You are the Potter, I am the clay

As a youth growing up, this song had a powerful 'effect' upon me everytime I sang it in church. I will sing it one of these days in church.. :) Teach me your ways Oh Lord, my God That I may walk in Your truth Give me a totally, undivided heart That I may fear Your name Purify my heart Cleanse me Lord I pray Remove from me all that is standing in the way Purify my heart Clease me Lord I Pray Remove from me all that is standing in the way Of your love ------------------------------> Lord, Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name

Took Charis for a dip today at the pool. She seemed to be 'enjoying' herself in this 'laid back' pic. I had a good time and I never knew swimming could be that relaxing. It seems that when I took into the pool and swam a few breadths with Charis, the heaviness in my head which I woke up with 'dissipated' into the waters. Honestly, I have never found swimming to have such a calming effect on me, or was it the presence of Charis that made the difference? I enjoy Charis most of the time. She is a gift (someone called her a new "toy") that I will never get tired or sick of. She's a toy that will always be 'updated' because she is growing every moment. Today she tried playing the keyboard and was wondering how come it didn't make any music because it was switched off. She turned, look at me and had that inquisitive look on her face. I simply smiled at her. "When things on earth that cause the heart to tremble, remembered w...

"Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eyes, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eyes." - Matthew 7:1-5 (NASB) Otto Fong, used this principle to counter those who decided to 'judge' him because he openly shared that he is a gay. I admire his "courage" and "determination" to be who he is - he only asked for acceptance. His disclosure risked him losing his job as a teacher in the prestigious Raffles Institution whom he had been with for 8 years and also unwanted multiples of criticisms darted towards his sexual preference. O...

Stand Still - By The Isaacs The Father has a plan. Though it's hard to see it now You feel you're walking all alone. But He is there no doubt When the storm around you rages, And you're tossed to and fro When you're faced with life's decisions, Not sure which way to go Stand still and let God move, Standing still is hard to do When you feel you have reached the end, He'll make a way for you Stand still and let God move When the enemy surrounds you, And the walls are closing in When the tide is swiftly rising, And you wonder where He's been Friend, there never was a moment, That His arms weren't reaching out You can rest assured and be secure, God is moving right now Stand still and let God move, Standing still is hard to do When you feel you have reached the end, He'll make a way for you Stand still and let God move Go to youtube.com search for Stand Still + Isaacs. Very beautiful song with meaningful lyrics.

Couldn't resist putting up this pic of her taken off Herng's phone. :P I thought by giving her a two syllabus name, there will be NO confusion in pronouncing her name. However, I was wrong. The first time we went to her paediatrician, she called her "CHAIR-RIS".. then i corrected her, it's "CARE-RIS" Then, ms chan herngwei called her "CLARIS" Then, one of the youth i spoke with online called her "CHAIRS" Looks like she can't escape the mispronouncing of her name. :) Live with it girl, all of us go through it. I've been called "ROOF", "WUTH", etc... etc...

Justine Henin wins the US Open title. Trouncing the Williams' Sisters in the same tournament. Her signature single backhand slice is what makes her stand out as a competitor and champion (at least to me). Her never give up, never say die attitude is what inspires me. Do it, lose, never mind. At least I've tried. Run to win the race!

This week, I attended two funeral wakes. As the Eulogies were delivered by the children/grand children. It makes me wonder how my Eulogy would sound like. The Christian funeral makes it all very meaningful. We remember the deceased and how he/she had added to our lives. We think of how God had placed this person in our lives for a season and how his/her values have unknowingly been imparted to us. The youngest son of Mdm Chua said that while his mum "was uneducated, she had always taught them to live honest and honorable lives". That was when I was reminded that education does not teach us to be morally upright. Literacy may not necessarily be the means to a life of integrity. The other person who passed on this week was Mr See. He is a nice and friendly man with no air of superiority or seniority. Often after the Sunday service, I would go up to him and we would chat freely without difficulties. I was often at ease with Mr See because his warm, friendly and sunny smile would...

This morning I was caught in the rain while I went for my usual marketing routine. As I waited for the rain to stop, I was forced to pause and wait. I remember telling someone on Sunday that I would rather walk to my destination then wait for the transport to come to me. I was compelled to pause. To look at the rain and think about God and life. To reflect on why pauses are necessary in life. God does not want me to cover the breadth of life only but also the depth of life as well. "Thicken the hide but not the heart" - Easy to quote but challenging to live it. It's a constant reflection of my own attitude towards service to God, towards others and how I live my life. The missions calling is still a very real part of me. I know God had spoken. This period is a pause for me, to stay faithful to the things God has called me to do. God says, the Macedonia Call" will come. It will be very very clear from Him. I will leave the "when" to God. Like...

Mysterious Baby "milkmaid" baby She seemed to be enjoying her "new look" Adrian and me having dinner together for his birthday

Missions have always been a part of me. Recently I couldn't even tell whether what I was feeling was the result of a personal ambition that needs to be fulfilled or whether God was calling and wooing me again. The lines are very blurred between the former and the latter. I have always felt passionately about it because it's the thing that always kept me looking forward. It will always be my soft spot. God has blessed us to be a blessing. Am I? I came before the Lord and surrendered myself to Him. I told the Lord that if He opens the door, no one can shut and if He shuts the door, no one can open. I choose to put myself at God's disposal and be where He wants me. I believe the day will come where I know God will speak so clearly to me that I will know that it is his will for me to pack and go, of course together with my family. I pray that Charis will learn the life of faith the moment she is able to speak, listen and understand. May our journey with God be life long lesson...

1 Corinthians 10:31 - 33 "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved." (NASB)

Recently I find myself once again locking horns with the prosperity gospel preachers. The added intensity came when someone passed me some booklets written by John Avazini, http://www.avanziniministries.org/content/. The goal of his ministry is this: "To teach God's people the uncompromised truth about Biblical Economics while delivering an anointing for financial victory." Notice that Bibilcal Economics are in caps. Many of his 'prosperity truths' are scriptures that have been taken out of the context of the passage, misintepretated and misquoted. One example is he takes Mark 4:20 "And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty and a hundredfold." He says the seed is the money that we have to give and the good soil is the good ministries that are around e.g. ministries that is Christ-centered and preaching the gospel. So if we accept the word (what he says of seed = money...

Charis' smile

Just watched a documentary on North Korea, through the lives of 2 girls who trained hard for the mass games i.e. NK's national day parade. They were gymnasts and their lives revolve arounds their family, school and training... Those who made the cut were selected to display their skill at the mass games. It's also from the interviews of these girls that I took a peek into the lives of the north koreans in Pyong Yang. Every household is given a radio wired up by the govt and placed in the kitchen. The radio can't be turned off except by adjusting the volume. Messages about the great leader would be played 24/7. TV programs only come on for 5 hours a day and heroes of the land would be played over and over again. Even the cartoons were about young boys and girls wanting to join the people's army and serving the general. At school, one of the history lesson shown was about the great leader and his attributes which are, Great Ideology, Great LEadership - oops i forgot the l...

My long weekend has been punctuated by wedding and wedding. 9 August was the wedding of Jachin and Yellowrose's and today, 11 August was Lester and Freda's. It's interesting that I've been in RCC for 4 years. How time flies. Jachin, Yellowrose, Lester and Freda are all the new friends I met at RCC. Thank God for them. Jachin is the highly Mr organized. He's very pleasant and what every mum would want her son to be like. Yellowrose has this calm disposition. Even her excitement is calmly exclaimed. :) Lester is the Mr Prim and Proper. Although the only child, he's surprisingly kind, pleasant and unspoilt. Sensible. Freda is Ms Prim and Proper too. She is very nice, gentle and has definite views on matters that are important to her. As I sat through their solemnization, I remembered that my wedding passed not too faraway. I would recall the vows I've made and the words given to us on our wedding day. Indeed, loving each other for better, for worse, for poorer...

Sometimes what I feel and what is real are entirely different. What I feel may not be what is factual or real. Sometimes I question the objectivity in any statement made by anybody. Isn't our objectivity still influenced by our own biaseness? ? ? I don't know. Unless our objectivity is based on facts and not presented after our own intepretation - it is still subjective I feel. I think I am not making sense but that's alright. Welcome to my complex mind. Not complex for some but quite complex to me. Lord, when? When are you sending me out? - God says his timing is perfect. I will not look at situations or circumstances. I've surrender myself to Him. I feel so passionate towards mission until I can't tell whether this passion is from God or from myself anymore. I just surrender. When the preacher, John Elliot came and gave the charge. My heart was so moved but I know I have surrendered to God too many times. I stood where I was and I told the Lord, Lord, you know my ...

This is a long overdue post. End of June, Adrian and myself attended a movie screening in church. The title of the movie was "Facing the giants". The main theme of the movie is to have faith in God regardless of circumstances and we can conquer the giants we face in our lives. The main story revolves around a high school football team, his coach, his wife and family. The coach was on the brink of losing his job because he wasn't able to lead the football team to win on the local league. However, as He surrendered himself to God and really challenged his team about playing for God and for his honour, the team began to taste victory. The message i received from this show was, "Prepare for rain". There was this elderly man who kept praying for the students that they might be spiritually revived. When he was being asked why he kept doing this without seeing any results, he said he was preparing for rain. The final outcome of the story was Shiloh Eagles, the high sch...

It's been almost 10 weeks and I am finally returning to work. For the last 10 weeks, I've experienced motherhood at its worst and at its best. Whether good or bad, motherhood has certainly brought some growth in my life experience and you can call it a milestone. I feel that I have 'matured' a little bit - haha. It's very strange that now, I think like a parent instinctively - it's really wierd that now I can offer some good reasons to why some parents do the things they do or say the things they say. I want to be the mother who will express clearly my love and affection to her. I was raised in a culture where my parents do not say what they mean or do not mean what they say. They may have meant well but when it comes out of their mouth, it can sound so wrong, so unloving, so nagging, so irritating... probably it might have been the way my parents themselves were brought up. I think being a mother has changed me quite a bit. I am progressively being thawed by Ch...

The Church I go to will soon be going through a rebuilding project. It is exciting times ahead and a season of faith for many of us. Currently there's a fund raising project that plans to raise 1 million within a month. This new initiative is on top of the monthly pledge that we've put in. Certainly God has been stretching my faith and I see myself responding to him. Not that I have an astronomical figure written on the card but certainly I knew God had stretched me... The pledge is also called the sacrifiical faith pledge which calls for a change of lifestyle and a call to give even if we do not have the amount yet. I hesitate about pledging an amount that I do not even have yet in my bank a/c - aka faith pledge... maybe for me, it's more a sacrificial pledge which requires faith and sacrifice at the same time. My thoughts kept drifting back to the account of Jesus, when he praised the widow who gave her two mites as one who gave her all. Not that I am seeking the praise b...

Hahahah. Guess what this 'bored housewife' did during her 'free' time? I took pictures of Charis. She has very amusing expressions and each one is different. Since I found it to be interesting, I decided to share it. :)

It's easier to sing a song of surrender to God than to live the life of surrenderedness. So easy to respond to an altar call promising to God that we want to surrender but when the situation comes for us to live that surrender, we squirm, struggle, wrestle and sometimes quit surrendering because it is so hard to hand over the control of my life. It's always easy to believe in God when things are going well for us but when things go the other way, we struggle to grasp faith. Faith becomes more abstract on such a day, such a season. Singing an old song gave new meaning... Into Your hands, I commit again With all I am, for you Lord You hold my world, in the palm of Your Hands And I am Yours, forever Jesus I believe in You Jesus I belong to You You're the reason that I live The reason that I sing With all I am I'll walk with You Wherever You'll go, through tears and joy I'll trust in You And I will live in all of Your ways Your promises, forever A nice song with a v...

2 days old 6 weeks old Charis is now 7 weeks old. So far, things been looking fine and improving. While night duty i.e. feeding is still part of motherhood, thank God that I am adjusting to this new schedule as compared to when it first began. Now that we are understanding each other better, things are getting a lot manageable. I guess it just progresses as both of us grow in our role. Her adjusting better to life outside the womb and me adjusting better to her needs, whims or fancies. Names we call her, " cutie pie ", "my darling girl" - dad uses it more than mum, "naughty girl", "sweetie"

Today marks the day of 30 years on earth. How time flies and to me, it seems that life is only beginning. Having a new born at this point of my life marks another milestone. I remembered telling someone I want to have a child by the age of 29 and I did, one month before my birthday. :) All in God's good grace and love. May the next 30 years be the years I will continue to be found in Christ alone.

As I was thinking about calling and my passion for missions and seeking God during this time of leave. I sense that God was telling me to be patient. When the time comes the door will be wide open, before that no use banging through a closed door. God will open it wide at his opportune time. I believe Lord and by faith you'll take me there.

Look at her knees... she will wiggle and posture her knees in such a way... Sleeping face down has kept her sleeping for long periods... another pic taken by the daddy, look at how she crosses her legs..

It's been the 11th day since I became a mother. Coping and adjusting with being one has been tough, mostly unpredictable as I tried to meet her real needs. When she cries after a feeding and a diaper change, we had to rock her to sleep. The moment we put her down into the cot, she'll wake up and cry. Hence, week 1 was tough. I wasn't sure if I was giving her enough breast milk as the milk was slow in coming so I had to supplement her intake with formula milk contrary popular beliefs that if I were to do so, she'll get confused. I told myself, I need to persevere and if breast milk is still insufficient by this week, I will give her formula. Thank God that the last 3 days, she is off formula and feeds entirely on breast milk. She is the least confused at this point despite the supplement and suckles well especially when she is hungry. Now that I am better physically, I've started to train her to sleep on her own without anyone rocking her to sleep. The previous week,...

This photo was taken 20 minutes after her birth on the 22 April 2007. Her birth time was 1.05 am and her weight was 3.05 kg. Length 50cm, head circumference 35cm. Giving birth was certainly an experience. On 21 April, I checked myself into the hospital at 9.30am as I was having some contractions. It was due anyway and I think I had better go in. However, the long wait took place. I was able to endure the contractions until when it came on stronger at about 5pm in the late afternoon. I asked for the anaesthetist to give me the epidural. I endured the pain for almost an hour... alas, I have the experience of what labour is like. The wait continued until 12mn that day. My gynae and the nurses came in and check me almost every half and hour. As things did not seem good, the check was almost every 5 minutes. While there was strong contractions, my baby's position was not engaged (positioned for natural birth) and my cervix was only 5cm dilated, very little compared to the hours of...

The Ms Singapore Universe trailers have been running, introducing this year’s candidates competing for the title. Over the years, there’s been a discussion on whether beauty and brains go together. Well the trailers proved one thing for sure. These ladies have ‘beauty’ if ‘beauty’ is defined by statistics. Some of the pictures taken of them made them look like those seen on chatline advertisements. It has almost reached the stage of being distasteful for me and I am totally grossed out. If the promotional guy who wants to market the next Ms Singapore Universe this way, don’t blame me for judging a book by its cover, it is meant to be this way in the first place. Let’s not argue any more for brains in the beauties, there’s none. Of all the segments in the competition, how many percent is taken to test the brain prowess of these beauties? 10%, 20%, 30%?, Talking about beautiful… none is outstanding by far. Their bikini clad image has masked what beauty is suppose to be. Sluttish and se...

it's 18 April. 2 more days to Charis' arrival. How I wish she's out soon so I'll get to see her. She is about 3.4kg and has put on 300 grams since the last she was measured a week ago. Her head diameter is 10cm, gynae says she is maxed out but seems like there's still space for her to move around. I'll wait though I am getting impatient.

Yesterday, Pastor Ross Paterson came and spoke to us at church. It was a time for me I felt to rededicate to God my life to mission. I have always sensed that call but the question is "WHEN". I had wanted to respond first to the altar ministry but I went up to pray for Veron. I just sensed God leading me there. The moment I prayed for her, words just flowed and I knew God was speaking to her heart as much as God was speaking to me. She felt the tangible presence of God, the heat and all that and I thank God for allowing me to experience his presence in such a real way. When it came to my turn to be prayed for, it was a reassurance and voice from God. One particular thing that spoke to me was she prayed, "When the time comes, you will know and it will be very clear to you." I instantly could identify with what that meant. In my life, I have been very CLEAR in 2 areas. 1. To resign from my job and enter bible school at age 23, 2. To leave my former church which I had ...

My final days of work and my final days of pregnancy. While the due date states 20 April, it can happen anytime from now. We've finally finished fixing up the cot. Why I say finally. When we first got the cot, there were parts that were missing and these parts were important for putting the cot together. By virtue of 'chance' we managed to recover some of the parts on the vehicle that transported the cot yet it was insufficient. So yes, the cot is up and ready to welcome the new family member into our midst. For me, I am counting down to the days when I eventually give birth so that I can feel lighter. I feel that my legs have been trained with this weight upon me and I believe after my childbirth I can walk faster. Many has commented that parenthood will bring lots of changes to my life, I don't know how but I know it won't be drastic and I will take it in good stride. To be honest, I am more satisfied than euphoric over this new life that God has given. Because sp...

English Standard Version Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? God parted with Jesus, his very own, his best gift, will also graciously give us all things both physical and material. As human beings we often look upon one who has been 'blessed' with much. If God has given me this, answered my prayer on this matter, I am blessed. It is true that I am blessed but how about those prayers that God has yet to answer me the way I want it to be answered, am I not blessed because he has not answered or am I waiting to be blessed? Have I used the word 'bless' too loosely that I've fail to see other aspects of answered prayer. Whatever happens to us, happens for a reason i.e. good or bad. Recently my church mission team to Surathani had their boat capsized, they were all saved and we thanked God for the capsize and for their lives saved, even the youngest one amongst them who had n...

After I became a Christian, I was in an Anglican Church for 10 years of my life. Bi-monthly we will have our holy communion, a act for us to remember the Lord's death as we eat the "bread" and drink the "cup". The Pastor presiding the Holy Communion will read from the book of common prayer and the congregation will respond at some points. I will always remember the "Prayer of Humble Access", a prayer all of us pray before we eat the "bread" and drink from the "cup" It goes like this: "We do not presume to come to this your table merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies we are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But You are the same Lord, whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in Him and He in us. Amen" Over the year...

My long day yesterday. 6.30am - 7.00am woke up 7.00am - 7.30am traveled to Sengkang to feed my beloved dog (parents away) 7.30am - 8.15am breakfast 8.45am - GCE in church 10.30am - 11.40am JSS 11.40am - 12.30pm Service 12.30pm - 2.30pm Fellowship, Lunch 2.30pm - 6.15pm AGM 6.15 - 7.50pm Dinner at "Chomp Chomp" By 6.15pm, I was already very exhausted. The dinner managed to perk me up slightly. However, when we got home, I was really praying for a parking lot right below my flat. It is always full because lots are scarce. So I just prayed, with a "if is God willing" sort of faith... one car was ahead of us and he zoom quite quickly ahead. No lots. We drove and lo and behold, i saw the headlights of a Mercedes Benz light up after we passed it. I told Adrian to reverse and indeed the merc was leaving and we got the lot. It sounds trivial but it was one of those lessons that I was learning about "Praying" again. Ask, Seek and Knock. It's not enough to just ...

I am exactly 1 month away from my due date. Ask me, am I excited? I'll probably give you a very melancholic look. Maybe it's because I am seldom excitable. For me, the journey ahead has not yet begun and I face it with a degree of apprehension. Thoughts like, "Will i be a good mother", "Will my daughter turn out well" can sometimes overwhelm me. I have to intentionally l surrender and not be overly anxious. It's a new thing. It's a new challenge. This challenge is something I have never encountered and each step along the way, I'll learn to seek God and his guidance. I can read many books but ultimately it's the wisdom that God gives that will enable me to be a good parent. There are so many people who has experience on parenting yet each experience is unique to the individual. While there's general truth about some experiences, the variable factor is that each child is unique. It's like when some people look at my tummy and overall c...

someone said, we don't really love God until we learn to trust in Him fully, totally and absolutely...

As I was thinking of how to pray for leaders in the church. I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that just because we are serving Him in the church, it doesn't mean we are or can be immune from sin or temptations. Just look at the countless numbers of leaders, preachers, pastors present in history and now, some have fell and were not immortals. This thought came as a reminder to myself to that in every aspects of my life, I need to walk with the Lord, love Him and live for Him. Yesterday's sermon topic in church was on the "Fear of the Lord" and as I read it, it defined for me what "Fear of the Lord is..." Prov 8:13 - it is to hate evil, pride, arrogance, the evil way and the perverted mouth... - As leaders we need to fear God and to walk away from evil. It's not good enough just to know what we must do... I must constantly let God check my heart so that I will not allow pride and arrogance to grow like weeds... it's so easy to be filled with pride and ...

http://www.newlifechurch.org/ check out the column that says "Senior Pastoral Transition" In summary, Ted Haggard and his family will be relocating from Colorado to another place but will continued to be counselled. NLC has kindly decided to continue to see them through the process of their restoration. As I read the letter, I see the grace in the midst of discipline. I asked myself, what's restoration? We've always think, restoration must be back to ministry. For a big man like Ted Haggard, he ought to return to ministry. But the overseers of the church decided that restoration of the whole man is the priority and will take years. I think this is grace, the grace of God at work through human agents who love God and his church. Honestly, I am very touched by what the overseers have done and have learnt the real meaningful purpose of restoring a man of God. It is first and foremost a restoration in his relationship with God. I quote part of a letter "There should...

It's very interesting that yesterday I blogged about Christ being evidenced in my life, my relationships with others and blah blah blah. During the LNY period, I had many family gatherings. On the 3rd day of LNY, I went back to my mum's home for dinner. My aunt (mum's younger sis) was there too. Just when I stepped into the house they were starting their dinner at about 6pm. She asked me to join them repeatedly, by the third 'call' I replied her in a rude tone and told her I'll eat later as I was not hungry. Yesterday my mum told me I should apologize for my tone, I explained that she was too naggy and gave her my reasons for retorting in that manner. After a day and a night of thinking, I think I should apologize. My husband also think I should. Well.. when more than one person think you should apologize, you better. I called her today to apologize for my tone of voice and to my surprise she didn't sound as annoyed as my mum had told me she was. Well, put t...

Heard a sermon yesterday by Rev. Edmund Chan. He defines Revival as "responding to God's transforming presence" Revival is an act of God, Revival is God revealing His transforming presence to us. Our respond to God's transforming presence is crucial for a spiritual reformation. The result of our response to God's transforming presence will producemany things. Yet it is not the signs alone that tells us revival has taken place. It is the change of heart, the switch of allegiance that causes that the impact of that revival to last in our hearts. Many a times what causes the frequent instability and inconsistencies in our walk with God? A heart not totally yielded and surrendered to God for transformation. We fear that our surrender to God will rob us of our pleasures... yet the greatest truth is when we surrender, we will experience the greatest joy. It's because of our lack of trust in a great God that causes us not daring to put both feet forward. If we have n...

what does pride look like, sound like? 1. I'm better than you - "Why are you not doing this, doing that to be better so that you can be like me?" 2. I can spot the speck in the eyes of others from miles but fail to see the log in my own eyes - "another person's flaws always seemed more serious, more detrimental, more sinful than mine" 3. I am doing ministry right and you are doing it wrong - "how come you are not doing this/doing that?" Pride creeps into our lives so subtly that we never realize until we look deep inside our hearts. Many gathered around the woman who was caught in adultery, dragged to the streets and demanded a verdict from Jesus. They look so right, so honorable in front of the woman in shame. Yet Jesus spoke one sentence and all left one by one. "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." To Jesus, Sin is Sin. No lesser sin, no greater sin. Adultery is sin, lying is sin, looking at a...

God is always on time, never late!

Last Sunday's sermon was simple and edifying. I've always enjoyed listening to missionaries because I consider them those who are on the front line of sharing the good news. To me, they are the true theologians who put their theology into practice. Unlike armchair theologians who write pages and pages of thesis without taking one step out of their 'comfort zone'. Those of us who do not 'go' usually have so much considerations back home. We 'count the cost' and decide that staying at home is the best for us. How much of our 'cost counting' involves God? Cost counting tells us the realities, the facts but God has never worked around our realities. He gives us a great alternative, partner with Him and walk in faith. Christian Consumerism has crept into the Church i.e. "What can God do for me, What has God done for me and What will God do for me?" I cringe at times when I hear testimonies of "What God has done for me this and that...

Saw this interesting story this morning online and decided to put it up as a reminder to myself. "The ability to see sin in others and ignore it in your own heart is one of the distinguishing characteristics of a Pharisee, and being a Pharisee is so easy. It's great to make rules to guide our own behavior, but when we extend those rules to everyone around us, we're in danger of becoming pharisaical." the problem with rules: it only dictates behaviour, it does not transform life.

Came across 2 interesting quotes by Corrie Ten Boom. "Perhaps only when human effort had done its best and failed, would God's power alone be free to work." (CTB) Was looking for a front cover message for the church newsletter to match my preaching text. Another interesting quote on discernment, the topic which i was reflecting on last week. “Discernment is God's call to intercession, never to faultfinding.” (CTB) How apt!

Politics are everywhere, just the intensity.

Well, it is easy to justify the hike by saying that the govt. will be used for investments to secure our future. Perhaps, some statistics should be opened and transparent to us so that we can be convinced of the hike and not be coerced into the hike. 1. How much income was collected via GST in 2006 2. What was the percentage invested and what is the yield or potential yield 3. What was the percentage set aside for other 'investments' or 'expenditure' How will the govt share the profit of the nation with her citizen??????????????????????

What's the difference between + Being sentimental, sentimentalism and sensational? ? ? i refuse to think.

Have you ever had to guess how someone feels? It's one of those things that I do not delight in and a territory I rarely venture. If something is of significance to me, I would ask to find out instead of trying my hand at guessing. Of course, amidst the multitudes of christian terms, the word "discern" comes close to what guessing is but it is not guessing. We Christians are so capable of using a christian terms to 'justify' our words and opinions by saying that we 'discern' something. Sometimes, it's hard to distinguish between what is an 'educated guess' vs 'discerning'. It depends on the integrity of the person operating in the gift. Yet, in all of this, it is never foolproof. No matter how good, how spiritual one person is, he/she is still capable of making mistakes if he/she does not check himself/herself regularly. Why does God give us the ability to discern, word of wisdom and word of knowledge? To build up the church, to edify t...

today will be exactly 3 months to the estimated due date of my kiddo! 3 months before motherhood becomes a reality 3 months before a new life is set before me 3 months before I truly understand labor pain 3 months before I stay in the hospital for the very first time in my life 3 months...

Lord speak Not what I want to hear But what You want to say Lord I will, Lord I yield Help me distinguish and discern To know the difference between yours and mine So that You may be glorified and I may be satisfied.

I am currently reading a book by D.A. Carson, title is on the subject heading. Usually his books are quite technical but not so for this particular title. It's a book on prayer and it studies into all the prayers of Paul and how he prayed for the churches he planted, pastored and how he long to meet up with them, to encourage them, to spur them in faith and all that. So often I am intrigued by Paul's writings and I believed God has used him to pen most of the NT books. I believe, right practise stems from sound and biblical teaching. This book has evaluted my prayer practices and spur me to pray even more faithfully. Let me quote D.A Carson of which I am very convicted of: "2. Paul's prayer arises out of passionate affection that seeks that good of others- not their priase, gratitude, acceptance, and still less some sense of professional self-fulfillment. .... As someone who has taught seminary students for more than fifteen years, I worry about the rising number of se...

Over at lunch yesterday, there was a comment about the stronger gf/wives. I readily admitted that I am the stronger 'half' at home. I used to think that being strong is not a good thing. As a girl, I should be quiet, demure in every aspect of my mannerism. I've known of strong women being labeled 'aggressive', 'demanding', 'domineering' and 'jezebellic' and honestly, I detest such labels as they are as sweeping as the labels sounds. I am strong in my opinions, value systems, beliefs and I express them when I am 'triggered'. Hence I am not the nice, subservient person/woman/wife as commonly thought of, desired of. I'm not the "yes" person who agrees for the sake of harmony or preserving harmony although there are times when a matter does not call for my views and it is not so important then I will readily comply. However, when a matter is really of significance and importance to me, I will not hesitate to express myself e...

2007 will be a year of challenge for me personally. Having a child due in April (20 April is the estimated day of arrival). Parenthood is slowly settling in and we are still considering all the options of who is to help us look after the child. God has assured us time and again that He will lead and He will provide. In my private journal about 2 mths ago. As I thought about the challenges ahead, God spoke to me about "ASK" - Luke 11:9 - 13. I'm not one who like to conjure up things for myself so that I can feel good about it but that day, I journaled down my thoughts about the passage and what I sense God was saying to me. This morning, as I ponder about the future. I came across the same passage once again. God says, ASK. This time the passage was from Matthew 7:7 - 12. The pastor and preacher, John Piper gave a thorough exposition and explanation of the passage and I sense the Spirit of God, once again, directing my focus on Him. Just as I am considering and praying abo...

Ok, random and perhaps illogical posting for the day. My strength is also my weakness. I am determined, strong-headed and stubborn like a bull. Determine is a strength because I tend to peservere under trying cirumstances and I'm not a quitter by nature. Strong Headed and stubborn are my weaknesses because I can be inflexible and at times tread insensitively breaking everything in the 'china shop'. It calls for balance and sometimes its tough. I've learnt, not to operate by my instinct. My instinct is to charge and the only way for balance is to rein in first before something gets broken by my instinctive reaction. I've been thinking, reflecting over the last few days about this area of strength as well as weakness of my life and I ask for that sancification in my life to continue. To make the strength more edifying and to make the weakness submitted to Christ. Not easy but necessary process of being consumed by the Holy Spirit. I have another strength/weakness. It ...