'object of comfort'.

i am not sure why, but i was reminded of this term a while ago. immediately i thought of my little red furry blanket that i had since kinder, and i had it all the way till secondary school i think. that's almost 10 years. i remember pulling it behind me wherever i went in the house, and it will always, always be with me during bedtime. it is the thing that made me enjoyed good sleeps.

it was interesting, cos when that red blanket was thrown away, i recalled being really upset, and i cried about it. and my mum rationally said that it was just a blanket, why did it evoke such emotions. and i realised, it was cos my source of comfort then was placed on an object, and when its taken away from me, i felt vulnerable, and a little lost.

similarly, as i grew up, i quickly replaced the red blanket with a cardigan that has furry insides. it was a gift from a friend when i was in college. it is still with me now, and pretty much, had a role in provision of comfort as well.

however, i thank God that the difference now, is that Jesus found me, and He is my source of comfort and strength in all times. placing my hope in Him has helped me understand how easy it is to 'misplace' or 'transfer' our hopes of deriving comfort from an object, or even from a person. and I am grateful that through various circumstances, it always brings me to remember that Jesus is the ultimate Comforter and Strength. He never gets discarded; He never gets weary; He bears with me in all grace; and He understands me fully well; and importantly, He desires to communicate with me at all times despite all situations, even when i fail Him. i am thankful for Him.

thank you Jesus, for being my 'friend of comfort' at all times.

read this in juli's blog. and so true.

" I prayed: the answer long deferred
Brought not the thing I sought;
He answered better than my plea,
Yes, better than my thought. "

The purpose of prayer is not to get what we want, but to become what God wants.

power of prayer!

there are several keys to effective prayers.

Key #1—Pray Sincerely to the True God

It is absolutely vital that you pray to the very real God of the Bible if you expect genuine answers to your prayers. He reveals Himself to mankind in many ways—in creation, in the Bible, in His foretelling specific divine intervention in world affairs and in direct ANSWERS to those who seek and obey Him.
The Apostle Paul was inspired to describe the true God in this way: "For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live" (1 Corinthians 8:5-6).
In our modern, ecumenical approach to religion, we may think that praying to some vague "blob" off in the sky or to an idol is just the same as praying to the CREATOR—the God of Abraham, Isaac, Israel and Jesus Christ. But it is not the same at all!
The true God was revealed by Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:27). To one of His disciples, He said: "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me…? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me" (John 14:9-11).
We read of Jesus Christ acknowledging that God was a loving, divine Person—a "Father." And we see the Father acting through Christ to heal the sick, to comfort the downcast and to teach those whom He calls to keep the Ten Commandments as a way of life (Matthew 19:17). This should certainly help us to better understand God's character and His desire for us.
Christ also set an example for us in praying to the Father: "Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: 'Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You'" (John 17:1). Again, when He taught His disciples the outline—the proper approach to prayer—He said: "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen" (Matthew 6:9-13).
So once again, Jesus revealed that the God to whom we should pray is a Father. And what does Christ reveal about Him? He is "in heaven." He has a Kingdom or Government that will be set up on this earth. He—as our Father—is One who can give us daily bread, forgive our sins, deliver us from Satan and bring us into that everlasting Kingdom.
In describing this true God, whom so very few even today are acquainted with, the Apostle Paul stated: "Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 'God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings'" (Acts 17:23-26).
We learn more about the true God from the Old Testament. The great Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, was told that he would be driven from his kingdom "until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses" (Daniel 4:32). And this God will not share preeminence with any other. He inspired Isaiah to write: "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath" (Isaiah 45:22-23).
This is an awesome God, with limitless power and glory! When you get down on both knees and lift up your hands in prayer to the great CREATOR of the universe, you should think of to whom you are praying, and "hallow" or praise His name, as Jesus instructed. Remember that He is not only the Creator, but the active GOVERNOR of the entire universe—guiding the rise and fall of nations according to His will. He is the One in charge of the weather—sending "rain in due season" (cf. Deuteronomy 28:12)—or at times drought and destruction upon those nations that must be punished (vv. 24-25).
Yet, if you surrender to Him, obey Him and serve Him, God will become your loving Father, your Protector, your Healer, the Giver of "every good and perfect gift" (James 1:17) and the One who has abounding love and mercy. "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:11-14).
Be sure you always pray specifically to this God—the true God—and to no other. As you begin your prayer, think about whom you are praying to and consciously worship this Great God who gives you life and breath.

From http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/cgi-bin/tw/booklets/tw-bk.cgi?category=Booklets1&item=1104095186&gclid=COiy7NTB7I8CFR4cTAod6DarHw

received this cool thing from my friend. enjoy. :)

When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing 'dance' at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw 'G: I thought of God, followed by 'u' and 'i'.
'God, 'u' and 'i' dance.'
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for you in your life,
please share this message with someone else,
for prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards;
so let's continue to pray for one another.
And I Hope You Dance

since today's valentine's, let's talk a little bit about Love.

:) from 1 Corinthians 13.

Love

1If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,^[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1. Only Love Counts (as shown in Verse 1-3)

Paul deals with the Corinthians' elevation of spiritual gifts

• miraculous gifts (1)
• spiritual endowments (2)
• personal sacrifice (3)

"without love", it all sums up to nothing.

2. Only Love Triumphs (as shown in Verse 4-7)

Paul deals with the Corinthians' spirit of division. What they were -

• prideful and arrogant- (1 Corinthians 4:6) (1 Corinthians 13:18-19) (1 Corinthians 5:2)
  
• self-centred (1 Corinthians 10:24)

Hence, Paul reminded us what true love entails.

3. Only Love Endures (as shown in Verse 8-13)

Paul deals with the Corinthians' claims to spiritual superiority

• Love lasts, while gifts and knowledge pass away (verse 8-10)
• Maturity is our aim (verse 11)
• Perfection awaits the world to come (verse 12-13) which is characterised by love.

i love verse 4-7. it often reminds me the purity of love. how it is unconditional and there's absolutely no expectation of returns. how it reminds us to give even though it may be difficult.

1 John 3:16-
This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us.

today, had a good time doing some reading in Borders.

was spoken to many times, through the Holy Spirit.

"no matter where you are in your faith journey- whether you are just testing waters to see if there is anything out there worth believing in or you are a long time believer desiring a richer, more fulfilling relationship with the Creator of the Universe- the starting point is always the same. Seek. This is where it all begins. Seek, and you will find..."

- The Secrets of God.

Jeremiah 29:13-14

Seek.

what comes to your mind when you think of Jacob? (Genesis 32)

must say, for the many people that i have talked to before, not many holds jacob as someone that they want to model after from the old testament. however, there's something special about him that God adores, and God admires. :)

Jacob held onto God, and would not let Him go, until God blessed him.

what struck me from the teaching was that, there's no time which we can say, "there's nothing else that i can do; i've already done all that i can.".

cos, we can always do one thing, and that is to hold on, hang on. we can be down, but with God, we are never out. we also need to trust God, and have a biblical understanding of blessings. (Psalms 67:1-2).

so, be a Jacob today! hold onto God, for His faithfulness and love endureths forever!

ever wondered:

how are beautiful pearls made?

:)

Spirit Touch Your Church

some people requested for this song to be sent to them after sunday, so that they could hear it again. this is one of the closest. :) enjoy.

http://curtis-curtis.imeem.com/music/xusRfyDm/praise_and_worship_spirit_touch_your_church/

Spirit Touch Your Church
(Psalm 51:12)

Verse 1:
D/E A2
Lord we need

E/G# Bm/F# F#m F#m/E
Your grace and mer - cy

D
We need to pray

D/E E A
Like nev - er before

E/G# F#m
We need the pow - er

F#m/E E/D D - A/C#
Of Your Ho - ly Spir - it

Bm7 AM7/C# DM7 E7sus - E
To open Heav - en’s door

Chorus:
A/C# D E/D
Spirit touch Your church

C#m7 F#m - F#m/E
Stir the hearts of men

D E/D
Revive us Lord

C#m7
With Your passion

F#m - F#m/E
Once again

D E
I want to care for others

C#sus/G# C#/F F#m
Like Je - sus cares for me

F#m/E D D/E D - F#m
Let Your rain fall upon me

F#m/E D D/E E D ( D/E )
Let Your rain fall upon me

Verse 2:
A2
And Lord we humbly

E/G# Bm/F# F#m F#m/E
Come be - fore You

D
We don’t deserve

D/E A
Of You what we ask

E/G# F#m
But we yearn

F#m/E E/D D - A/C#
To see Your glo - ry

Bm7 AM7/C# DM7 E7sus - E
Restore this dy - ing land

(Repeat chorus twice)

F#m/E D D/E A - F#m
Let Your rain fall upon me

F#m/E D D/E A - F#m
Let Your rain fall upon me

F#m/E D D/E A - F#m
Let your rain fall upon me

F#m/E D D/E Asus - A
Let Your rain fall upon me

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.

"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. (:

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.

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.

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. :)

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.

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.

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

sprint. stretch. jump.

leaps for 08.

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

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