Take Time To Realize

What's Been Goin On In The Last Few Months

2010-05-04T22:57:00.006+08:00

Best shoes man! Smart people choose Asics :p

(below)

When you're brain can't take it no more and it signals "destress time"... you start to do things that sometimes flounder belief...

(below)
It's amazing how intricately we've been woven!

What's been going on in school!

(above)
Crazy happenings at home
(below)
Completely beat after a game of floorball!

INDIA 3

2010-02-28T18:50:00.029+08:00

Ok from now on, all the pics shall read from bottom to top coz it's taking me a long time to keep cutting and pasting them ahead of the previous pics all e time...(yes i'm a blogging noob)...

The hotel that got bombed by terrorists...

The day i landed in India, i wasn't expecting anybody to pick me up. But the Lord blessed me with a very special welcome! My childhood friend Sudhesh, who i had not seen in eons turned up at the airport to pick me up and even got me flowers in the midst of his busyness! It was a joy to see him after so long! How he has grown...but we both commented that we still look the same as 17 years ago haha...

My old school Christ Church High... it felt really nostalgic

Christ Church High again...i so badly wanted to go in and walk the hallways again! It was locked...sobs...

The Nativity Story Scene outside the church...

The streets of Byculla, Mumbai...

The staircase leading to the upper level of the church... it's like a hidden staircase hidden behind a curtain...

The sanctuary...that's the upper level on top there...

Just couldn't get the right angle...sigh...

Such a cool reading lecturn!

The pulpit!

Oh the Bible was huge and antique!

Yes it felt good to be back"home". To have had the opportunity to be back in India, yes India, was something i truly thank the Lord for. It gave me encouragement to see so many of people who were like family still serving the Lord since the day i was born till now. It gave me much joy to have seen them after so long as it did give them as well. It gave me much gratitude towards the Lord to have enjoyed a different environment away from the never ending work-like environment in Singapore.

How traditional! So sad the keys were broken...Felt so sad...It was such a grand pipe organ in it's heyday...

I think we used to have something like this in BLC before...

The organ keys behind a closed glass cabinet...

The pipes of the organ...I've always been enchanted by the grandeur and majesty of the organ and how such a mighty instrument can yet produce sounds of meekness and solitude...

Christ Church High - evening of Candlelight Service (i couldn't attend the service coz i had to fly back to Singapore :( sobs!)

Check that out man!

Christ Church High from the outside!

The big clock tower...

Don't ask me...cows, buffalos...now sheep? Or is that a goat?

When we stepped out of the restaurant into this area, we thought we had warped back to Singapore...

People, you have not tasted CHeese Nan until you taste the one at Pritam Restuarant in INdia!

More cricket amidst the skyline...

Tired faces on the way back to Mumbai after the wedding...a holiday it was...but a time of physical rest, no!

Sigh isn't she adorable...

Zzz...

Wackos...

Caught with a girl! Can't help it...it was Ria!

4am in the morning, the night where one is suposed to sleep after a long day of wedding stuff...here we were getting ready to go back...4am...sigh...oh but the driver who drove us back to the airport - he was skillful man! The mist at that time of the morning all the way till 6 plus only allows you to see the vehicle right in front of you! ANd since 99.99% of the vehicles in that region hav back red lights that don't work...you can only see the vehicle infront of you when it comes within the range of you front lights! Even the street lamps don't work!

Yes...4am...

We tried to spruce up the wedding chambers...but i have no idea what the glass of milk was for...

The couple and their wedding chamber... well it's rural India, what would you expect...poor Roby & Daizy, kept getting disturbed by cheeky us (the best men)...but we're no evil-doers, we left them alone to their romantic bliss after awhile hehe. You know in Singapore, after your wedding and whatever stuff after that you can just go to your house or to the hotel...There, after the wedding and the wedding dinner and dance, we had to travel for 2 hours to the hotel!

Whee-u-wheet! Roby & Daizy!

Now you always need these family photos...what would weddings be without them? (A lot faster :p)

She danced so much that we had to change her out of her white dress... and she still continued after that! Mind you there's no air-con in the village ok! But i must say the weather itself was a blessing...natural air-conditioner...

You make of it what you want to...

Legs! Tsk :p

My dad dancing with another girl...oh oh there was a very romantic moment when all the couples involved with the family of the groom took to the dance floor...the whole floor just for them!

Me & the groom (Roby)...i like my suit! :p hehe...

Yes...full blast speakers, amps, lightings and a lit up dance platform in the middle of a village...you wouldn't believe it...

Me & Ruby...mother of oh-so-adorable Ria...

I was in that jeep and what happened was that after we left the church once the wedding and the crazy photo-taking session was over, we drove around in the jeep for a short drive (some kinda tradition?) and then drove back and into a huge tentage that had been prepared for the wedding dinner.

Their big day...Mind you, all this was done in a village...

I think i was too tired from smiling for the past 2 days, that i couldn't smile...

We stepped out into pitch blackness from the sanctuary... and suddenly a lamp from the videographer flashed up and we got snowed big time!

I was waiting for the kiss... but it never came... instead they exchanged garlands...-_-'..

The signing of the wedding cert.

If you can't tell, there's actually a whole village right outside that entrance waiting to come in behind the bride (who was from the village)

Becky took this shot...very nice!

My dad being the witness for the wedding...

The whole 4 days i never knew what was going to happen next... it really forced me to trust that everything was in control and that the Lord would be by my side even if it wasn't... it's a bit nerve wrecking when you're in a totally different culture and involved in a big event but you have no idea what you have to do or what's going to happen next.

Do i have a double chin??!

Mum & Ruby...I think they really hit it off!

AWWWWW!!!! Love them :)

Isn't she lovely...

Me & Bunty... father of Ria who has certainly put on some since i saw him many many years ago...

Ruby & Me...

I look funny...

Before the whole village filled up the church...

Oh so lovely...

This church was 100 years old...

The inside of the church at the Christian mission...

Roby praying on the afternoon before his wedding...

Old windows man..

The offering of the villagers... their harvest! So traditional and biblical!

What do you call these things?

The 100 year old church...

The band outside the bride's house...totally wasn't expecting that!

The groom entourage...heading to the bride's house for lunch on the day of the wedding...

Rachel & Ajay...*ahem*!

A rare reflective moment hehe :p

HAHAHA!

HAHAHA 2!

This fella just popped his head in out of nowhere!

Raju-moushi (raju Aunty)...

That's the 3 of us...Roby, his brother Bunty... and me...and yes that's me in a kurtha... a dress...

Tired we were... but the home cooked puri was awesome!

Waitin outside the bride's house on the track on the engagement night...

Rachel, Ruby & Rebecca....

Now we know who....

Betrothed...but to whom, we ask?

We were kinda getting tired of smiling...

Long-time 'sisters'... thank the Lord for them!

Rascal! Don't be fooled by that smile!

Engagement Night...

The groom basks in his moment of ...er... marital bliss?

HAHAHA!

I knew she was going to attack me...

All in all, the trip was indeed an enjoyable one. I thank the Lord for the time away from Singapore. When i first left, i honestly wasn't really looking forward to it and the only reason that kept me going was that my long-time childhood friend Roby, who had been more like a brother to me had requested for me to be his best man. And to have turned that away would have been a total lack of care and gratitude on my part. So i went. But the moment i landed, the Lord blessed me with the greeting of another long-time childhood friend when i never expected it. The joy written on his face at seeing me after almost 13 years was there to see. What amazed me was the instant reaction of sheer elation that filled my heart when i saw him!

From there on, every person from my childhood, whom i saw, (most of them were really like family) filled me with much gladness. It seems that they had been waiting a long time too and when they heard i was coming... they too were elated. I guess it has been really long.

Besides seeing and being re-united with family, even if for a short while, i got to see how some of them are still serving the Lord in a full-time capacity from before i was born till now and are continuing to do so. Despite their age and their struggles be it financially or with family or with whatever else, there still exists this feeling in them that their service is unto the Lord and that beats everything else. Seeing how the villagers are satisfied and give thanks with the simple things in life too made me think whether i had grown too accustomed to the comfortable luxuries of Singapore and. Seeing people living in trash bags put up as tents made me thankful for how the Lord has blessed me. You know we often complain about our government, about the "lack of freedom", about how could they treat us in school in such a way, about why our parents don't treat us like that other kids parents, about how we can't get that computer game we want or that particular item or even about how people around us are so "unfair".

Some of these maybe valid claims in a properly viewed context, i don't deny; but let's be honest, how much of us actually just wants more because we've been spoilt by the knowledge that more can be attained elsewhere or because we want the simpler life? The Lord never promised us that we would get every whim and fancy of ours. Instead He told us to be prepared to pick up our cross and suffer for His name. I must confess though that plenty a time i have yearned and seeked the easier way out.

It turned out that going back to my "roots" was just what i needed to end the year off. Though i don't think i can stay in that country for too long, 4 - 5 days was good enough ( i could feel myself falling sick already). More than that, i came back much refreshed, not physically, coz i was more tired from the trip than i was during the CCPOD (Crazy Christmas Period Oct - Dec), but uplifted in my soul with much thanksgiving.

INDIA 2

2010-02-28T18:46:00.002+08:00

Indian art...

The guest house inside the Christian Mission opposite the village...

On our way to the village...animal "parking lots"

Another "parking lot"
The family minus dad and rachel inside the car on that suicidal ride to the village...

Dad with "accessories"

You wouldn't believe she's well into her 50s

The POT...

The Marathi speaking Pastor...Daryl & Peng we found another loudhailer...possibly louder than you guys even! Such a rare find :p

Pre-engagement ceremony (Day before wedding) The families of the bride and the groom line up on opposite sides of the road (dirt track)

After the entrance into the house...the groom gets it! Holds onto a coconut husk and gets colored yellow! But it's no sabo...it's a ritual!

Before he gets colored...

He's gotta put his legs into a circular tray...

Before entering the house...

Well wonder how it tastes...

INDIA!

2010-01-08T01:33:00.019+08:00

Wedding Experience of A LIfetime! (Some Photos That MIght've Not Been On Facebook)

1. The Day My Family Left

2. The Pre-Ceremony Days (I'm Still in Singapore!)

How could we miss this out...trademark...

Roby - the groom to be!

Aww...

Ria! My first "Niece" i think! :p

Oh yea...pigs i say...haha...they were tired...

Re-united after so many years...at a Chinese Restaurant!

I missed these moments!

Sigh...*melting*...

That's like my mum's 'sister' beside her! Thank the Lord for her & her family!!

The church my family attended...in Nashik...way further up from Mumbai

My adorable siblings...

Ria looks so cute here!! (Don't care about the big face :P)

LOL!

Ria Choudhari!

Ah...yes...now you know where it came from...

3. Finally I Arrive!

Fierce...
Whadda A SHot! A Whole Ground of people playing CRICKET!

How much for the brown Lambho sir?

People living under those green and black cloth tents ok...

My nursery! Taylor Methodist School Tubbies! So Nostalgic...
(i can't remember nuts bout my nursery days)

How I Yearn For A Manual Lens...

I Know...Another Ria Photo...But I Can't Help It...She's So Adorable!

Intense Focus & Meditation Made The Missing Baggage Appear

Finally...In Raipur CIty Airport...Now To The Village We Go...
(Believe me it was a near-suicidal 3 hour ride... be thankful for Singapore traffic rules people!
I think the driver didn't wannt miss his cricket match on tv...or maybe he just wanted to show us foreigners what sitting in a NASCAR race car may be like)

Smogasboard! I Can't Stop Laughing! Hilarious!

There's something wrong with my uploader... louzy! Oh well...the really interesting pics are yet to come! I'm gonna sleep... will try again tomorrow!

Accident!

2009-09-27T01:02:00.002+08:00

Almost got into an accident cycling back just now! Crazy driver in some flashy "roary" sports car just wanted to speed off! Urg!

overnight...

2009-09-19T12:51:00.002+08:00

52 hours...and i'm finally home...

spent the whole night-to-just-now at the airport studying with Riaz (my classmate)...

now it's off to a quick shower and to school to sit for my test...finally! lol!

but first...i think i'd like to take a knee...

:)

Singapore!

2009-09-15T23:40:00.003+08:00

Awesome Singapore! Woohoo! Eventhough half of the team comes from other parts of the world i'm still so happy! Congrats guys! Now local players... please be inspired and arise!

I was just counting the days down to my final exams for Bio...there are only 18 days left...i cannot believe it! ARGGHHH!! So Many Things To Do!!!

You know, you've heard the saying "spare the rod, spoil the kid"? But have you ever heard of the one that goes, "Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected" by Red Buttons?!! Who is that fella man?! Hilarious...practically true... but just not right...somehow. Siao!

Ok, off to study and sleep... must make sure i wake up and make the effort to be spot on time for work!

Zzzzz...

Rambles...

2009-09-15T22:52:00.005+08:00

Back from school!!!

Finally went to the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition!!! Last Thursday... with Aaron (who just couldn't get what my excitement was all about haha)...Been eyeing the exhibition ever since it was publicised ... and that was in May!

Oh so interesting! Always loved biblical history! It's just amazing how God allowed for the Reformation to take place and how the Bible was made available to the whole world bit by bit. From Hebrew to Greek to Latin to German to English to Spanish and to dunno-how-many-more-languages! And the efforts these people put into making the Bible available to their people. Luther, Calvin, Erasmus, Tyndale, Wycliffe and so many more! People! The Bible that you have in English today is the result of the sweat, blood and tears of many in the Reformation & post-Reformation era, ordained of course by our wonderful Lord! Stingy royal English (and other nationalities) snots in those days didn't want the Bible to be available in any other language but Latin! The simple common folk just simply couldn't get their hands on the Word of God in a language they could understand. How wonderful that Satan's schemes can never prevail against God's plans!

Isaiah 55:11
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

It's just unbelievable how Christianity has travelled its course through history (despite the attempts to attack and twist doctrine and people) and is still travelling it until the day of Christ... even then it will still travel In the New Jerusalem as described in the Bible!

History can sometimes just leave you with this sense of wonder and awe...to how it has shaped to become today.

Psalm 97:9
For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

God's graciousness

2009-08-12T01:16:00.012+08:00

There's this story that i heard today about a couple. As the story went on... it grew on me. A story of how two different lives, brought up in their own lands yet sharing a similar trait - a story of poverty, a story of God's providence.

This man & woman were born in two different countries. The woman - born to be an orphan from birth upon the demise of her mother. The man - born to two parents, only to lose his father at the tender young age of 5 and thus ending up as the sole breadwinner for his family at such a tender age.

The woman, upon birth, was given to an orphanage. An orphanage run by Christian missionaries from America and then Britain. And there she grew; the formative years of her life. A growth not only physically and emotionally, but even spiritually due to the much placed emphasis on the Bible & God by the missionaries running the orphanage. Even so, as this woman grew, there would always be a time where she would have to leave the orphanage to go out into the world to further her education beyond the adolescent days of junior high, high school and college. Who would then take care of her? Who would provide? The orphanage definitely couldn't afford to for each and every single of their children. And so, along came this American pastor's wife, who graciously provided for this young woman - covering her university fees and seeing to it that this young woman would never be lacking in her education simply because of her state of poverty. After completing her education, this now-young woman, blessed by many in her life, went to work in the local church. And there she was for a good 13 years, till came the day, where she would venture overseas with her beloved to a foreign land to start a new life.

So what about the man? Well, upon the demise of his father when he was 5, there were people in the village who took him and his family under their wings. Providing financially and giving the help that every young growing boy needs - these uncles and aunties helped him out greatly as a young lad so that he wouldn't just roam the streets mindlessly. Even so, as they helped, he still had to walk the streets to sell fruits and do odd-ball jobs to earn some money for the family who now had the addition of two growing younger sisters. He studied... he studied hard and he worked hard. And when the time came for him to be old enough to work officially - he set off to the seas to earn his living as a seaman.

One day he met the young woman mentioned above. And they grew to love each other and eventually decided to get married. Though the now-young man was earning, much of his money was being taken by his family back at home in the village; and the woman, working in church - well in those days it wasn't much. Peanuts they called it. So they got married and two years later they had a boy. Funny thing is that, when they had the child... they had no money too -_-'. And so this young woman's childhood friend from the orphanage (who was like a sister to her and had grown and was also married by now and financially better placed) took the young woman and her child into their home and for a few months provided financially and lovingly to the upbringing of the child. And to the young woman the support given was invaluable. Here's something right out of the movies. When the boy was born, the father was out at sea. For more than a month following the boy's birth, the father had no idea... that he had become a father. Telegrams and letters were sent in vain. Talk about poor communication!

Through the story i see God's hand working in tremendous ways. Matthew 6:26 tells us, "look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns but yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Emphasis added) The young man and woman are my parents. And that boy child is me. (I was shocked to hear that my dad had no idea i had been born for more than a month!) I am amazed and very much grateful to the Lord for how He hath provided greatly for my parents. The Lord is very true to His word. My mum was sharing how the Christian missionaries would really take pains to teach the girls at the orphanage to grow in the Word and teach them to lead Biblical lives. Though yes, these things can only be taught to an extent because the rest of it is really determined by where your heart is, i see that legacy of the missionaries still carried on daily in my mum's life. Though yes, different generations do not always see eye to eye on certain things, faithfulness cannot be changed. You are either faithful or you are not. There's no two ways about it. And this i see in my mother, morning to night, she rises to feed her children and nurse them with much love and care, always impressing the need to pray, read the Bible and grow as children of God, putting forth her family before herself as she faithfully fulfills the duties of a biblical mother. Many times i see her sitting down quietly at the table, reading her Bible along with RBC's Daily Bread. And from these moments with the Lord she draws much strength, she shares. Despite her having to bring me up without my father by her side (he was sailing out at sea most of the time, remember?), she did. I learnt that there were many struggles she faced by herself when we moved to Singapore. Can you imagine, settling the buying of the house (which as foreigners with no CPF was a bomb!), the loans, ensuring your son grows well and at the same time having to come to grips with life in a whole new world for yourself plus i-dunno-what-else?

And my dad? His difficult childhood caused him to be a man of much responsibility and leadership. Though i may not always have liked the ways in which he tried to teach me (like i said, different generation), i now see the value and the truth behind his words as i grow older.

I can't really say everything in detail on the Net. It gets ardous. And though it may seem like i've painted my parents in a perfect light, let it be known that they are still humans and like every other human is, they're fallible too. And by no means do i intend to make it seem like my parents suffered more than others and hence because of that are even more blessed!

To some, it may seem it's not much. But to me it is. It is much to me because it makes me realise how MUCH the Lord has led and provided for my parents and for me too, all these years. I cannot imagine growing up a orphan, poor and destitute & i cannot imagine growing up having to think about supporting my family from the age of 5. What does a kid understand about supporting a family at that age?? But today, i am so blessed to be provided with a house to live in, with parents to go home to amongst many other things...I wonder, is our current generation of youth so happily caught up with the comforts of the world that they're content to be lazy and sit back? So much so that even asking them to do a bit of work can be a pain to them...Do they see the comforts of the world as blessings granted by the Lord or do they see the comforts of the world as a door for them to ignore the hardships of life and just waddle in their own happy little world? I know that at times i have been guilty of the latter.

I have been so blessed. I wonder sometimes, is my life a blessing in return unto the Lord? He has given much, but am i giving back my life unto Him for all He has done. You know, reflecting on how the Lord provided soooo abundantly for my family and me too as i grew - there's one thing that He provided that stands above all. And that is the purification of sins (Hebrews 1:3). He provided salvation. One thing that i thank God for providing to my parents more than all the material and emotional blessings, is that He planned their lives in such a way that they grew to know Him personally as their Lord and Savior at some stage. (My mum said that despite growing up parent-less, she was thankful because it opened the door to her to grow up with Christ-like influences all around her every minute & somewhere through those years the Lord convicted her of His role in her life - What an encouragement and joy to hear!) But does my life reflect a "desperate" thankfulness for His work on the cross for me? I mean it's easy to be thankful... but if we're "desperately" thankful we would go to extents to "repay" that kind act that someone has done unto us, won't we?

Am i "desperate" for God? Am i "desperate" to be personal with Him? Am i "desperate" to be His servant? Am i "desperate" to be his child (like how a child would love and seek his/her parents)?

Ecc 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"-

National Day!

2009-08-10T01:22:00.002+08:00

What a long day!!...

But oh so funnnn....

Biking, service, work,digging, floorball, National Day BBQ cum Police & Thief, biking back...

I'm beat...

But oh so funnnn....

Woohoo!

Wowee

2009-07-24T00:09:00.003+08:00

My Math module result finally came out... and i got an A!!! Totally unbelievable! I flipped when my friend told me my result! Shocked?! I think i'm more shocked than anyone else... I really wasn't expecting this and wasn't hoping for it either. I thought i'd end up with a B or a C. I would've been extremely delighted with that to be honest...

I think God has been really gracious. It's very convenient to say that it's His grace to me that i've gotten As in two modules so far. But i think it's crucial that i make the effort to see how His grace has been working. And it has...in various ways:

1. The Pastors & The Church Council have been graciously supportive of me in my studies. They've allowed me to take offs & leaves to study and cover up for those offs i took by working full days on Saturday and Sundays.

2. The Lord Himself has grown me to who i am today. In the past, i wouldn't bother to make the effort to study (as everybody knows), but over the years i think the Lord has graciously caused me to mature in my life to view studying as one of the areas in my life that i need to be faithful in too.

3. Understanding parents! Who know that i'm an adult and don't nag at me! hahahaha...no la. My parents have seen me come home really tired & worn out sometimesa after a really long day at work & school. Their encouragements & their support...& especially their understanding of my situation has really encouraged me & assured me too at the same time. Plus, they're paying for my fees!

4. The Lord Himself has been my source of strength. Sometimes i'm so tired, that i really don't wanna do anything. I'm glad that this year, i find that i've been able to find more solace & strength in Him rather than wallow in my "circumstances".

5. Friends :) Oh they're so important...

I guess there are many more ways? But these are some of them that come to the forefront of my mind of how the Lord has so graciously cared for me.

It is also my prayer that despite the good results i might stay humble. I've never been in this "business of good results" before - unless it's a subject i really, really liked (very rare). And to be very honest, it's easy to get my head filled with ambitious thoughts for future studies and to dream of similar results all the way. But we know, that results are not what matter the most. It is my prayer that i may not just look to the end, but that i shall always remember to walk joyfully through the process too with the Lord. I hope that i will not succumb into the temptation or the pattern of putting my studies before the Lord rather than the other around. (And i'm certainly not expecting the results to stay this way all the time)

Oh! Know what! I've started cycling to & fro work! It's faster...cheaper...and fitter! haha...started doing it last year and was doing it on an on/off basis but thought that i should make it as permanent as possible this time round. It's Very relaxing in the morning!!

I Like my bike and i cannot lie.

Ok i'm off to bed.ZZZ..

So Late, So Fresh

2009-07-11T03:06:00.002+08:00

It's 3am...i've got a test later in the afternoon at school, a graded test. But know what...i'm feeling really refreshed!

Some of us just went out to casually celebrate Ben's birthday. I wasn't so sure at first about going with my test being tomorrow. But as i thought about it, i rarely get these opportunities, with the schedule i have. And the next time an opportunity like this arises, where i could just spend time with my fellow peers under a relaxing atmosphere.,. would be... i don't know when man! SO i thought it'd be good to go...

And i'm totally thankful that i did! It was so nice, to just spend time together...talking, chilling, sharing, laughing...i didn't really want to go home - i think i could've just happily sat there for much longer, but oh well - the responsibilities given to you in life cannot be ignored :p

Thank God for friends! I so enjoyed myself today (even though i didn't talk much :p) It was so fun just listening, watching them and quipping in once in a while :p hehe...Only sad point is that i didn't take any photos!

Grrr...

Apostate

2009-05-28T01:48:00.003+08:00

Apostasy? How do we become apostates? For those who don't know, apostate = someone who forsakes his religion. Apostate = "believe, trust & obey God once, but after awhile don't believe, trust & obey anymore"

It's those little isty bitsy moments in your life that tell a lot actually.

It's a real thing you know. I mean, have we ever wondered, years down the road, how sure are we that we won't be one of them? I was just pondering over it. It's possible you know if we are content to continuously compromise what God wants for the sake of pleasing our ungodly wants. It's scary. Coz i know there are many instances that i've done that.

I guess we have to be vigilant in our self-examination which would come as a result of diligence walking with the Lord? Easier said than done. After all, apostasy is never a sudden result. It's more often than not "the product of a pattern of sinful compromises that harden and gradually steer a professing believer away from the truth." (GTY Ministries)

"...holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith." 1 Tim 1:19

How crucial it is to be aware...so difficult but so rewarding. sigh...:)

ALIVE again...

2009-05-28T01:40:00.004+08:00

blog heart rate:
signs of revival -
"there's a blip doc, it's beating & breathing again..."

The organ...

2009-04-19T23:42:00.002+08:00

Don't you think the organ is such a... "magnifique splendeur" kinda instrument. The thought of playing with the pipes bellowing out the rich and diversified sounds of the organ in the background. It's so...so...i'm just totally enchanted by it! Grand! Majestic! Captivating! Yet with the ability to be mellow & soft in its tones. It's just so enchanting...

Home sweet home...

2009-04-16T01:11:00.008+08:00

School again today! But guess what...i'm actually starting to understand the baffling greek that my lecturer speaks! Woohoo!!! All those moments of

1. sheer frustration almost to the point of tears of not understanding anything my lecturer spoke coz he was simply in his own world
2. wanting to tell the lecturer to "wake up his idea" (thank God i didn't do that)
3. giving up being frustrated and just staring blankly at the board and seeing squiggly letters and numbers

And now in the past 3 classes i've had, i've actually been able to follow! Any idea how thankful i am?!! WAHHH!!!!!!

Now there's just the small matter of catching up on the first 8 chapters that he taught that i'm completely lost about. Oh and...my mid-term exam next Saturday...well, they just happen to be testing us on those exact first 8 chapters that i have no clue about. Oh bravo!

I thank the Lord for Romans & Ben who encouraged me to press on. Their encouragement and support really uplifted me. I thank the Lord too that He helped me see the need to change my attitude and approach to the subject, if not there could've been no progress! Still not there yet though...

Zzzz...

Gonna Sleep...

2009-04-14T01:22:00.007+08:00

Another day of work and school over... i thought i'd take the time to read others blogs before i slept to see what's going on in their lives. Boy am i glad i did...i see of Peng's deep sensitivity to live his life rightly before his Saviour...i see of Gloria's wonderful testimony to everything about MImby, the joy that the Lord granted her through the committee, the lessons learnt through the whole process and her painful yet joyous perseverance despite so little rest. I read of Romans' calling to be urgent with passion, to have a vision and his wanting to relive that vision he has for the ministry... i read of Sarah's reminder to us to check where our eyes wander when the times get difficult.

I must say, i teared a bit. Teared coz it was such a joy to see how everyone walked with the Lord. Teared coz it reminded me also of my shortcoming - of how i had forgotten or let go of lessons learnt in the past so as to to live a more easy and convenient life. Teared coz , as much as it delighted me to see the Lord working in their lives, i know that He is prompting me to walk closely with Him again.

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to go to sleep with such a big smile on my face (No not Joker-like...bigger than that) despite my quads which are aching like crazy after those jump squats today...*sobs*.

I think i shall go and talk to my dearest Daddy in the sky now...

Nite...!

March Reflection

2009-04-11T13:30:00.011+08:00

Be patient, therefore, brothers,until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers,so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:7 - 11

Perseverance! My biggest problem! You know, when i was having that 2 month break from school from mid Jan to mid March... things were quite smooth sailing. I felt that i spent the first 1 month of the holiday better than the next half. The first half seemed to be more "fruitful". Whereas the second half...well swayed back into a routine, sadly. And then came along this thing called Math. And ever since it started, things have never been routine or the same again.

In the passage above, James talk about being patient. Now in this context he was probably writing to his brethren who were being taken advantage of by rich people. But see how he tells them to be patient, like a farmer who waits for a few months (early and late rains are few months apart) to see the results of his farming. Do not grumble, behold, for the Lord is at the door. Wait a bit more, be patient instead of grumbling and being judged for it. And he gives the prophets as examples of suffering and patience. ANd indeed blessed are those who remained steadfast. Like Job!

But what really caught me was the verse telling me to establish my heart. I realised that my heart was not set. There was a lot of grumbling against my Math teacher who really didn't make sense. There was a lot of unhappiness at having to put in so much extra, extra effort in studying on my own. Extra efforts are really necessary you know when you have forgotten everything from eons back and you don't learn much in class. So i found myself resorting to my Poly-days attitude. The phlegmatic self in me. The part that simply doesn't care, simply doesn't wanna do anything about it eventhough i know that i have to do something about it! My heart was simply not established. It was wavering. It was struggling to establish itself firmly. I was not patient. I wanted instantaneous results without having to go through the hard process.

There's this saying that perseverance is a rare commodity in a microwave society with so many technological advancements. When problems come, we send up prayers with almost the same expectation as when we press the buttons on our microwave. A few seconds, we think, and we should be done with it.

As i said in my previous post, i want to go through this module trusting the Lord. It's one thing knowing what i am going to face. It's another when you're going through the actual process. But trust must be accompanied by obedience. I can't simply sit back, don't care, and trust that the Lord will pull me through, expecting results, if i don't do anything about it. It doesn't work that way. That would be making a mockery out of my God.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2 - 4

A verse that we all know very well. Maybe i've been too comfortable during the two month holiday again; Forgetting that there is no way to become a mature Christian without trials -trials that slowly burn away the flesh in order for Christlikeness to shine out forth from our body.

So do pray with and for me, that instead of looking for an escape, i may instead look to the Lord. That i may instead look forward to the benefit of the trial - steadfastness & maturity & a closer walk with Him, - that i may find joy in having my character being "burnt into shape" by Him.
Perseverance.

Ramble Yusoff :-)

Some PIcs...

2009-03-24T16:01:00.007+08:00

SOME PICS FROM THE OFFICE

We celebrated Ps Wong's birthday last week... (missing: Brian Chan, Pastor Chris Liu, Ben Chan, Rev Allen Su)

Ivy decided she had waited long enough; whilst everybody was posing for the picture she decided to make a move for the cake first...tsk. :p

Oh...This took some doing man... you don't see Brian in anything but blue usually...next up... a white t-shirt with pinky kung fa panda prints all over for him!

Davidson Goh my regular at-my-table-tormentor! But he gets tormented pretty often too :p Stop touching me with that stick!!

Math! Oh Lord...help!

2009-03-24T10:48:00.001+08:00

I went back to school yesterday...after a 2 month-long "hiatus". And for those who keep on telling me that i at least have holidays... i still have to work everyday! Holidays is what full-time students have. Poks...

Anyway i'm now studying Math. Have i ever told you i've always loathed math? Well if i haven't, now you know. There was a reason why, the moment i finished my O-Levels, i said i wanted to go to Mass Comm you know! What more, after 7 years of not studying math, here i am doing math again. Arghhh!!! I ask myself though, do i loathe it because i simply don't like it?
Or knowing how much time and energy it will take out of me? I was seriously lost in yesterday's lecture (the lecturer was seriously in his own world)! At that point of time i knew that this module was going to take a lot out of me. I've got classes 4 times a week...every week! And classes on Saturday are like 4 - 5 hours long...of just Math. Add to that the time needed to revise on my own; there's barely any time to find with everything else going on!
Honestly... i'm not really looking forward to all those draining moments. But the lessons of past have not been forgotten! As i was on my way back reflecting, the Lord reminded me that having Him in my life really made the difference. No matter the hard moments, no matter the awfully frustrating moments, it all dims when put under the light that God gave us through His Son on the cross. It gave us hope! It gave us security! It gave us eternal life! It brightens up everything when you look at it that way! And it really brightened up my perspective as i thanked God that i could go through this module knowing that i can trust Him in all outcomes as i obey Him, knowing that this is another part of His plan for me in the long run. Sometimes i spend so much time bothered about the difficulties, that its easy to forget that they're just minor matters when placed in comparison with God's promises and His unchanging character. He never said that life would be easy. Besides, there are so many other difficulties & sufferings that others face that are of a different scale! I'm sorry i know this post is long... but it's just joyous being able to express His truth in my own words!

The hard work's not going to go away. The sleepless nights shall return. The last time round, i retreated into my cocoon. This time round, i pray that i may cling to the Cross. Time will tell whether i've learned the lessons from past. I sure hope i shan't be like the Israelites who forgot God's gracious providence really quickly after He delivered them from Pharaoh. May the wonderful deeds of the Lord in my life not be forgotten.

Psalm 9:1 "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; i will recount all of your wonderful deeds"

And may i glorify God through all that comes...

2 Cor 12:9 "My grace is sufficient, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

To Him & His truths i shall cling on to as i dive into this module!

P.S. The Lord's been really gracious! Despite my retreating away from Him during the difficult Oct - Dec period, despite my unfaithfulness He still enabled me to do well for my first module (Chemistry!). I got an A! Honestly, i couldn't believe it... the result i got was purely a result of the Lord's hand working in some way. Thank You, Lord!

Psalm 34:8 "O taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is he who takes refuge in Him!"

Going to sleep...

2009-03-04T00:21:00.000+08:00

Recently picked up this magazine titled Blu Magazine...i think. Now, now, don't go getting the wrong idea. It's "Blu" coz it's about sea life and stuff. On the cover, was a picture of an island, diving flippers and the words "Nikoi Island".

Check it out... http://www.nikoi.com/

I'm absolutely enchanted to bits by it! *Drools*...Sun, Sand & Sea. Oooooooo...can't stand it... wanna go there!! Oh well... ... ... ... Sigh... ... ...

Oh you know what, the terrorists are now attacking poor cricketers as well. The Sri Lankan cricket team (with security escorts in their team coach & behind too) got attacked by insurgents in Pakistan earlier in the day... on the way to their match! What's this world coming to... can't terrorists let the game at least start and finish? Ok i'm kidding...we all know they shouldn't even be making an attempt...My former coach was with the Sri Lankan team, he's now their team manager. Wonder how he's doin...

Reminds me of the time i was in Pakistan to play...we too had security escorts inside our team coach plus a a security detail following us behind our coach as well. Us and other international teams were staying at this hotel that had been bombed 6 months before our stay whilst the New Zealand team was staying there i think. Can't really remember my facts. Now that i think about it... it must have been immensely scary for my parents to have seen my fly off to a country full of terror! Just to play a game of bat and ball. The things we do for our country... haha.

Zzzzz...

In The Lord's Army

2009-02-11T14:48:00.001+08:00

If you ever want to...check this out...we made personalised letters for every one of the boys in 2008...:p Was browsing through some files and came across it...have a laugh...

Thanksgiving

2009-02-11T14:23:00.000+08:00

With much appreciation
I thank Thee Lord
For the trials
For the tribulations

With much gratefulness
I thank Thee O God
For thine Indescribable grace
For thine Indescribable mercies

With much praise
I thank Thee O Mighty Ruler
For thy unflappable commands
For thy never changing standards

With much joy
I thank Thee O Father
For thine unfailing love
For thine gift of salvation

January!

2009-02-11T11:12:00.000+08:00

A few years back...a lot of us look dark BUT there
are actually some angmohs & chinese in the pic too!
We were playing under conditions of 2 degrees by the way...

Sports Science! Some of you might know that i'm pursuing this basic exercise course at Sports Council. A lot of this past month (January) has gone by, with me being unable to contain my glee at the fact that i am actually studying something i can relate to so well and something that i really enjoy! It has been playing on my mind a lot! Why am i so happy?! Sometimes even like a small kid who's so excited at being given something that he's been eyeing for eons? Sometimes i just rattle incessantly about it to some of you peeps?

Ever since i started training and playing at an international level few years back (i'm not anymore), i learnt that professional competitive sport was more than just running around and doing your stuff. Lots of factors contributed to that "just running around and doing your stuff". And it intrigued me. Seeing how the body could be analysed, strengthened, watched over and maximised in terms of its physical potential etc.

It was just amazing that a sports scientist could just come over to me and tell me a couple of things to work on in my training and find that it actually did matter and not only that, i could do it better after applying what he told me and at the same time was protecting my body by doing it the right way too. Why do sportsman have so many injuries nowadays? A good reason is that, even at the highest competitive level, some people still do things the wrong and abnormal way. Some people are really good at a certain sport, but because of their style which puts so much pressure on their body, their body breaks down faster. The process of having to analyse their movements, and how their movements contributed to their physical downfall and having to counter their problems bla bla bla...it just goes on and on. And i could go on and on as to why and how it interests me and how it thrills me especially because i have seen and experienced myself how beneficial the subject is!

I just found it all very very interesting! I started collecting my own notes, manuals, articles...files of em! Went around talking to people who knew about the subject, learnt about it in a very practical and applicable manner when i was playing and experienced the benefits of sports science myself! Now whatever i've learnt over the years by training, by reading and word of mouth... i will be taught all that in detail! The thought of that... *drools*...

Just recently, i was looking through all i had compiled over the years. I was just wondering as to why the Lord didn't grant me the opportunity to pursue that interest so many years back when i was playing competitively and had a very good reason to learn then. But as i look back, i realise that it really has been His timing. He has changed and moulded me over the years, and still is, to know that it is all His providence.

And How! In His timing, he has brought me across this path of study. A few years ago i wouldn't have been so thankful to the Lord. I would have been more delighted for myself. But now... really, all glory goes to God for being so gracious to allow me to pursue this interest of mine!

Honestly that's really the reason why i get so excited sometimes talking about it or sharing my experiences about it. Coz i am just so amazed that the Lord has given me this opportunity that i'm just so thankful for it! I don't know how else to share my thanksgiving or my joy. I am just so grateful that i had the chance to pursue this exercise course at Sports Council. It was like... " waaaahhh!!! All these years i've really been wanting to study all this!!" I think it is only right that with what i learn i use to serve the Lord. And i find that i am able to do bits and pieces of that with the younger people in ministry. And i can't wait to see how much more i can serve the Lord through it in the future! (But before i go that far...let me do my degree in sports science first yea :p)

Ahhh...i'm just really really grateful to the Lord because it really is His grace in action!

You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Ramble Yusoff :)

Waiting...

2009-02-02T20:57:00.000+08:00

At church now...Waiting to go to Jean Shen's place now...

Browsing for pics to design the latest Cleansing Stream Advert. Wanted to use my last 2 designs from the previous 2 years but the Photoshop files are in my VAIO. And my VAIO is currently with the SONY people... the side of the screen split when it was dropped...i'm not sure when i'll get it back...sooooo... must do a new design... maybe that's a good thing too...

A few of us are gonna do some running at Bedok Reservoir later. Been eating energy bars, chocolate and a bit of bread...trying to stock up all the energy and carbs. Kan chiong man! Haven't run for like 4 - 5 months...*jittery*...Wasn't well today morning either...so even more kan chiong!

Aiyah...just run la huh?

Since i'm waiting...i think i'll post up my December '08 RL here also...

December
Crazy month!

Really, really crazy…

Not only did work get crazier, so did the level of ministry at both church & SNP level. It’s sheer madness when you have to study too at the same time. I recall very vividly, working non-stop from Friday early morning to the next day morning (Saturday) and then going for ChristmaSing practice from afternoon till evening and having various Christmas Banquet meetings that night and then going back home to study into the wee hours of the night to prepare for my upcoming test in school. Almost 40 hours of non-stop action without any sleep.

The Problem

Tiredness was an everyday thing in December. That tiredness was very “short-sighted”. What do I mean?

Amidst all the busyness and tiredness I once again failed to see God’s sovereign hand working. I think it was a struggle that I had been struggling with ever since school had started, more so during the even more hectic period in December. Instead of being able to look far and see that the Lord may have been using these experiences to mould me or teach me or draw me closer to Him, I could only look at the present busyness and tiredness and whine at God. That’s what I mean by short-sighted.

Jeremiah tells of how the Lord kept on reminding Israel to return to Him. “Return, faithless Israel” the Lord, God told them. James tells us to draw near to Him and He will draw near to us. Quite a few times, I felt like I was being reminded to just return to the Lord, to seek solace in Him, to seek renewed strength in Him. But all those times I chose to retreat into a cocoon and just try and sleep away or not bother about the cause of my tiredness. Focusing on the work, literally kept sapping the strength out of me. The joy started to diminish. Where was that joy that came from knowing of my salvation that was given to me freely? It started to become more blur as the focus really drew away from the Lord.

Where was my focus on the Master of all this work? Christ doesn’t want me to focus merely on His work. He puts His works in my life so that through those works I can focus on Him! But that became quite difficult in January.

The Outcome

However, as shared during the retreat, I am very thankful for the experiences that came my way in December. Though I may not have exactly been jumping around singing, “Hallelujah!” during that period when facing the problem, I do thank the Lord for what He brought my way.

On hindsight, I realize where my problems lay. I found that during times of intense busyness and tiredness I didn’t really go to the Lord with a sincere heart that was looking to Him. It was more of an “I’m going to Him because I know I should be going to Him” but nothing more than that. I relied a lot on my own strength during this period and that really played a big part in me being drained out. And so I’m more determined now to not let my past mistakes repeat themselves.

I was reminded too by Romans that the only reason we are able to serve is coz of the grace of God and His mercies to us. Therefore there is no reason for us to not have joy. Because the very fact that we are able to actually serve is only because He enabled and allowed us to! And that alone is an excellent reason for us to be joyful! SO whenever I’m tired, or whenever I’m so busy…do pray that I may not be ignorant of the Lord’s everlasting grace and mercy to me!

I also grew even more thankful of the people around me too during this period. Especially to all those who assisted my in the running of Christmas Banquet, I really thank God for each and EVERY ONE of you. Amy, Daryl, Kenneth, Jean Le and a few other people outside the SNP circle. Your capabilities, willingness and your patience to put up with my inept planning, I am so thankful for!

To Ivy, Jean Shen, Romans, Gwen and Ben, the extra time and effort you put into helping, teaching, guiding and encouraging (+ scolding – but that was only Romans :P) me, are great examples for me to follow and really inspired me to hopefully be able to do the same for others, sometime down the road when I am capable of it.

Last but not least, thanks be to God – in every sense! I have learnt more about myself as a child of God, I have learnt a bit more about what it takes to run a ministry & events and I really thank God for that! And I have certainly learnt to be more aware, trusting and thankful of the Lord’s Sovereign hand and His gracious & merciful character.

Isaiah 40:30 – 31
“Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Thank You Lord!

© Ramble Yusoff King Of Potatoes

January RL coming soon...

ok gotta go now...have to reach JS's place in 10 minutes...

School's Out!

2009-01-26T02:15:00.000+08:00

School's out! For now... i just finished my Chem module on 21st Jan (Wed) - that was the day of my final exam. I think i'll just scrape through the final paper. It was too much to study in a short period of time, but i think...i will just pass :) I did what i could. I want to thank the Lord for putting me through this new phase of life where i've been working full time, studying part time and serving in the ministry. I really do want to thank Him because it has really pulled me out of my comfort zone to really trust in Him when things can get really tough, as they most certainly did and will. In regards to the school process, the Lord has been good to me! Despite the crazily hectic schedule...the Lord granted me really good results in the major tests in the modules (80%++ for both my main tests!), a very helpful bunch of classmates who helped me immensely when i found it hard to understand the greek that my lecturer was speaking...and He used this period to get my brain working & thinking again like it should! Lol! I am really thankful to a lot of the people in church too who encouraged me and supported me and understood me during these past 4 months. Thank you!

Here's the best part of not having school for the next 2 months. I have 3 - 4 more nights free every week! Coz if there's school i'd be in school 3 - 4 nights per week...it's like wow! Suddenly there's so much time! Well it may not be much but still...the thought of how much more time i can have on my hands...it's such an enthralling feeling! :p Time to do so many things...to serve in the ministry...to spend more time with myself...to be able to focus on work and not have to bother about school matters...to spend more time with my friends!

For those who don't know... i'm doing a foundation year now before i start on my BSc in Sports Science in 2010. (Drooling at the prospect of it) Yes. I am really really really looking forward to Sports Science! It's amazing how time flies...4 months and my first module is over already! Before you know it... the degree will be over...and i'll be married :p hahaha...lemme get attached first eh...*cheeky smile*...

But for now...

Time to sleep...

2008's Gone!

2009-01-01T17:17:00.000+08:00

It's 2009 already! When i look back on the happenings of the year... it's amazing. I look back on my life and all that's been going on around me and i can only

Bow down and say
You are awesome in this place Mighty God
You are awesome in this place Abba Father
You are worthy of all praise
To you our lives we raise
You Are Awesome In This Place, Mighty God

He really has been awesome!

As every other year, 2008 was full of new experiences. The last few months especially were a struggle, coping with the load of working, studying and serving in the ministry. It was something like i had never faced before. But i am so thankful to the Lord my God for His grace and mercy, that despite my unfaithfulness, He still granted me the strength & willingness, bringing me through this period and He ensured that His work would not be affected. Through the struggles i learnt more about myself as a child of God and i learnt more about how to run & serve in a ministry. And this was all His doing :)

And these are things too that i am very, very thankful for.

Thankful for my fellow SNP Leaders
Thankful for Romans, Ivy & Ben, my fellow co-labourers in the ministry and in the office
Thankful for the Pastors and their support to me
Thankful for Brian, for his understanding of how busy i was
Thanful for the rest of the staff in the office who always have a way of helping & encouraging
Thankful for the people in the church who serve quietly but faithfully, year round
Thankful for the SNPians & Desire-ians
Thankful for our church members who constantly encourage me & support me in my work Thankful for a new experience of being back in school after 6 years
Thankful for my parents who have been quietly supportive of all i do
Thankful for my sisters, who bring much joy into my life :)
Thankful TO THE LORD, WHO HAS GRANTED US THIS GIFT OF SALVATION WHICH ALLOWS/ENABLES US TO BE THANKFUL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES & THANKFUL TO HIM FOR HIM WHO HAS CARRIED US THROUGH PLENTY - GOOD TIMES & DIFFICULT TIMES.

There's plenty more to be thankful for. But then if i listed them down, people would probably give up less than halfway through :p

One thing that recently caught the world and turned it upside down was the economic crash world-wide. Look at how Europe and the States have been affected. It made me really thankful for our government for the certain practices that they had demanded out of our local corporations. Had they not, we would have faced the same credit crunch. People think that life in the States is so good because residents there can just keep on taking loans, delaying payments from their credit card bills and mortgage loans. Look what happened; they borrowed so much money that the banks were left with no more money. And after borrowing so much, they couldn't afford to pay back all they had borrowed, leaving the banks with no hope! I'm generalising here. I'm sure that there are plenty responsible residents in those places. But, it really made me thankful for our government. I hear of my friends, past and present, complaning of the Singapore government (PAP). They wish that there could be more freedom sometimes. They wish there could be a change of leadership because they want something that the current government is not giving them.

But they fail to see that the laws that our government has placed are really to protect us. Yes, there may be certain rules that may really need to be changed - i don't know, BUT i do know that it is because of these stringent rules that the government has put in place that today, Singapore stands where it is. Just like how God gave His people laws and commandments to follow. Why? Why did He become a "cosmic killjoy"? He didn't! He placed those laws and commandments because He wanted to protect His people. Protect them from falling into the trap of doing wrong and paying eternal consequences later on. But people, being people, still went ahead and ignored His laws and commandments. That's why we have a world full of sin today, don't we? I think it's pretty similar. The government has placed certain procedures and rules in place to protect us. Yet people complain. It's hard to please everyone i guess. Just think...if our government had been so easy-going with mortgage loans and credit card re-payments...we would be so much worse off now. For that, i am thankful for their wisdom in foresight to look ahead and prevent greater damages.

Thank God for all that 2008 has carried and let's move into 2009 seeking to know, trust & obey Him! Woohoo! Thank You Lord!

Mimby Christmas Eve!

2008-12-09T15:51:00.001+08:00

Brought to you by Bedok Lutheran Church! Live performance by the 'Earthen Vessels' - the up and coming band in the Bedok South part of Singapore! :p Better be there...and bring your friends along!
24 Dec '08 @ 10pm.

Life's A Marathon

2008-11-13T16:54:00.000+08:00

You know life, can be likened to a marathon :p. In the early days, the Corinthians were regular spectators/participants of the Isthmian games (some sort of Olympics for layman terms), hence they were familiar and could relate to the analogy of running. In 1 Cor 9:24 - 25, Paul says "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever".

He puts it so aptly. Runners don't run to lose! Obviously they run to win. Similarly in our lives we need to run in such a way to get the prize. And to run in such a way to get that prize we need to train ourselves, but we train ourselves not to get perishable wreathes but an imperishable one! It got me asking myself... am i running this race to win that prize? What race is this...well it's the race of life. My life is this race. Am i training myself to run it in such a way to get an imperishable wreathe? Or am i running with a blurred or even worse, mindless aim?

You know, marathons are reaaalllly long (42.195km); let's not go into ultra & triple marathons (side subject :p). To run a marathon...well you need to train. You can't just jump into a marathon and expect to run the 42km++ and beat a whole field of competitors who have prepared for it. HOw do we train? Well, for example, we start gradually don't we? We start with short distances...include some circuit trainings...hit the weights in a general manner. AS time goes by, the distances increase, the trainings get more intense and harder and you have to push yourself more.

I guess life is like a marathon? There is that finish line at the end. But to finish that marathon we need to train for it and then run it. And when we run it... we have to run 41.194km before we can reach that last metre and touch the finish line. The whole process brings across various challenges along the way. Isn't that life? A process where we come across various situations? SItuations that the Lord can use to mould use if we are willing, or situations which we can just look the other way and give up or ignore? Just like how we have to train and overcome the varying levels of difficulties before and during the marathon, so are the situations in our lives. I like to think that they happen coz the Lord is using them to mould us and train us for further and possibly harder challenges ahead.

Many a time i find myself looking for the easy way out in life. Many a time i wish that life could be easier. Many a time i just wish i didn't have to bother about things around me in my life but just focus on what i want to do myself. But the Lord reminded me one day when i was sharing with a friend, that life is like a marathon. It doesn't get easier. And to finish that marathon... you need to go through various obstacles. I can't give up if i want to finish it. If i were to be self-centered and give up, that would be falling short of the finish line. Then it would require double the energy to pick myself up and continue again. It was a good reminder to me, especially at a period where i was getting lazy & unwilling to put in effort due to the tiredness & fatigue from my daily schedules.

Life's not going to get any easier! Looking for the easy option would eventually turn out to be disastrous. It's a marathon that doesn't finish until the day you die. And to run that marathon successfully, we need to run it with aim. Like Paul said "i beat my body and make it my slave so that after i have preached to others, i myself will not be disqualified for the prize". Such fierce determination and devotion to the cause! If i could have a bit of that fiery determination and devotion in my life, for the Lord, i think that would be a step in the direction of completing my marathon.

Personally, i don't like marathons. I think their sheer madness. But this is one marathon which i definitely can't afford to ignore or dislike - this marathon of life :) And i shall continue to pray & ensure that i may constantly make the effort to run it in a way to win the prize and not run it without any aim. My prayer is that i might see the challenges in my life as opportunities to train myself towards that finish line, that i may not become so wallowed in self-centeredness that i could fail to see that the Lord actually wants to use that certain situation to teach me something so as to shape me for His use, now and down the road. And i believe it would be somewhat similar for all of us too :)

There's a race to be run... and as much as i don't really like runnng, by golly we've all got to keep running it :)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

Alone? Bah! Never Alone...

2008-11-13T12:39:00.000+08:00

On the 6th of November, a Thursday night, I was returning home from Simpang Bedok. I slept on the bus… slept even past my bus stop. I was coming from Eunos and had I not woken up on time, I would have made the turn that would take me over the expressway and down to Bedok interchange. Thankfully, something in me stirred to tell me to get my lazy bones up and off the bus. I was tired. It had been a month since school had started. As I turned to make my way back home, a nagging voice in my head was telling me to walk home & not take the bus. So I thought, why not… a walk under the night sky, enjoying the breeze, or whatever of it there was. I realized that this walk could be a good time for me to just walk… reflect… and relax.

I was listening to this song called “The Heavens Declare” on my iPod.

Psalm 19:1 – 4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There Is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

Psalm 19:7 – 9 “The law of the Lord, is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

The lyrics are made up of the above mentioned verses. And only these verses. No additional words, own touches etc.

(So let me rewind a bit, to give you a bit of background to the conversation that was going on in my head)

And there I was walking… tired, a defeated soul. My mind was reflecting back on the month of October. It’d been a really trying month. School started and that really made the big difference. Working full-time, studying part time, being involved in the ministry… It just seemed unreal. It was madness. After work, I would have to go to class. (Class is usually about 3 nights per week, and sometimes, 4)
I would come home at 11 - 1130pm? Not only do I have to think about work and ministry or whatever else needs to be done, now I have to find time, and I literally mean find, time, to study. Then where’s the time to prepare Bible study or to prepare to meet my guys? Where’s the time to spend time with them? Full-time students… can study, coz that’s what they are – full time students. Part-time student… how to study?? The time to study, is spent going for classes. The time that normal students spend studying, part-timers like me spend working. And IF and when there’s time to study, then something regarding ministry will suddenly loom in the background. On top of that, I’m a 6-year-never-study-student! And now you’re asking me to do A-Level stuff?! And what students learn over 2 years, you’re asking me to learn in 4 months? And Work morning till evening?? And Be Involved In Ministry At the same time??? Then where’s the time for myself???! Where’s the time for my own life??!! Where’s the time for my friends??!

As you read the ‘thought flow’ above, you’d probably see how self-centered it was. My comparisons with full-time students made it seem like I was the only one undergoing difficulties and not them. The focus was on myself.

To sum it up, as October went on, my thoughts started to get more self-centered to a point where I made it seem like I was the sole victim of life’s sufferings and that I was in it on my own. By being more and more self-centered I made it seem as if there was no God in control of my life.

And so my little conversation with me & this voice in my head speaking to me… began.

Me: The heavens declare the glory of God, the song says, but the sky just looks dark, with outlines of the clouds. Not much glory there…

Voice In My Head: Ah, but that’s where the glory is! Look how big it is…how there is no speech or language where the sky does not reach. Everywhere, it exists. So magnanimous, that it speaks forth the glory of God just purely by the fact that it covers the entire world and that it is the work of His hands.

Me: Now, I see. Come to think of it, now that you mention that… I feel so puny. The sky doesn’t seem to get any smaller or nearer, or more reachable no matter how fast or far I walk. It’s like there’s somebody up there looking down on us. We must look like ants!

Voice In My Head: Indeed… when you look at the heavens and see its vastness & splendor, it sure reflects how awesome the Creator of it all is, doesn’t it? What Is man that such a “high-lama” should be mindful of them (man)?

Me: Yes, true… if I were to look at the world from the universe’s point of view…I wouldn’t even be able to see us humans at all.

Voice In My Head: But eventhough the universe is so vast… the Lord still cares for people like you… humans… more than he cares about the universe.

Me: Uh huh… tat’s very true. Indeed it is so good to know that even though I/we are just one/few of many people in this world, the Lord still looks out for each and everyone of His chosen with the same care, detail and precision.

Voice In My Head: So what makes you think that He wasn’t looking out for you throughout the month of October?

Me: Oh… (And at this point of time a lot of Scripture Is rushing to the fore of my head from my memory bank)

Voice In My Head: Cast all your burdens unto Him and He will sustain you. He never lets the righteous fall. Did you ever really believe, even for a moment that He would leave you be, or that He wasn’t watching from up above?

Me: No…but…

Voice In My Head: Then why do you complain and whine as if there is no Sovereign Lord in control of your life?

Me: Oh…

Voice In My Head: Ranald!! Is it that hard to trust in the Lord and stop leaning on your own understanding of what’s happening around you? Instead of whining and complaining… why don’t you acknowledge Him…seek Him. He will direct your path in His own way that you may not be able to see or understand. But He is still there. Why don’t you just simply trust His unfailing love and rejoice in His salvation?

Me: I see…I got so caught up in my own “difficulties” and became so self-centered that I failed to see, despite how many times He has shown me, His love for me would never change. From the day He gave His life for me, He had made my life His own. But due to my self-centeredness, I chose to focus on myself and forgot the biggest picture – that there was something much more greater – something eternal that He had given to me. And not only that, but He would never forsake me.

Voice In My Head: Ah…Now you’re being rational…finally…

Me: I had gotten so caught up that I forgot that the very fact that I’m actually able to stand here, thinking like this is coz Christ died on the cross for me.

Voice In My Head: Indeed. Do you think He Who died for you, would not have the best intention in mind for your life?

Me: I had gotten so caught up that I forgot that my salvation actually makes all this pain seem insignificant… So you’re saying that this tough period… which seems so unreal, is all part of His plan for my good?

Voice In My Head: A DUH!! But keep in mind… He’s doing it to mould you. To change certain weaknesses in your character. To change certain traits in your lifestyle. To push you into a corner where you will have to fight against many temptations, especially to give in, so that you will be able to see how weak you would be on your own if He wasn’t there. All this not for you to look good… but so that you can be a glorifying vessel of His in the way you respond.

Me: Indeed…how self-centered I became! The Lord will not allow my foot to slip. He’s always watching over me. He never slumbers. Shall I only expect good things from the Lord? You know… all this reminds me of my church camp in June. Mr. Gn the speaker talked about walking through moments like these in life. And he said… just keep on walking. Don’t give up. Just keep on walking. Somebody once told me last year when I was going through a really difficult time emotionally… keep your focus on the Lord. Valuable words that I pray I shall never lose the understanding of; the depth and yet simplicity of them.

(Conversation over)

“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.” – Psalm 13

David felt as if the Lord had put him one side and forgotten about him. He wondered how long he would have to struggle with his thoughts which were causing him sorrow day in and day out. He wondered how long his enemy would prevail over him. And he begged God to give light to his eyes so that the enemy may not prevail.

But here’s what caught my eye. Despite his struggle to see where God was in his life, which was obviously an inward struggle more than it was outward… David didn’t doubt the sovereignty of God. He knew the fact. He knew that God’s love was unfailing. And he knew that God’s salvation for Him was something permanent – that’s why he was able to say he could rejoice in it! His attitude amidst his inward struggle was not one of complete helplessness as if he was on his own, but instead, it was one that said “The Lord is perfect. He can never go wrong, His love for me is unfailing, He always has what is best in mind for me and thus I shall trust in Him even if I cannot comprehend why this is happening to me”. And that is what I needed to remind myself of. Though the feelings may struggle, the fact never changes. And that fact is that God never changes. That fact is that He is watching over every step of my life.

Life may be tough. And working, studying, and serving in the ministry at the same time… is really not easy. If you think it’s a breeze or that it is not really that hard as it seems, you’re fooling yourself. But despite its difficulties, despite moments of tiredness where I wonder why this is happening and wish I could have a more easy-going life… I shall trust in the Lord my God knowing that His unfailing love… well… never fails. Just because life is tough, God isn’t watching over me? Bah! How much more ridiculous could I get in my thinking? The fact that there are tough situations in my life shows that there are opportunities for me to learn to trust & obey the Lord! The Lord has been good to me in many ways. He has sustained me, despite my tiredness and busyness he has blessed me with good health and energy to last through the days. He has blessed me with friends who encourage & support me in their very own ways. He has given me life.

And I will sing to the Lord, for He, undoubtedly, has been good to me J

Psalm 19:7 – 9 “The law of the Lord, is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

Indeed, bringing your focus back unto the Lord and His teachings… really revives the soul and opens our eyes to see things from His perspective instead of being blinded by our self-centeredness

“Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him.” – Psalm 147:1

Friend...Friend...

2008-09-18T23:32:00.001+08:00

Good friends are hard to come by. So when you have em', treasure em'. It's hard to find friends these days who love you not according to the world's standard but according to the Bible. Meaning, if they have to tell you something bad about yourself they do so, coz eventhough that may be painful, the truth can be painful and to speak the truth comes forth from their love for us. Thank God for friends who go the extra mile for you. Thank God for friends for who stick with you through thick and thin. Thank God for those really close to you, whom you can confide in & find joy with. Thank God for all those serious moments...and all those hilariously wacky moments. Thank God for friends who always point us back to Him. Thank God for friends!

Though i don't have many friends (due to a small social circle - very much restricted to my working circle) I was once again reminded again today, how blessed i am to have a group of friends who are really close to my heart. I was reminded & given a glimpse of Christ's love for me through a friend of mine. Tough but no less loving :) I really thank God for those who stick with each of us through this journey called life.

It's a long road ahead, but thank God for providing us with friends to accompany us on this road :) I really thank God for those who stick with each of us through this journey called life.

I Can Only Imagine...

2008-09-18T23:32:00.000+08:00

Have you ever wondered, what it will be like when we come into the presence of God in heaven?

Rev 21:3 "...behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them" .

Have you ever wondered, what it will be like to look into the face of Jesus? Us, unworthy, sinful, degenerated, despicable humans, saved only coz God loved us so much that He sent down His only son to die for us...How would we feel then, to look into the face of the one who died for us? Would we be overcome with guilt? Would we be overcome with joy & appreciation unspeakable? How would i react? Would we dance away in delight? Or would we be too stunned for words by the ineffable sight before and around us? Can you imagine, when there will be a time where your life will be full of joy every single milli-second?! Can you imagine a time when we'll be able to worship God "happily ever after"?

When we look back on our lives, lives which should have been a response to His death on the cross for us... would we be able to look in His face and be found faithful? Or would we know in our hearts that we tried, but our try was a pathetic attempt just so that we could say "we tried"? I know that i am guilty of the latter...quite a bit.

Is heaven something we look forward to? Let me re-phrase that; is being in the presence of our God something we look forward to? So often we say that we don't wish to go to hell - for obvious reasons. But would it be true to say that we often say we don't want to go to hell simply because we know that it's bad (duh!) but not more so because heaven is where we can live eternally with God where "there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain" ,where we can worship Him forever? Have we ever wanted to go to heaven because we so desired it? Or do we want to go to heaven just because we know that we don't want to and shouldn't go to Hell?

There are so many incidents in the New Testament, where believers were encouraged and reminded by the authors to look forward to the hope that was lying in wait for them. Do we look forward to this hope of being united with our Father in heaven forever? Or have we taken this hope for granted? Why is it that when the topic of heaven is mentioned...we don't see how great it is? Is heaven to us still that great mystical place hidden in the clouds where lots of angels fly around as our parents used to tell us? Why is it that the prospect of being united with God forever doesn't appeal to us:

like the latest PSP game
like how we want to become the best badminton payer
like how we want to look cool and mature in front of others

like how slacking does

like how music does

like getting good grades and being smart

like getting a girlfriend (and many more...)

I guess maybe heaven has never been that attractive to some of us simply because our lives on this earth might just be too comfortable. Maybe that's why it "appeals" more to those who suffered persecution for Christ's sake. Maybe life on this earth just seems too good for us, to look beyond it?

You know, i used to wonder...how is it that my mentors & elders in church could talk about heaven so joyfully. What was/is it about heaven that caused them to be so grateful & desire for it? Now i know...and i can only imagine...the joy & unspeakable delight (i can't think how to describe the feeling - indescribable should suit for now)...i can only imagine...Thank You God for giving us a hope & a home we can look forward to beyond our lives on this earth. Thank You Lord, for your unchanging, never-ending faithfulness from the beginning to the end.

Rev 21:6b - 8 "I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and i will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

So let's "jia you"! Let's allow the word of God to dwell richly in us (Col 3:16) and let's be transformed by it (Rom 12:2). Let's not be like the churches of southern Galatia, "Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh", "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ."

Let's make the effort to work at our struggles and our problems, not so that we can boast, but so that Christ's glory may be displayed through us. Let's keep living our lives for the Lord, for if we lived it for ourselves, it would all be meaningless (work of faith). Let's love each other as one in the body of Christ (labor of love). Let's keep anticipating the hope that has been laid up in store for us (steadfastness of hope)...and till then...we can only imagine in delight:)

I can only imagine

What it will be like

When I walk

By your side

I can only imagine

What my eyes will see

When your face Is before me

I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory,

what will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

When that day comes

And I find myself

Standing in the Son

I can only imagine

When all I will do

Is forever

Forever worship You

I can only imagine

Youthbeat 2!

2008-09-07T01:49:00.001+08:00

Yo...here are some pics from the Youthbeat on 30 August '08! Praise God for the flow of the whole event & for the turn out that we had! From the beginning to the finish of the badminton competition - no hiccups (phew!) haha... We had our own professional doctor who has had on-hand experience with dying patients talking to us about fear! Scary...There was this game of fear-phobia game that Jean Shen led us in & Daryl led us in this very funny cockroachy game...can't remember clearly what it was (i was walking around talking the pictures). The food after that was awesome! Kudos to our kitchen staff once again...well actually it's mainly one person but it still takes a team effort...haha...anyway here are some pics...for more...visit my facebook! :) First time i've actually PUT UP pictures on my facebook...-_-...SO yea...i'm half zombified now...God has been really good to us, allowing & giving us opportunities to minister, to do His work. With the "talents" that we've been entrusted, let us continue be faithful :)

Holiday Outing-za!

2008-09-07T00:32:00.000+08:00

The school hols have passed! I must say the guys have been quite busy...no, not just studying but enjoying too! Ever heard of the phrase "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"? The SNP & BB Boys went floorball-ing/badminton-ing/bowl-ing & swimm-ing. Talk about staying fit... Pity i don't have any pics. For the first time in my life i scored over 100 for 2 consecutive games of bowling! Woohoo! Hehe...Swimming was pretty fun. We went to Jurong Swimming Complex (the one at Chinese Gardens) I think the boys quite liked it. Porter dropped his specs in the Lazy River & we actually walked one lap of the whole Lazy River...AGAINST THE CURRENT to search for it! If you think it's easy...go try it before you scoff at our "feat"...lol. Thankfully we found it! Chang Xiang got picked on - as usual. Dean too was the target of some of our attacks...poor fella. After a decent bit of splashing around and tiring ourselves we settled for a good ol Kentucky Meal with a dash of Pizza Hut added to it :) (I think i'm seriously putting on some flab...heh) It's been a good week where we've gotten to know quite a few BB Boys. One of them is Jun Hao, (And since he's the only one whose picture i have...i shall post it up haha) who seems to have a talent for "stone-art". We were waiting for Ben & Calvin to turn up at Chinese Gardens (they were a hour late :p). Check these out...

---------------------------------------Smiley Face-----------------------------------

---------------------------------------------Angry Face--------------------------------------

And here's the artist himself...

The little "rascalite" with seemingly boundless energy...haha. I've got a few more pictures of his "stone-art" but that's for another time. I couldn't get Calvin & Ben's pictures (they joined us for swimming and badminton). Calvin & Ben if you read this i'm sorry! I'll get your pictures the next time yea? :)

Choir Kids

2008-08-07T00:06:00.000+08:00

(Ok this is a post i wanted to put up last week but because of some problems with the internet connection at Romans' place, i couldn't. Everything you read is written as of 6 Aug, Wed.)

I'm staying over at Roman's & Ivy's place now...just thought i'd blog...Ben thinks that washing dishes is therapeutic! Bennifer's a really good maid i must say.

I've been playing for the Junyuan choir for a few months now. It's been an interesting experience, to say the least. Playing to a choir, and having to stick to a certain discipline is certainly different from playing in a band or playing solo. Without doubt, if asked for my preference i would choose a band or playing solo anytime over playing with a choir. But nonetheless, i believe that it's a good time to learn to be disciplined (as much as i can be la huh :p). Following a choir conductor & a choir & the music score in front of you takes a lot of discipline for me...well most people know that i'm not a fan of following music scores :p I've learnt quite a few new stuff too in my time playing for the choir and i believe that they're quite applicable in a band setting. Though it's a different style & setting...the basics of music still remain the same to a certain extent. And it's a great side allowance too! Hehe...Allows me to save up :P

Oh...the kids are splendid! There's this unabashed naughtiness/cheekiness that they have about them. They just be themselves & they have no insecurities about who they are. Maybe coz they don't think so much? I dunno...but i do know that they are really fun to be around with! But i must say that i do feel a bit old at times when they call me "Mr.Ronald" and when i see them so at ease with each other, playing whatever games that cross their minds. But it's fun! I think i contribute to their noise level more than limiting it...hahaha!

...............(From L to R: Pasakorn, John, ??, Justin, Jun Jie)..........

The fella on the utmost right, Jun Jie, is in Primary 6. He's a pianist too...who's going to start his Grade 8 after his PSLE i think...!!! I think i was barely in Grade 3 in Primary 6. And he's good! He's not flashy or jazzy etc. BUT he's consistent with his technique and his style of playing. He played a song for Junyuan's recent 20th Anniversary Celebration. I think he played it better than i would ever be able to! He loves to play the piano and gets very excited when we talk about it. Wouldn't be right for me to say "i love him to bits", now would it? :p

Proud? Think Again...

2008-07-17T00:59:00.000+08:00

Pride.

I’ve come to realize that there are times when people can mistake my straightforwardness or my “sure about something” or my confidence – as pride. Or maybe it’s just the way I put across my words or my actions. Maybe I’m just loud.

During my playing days, there was no doubt that I took a lot of pride in my abilities. But over the years, the Lord taught me & humbled me. And I honestly felt that pride was not an issue anymore – I was just a “loud” or confident person. Confident, not so much about myself; But confident because I believed that I had the Lord with me in my life - as long as I would seek Him, of course.

However in the past couple of months there have been times when I’ve found myself being highly satisfied with what I’ve done. There have been times when I felt good when being showered with accolades. Instances like being congratulated at doing a good job before & during our church camp. Even something like seeing my “model” shoot photos after coming back to Singapore made me feel good. I’ve never really looked at pictures of myself in “model” poses before & my pride got me to start thinking that, “Hey, I actually do have a pretty good body ya know”. (Talking about the church camp photos here). Yes, i do think that i have body that is somewhat "nice". But i think there is a difference between acknowledging it and allowing it get to your head and making yourself feel good. As hilarious as it sounds, the root of it was a cause for concern.

I thank God though, that he pricked my conscience and said “Hey, don’t you find that your starting to get a bit too proud about yourself & your achievements?” He brought this verse to my mind. And I thank Him that I responded to His voice instead of just neglecting Him.

1st Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”

Paul, very well knowing that he done marvelous feats & wonders for the Lord, above comparison with anybody else, acknowledged that it was only by the grace of God. That’s number one. Number two: the grace of God to Paul, did not go in vain! Paul labored in response to that grace. I asked myself, God has been so gracious to me, but Is my life a fitting response to that grace?

It was a good reminder to me once again that all I am today is really thanks to the loving nature of God who through his very own gracious & merciful ways has sustained & provided abundantly for my life. That was number one to keep me humble. Number two to keep me humble was: why be so proud of myself? Is my life responding to God as it should – if not, then there is no good reason at all for me to even be satisfied with what I’ve done. And as I examined my life, there WAS NO REASON for me to even be satisfied. Before God, his shining light exposed the darkness that was within my wretched, sinful self.

I realized too that falling back into pride was a result of not keeping close to the Lord daily. When one’s heart & mind is not filled with the principles of God, be it through his Word or through prayer or through other means, his/her mind can become “de-sensitized” to sin, thus leaving the door open for the devil to play his games with us. But I thank God that He made me realize that something was missing in my life – a daily and close relationship with Him. It was so amiss that it even affected the way I looked & carried myself for a few days!

So do pray with & for me. Thank God that He brought me to realize. Pray that I may not stop, but make the effort to respond faithfully to His grace to me in my life.

Ramble

Let him who finds glory, find it in the Lord, and not himself!
Let him who finds glory, find it in the Lord, and not his works!
Let him who finds glory, find it in the Lord, for He is the giver of life!
What glory would there be then, if life were not giveth?

So be wise, be humble, and realize…
That, But for the Lord,
All would be hopeless
All would be meaningless…

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall”

BLOG?!

2008-07-15T17:39:00.000+08:00

Yo Yo! Ok so here's the story...Romans set up this blog for me no matter how much i protested. I'm just too lazy to blog to be honest, and i do wonder sometimes, if my entries may attract comments that might be unfavourable. I dunno what other worse things could happen...

But nonetheless...i shan't be trepid...if the sharing on this blog could be used to provoke minds, create discussion, encourage, remind or even allow people to correct my thoughts (if valid :p) and more importantly,in all this, glorify our Lord,then i guess there certainly is no harm in blogging! So do pray that the words of my mouth (or my fingers in this instance :p) and meditations of my heart may be pleasing in the sight of the Lord :) May what i write be a testimony to the goodness of God working in & through me + plus a few/plenty of random stuff here and there related to things happening around me :p Will write more next time - gotta rush off to the airport now. A certain Chan Wei Sheng is going back to Oz.

A place for me to remember God and his work in and through me

2008-06-27T18:22:00.000+08:00

Eccl. 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;