A new step prepared by God

DATE: 05/30/2005 10:45:15 AM

A week have past, a week to Phuket, Khao Lak Thailand. A service-learning (SL) trip with Team Temasek, T2, with Temasek Secondary 3 students. A batch of exciting and interesting students that bring so much dynamics to the trip itself. As this is my second humanitarian-typed trip to Thailand, first being to Lampang, Chiangmai. This trip differs in terms of the role I played. In Chiangmai, I just played a worker role. In this trip, I played a facilitator role, to facilitate learning while serving. The most surprising thing is that I was among the team of 4, not SL trained, and neither CL trained or has any cell-leader blah blah blah experience. Thankful for a crashed course of 15+ minutes by Ps Lily at Macdonald, Parkway Builders enlightened me a little into the SL world. The 2 weeks runway was weeks of anxiety and heavily rely on the spirit……it was really taxing and draining for me….thank God there were no other issues on hand…no M S distraction (or I just too busy to be distracted by it). Thank God too that though with the stress that I strafe away from him at a moment, he allowed mi to recognized immediate return was applied. After that, anxiety was not longer in mind. ??? ?.... 2 Team meetings….but God is more than 2 (actually 3)…..so in every meeting, there were 7 present. So 7 brains at work. Short runway but all things in the all-knowing God. Upon the start of the trip, after having interacted with the students beforehand on Wednesday (thank God I was not working yeah), with that good impression in mind, it helped me to put more faith in the 4-team and also less tension = not strangle God too tightly…… hehe. The real thing comes to experience at the school. First night was quite neutral and haphazard, as didn’t really have a good satisfying ice-breaker, though the students were in very welcoming high note. Highly energetic, I begin to feel the 2x effect. But well, God is great and instil strength….though I am still that blur blur one. Upon arrival at the school……woah….after a long 1st night + debrief (double blessing) with minimal rest…….a school tour and a first meal at the school canteen. In the afternoon, work started. Glad that I am in the painting side……no need to sweat out…… shelter….laze off mi man. :p…. ….. But in all, the favour that I always like to do, affirming people…praising people. As much I could offer, as much I could help, conserve energy and observe more. Conserving energy for the night debrief is an important aspect for me, the focus of my service. My service this time is not primarily to help to paint the classroom, but to help the students learn and take home a lesson that they will remember and apply. Perhaps too focus on my service and narrow-minded, but interaction with the students was really a great joy. The different kind of students……silly ones, blur blur one, mad ones, honourable ones, rocky ones, initiative ones(easy to relate who they are and neither do I wanna to used coded msg)…..well….who will read this blog ho…..yeah yeah. ??..:) ;P wink wink …..fa tien. 3-4 hours rest everyday on hard ground…..yup have to admit that I am already……2x …but God is good, he brought mi thru these time. Yeah first team briefing = devotion for us…….all thanks Ps Lily…..mi no need to share word. Yeah yeah. Hehe . but anyway, it is tiring, physically, mentally, soul-ly and spiritually…thank God for his presence there with us and affirming his presence. It is another wonderful experience for me. Things I personally learnt, listen, watch, and be bold. Objective is to impact and impart life experience….for good and for good. One can give without caring, but one cannot care without giving. Getting back to shape is highest priority after the trip as I am trying to do now….updating blogs, reading the word, reading the book, praying more….tiding up lost prayer knots.. Prayer have being the sermon topics for the past 2 weeks already….woah. Prayer works….I remember one night, it was raining heavily…..then I started praying in tongues when waiting for YL and L to finish bathing….then once they are done…..the rain reduced to a light drizzle. Woah…..The move of God…what an affirmation. Also whatever high S, I, C, D blah blah blah, yeah mi high F….flexible yeah. It is great to have survive thru this….also to understand more about working with LC, and also building an easy working knowledge for future projects. A trip this is indeed one that make a difference in my life. After this trip…..woah a great opportunity for me to rely on God again…..as the previous encrypted msg was decoded, so this type I will use a different encryption code again…..for those who wish to challenge again…here it is ……a statement that I know….uhemm uhemmm….. “Wms zpb Q F zpc amknzrgyjc”, the essential key to the code is the person who made this comment. The system of encryption….sorry cant tell….but ask and it will be given to you. Happy decryption….but such a statement really have a great impact on me…..till now…..still have not fully breakthrough from such a statement….it is not to blame the person, but I believe this statement was God-allowed and God-still-in-control. Just the rest is up to me…..my surrendering and reliance on God’s grace……also had a great blessing and grace from God……surprising…..managed to call GG twice within 2 months…..a miracle to me that have not happened the past 2+ years ever since BU. And after each, was a peaceful, with God assuring presence. Just a normal chat…..Thank God….I know you are in control…you have what the best for me…I believe.

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All Glory to God

DATE: 05/22/2005 10:00:56 AM

All glory to God, the utmost high one. "To the measure of your faith, ask and it will be given". He is really a God of provision. Thank God that he knows my heart and his ways is always the best. He could provide without me interfering. The details of this can’t be provide as I am not sure who will be reading this blog….thus it will to be classified…..if you wanna to find out….just ask me and I will tell you the details…share with you full details of the grace of God and his hand upon it. Secondly, my mum just came back from encounter weekend, 20 – 22 May with a harvest and blessing. Thank God for such a refreshing and renewing moment and hope. So assuring and a great blessing. Thirdly, the CIP-attachment with Temasek Sec……woah….a SL project but mi not SL trained. But HE is a God of provision….thank God that at this very moment I am still managing okay with all the information…but I know, this trip, God will be doing a new work in me, removing my fear of chairing / leading a group of people, to regain freedom in this area and be used by him for his glory to serve his people. Lastly, update regarding M S issue. Thank God, even since, things have being quiet. Called a count of few “few few” times, but with peace and discipline with my words. Also an issue that is outside this as I remember…….yeah lesser Cold jokes I think……but still have….or I am just no aware of them…….oh boy….but anyway….God is in control….and I know God is doing a new work in me……and prayer works too. I can see….I remember praying for her on for a few day…..then something happened……… “Encoded Msg for secrecy Me shy…..how to break code, ask mi” (H Rdd gdq nm sgd mdws c@x vhsgnts dudm jmnvhmf vg@s shld rgd vhkk ad hm rbgnnk @mc vgdqd vhkk rgd ad, sgntfg h jmnv gdq dw@l udmtd. Vn@g..g@c ktmbg vhsg lx eqhdmcr @s @qs b@msddm.sgdm..r@v gdq nm lx v@x nts..ats sg@mj Fnc, l@m@fdc sn g@ud @ bg@s vhsg gdq, jmnvhmf sg@s h @l mns @kknvdc sn op@x enq gdq dudm h vhrg sn.) God you are really so amazing. Prayer works. Pray Until Something Happens. Push on with prayer I will. Thank God for such a opportunity. A period of learning and knowing more about his grace for me. A really faithful servant of God M S is indeed. Anyway, time seems to packed for the last week or so and I have hard time catching my spiritual blog and this personal blog, but I believe as time passes, especially after my Thailand trip, and the things that God ask mi to ask him again after the trip, more secret and blessing he may reveal to me….yeah yeah…..all glory to God. Sorry regarding the code as the event will be obvious and significant. Ask mi how to break the code….perhaps make it a challenge….it is a very direct easy code to break…..simple encryption system….no one to make a C program or java program for mi to encrypt message quickly and easily……..one last words……..God is good and he is doing a great work within me…..I am just excited. And grapping him more tightly than before…………Haha……I am not going to let you go this time……

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Christians with a Tang

DATE: 05/11/2005 12:50:37 AM

Christians with a Tang- Luke 14:25-35

Tang, initially I not very sure it means, but after checking the dictionary as I believe the word have its applicable meaning. Indeed it is, from the dictionary, the meaning of tang is strong taste or smell; the very appropriate word to use for the topic item, salt. Salt, something we know in life, a seasoning, and a word that embeds many mystery of life as salt is being used in NT.

There are nine ingredients of salt that are evident as I read the book. I will briefly, due to my laziness, summarise all nine. Firstly we have to recognise that life comes from Christ himself. There are many ways to see this fact, but from the way I personally interpret, one knows that Christ is the way to our Heavenly Father, the place to eternity. Salt in life, is an essential mineral. I shall not elaborate too much too spoilt the joy of seeking the full meaning of salt, the salt that brings life.

Secondly, salt can penetrates. Salt can penetrate through membrane. Too, we know, salt is added to food before it is cooked and after. If salt is added after, we will only taste the salt first and not the food. If salt is added before, the salt will penetrate the food, and the result is not longer the taste of salt but the favour of salt-penetrated food.

Thirdly, the cross is the power of salty tang. The cross itself is already very self-explanatory. Oppss…hehe I am just a bit lazy! Salt have to “die” = disappear to allow its target to be favoured.

Fourthly, as a tangy Christian is one who is unreservedly dependent on Christ’s resources to meet Christ’s challenges, as salt is unreservedly dependent on its source, to meets its challenge. Salt, as we know, comes from the sea, and only after vaporisation of the water, then the salt will remain. The source, heat energy from sun energy, the sun is what we can said to be created by God. As for what challenges come awaits the salt, many mystery are waiting out there

Fifthly, a salty saint is a source of courage in life’s battles. Salt is a mineral that is contained in the isotonic drinks, essential and source of energy for a person preparing for a challenge. Similarly, this can be applied to the salt of our life.

Sixth, the people who are the salt of the earth are no longer possessed by their possession. As salt originate from the sea, a salt is surround by water molecules to be solvated in the sea water. Solvated = surrounded, to be integrated with the water. But when one becomes the salt of the earth, the water must leave the all-round blockage and leave the salt, not possessed by the water. Hope you are able to see what does the salt and water molecules role as related to life.

Seventh, the salt of the earth is replenishable. What is the earth made up of, rock; what is the rock made up of, mineral salt; as salt is lost to flowing water, salt is too deposited from the waves on the sea. This is related to the eight point which is we are constantly refilled with discernment and wisdom beyond our own ability. We know when the salt is lost, but does not really know where the salt that was replenished came from. All I know is The Lord is the source, the mediator of it. He knows and directs things far more profound that what I could comprehend and understand and do.

Lastly, once coupled with enthusiasm is humour. Taking Lord seriously, so we don’t have to take ourselves and life so seriously. All nine ingredients of salt, of being from the Lord’s flavour, seasoning and zest, let them be evident in us. The quality and quantity of our humour reflects how serious our life, a life that God already planned it well……so lets enjoy it as we serve God joyfully and in us, the salt of God be there.

While at the Banquet, Come to the Banquet

DATE: 05/07/2005 09:15:39 PM

Another parable that almost made me has indigestion. Here is it as I present:

Isn’t it frightening to be at the banquet but yet still need another invitation to the banquet? To be at a place but not know what is the purpose to be there, the purpose of the banquet and only present at the banquet by the mind is somewhere else. From the parable of the Great Feast, Luke 14: 1-24, looking in depth to v 18-20, we can see that there are three reasons that draws the people from the banquet.

First, the excuse of needing to see the land bought. Material possession is the reason for what we have may be obstacle for us to get close to God. Remember in Psalms 24 that everything on earth belongs to God. The things that God bless us are the token of things that will be offered in heaven. Purchase of land without seeing it is weird due to the importance of the purchase. So hmmmmm…not attending the banquet due to that may speak some more.

Secondly, 5 Yokes of oxen = ten oxen. Trying them out?? The job that is supposing at those times to be done by his servant….he goes try them out…!!... Great wealth. The riches of earth will not last…..as God have written in the Bible….for his Word will last forever.

Lastly, Married a wife and cant’ come. Indeed a very good reason. Even can be backed up with Deuteronomy 24:5. Family, relationship, both are important and importance being mentioned in the bible. However, is God before family or family before God? A question with simple words but a difficult approach. I will approach in this way, the balance way, God’s family. Married a wife and unable to make it for the banquet is a valid reason which illuminates the main issue of these there points – The heart.

In the end, the banquet would not be empty of the invited guest, but to be filled with whomever appreciates, whoever that comes with the desire.

Thus with a swift way of trying to conclude this, let us be the invited guest and know what the purpose of the banquet is. Be aware and sensitive for any invitation may be one that is Spirit-led. Let enjoy the waiting and the opportunity that comes upon when at the banquet. For come to the banquet and be at the banquet.

Know what you want and wanting what you know

DATE: 05/06/2005 07:58:25 AM

Without reading through all the required readings, stepping out of the house towards a history paper was one that I have no idea what to expect. Looking at the past 2 papers, it was informative but yet only exposed the inadequacy of my ability to have an organized essay reply to the question. Upon looking at the comments of my essay only deepened the doubts and increase the anxiety. But thank God today reading title – Know what you want and wanting what you know. Objective is the key word that illuminate instantly.

Sometimes our life we live are one that is without a clear objective. If we know what we want to do, we will be free from all the temptation of others and only head towards the one objective. Freedom, come forth from having a God-given purpose in life; can be obtain if we take God seriously. He wants nothing less of our life, not for him to enjoy, but for him to help us, transform us to be more Christ-like; for his glory and a taste of heaven on earth. As in LOR, Gandalf spoke to Bilbo Baggins that he is not present to steal but all he wants is to help him.

God, the Lord of new beginning. A new beginning usually brings new hope. Why not let the observation of the minor details of life bring great wisdom for in Jeremiah 29:11-13 can lead us to think, instead of playing game, having a game plan for a truly exciting life will be a better attraction.

Reflect back, how many times we really know what we want and wanting what we know. When are the times did we take God seriously at the things we want or do. Lets not be dishearten as God is here is help. HE is indeed here to help.

To do Cold or Hot

DATE: 05/04/2005 05:07:23 AM

There are pleny plenty of things that can be blog, but firstly hi hi to all.....this is the first personal blog, after finished typing my spiritual blog. I will try to update both blogs as often as I can, but the spiritual one will have more data as it is more easily to extract data from Holy spirit to type in than me trying to type in the data from my personal life which sometimes have to go thru filtering as I am not sure who will be looking at my blog at this moment and I have not figured out the way to have "view restriction"

Starting off, coldness and hotness. After today comments, wonder should I start learning some hot words instead of freeze-biting words that send shivers done people spines. Thoughts and thoughts, that seemingly filles my life and maybe the kick start of this blog...an archive of my thoughts....which should in ways become an archive of my activity reports. = Online diary?? not sure at this moment with my brain in trembling with 2 issues in hand....I called "M S" issue and Singapore military history exam. "M S" issue have being mention to certain people.....of course my spiritual father (SpF) knows about it. M S is really a hot and cold issue. But I know that God is in control. God knows my heart despite all my hidden agenda and blah blah blah....but I desire most is his presence. Isa 30:15-27.... a word given by my SpF, I believe God is dealing with the idols of my life. Ever since 2001, there are "idols" erected in my life due to a breakup. Even before that, some "idols" already existed. In any way, M S, is really something that I believe will continue, and also I learnt a number of things of myself and how God speaks and how doubtful I can be......currently

Name 1 issue for example, only when a comment of coldness was mentioned, then I realise why God wants me to offer a word of apology and a word of thanksgiving to M S. Unfortunately, due to delay, I missed the opportunity. Timing! Timing! To go through M S really takes mi walk even closer to God. From my point of view, other whom get to know what M S exactly means, a word of warning, knowing M S will requires a greater part of your side to grap hold of God...why? The reason behind is due to an event that the details on the hands of 2 people, SpF and BY. If you need to know, please pray hard and just merely due to curiosity enter the field of my unknowing world. Codenaming it KHB2003, it took me 1 year to overcome the aftermath effect and all the adjustment, and now, I still suffer abit of the remanents of it. The factors of this issue are different for the breakup, thus measures have not being full erected and the issue not fully resolved with complete satisfaction.

2. my vulneability in such a area as involved is M S is still prevailing despite ...... concurrent with the personal goal that I wrote down in my Dream on Book, it is a tough area for me mah. But thank God with the prayer that I made....disrupt anything that is not of you......guess I am one that really can eat vinegar.......not good not good.....better change man.

Blank mind with reluctant offer of cold jokes...only dumb ideas filled mi.......bad thoughts that required "in name of Jesus I reject ...."......quite tiring but the more they come,....the more I will squeeze the juice out of God.

A few lingering thgts......should I just give....or wait for God's sign....I know why I said to the measure of faith ask and it will be given.....a buffer zone before both I had to compremise. Sorry God.

M S, how it will progress.......well, guess I have typed too much for the day and many many more to come.......long blogger mi.....oh boy....very L S me . Long-winded. Should cut short.........

I like this concluding act of statement:

May I so cold that I can say only cold jokes.......do I need to be starting warming up for warm jokes..(oppssss that go me again....sigh)

HaHa.....I guess I am going crazy....help

The Parables

DATE: 05/04/2005 04:37:43 AM

A couple of things that I learnt from the book Autobiography of God(A book given by Christian for my 2001 bdae). I will touch on the illustration of the parables of new patches and new wine (Luke 5:17-39)

There's a great difference between the God of our experience and our experience of God. A mere shuffle of words will make such great difference. God of our experience, what I could understand, is he is the Overlord of what we do, how we do, when we do. God of our experience does not require an encounter with Him. We just let him do the controlling and we follow. This is almost like a Master-servant relationship where the servant does what he is order to do, which is not what HE wants. HE wants a relationship with us, just like the father to his children, a relationship based on understanding and knowing each other. To know someone, we need to interact with him. Interaction is a form of experience life with the person.

Interaction is always an ongoing process. We cannot communciate today and tomorrow we live in our own isolation. Such action will not only halt progree, but it may increase a relating distance between the two parties involve. An increased in distance will ultimately decrease the ability of reliance of one party on the other. Thus in the case with God, our reliance on him will slowly switch to other means. The most tentable one will the if HE is the God of our experience, in which we will be in dependance on the past, the past blessing of God. This could be become an idol as God never intended for us to know him as the God of the past, for HE repeatedly emphasize that HE is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow....the I was, I AM, and I Will. But the most often used the The God of I AM....the present God. This, entail, HE is a God that we can experience, not a God of our experience. Thus in Job 32:19, Joshua 9:13, Isa 43:19, Ezek 11:19 all can conclude that God is an innovator, reflecting persistently, relentness newness of God, whom we can declare him as Lord of new beginnings. Would it be such great excitement to have the great I AM, being our experience of God daily that brings forth innovative and new beginning of our life that beyond what we can image.....as HE mould us more more Chirst-like.

Just to encourage, a life in the spirit, allowing God to move with full surrender plus obedience will result in a fruitful experience. This, in turns, will allows us to fully appreciate the proning work of the Father. Remember, since HE is holy, and all things belongs to Him as his creation, we have, especially as we are images of God, what it takes to follow him.