Sunday, January 27, 2008

about worship!

GIVE TO THE LORD THE GLORY DUE HIS NAME; AND COME BEFORE HIM. OH, WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS! ( 1 CHRONICLES 16:29 )

SING TO THE LORD, ALL THE EARTH; PROCLAIM HIS SALVATION DAY AFTER DAY. ( 1 CHRONICLES 16:23 )

So, COME, LET US WORSHIP AND BOW DOWN; LET US KNEEL BEFORE THE LORD OUR MAKER. FOR HE IS OUR GOD, AND WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF HIS PASTURE, AND THE SHEEP OF HIS HAND. ( PSALM 95:6-7 )

Therefore, let us also: PRAISE GOD IN HIS SANCTUARY; PRAISE HIM WITH THE SOUND OF THE TRUMPET; PRAISE HIM WITH THE LUTE AND HARP! PRAISE HIM WITH THE TIMBREL AND DANCE; PRAISE HIM WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS AND FLUTES! PRAISE HIM WITH CLASHING CYMBALS! LET EVERY- THING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD. (PSALM 150:1, 3-6 )

COME LET US SING TO THE LORD! LET US SHOUT JOYFULLY TO THE ROCK OUR SALVATION. ( PSALM 95:1 )

i thank God for His blessings, and how He impress His plans upon my heart through prayers, through His word, as well as through chats with friends. slowly, but surely, His assurance and arms of security holds me.

was encouraged by something a friend shared.

God will never shut the doors, when He has placed burden in your heart.

simple yet true.

hence, align our lives with His will, and He will lead you through it all. :)


worship and prayers.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

"You have as much laughter as you have faith."- Martin Luther.

joy within = faith within.

"For to believe, is not to experience... the Word must be believed even when we feel and experience what differs entirely from the Word." - M. L.

feeling must follow, but faith, apart from all feeling, must be there first.

"Hear God's Word often; do not go to bed, do not get up, without having spoken a beautiful passage two, three or four of them to your heart."- M.L

Jesus said, we know the Truth, and the truth will set us free. (John 8:32).

ah-men. (:


Tuesday, January 15, 2008

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful World as it is,
Not as I would have it;
Trusting that You will make all things right
If I surrender to Your will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You
Forever in the next. Amen.
- Reinhold Niebuh

colossians 3:15.

Friday, January 11, 2008

God is good, all the time.

and most importantly, He hears me even when i thought He didn't.

just when i felt a little lost at what to do next, and all prepared to close my eyes and sleep, i was so glad to be prompted to just tell God what's within. though my thoughts were all over the place, i need not worry about how it will sound to Him, cos He already knew what's within me.

it was a short prayer. prayed for peace that transcends all understanding. prayed for things to fall into place, and finally, encourage me to walk in the way that brings Him delight. to be my cheerleader.

"do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.".

felt that my prayers didn't make sense, even to myself. but He understood me.

heard my phone just at this moment. it was 2am in the morning. it was a private number. beyond my imagination, it was jean ong huiling who called!

it really cracked me up on how she said she bought the phoenix calling card and thought of calling me last night. and blessed i was when she shared about how she too, is fasting for where God is going to lead her. blessed i was by God when we exchanged prayer needs. :) though we have no idea what's exactly on our mind at that moment, but i know He is the connector, and it felt really good to know that someone is praying for me too.

slept well, and rose early. couldnt sleep anymore and i thought it must be 10am. but i was well and alert at 7am in the morning. washed up and said a little prayer. turned on the comp and had Queen REGINA NG msn-ing me! :)

mind was just floooded with the scenes of how we went on friday nights to teach the hearing-impaired kids. updated me keenly about how the other volunteers were doing, and how our friends got together in her church recently after all the things that happened. and how hannah our coordinator is getting married this march. how she enrolled into bible college, and how my cousin replaced the position.

so blessed to see that all those who have perservered in their walk have received fruits of blessings. praise Him!

from God's Minute devotional today.

18 When I said, "My foot is slipping,"
your love, O LORD, supported me.

19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul
-Psalms 94:18-19.

just like what the poem in the devotional, there will be times in our Earthly life, when we are filled with doubts and fear, but always go to Him in prayer, and know that He is near..

i want to have a simple heart, of faith and peace, for His matters all over again.

:)

where He wants me to be, there i will be. amen.

Monday, January 07, 2008

the people that i've spent time with for the past month. :) the perthians and the sydneyian (?). is that how we call people from sydney? i dont know. haha.

ah, and how lee rui rui set new records of finishing the butter and the strawberry jam bottles in our house. and oh how she terrorise suetty ho with her strawberry jam plus peanut butter combi. hahas.

good time. relive of old days. :)) and till we meet again, ur different combinations for spreads on toasted bread will remain well-received in this house. :)

Saturday, January 05, 2008

to give a brief summary of the day. (:

today, there were 2 types of challenges, but exciting challenges for me.

had a time of evax at preston library, to invite the people in the neighbourhood for tomorrow's service. yes, thou evax is not unfamiliar, but i guess i am still feeling raw in sharing to locals. i am really glad that today i have an opportunity to see how logan share to one, and how the ice was broken fast and how readily she engaged in the conversation.

hence, #1 challenge for the day, was gearing myself up to be confident about my position in Christ beyond all barriers and share. it felt much more relaxing along the way thru the day, and i hope that one day, it becomes part of my blood to share readily to the locals. (:

and now for the second challenge. (: i have officially become tlp's understudy on how to take care of her pet chickens when they are all back in sing. and honestly, i can take care of them when they are in the coop. but... when they are out and roaming, man, i was telling suet i need to speak in tongues as i chase after them to catch them back in the coop.

and so today, i followed tlp, and had her giving me step by step tips in catching the chicken. ah, once again, its all about rapport, and the confident physical cues that you give the chicken as you hold them.

and praise the Lord, it was not that difficult afterall. in fact, it was pretty therapeutic squatting there to wait for an opportunity to stroke them. and interestingly too, squat at the chicken's level so that they may know you are wanting an interaction with them.

so #2 challenge for the day. catch the chickens. and it was mission accomplished, though it was a time of breathing tongues under my breath. hahaha.

indeed, what is deem easy task by some, may be difficult for some others. just like how natural tlp is with the chickens, it wasnt so for me. similarly, for striking decent conversations with strangers is not something i am naturally good at. but i guess the good stuff about everything is, Perfect Love drives out fear, and if He is made your motivation, nothing is too big to overcome.

so, these challenges shall remain in my prayers. practice makes perfect. (: just like with catching the chickens, i am sure sharing to anyone from any background will soon be so too. with the first baby steps taken today, i am positive it will only get better. (:

i know all He desires of me, is just willingness. like what "Use Me" by planetshakers sang, if He can use anything, He can use me. (:

"take my hands Lord, and my feet, Touch my heart Lord, speak through me. If you can use anything Lord, You can use me..." -"Use Me"

trust and believe. amen.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

From shuyi's blog.

"12:02 pm - Essentials of Prayer (E.M. Bounds)

Prayer and God's Work
If Jacob's desire had been given him in time for him to get a good night's sleep, he might never have become the prince of prayers we know today. If Hannah's prayer for a son had been answered at the time she set for herself, the nation might never have known the mighty man of God it found in Samuel. Hannah wanted only a son, but God wanted more. He wanted a prophet, and a savior, and a ruler for His people. Someone said that "God has to get a woman before He could get a man." This woman He got in Hannah precisely by those weeks and months and years there came a woman with a vision like God's, with tempered soul and gentle spirit and a seasoned will, prepared to be the kind of a mother for the kind of a man God knew the nation needed.- W.E. Biederwolf

I like this passage. It speaks of the training in character and faith one undergoes in his or her search for answers. It hints of the process going on in who one doesn't loses hope in the face of apparently unanswered prayer. People like quick answers, but God is less concern with maintaining His image, through people-pleasing antics, but more interested in making us who we can become and helping us attain Christ-likeness. I thank Him for that..."

i thank Him for that too.
thanks xuan for sending me a christmas card. it was indeed a pleasant surprise, and i wish you well too when you are going away from home soon. like u say, shall meet u up again when we both reach sg in jul.

07 came and went me by. a year of transitions and challenges. physically, spiritually and emotionally.

a year that demands trust of Him. of unseen faith. hence, a deeper relationship with Him.

07 started off with a sprint that left me breathless. the fyp things were sapping my energy and how delighted we were when we had the end product. it marked the end of my 3 yrs in OT school as well, and it finished off pleasantly with a clinicals in the beautiful island with wonderful children in pulau pinang.

the sprint slowed down and i caught breather. thereafter was a period of time of strengthening friendships and time with family. appreciate presence and time. spent time like never before with many and was a time i was making decisions of furthering my studies. trusted God in providence, and having Him to direct me in ministry and decisions in life. many times when foolishness overtakes my heart, i thank God for His Word, and shepherds to lead me to walk in line with His plans.

melbourne was a faith journey as well. start to see the possibilities of serving God in different dimensions. away from friends and family. but made new friends and new spiritual familiy. in all areas of my life, i felt stretched, in a different way. it was a time i became less mechanical and more of the heart.

i thank God for the preparation i have had in sg. it was all to prepare for what has in store for me when i came over. God knew.

not merely about skills, but about the sharpening of the mind, and about the heart as well. i thank God for what He has placed before me and around me. i want to continue to trust in Him, with greater hope and greater strength in His plans for me.

sometimes, i liken the current circumstances in my life to the erratic weather in melbourne. ever-changing, or a better word, it is dynamic. many times, i felt as though i have succumbed to the changing weather, the wrong gear for the weather. but i hope to think as well, it has helped me to work towards being aclimatised to the weather. being prepared in season and out of season. to be all ready in feeling, thinking and experiencing good regardless of what is out there. afterall, if He is in control within, why should i even bother to control what's out of me?

honestly, i feel helpless many times in many situations. mind and heart, sometimes, it felt as though it doesnt belong to me at all. and i guess, i have grieved God by this lack of discipline of the mind. i have learnt, and i will do better in this coming year. :)

i know i cant be a perfect person who can love all and be loved by all, but i have learnt from Him that i can be an imperfect sinner who is consumed by a perfect Love that loved all, and is loving all. and hence, even though imperfect, i have the potential to be a reflector of what is perfect. by His grace, amen.

08.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Each Day

A new year just beginning,
Each day a fresh, new start,
To fulfill your hopes
And pursue the dreams
Sustained within your heart.

Put God in charge;
He'll plant the seeds
Of affection, love and care.
Like a garden, your life will grow
With kindness flowering there.

And as you face the wonder
Of each day's mysteries,
You'll see God's hand
Unfolding, daily, possibilities!

And as each day comes to a close,
Dream a dream or two,
Then with a prayer thank dear God
For each day given to you.

-Poet, Gael Phaneuf

Sunday, December 30, 2007


sprint. stretch. jump.
leaps for 08.

Friday, December 28, 2007

penguins on philip island are seriously adorable little things. (:

just really want to pick one up and give them a tight squeeeezeeeee.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

the perthrians have arrived a few days ago. it was good reunion after we parted in sing. (:

so, had a belated christmas dinner over at our place, and it was a good fellowship and food. veggies overload thou. hahas.

suddenly, it feels like singapore all over again.

i guess, God has been revealing to me about myself. and certainly, i was reminded of the teaching in the past, about C.H.A.R.I.S.M.A. Being a charismatic child for God, etc.

what struck me most was about C- Care, and A-Availability. caring for people, and being there physically for them and spending time with them. these, i hope to grow in.

and the Source must be from Him, the pure and flawless source of Love and Strength for each new day.

its really exciting, cos am approaching 2008. time to review resolutions and make some new ones. (:

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Jesus and Santa


Santa lives at the North Pole...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"... JESUS knew our name before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...
JESUS has a heart full of love

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree...the cross.

We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Sunday, December 23, 2007

with Him, I am more than blessed.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

O Holy Night

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gos
pel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

many stars tonight. apt when this song came on 89.9 too. beautiful song on a beautiful night. christmas countdown.

good night.


The words and lyrics of the old carol 'O Holy Night' were written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. Cappeau was a wine seller by trade but was asked by the parish priest to write a poem for Christmas. He obliged and wrote the beautiful words of the hymn. He then realised that it should have music to accompany the words and he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams(1803-1856). He agreed and the music for the poem was therefore composed by Adolphe Charles Adams. Adolphe had attended the Paris conservatoire and forged a brilliant career as a composer. It was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).

So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.

-2 Peter 1:5-9 (The Message)

sinner that is dearly loved; imperfect man that is redeemed by a perfect Father.

much thanksgiving.

keep on at it with joy. don't lose another minute. :)

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

-Galatians 5:22-25

Monday, December 10, 2007

just learnt that sheng teng and peiru are recently married after reading jasmine's blog! woooo, praise the Lord!

i give thanks for this couple, and was pleasantly surprised about their marriage. :)

still remember the times when i was serving in the pre-tertiary ministry as a young believer; how all of us were in student ministry; how they transited from leading the student ministry to serving in young adults together; how i attended the Word-for-life classes conducted by sheng teng, and sang with peiru in the anniversary choir. the times spent serving in their midst was, and will remain a blessed time.

thank God and believe that God will continue to strengthen this union! :)
A time to celebrate the abounding Love of Jesus as a Church family!