Seeing BIG: Expand!
Inside every little person is the potential of thousands. There’s a tree in every seed. Don’t be discouraged by littleness. God loves making great things out of nothing. Instead of seeing yourself as being buried. See yourself as planted, getting ready to expand, grow, increase. Love those very few scriptures that tell us God is going to do something quickly. I believe right now God is accelerating all His works to reach an entire planet. That’s why we must expand the way we see ourselves. You may be weak today, but you can become a strong nation. A little one will become thousands!!!
-On Isaiah 60:22-
I really like what Pastor Phil wrote for his blog entries…this particular one stood out because I had my cell group in mind. “I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time” is so encouraging for me. No, it isn’t just a hopeful feeling. God WILL accelerate all our works. Hence, we cannot stay small and constricted anymore…in our mindset, our current paradigm, our set ways of dealing/doing things. If we want to be used by Him, we must enter into this revolution with Him! Maybe things happening right now seems contrary…everything is so much harder. But you know what? Those who have eyes to see (supernaturally) and ears to hear (the truth in God’s word) and mouth to confess (the Word of God as your own words – ie, be convicted about the Word and speaking it forth with power & authority), they know that they know what they see (naturally) ain’t what they get (the truth abt things). That is faith, folks.
Whatever we have thought of thinking, God is thinking 10 levels higher. Whatever we are doing, God is going to do 10 levels more for us. ACCELERATION. Provided we pray.
I wanna do what’s right. Right=Things God is prompting me to do. And it’s always inevitably about moving on to perfection…..in character, dealing with things, wisdom, decision making, discipleship, spiritual growth. In all things and in all people, love and faith.
Sometimes I find it so hard to agree with certain people, so hard to work (different working style, bad way of communication, weakness of character and the list goes on) with certain people….Christians or Non-Christians. And I’m very led to avoid these people and minimize our chances of interaction…but you know what? That isn’t Holy-Spirit-approved. Because we are called to love even our enemies so how can we loathe someone whom I don’t even consider as my enemy yet? Just some difficulties working with these people, that’s all. And I believe “I ain’t see nothing yet!” =p Until I enter the workforce and see people tearing up each other and lots of ugly faces. Not that I hope to experience that, but the fact is that such situations are unavoidable right?
Gotta remind myself to love. In a way that covers up all sins. In a way that is unconditional. That’s the best way to bring Jesus to people.
Monday updates
I love to visit Facebook because my FB friends have really inspiring and encouraging statuses. When I read them, there’s an encouraging effect. I am really blessed to have friends who love to think about life just like me. =)
Sigh what can I say? Handling 7 modules is not easy…7 being inclusive of my dissertation which is 2 modules worth of credits. I have to submit the first formal draft in early or mid october. I haven’t touched it for quite a while already from where I left off previously. Coz was very busy with schoolwork! I really gotta hasten my pace. To think there is this day when I am unable to blog daily or once every two days. Is not I don’t wana blog, is really no time!
Anyway, I’m thinking of closing down the blogger blog OR not. Since I don’t think I’m gonna spam my blog now that I am much busier with school. See how.
Went to Lorong Buangkok Kampung on Sunday after service and then lunch @ Vivo with Stephen and Emil. Only me and Emil went to visit the Kampung coz Stephen was too tired. Haha. But we also were lor! Just that curiosity killed us (okay i know that’s absolutely true for me, idk abt emil).
I took a video with my new Samsung OmniaPro phone, hopefully have time to edit the video into a nice video clip and post it up on Youtube. that’s my wish for now. Need free time la. Maybe next week, coz next week is Recess week! BREAK!!! yahoo!
I really love quiet, serene and laid back places. It’s my wish to stay in an old place (colonial house if I’m rich enough, but Kampung is also good enough if I’m poor). Hopefully it can come true one day. =) Provided singapore still conserves the one and only main land Kampung in SG! Somemore so near my house lor! Ahahaha.
My Worldview + Religious Harmony
Meaning taken from Dictionary.com :
1) The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.
2) A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group.
I do have friends who are non-christians, with religious beliefs different from mine. Sometimes I feel like I don’t want to blog so much about God and my faith, because I have friends from other religious backgrounds or that doesn’t adopt any religion. And when they visit and read my blog, I want to show them that I respect them by not blogging about God all the time.
But as I thought about it, I felt otherwise. Firstly, I don’t ALWAYS blog about God. Maybe 70-80% of the time? Yes. Secondly, it is MY blog. It is my personal space and I can write anything that I want (except anything politically against the ruling party in SG, and anything outrightly upsetting the faith of others of course). Thirdly, my faith is so much a part of me right now that, I view everything and interpret it with the teachings I’ve learnt from my faith. And this known as “WORLDVIEW”. My worldview is a Christian-based worldview.
But herein lies the crux: Do I become a religious fanatic, a person with narrow-minded perspectives, intolerant of the faiths of others, restricted and overpowered by the beliefs I adopt?
I believe my answer is a big fat NO. If anything, I should be the most secular Christian ever, compared to Christians coming from a traditional and more restrictive background/denominations. I come from an uber contemporary and relevant church called City Harvest Church. Why are we like that? We believe in fulfilling the cultural mandate, or “Christ in Culture”. Christ is in every pillar of the 7 pillars in society because He lives in us, and since we are living amidst secularism ie. this broken down and imperfect world, we are to penetrate society with influence and impact. Positive ones (duh) to restore society to its original intention and purpose. which shan’t be discussed here and now. That is the reason why our Church has been controversial from the start – being passionate about our God, yet at the same time remaining relevant to our contemporary society. Some simply couldn’t stomach the two extremes coming together. But it is something many churches around the world are doing. Think Hillsong, Planetshakers, and the list goes on!
Fyi, do you know that Natasha Bedingfield was a Hillsong worship leader before coming out with a secular album and becoming a full-fledge secular artiste? Thought that was interesting to know for fellow Christians. =)
So back to the topic about blogging about my God and my faith. I am honest to say that my life is so integrated into my faith that I eat, drink and breathe church. Yes, I am religious. But I like what I heard from the CNA’s documentary on SG’s religious harmony. In our times now, we can openly DISCUSS, not debate religious differences. And so all the more I see Singapore with a great future when it comes to religious and racial harmony. I really feel we are a model to many countries out there much bigger and richer than us. But yes, no room for complacency.
I am deeply rooted in my faith, but I also want to know about the faith of my friends, especially if their faiths matter as much as to see their world through their faith (faith-based worldview). More than ever, I hope for religious harmony and most of all, pray that Christians will be more sensible than to think people will convert just by giving out upsetting tracks and doing street evangelism 24/7. And to think they were high-profile people in MNC corporate arena??? They have lost their sensibilities man. Times have changed, so have the method of evangelising. We must always stay relevant and connected to our society.
There is no place like Singapore. I love Singapore and I might just stay here for life because of the social harmony we cannot find anywhere else in the world. Let’s always keep Singapore & the government in our prayer.
Thick skin, Thin heart + Serving is an HONOR
I realize it is quite easy for me to cry recently, when I hear/see something that touches me. Or rather, should I say recently it is quite easy for me to be touched deeply. I believe we become like this when we have thick skin but a THIN HEART…
The testimony of Mr. Howard Cashin’s life is concrete and undeniably strong evidence that serving is an honor. How many of us can say that we think waitressing is an honorable job? Especially that we are waitressing God for free? Some of us are too arrogant to waitress God & His people. We belittle this job of serving people. While some (most belong to this category) complain that serving God & His people is so tiring. Wait till you hear of the sick, old and frail Mr Howard who nevertheless find ways and means JUST to serve God, even when he is so weak physically!
Like what pastor yock kiang shared during the funeral service, when pastor suggest to boonkiat not to have cg at his hse as howard needs undisturbed rest, howard cried. He said, (can’t remember the exact words, but the meaning is like this), “Please do not take away this opportunity for me to serve God. I am old already..and I just wanna serve God in this way..”
Howard offered his house to us, he said to BK, (not exact words too, but meaning is there), “I pray to God for a purpose in my life. And I know, now, my purpose in my life is to lend my house to u guys for cell group meeting..” When i heard that, i was like..”woah..that’s really touching..” Some people may say they are too busy, too tired, too old to serve God. But look at this man, he’s 89 years old, with multiple cancer relapses, yet he’s still on fire, serving God!
From Myrna’s blog, http://nobelprized.blogspot.com/2009/09/thank-you-and-goodbye-howard.html
A historical figure leaving with us not just a legal legacy as a top civil and criminal lawyer, but a man whose heart is wholly towards God and people. This really broke my tear bag for a long time yesterday and today.
In my heart, I was thinking. If anyone of us experience the same things as described by Myrna, I believe there is not a single cell group member in the whole church that will ever dare to complain about serving God and people! We will instead realize that we are blessed with good health and youthful energy at a young age.
Lyrics for a Song.
Wrong places
Wrong faces
Staring at me now
Staring at me now
Dirty glazes
Dirty spaces
Is killing me now
Killin’ me now
You think you’re alive
But you’re livin’ a lie
You cease to exist
The moment you die
So do what you can
Say what you’ll do
Nobody’s seeing that it’s carried by you
If you got to lose
It’s your right to choose
To hold on tight
Or bind it loose
The star is staring at ya
What you gonna do?
What you gonna do?
Give faith a try, ya just might be amused
Nobody’s accused
Nobody’s accused
Do what you can
Say what you’ll do
Nobody’s seeing that it’s carried by you
If you got to lose
It’s your right to choose
To hold on tight
Or bind it loose
-Enling
Misunderstandings? + Cherishing Friendships.
Sometimes we may be misunderstood in such a way that we choose not to clarify that misunderstanding. When I was younger, I always thought all misunderstandings must be cleared. I cannot stand people’s impression of me being wrongfully negative. But as I grow older, I realize there is no point in certain situations to clear misunderstandings because I would rather the misunderstanding to continue.
Have you ever been placed in such situations before? It would be sensitive to go into details, but all I want to say is that all these takes wisdom and maturity to weigh outcomes with actions. Sometimes, it is really just not worth it to put in effort to clear up polluted air when the polluted air actually helps to create an opague divide which in turn gives back some freedom to self. If this sounds cheem to you, no worries. I’m just musing around. Pls skip to the next paragraph thank you.
I think we need to cherish good friendships too. I have very good pals like Joan, Charmaine and Alethia all the way from Primary school until now, but truthfully speaking we hardly get around meeting one another more than once every 3 months. Now half of us is situated in Brisbane, that makes it even more challenging. I really like the way our friendship is though – we may not meet often (something I am challenged to change lol), but when we do, there is no awkwardness at all. We are able to connect where we left off the previous time. I think that is the mark of strong and true friendship.
I cherish them because we give one another advice, and share our own thoughts and feelings on specific problems troubling us. But I also like to talk with them about God, because we come from diverse Christian backgrounds. Not arguing about our religious differences, but sharing and keeping an eye open to multiple points of view. We all love God and put Him first in our lives no matter what circumstances. I’m not kidding. I think that is important. =)
I also have another group of friends whom I cherish and found in church, and they are Weiling and Miaohua. Here I’m talking about friends that have really opened up to me, and I to them. A one-to-one exchange. We pry each other up. We have really gone in depth, shared personal struggles and thereby receiving encouragement from one another. I know that if ever I struggle with something spiritually deep, to the point that sometimes people outside of church (even if they maybe Christians, or even my best friends too) may not understand, I am able to count on these 2 sisters for prayer and support. They are those who can understand without me fearing that they will get stumbled or when I tell already but they don’t understand what I’m talking about. So if you are reading this, my two wives, I am so thankful to have known you. =)
In short, I cherish my friendships with these few people because I feel edified when I’m around them. They encourage, edify and challenge me with their friendship in the way that strikes me best. Words of affirmation and quality time. They believe in what I believe and they take it as seriously as I do. I’m talking about my faith in God here, which is so crucial.
Another thing to note is that (I believe) none of us will have a group of friends that are perfect. Hence, certain things may be better to consult people in one circle of friends than the other. Yes, your best friends may not understand certain things you are going through. We have to get over the utopical picture that “my best friend should know me 100% inside out!” because that person can only be the Holy Spirit. That is if you’re a Christian.
Having said that, I am not capping my friendship building machine to these 6 important ppl of my life (other than my family members). I am constantly searching for new friendships, new grounds, new horizons. Ahahaha. And I know that when we spend more time together, willing to open up abt many thoughts and feelings, basically doing little things to build this friendship up, I know new friendships that are strong and sincere will emerge. =) There are some potential strong friendships I can foresee around me, and I appreciate every single one of them. Joanne, Michelle, Jaslyn, T3, Young Ji, BX, WL, MX, WLBR gang (Willy, Miguel, Lynn, Cedric and Stephen, EMIL RUSLI). You guys are awesome! =D
But not to forget old friendships that I will always, ALWAYS keep in my heart. My domestic helper aunty (Donna), my seating partner back in Cedar Girls (Siti Suhaila), my cousin and best childhood playmate (Fel Wong), my primary school classmates (from 6BD: ADELINE, JINHAI, EVAN, PENGKY, JINGYI, ALINA, TIAN EN, JANE, SHAWN, ETC!) Just too many to mention from 6BD. Hahaha. Well, looks like I’m one blessed girl!
About Multiplication
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity
- 1 Tim 4:12
If you are wondering why I have been keeping silent about my thoughts of multiplication thus far, it is for a myriad of reasons. I’ll try to list it down here in my own thinking space.
1) It is God’s words coming to pass halfway. Yes I have taken an important step towards fulfilling my calling in life, but I still have that entire half more before I can finally say “I have done it”. Or rather: “I have walked with God and found out what it really means to lean on His strength while walking; for courage is moving forward in spite of fear”.
2) It still feels a little surreal. Nothing hits as hard as reality, when you feel the difference. But right now, I have yet to sense that. And therefore in a sense reality has yet to hit me. But is that significant in itself? No. Thus I didn’t really see the point of blogging it out and I feel I’m doing it right now simply for the sake of those who may be curious about what exactly happened and stuff. I really didn’t have to do this. So why am I doing this? Sigh…….
3) Multiplication is not a one man show (I must always remind myself this in future too). So I don’t feel really comfortable with all the “I”s I’d be writing. Which is common in typical blog entries. So while I have my own personal thoughts and feelings, I would love to know even more how the rest are feeling about it. The feelings and thoughts of those people whom we will run the race together from now on. I believe that is more crucial than anything else.
4) I feared. I had my worries and negative imagination of what would come out of this multiplication. And I had to charge myself up with battery (courage and faith) because I have every reason to believe that this multiplication will not work out well. Like we are small, we are young, and we are limited. BUT. It depends on which voice I choose to heed, and the past few days have been a struggle between the 2 voices (sometimes 3 – if you include the voice of self =p ). One thing I know – God never fails even if the going gets tough. It is never Him we should accuse. If anything, He is answer to tough times.
Someone asked me if I’m excited about this whole multiplication. Of course I am. Depends on which part of me you’re asking. My spirit is, yes. But my soul isn’t. My soul is carrying alot of human imperfections. Just like what Veron preached today at leaders’ meeting, the SWORD (Word of God) of the Spirit divides the soul from the spirit. I choose to trust and act according to my spirit, because it is in tune with the Holy Spirit. But not my soul. So maybe those who are asking me that question are in fact more excited than I am! Haha. But it is good, I want positive people like that around me to keep on challenging me.
Last of all, I would like to say a big thank you to all who made this multiplication possible for the youths to rise up - God, Victor, JJ, Vic Zone peeps. We will not despise our youths nor our small beginnings. Zechariah 4:10
“For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the LORD,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”
May we be Davids that slay Goliaths.
Awesome meetup
I had an awesome meetup with gang of friends. Just keeps getting better and better. Thank you God for giving me friends like that.
I realize that friends and friendships are very important; they drive you to success or they pull you closer to failure. I’m glad I can control who I want to expose myself to. I’m glad I can surround myself with positive energy, people with the right values and beliefs. This is so important to me.
But sometimes I must evaluate my friendships and see if I am balancing my priorities right. Different friends, different levels of friendship. But yet I must not neglect anyone of them, or allow anyone of them to feel that I have neglected them. Of course, this is not to say I go around pleasing everyone or that this is my life goal. Just that it becomes more and more challenging as we grow older because it seems that we befriend more and more people who we call friends. At least that is the way for me.
I just want to thank God for placing dependable, mature, and sincere people in my life. Even though I have alot of insecurities, and it is one of my major weaknesses, I constantly remind myself that God just need ONE person whose heart is towards Him and willing to be used by Him. And if I can be that one person, any other person will make us two. And God will work doubly powerful when it is two persons, triply powerful when there are three, quadruply powerful when there are four. And therefore I believe every cell group has at least 1 willing person. God says do not despise our youth. Likewise, let us do not despise our small size, for David killed not just Goliath, but also Goliath’s 4 brothers. IT CAN BE DONE.
A Prayer to Be Faithful
God. Make me a faithful person towards you. I don’t want to worship Baals. I want to trust and love only you. And as I come to a point of contention – to conform or to transform – God. Help me to choose transformation.
When you bring me to a good place but when things get boring there, where things are becoming more like repetition and routine, and sometimes I feel like it’s a hopeless situation, help me to be faithful to the good place you’ve placed me in. For what situations are there on Earth that are truly hopeless? Only you God can tell what is truly hopeless and what isn’t. For you are the author and finisher. You are God of miracles and wonders.
I want to have that kind of faith Pst. Aries talked about. When you know you’re going to get $1500 every month as your salary for the rest of your life until the day you die in this job. But this job is the job God called you into. And when God asks, “Can you still trust me that I am good even when you will get only $1500 all your life?” What will your answer be? Your answer will determine your level of faithfulness.
As can be seen this is not the normal kind of trust and faith challenge posed to any Christian…for God will not allow temptation in our life so great that we cannot bear. That question above will not be posed to you nor will you face such a circumstance if God thinks you are not up to that level. So don’t have to worry because we’ve got a responsible and understanding God who knows we grow progressively in different stages…but in any way, don’t choose to backslide for God has already measured and know you are able to withstand that temptation and that’s why you are facing it. He is a responsible God; He prepares a way out of every temptation you’re experiencing. It is however OUR responsibility to endure the temptation so as to find the answer.
When we are at that level, our answer will most probably be a ‘yes’….incomprehensible to normal human beings, yes. But it simply shows that we have placed our faith (and therefore called faithful) in a great God who can turn a dead salty fish to be resurrected to life （咸鱼翻身）.
Selah…
Don’t wanna blog.
Urge to update by Twitter/FB is greater than blogging now. Haha. Coz lazy to write out in full sentences; Twitter and FB status updates are often compressed and concise which is great.
I want to keep getting better at applying the principle of power of focus. It’s doing good for me…so little time but so many things to do.
Just discovered bumps on my arms…like white heads. Must be the spa manicure treatment done today…too rich in nutrients already! Yikes.
Violin exam this coming monday morning. After that I can fully concentrate on my studies. Yes.
Feeling stifled and hate the feeling of feeling stifled. But what to do, I cannot control others. I can only control myself and how I choose to respond to such a condition. Life is hard when the right season has yet to come. But I will do what I can – pray and trust God.
