old poem that i kept on my desktop.
i love the feeling of opening things that you have kept for very long, and then you revisit them again. :))

perspectives may change. and hopefully, the perspectives have grown along the way as well.

the poem encourages me. hope it does for u too.

When The Winds Are Strong

If your life is windy these days-
winds of change, winds of adversity,
or may the constant winds of demands and expectations
that leave you feeling, well...
windblown- take heart.
As my mother used to say,
"The roots grow deep when the winds are strong."

- Charles R. Swindoll

thank God for His ways of encouragement. :)

woke up this morning feeling kind of blue. as i dragged my feet to the laptop, i sat down and prayed for today.

and i feel like clearing things on my desktop. to re-organise it a little. random, i know.

but as i put the documents into the folders respectively, i came across a longg letter, that i wrote to God on 10th March 2007, in the morning at 9.39am. typing at THE corner of the room, once again.

"10 March 2007-
...my heart, is suddenly peeling off. I think I am going to get an “infection” anytime soon. And God, I really don’t want it to happen..

...Dawned upon me that, holding tight to objects that you love very much, may not be beneficial. Let go, Let God.

...Believe His plans are always meant to prosper me, not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future. Yes, and amen.

...Really love you Lord, my Heavenly Father. I know that you are listening to every beat of my heart now. How long it has been, that I last felt this way. In fact, none, ever since I became a Christian, isn’t it. how funny. :)

..Don’t ask me why God, I have no reasons. You do.

John 14. I trust in You.

Trust in You and not myself, will always lead to blessings, Lord have Your way in me. Amen.

Love, mingxiu. 9.39 am."

i prayed to God for my heart.

and as i prayed and sang to Him, i cant thank God enough, that He has made Yesterdays, and Tomorrows.

i find it hard to understand the things that He has allowed to happen at times.

but i thank Him, that, He made every yesterday a learning experience for tomorrow. He has allowed us to leave Yesterdays behind, so as to have a hope for a new Tomorrow. :)

arh.. it can only get better.

thank You Lord.

Clean Heart

"Create in me a clean heart,
O' Lord
And renew a right spirit within me

Create in me a clean heart,
O' Lord
And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away
From thy Presence O' Lord
And take not thy Holy Spirit from me
Restore unto me
The joy of thy Salvation
And renew a right spirit within me..."

meditation. realignment.

thank you Lord for revealing my heart attitudes. can run, but can't hide.

and thank you for dealing with them one by one.

the last thing that i want, is that You cast me away. thank You for not giving up on me.

in Your hands, i commit. big or small, all is Yours. amen.

no greater love.

received this thru' email from a friend. timely, and encouraging.

we are all fine-tuned instruments of God. :)

A Fine-tuned Instrument
by Os Hillman, October 4, 2007

"...I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name and I will answer them; I will say, "They are My people," and they will say, "The Lord is our God."
- Zechariah 13:9

My former business career was as an owner of an advertising agency. Over the years, I had the privilege to work on many different and prestigious accounts. One of those accounts was Steinway Pianos, the maker of the world's finest pianos. Each piano has always been made from scratch; it takes over a year to make one Steinway. The most impressive scene as I toured the manufacturing plant was the place where the soundboard is stretched to its maximum tolerance and allowed to sit for an extended period until it remains in the curved design. This was done in an off-to-the-corner part of the plant. If the wood were alive, it would be crying out for mercy.

After an extended time of stretching, the wood will never spring back to its original state. It is permanently changed. The piano is becoming a fine-tuned instrument. After this process takes place, the next step requires another point of stress. It takes 11 tons of pressure on a piano to tune it. Each step in the process moves the piano closer to a finished product that will ultimately be played by the world's finest musicians. These musicians desire a particular sound that only a piano like this can make.

God looks at each of us as a fine-tuned instrument. However, we begin as rough wood that He desires to transform into gold. Tuning us requires certain experiences that will stretch our faith, our frame, and our very life. Sainthood springs out of suffering. If we can stand the strain of this intense process, we will come forth as gold-as a sweet-smelling offering to our Maker. When we are in the midst of these times, it feels like fire. It is painful to be stretched beyond our perceived limits, but the Lord knows this is necessary for us to become an instrument that can play a beautiful song that others will seek after.

Let the master Craftsman have His way in your life today. You will be pleased with the instrument He fashions.

good Morning Lord!

today i am in a total mood to affirm my spiritual family members that i have worked with closely before. i shall start from today. and hopefully, i get an opportunity to write consistently.
so i will provide a short description of each :))

was just thinking last night of all the blessings and love that is demonstrated through each and every unique family member, and i cant stop giving thanks for their lives!

so a practical way would be, to jot em down i suppose. :) so that i can come back and smile at their photos! hahas.

and if i happen to miss anyone(cos it's not in my phonebook contact list, really, drop me a comment! human brains do fail. :)) )

starting from A, drumrolls*..

Abigail Zhang YuYu!

this girl's laughter is unceasing! and its contagious. :) always enjoy spending time with this girl, cos i get so infected by the joy each time! and her simple heart to serve the Lord is one that i truly adore. i love her spirit of serving, and spirit of using her giftings and talents to serve the Lord Jesus. enjoyed the times that we had jamming tog, and i enjoy watching her play the keyboard. hahas. she looked so focused and truly engrossed, and i really appreciate her encouragement and patience.

thank God for you abi; you have truly been a blessing to X2 and me though i have not known you for long. it's amazing how God binds this friendship in such a short time. He has definitely watered it. :))

with love, mingxiu

04Oct'07.

God's promise never fails.

we had 40 adults in attendance, and 3 kids for our debut evening service in Darebin! Praise the Lord for we had prayed for 40!

and as we did evaluation in eric's last night, it was a time of remembering how God has blessed us much, since we started out as a team on this new service.

though stretched, but God's grace and love fills and abounds. :))

and how we were reminded, to have a loyal heart to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9), and a heart that's pure before Him. and that's a heart that He adores, and blesses (Matt5:8). :))

"....I have found Your peace, it replaces any fear
You have done it all, I can trust in You
Lord I'm stepping out, from the comfort zone
Letting go of me, holding on to You

Freedom comes, when I call You Lord
You are Lord, my God

You are the Centre of it all
The universe declares in awe
Your Majesty, I surrender all
I make You the Centre of my life
Lord I respond with all I am

You placed in me the song
Of Heaven's melody
Your Majesty, I live to sing Your song..."

- Centre of it All

it's 1st oct. :) happy birthday suettttttttttyyyy ho!

happy children's day in sg too. :))

The Wings of Prayer
Just close your eyes and open your heart,
Feel your worry and cares depart.
Just yield yourself to the Father above,
Let Him hold your secure in His love.

For life on earth grows more involved
With endless problems that can't be solved.
But, God only asked us to do our best,
Then He will take care of and finish the rest

So when you're tired, discouraged and feeling blue,
There is always a door open for you,
That is the door to the house of prayer,
You'll find God waiting to meet you there.

The house of prayer is not further away
Than the quiet place where you kneel to pray
For the heart is a temple when God is there,
When we place ourselves in His loving care.

He hears every prayer, and answers each one,
when we pray in His name~Thy will be done
The burdens that seemed too heavy to bear,

Are lifted away on THE WINGS OF PRAYER.

-Author unknown

Dear Lord. take over.

sometimes, i think i am just being silly and emotional in feeling the way i feel now.

thank you Lord; know that You are here with me.

amen.

i give thanks to the Lord, for the Works of His Hands for today. it was awesome. :)

we had our debut service in Darebin Centre this evening! hallelujah!

feeling a lil sleepy. so description of the day will leave to the next. (want to give it a real good justice by sharing the blessings and testimonies, which i m too sleepy to organise my thoughts now. :)) ) but rest assured, i will rest my brain and come back to this again.

though physically tired, we are all filled with joy, and peace.

i love the team. i love their spirit. i enjoy serving the Lord with each and every one of them. :) their Spirit has taught me much.

and i thank God for the presence of Pastor Wilson who shared the Word; Pastor Ian who led Holy Communion, and Pastor Mark, who shared his testimony. :)

and of cos, i always thankful to the Lord for Eric and Atom, and baby Rhema. they are just like our parents. spiritually, and even in our daily needs. and Rhema has been a bundle of joy.
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.." Philippians 1:3

today, i really enjoyed facilitating the praising and worshipping of the Lord today. it didnt feel like a duty or responsibility; it was a privilege to have a chance to lift our hands and voices to Him. :)

overwhelmed with Your love. thank you Lord.

slept on a few thoughts last night. and prayed on them. and prayed till i fell asleep. haha. but i felt, 'liberated' from the thoughts when i woke up. i think i have made sense of them already. praise Him. :)

i really smile at the thought of the people that He has sent to me, in this foreign land.

how He has showered and embraced me with the care, and agape through them.

thank you. i appreciate it, really do. :)

good nights.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. ” Philippians 1:9-10

amen.

random thoughts.

as i was washing up, brushing my teeth, and peering at myself in the mirror.

the literal reflection, brought me to see some areas of myself.

i was thinking.

thinking that often, i'd still choose to run away, for certain events that come into my life.

and so i ve thought that, i have stepped out of comfort zone for this running-away syndrome. that i have decreased in running away from times of uncertainty.

but i just realised, i haven't quite got it, yet.

sometimes, it could be feelings of vulnerability to circumstances. fears of being hurt.

when it should really just be, being vulnerable to Him, and Him alone. to no one else. to nothing else.

to fill and strengthen the heart up, with the love of God.

"And I pray that you... may have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge..." (Ephesians 3:17b-18)

the extravagent dimensions of Jesus' Love.

praise and worship prac with dr sengloke was good. i enjoy having these times of worship.

and today was our first time having a full-fletched 6 songs in a row. but yet, i thank God that it seems that in God's realm, there seems to be this theory of "never too much". let the blessings and promises overflow! :))

it is never too many, of the praises sung to Him.

it is never too much, of the clap offerings that we give unto Him.

it is never too much, of talking to Him in prayers. and telling Him how our day was like.

it is never too much, of love to give to Him and others.

came back, had dinner. and decided to set some time to quieten down my heart. many thoughts in my head. and honestly, i don't know where to start.

so was telling God about how i feel, and about the good feels. about the tiring feels. i want His touch. and what eric shared was very true. to ask God to search our hearts and our minds and give God permission to deal with any heart issues that we may have (Psalm 26:4).

and as i worshipped with chc's online service, this song was singing out my thoughts.

when I am weak, He made me strong.

He knows my every thought, like i'm an open book.

and let my whole world fade away.

to fall at His feet,

and giving my life, wholly to Him.

Falling.

:)

Lead me in your holiness

Lead me in your righteousness

How I love You

Beautiful Saviour

When I'm weak You make me strong

Bearing my cross I carry on

How I need You

Heavenly Father

Search my heart o Lord

You know my every thought
An open book to You

I placed my all in your hands

Falling at Your feet

As my whole world fades away

Falling at your feet
Let my life be wholly thine,

Jesus

Emmanuel

Emmanuel

Abba Father, Never let me go..

- Falling; City Harvest Church

Enough

[Written by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio]

All of You is more than enough for

All of me for every thirst and

every need You satisfy me

with Your love

And all I have in You

Is more than enough

You are my supply

My breath of life

Still more awesome than I know

You are my reward

Worth living for

Still more awesome than I know

You're my sacrifice of greatest price

Still more awesome than I know

You're my coming King

You're everything

Still more awesome than I know

i really, really love this song. i'm so happy that i have it now.

to remind me, that in everything, He is more than enough for all of me. in everything. every single want, every single need.

it may need constant reminder, but yes, this song is good reminder. (:

good night.

today was a nice sunny day. :)

took a slow stroll down the road to northland for some grocery shopping.

and funny things happened, like how my voice cracked, and went to all kinds of pitch when i said "i'll like to have half a kg of chicken breast, please." and so the lady gave me a puzzled look. and i decided that i should summarize my sentence with this kind of voice quality. so, i pointed to the heap of chooks, and said "half kg." and ended the statement with a smile to cover up my embarrassment. haha.

was talking to liyan online as well. she is voiceless! and she will be leading prayer meet tomorrow. and how she gave thanks to the Lord, that it is a time, for her to learn to speak less (as leaders normally are excited to impart their all!), and listen more to the voice of the Lord, and from others.

we can give thanks to the Lord for everything. :)

which i thought was really true. i tried to sing to the Lord with my voice for the past hour. the remnants of the voice in my voicebox was, terrible. haha. but still, it's pleasant to the ears of the Lord!

one song, Trading My Sorrows. and yes, i am trading my sickness in Jesus name! :)

was reading this hopesg sister's blog. and as she described about Hopesg's anniversary service and JUMP (JesusUMustPraise) concert, i was inspired by the reflections of her learning. she wrote..

"attended ps Prayuth's teachings in the morning. one main thing struck my mind- the quality of a stage minister's life is so so so important. better to have one musical instrument whose musician's life is close to God than having the whole band whom players' lives are not fully for God. direct truth, yet it is real love in truth. it reminded me of my service unto God, it gotta not only be of excellent service, but also of excellent attitude and motives. my day ended with more phonecalls of coordinating the accomodation for the hope bangkok team..."

i like the part where she shared that as we offer our service to the Lord, let it be full, with a pure heart of dedicating the praise and worship to One audience.

so if there is 1 musician, let that 1 play for His Name. and so, i thank God for Dr SengLoke that has played for Darebin with all his heart; and most importantly, for the Lord so far!

God will add more of such hearts into Darebin's Worship Team, just like the city centre's, which possess many musicians who are after God's hearts!

fully for Him!

i recall learning in school some years back about the different development stages of a child. the suitable toys and games for each age group. and of how they classified "peekaboo" as a theory of 'object permanence' if i didnt remember wrong. the young ones will think you have really 'disappeared', by closing their eyes, and 're-appeared' by opening their eyes. :)

reading this poem brought back really fond memories of the usual peekaboos that i played as a child. and even the times when i was at my paediatrics placements, how we played peekaboo with the little ones. and oh how they really love it. really, their indulgence in this simple game, and the pleasure they exude during the process, catches you in all amazement.

and you will feel young, and childlike all over again. :)

peekaboo with our dear Daddy in heaven. :)

PeekABoo

"Peek A Boo - I see You."

I overheard my neighbor's child."

Peek A Boo - I love You!"

I watched and listened for awhile.

The little girl skipped down the walk,

Humming as she moved.

From time to time, I'd see her stop,

And sing her childish tune.

"Peek A Boo - I see You."
Her sweet face looked so intent.
"Peek A Boo - I love You!"

Then down the path she went.

I saw her do this several times,

Poor, lonesome child, I thought.

She only has a nursery rhyme,

To go with her on her walk.

"Peek A Boo - I see You."

She did it then once more."

Peek A Boo - I love You!"

Then I scurried out my door.

I could not stand it any longer,

What did this child see?

I hurried up and caught her,

Hoping she'd explain to me.

"Peek A Boo - I see You."

Her face buried in some Daisies.

"Peek A Boo - I love You!"

Was this child crazy?

"Honey," I called out to her,"

What are You looking at?"

(I may have to tell her mother,

And I needed all the facts.)

She gave me a vacant stare.

And said, "There's nothing's wrong!

I see Lord Jesus everywhere,

That's why I sing my song."

"Mama says He's in the flowers,

And He's in the bushes and the trees.

And He's in rainbows and in showers,

And He's even in the breeze."

"I see Him everywhere I look,

And I like to tell Him so.

You see, He's not just in The Book,

He's everywhere I go."

"Peek A Boo - I see You."

I peeked into her precious face.

"Peek A Boo - I love You!"

Then I thanked God for such grace.

- Unknown

k.i.s.s
=keep.it.sweetly.simple.

this acronym, has been with me for as long as I have served Him. was shared to me by a fellow sister. but yet, paradoxically, the longer this acronym stayed with me, the more difficult it was to fulfill it.

sometimes, human minds rationalise. human minds inject more perspectives that it should have right from the beginning.

actually, its all really simple. in His Word, He said:

To love Him, with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength.

that's really quite about it. :) i pray that i ll grow towards it.

anw, just want to thank God for preservation of my voice for the Darebin party earlier on. now i hav lost half of it already. haha. totally sound like a duck. think its some healing of throat in progress.

and talking to sis online is a very funny process. and i was thoroughly, but pleasantly surprised by her ending the msn conversation with...

Gina says:
MUACKS! bye!!

hahas! yeah a little stunner over there. my sis doesnt do that yeah. not to me at least for the past donkey years that i have lived.

o wells, absence makes the heart grows fonder yeah. now she misses me. wahahahahas.

heard patiyam, the domestic helper looking after my granny is going back home to indonesia end of september. the family's feeling a little sad to have her leave, but yeah, she has been a great help in taking care of my granny for the past half a year or so. despite not knowing her long, her diligence, laughter, and most importantly, the caring and loving heart that she has for granny, spoke volume of what a wonderful lady she has been.

sent my regards, and praying for the best for her as she reunites with her husband and son.

:)

off to rest. good nights.

just gotten an email from karryn that she will be in melbs from today till next thursday!

how wonderful!

hopefully she reaches in time that i can bring her to attend the service at melb church even. :)

and rui said she's coming in dec for christmas. and even emailed a holiday plan on behalf of the perthrians. haha! comical.

sounds cool. looks cool. :)) look forward to catch up with them.

off to sister's gathering. ps mark, eric and atom will be sharing. i believe it will be a great time listening to their sharings. :)