Love With Actions And In Truth!

Ever had this struggle I am having now - where you want to show love and concern for your loved ones but when put into actions, they become a nag, a reprimand and sometimes condescending.

Well, I am going through that now - at home especially. Like towards my mum, who is still recuperating, I want to show my care and concern towards what she eats and drinks but when I tell her the do's and don'ts, it seems as if I am commanding and scolding her. It was not meant to be that way but out of nowhere, what I perceived things to be is not the same in reality.

Another case is towards my dad where I want him to be there for mum when I am not around but when I am trying to convey that message, my tone makes it sound as if he has not been doing that and that he has been negligent.

Last example is towards grandma - she has been showing lots of care and concern for mum as in always making sure that mum eats and drinks properly and sufficiently. Sometimes I feel that she is overdoing them but instead of affirming her that she has been doing right but perhaps overdoing it, I made it sound as if it is wrong in whatever she has been doing so far.

At the end, every one gets affected and instead of things turning out right, they all turn out wrong.

I think I am stressed out by recent events at home. As much as I have been praying but I think I am not totally surrendering. I also think I am putting a lot of burdens on myself and it is perhaps time for me to let go of some and let the rest of the family members to share the load.

Well, praise God for sounding this off. I guess I will need to take time off and gather my thoughts and get my act right.

I am done sharing for today. I pray for a restful weekend and a refreshing time of worship to God on Sunday in church.

Good night everyone!

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18

P.S.: It is so weird... after all the sharing above, I was thinking what Bible passage should I ponder and popped came this verse when I went to www.biblegateway.com. It just hit the nail on the head! Praise God!

Living The Faith Starts At Home

Mum is sick again - she is down with urine infection and because of that, she is having a fever and feeling cold at the same time. Dad brought her to see the family doctor and was prescribed antibiotics to counter the infection. This medication adds on to the many which she has to consume every day.

When I was told by grandma over the phone that mum was down, I felt very frustrated! I questioned God as to why this must happen to mum again and in the process cause many inconveniences and anxieties to the rest of the family members.

As I remained quiet, hoping for an answer, I realised it was a selfish cry because it was not so much due to my concern for mum which made me question God but more so the dreadful thought of having to handle her medical issues again. Of course this means I have lesser time for myself again after just two weeks since her discharge from hospital.

The above revelation of my inward looking thought taught me to not be too quick to question God every time something unpleasant happens but instead to be still and just search my heart regarding the things I say to God and to know that He is GOD.

Before writing this blog, I spent some time praying. During the conversation with my Abba Father, He revealed to me another thing which I was challenged to do - that is the need for me to live out my faith as much as possible at home.

I have to confess that I have not been doing much, as in openly, simply because it is something that the family is not used to though 4 out of 5 are Christians. We do not pray together; say grace before meals; read the Bible together; ask one another about what we have learnt from the Bible and the weekly sermons; embracing one another with the love of God.

Yes, I can use excuses like we are Asians; that this is not a practice of the family; that this can cause awkwardness; that we have to be sensitive to my brother who is a pre-believer; etc. At the end of the day, dad, mum, grandma and I have to acknowledge that our faith in God must start at home. What we practice in church must also be lived out at home and since I know this now, it has to start with me.

Well, not easy, sad to say, but I will give it a shot from tomorrow onwards. I will not be too aggressive but I shall take baby steps and see how it goes from there.

Thanks be to God for allowing me to learn more lessons today. :)

Sleeping time. Good night!

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

Serve Whole-heartedly

It has been 5 days since mum was discharged and I am glad that she is recuperating well at home. She has been moving around quite a bit. Though I am concerned that she may be overworking herself, I am also relieved that she is at least up and about. I guess she has to do everything in moderation and I will try my best to remind her.

I am still trying to re-energise myself after a hectic two weeks of trying to handle matters at home. Frankly I still feel drained. It does not help that this week will be quite busy with my cousin's wedding and also with matters concerning the Missions Ministry. I am trying my best to get back in momentum concerning this area of responsibility that God has entrusted me with.

One of my weaknesses is trying to handle things by myself and forgetting many times that there is a Committee available to assist me. Today a dear brother from the Committee asked how I was and I guess he is willing to share a load of what I am bearing now. I am encouraged by that and I also praise God for sounding off to me that I need to let go and allow others to help me.

I need prayers from all of you who are reading my blog. I was telling my Pastor-in-Charge that there are many times I want to do a lot of things for God and His people but I just do not have the time to give my all as I have other commitments (like that of home and work matters) to handle as well.

One thing she reminded me of hit me - yes, there are many commitments in life but when we offer God our time for church ministry, it should not be the leftovers. That is so true. I guess I am at this point of my journey where I need to learn to set aside time deliberately for ministries so that they will not be neglected. Easy to say but hard to practice. No matter what, I will try to adapt and change accordingly. :)

Well, a new week has arrived and I will look forward to it no matter what the challenges may be. I know God is still leading the way. I just pray I will have the faith to follow Him.

Oh yah, yesterday I witnessed a vehicular accident right before my very eyes - while a dear brother-in-Christ was giving me and my God-sister a ride home, a car suddenly jammed its brakes along the main road, spun and came to a stop when it hit a side-barrier.

My brother-in-Christ stopped the car by the side of the road and we went to make sure the driver was alright. Thank God he was but his car was quite a wreck. After confirming that he was completely fine, we went on with our journey.

It was quite an experience for me.

Anyway, time to sleep. It has been a tiring day after being at church in the morning; at Botanic Gardens in the afternoon with my God-sister, her sister and nieces; at MacRitchie Reservoir with the running gang. I enjoyed the time of fellowship though. It was refreshing and encouraging.

I enjoyed the time at Botanic Gardens as I was engrossed with my macro-photography where I took many shots of a dragon-fly at very close range (photos attached). It allowed me to admire the beauty of God's creation simply by an insect. :) I also took a picture of a moth when I was at MacRitchie Reservoir (photo also attached).

Good night, everyone and have a blessed week ahead!

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free." Ephesians 6:7-8

Restoration In Progress

Mum was discharged from hospital yesterday after being admitted last Thursday. Praise God everything, as in the tests carried out on her, turned out well except for the kidney stone. Her glucose level is still a bit high but definitely much lower than last week. Her blood pressure has gone back to normal.

Well, I praise God for seeing mum through the six days in the Singapore General Hospital. She rested well during this period and I guess that helped.

I am also happy mum is adapting well since coming home. In fact this morning she made an appointment with the hairdresser to have her hair set. :)

I guess that is a good sign. What I am praying now is that mum will be more careful of what she eats and drinks from henceforth. She over-indulges at times but now she must know that she cannot if she does not want to be admitted again.

I am tired - physically, mentally and emotionally. I hope to be restored soon so that I can get back with my own life - there are much to do yet no time and energy for that.

No matter what, God has always been good and I know He will keep me and all at home going! :)

"Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up." Psalm 71:19-20

God Is Good To Mum And All

I am glad and relieved that mum will be coming home tomorrow after staying in hospital for almost a week. Praise the Lord that so far most of the results for the tests carried out have turned out good except for the kidney stone.

Mum's sugar level has dropped to 7.4 which is the best since her admission. Well, I am praying now that she will be careful in what she consumes when she gets back to the routines of life again. I guess I will have to keep reminding her and also to ask dad to keep a look-out since they are always together.

I did not see mum today as I needed to do something for my brother at his shop. He went to the hospital in the evening and it was there that he got all the updates.

In anticipation of mum's discharge from the hospital, I did some housework just now - mopping the floor and washing all the fans in every room and in the hall. It was tiring but it was all worth it.

I went to watch a movie with my God-sister at Orchard Cineleisure. It was this show entitled, "Defiance" - a story about how some 1200 Jews were saved from the atrocities of the Germans and how they fought for their freedom by protecting themselves.

The one thing that kept coming back to me while watching the show was this - that man in general is sinful and that is why God sent His Son to die for all and not some. Yes, though the Jews were oppressed by the Nazis, their actions also sometimes showed the down-fall of man by killing Germans in the name of vengeance and stealing from farmers in the name of saving themselves against starvation.

One phrase I learnt from the main actor (wordings may not be exact but here's the gist of it) - "though we may be hunted by the Germans like animals but that does not mean we have to be like animals by killing unnecessarily." Easy to say but hard to practise especially in a war context but we should all try not to live lives like animals because others are treating us like one.

Anyway, I am tired.

It has been a restful day! Praise God!

Yay! Mummy is coming home! :)

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Romans 12:18-20

One Step At A Time

It has been a few days since I last blogged. I have been busy and tired with having to run to and from hospital, visiting mum; frustrated with matters of the household as there are much to be done but no time to attend to all; trying to stay positive so that others at home like grandma and dad do not worry unnecessarily.

Sometimes I just needed to get out of the hospital and home just to retain certain sanity and it helps by doing some activities like photography (quite therapeutic, I must say, taking shots of nature and people, allowing me to see things in fresh new perspectives and of course communing with God as I go along) and doing a bit of shopping of groceries and visiting the bookstores and pet shops.

I am supposed to lead worship this coming Sunday but looking at the amount of things I have to handle at home, I had to make a selfish decision by requesting for someone else to replace me. Preparing for worship session takes time and lately it is not easy for me to have that luxury to sit down and seek God in considering the flow of the session and the songs to be used. The Worship Team have been supportive and accommodating and I praise God for my siblings-in-Christ serving alongside me.

Just yesterday I realised I have neglected also the Missions Ministry which I am committed to as a chairperson. It is my prayer that I will adapt to the current situation I am in and at least spare some time to deal with this area of ministry and not lay it dormant.

I submitted all of the above-mentioned to God when I was worshipping Him at the service. I was prompted to do two things: to take one step at a time to deal with the numerous responsibilities and tasks mentioned; to keep in constant step with God by reading His Word so that it continues to fall on good soils and in prayer.

Well, after all the yada yada... praise God mum is feeling better now. She gets tired easily but she is definitely much stronger as compared to the day she was admitted. I requested of the doctor to do a full medical examination on her so that nothing is missed out since mum is an ex-stroke and cancer patient.

Just today I was told mum has a kidney stone which will be blasted some time this week with laser treatment. I guess by tomorrow more results will be released for the other tests done on her.

I am grateful to God for His grace and mercy on mum. The doctor told me the other day that if mum had delayed her admission by another day, she would have suffered a massive stroke and the condition would have been irrevisible. I was relieved to hear that. Truly all thanks and praise to the Giver of life for His goodness!

I shall end here. Need to do some ironing now. :)

ONE STEP AT A TIME!

"Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, "'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'" Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown." Mark 4:1-20

God's Healing Grace

I just came back from the hospital. Mum was admitted this afternoon as she was trembling badly and incoherent in her speech and action. We brought her to our family doctor and her blood pressure was abnormally high.

As mum was a stroke patient, the doctor suggested that we send her to the Accident and Emergency Department so that further tests can be carried out.

The initial results showed that mum's sugar level is very high and there is some anomaly in her blood. More tests will be carried out tomorrow to ascertain the actual problem.

This whole incident happened when I was out running some errands. When the family doctor called me, I got a shock and immediately rushed to the clinic to fetch mum to the hospital. As I feared the worst, I messaged a couple of my siblings-in-Christ to intercede for mum.

All thanks and praise to God for answering all our prayers as mum's condition seems to have stabilised when the doctors treated her.

Well, I am tired. Tummy is still not too good.

I covet continued prayers for mum from those reading my blog and are my fellow siblings-in-Christ.

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:13-16

Diarrhoea Galore

I thought I had recovered from a mild food poisoning a few days ago but I was wrong. I woke up this morning, feeling very weak and my tummy was churning. Last night after dinner I already felt weird as in having that bloated feeling. I took some medication and went to sleep.

I recovered from the bloatedness but diarrhoea came next and I had to visit the toilet several times. After all that purging, I felt like a prune and had to hydrate myself by consuming lots of water and istonic drinks.

I basically slept through the day. In the afternoon, fever set in but it has subsided since.

I am feeling much better now (though weak) after taking several courses of charcoal tablets. My stools are hardening too so that is a good sign, I guess.

My doggy played nurse today by keeping me company. She was sleeping next to me almost all the time and licking me whenever I tossed around in bed. Haha.

Well, that sums up my day. Praise God for sustaining me till now. :)

Friends Forever

I shall keep this short as I am feeling unwell from a case of mild food poisoning. I do not know which food I ate that caused me to have diarrhoea. Over the weekend, it was really pigging out time with mainly the MacRitchie Running Fellowship. I think we should now call ourselves the MacRitchie Eating Fellowship. Haha.

On Saturday, the gang met for a Lunar New Year Feast at East Ocean Restaurant in Shaw Towers. Yesterday we had fried spring chicken at Arnold's in City Plaza. In the evening I had dinner with my God-son and his family at IKEA.

I enjoyed the time of fellowship with these my siblings-in-Christ. We have been friends for more than 10 years already. It is my prayer that we will continue this friendship for as long as possible and that this group will grow deeper in building each other up in the faith.

On Friday I went to the Flower Festival in Sentosa with my sister. We took a lot of pictures of the wide varieties of flowers featured. We also watched the Chingay Festival at the viewing gallery in Marina Square. I won two tickets in a contest organised by the People's Association.

We were initially thinking of buying two tickets from another friend but since I won them, we cancelled our reservation which I felt bad doing that. Frankly, I would rather buy the tickets as the location for those is much better than the one my sister and I were at.

Anyway, we also took a lot of pictures at the event though I do not particularly like night photography due to the absence of light.

That said, the above-mentioned affirmed in me my love for photography. I will spend a considerable amount of time in 2009 to better myself in this skill and to use it to encourage the people around me. :)

Well, time for me to end here. I shall sleep now and hopefully by tomorrow I will be well.

Good night, all and have a blessed week!

Be Objective And Not Reactive

I had wanted to blog yesterday but after coming back from my cousin's wedding function in Malaysia, I was too tired to do anything else.

I was also fuming mad when the car I was in with my parents and uncle was stuck in a massive jam from just after the last toll-booth in Johor Bahru to the Second Link checkpoint! We arrived at the toll-booth at 6pm and we only got passed the Singapore Immigration at 8.30pm! Can you believe that - two and a half hours in a jam?! Man!

Actually it was not the jam that caused the fuse in me to explode; it was the ugly sight of many Singaporean drivers which just irked me!

My car was in the third lane and next to us was the road shoulder. As the jam got worse, that was when cars behind mine started using the road shoulder to jump queue. They were way ahead of us because of that and they were also the cause of the jam as they had to filter back to the third lane when nearing the Singapore Immigration due to the police officers who were present to direct traffic. Cars like mine in the end could not move due to this insensitive act.

I have to confess that massive jam like the one I was in can cause the dark side of an individual to manifest inself. Mine did - from being frustrated, I got angry and then it led on to judging and swearing at those ugly drivers!

It came to a point where I sensed a voice in me asking me to just quieten down and spend some moment in silence rather than to keep making unedifying comments.

I did that and there was one lesson I learnt. This phrase kept flashing in my mind - "Be Objective and Not Reactive!"

It kind of made sense to me when I pondered on these words.

I guess if I had not reacted to the situation when I witnessed what some of the above drivers did, I could have prevented anger to take the better of me. Instead of cursing and swearing and also judging, I could have been objective about the matter and prayed for these individuals.

If I had been objective when I was caught in the jam, I could have used the two and a half hours to bond with my parents and uncle instead of reacting to the similar judgmental comments they were making of those who flouted the law.

My blood pressure would have been stable if I had been walking in the Spirit because one who is in step with God will not react the way I did but would be still and know that God is still God and spend the time worshipping Him, rather than making ungodly remarks.

That was a rebuke to me! This encounter reminded me of a blog I wrote not too long ago where I said something about having to get myself back on track with God again. I guess I need to do that now!

Anyway, the wedding event went well. I took some shots with my new camera. Well, I am still learning by the day about wedding photography. This is one area I am most interested in and I hope the Lord will teach me more of the techniques and approach and improve as I go along.

I told a dear brother this afternoon that I would not go to Segamat again because the town is so dead and the ride long. If I had to go again, it would be to eat the kolo mee that people are raving about and of course, the Segamat durians! Both I did not get to eat as the shops were closed due to the Lunar New Year holidays.

I returned my sister's two rabbits just now. I will miss one of them more than the other. The younger one gave me a hard time by always toppling the pee-tray daily and soiling the whole cage. If she had stayed any longer at my place, I think Princess (the name of the younger rabbit) will be in my cooking pot served as stew. Haha.

My doggy and I will miss Prince (the name of the bigger rabbit) as he is just so adorable, friendly and considerate!

Haha. Okie dokes, time to go.

Good night, all!

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4:26-27

It Will Only Get Easier

Happy Lunar New Year!

I need to sleep soon but thought before I do that, I shall blog about the first day of the festive celebration at my home.

As mentioned yesterday, my relatives came over and from 10am onwards, I had to entertain a steady stream of guests. During lunch-time, I had to do a bit of cooking as there was not enough food to feed the many hungry individuals.

What I did in trying to connect with my relatives who came by was to tell them that I would say grace before we partake the food. I did ask whether any of them minded the idea and no one objected.

I basically thanked God for the food and said a prayer of blessings upon all present. After that we started the time of feasting.

Well, there was a certain apprehension when I proposed the idea of saying grace. I told God to take care of the rest and He did indeed. Now that I have done it, I have to say it is not that difficult to include the element of my faith to those who may not even know who Jesus is. :)

Around 2pm, I had to excuse myself from the gathering to head for Mustafa Centre to buy some groceries as the stock in my two refrigerators are running dry.

While I was looking around for a certain kind of vegetable outside the shopping centre, I bumped into this elderly Chinese couple who were collecting discarded cardboards. The lady was hunched quite badly and she was very dirty.

As I was walking towards them, I had this nudge in me to send them my new year greetings. I also knew that I had to at least shake their hands. I have to confess that there was a little hesitation. I whispered a prayer and asked the Lord to help me get out of my comfort zone and not care about anything else except to bless this couple. I also had this fear that they might think I am mad to wish them since we do not know each other at all. That I submitted to God as well. :)

Off I went to shake their hands and I also passed them a red packet each. The lady asked me why I did that. I basically laughed and answered in Hokkien, "Aunty ah, tern lang jiah lor!" ("Aunty, it is the Lunar New Year!")

She smiled. After a short conversation, we went on our separate ways.

I have to say as you keep making more connections with people, the next one becomes easier. Soon you will realise it becomes a part of you! Yay! Praise God!

Okie, time to stop here and sleep.

Hope all of you reading my blog had an enjoyable time today!

Good night!

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Operation Connect

It feels weird not having reunion dinner with my extended family on the eve of the Lunar New Year. Well, this year is slightly different because one of my cousins cannot make it tonight as she is getting married on Tuesday in Malaysia. My family held the gathering two days ago before she left for Segamat with her fiance.

I cooked dinner just now for every one at home though. I did hot and sour soup; another round of yusheng (my fourth already); steamed kailan with abalone in oyster sauce; steamed pomfret with salted vegetables, tomatoes and sour plums; and wantons with sesame oil and fried shallots.

After that, I had to do some house-work: changing the curtains in grandma's room; ironed some clothes; bathed all the animals in my house - one lawry, one dog and my sister's two rabbits (man, I felt like a pet groomer and it was no joke!!!); mopped the house.

Thank God that I am done with the above-mentioned and looking forward to a good night's rest later!!! :)

I had initially planned to go to Chinatown to join in the festive celebration but after mulling over it, I decided I should just stay at home. The whole place will be so packed and I think it would be tough for me to take any nice shots of the fire-crackers.

Anyway, I am too exhausted to do anything else basically. :)

Tomorrow onwards will be busy for me. My relatives will be coming to visit grandma. The whole day will probably be entertaining guests - serving drinks, snacks and even lunch. Then in the evening I have to visit my grand-aunty at her place. It will probably be another round of eating and talking.

I hope to have an early night tomorrow. The following day I have to leave for Malaysia at 7am to head for Segamat to attend my cousin's wedding. I am also doing photography for the couple. I guess it will be another tiring day. Haha.

Well, while I was doing my house-work, I took the time praying. I basically asked the Lord to use this Lunar New Year to help me connect with the people whom I will be in contact with. It is going to be challenging (based on my own human ability and wisdom) but God may prove me wrong. I guess with Him, I can do all things! ;)

I hope to share some interesting testimonies in a couple of days' time of any encounters in the course of this Lunar New Year.

I shall rest now.

A God-blessed Lunar New Year to all of you! :)

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:8-10

Be On Your Guard, Andy Chew!

While I was ironing some clothes just now, I was reflecting on how my life has been in this new year of 2009. One alarm bell sounded off loudly from within me and it was basically a warning - "Be On Your Guard, Andy Chew!"

Why so? Well, lately I have been rather complacent in the way I live my life - easily agitated when things do not turn out the way I hope they would; snapping at my family members (especially at my parents) when they do not heed my advice; not reading God's Word as regularly as I should; not being conscious of the way I speak especially when certain undesirable words are mouthed when reacting to a certain situation.

I am disappointed as I pondered on the above-mentioned. I just have to be on my guard. If not, the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion, will devour me easily and happily.

This week will be a busy one for me as I have to do a lot of house-work in preparation for the Lunar New Year. Of course, in the midst of the spring-cleaning, it does not help when sometimes I would blow up at every one at home for always being so untidy and keeping things which are useless hence making the place like a rubbish dump.

I guess I am exhausted in all sense of its word - physically, mentally and emotionally. It is my prayer that God will help me handle matters at home more calmly and sensitively though sometimes I needed to make a point at home so that there is a certain order.

Anyway, these are my struggles lately and I know God is trying to teach me some lessons from here. I covet your prayers for those who are reading my blog that at the end of the day, God's name be glorified and the people around me edified.

Time for me to key off. Till the next time, God bless and good night!

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:7-9

Gratitude And Kindness To All

I am so happy that my doggy is peeing and pooing on the new pee-tray. Yesterday I was at a pet shop in Telok Kurau, owned by a brother-in-Christ. He was the one who taught me a trick which worked almost instantly. He said my doggy needs to be confined in a smaller area so that she has no choice but to go up the tray to do her business. It is basically an instinct for her not to do it on her sleeping area, no matter how small that space is.

Well, I came home, took out one side of the metal grill and pushed it in to as close to the tray as possible and as mentioned above, it worked. Instantaneously, this princess of the house had no choice, went up on the tray and relieved herself.

I guess I will continue to train her for the next few days though my parents felt pity on her having to sleep in such a small area. Well, I explained to them that it is for the doggy's good and ours since we cannot always be cleaning her urine and faeces everywhere and every time in the house. Haha.

Yesterday was a tiring day as I was again doing more shopping: I got some new clothes for myself in anticipation of the imminent arrival of the Lunar New Year; I also needed to get some household items and foodstuffs for the festive occasion which can be a big thing for my family since grandma is staying with us.

I was very grateful to my sister who drove me around when we did the grocery-shopping at Giant Supermarket in Tampines.

Oh yah, I had a pleasant encounter with a janitor when I was at Vivocity. As mentioned in my earlier blogs, I make it a point to thank all personnel in the service industry for what they are doing for shoppers/customers like me. Yes, they are paid to do their job but that does not mean I should not show my gratitude for their services rendered.

Anyway, as I walked out of the toilet, I saw this janitor who is Chinese-speaking. I thanked him as I left and his response showed me how he has been taken for granted, I guess, almost all the time. He told me that never once has someone thanked him for a lowly job he is doing. My encouragement to him in Mandarin (surprised! surprised!) was this, "Brother, what you are doing is as important as any other job in this world." We smiled and departed our ways. I prayed for him as I walked away. May God grant this gentleman satisfaction and purpose in what he does.

I also thanked an elderly cleaner at IKEA foodcourt as he was clearing the table for my sister and I. My heart sensed that he did not feel comfortable in what he is doing as his head was always down as if he did not want people to know who he is. As he lifted his head to ask me whether he could clear two plates next to me, I quickly looked into his eyes and said "thank you." He smiled and went on with his work. I do not know how much those two words meant to him but I trust that God has affimed in him that he is doing just fine.

Make a deliberate attempt the next time you visit a shopping centre or a foodcourt or a hotel or an airport or a hospital or a school to thank the person who is serving you. Your gratitude shown to these individuals will affirm in them that what they are doing is vital and important. It should also make their day because they are definitely bound to encounter ugly shoppers/customers who always feel they have the right to everything. Though I make it a point to be grateful, I have to confess that sometimes I fall into that customer-is-always-right mentality and probably have hurt someone along the way.

Well, it is the weekend again! Yay! And wow! It is already the middle of the first month of the new year! Time flies indeed.

Time to go do some housework.

Have a restful and enjoyable weekend, everybody! :)

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Re-Training Is Not Necessarily Bad

I learnt two lessons just a while ago from the interaction with my pets - an Australian Silky Terrier and a lawry. These lessons serve more as a reminder - so simple yet important for me to be mindful of as I continue with my pilgrim's journey.

Last week I changed the pee-tray for my doggy, Sasha. Thinking that she would continue to do her usual toilet business by going on the new tray to poo and pee, I was wrong. Instead she has been doing them on the floor. Till date, she is still not doing them right. Of course, her owner now becomes her maid, having to clean all the poop and urine.

Of course I have been rather agitated and disappointed. Once in a while I would scold her for being so stubborn.

Well, in the course of the above-mentioned, the reminder to me is this - I am basically no different. God has taught me several things from His Word and He expects me to practise what I have learnt but like Sasha, sometimes I am being stubborn and refuse to do what I know is beneficial for me.

I am sure He is disappointed with me at times but I also know He is loving and gracious to give me time to be re-taught and re-trained.

While I was doing some ironing about an hour ago, I reflected on what areas in my life which I need to revise and there are definitely a few. I will not share them here for now but will do so eventually.

As for my lawry, the bird that flew into my home last year, I learnt that when I am in need, I should call out to God for help and guidance, with persistence. Same as my lawry would do - when it notices that the cup containing its food has run out, it will chirp and chirp till it catches my attention and will only stop when I fill the cup with food.

I guess when I call out to God and sometimes it seems like He is taking His time to answer my cries, I should persist and wait upon Him to lead me in the next step.

What I have shared above are two reminders which we sometimes forget easily but our God is good to sound them off to us once in a while so that we do not fall into the trap of being complacent and also being self-sufficient.

Well, Sasha just got on my nerves again - she just puked on my bed while I was playing with her. All her dinner on my mattress. Thanks be to God that I bought a new mattress protector today from the Great John Little Sale in Singapore Expo. Haha... maybe this is one reminder from Him to ask me to change my old protector and bed-sheet.

I guess life is fun afterall in the midst of all the inconveniences and frustrations. :)

All glory to God!

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15

Finding Momentum

A dear brother asked me how come I have not been blogging. Well, frankly I have yet to find the momentum since entering this new year of 2009. It is not necessarily bad, just that I need to find time to sit down and really see where God wants me to go for the next 11 months and 17 days. Wow! Two weeks have gone by.

The past 14 days have been dealing with a lot of family stuff - helping my brother with his business; making sure mum watch what she eats since the condition of her diabetes has worsened recently; taking care of the needs of grandma whose memory seems to be fading now that she is 85 years old; assisting my cousin who is getting married at the end of the month; cleaning up the house in preparation for the Lunar New Year; retraining my doggy to poo and pee onto the new tray which I just got for her.

Well, the above-mentioned are enough to tire me out. Of course, on top of all these, there are matters concerning the Missions Ministry which I have to look into. It is not that I am already burning out, just that I need to get some stuff at home and ministry in place so that the road ahead will be easier for me.

Haha. I have not even sat down to consider my resolutions for 2009 but there is one which I hope the Lord will help me - that is my temper. It is still rather short and I need to overcome this so that I will not be a stumbling block to all around me.

I have been finding solace in God daily and those moments have been refreshing and thought-provoking. I hope to begin blogging what I have learnt soon and prayerfully others who are reading my blogs will be blest and encouraged.

Oh yah, last Christmas I got myself a new camera. I sold my old one to fund this new equipment which is amazing. I have been using it regularly since and hope I can bless others by capturing all the precious moments in pictures. :)

Time for me to end here. I pray this will be the beginnning of a regular blogging on my part.

Good night, everyone!

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

Every Year Will Always Be A Good Year!

It is the last day of the old year; eve of the new year. I just read that this year has a leap second - an extra second added to 2008 to complete the cycle of the earth's rotational pattern. Glad I can enjoy this year a little longer. Haha. Just imagine at the countdown we have to say "3, 2, 1, 1... Happy New Year!!!" This is a first for me. :)

This year seems to fly by so fast that I am still lagging behind, wondering what have I actually done in the past 364 days.

First and foremost, all thanks and praise to God for bringing me thus far; for His grace and mercy; and for His sustenance.

I guess there are regrets of the "could haves" and "should haves" but they should not put me down since life is always a learning process. Every step taken in life, though sometimes may put us a few steps back, is still a progress when one does not give up. We always learn from our mistakes.

I am still learning and I am praying that God will continue to be my Teacher so that I can learn from the Best and live my life for His glory and be a blessing to those around me.

I have not really taken time off to reflect and evaluate the year 2008 but there have been some areas which I want to thank God for:-

1) For my family as in how God has sustained mum who is diabetic and how He is controlling her sugar level which went quite high two months ago; for helping grandma cope with old age (I guess she is going through "second childhood") and for allowing her to let go of some unpleasant events which she has experienced in the past; for helping my brother's business to expand even though the economy is not doing well and for allowing me to work quite closely with him in some areas of his work; for dad who is trying to play a bigger role in the family and to see that he can still be a contributing factor to the needs of every one at home. For a while I guess he has been feeling a little insecure now that he is retired and sometimes feels that he is not doing much to meet the needs of his loved ones.

2) For my work where God is opening new options for me but I have decided to put them aside for a moment to care for my family. I am still seeking Him as to the next step I should take in the new year. I am not burdened but excited to see where He will lead me.

3) For the missions ministry in church which I am serving in where I can see God moving powerfully in the lives of the members. I give thanks to Him that more and more individuals and small groups are interested to play a pro-active role in the Great Commission. This is a good sign that the church is moving on in the right way where she should not be too inward looking but more to meet the spiritual and physical needs of her neighbours in this island-nation and across the world!

4) For the relationships with my family and friends from and outside church. Being a human, I have failed some of them and I seek their forgiveness for my shortcomings. Sometimes I want to build closer ties and help those in need but my human ability can only last me that much and in the process, I have disappointed a few of my friends, some of whom I was closed with.

I am also learning to forgive some who have disappointed me. Every time when I struggle with that, I would just look at myself in the mirror and be reminded that we are all the same. Grace which God has shown to me must now be shown to my neighbours. If not, I have not experienced grace at all. It is tough, no doubt about that, but I have to put pride aside and do what is right in the eyes of my God.

Well, prayerfully in the new year, I will be a better friend to another.

Of course when I speak of relationships, another area which I have always been pressured to look into (by my parents, grandma, aunties, uncles and also friends) is that of a life-time partner. There is no doubt whatsoever that I want to settle down one day but as always I will not let pressure cause me to choose someone just out of no where.

There are one or two sisters-in-Christ in mind but I will continue to let God move me accordingly. If He so approves of one of these persons, He will make it happen. :)

Well, I guess that is all for now.

Resolutions I have for 2009 but I shall leave that to another day when I have given careful thoughts to them.

Here's giving all thanks, praise and glory to God for 2008 and here's also looking forward to another brand new year of adventure in my pilgrim's journey. I pulled through 2008 and the past 36 years of my life!

Whether there are more to come, I shall leave that in the hands of God and not take for granted that I still have many years to enjoy or toil (if some might see life that way). :)

Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year! :)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The Light Of Christ Always Shines!

On Monday, I armed myself with my camera and headed for Orchard Road to take some shots of the Christmas light-up. From Tangs Shopping Centre I walked to Plaza Singapura Shopping Centre. Along the way, there were lots of events lined up for shoppers of all ages; people of different races and religions.

I was standing in front of Ngee Ann City Shopping Centre listening to some children carolling. Next to me were these two ladies. As they listened to the carols, they questioned what is there to celebrate when the economy is so bad? What is there to sing when there are many who are down and out?

Then came this afternoon and evening when I heard a couple of people commenting the wet and overcast weather depicting the current situation of the world where there is much doom and gloom.

It is true that there are many affected by the financial downturn; there is no doubt the next one year or two the economy may be gloomy. But all these should not stop Christians especially to celebrate the birth of Christ, who is the light of the world and to bring the message of hope to those affected.

I know it is tough for Christians to be optimistic during this period because we are humans too but we must not let our understanding and wisdom to blind us from the light at the end of the tunnel where Christ shines brightly. We need to hold His hand and in turn hold our neighbours' hands and walk together. If we can do that we know we will still stand when the storm clears.

It has been 23 years since I knew Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Not too long but too short either. One thing I can testify in these years of my pilgrim's journey is this: God never fails even at times when we think He does.

From not doing well in my studies when I was younger to having to battle an injured kidney when I was a young man to having to deal with many struggles of role-reversal in my family as a middle-age man, I am still running the race.

It is not my doing and ability that this is happening but Christ my Lord who is in front of me to lead; behind me to encourage; beside me to support; and inside me to give me hope and peace. At times I fell into discouragement and frustration but at the end of it all, joy rests in my heart. Hallelujah!

Jesus is the reason for the season - not our finances; not the economy; not the weather; not the shopping; not our friends; etc.

So here's wishing all who come across my blog a joyous Christmas and a blessed new year! :)

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Young And Old, God Uses!

I just realised I have not blogged for close to two weeks already. It has been a busy period for me - having to prepare and attend the Youth Camp (4 to 7 December) and also going on a mission trip with the Children's Ministry (10 to 14 December). Both I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Praise God for that!

Interestingly, for both events, I had to take care of the physical welfare of my siblings-in-Christ. There were cases of minor injuries at the camp and food poisoning cases during the trip to Cambodia. At the end of it all, I praise God for being the Healer to the affected ones. :)

I am still recovering from the trip. I have to confess it is tiring to handle 10 children and 14 adults but it was all worth it especially when I have got to know them better from the fellowship we had in the 5 days together.

As I reflect on the above paragraph, I have to say it is amazing to see individuals of different ages and characteristics coming together as a unit to let God use us for His purpose to the Khmer people. It is the love of God, no doubt, which binds us all together. There could have been cases of bickering and clashes but these were put to a minimal because we knew the enemy is not within the group but that of the evil one.

Up till now, I cannot stop praising God for what the team did in Cambodia especially the children. We went to an orphanage and a slum and both places, the children did most of the programmes. As adults, we might think occasionally that these young ones may not be able to do much but from this trip, I can testify God can use these little ones to touch the hearts of many. The youngest in the team is a five-year old girl and in both occasions, she led in the actions of the songs the team members were presenting. Thanks be to God for this dear sister-in-Christ!

The faith factor came in several times during the trip. What do I mean by that? Take for example, the third day when I was informed in the morning that 8 of the members were down with food poisoning and we were supposed to go to the slum, I was contemplating whether we should even carry on with the plans. The team and I prayed and many felt that we should go.

Though 6 of the 24 members stayed in the hotel to recuperate, the rest were able to execute the plans well. One brother-in-Christ, who was one of the 8 affected, chose to go and he shared that what he saw and did at the slum made him well. This is a testimony that God can and will equip and prepare those who are ready to do His work even if there is a physical barrier. Oh yah, adding on to that, two families in the team are still going through a period of mourning but they still chose to go for the trip and I believe in the midst of the pain, God has healed them emotionally as they did His work. :)

Well, I shall stop here for now and attempt to blog more often.

God is always good and His love endures forever!

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Saddened And Overwhelmed

I have just been informed in one evening that two members of the Children's Ministry Missions Team are now mourning the death of their loved ones - one lost her grandfather due to old age and the other lost his father after he collapsed suddenly at home.

My heart goes out to the two team members since these two incidents happen a week before the team leaves for Cambodia.

Whether all these will affect the trip is the least of my concern. I am praying that God will be with my two siblings-in-Christ and their families.

It has been a tiring day for me as I was out with the Youth Camp Committee to buy all the necessary items required for the four-day stay, beginning Thursday, in M.O.E. Adventure Centre.

Praise the Lord we managed to get most of the stuff needed. We headed back to church to drop off the items and also to discuss the camp groupings. I was quite troubled and burdened when the committee was cracking their brains trying to accommodate a difficult request made by a camper who wants to go for the camp but refuses to participate in the activities.

We all prayed for this dear sibling-in-Christ and hope we can be there for this individual.

I am tired but I am unable to sleep - burdened by all of the above-mentioned. I think the word should be "overwhelmed."

Anyway, I shall end here. I am still deciding how to schedule my time tomorrow, having to deal with my work, the matters of the camp and also being there for my two missions team members.