Finally I am able to sit down and write this blog. Before I go on, a GOD-BLESSED & HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all!!!
I got a chance to be on my own yesterday, to somewhere away from home, to be still before the Lord and reflecting on the old year of 2006 which is now history. I will write more of those thoughts in the following paragraphs below.
It is just two days into the new year of 2007 and already it has not been a happy one for several people - the 9 bomb blasts in Bangkok which killed 3 and injured over 100 persons; the sinking of a ferry in Indonesia (as many as 400 passengers are still unaccounted for); the crash of AdamAir which killed over 90 persons; and the passing of Rev Lai Kai Ming's mother-in-law (Lesley & Richard Seng's mother) yesterday evening (though she is now with the Lord, it is always sad to lose a loved one).
I was reading through my one whole year account of 2006 from my journals and there were definitely many ups and downs. What comforted me was basically this - regardless of the situatons I was placed in, God was still faithful and good to see me through them all. (Romans 8:28)
At the beginning of 2006, I was going through some struggles with my personal life. It was a major struggle which I had to surrender to God and allow Him to guide me through it. It was a tough period but God was there for me all the way. I am still searching for His will in this and I trust that one day He will reveal it to me.
Ministry wise I am grateful to God for helping me chair the Missions Ministry. I could have done more but my physical, mental and emotional state did not allow me to. I found that to be irresponsible and will work on it this new year.
I am also thankful to God for guiding me in my service in the Worship & Music Ministry especially in worship-leading and drumming. Several times, I found myself unprepared and ill-equipped but when I allowed God to just use me, He did. Hallelujah!!!
I was involved in the church 50th Anniversary Celebration. I was given some last-minute tasks. Initially I was clueless as to what I could do. When I cried out to God in desperation, He answered and gave me several ideas which were then put in actions. I am thankful to Him that the members were very supportive and many participated! It was wonderful to see the whole church coming together as one Body to celebrate the Lord's goodness throughout the existence of our church!
I praise God too for giving me a dear God-sister. She has been a joy and blessing to me. Though sometimes I failed her because of my character flaws, she still accepted me as who I am. I enjoyed all the time spent with her. :)
From August last year, I began my one-year sabbatical from work. I needed the rest and also to update myself on what I have been teaching all these years. So far it has been refreshing and I look forward to the many months of going easy till I begin work again in August this year.
I am grateful to God for taking care of my family. I am glad that all of them are in good health though my parents and grandmother are old. Sometimes I take them for granted and it is my prayer that I will be more sensitive to all of them this year. My burden is for my brother, Alvin Chew, who still does not know God as his personal Lord and Saviour. My regret was that I did not actively share my faith with him. I hope to do so this year.
I am glad that God gave me three dear brothers-in-Christ in whom I can account my life with. It is really wonderful to know that when I am in need, I have them to pour my woes to and also to seek them for counsel and prayer support.
Last year I lost two dear persons who have played a major part in my journey towards knowing God as my Lord and Saviour. They were Aunty Patricia Chia and Uncle Chia Kim Teng. They were the ones who invited me to church when they found me feeling bored staying at home when I was a young boy. If not for them, I do not know how my life would have been now. They introduced me to the bestest of friends and He is none other than Jesus Himself. They will always remain close to my heart and I hope to see them soon when we get reunited in heaven. Thank you, Aunty Pat and Uncle Chia, for passing the gift of LOVE to me.
Wow! There are many things that I can write because 2006 has been eventful but I shall stop here.
Any resolutions for 2007? Just this - to live an un-cluttered lifestyle and to stay close to God in all that I do. If I can do this, I know every other plans I have will fall in place. (Proverbs 16:1, 3 & 9)
2007 will be a year of adventure for me - there will be many ups and downs. Just as much as I do not want too many downs, I will still look forward to them and tackle them as they come. May the Lord be my help.
I hope also that my life will attract more than it repels. I hope to bless others what God has blest me with. I pray my weaknesses and shortcomings, which tend to surface at times, will not create stumbling blocks to the people I will meet along the way.
Well, I guess that is all. Thanks and glory be to God for 2006 and 2007!
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
"To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:1, 3 & 9
I got a chance to be on my own yesterday, to somewhere away from home, to be still before the Lord and reflecting on the old year of 2006 which is now history. I will write more of those thoughts in the following paragraphs below.
It is just two days into the new year of 2007 and already it has not been a happy one for several people - the 9 bomb blasts in Bangkok which killed 3 and injured over 100 persons; the sinking of a ferry in Indonesia (as many as 400 passengers are still unaccounted for); the crash of AdamAir which killed over 90 persons; and the passing of Rev Lai Kai Ming's mother-in-law (Lesley & Richard Seng's mother) yesterday evening (though she is now with the Lord, it is always sad to lose a loved one).
I was reading through my one whole year account of 2006 from my journals and there were definitely many ups and downs. What comforted me was basically this - regardless of the situatons I was placed in, God was still faithful and good to see me through them all. (Romans 8:28)
At the beginning of 2006, I was going through some struggles with my personal life. It was a major struggle which I had to surrender to God and allow Him to guide me through it. It was a tough period but God was there for me all the way. I am still searching for His will in this and I trust that one day He will reveal it to me.
Ministry wise I am grateful to God for helping me chair the Missions Ministry. I could have done more but my physical, mental and emotional state did not allow me to. I found that to be irresponsible and will work on it this new year.
I am also thankful to God for guiding me in my service in the Worship & Music Ministry especially in worship-leading and drumming. Several times, I found myself unprepared and ill-equipped but when I allowed God to just use me, He did. Hallelujah!!!
I was involved in the church 50th Anniversary Celebration. I was given some last-minute tasks. Initially I was clueless as to what I could do. When I cried out to God in desperation, He answered and gave me several ideas which were then put in actions. I am thankful to Him that the members were very supportive and many participated! It was wonderful to see the whole church coming together as one Body to celebrate the Lord's goodness throughout the existence of our church!
I praise God too for giving me a dear God-sister. She has been a joy and blessing to me. Though sometimes I failed her because of my character flaws, she still accepted me as who I am. I enjoyed all the time spent with her. :)
From August last year, I began my one-year sabbatical from work. I needed the rest and also to update myself on what I have been teaching all these years. So far it has been refreshing and I look forward to the many months of going easy till I begin work again in August this year.
I am grateful to God for taking care of my family. I am glad that all of them are in good health though my parents and grandmother are old. Sometimes I take them for granted and it is my prayer that I will be more sensitive to all of them this year. My burden is for my brother, Alvin Chew, who still does not know God as his personal Lord and Saviour. My regret was that I did not actively share my faith with him. I hope to do so this year.
I am glad that God gave me three dear brothers-in-Christ in whom I can account my life with. It is really wonderful to know that when I am in need, I have them to pour my woes to and also to seek them for counsel and prayer support.
Last year I lost two dear persons who have played a major part in my journey towards knowing God as my Lord and Saviour. They were Aunty Patricia Chia and Uncle Chia Kim Teng. They were the ones who invited me to church when they found me feeling bored staying at home when I was a young boy. If not for them, I do not know how my life would have been now. They introduced me to the bestest of friends and He is none other than Jesus Himself. They will always remain close to my heart and I hope to see them soon when we get reunited in heaven. Thank you, Aunty Pat and Uncle Chia, for passing the gift of LOVE to me.
Wow! There are many things that I can write because 2006 has been eventful but I shall stop here.
Any resolutions for 2007? Just this - to live an un-cluttered lifestyle and to stay close to God in all that I do. If I can do this, I know every other plans I have will fall in place. (Proverbs 16:1, 3 & 9)
2007 will be a year of adventure for me - there will be many ups and downs. Just as much as I do not want too many downs, I will still look forward to them and tackle them as they come. May the Lord be my help.
I hope also that my life will attract more than it repels. I hope to bless others what God has blest me with. I pray my weaknesses and shortcomings, which tend to surface at times, will not create stumbling blocks to the people I will meet along the way.
Well, I guess that is all. Thanks and glory be to God for 2006 and 2007!
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
"To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:1, 3 & 9
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