Chinese Christian Song

Check out this Chinese Christian song. It's quite nice. A sister from Hope Hong Kong emailed this to me. It's amazing how we got to know each another via ICQ ;-)

God is good all the time!

I have been feeling pretty down lately as I blew a job opportunity that I was so close to getting. It is a job that I really want to have and I was not really prepared for the interview. A big lesson for me for not preparing well.

I could not sleep well as I mulled over all the mistakes that I made. One good thing that came out of this is that I realized the importance of preparation and having the spirit of excellence. Learning from mistakes is never too late. I thank God for all those friends who heard me out these few days and helped me one way or another to pick up the broken pieces and to prepare for my coming interview. A friend even gave me online coaching on how to tackle interview questions ;-) Interview is all about impression management which personally I think is quite fake at times.

Despite the blunder I made, I still want to choose to praise Him ;-)

A friend shared with me recently her family problems and she was even on the verge of nervous breakdown. Life is not a bed of roses. Her source of strength is God.

Sometimes I wonder how I would handle issues and problems in life without God. Will I be able to be cool and handle issues and problems with the right perspective? Or will I have nervous breakdown when my stress level becomes too high to bear?

I am thankful that I have Him in my life and my supportive family and friends who are there for me during such times.

I get over things pretty fast...thank God. He is good all the time!!

25 Feb 06 - CJ Off-Public Training

Hermit crab at Chek Jawa

It was my 3rd time to Chek Jawa and my first off-public training which last for about 2 hours. I had a slight sun-burn under the scorching sun. How was our trainer for that day. We also did role-playing.

For those who do not know where is Chek Jawa, it is situated at the eastern of Pulau Ubin. This place has rich biodiversity and it was discovered before this area was reclaimed. Nature enthusiasts, volunteers, members of the public appealed to the government to keep the area as it was.

Check out here for my previous posts on CJ.

• 15 Nov 05
• 14 Dec 05

Quotes

Whenever God determines to do a great work, He first sets His people to pray. - C H Spurgeon

Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit. - Aristotle

Believe in the one He has sent!

During these few months, God has been teaching me one thing: TO TRUST HIM. He always reminds me through His word, people and images that He is always with me. His presence with me is more important than anything else. I believe that when He is with me nothing can be against me. I just need to stick close to Him despite at times I am really down. He will make things beautiful in His time.

Yesterday after the sermon by Pastor Ben about Breakthough to Victory, Diana shared these verses from John 6:28-29 which spoke to me a lot.

Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

To believe and trust in Him. God requires of us as Christian is not to do more good works but to trust in Him more.

"Offer the right sacrifices and trust in the Lord." - Psalms 4:5

Our heart attitude towards God is important. When we offer God our best, He is pleased and accepts them. I trust that He loves me and He will give me the best.

Water Baptism at East Coast Big Splash

After service and lunch, our CG went to East Coast Big Splash to encourage Bernard and Ai Pei for taking the step to be water baptised ;-) Chang Siong from Irving's caregroup was baptised too. Praise the Lord!!

Water baptism is a declaration of one's commitment to Christ.

A funny post written by Anne on the baptism sunday.

Knowledge is not wisdom

Knowledge is not the same thing as wisdom. Knowledge can produce equally powerful ways to destroy life, intentionally and unintentionally. It can produce hate and seek destruction. Knowledge does not by itself bring any answer to the ancient Greek question "What is a Good Life?" It does not produce good sense, courage, generosity and tolerance. And most crucially, it does not produce the farsightedness that will allow us all to live together--and grow together--on this world without causing war, chaos and catastrophe. For that we need wisdom.

- Extract from Special Edition Newsweek Dec 2005-Feb 2006

We are living in an era where knowledge is greatly esteemed. People are spending more time and resources in education to gain this knowledge which will put them at an advantage from the rest and also many believe that with knowledge comes financial wealth. Nations that learn faster will prosper but it will take wisdom to endure.

What is Wisdom? Wisdom is the ability to manage knowledge and the ability to discern what is good and bad. In 1 King 3:9, King Solomon asked God for a discerning heart to govern his people and to distinguish between right and wrong.

Has our world really progressed for the better? Does increased knowledge bring peace to the world? No really...Wisdom is something that our world lacks.

As we gain knowlege, we need to have the wisdom to bring the best out of the knowledge that we gain for the better of our lives in this crazy world.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Psalms 90:12

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. - Psalms 1:7

Love is in the air !!

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.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13

The comfort of life...

A gift from Lima, Peru.

I invited Delia, my secondary school friend to my house for lunch today. She is serving in Hope Lima, Peru but now back in Singapore for holiday. We had rosti and sausages for our lunch together.

She has been living in Peru for 3 years already. Time flies and the church there in Hope Peru has about 30-40 people. Thank God for such sacrifical people who are willing to uproot themselves from the comfort of life in Singapore to serve others in a foreign land and to be a blessing to them.

It's not easy to leave all and go overseas to serve others. I had my little share of experience. Thank God for her and the team. May God bless and guide Hope Lima, Peru abundantly in all that they put their hands to do ;-)

12 Feb - Pulau Ubin

Yesterday, a group of us went to Pulau Ubin. Peishan wrote a summary of what we did there. Check it out here.

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength

A few days ago, I went with my mom to visit a clinic for body checkup. After that we went to chinatown for a walk together with my brother who just finished his job interview nearby. On our way home, my mom made a comment. She said,"The reunion dinner and feasting were over. Why people get busy with festivals year in and year out? Isn't it meaningless to go through such routine?"

After the many high festive seasons, what's next? Is my Christian life a routine? As I journey through life as a Christian, I go through high time and dry patch in my life and even question the reason for my being. Like what King Solomon said in the book of Ecclesiases chapter 3, there is a time for everything. I am reminded that I need to take hold of all these seasons and remember that He is in control and He is always with me. He is the one that will keep me green and fresh ;-)

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

~ Isa 40:28-31

Fearless

I watched "Fearless" yesterday. It was my first time watching a movie alone ;p

It is a good movie. Good principle and good stunts too.

Wow!! I received a beautiful card from Anne today. Didn't know that she is so creative!!

Today Pastor Ben shared a very good sermon about Sex and Spirituality ;-)

After service, we went to Crystal Jade Kitchen for lunch with the unit. Thawn and Siew joined us too. They are here for holiday in Singapore. They will leave for Switzerland tonight. Good to catch with them. I remembered those days when we were in Basel helping them with their wedding ;-)

Our CG shot outside Plaza Singapura

After lunch, some of us went to Riverwalk to learn guitar from our 'master' Albert. He taught us open chords. I need to practise and brush up on my strumming. I tend to play too fast....:p A worship song becomes a praise song..haha!!

A fruitful and great day!

Love, so mysterious...

Science can explain how love affects the brain -- but not the mystery of how it affects the heart.

- National Geographic magazine, Feb 2006.

My terrapin laid an egg

I have 3 terrapins at home. I was so excited when I saw one of them laid an egg in front of my eyes. But too bad, the egg broke after it was laid. It was the second time I saw a terrapin's egg but never get to see any of the eggs hatched baby terrapins :-(

Rainbow

I happened to rummage through my collection of photos and I saw this photo which I took in 2003. I was outside my house just about to leave for work in the morning that day. I hastily went back home again to take out the digital camera and took this beautiful photo. I remembered I saw two rainbows when I was in Italy when I was feeling down and the sight of these rainbows lifted up the downcasted spirit within me.

Rainbow is the greatest spectacular light show on earth ;-) It always gives me great joy when I see a rainbow. The rainbow is one of many signs that God has given us to assure us, regardless of how dark the storm or how difficult our days--there is always hope, friends. The rainbow was a token of God's promise. It was time for a fresh start. It was time for new things to happen.

When you see a rainbow, remember God's promises and His covenant with us :-)