Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Our earthly possesions

Ex-missionettes gals, do you all remember this veri old song we used to sing, "The things that I love and hold dear to my heart, are juz borrowed, they're not mine at all..."
This song became veri meaningful to me again yesterday. I had dinner with grace ong at the airport to celebrate my bday. She gave me some flowers, a card with a pair of lovely earrings in it. It's only when I sat on the bus departing from the basement that I discovered tat I've misplaced it!!!! Ah!!!! horrors of horrors!!! How could I? I was so depressed. I alighted half way and went back to hunt for it, but to no avail. So saddie rite? I haven even read the card yet!!

As the bus moved on, my heart began to calm down. Then this truth dawn upon me. Are these things really so impt to me tat i'll die without it? I've clinged on to all these possessions as if it's my own. Yet, the Bible tells us tat earthly treasures grow mould, rust and decay... invest only in the kingdom stuff.

Yes. I still mourn for my lot gift n card. Yes. I still cannot believe I'm so forgetful n scatterbrain n silly. But, I can remind myself that I oredi possess treasures stored up in heaven, where it'll nvr be lost or taken away from me. It's in safe-keeping in my Father's hands now.

Directions and Purposes - Part1

Hi guys, let me share with you something about myself. I'm positive that you guys know i'm mad about playing in the band, haha... still true. God has shown me a couple of lessons through playing in the band and let me just share some of them in parts for you. Sorry if my stories are quite lengthy. :P

I first joined the band in 1996 (sec1), not because of my interest for music but simply because my friend dragged me in. (Isnt it comical? haha...and she left band in 6 months later -_-!). When the time came to choose a instument, the conductor made a very simple speech, "I know many of you are eyeing for the flute (so did i), but because of music balance, we can't have everyone who wish to play the flute to be in the flute section. The band cannot have 60 flutists and a couple of other instruments only." So miserably, i prayed to God silently that whatever section He might put me in, don't ever put me in the clarinet section. why? cos the instrument looks black and ugly, which consist of a large section which i don't really feel unique in playing that instrument cos its like playing the recorder. But well, in the end, the conductor did put me in the clarinet secion, so disappointing....

But God has shown me the beauty of playing the clarinet as days (months & years) pass by, i've started to appreciate the unique tone of the clarinet and its flexibility in the music it can play. From classical type all the way to the jazz type. (okay..., no music lesson online...) Anyway, it was the simplest instrument to pick up and play (though it's one of the hardest instrument to master - still haven't master it's foundation yet.. haiz...), this saved me from getting scoldings from my conductors(hehee.. Thank God!)

God has shown me that whatever things i wish to do or think its the best, but it may not be the best of what He has installed. Allowing God to set the path, it will benefits your days ahead, even when you don't see anything good comes from it now. I'm so glad that God has placed me as a clarinettist, i simply loved the instrument and enjoyed playing it.

Reflections
Are you guys at cross-junctions now? Are you wondering why God is not allowing things happened the way you prayed for it to be? Let's spent some time pondering... :D

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11(NIV)

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

I thank GOD for Holidays!!

This blog is really cool!!...
My exams are finally over and holidays are finally here!! Reflecting back on my school term this sem, i found out a problem which i didnt surface much in the past. That is--- Time management..

I realised that i spent alot of my time on each assignment assigned, editing and editing till i feel it's ok... Ya lor.. so hope to do something about it during this holiday with God's help and to improve on it when sch reopens..

I really enjoy my course of study and really thank God for guiding me to this route of study... i'm sure this is part of HIS Great Plan for me!! Amen :)

Jia you to those who are still busy busy. I'm sure that GOD will strengthen you every second, everyday. So continue to seek Him everyday!

The Joy of the LORD is my strength..

IRene_fen.fen

Inferiority isn't being Humble

There was once a little girl, who learnt that a christian should be humble and not proud. So as time goes by, whenever people ask her of her greatest strengths or what is she good at, she would always replied, "i've none." As she grow older and started schooling, she started to see that her friends around her have various outstanding strengths and talents while she's only good at certain things which aren't obvious or aren't good enough when compared to others and slowly, she began to feel inferior and think little of herself.She tried to improve and even compare with her classmates, and whenever she did something better than others, she would remind herself always, to be humble, not proud.

Life went as per normal till one day, her christian teacher asked her personally, "Have you been baptised in the Holy Spirit yet?" The little girl shook her head, "I did tried asking in prayer, but nothing happened and i don't feel anything." Her teacher replied,"Its not about feeling anything, but receiving. When I was young and was praying for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, i had no one to pray for me nor lay hands on me. I prayed and I received it" The little girl held his advise and began to pray to God about it. After some time, still, nothing happens.

A few years later, she read a passage in the bible that says something like this, 'Unless you are born again from the baptism of the water and of the Holy Spirit, you will not enter the kingdom of God.', she was deeply troubled. Her faith began to shake and she was'nt sure about her salvation anymore, she feared that when she die, Jesus would say, "I do not know you". But during this time, the most unfortunate events also happened almost at once during this period of spiritual warfare, grief, and also her close-friends(at least she thought they were) began to backstab her, calling her names and a hypocrite for being so forgiving and understanding. Making her health worsen, but not the last of all, her only form of leisure became a pressure, her music groupmates begin to stress her trying to get her to improve by laps and leaps so that she could be able to perform well. These period was the toughest times in her life and she felt so inferior, lost and depressed that she could no longer think with a sound mind. She was like a living dead.

It went on over a year when she finally let God to heal her inside out. A message was clearly given to her, in her heart, to her dream, "You have been washed by the blood of Christ, you are already wash whiter than snow. Come out, come out of the dark room that you have locked yourself for so long. You may not see what talents you have now, you might not see what's the future for you, because I'm still moulding you, painful as it may be, but you can be sure whatever the outcome is, its my results to you." She finally woke up.

Holding on to the promise God gave her directly, she begin to drill her foundations on God's Word and many other areas which she didnt bother to laid a good foundation in the past. Soon, God begin to show her as she started to examine herself and her past and she concluded that, inferiority is not being humble, but a silent weapon that kills and destroys faith.

No faith, no hope, no focus
leads to no life.

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

waiting in silence (and for examz to be over!)

Harlow everyone...

came across this devotional in my inbox (you can subscribe for free at crosswalk.com) and found this really interesting and close to my heart. Many times it is hard to be patient and to wait for God to reveal His will in my life and what is the way that I should be heading towards to and the steps that I should be taking, but I believe that it is worth waiting for! Heh. I was reminded of the time when this preacher (I forgot who) came to our church and preached on the differences in King David and King Solomon. Although they were both good kings who trusted in God, in the end Solomon was led away from God due to the people (concubines) in his life, but David still served God faithfully until his death. The preacher said that this difference was due to the trials that David faced in his life before he became King. In contrast, Solomon had a rather smooth sailing reign and life. So, everytime we face storms, bear in mind King David, his ability to wait on God and the beautiful end result. It really helps me in my life.

read this!

Friday, April 15, 2005

TGIF

Thank God it's Friday man! Hehe... Nevertheless, there're still so many things to thank God for...

In one busy morning, I managed to squeeze in some time to counsel 2 gals and see one boy's parents. I thank God for the opportunity to pray for my students openly. Even prayed for an ex-student of mine when I saw her in the sick bay with chest pain.

My heart cry out when I hear of students going thru the same or worse family situation as mine. One gal told me today her mom became deaf after she gave birth to her. Now her father has a mistress outside. Initially, he wanted to divorce her mother. But since she refused, he will take both!! My gal is so sad, with tears in her eyes, she told me she hated her father coz he showed favoritism to her bro.

Another gal, her parents quarrel and fight almost on daily basis. Both did not go home yesterday. So my gal and her bro, who is also my student, were all alone at home. She broke down in front of me when she shared with me. Helpless. the only thing I did was to pray for her there and then.

Praise the Lord! All glory be to Him! Since God answers prayers, I'm waiting in faith...

=) Wahahaha...

Thursday, April 14, 2005

A Sticky Situation

Hi Guys,

Yesterday afternoon, i had challenging task at work to settle. 1 party wants to send the project for production ASAP and another party say must wait for the testing to be completed first(because this project was a super rush one). So, me being in the middle... Of course dunno what to do la.. (both are big shots leh, that gives the call & me, only a small support staff). So in the end, :P i make my HOD to settle for me! hahaha...

Reflection: Sometimes in life, we face difficult or sticky situations, of which we wish to help or even try to solve the problems on our own. But often, these situations are just not up to us to give an idea solution or it is just beyond our control. But cheer up guys, there's a God up there, in control of everything, He'll surely solve it for us.

Conclusion: In situations like these, "Let go, and let God."

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

just another day

Yoz! Had a lazy morning, was fighting with my pillows.. Hmmm, had a meeting this morning, came out almost as blur as i went in (haha..) 3rd day in the new office area, the pantry is still quite empty. Something wrong with the water dispenser too, hot water not hot, cold water not cold... All my projects are in testing & waiting stage, nothing much to do at the moment. wonder when will i finally get to contribute much. :p anyway, i know God has some plans for me here and i hope He gets to tell me soon.. (cos i'm really bored to tears... 5 hours and 3 mins to knock off).
Ai ya, lunch hour ending soon, shall continue to scribble something onto our new blog ( hope its not too boring..) Take care and see you guys soon.

Little surprises n pleasures along my path

When we allow God to enter our mind and life early in the morning, before the daily routine of responsibilities and duties set in, the entire day will be a smooth one. No doubt, there may be problems that may crop up but somehow, they won't seem as overwhelming as when we forgot to commit the day to Jesus.

One gal from my class continued to skip skol today. It's her 3rd day. She asked her classmate to tell me that she had fever still. But Two gals and my colleague saw her outside!! Incredible rite? Fever of 40 degrees can still walk out early in the morning. So, conclusion? My PCCG HOD n I will give her a surprise visit later! Wahaahahah....

Next, i brought my naughty class to play Scrabble today. We did the same thing yesterday. There were a few handful that didn't co-operate with me. Surprisingly, all played today. Many enjoyed it. I was glad. Thank God.

I saved some dried flowers from the dustbin too. Hehe! Now, they're cut and placed quintly on the coffee table in the staff lounge. =)

wahahaha =)

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Psalms 86:11

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in Your truth: Give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your Name."

Psalms 86:11

Hi guys! so cool to have a blog. Don't forget to spent some QT with God! :p have a great and blessed day.

Thursday, April 07, 2005

Our Chief Shepherd

I had quite an experience today in skol. I caught a few boys from my skol smoking yesterday after I came back from cell grp. Naturally, I reported them to the OM (Muthu!!) this mornin. One of the boys interrupted my lesson becoz he insisted that he wasn't smoking. Think the one statement he said tat upset me was, "All teachers don like normal tech kids issit? All want to catch them!" But of coz this is my first time catching them. Aniwae, he was upset coz tis his 4th time and he'll go to court n be fined $300. That's why he's so agitated. Nevertheless, I refuted him n told him that he committed 2 illegal acts. 1st: smokin under 18 yrs old. 2nd: smoking in bus queues.

Troubled. Not about wat I did but what he said.

When I reached my work table, I saw tis day-to-day inspirational messages on my table. The verse for the day is, " You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You" Isa 26:3 NKJV

Thank God that I can be worry-free today n find complete rest in him coz He's my Prince of Peace!

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

inaugural post!

the God we serve is an awesome God! Amen! and our cell is an awesome cell! Please feel free to write your testimonies here and what God has done in your life. You never know whose life will be touched after reading your entry. =]

rachel