It is the 5th time I'm shifting house. I've lived in the north region (Yishun, Hougang) and the west zone (Boon Lay, Jurong West, Jurong East) and now I'm going to the East! (East Coast)

Haha...

The move will only be temporary. The place we're shifting in to will be going for en bloc sales in two years and we'll either have to move back to Jurong West or we'll sell this unit to buy another new apartment.

Mum asked me today whether I am excited that we're moving. I replied 'no'. The only plus point about our move is that it's nearer to church and my school. Because I grew up in the west, all my friends are in the west.

But I believe that all things will work out for good. I need to be grateful that someone has blessed us with this new place and thankful that we'll be able to have an additional source of income from renting out this space.

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Have you ever thought about spiritual uprooting?

I'm attending a class now called "Current Issues in Missiology" which addresses the relevant issues in missions today. and we had a very interesting discussion today about religious PLURALISM, religious LIBERALISM and religious FUNDAMENTALISM.

(********pause********)

I need to apologize to Jeffrey. I didn't know that there should be 4
representatives from each group to present 1 case study each. So I agreed
with Titus and Rufus that we should arrow u! Oh dear, I'm feeling so bad. I felt
like we bullied you. You had to do all the presentations. Please forgive us! We
won't do that to you again!

(******resume********)

ok... correct me if i'm wrong. But here's my understanding of religious....
PLURALISM: I can be a Buddhist and a Christian at the same time because all routes lead to one destination.
LIBERALISM: I can be a Hindu and I will still be able to go into heaven because God will not judge me if I'm sincere and have been good all my life.
FUNDAMENTALISTS: the opposite of liberalism. there's only one way to heaven, that is through Jesus.

Since we're on the subject of spiritual uprooting and missions, I'm just wondering how a Muslim would feel if we would to ask him to convert to Christianity or anyone for that matter. It could be a Hindu or Buddhist. Think about it for a moment. Try and think how you would feel if the cards were turned. Would you be offended? Would it be easy?

Sometimes, I just don't like the word 'convert'. I don't believe that we should convert people. That is not what the Bible instructs us to do. It says "Go... and make disciples" It is not up to us to change the hearts of men, but up to the Holy Spirit. We merely direct people to be followers of Christ.

Then the question: Can a Muslim be a disciple of Christ and still go to heaven?

It's a tricky question. While I choose to believe that the answer is yes according to my conviction. I am not the final judge, so my word is not absolute truth!

Develop your own stand!

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Oh dear... I'm just churning out all my thoughts at 3am... not a very good time... am making everyone confused.

Good night.

John 1

"The light shines in the darkness..................."

Light in darkness. As I was driving pass Bethel AG last night on my way home, I saw the brue cross on the top of the building lighted up, visible from where I was on the expressway. It reminded me of this verse tha I have been meditating on. John 1:5. It reminded me of being light to the darkness. If we are called to be light to the world, then people around us and the community which our church is in should know about us. I seem to be talking about the concept of being popular and known everywhere. Though it doesn't sound very doctrinally correct.

Struggling with that idea, I think about our positions as humble servants. Well, I guess, bein popular in a sense that people are to know our good deeds. (ah... this sounds more like it) So now the question is, how are we alreading light to our world? Does the community we live in know us? When I talk about community, I'm refering to our neighbourhood, more closely speaking, our block. For me, it's Jurong East St 31, Blk 325. Of course, all that's going to change when I move this Friday.

Because of my unruly reputation in Jurong, I think it's time for me to start afresh when I move to the East. To be light to my darkness. To do things for my community. I'm also challenged by what Pastor Andrew (New Hope Community Services) shared with us last Sunday - about the block party held at his place. And since I'm a party freeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaakkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can do something along the lines........ hehe.............. Why not?

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There's so much depth in John 1:1-5 that I'm so reluctant to read on........... there's so much to reflect about......... here's just a little nugget.............

Trail of Mentoring

Pictures: featuring Ignite Conference 2008, at Heart of God church. Worship Leader: Ps Andrew (Cornerstone), co-leaders: Rachel (Emmanuel AG?), Jocelyn (Grace Methodist Church) and other young people from different churches in Singapore.

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haha.. when I think of this word 'trail', i think of residue left behind when a cup of coffee is stirred. Some how, mentoring is like that isn't it? Some one who inpires you imparts in your life and your emotions and thoughts get stirred by everything he says. He leaves a residue in your life, the solid pieces that chrystalises when particles come together.

Today was the first official mentoring session with PGL.

Was suppose to go to Boscombe Life Church with him in the afternoon but couldn't because I was still stuck in the HOD meeting in church. So I met him at Singpost. I arrived before him. That was good as I could enjoy my warm cup of Cafe Mocha to give me a quick boost of energy to last the night.

So as you see the pictures above, we went for the ignite conference in Heart of God church, launching for the first time in Singapore, the movement of NewGen from Sweden. (you can google 'NewGen' for more info)

<--Ignite is a network of local youth ministries who meet regularly for the development and exhortation of young believers. Simply put, Ignite is all about God and young people.--> as quoted from the Heart of God website.

These are the reflections from the conference:

1) I saw a vision of multiplication in our youth ministry. It flows from the leadership team, to the east and west cells, to the rest of the market place. Basically what I gathered from the vision was that we are to empower our young people, using cell as a platform, to claim their friends and schools for Jesus! Isn't that powerful! I believe that local missions are what we should begin with before we even think of going overseas! It is a very powerful vision that will take a few years to see it come to fruition. But what we must do now, is to ask the Lord to give us a burden for our schools. As cell becomes a springboard for multiplication and growth to take place, let's believe god for a great harvest. If He can do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond what we can think of, that the sky's the limit! Amen!

2) I was reflecting upon the culture in HOG. The people would say "wow!" "Yar!" "that's right!" "Whoa!" "Yes!" and the list goes on... They not only say it to agree with the preacher, but they say it in every sentence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could hardly concentrate on what the preacher is saying becauseI was being swayed by their voices into agreeing with whatever the preacher was saying that I did not have time to process in my mind.

3) I was challenged at what the preacher shared. He shared about the temple in Jerusalem, contrasting it with us as the New Testament temple. Besides the characteristics of being available and strong intercession, he mentioned that we must be holy. I wonder how many young people actually pondered about what he said before going "oh.... yes!" Holiness is a high price. It is so many things. It is not giving into temptation first and foremost. It is maintaining a spiritual standard and not compromising with the world. The preacher passed this statement. "Many people think that we have to dress and act like the world in order to be like them. But then, how are they going to be like us?" It's true. Some questions in my head arise when I think about this holiness thing. Are you willing to be different from the rest of your friends? Even when some of them turn against you because you want to be set apart and don't want to engage in the activities they engage in? I struggle to be holy everyday and sometimes, you set double standards when being pressured. It is a high calling, but it's everybody's calling.

4) Lastly, I want to priase God for the many friendships I made through Pastor Glenn. Thank you Ps Seow How (HOG SP) for sharing your 5 cents worth with me! I will learn to discover my leadership style and maybe you could advise me more when we meet again! Thank you Ps Christian (HOG) for your kind hospitality and openness to network with me and teach me all about campus ministry in the local context! Thank you Ps Adrian (Centre of New Life) for your friendship. Hope to have more chances of working together in the future! Thank you Ps Mark Poh (Emmanuel AG) for extending your friendship to me too! I have so much to learn from you and I would love to drop by one day to learn from you and your team! Thank you Ps Andrew (Cornerstone) for your ministry and awesome worship. I've seen you many years back during FIRE conference and you have left a deep impression in my mind. I have been richly blessed by you. Look forward to greater opportunities to catch up! Thank you Rachel! I'm inspired by your cheerfulness and the short conversation that we had. Would love to hear more from you and spend more time to get to know your ministry more! Thanks to the many many more people who give is paving the way for young ministers like me, setting the example and imparting your wisdom to us. I am eternally grateful, especially to PGL. My cup has runneth over with so much more than I expected to achieve!

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Lord, bless Singapore! May the country and government turn to you!

Story oF bOiLinG fRoG

A few years ago some scientists conducted an experiment involving a little frog.
In their lab was a vat of steaming, boiling hot water. They wanted to determine
how the frog would react when dropped into the vat. Armed in their white aprons,
clipboards, pencils, goggles, and rubber gloves, they held the squirming little
frog over vat. Focusing intently on what they were about to do they dropped the
frog … ZING!!! Faster than a bolt of blazed lightning that little guy burst into
the air, careening off the ceiling! "Hmmmmm," the scientists murmured amongst
themselves. They did it again. Same frog, same vat of steaming water and …
ZING!!! It blasted from that vat like a bat out of Hades! The scientists
murmured amongst themselves again, recorded their notes, and decided to take the
experiment a step further. They took the same frog, and held it over a different
vat of water. Only this time the water was lukewarm, not too cold, not too hot
just right. They dropped the frog and … NOTHING!!! The little guy just laid
there, floating lazily; arms and legs splayed gently on the water's surface. You
can just imagine the frog's thoughts: Man, this is all right! This is perfect.
The frog laid in the water contented, happy, and relaxed. But - What the frog
didn't know was that underneath the vat was a raging fire. It was slowly, but
surely, heating the vat of water. The contented frog, oblivious to the changing
temperature, boiled to death.

This story reminds me of how we must not stay contented at where we are. He will constantly challenge us to step out of our comfort zone and it is a choice for us whether we want to remain at the present and not receive the blessing that is waiting for us, or we can obey Him and take that leap of faith.

Ting said yesterday, "God doesn't like to give us tests, he gives us pop quizzes."

And that's true... After you pass a test, you think you've done it all until you realize that you're in the middle of another.

If you are able to identify the test and overcome it, you become stronger.

Over the pass 6 months, everything is passed so fast. Now, everything seems like it's beyond me.

I've grown so much last year spiritually. And I need to be prep up for this year.

Don't want to be like the boiling frog.

While everything is changing around me, I need to be quick and alert.

God help me!