With eczema flaring up badly, to distract myself I've been spending more time online. Which, of course, means I get to know more things. Heh.
It's amazing the amount of knowledge you can get just spending an hour reading stuff on the Net. Even on Facebook and Twitter alone, you can read a lot of things, or click on links to a lot of things.
Though the battle rages, Your love will write the pages. :)
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Calling!
E520 got quite a calling...haha!
Well then, another awesome service, another awesome sermon, another day of being in His presence. Sometimes, we have it so good, we tend to take the good stuff we have for granted, no? :)
Well then, another awesome service, another awesome sermon, another day of being in His presence. Sometimes, we have it so good, we tend to take the good stuff we have for granted, no? :)
Fighting!
Whilst being tormented by eczema even as my dad tries to apply ointments and gauze and bandages and wraps my legs as best as he can, my mind drifted again.
In the midst of fighting eczema, I've come to the critical point. ESU requires me to sometimes be outdoors, to really engage the youths outside. Eczema is a big no-no.
Battle's on, then!
Heh...bring it on! I thrive best when the odds are stacked against me. Many experiences of being bullied have somehow shaped that. :)
In the midst of fighting eczema, I've come to the critical point. ESU requires me to sometimes be outdoors, to really engage the youths outside. Eczema is a big no-no.
Battle's on, then!
Heh...bring it on! I thrive best when the odds are stacked against me. Many experiences of being bullied have somehow shaped that. :)
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Extent
The extent that some people go to...
Joseph, in his young naivety, proclaimed his dream. If you read on his story, you'll be astonished at the number of people who came against him, and the extent that they did.
All that proved 1 thing: Joseph was going to make a major impact, he was going to be a man who will be wielding great influence.
The level of opposition reveals a lot about the person who is being opposed, and the people opposing.
It's really interesting and encouraging, how Joseph's story pans out, amidst the extent of opposition, the extent that people try to isolate him, the extent people try to bring him down and the extent people do to get him into trouble.
Patience, and wait it out, whilst you are in the midst of difficulties with people against you!
Joseph, in his young naivety, proclaimed his dream. If you read on his story, you'll be astonished at the number of people who came against him, and the extent that they did.
All that proved 1 thing: Joseph was going to make a major impact, he was going to be a man who will be wielding great influence.
The level of opposition reveals a lot about the person who is being opposed, and the people opposing.
It's really interesting and encouraging, how Joseph's story pans out, amidst the extent of opposition, the extent that people try to isolate him, the extent people try to bring him down and the extent people do to get him into trouble.
Patience, and wait it out, whilst you are in the midst of difficulties with people against you!
Growth?
An interesting read:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/megachurch-revival-reignites-discipleship-vs-evangelism-debate-67731/
Evangelism vs discipleship.
The 1st question that popped into my mind was: why not both?
Some points are valid. It's easier to measure numbers than measure depth of discipleship. Actually, there's really no solid way to measure the depth of discipleship in a church. It's something personal, and whilst disciples will generally manifest in areas such as serving, reaching out, etc., many can do it without being disciples.
Sometimes, I think such debates are pretty much a waste of time. Do both discipleship and evangelism. The article is right in that growth does not necessarily mean God is present. Still, the main thing is, when a church does not address the issues the Bible talks about, and focuses too much on 1 thing, be it money, grace, sin, outreach, inreach, etc., then something needs to be corrected.
Balance, man, balance. God has been, is, and will always be a God of balance. Zealous faith, hope and love, but balanced in everything else.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/megachurch-revival-reignites-discipleship-vs-evangelism-debate-67731/
Evangelism vs discipleship.
The 1st question that popped into my mind was: why not both?
Some points are valid. It's easier to measure numbers than measure depth of discipleship. Actually, there's really no solid way to measure the depth of discipleship in a church. It's something personal, and whilst disciples will generally manifest in areas such as serving, reaching out, etc., many can do it without being disciples.
Sometimes, I think such debates are pretty much a waste of time. Do both discipleship and evangelism. The article is right in that growth does not necessarily mean God is present. Still, the main thing is, when a church does not address the issues the Bible talks about, and focuses too much on 1 thing, be it money, grace, sin, outreach, inreach, etc., then something needs to be corrected.
Balance, man, balance. God has been, is, and will always be a God of balance. Zealous faith, hope and love, but balanced in everything else.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Jamming
Still having some trouble figuring out some opening bits and some interlude parts, but I'm excited for the jamming session in Feb! At least something to look forward to in that month!
Worship time then, in His presence there is fullness of joy. :)
Depression
Hearing today's speaker share on depression brought back memories, recent and far off.
I never knew much about depression. And even when I did, I didn't see it. But Pst. Kong really brought it out. When he was being so real, so truthful about the times he underwent depression, I realised - often in my teenage years I went through that.
With the recent developments, at 1 point, I realised, I was like that. No interest in many things that I had interest in. The lowest point came, and when I turned to a FPS game - Enemy Territory. It's always the last resort, because playing such games really numbs your senses, just shooting and downing players, or getting shot. Completing objectives, or doing some suicidal stunts that help complete the objective but yourself killed.
Even that didn't work.
Yet, you know, in all things, God is there. And from that, I was reminded of how youths play games not just to kill time. There's a reason why people do things, say things, approach things, which I learnt well even the past couple of days. Very often, it is a convenient escape into fantasy, where things are more in your control. It numbs your senses, and takes your mind off things. In fact, like all things when misused, it becomes like a drug. Anything can become a drug. Even good works! And I've come to understand youths even more, why they do the things they do.
But the beautiful thing is, God uses all experiences, good and bad, for the ultimate goal of shaping us and building us up. And in that, I am grateful. :)
Find meaning in your work, no matter what you are called to do. Complaining only makes things worse for you, but not for others. In everything, God has His purpose!
I never knew much about depression. And even when I did, I didn't see it. But Pst. Kong really brought it out. When he was being so real, so truthful about the times he underwent depression, I realised - often in my teenage years I went through that.
With the recent developments, at 1 point, I realised, I was like that. No interest in many things that I had interest in. The lowest point came, and when I turned to a FPS game - Enemy Territory. It's always the last resort, because playing such games really numbs your senses, just shooting and downing players, or getting shot. Completing objectives, or doing some suicidal stunts that help complete the objective but yourself killed.
Even that didn't work.
Yet, you know, in all things, God is there. And from that, I was reminded of how youths play games not just to kill time. There's a reason why people do things, say things, approach things, which I learnt well even the past couple of days. Very often, it is a convenient escape into fantasy, where things are more in your control. It numbs your senses, and takes your mind off things. In fact, like all things when misused, it becomes like a drug. Anything can become a drug. Even good works! And I've come to understand youths even more, why they do the things they do.
But the beautiful thing is, God uses all experiences, good and bad, for the ultimate goal of shaping us and building us up. And in that, I am grateful. :)
Find meaning in your work, no matter what you are called to do. Complaining only makes things worse for you, but not for others. In everything, God has His purpose!
Feb
Thinking ahead, planning cases, courses, etc., and Feb came to mind...and declarations...
And it's gonna be a time where wounds are reopened. Steeling myself for what's gonna happen...since Mei Lin and Hong Yun are already together doing things together, I've been doing my utmost to rid myself of all feelings and shut out...much progress has been made, so it's good...
Read a friend's blog for the 1st time...and I read through his own experience, which was far worse than mine, and saw how he struggled over the months, and slowly come to terms with it. Like an amputation, the wound may heal but you are never really the same. Yet, because of that experience, he is now stronger in the Lord.
Anyway, today seemed a short day. Really learnt a lot during the cluster discussion! Things are gearing up, many exciting things in store by God for me! FOCUS!
And it's gonna be a time where wounds are reopened. Steeling myself for what's gonna happen...since Mei Lin and Hong Yun are already together doing things together, I've been doing my utmost to rid myself of all feelings and shut out...much progress has been made, so it's good...
Read a friend's blog for the 1st time...and I read through his own experience, which was far worse than mine, and saw how he struggled over the months, and slowly come to terms with it. Like an amputation, the wound may heal but you are never really the same. Yet, because of that experience, he is now stronger in the Lord.
Anyway, today seemed a short day. Really learnt a lot during the cluster discussion! Things are gearing up, many exciting things in store by God for me! FOCUS!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Bandwagon
Eczema is still irritating the hell out of me.
Well, that sounded good actually. Hell's out, heaven's in.
Ok lame joke.
Really tiring but fulfilling end to the day, packing food ration with Rachel, Claudia, JJ, Kristin. I kinda miss doing those things. I remembered being involved in the 'free gym sessions' for Attributes when I helped to do stocktake at the warehouse at Kallang. There was also the shifts to Expo Hall 1 and Hall 8. Also, the shift to Suntec, and to Jurong West. The packing, the moving, the awesome fellowship and supper after that.
Eczema really limited that, when it flared up, and often during those 'gym sessions', it did. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed doing such manual labour!
As I was on the way home, something that had been bothering me popped up today, and it kept me wondering, thinking...
It's about a bandwagon. I read a tweet recently about bandwagons, about how we shouldn't jump on to every bandwagon. We need to think, to find out, to see where the road leads.
For this, it's the same.
I highlighted this the discipleship group before. Of course, like Kel mentioned, the main point was to know your purpose and what you are doing, and Who you are serving.
Questions flooded my mind, on instinct (haha! That sounds ironic right? Thinking on instinct). Was he (not Kel, someone else) wrong? Have I been deluded? Perhaps...the increasing numbers mean that the bandwagon is indeed right?
Back to the Word of God, and I know for sure.
But even then, during 1 of the centre devo Mr. Lye had pointed out, God has His purpose for everything, for using every and anything.
Perhaps I'm overly concerned about this bandwagon. After all, it's pretty similar in most aspects, even in the things it is doing, except for 1 thing.
I gotta say though, that 1 thing is very big. It's as close to the cornerstone as you can get.
Still, perhaps I'm thinking too much, worrying too much. It's really not about the people on the bandwagon, but the bandwagon itself.
But I think enough had been said on it in the past. Even though the trend seems worrying, I guess this is what it means to hold on to the Truth, the Word of God, and keep walking.
Jesus told Peter to ignore what He will do to John; his job was to follow Him. I guess it applies here, too.
God is still in control, after all. He always has been. :)
Well, that sounded good actually. Hell's out, heaven's in.
Ok lame joke.
Really tiring but fulfilling end to the day, packing food ration with Rachel, Claudia, JJ, Kristin. I kinda miss doing those things. I remembered being involved in the 'free gym sessions' for Attributes when I helped to do stocktake at the warehouse at Kallang. There was also the shifts to Expo Hall 1 and Hall 8. Also, the shift to Suntec, and to Jurong West. The packing, the moving, the awesome fellowship and supper after that.
Eczema really limited that, when it flared up, and often during those 'gym sessions', it did. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed doing such manual labour!
As I was on the way home, something that had been bothering me popped up today, and it kept me wondering, thinking...
It's about a bandwagon. I read a tweet recently about bandwagons, about how we shouldn't jump on to every bandwagon. We need to think, to find out, to see where the road leads.
For this, it's the same.
I highlighted this the discipleship group before. Of course, like Kel mentioned, the main point was to know your purpose and what you are doing, and Who you are serving.
Questions flooded my mind, on instinct (haha! That sounds ironic right? Thinking on instinct). Was he (not Kel, someone else) wrong? Have I been deluded? Perhaps...the increasing numbers mean that the bandwagon is indeed right?
Back to the Word of God, and I know for sure.
But even then, during 1 of the centre devo Mr. Lye had pointed out, God has His purpose for everything, for using every and anything.
Perhaps I'm overly concerned about this bandwagon. After all, it's pretty similar in most aspects, even in the things it is doing, except for 1 thing.
I gotta say though, that 1 thing is very big. It's as close to the cornerstone as you can get.
Still, perhaps I'm thinking too much, worrying too much. It's really not about the people on the bandwagon, but the bandwagon itself.
But I think enough had been said on it in the past. Even though the trend seems worrying, I guess this is what it means to hold on to the Truth, the Word of God, and keep walking.
Jesus told Peter to ignore what He will do to John; his job was to follow Him. I guess it applies here, too.
God is still in control, after all. He always has been. :)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Story
So, what's the story?
Ever wondered how stories come about? You have facts, and then you have perception. And that's how stories come about.
And yet, what about those perceptions, those stories?
Remember the issue about ministerial pay being cut in Singapore? Compare local headlines with overseas headlines:
I wonder then, how has my story been told and read? How has it been understood?
Positive slant, negative slant. Hero, villain. Nobody, somebody.
Different people will read it different ways. To some, I'm some big bad wolf. To others, I may be a sheep.
But at the end of the day, what matters is that people learn something from my story.
I used to really bother how people think about me. After a while, though, I realised I cannot stop how people about me. They can think all they want. They can paint as black of me a picture they want. They can take whatever facts are there and misread them. Of course, people can also paint me as white as they want, but you get my point.
I battled this in Pri school, in JC, less so in Sec school. You put in all your effort, but your results don't reflect that. You do your best, being yourself, and people accuse you of being too proud. You follow rules, and people think you are unimaginative. Worse, just by being in GEP, people mock you. By being in GEP, teachers and principals put immense pressure on you to deliver. Just by PSLE scores, people expect you to live up to it without looking at other factors.
Having experienced what it has been like to be painted black when all you do is do your best, over time, up till today, I've come to a point where I really don't care too much, no matter what I hear. Perhaps some, but not much. It's great to hear people praise you, it's horrible to hear people saw bad things about you, but hey...it's their perception. Even if the perception is a lie, it's the story they see, or choose to see.
Boss shared during devotion about the difference between seeing and entering the kingdom (shared before, I think it was by Pst. Kong...or some other guest speaker). He shared about childlikeness.
And I remember...how being childlike means not caring about anything else, except about the Father.
If the world is still standing, if Jesus hasn't come back yet, 100 years from now, people will read my story. I really hope they do. Some will laugh, some will mock. Some will diss, some will marvel. Some will not care less, some will dig deeper. Some will hate, some will come to love.
But it doesn't matter.
Critics will also bash you, friends will always love you and correct you. And God will always take you higher, if you continue to trust in Him.
As long as people learn, be it from my good points or from my flaws...and more so, if my life can point them to Jesus...then...
My story, the story of my life, has been more than worth the read.
Ever wondered how stories come about? You have facts, and then you have perception. And that's how stories come about.
And yet, what about those perceptions, those stories?
Remember the issue about ministerial pay being cut in Singapore? Compare local headlines with overseas headlines:
I wonder then, how has my story been told and read? How has it been understood?
Positive slant, negative slant. Hero, villain. Nobody, somebody.
Different people will read it different ways. To some, I'm some big bad wolf. To others, I may be a sheep.
But at the end of the day, what matters is that people learn something from my story.
I used to really bother how people think about me. After a while, though, I realised I cannot stop how people about me. They can think all they want. They can paint as black of me a picture they want. They can take whatever facts are there and misread them. Of course, people can also paint me as white as they want, but you get my point.
I battled this in Pri school, in JC, less so in Sec school. You put in all your effort, but your results don't reflect that. You do your best, being yourself, and people accuse you of being too proud. You follow rules, and people think you are unimaginative. Worse, just by being in GEP, people mock you. By being in GEP, teachers and principals put immense pressure on you to deliver. Just by PSLE scores, people expect you to live up to it without looking at other factors.
Having experienced what it has been like to be painted black when all you do is do your best, over time, up till today, I've come to a point where I really don't care too much, no matter what I hear. Perhaps some, but not much. It's great to hear people praise you, it's horrible to hear people saw bad things about you, but hey...it's their perception. Even if the perception is a lie, it's the story they see, or choose to see.
Boss shared during devotion about the difference between seeing and entering the kingdom (shared before, I think it was by Pst. Kong...or some other guest speaker). He shared about childlikeness.
And I remember...how being childlike means not caring about anything else, except about the Father.
If the world is still standing, if Jesus hasn't come back yet, 100 years from now, people will read my story. I really hope they do. Some will laugh, some will mock. Some will diss, some will marvel. Some will not care less, some will dig deeper. Some will hate, some will come to love.
But it doesn't matter.
Critics will also bash you, friends will always love you and correct you. And God will always take you higher, if you continue to trust in Him.
As long as people learn, be it from my good points or from my flaws...and more so, if my life can point them to Jesus...then...
My story, the story of my life, has been more than worth the read.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
CNY Day 2
More chatting, more lively discussions, more catching up. I really do wish I have more chances to talk to my cousins and nieces, some of whom I still haven't got to know very well, even now.
Regardless, it was a good, even though I was feeling really tired.
It's weird, if you think about it, about how the younger generations are much closer to their friends than to their own relatives. Well, it's not that surprising, if you think about it, since we see our friends more than we see our relatives (school, hanging out, etc.), but it does make one think, doesn't it?
Read Gideon's FB post on a counsellor's remark in the movie Courageous. It was really interesting. Here's the quote:
""I heard many people say, they’ve lost a loved one, that in some ways, it’s like learning to live with an amputation, you do heal, but you are never the same. But I would also say, that those who go through this and trust in the Lord, go through a comfort and intimacy with the Lord that most people never experience.”
:) Indeed!
Back to work tomorrow, and I really think I'm gonna miss seeing my relatives. How time flies. From feeling bored of such gatherings, to really missing them...
Maybe age is really catching up...haha...
Regardless, it was a good, even though I was feeling really tired.
It's weird, if you think about it, about how the younger generations are much closer to their friends than to their own relatives. Well, it's not that surprising, if you think about it, since we see our friends more than we see our relatives (school, hanging out, etc.), but it does make one think, doesn't it?
Read Gideon's FB post on a counsellor's remark in the movie Courageous. It was really interesting. Here's the quote:
""I heard many people say, they’ve lost a loved one, that in some ways, it’s like learning to live with an amputation, you do heal, but you are never the same. But I would also say, that those who go through this and trust in the Lord, go through a comfort and intimacy with the Lord that most people never experience.”
:) Indeed!
Back to work tomorrow, and I really think I'm gonna miss seeing my relatives. How time flies. From feeling bored of such gatherings, to really missing them...
Maybe age is really catching up...haha...
Monday, January 23, 2012
CNY Day 1
Inescapable, the question of have I found a girlfriend. Gee. Where do I begin?
Of course, the answer was easy.
No.
Whee. I've become really adept at handling this, haven't I? :D
Anyway...
I really do have good-looking cousins! It runs in the family, after all. Heh.
Tomorrow, Hotpot Culture, then to Yio Chu Kang/Serangoon, then home.
Then back to work. Lol.
I wish I have more chances to catch up with my counsins, nephews and nieces!
Eczema flaring up again. Amidst troubles and problems, the best thing one can do is TRUST and BELIEVE. Believing in healing, in God hearing my cries, in God holding all in His hand, in God having it all planned out, in God knowing and giving me the BEST. :)
Of course, the answer was easy.
No.
Whee. I've become really adept at handling this, haven't I? :D
Anyway...
I really do have good-looking cousins! It runs in the family, after all. Heh.
Tomorrow, Hotpot Culture, then to Yio Chu Kang/Serangoon, then home.
Then back to work. Lol.
I wish I have more chances to catch up with my counsins, nephews and nieces!
Eczema flaring up again. Amidst troubles and problems, the best thing one can do is TRUST and BELIEVE. Believing in healing, in God hearing my cries, in God holding all in His hand, in God having it all planned out, in God knowing and giving me the BEST. :)
Gatherings
Really sian today after watching Man C beat Tottenham 3-2. Balotelli should have been sent off already!!!! Argh, Howard Webb, Y U NO LIKE TOTTENHAM?!?!?!
Anyway, it was a good time chatting with relatives and cousins today. Better late than never, you know! Haha. It's interesting to see how people walk their paths, and the decisions made. It's interesting to see how people open up. I'm pretty much reserved, and take either much coaxing or a long time to open up, but slowly, surely, we all chatted. I really enjoyed today!
Anyway, it was a good time chatting with relatives and cousins today. Better late than never, you know! Haha. It's interesting to see how people walk their paths, and the decisions made. It's interesting to see how people open up. I'm pretty much reserved, and take either much coaxing or a long time to open up, but slowly, surely, we all chatted. I really enjoyed today!
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