Days Of Our Lives

Adopted

2012-02-14T16:48:00.005+08:00

This is sooo funny!

(And it tugs at my heart's string...)

Hahaha...aww...

What Is True Forgiveness?

2012-01-24T20:12:00.007+08:00

What is true forgiveness? This is the tiltle of a booklet from The Discovery Series: "Forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood subjects in the Bible. In this excerpt of his book Forgiveness, author Gary Inrig shares insights from Scripture to help those who are wrestling with the inability or unwillingness to forgive or to admit the need to be forgiven. Discover how you can develop a heart of true forgiveness when you rely on God’s power rather than your emotions in dealing with situations of offense".

You can read its PDF format here.

I was reading this book 3 days' back and learnt a new thing or two about forgiveness. Among the interesting lessons taught are these:

Just because you're hurt doesn't mean that the other party needs to repent because repentance deals with sins and the other party may not have sinned against you. You can be hurt for various reasons, you could be jealous or annoyed etc. but what the other person has done does not tantamount to a sin. In this case, you'll just have to deal with it yourself, not so much as forgiving the other party but forbearing the other party.
Jesus was quoted in Luke 17, "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." So after ascertaining that indeed the other party has sinned against you, the first biblical thing to do is to 'rebuke' him, meaning confront him with his offense, and if he repents, then forgive him.
When I read the 'IF he repents', you know, the IF, I was like, yay, so there's a loop-hole, you mean I can choose not to forgive? No, that wasn't what the book teaches, it emphasized that God would want us to forgive no matter what. It also cautions about the type of attitude we should adopt when we 'confront' the other party about his offence. I'm glad it also recognises the fact that usually people won't admit their mistakes and draws references from the Old Testament Proverbs about the consequences of rebuking a wise man and a fool.
A very interesting thought here is that God's Word says that if someone sins against you seven times and comes back to you to repent, you're supposed to forgive him again and again. The interesting part is about the possiblility for someone to sin against you and repenting again and again, I mean really recognising his mistake again and again and yet sinning again and again. The author points out that God knows our nature and deal with us in the same way too, forgiving us again and again...

Anyway, I've a better understanding on this topic now and wish to share my blessing with you, come on read it up! Click on the link above! :)

Don't Give Up On Your Child

2012-01-16T22:27:00.002+08:00

This is a must watch for parents with autistic children.

Can-Do Attitude

2011-12-19T11:01:00.004+08:00

While touring a street in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, we came across this young man with no hands, eking out a living making stalks of 'flowers' from coloured dough. (Apology for the blurred-photo taken from my mobile.)

We went to Mong Kok expecting to see all sorts of merchandise, but was pleasantly surprised to find street troupes performing songs, dance and kung fu. What caught my attention were three individuals; this young man selling dough flowers, a man with terrible scarred facial features and a very old woman begging for alms.

We stopped by all three of them...

We the fortunate ones toured the different places in a different world (Hong Kong and Macau), enjoyed its sceneries and savoured its delicacies. Busy town folks as we are, I often paused to plan the various chores I've had to do once I return home. Ever the anxious woman that I am, I sometimes worry over self-imposed dead lines and 'urgent' tasks left at home. The sight of these three individuals halt my worries.

Who would have more woes than them? Without hands, without a face, without financial support, disregarding one's dignity and literally begging for help in the cold wintry weather? Many people were too busy to stop and look, perhaps it's a common sight for the locals. Yet their presence is a stark contrast to whatever we're planning and doing. Despite their circumstances, they have a choice, to survive or give up and die, of course they choose the former.

The young man wasn't begging, and a few were moved to give to him for his effort. But I saw no one giving to the disfigured man, he was really disgusted to look at and seemed to come straight out of a sci-fi movie, and no one gave to the old lady... We gave and my son consoled the disfigured man who identified himself as a Christian. I wonder whether he was a Christian before or after his accident? Anyway, as long as he is a Christian, I believe that God will watch over him one way or another and I wish sincerely that God will help him further...

Seeing other's misfortunes, I checked myself again, don't worry about life and its chores. How hard can our life be compared to them? Have a can-do attitude in life, no matter how hard or pressing circumstances are, there are still things we can do to help ourselves and things will work out one way or another. For us the children of God we have the added blessing of God's faithfulness.

Make Me A Child Again

2011-10-28T22:36:00.003+08:00

Dear Heavenly Father, I remember when I first met you as Jesus, it was your smile and unconditional love which drew me to you. I desired the peace and security found only in You.

As I grew I went back and forth in my faith, but You had proven Yourself Faithful. You'd met all my needs and was there whenever I needed you.

I'd learnt from You, through my obedience and disobedience, through the things I'd done right and things I'd messed up. But You have been forever merciful.

Your compassion never fail.

I am very sorry about my confusion now, happening deep inside my soul. The various doctrines I've encountered, the different stance each Church adopts, the way some believers walk their talk, and worst of all, my own failings, the inability to love without fear for perfect love casts out fear, but I fear and withdrew my love. I would rather live a peaceful life now than to risk being hurt again. I am not at all like You, it seems, though I know I'm made in Your image, though I know that the seeds of the fruit of the Spirit have been planted in me long ago...

Father, how I long to return to the time when I first knew You, when life was less complicated, when I simply believed... A childlike faith, how precious that is! Make me a child again Lord, restore me to Your peace and security.

Thankfulness

2011-09-29T22:43:00.000+08:00

I'm thankful that I can wake up in the morning and be able to get out of bed, thankful that I can still see ('cos I've got glaucoma), thankful that I can still move ('cos my mother-in-law can't)...

I'm thankful for my job, it's just across the road, near and convenient, it's simple yet challenging in its own right, stimulating and creative, and it pays a decent income (good enough for me).

I'm thankful for my spouse, he's great, ever so loving and kind to me and our kids.

I'm thankful for my kids, both fully grown (by the grace and mercy of God) in body, mind and spirit. They are my ever source of contention and joy.

I'm thankful for my foster mom, for her salvation and her help in my life.

I'm thankful for my mother-in-law for being the ever understanding elder, even now, despite her illness.

I'm thankful for each new day, all the time left in the days of my live, may I cherish them all and not take a single day for granted...

How Long Have You REALLY Lived?

2011-09-07T23:09:00.002+08:00

Surveys have been done on this, adding up the amount of time an average guy spends in his lifetime studying, working, watching TV, waiting in queue, waiting at the traffic light, eating, sleeping etc. and finding out actually how much time he's really awake and living meaningfully.

Recently I find myself mulling over the same thing over and over again, so much so that I'm plagued by those thoughts even in my dreams. It's about things that had happened in the past.

Then it dawns on me how much time I've spent (wasted) living in the past instead of cherishing the present. Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present."

Yes, like the determined orang utan in the picture, I shall live in the present from now on!

A Teacher

2011-08-05T19:07:00.002+08:00

A Parenting Incident

2011-06-23T21:16:00.002+08:00

About 22 years’ ago, while sitting on the couch, I stood my younger son who was about 2 years of age between my knees and decided that it was time to introduce God to him.

“Hmm, how shall I explain an invisible God to him and His relationship with us?” I thought.

“Yong, mommy is going to tell you about Somebody ok?” He looked at me with his trademark puzzled but very adorable look.

“There is Someone you’ve got to know dear and His name is God. Now God loves you more than mommy does. You know, although mommy gave birth to you, God was actually the One who made you inside me. God is great and He has made you wonderfully.”

“Look, see how good you are?” I touched his shoulders and asked him to look at himself. Then I continued, “See you can turn your head left and right!”

I really didn’t know how to explain better and thought my example was rather lame. I also thought that he must be quite lost with what I’d said or would rather go play with his toys. But he didn’t pull away from me…

Instead, my little boy started turning his head from left and right very slowly as if he was turning his head for the first time. Then he marveled at his ability and announced, “Mommy, look… I can turn my head!”

This episode brings a smile to my face every time I think about it. My younger son has grown into a strong young man of 23 but I will always remember the fascinated look on his face that day. Something special happened to him that day. Something registered in his young heart. Was it self-awareness that he was fearfully and wonderfully made by his Creator? I don't know but I believe my boy had experienced his first touch from the Lord that day, and is still experiencing Him today.

I thank God for both of my sons who have brought us so much blessings. :)

The Cycle Of Life

2011-06-23T15:37:00.001+08:00

I see the frustration and bewilderment on my mother-in-law's face as she lies helplessly in the hospital bed. This once active lady can barely move now, but her sharp intellect remains intact which actually add to her woes as she can think but can't do as she pleases, but relies heavily on the mercy of others around her. Although her family rallies around her, she can't help but feels useless and depressed.

Flipping through some old photos, I'm reminded of her happier times. A time when "Ye Ye" (my father-in-law) was around.

As I watch her suffer, I begin to worry about my turn to grow old and infirmed.

Once my elder son said, "Mom you're looking older in your photos."
"Of course" I replied, "If I don't grow old, you won't grow up!"

Such is the cycle of life.

My mother-in-law spent her entire life serving her family and placing every member's needs above hers. She has been the pivotal point in her family and there will surely be emptiness in her children's lives when she passes on. But such is the cycle of life, we raise our families, our children keeps us busy, give us meaning and continues our lives even after we are gone. Our children continue our lives because a part of us lives in them.

Yes, life continues and we don't have to worry about the future because Jesus specifically told us not to.

What's God's Will For You?

2011-06-18T22:58:00.006+08:00

Many Christians get stressed over finding the will of God.

There are 2 main schools of thought about the will of God:
(1) I don’t do anything in my life without God’s guidance.
(2) I don’t expect God’s guidance until I move.

Pastor Paul Scanlon (the founder of Abundant Life Ministries, UK) said that when seeking God’s will, it is not about praying whether you should choose choice A or choice B, or turning left or right. Regardless of which way you choose, God will bless your decision just like what He did for Abraham, whichever way he chose to go, up the hills or down the plains, God would have blessed him. And God would rather you made a wrong choice than no choice at all. God is drawn to movement. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, though he falls, he shall not be cast down, for the Lord upholds him in His hands.

Pastor Paul Scanlon had more to say about God’s will…

Don’t get stressed-out over God’s will because His will is not miserable. Check out the general direction you would like to go and go with a sense of peace. Get your life in motion and God will direct you. Abraham didn’t know where he was going, but he was in the will of God and all he knew was that he had to leave. If all you know is you’re to leave something, that is enough to start, to create steps in knowing the will of God.

God has given each of you a GPS; your heart, your compass, listen to it, keep moving but don’t be stressed, pay attention to your passions and leanings.

In Old Testament (OT) time, God was with people but not in them, so people needed the prophets and priests to tell them what to do. They had to follow external things for God’s guidance, such as the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. The presence of God was in the Ark.

In New Testament (NT) time, the physical temple was gone. You’re the temple, God lives in you and He doesn’t move out when He doesn’t like you. The presence of God dwells in you. When you’re there, God is there, although how much you allow Him in your life is up to you.

An OT mindset keeps people small, but we are NT people. Do not under value yourself, do not say that “Toronto has the move of God” or other places have the move of God, God also moves where you are.

When you launch a rocket to the moon, all you have to do is to aim it at a general direction to the moon. There is a device in the rocket, some kind of a GPS system that will only kick into action after the rocket is set in motion. Before launching, when the rocket sits still, it does not work. It begins to work only after the rocket is launched and flies towards the moon.

The will of God is not a tight-rope where you may fall off. You’ve got God inside you, when you’re seeking a direction from Him, look inside you and make a decision on what to do, and do it by faith. We don’t need to spiritualize things, sometimes the will of God is like common sense. Non Christians are living better lives than us because of common sense.

Have you experienced a déjà vu (the experience of thinking that a new situation has occurred before)? If you don’t have the dejavu inclinations, nudging to do something, or to go somewhere, then it is most probably not God’s will for you.

Why? Because God is Omniscience, He knows your entire life. He knows your end and has prepared you for the journey there. He writes your life-story from the last page, and put things in the earlier pages to prepare and direct you to the end. That’s the reason why you have the inclinations to do certain things. You’re wired that way.

Parents, don’t force your children to do something that is not what God has wired them to do. “Train a child in the way he should go”. Expose them to the risk of failing.

If your heart is for God, listen to it, take the risk to be yourself and you will find the good works He has prepared for you to do.

Pondering...

2011-05-19T15:42:00.005+08:00

Someone said that all intricate details of our lives have been carefully planned by God. If that is so, then where is our personal accountability in our lives? If I sin, is that planned by God? Someone said that the experiences of our lives are like colours on a canvas carefully painted by our Creator. If that is so, then can we shirk off our mistakes as being ok with God? I don't think so. I suppose what these people are saying is, God knows everything and can make things right no matter how badly we've messed them up...

I'm seriously contemplating terminating a mother-daughter kinda relationship with a young person whom I'd cared for in past one year. Perhaps due to our cultural differences, many of her behaviours weren't acceptable to me and when she crossed the line yet again this February, my threshold burst. Since then, I was avoiding her like mad. She seemed to sense my distance and tried to connect with me once again. But something had already snapped in me and I knew we would never be the same again.

I've actually prepared a parting statement to her, recorded in my handphone, ready to be messaged to her at an appropriate time. I've prayed to the Lord to show me just when is the right time to drop the bombshell to her. My mind goes back and forth, pondering, is it really the right thing to do?

I was just checking my blog and following some sites when I chanced upon someone's post on how God will painstakingly add 'colours' to the canvas of our lives, planning the details and designing a beautiful picture etc. What about the serious mistakes that we make? I have no answer... I don't want to hurt her, I still care, but because something has snapped in me, I just want to end it all, to give us both a clean slate to start over, that she goes her way and I go mine. But I don't want to hurt her, and as such, nothing has ever come out of my mouth, and she doesn't know the change in my heart though she senses the change in my attitude.

I've turned her over to the Lord and said that I can't take care of her anymore because I just can't take it anymore. But I don't want to do something I'll regret later.

Now I ponder, in the Bible, God says that "I make all things new." Can it be possible that we can re-establish a brand new relationship that carries no baggages? I've forgiven her mistakes but I'm just so tired and afraid of yet another outburst from her that I want a clean break from her. But... shall I hope in God and give her another chance?

For the moment, the answer is, "No, I don't have the faith to do so..." And I still don't know what to make of the relationship now?

Amazing Grace - Rhema 7yr old Gospel singer plz "Share"

2011-05-05T21:46:00.000+08:00

Praise God for this little girl!

Baby Girl Pretends to Read

2011-05-04T23:15:00.000+08:00

Brightens your day!
Baby Girl Pretends to Read

Don Moen - He Never Sleeps

2011-05-02T22:59:00.000+08:00

Changes

2011-04-10T20:02:00.007+08:00

Change is the only constant in life.

Two days' back in my new job, my supervisor heaped praises on me for my performance. It was unexpected. I knew I'd done well, but I didn't expect her generous compliments, something which I haven't received for a long long time. I was so excited for the entire day, couldn't do anything else that day! Began to imagine about a future promotion and increase income etc. Well, well, well, I've come down to earth now. Who knows what'll happen tomorrow?

Just met a friend a few days' back, he was divorced and remarried. Memory flashed back, hm... he and his ex-wife, they were such a loving couple! Two beautiful kids. What happened? Nobody knows...

Again, a few days' back, a young boy's mom passed away from cancer... So, three children bereaved of a mother with unfinished business on earth...

And, at the back of my mind, I wonder about someone whom I've cared for and mentored for the past one year, someone whom I'd promised to take care of but whom I'd to let go of eventually. It started off as a wonderful friendship, but it turned sour and turbulent with lots of hurts, disappointments and misunderstandings. This is one of the regrets in my life. Things change, for better or for worse, yet sometimes we won't know for we can't see the future...

And the newspaper reported last week, a teenager from Thailand came to our country, Singapore to study, she fell into our subway train track when a train approached, though she is alive today, her legs were amputated... One moment she was full of hope, in the next moment, her legs were gone...

Life is so unpredictable. What we have and own today may be gone in moments. As I sit here and ponder about all these, I really don't know how to react. I keep thinking about the young lady whom I've mentored and left, I don't know whether I'm handling it right...

I'm also thinking about the responsibilities of my new job. And I see my family running all over, each one attending to his/her own things, life has been a rush for us lately, so many commitments, considerations, plans, obligations...

God, let us not lost ourselves in all these activities. Let us cherish all that you've given us, everyone, everything...

I sat next to my spouse one night and said, "Let's thank God for our family, our lives, our marriage, never take anything for granted, God has been gracious to us." Indeed God has given us good gifts and we must do our best to keep them.

My present job as a Resource Teacher is both challenging and interesting, and it looks like I'll keep this for some time to come. But who knows what will happen tomorrow? I'm thanking God for His goodness, mercy and providence to my family, we shall continue to plan for our future indeed, but we must know that our future is in Him. Changes will come, we may like them, or we may not, but we shall trust God and dwell in His House forever.

A Vague Jabbing Pain

2011-02-01T22:16:00.007+08:00

Parenting is tough and this is an under-statement.

One of my earliest memories being a mom is that of my 6-month old baby warded at the hospital for a 40-degree high fever and a serious bout of diarrhoea. The nurses refused to cover him with a blanket because they had to bring down his fever. My poor baby was only wearing a thin filmsy gown and a diaper and he was turning blue from the cold! It hurt me so much to see him suffer like that! There was nothing I could do except to cover him with a piece of cloth. Even then, the nurse advised me not to do so but I insisted and she relented after seeing my tears. The cloth couldn't keep my baby warm at all, but it gave me a semblance that I was doing something for my son.

Even though this happened so long ago, it has never failed to jab at my heart whenever I think of it. I couldn't protect my baby from falling sick then, most of the time, I just hovered over him, totally helpless and sobbing. He was a wonderful baby, 'cos he didn't make a fuss and just laid there, looking at me the whole while. He just needed me by his side. He would panick and cry when the doctor took him away, but he would be comforted when he saw me again. I wished I could cuddle him and keep him warm, but that would actually harm him, so all I could do then was to touch him and speak tenderly to him. I felt so useless, I cried, I prayed, I sang to him in a quivering voice, "Oh Lord you're beautiful, your face is all I seek, and when your eyes are on this child, your grace abounds to me..." My baby kept looking at me while I tried to smile bravely, nodding, telling him that all was well. He kept looking, seeming to say, "Mommy, I'm not afraid as long as you're here... " and fell into an exhausted sleep.

I'm feeling the same now except that my presence does not help anymore. He needs something more than that, something stronger, higher and more convincing. And he needs a huge dose of grace.

Before posting this, I was looking up online videos but no matter what I watch, there was a vague jabbing pain that lingered in my heart, I knew what it was and ignored it, but peace eluded me again and I stopped surfing wondering what I should do next. Here, sitting in front of the computer, out of the blue, I suddenly remember this hospital scene. There are similarities here. A child unwell, the same sense of helplessness, the same prayer, the same plea... God, save my boy.

Be still my heart and hope in God, this one thing I know for sure, He will never leave us nor forsake us. Just as He was there together with us in the hospital room, He is here with us. Psalms 34:15 "The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry."

Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." I shudder at what we're facing and wish we never have to go through it. But just like at the hospital, I could only pray and wait. God is faithful, God's grace is sufficient for us and at the appointed time God's purpose will come to pass... Amen.

A Prodigal Hike

2011-01-28T12:41:00.012+08:00

I've been a Christian for over 30 years. I wasn't born into a Christian home, but brought up in a dysfunctional foster family, with a couple who weren't married to one another. My foster mother was only 17 when she was forced to take me into her charge. Though she tried her best to take care of me, being a child herself, uneducated, orphaned and abused, she wasn't at all a role model for my growing up years, still, over here I would like to give her credit for having cared for me as well as she could.

I knew no peace while growing up. My foster mum had a foul temper (she has changed after receiving Christ 11 years ago), and my foster dad had another family with 7 children. There were 7 to 8 idols in our house and I could feel the spiritual warfare happening everyday, nightmares, bad dreams and totally unharmonious relationships. My foster parents were hostile to each other and after every episode of quarrel my mum would direct her anger and hurt towards me.

In school I lacked confidence as I was weak in studies, especially in English. Teachers never paid any attention to me. I felt transparent and made only a few friends. My childhood years were spent in loneliness, day-dreams, sadness and anxieties.

The pressures at home mounted when my foster dad cohabited with a 3rd woman and fathered an illegitimate child with her. He was then supporting 3 families, 3 disharmonious families. How did he, being a man of little education found such wealth to support 3 families? He did so by running a syndicate which collected illegal gambling bets. Despite his flaws, I'm grateful to him for raising me, and being very kind to me. He supported my education all the way to the University (while none of his own made it), got me a car (where 7 of his own kids shared one) and walked me down the aisle when I got married in Church (though he wasn't a believer). Tension ran high at his funeral when all 3 'wives' met. Those were bad memories which I've no intention to remember really.

In my twenties, God blessed me with a very good spouse, a gentle loving and patient man. Together we build a Christian home and have 2 sons. Through the early years of building a family, I've had to deal with various baggages and issues in my heart and God dealt with them one by one. I tried not to repeat the mistakes of my mum, but I did nevertheless because of my temper (which I have no idea whether it was a natural trait or a learned one). But I beseech God to change me and He did, I have my temper under control after 7 years of conscious struggle. I love my sons and brought them up to the best of my knowledge and in prayers. The Bible teaches to bring up a child in God's ways and when he is grown he will not depart from it. I believed and claimed this.

Although I've tried my best, being human, I know I have not been a perfect mum. But I love my children and there's no shadow of doubts about it. My spouse and I lived our lives with our children as our main concern. Much of my adult life was spent nurturing them and their needs and I've no energy left to build a career. I took on ad-hoc temporal part-time jobs now and then to fit them into my family schedules.

Thanks be to God that our sons grow up to be balanced individuals, having a healthy sense of self-esteem and confidence, excelling in their studies (having better academic results then their parents) and to top it all, they're faithful followers of Christ. I am so proud of them, not being prideful but being glad and relieved!

Into my 50s, I felt God's calling to witness to my colleagues who are foreigners and heeded God's call. I left my comfort zone, humbled myself and poured myself as sacrificial libation upon the altar in order to reach out to these unsaved souls, souls whom God loves and whom Christ died for. Out of 3 people, 2 were saved, thanks be to God. While serving those 2, I was often hurt in the process. Serving God is entering into the battlefield and we can be hurt in the process. I'm not perfect and I find myself grumbling at times, I wish I hadn't but I did. However, despite my failings in this, I have no regrets for the trouble taken to present them to Christ.

While I was happy and contented with my life so far, something bad happened and caused me much pain...

What pain me most now is that after my diligent and whole-hearted service to God, satan has infiltrated into our family and attacked one of our family members, causing serious doubts and unbelief in him. As a family, we could only advise that member to hold on to what's remnant of faith he has left with and not give up fighting for his faith. I've beseiged God to rescue this family member and entrust his soul to a faithful Creator. However he has his freewill and if he finally choose to undertake this prodigal journey and squander away his spiritual inheritance, I pray that like the prodigal son, he will still wake up to his senses and have the spiritual discernment to humbly return to his Heavenly Father one day. Somehow, deep inside me, I feel or I hope that like Job, God allows this prodigal trip to happen only because after he is tested, he will return stronger to guide others in the same dilemma; living your own life or submitting to a loving omni-potent, omni-science, omni-present God who knows us personally. I hope and I pine for this outcome.

This recent incident has awaken me to these truths:

That we must always guard our hearts for out of it flows the issues of life; LIFE - the physical and eternal!
That even as we minister to others and have God's stamp of approval and blessings in our ministries, we must always keep watch over our own family because the devil will try to distract us.
That we should never take our faith for granted, we have to be serious with God. Don't try to be a Christian, live as one!
That none of us is ever strong enough to stand on our own, we need God's people and there is nothing wrong with that. A baby needs his parents, a man his spouse and we all grow up in families, so it is in our spiritual lives, we need God's family.
That we need to choose our friends wisely. You can have unbelieving friends, but be careful of developing strong binding relationships with those who'll draw you away.
New experiences and knowledge are fine but as the Bible admonishes, we should always be alert to the wiles of the devil for he can confuse God's children with puff-up knowledge that brings confusion, dissension instead of peace.

At the end of the day, we have to decide whom to follow? Choose this day your 'god', is it God, Jehovah Jireh our Provider, or the world? It does not matter how we begin with God, it matters how we end. Life is a sum of all choices.

Despite the pain and sadness I'm experiencing now, I will not give up ministering to others whenever I'm in the position to do so. I will not be intimidated because God will win finally. God is sovereign. I shall continue to trust God for His goodness and mercy, and my family, yes my family, each and everyone in my family shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

God who had rescued me when I was sold away in infancy, God who had safe-guarded me during those unhappy days in my dysfunctional foster home, God who gave me a wonderful spouse, who blessed us with two lovely sons, this God will not fail me now or in the future, He will keep us in Him for eternity. In tears I plead...

A Life Turned Upside Down

2011-01-27T20:54:00.003+08:00

The following is an exerpt from:
Upside Down
January 27, 2011 — by Joe Stowell
Read: Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV)

If you were to ask me who I am, I’d tell you that I’m a follower of Jesus. But I have to admit, at times following Him is a real challenge. He tells me to do things like rejoice when I’m persecuted (Matt. 5:11-12); to turn the other cheek (vv.38-39); to give to someone who wants to take from me (vv.40-42); to love my enemies, bless those who curse me, and do good to those who hate me (vv.43-44).

This kind of lifestyle seems very upside down to me.

But I’ve come to realize that He’s not upside down—I am. We have all been born fallen and broken. Being twisted by sin, our first instincts are often wrong, which inevitably leaves a big mess.

We’re like toast slathered with jelly that has fallen upside down on the kitchen floor. Left to ourselves, we can make a pretty big mess of things. Then Jesus comes along, like a divine spatula, scrapes us off the floor of our sinful ways, and turns us right side up. And as we follow His right-side-up ways, we discover that turning the other cheek keeps us from getting caught in a brawl, that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and that dying to self is life at its best.

After all, His ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8), and I’ve come to realize that His ways are always best!

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

My thoughts: As Christians we will come across times when our faith is seriously challenged. My ways or the Lord's? The Christian life is indeed a life turned upside down because many of the things required of us seem to contradict human nature. Yet God meant them to protect us. He can see our future, He knows beyond the physical. May the grace of God keep all of us and not let any single one be snatched away. He has paid the price for our sins, may we stick with Him even when we can't understand. What is seen will pass away, what is unseen endures. Oh God, I plead for your mercy.

Your Life Is What You Choose

2011-01-10T22:14:00.005+08:00

"Life is the sum of all choices."

This strong message was preached on the first Sunday this year. The pastor said, "It matters how you end (your life)!"

I was stunt! I expected him to preach on the importance of having a good start for the new year, on the importance of planning etc. But he talked about the end instead of the beginning! And I'm so glad he did!

Believers come from all walks of life, some are more blessed than others and some have harder lives, but it doesn't really matter how you begin your journey in life and in your faith, it MATTERS MORE how you end it! What's the point of begining faithfully to find yourself totally sold off to the world and compromising whatever you've learnt from Jesus in your last days?

As we journey through life, when we come to the cross-roads, what do we choose? The way that point to the Promised Land, or the way that points to the Good-Enough Land?

Every step of the way counts, one wrong turn can bring countless miseries. God's commands are not meant to stifle us, they are given to protect us from hurts and destructions.

Give careful thoughts to your choices, especially on those significant milestones in life. How will the sum of your life adds up finally? I sincerely hope that it'll be a pretty picture and one that gives glory to your Creator and Saviour. God bless you. :)

Introducing Zoei Toh

2010-12-23T10:41:00.004+08:00

Little Zoei sings in tune! She's an inspiration to many parents wanting to raise their kids in the Lord's ways...

Just a Game

2010-12-08T13:33:00.003+08:00

How many faces can you see? They say that most people can only see a few, the more sensitive ones can identify 9 to 10, if you can see 12 and above, you're schizophrenic! They say that this picture actually has 11 faces...

Drifting

2010-11-28T22:03:00.004+08:00

Still drifting, not quite knowing what to do next...

Repeating daily routines, preparing for the new year ahead, and thinking of those I'd once walked so closely with. Wondering about their well being, praying for them. I miss them but they must learn to be independent without me holding their hands.

I'm already exploring different future options for myself, even slowly venturing into a totally new area for the fun of it... Yet there is a void and emptiness inside, almost a pain that doesn't quite go away...

Period of Rest

2010-10-29T13:53:00.008+08:00

"This seems to be a situation where your season in this place has come to an end... there is a change of seasons when plants and trees prepare for winter by shedding their leaves in the fall. It is as if they go into a prolonged period of rest, undisturbed by the harshness of winter". These precious words of advice came from MTJ, my fellow blogger cum brother-in-Christ.

Yes, my season in my present self-chosen place of market-place ministry has come to an end. This is not the end of me serving God, but a siesta, a much needed break, like a tree preparing for change by first going into a period of rest, the best part is "undisturbed by the harshness of winter".

I've a certain winter melancholy attached to entering this season of rest, having to let go of my charges halfway. It seems halfway to me because they are still so immature in Christ, and yet I've to let go because I've finally come to realize that my time in their lives is almost up.

Looking back, I know that I've done my best, but with hindsight, wouldn't do some of the things I'd done. Yet, there is no such a thing as time travel, no benefit of hindsight, which means even if God has allowed me to return to the past to start all over again, I being me, would have made exactly the same mistakes because I wouldn't recognize them as such. But the greatest comfort I have here is that my God is so powerful and creative that He can and will make ALL things work together for good! In this, I rest my soul.

Through it all, I've learnt that it is necessary for ALL believers to come out of their comfort zones to serve God. We have to go into the battlefield. Christ has loved us to death, and we have to love Him enough to leave our comfort zones. We've read the Bible, God's Word talks of taking up the cross, denying yourself, being a living sacrifice and so on. I've to admit that such 'talks' are a turn-off, especially to new believers. We gravitate towards the love, joy and peace parts. But at some points in our lives, believers will come to a place where you'll crave for a higher purpose, a sense of significance, about making your life counts, for God and for His kingdom.

For me, it wasn't about the crowns, jewels or mansions that attract me, but the gratitude to God when one day He suddenly spoke, "I've allowed you to do what you want with yourself all along, now how about doing something for Me for the rest of your life?" That's true, I've had my fair share of dreams-chasing, money-chasing etc. the offer from God was attractive, to do something of significance, something that'll last eternally... thus my entry into market-place ministry, with the focus NOT on earning an income, BUT on introducing lost souls to Christ.

Something became obvious right from the beginning of my ministry, that it is going to COST! It'll cost my time, effort, money, labour and the sacrifices extend to being misunderstood and persecutions sometimes from the very ones you've learnt to love and serve. It was a bitter-sweet experience, watching people you've laboured over turn to Christ, and being disappointed with them over their growth. Then I learnt that I was impatient, again MTJ said, "Jesus reminds us in the parable of the tares that there is no need to pull them up before the harvesting occurs. That is our tendency; removing what we believe is unnecessary" which was MY PROBLEM, being too impatient with their spiritual growth, adding unnecessary pressures on them, and causing conflicts.

My conclusion from this episode is this, that though spiritual warfares abound, the show must go on, the ministry must continue. For my ministry with these two young persons, I've prayed to God that, "Jeremiah's time is up Lord, please send Elisha". For me, maybe He won't fetch me home in a fiery chariot yet (I'm so tired and burnt-out that I really don't mind though), but I shall rest, wait and watch, the labourers are few, and God will soon enlist me into service again.

Let me end yet with another advice from MTJ, "John the Baptist said of Jesus, "He must increase, I must decrease." We must learn to trust God with others, He will do what we cannot and should not".

Being human, which God allows :) :) , I am grieving over leaving my charges because they have become so dear to me... and to leave them now, the pain is almost unbearable... The pain is borne out of the knowledge that they are not my own children whom I'll always have, and can always watch over. They are instead, people whose destiny I'll have no control, and if they should be tossed to and fro in their own worlds of choice and circumstances after they return home (they are foreigners), they would be beyond me to help and guide..................... I know this is where faith plays its part, that I can do nothing but entrusts them to their faithful Creator.

Faith & Fear

2010-10-15T10:32:00.006+08:00

A right view of God leads to faith. A wrong view of God leads to fear.

This was sent to me via email, written by someone by the name of Joe Stowell:

Twice Abraham succumbed to the fear that the rulers of other nations would kill him and steal his wife. So he deceived the kings and said that she was his sister, in essence welcoming them to take her into their harems. By letting fear dictate his actions, he put at great risk God’s promise and plan that through Abraham and Sarah a great nation would be born from whom Jesus the redeemer would ultimately come (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:4-5).

Not Abraham’s proudest moments—but thankfully, God intervened. In Genesis 20 we learn that “God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him, ‘You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman’” (v.3). Suddenly the tables of fear were turned, as Abimelech and all his officials “were very much afraid” (v.8)! When they confronted Abraham, he replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife’” (v.11). He had let fear get the best of him.

But before you come down too hard on Abraham, it might be good to ask: For fear of losing your job, would you put your integrity at risk? For fear of appearing old-fashioned, would you put righteousness at risk? For fear of being ridiculed or misunderstood, would you neglect sharing the gospel and put someone’s eternity at risk?

If you’ve ever felt the intimidation of fear, then be assured that only one thing will conquer your fears: tenacious faith in God—in His presence, His protection, His power, His promises. Remember, God is bigger than your biggest fear!

And here’s the good news: Abraham is actually known for his legacy as a man of faith. In fact, the “Hall of Faith” chapter gives Abraham a lot of good press (Hebrews 11:8-19)! Thankfully he wasn’t marked forever by his flaw.

Maybe it’s not fear in your life but another “fatal flaw” that consistently puts God’s will and plans for you at risk. But remember, your flaw doesn’t have to be fatal! Have faith in the fact that He will never ask you to do anything that He can’t bring to completion, even if it requires miraculous intervention on His part. Live in such a way that you can be counted among those who “were still living by faith when they died” (Hebrews 11:13)—even if things aren’t going the way you thought they would. And when your faith trumps your fear, He’ll turn your sweaty palms into raised hands of worship and praise!

I'm troubled with many things nowadays, and I sense that I'm fearing something, fearing that my flaws will damage the faith of those I've brought to Christ. As a result, I'm feeling so constrained as to what I can do. I'm quite burnt-out actually and would really like a sabbatical leave so to speak. My ministry is not an official one conferred by my Church. It's just my personal market-place ministry. But because of events that keep over-taking me and the people I'm ministering to, we're all quite burnt-out. Many a time I would really like to step out, and step away for a while, but it's this nagging worry of "What if I leave (my sales job) and they turn away from Christ?"

I need the calming presence of God. I need faith in HIm. God is bigger than my worries, fears and anxieties, and He shall sustain us, and bring His plans into completion.