The God we serve...

April connect!

2009-04-07T22:31:00.004+08:00

yo~ today's cell connect is to celebrate for the april babies~! We had our dinner at Swensen's... hmm... jealous? haha.. hmm.. somehow the pics uploaded are in the reverse order.. oh well.. introducing our april babes!

Thanks Mr D for getting the lovely & yummy cake~ Happy Birthday ladies~!

Having dinner Swensen's~ what's an enjoyment after a long day of work! envious? join us for cell group then! =D

poor lawry who finally made it in time for dinner~ any preheat service?

cheeze!

pressie for ade~ 1st birthday girl to receive her present~

2009 CNY makan

2009-02-01T23:12:00.005+08:00

2009 Cell Lunar Dinner - Steamboat!

After service at 7pm, most of us were all ready to eat as much as we can! heh... This year's makan location~ Novena! Here's few photos we took while preparing to eat~ *after that, the photographer was too busy eating =x *

the steamboat for this year was quite special... allowing us to have 4 types of soup base in 1 steamboat~! =D *it was nice nice nice~*

After eating for 2 hours~ *i think* some of them still wants.... ICE-CREAM~ so, haha.. here we are... pampering ourselves.

*opps~ where's lawry's ice-cream? forgot to take a pic~* oh well, but after all the food, here's a group photo.
oh~ btw, if anyone wants a bigger size photo, let me know.. i re-size all the above photos for fast uploading, so it can be abit... too small to see more details..

Connect Week- Southern Ridges

2008-10-12T22:45:00.014+08:00

Yoz~ we had a lovely connect week on the 1st oct morning, accomplishing the southern ridges within 3hours. Here are some of the photos taken, erm.. many other photos are with others (cos i was not the official photographer.. hee..) for more photos, pls hunt thru those with facebook or the hikers themselves.. muahahaha...

we met up at 8am, Buona Vista MRT, then took a bus to Kent Ridge Park. Photo below taken at the start of kent ridge park.
The orderly hike at kent ridge... oops... i got left behind somehow.. (to snap a shot)
The nice view of kent ridge park facing the sea.
At the arrival of Hort Park, where plants and trees are pampered and well groomed.
hehe.. hf in the wonderland... disturbing the poor lion~ After some exploring at hort park~ cheers! time for the next destination- Alexandra Arc..
Our fast hikers reaching the arc before everyone else.
traveling across treetop trail... look straight! if you're afraid of heights~

This is why... look at the height~ you can actually look through the walkway you know...

The famous henderson wave finally approaches.. oops.. only the backside of the wave.. someone pls contribute photos on this area~ (^.^)

Entering into the forest walk..
hohoho.. end of hiking photos.. cos i got too tired to snap anymore pictures.. some brief summary after the forest walk.. we reaches mount faber, where the cable cars are.. then we had a short little break, then enter to the last trail, the marang trail which finally leads us to Harbour front MRT/ Vivo City! LUNCHY!

Here's where we had our yummy lunch~ a HK-style cafe and guess who's birthdays are we celebrating for this month?
Our beloved brothers~ ooh... btw, they are september babies~ (^.^)
Thats the end of the 1st half of our connect week~ the 2nd half was kinda splitted for homeward bound and shopping craze. hey guys, pls also post some of the interesting pics from your cameras~ mine are mostly ad-hoc snaps. =P

2008-09-03T14:00:00.022+08:00

Dear Koinonia,

I'm very happy to do my 2nd time blogging,

I would like to say something before we go right to the photo elaboration.

Firstly we want to thank God for the weather!

it was a very cooling that day, and we enjoyed the walk to the Cafe.

Btw Rachel was late (1 point accumulated for her)

We made a reservation @ Max Cafe,

it's just opposite the school I studied called NAFA (stand for Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts).

We really like the food here!

Many of us could afford it because it is very cheap!

Here are the list of food we ordered:

Lawrence ordered FISH

Clark ordered BEEF

Adeline ordered LAMB

Rachel ordered BEEF

David ordered LAMB

Desmond ordered CARLSBERG

Huifen ordered CHICKEN

Huiping ordered CHICKEN

Audrey ordered BEEF

Desmond ordered VANILLA COKE

Okay, NOW let's move on to the photos.

As you can see, Clark & I could feel the heat!

The food was just next to us!

As you can see Adeline was very happy to hold

the knife before the food is here!

As you can see Desmond is also late! (1 point accumulated for him)

Look through the glass panel!

That was where i studied.

NAFA (stand for Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts).

YUMMY!

CHICKEN!

My food is here! Can't wait to eat!

Desmond has finish his Carlsberg!

Delicious!

The cake is from BreadTalk with a funny name G****

Can you spot the LIGHTER?

Can you spot the VANILLA COKE BOTTLE?

Can you spot CLARK?

We are gathered together to celebrate

Audrey Loh,

Clark Loh and

Lee Huiping's

birthday!

and we sang a few birthday song for them!

Happy birthday to you guys!

We love ya!

Okay!

Now the second part of our ConnectWeek.

We went over to The Cathey to eat ice-cream at Ben & Jerry's

We ordered our favourite scope of ice-cream flavour,

and are very happy with our choices.

Take 1

Desmond not ready....

Take 2

image blur...

Take 3

forgot to put on the hood...

Take 4

We have finished all the ice-cream...

God has given us siblings,

it is a gift from God and we are to cherish them always!

Our lovely group photo!

Thank you for viewing this post!

Hope you have enjoy yourself!

Lawrence Wong

Stewardship

2008-07-29T23:02:00.003+08:00

Hi guys! sorry about not being able to come for cell today. >.<
i've prepared some side info actually for today's Word. Oh well, thank God for our cell blog.

1 of today's prayer pointer is about stewardship and i've found a website containing some interesting and refreshing information about stewardship and being a generous giver, so here's the urls for detailed reading.

===========================================
Questions about Generosity
http://generousgiving.org/page.asp?sec=43&page=412#601

Questions about God’s Ownership and Man’s Stewardship
http://www.generousgiving.org/page.asp?sec=43&page=586#211
===========================================

^^ have you checked them out yet? hohoho~ the lengthy text might have scared you, anyway, i've summerized some of my personal learning pointers from the websites, and i hope it helps to strengthen & encourage us not to fear or doubt in the area of giving specially when it's within our means.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
what i have learnt on this area
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. What i have belongs to God
-Everything i own (money, things, time, talents, skills, etc..) comes from God and still belongs to God. Its not a matter of how much i should give God back (all belong to God) but how much i have reserved/withold for myself, my personal usage. (Am i spending on myself only?)
- End of the day, we're accountable to the Lord on how we handle his stuff in the time we had on earth.

2. God is not impressed by the number of digits I can drop into the offering bag.
- God measure according to one's capacity & the attitude in giving (the motive behind giving; please God or please man)
(e.g. old widow's coins & rich men's temple gifts)
- to give (specially to the needy & the poor) is equivalent to lending to the Lord.
- careful obedience is not enough, like the Pharisees who tithed but forgotten the poor, the needy, etc..

3. Other than money-matters, stewardship also includes
- the earth [Genesis 2:15]
- our bodies [1 Cor 6:19]
- our talents/skills [1 Peter 4:10]
- the gospel [1 Cor 4:1]

4. How do i manage God's resources better and where should i use it on?
- the poor and the oppressed [deut 10:18-19, James 1:27, matt 25: 34-40]
- religious workers (missionaries, pastors, etc..) [1 cor 9:7-14, 1 tim 5:17]
- needs of our immediate families [1 tim 5:4, 8, 16]
- civil authorities (e.g. taxes) [romans 13:6-7]
- our enemies [romans 12:20]
- give to the kingdom of God in every opportunity to show love of faith & share gospel in word & in deed

Mission trip to Tanjung Pinang

2008-05-26T14:15:00.015+08:00

Hi ppl~ last weekends (24th and 25th may) 4 of us went for a short mission to Tanjung Pinang~ Here are some of the pics ^^

we were having "breakfast" (after 12noon) after we collected our tickets at tanah merah ferry terminal. Discussing on the ice breaker games for the night's cell meeting.

Outside the rented building used for church services. There's pastor Jason in purple shirt.

Here the youths gathered for cell group, learning to play "Big Fish Small Fish".

2nd half of the game~ guess what we're playing? hehehe~ double wacko! the youths are so amazingly sportly! (except for the forfeit portion) and there's Richard (holding the wacko baton), our winner forfeit-er in both games~ :D

After the games~ we had worship session, although all the songs are in english, they aren't much hindered to worship God. Later on, the group was splited to 2 groups, 1 on leadership taught by hf, and the other group on general topic, taught by me =PNext morning, we went to another combine church service in Chinese, and the (above) photo of the church building which is very very new.

After that we went for the bahasa service, where Pastor Jason was preaching.

And then we had some phototaking with the youths.

after attending 3 services (chinese, bahasa and hokkien), we've decided to go to the children's sunday school.

aren't the kids adorable? hey look! who's that pretending to be a student? hehehe~ the kids were singing and dancing with their teacher.

So that mark off the last event of our visitation~

A scene taken on our way back at Tanjung Pinang ferry terminal. Doing some reflections, God is indeed a loving father, showering love to all, regardless of what we have and what we do not have.

Aggie from Japan

2007-11-04T21:21:00.000+08:00

DEar North Koinonians,

In the desperate attempt to "save our blog", I've decided to upload some of my Japan photos here. Wahahahah....
I went to a few places last week with my NIE friend, Elaine.
Anyone misses me? Heheheh... Here are the photos =)

I miss u guys like mad. Can't wait to see u all in Feb. While then till then.... continue missing me! Whahahaahahahh..... =)

At Gassho Mura, Gero

Inside the Kodama shinkansen, heading towards Kyoto
Outside Kiyo Mizu Dera, Kyoto
The Nara deer at Nara
Takayama
The famous red bridge at Takayama

Famous Hida Takayama mascot - Sarubobo
Me in hotel's yukata (or pyjamas)

celebration - Iron Chef

2007-09-08T23:56:00.000+08:00

8th August was the night of the IRon chef.. 4 teams participated but there is one champion and that was.... North koinonia!!!.. praise the Lord.. Well done koinoians!! :)

That night, the special ingredient was "kiwi".. 4 of it still... the criteria were that it has to be a main dish, kiwi has to be infused into that dish..

After much discussions and brainstorm... we decided to have omelette wrap over fried rice (with kiwi, pineapple and sausages, plus garnish over with seaweed), plus dumplings stuffed with minced meat and kiwi. (did i missed out anything??..)

The prize of winning.. $50 swensens voucher!!... so we decided to spent it during one of our connect week...

4th sept.. the day of celebration.. Bishan...

We decided to have dinner somewhere else first so that we can spent more for dessert at swensens.. dinner at yoshiyonna. THanks to Lawrence who made all the preparations and booking but was unable to attend last minute.. wat a pity...

here to the Swensens restaurant!! yummy!!

Louis, our guest during Iron chef night

the girls choosing wisely for their ice-cream

group photo!! while waiting patiently for the arrival of the dessert

decided to play cards to kill time... Clark preparing for the game...

Rachel's turn.. decided to pose for a "cheese" while both her hands were busy...

Tada!!!... our 2 giant earthquakes!!...

and 2 Apple crumbles in sizzling pans!!.. the card games continues.. with a toppling of fries as well..

It was a fulfilling dinner that night... we couldn't finished our food.. but Thank God for Clark!!.. who rescued our tummies..

take it all brother!!!... yummy!!..

Hong Kong Trip!

2007-05-19T23:13:00.000+08:00

Hi guys,
here to share some of my photos i shoot during my HK trip!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lawrence_wong/

CNY 2007 Reunion Dinner

2007-02-18T21:18:00.000+08:00

Hi all!

These are the photos taken during our reunion dinner...

Lawrence is very full and refuses to smile.

What is everyone looking at??? Camera not there lor...

the faithful siblings...third one below...heh...

is the food that bad??? =p

the cousins...

our beloved cell.

that's all folks!

Decision for eternal

2006-05-18T22:03:00.000+08:00

hello koinonians,
Just wanna share something that i have learnt from my client when i was having attachment this yr. :)

I was attached to a "job agency" for the people with disabilities this march and there was a special client of mine. He is 21 YO this yr and he is the only Christian in his family. He has a rare degenerative medical condition ( congential progressive dystonia) which affects his control over his muscles ( there is alot of involuntary movements such that his walking and speech is affected) and was only diagnosed when he was in NS. When i first met him, he was not able to travel about very much independently and could only rely on his father's car or by taxi. Even as i watched him walking along short distances, i had to be on stand by mode, fearing that he might fall any time.

In addition, he was neither working (that's why he's there) nor schooling upon completion of his NS. From the session that i had with him, i found out that he has interest in graphic design however he does not have any qualifications to such vocation. As i further asked if he would like to further studies or looked into other jobs, he was uncertain... he just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. As we brainstorm on the various possible jobs he can handle such as Data entry, typing, etc..., he was also not very decisive or clear of what he would want... Thus, i carried on with other assessments and tests on him to better determine his abilities..

At the end of the session, i went to talk to his mother who was waiting patiently for a couple of hours for his son. And you know what surprised me?? His mother (not a Christian) said that client is going for water baptisim after he turns 21(somewhere this september). She said in mandarin, " my son says ar ' Mummy Mummy you don't stop me ok... i want to go water baptism after 21'."

So what was so special about this??

I learnt from him that even though his future is so uncertian, when will his condition get worse, will he ever get a job and be more financially independent , whether or not his employer will accept him, all these he may not know or have answers to them. But one thing for sure is that he has already decided to follow Jesus and that he already knows that he has a place in heaven which is more precious that anything else on this earth. Although he is unsure on what will he be in the future, he knows that God will supply all his needs...

During my last week of attachment, i heard from my supervisor that he is now at SPD (Society for the physically disabled) where he is learning graphic designing from other peers and there is transportation provided for him as well. He is very happy there. I wish him all the best!!

Fen.fen

waht missions mean to me?

2006-04-04T21:33:00.000+08:00

I think it was in Missionettes that I first learnt the word “missions” and became aware of missions, missionaries and tent making. My childhood and youth days in church were packed with many exciting events and activities on mission awareness.

We had Missions Convention annually then as well. To a thirteen to fourteen year old girl, Missions Conventions only meant that we could win the long awaited trophy that sat high up on a shelf in Pastor Ong’s office. We learnt and performed skits and songs on missions. Two of the songs that still ring in my mind till today are, “A Heart to Change the World” and “My Hands and the Hands that God will Use”. These two songs taught me that God wants to use every part of me to change the world– my hands, feet, voice and heart. There are many people all over the world who does not know God and will never know Him unless I go to show them His love. I believe God planted a seed of missions in my heart during that time.

As part of the Missionettes requirement, we were supposed to research on foreign countries. We prayed for the missionaries that were stationed there and also had fun cooking the intriguing dishes from their recipes. Thus, we learnt the culture and interesting facts about many countries unheard of. Years later, I discovered most of these countries belong to the Unreached People Groups (UPGs). The seed has grown into a seedling – “Here am I, send me.”

In Sunday School, I learnt about Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys and admired this brave man. I started to wonder if I could be like him venturing to so many new grounds and territories to share God’s love and joy to the people whose hearts were hopeless and broken. My heart began to yearn and long for a people not my own to worship the Almighty God I love.

Simultaneously, opportunities were opened for me to learn evangelistic tools. I picked up the Evangelism Explosion (EE) technique with a few friends from church and we went street witnessing weekly with our mentors and pastors. The learning process was tedious as we had to memorise so many scripture verses and illustrations to support our points. However, the result was rewarding. I believe those who have learnt EE like me will never ever forget the two diagnostic questions too. Wahahaha!

Once, I had a dream. This happened before my first missions trip to the Philippines in 1999. I was at the Cell Leaders Retreat in Malaysia. I was a cell intern then. The dream was so vivid that I could still remember it now. I woke up crying because I felt my heart tugged a little. In the dream, I was in a village and the villagers had a skin tone darker than mine. A mother and her child came forward to me and offered me tomatoes. I knelt down to accept them and wept. In the dream, I could feel their gratefulness and sincerity. It was as if I have done something good for them. I prayed and asked God for an interpretation immediately. After that, I sensed His compassion and love for the world and the UPGs. Flowers have grown on this seedling.

My first mission trip was an eye-opener indeed. Our daily schedules were packed and tight. Even though we were prepared beforehand by our team leader, Pastor Grace, who was a fresh graduate from bible school then, we could not help but felt overwhelmed by the Filipinos’ generosity and hospitality. We traveled from island to island and sat in motor-carts, jeepneys, boats and ships. One of the lessons learnt was God wanted to use me just as I am to bless the people. I didn’t have to be someone else to be used by him. I was humbled by the Filipino pastors who were so dedicated to reach out to church members or neighbours that lived mountains and padi fields away from their homes.

The rest are just pages of more mission trips. My ministry involvement increased from giving testimonies to leading worship to preaching. I led teams too. Eventually, I went alone to teach English and We Build People 401 to the bible school students in Cebu. Of course there were difficulties and hurdles to cross. I learnt to trust God to convince my protective mother to release me to the missions field in the first trip. I learnt to trust God in raising money. I learnt to love and partnership with every leader and member I was with. With every obstacle and difficulty that arose, God deepened the little mustard seed of faith within me. I was sharpened and re-shaped, broken and molded many times.

What does missions mean to me?
“How will the people know?
How will the people know?
How will the people know?
Unless we show them.”

~ Taken from “A Heart to Change the World”, Kid’s Praise 6

My dearest and deceased uncle Simon Loh once said this to me before I became a deaconess in charge of foreign missions in 2003, “Make sure you are not tied down by the administrative work for missions that you can’t go for any missions trip at all.”

I made sure, and went.

Therefore, let us go!

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Food Fair photos

2006-03-06T11:41:00.000+08:00

Harlow everyone!

These are the photos taken with my phone. Harharh...coz nobody thought of bringing a camera to catch us in action, so I used my phone lor...a little blur, but it's the best technology could do! Heh...

Lawrence thinks business will be good.

Our hardworking huiping.

Our dear cell leader whose photo I can't get to face the right way~!

the gals.

the gals and the happy farmer brown.

mama aggie! what will we do without her???

mama aggie again!

the gal from the other cell. =]

adeline is busy with the plate of 'brains'

more gals from the other cell.

'Til our next escapade!
(must remember bring camera next time hor!)

When Forgiving is so hard..

2006-02-15T16:35:00.000+08:00

Have you guys ever been in a situation that forgiving someone is so so hard? Specially when that person does not feel remorseful or bad about his actions or attitude? Even thinks that he's right, or his actions doesn't matters much to others or people should just give in to him and let him do whatever way that doesn't cost him much. Perhaps you may even consider ignoring such people, instead of forgiving or confronting them, and hopefully you can forget about it. Well, i tried doing that and God says "No" to that decision of mine. Specially when that person whom you are unable to forgive is your father.

For many years, i tried ignoring father's attitude & unreasonable theories. The older i gets & start earning, the more i see how he feeds and treats the family, the more the anger adds & bottled up. Until recently, i have notice that i'm easily irrited whenever he starts his nonsense, i begin to complain in my heart. Almost to the point of cursings and swearing.. (haha scary right? that's me and FYI, i've inherited his temper)

"Honor your father and your mother"

That verse repeats itself over and over again whenever i'm nursing my anger.
-_-! how to honor such people?? Never scream at him very good already. Thank God, so far, i have never talk back to him yet. God has always help to clam my mouth up whenever i'm reaching explosing level.

This went on for quite a long time, until recently, i couldn't stand him and his stupid excuses anymore. i thought of various ways to settle things once and for all, like moving out of the house to stay somewhere else (so that i dont have anything to do with him anymore) or chase him out of the house or scolds him until he has got nothing to say. But thank God again, neither of this has happened yet. Look, i can forgive him if he trys to change, but no wor, he don't feel a bit guilty or remorseful. Why should i even be bothered to give in to such people? not to say, forgive. There's nothing to forgive when people don't admit their wrongs and even try change.

"Honor your father and your mother"

5th Law of the 10 commandments, 1st law that relates to people interaction. Just a couple of days ago, Pastor has preach this and shared with us on building strong family by placing God's given boundaries. That message, was obviously for me, when pastor mention about forgiving your parents when they are not what you expects them to be. Reason, they are your parents & God commands us to do so. But i seat there, refused to do anything.

And later the week during cell meeting, agg shared that we need to honor God. in our decisions, actions. Any solutions or directions that does not bring you back to God, or have God's peace, is definitely not from God. And again, i knew this message is pointing to the same issue that i refuse to work on.

later that night, i went back home and just before i went to bed, i took out a christian book called something like "Prayers that changes everything - the hidden power through worship". this chapter i was reading was on "Worshipping God because He is our Heavenly Father". The author went on something like this "You cannot fully worship God as your Heavenly Father if you cannot forgive your earthly father"

That was it. 1 message from 3 different sources that came within 3 days, is of no coincidence. i had to do something, for the past few months, i couldn't get into worship, nor into God's presence. This is the main reason that walled me away from Him. As i began to pray, i begin to tell God very honest feelings. i couldn't just forgive nor let go, the feelings & anger just won't go away. i cannot do this on my own. it's beyond me. Then very gently, God reminded & taught me on a few things.

*) Do not sin in your anger
*) Revenges belongs to the Lord.
*) Forgiving doesn't mean you give in to his behavior nor accept his actions. it's the person you forgive, not the actions.
*) God hasn't finish his work on him yet, just as God haven't finish His work on me yet. That's why, God is so forgiving to my stubborn and repeating sins.
*) Who says he will be what he is now? is God unable change him to a better person?
*) His grace is sufficient for me.
*) Do this for God, for Christ has already done the same for me.

Amen.

That night after praying, i found it so much easier (than i thought) to let go and let God takes from there. i had a peaceful night. (haha..if could be better if i didn't had so much kopi-O that day) Thank you Lord, for letting me see things through your eyes. The rest are yours to take over.

"For the Truth shall set you free"

i'm Free.

The Brick

2005-10-28T20:01:00.000+08:00

Hi..
my friend forward this mail to me and i find it meaningful... enjoy!!

THE BRICK>
A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street,
going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting
out from between parked cars and slowed down
when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared.
Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes
and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The
angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?" The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,"
He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother, "he said "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."
Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh >scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.
"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy! push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.
It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door.
He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!" God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts.
Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

Thought for the Day:

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow,sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.
Read this line very slowly and let it sink in...

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Fen

Just Wait

2005-09-13T12:48:00.000+08:00

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate…
And the Master so gently said, "Wait."

"Wait? You say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!"
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I’m claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I relate
hangs in the balance and you tell me to wait?
I’m needing a ‘yes’, a go-ahead sign.
Or even a ‘no’, to which I’ll resign.
You promised, dear Lord, that if we believed,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:
I’m weary of asking! I need a reply.

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
and grumbled to God, "So, I’m waiting… for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine…
And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause the mountains to run.

I could give you all seek and pleased you would be.
You’d have what you want, but you wouldn’t know Me.
You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint.
You’d not know the power that I give to the faint.
You’d not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there.
You’d not know the joy of resting in Me
when darkness and silence are all you can see.

You’d never experience the fullness of love
when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
but you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
The glow of My comfort late into the night,
the faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that’s beyond getting just what you have ask
from an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You’d never know should your pain quickly flee,
what it mean that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
but oh, the loss if I lost what I’m doing in you.
So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though Oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still … WAIT".

© 2004 Locust Enterprises – Inspirational Posters

Our Plans and God's Plans

2005-08-29T13:32:00.000+08:00

Dear folks

I read this article and found it very enlightening! Hehe..hope you will be edified as well. =)

=] beary

Our Plans and God's Plans

Friday, August 26, 2005by Os Hillman
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. ~ Proverbs 19:21

Have you ever heard of someone who spent years of preparation for one vocation only to end up doing something completely different? Perhaps this could be said of you. Quite often we have in our minds what we believe we want to do only to have a course correction. Often the course correction comes through a major crisis that forces us into an area that we would never have considered.
Such was the case for Samuel Morse. Born in 1791, Morse grew up desiring to be an artist, and he eventually became very talented and internationally known. However, it was difficult to make a living as an artist in America during that time. A series of crises further complicated his vocational desire when his wife died; then his mother and father also died soon after. He went to Europe to paint and reflect on his life. On his return trip aboard a ship, he was captivated by discussions at dinner about new experiments in electromagnetism. During that important occasion, Morse made the following comment, "If the presence of electricity can be made visible in any part of the circuit, I see no reason why intelligence may not be transmitted by electricity." In the face of many difficulties and disappointments, he determinedly perfected a new invention, and, in 1837, applied for a patent that became what we know today as the telegraph. He also created Morse code. It was only later, after many more setbacks and disappointments, that his projects received funding.
Samuel Morse later commented, "The only gleam of hope, and I cannot underrate it, is from confidence in God. When I look upward it calms any apprehension for the future, and I seem to hear a voice saying: 'If I clothe the lilies of the field, shall I not also clothe you?' Here is my strong confidence, and I will wait patiently for the direction of Providence." Morse went on to create several other inventions and can be recognized today as the father of faxes, modems, e-mail, the internet and other electronic communication. ["Glimpses," Issue #99 (Worcester, Pennsylvania: Christian History Institute, 1998).]
God's plans may not always seem to follow our natural inclination. Perhaps God has you taking a path that may not lead to His ultimate destination for you. Trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all you do, and He shall direct your path (see Prov. 3:5-6).

Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org To contact Os Hillman, click here. To book Os Hillman to speak in your city, click here. To request TGIF reprint permission, click here. Permission granted to forward this email in it's entirety to others at no cost.

Photos from europe -Part2

2005-08-17T12:49:00.000+08:00

a view inside a shopping center..

hehehe.. when are we having proper cell? dunno if the chocolates can last... ;p

A side view of our hotel.. beautiful!

Brussel, can't remember where this was.. haha...

1 of the many churches there..

-_-! oh boy.. can't remember the name of the place.. but this build is just 1 of the building in a famous square of Brussel. Over hundreds of year old already..

photos from europe - part1

2005-08-15T13:03:00.000+08:00

this is our practice venue...
aa... our hotel which we stayed for a week :p love this cosy place
section photo from helsinki, finland.. very cold..
someone's garden... hehe.. didnt ask permission..
a view near our practice place..

think i'll need to edit the photos before the next upload.. take up too much space.. :D

Europe trip - God's wonderful creation & blessings

2005-08-10T12:39:00.000+08:00

Hi people,

Thanks for praying for me. hehehe... i love Holland... didn't wanted to come back. Love the sceneries there. I shall post some of the pics i take when i finish consolidating all my photos.. ( haha.. they are all over my friends' cameras and harddisk) :P

Thank God for healing my flu over there. (realised i'm the only one that nose stop flu immediately after 1 night rest, hehe.. but later got bad throat la.. which many people there also had.) Cos didnt adjust to the temperature there when we reached finland to transit to brussel. Had a short tour at Finland cos when we reached there, it was 6plus am and our next flight was in the late afternoon. 14 degrees at helsinki, slight rain, super cold... like full blast air-con and fan blowing straight at you. ouch!

visited some nice churches, like the rock church, built by blasting a hole in a huge rock and cover it up with coils as roof and there you have! a church! hehe, interesting.. that day was sunday, so most shops aren't open... (so sad) would have enjoy finland more if i didnt had such horrible flu.. watery eyes and nose, hardly see anything.. -_-! ( hehe.. used up all my friends' tissue papers)

then head back to the airport and take internal flight to brussel where we reached there around 7 plus pm, took a 2 hour plus bus ride to our hotels... band too big, got splitted into 3 hotels. wahh!! i love my hotel.. small but so cosy and homely. Love the weather there, slightly warmer, 16 to 20 degrees, still have to wear 3 layers of clothes.. like the pets people keep, not like singapore, they keeps all kinds of dogs, cats seldom see, chickens, and they even keep deers! oh my, so cute :D

ok la.. that's all for now... hard to describe without pics.. haiz.. my friend extended his trip, won't be back till this fri... photos in his harddisk.. so.. :D patience people... for part 2. ;)

Pls pray with me!

2005-08-05T22:36:00.000+08:00

Harlow fellow cell-u-lites!

harharhar...just a short entry...hope you enjoyed the photos! Betta thank Lawrence for bring camera that day...hee...thank you lawrence! Anyway, please pray for Louis kae. He went for an x-ray last week because his back has been hurting since March and he only went to a few sinsehs, stubbornly refusing Western treatment until the third (and last, thankfully!) sinseh advised him to go for a scan. He got back the results today and it showed that he has a slight fracturein the spine!!! However, he says the doctor thinks it is not very serious, but he has to go for an MRI scan next Thursday and see a spine specialist. After that the doctor will decide if he has to go for surgery or just physiotherapy. Hopefully he doesn't have to undergo surgery.

Secondly, please pray for patience for me kae!!! I have a super trying manager who's soft spoken and gentle but extremely naggy and demanding!!! He's like some grandmother who thinks I can do the impossible!!! And he keeps nagging and repeating stuff until I feel like walking out of the office to scream! I really need patience lah...save me please... *sighz* =(

And now I totally understand what Sharon means when she says that she lives for public holidays. Praise God! Happy National Day to everybody! Harharhar...I'm absolutely relishing the thought of the pure and unadulterated time of slacking this weekend...heh...

Heads up! Chins up! I am super grateful to God still! =D

significantly insignificant me. =]

the last ones... =]

2005-08-05T22:23:00.000+08:00

more photos....

2005-08-05T21:47:00.000+08:00

photo galore!

2005-08-05T21:37:00.000+08:00

our group photo! =]

breathe upon me...dear lord

2005-07-25T14:01:00.000+08:00

Recently, due to stress and heavy work load in school, I have been having difficulty in breathing. Sometimes, the food that i chomped snappily down my throat would get stuck half way thru my esophagus (erm..wrong spelling, i tink. hehe) coz i needed to rush for nxt lesson, or i got to rush to get some work done. I became so bad till I cried out to God, "Help me pls. Breathe upon, God. I can't breathe. Literally."

Today, i juz received an email fr my 'head' who wants to observe 3 of my lessons n check my kids' files. The schedule is spread thruout August. I took a deep breath... and told myself to take all these in its stride. I'm not going to complain and whine. I juz need to start planning my work and discipline my life. Tis not easy as all i want to do is to run away or indulge in you-know-wat. Heheheh...

A life of a T------ is constantly challenging, changing, inspiring, uplifting, motivating, giving, satisfying and interesting on one side of the coin. On the other side, it can also be exhausting, presurising, mentally, emotionally and physically draining, heartbreaking and discouraging. I've dropped into a dark and cold pit months ago. Now, I'm struggling to climb out of this pit. I'm seeing a glimpse of light at the top. Slowly but surely, I'll climb out eventually. Sometimes, i really feel like giving up but in my case, this not possible at the moment. Thank God. He knows. Haha. He wants me to be successful all the way, even at this juncture of my life. I feel that I'm at the final lap of my present career. I muz make it and not break it. However, this means that i muz forget the past (all the hurts n disappointments) and set my eyes on the prize. Oh...it's so easy to say but oh so trying to accomplish. But I muz not give up. dear folks, will you pray with me? Thanx.

What God said to Jacob, he says to you: "I am with you and will watch over you whereever you go". Genesis 28:15
What God said to Joshua, he says to you: "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you". Joshua 1:5
What God said to the nation of Israel, he says to you:"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you". Isaiah 43:2

tenderheart bear

prayer for our fren in europe

2005-07-25T13:51:00.000+08:00

Yo! Fellow North Koinonians

I heard from our dear member that she's caught a flu in Finland. Let's uphold her in prayers till she returns to us safely k. Let's pray that God will grant her good health so that she can enjoy this long awaited for trip. =)

As for me...I'm day dreaming constantly...wondering when I can visit HK again to eat and shop and mingle with the frank n bubbly people living there. Wahaahahah...

tenderheart bear

YEar 2...

2005-07-25T12:25:00.000+08:00

Wow rach!!
your grad photo looks cool!!... hope i'll be able to take my grad photo some day!!

Well, school has started for 4 weeks already and i'm already looking forward to my next long holidays... heh... lazy me...

Year 2 seems fun!! I've a module on Art and another on creativity... so very monday, i'll have art lesson for 2 hours and another 2 on creativity.. this is so great because it's like returning back to my childhood days, playing with paint and many other materials and doing things without rules or restrictions... It helps me to destress too. And since it's on every Mon, it helps me to reduce my monday blues!! hee.. so interesting!!

Year 2 stuffs are less dry but application of knowledge learnt from yr 1 is required which i .... erm... (hee.. forgot).. so it's time to revise again... :(..

My time table looks bad too... starting school early and ending it late with so many free periods in between.. But i know soon, these breaks will be cover with project meetings... :)

OK la... I'm still enjoying what i'm doing now...
Hope you all have a great time this week!! Jia you !!

**Fen**

Working life is......

2005-07-22T22:09:00.000+08:00

It's not very clear, but you get the gist...harharharh...amusing...but if you think it's disgusting, i'll delete it kae...hee...just for funsies... =P

Convocation

2005-07-22T20:16:00.000+08:00

Thank God! I finally graduated! Hee...now it's so much easier to upload photos! Last time had to download Hello and Picasa, but now it's so simple! Technology really amazes me man! Harharh! Thanx for the tutorial clarwenlee! Looking forward to part three of your life's instalment! hee...

testing of images

2005-07-22T13:17:00.000+08:00

testing if can upload many pictures at the same post or not... haha.. can..

* To upload multiple images, just click on "Add another image" which is just above the browse button.

tutorial 1 - uploading of pictures in blogs

2005-07-22T13:07:00.000+08:00

hello people,

1) to Upload picture, create a new post. then see the 'picture' icon on top? click on it ( it's circled).

2) then the browser will prompt you for a image, and where you want to display it. (left, right, centre).

3) then follow the instructions.. haha.. i forgot what's the next step. think it's "post" button.

4) after the "post" button.. it should be a "done" button.

* hehe.. hope it helps. :D any questions?

Prayer pointers for cell tomorrow! Be excited!

2005-07-18T21:09:00.000+08:00

Harlow everyone! Heh...sorry, this is a little late.

The prayer agenda for tmr is as follows.

Country

Unity of the churches in Singapore regardless of denomination
Wisdom of the government leaders
Pray against the spirit of greed tht is very prevalent in Singapore
Moral standards to be preserved in society

Community

That the lives of Christians will stand out in daily communal living
Fertile ground, fertile hearts of pre-believers
All barriers to be broken down and overcome (communication, emotional, spiritual)

Alright! I really look forward to fasting and praying for our nation tmr! Seeya soldiers!

rachh =]

Let's Pray together!!

2005-07-18T12:06:00.000+08:00

1st of all, so sorry for such last notice!!!

here's the programme for tommorrow's cell meeting - meet to PRAY and Fellowship

Pray for the 5 Cs: country, community, church, cell, comrades.
total time: 40 mins worship, 50 mins prayer...
haha.. i know what you're thinking.... of course we will not worship and pray straight that 40, 50mins... we'll split and divide the areas to...

worship >>> 2 Cs >>> worship>>> 3 Cs >>>> Close

Worship: Aggie & Adeline
Prayer Pointers: Rachel & Huifen
Musician: Lawrence

Here's the prayer pointers for Church, cell and comrades:

Church:
- working together as a church for common visions/ goals; support one another.
- hearts of the members to be on fire for worship and evangelism
- wisdom to be upon the leaders for direction and obedience to God's plan for the church
- unity among church members ( forgiveness and love for one another)

Cell:
- growth ( spiritual + numbers)
- increase bonding, belonging and openness
- be an impact-living cell for the people around us that draws ppl to God thru cell
- enjoyment in serving the Lord in any areas.

Comrades:
- Christians in Spore will have boldness to spread God's Word and to make an impact wherever we are.
- aiming for Christ-likeness in our lives
- To stand firm in the word of the Lord and let nothing in this world move us

So my dear folks, looking forward to it?? hehe... :)
Do come with our hearts prepared for this whole event ok??

enjoy your day and remember to fast!!.... The Joy of the Lord is my Strength!!!

Huifen..

nice concert

2005-07-08T13:14:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone!

Had a concert last night. Was quite fun.. didnt expect the playing to be so clean. :D Although the hall was only 3/5 filled, glad that our music wasn't affected by the number of audience. Pre-tour concert is over... now we'll preparing for WMC! 15 days more to holland.. May God bless the trip and the trippers.. haha..

Thank God!

2005-06-30T12:41:00.000+08:00

Thank God that i've passed my grade 5 theory.. in fact, pass with distinction. :D

yeh!

My HK rendezvous

2005-06-28T13:41:00.000+08:00

I think I should post something before Cher feels lonely. Hehe..

My holidays juz ended yesterday. No, I think it ended when I landed at the Changi Airport on 22nd June 00:20am. Wahahaha...

This third trip to Hong Kong was better than the last trip I made which I had to rush like mad to relax and play (notice the oxymoron?) . In this trip, I walked and combed as many exquisite and lovely boutiques as possible and bought as much as my cash and credit could allow me...hehehe....no lah...didn't dare to use too much credit card coz the bill would be too much to clear for the next month. Oh...all the mouth-watering and delicious dim sum ... how can anyone be sick of eating them? Hehehe....

On Sunday, my fren and I went in searched of a church for a service. We searched high and low, asked security guards, hotel managers, bellboy, shop-owners, pedestrians and finally, Mr policeman. Boy...are they tall! It's juz round the corner of our hotel! We were told that there are many churches in Jordan, HK but most of them are Catholic churchs. So, I silently whispered a prayer, "Dear Lord, I do want to hear Your Word and worship you with the people staying here today."

We were late. The sign board read that the service started at 10:30am. All eyes were on us when I opened the massive wooden door. Quickly, we sat down and listen to the preacher at Kowloon Union Church. "Is it a Catholic church?" My friend asked. I was unsure. Actually, I was so desperate to hear what God has to speak to me thru his Word that I was ready to hear even a catholic sermon. We found out later this is a Lutheran church. The preacher spoke about shining for Jesus wherever we go and making an influence for Him. He said even when we come to an end of the rope, we're still not helpless because Jesus will be at the end of that rope waiting for us. Our hope is in him. He preached about the importance of church and family unity, and what impact we will give to the country when our church and family are united. An encouraging sermon indeed. I could feel God's love and presence in our midst. Then we stood up and sang 'The Servant King'. Thank you Jesus for suffering on the cross and dying for me.

Someone was asked to go to the front to pray for the nations. By now, we realized that the congregation consisted of people from different nations. An African was assigned to pray aloud. At first, he asked God to help us make a difference in our society. Then, he continued to pray for the various needs from different nations: political wars, natural disasters and other problems. Wow... Talk about missions indeed...

After everything, we're asked to introduce ourselves to the congregation since we're new comers. I like that feeling... that feeling of being unknown... The church provides coffee and refreshments after every service. A love offering will be given by anyone to help raise funds for missions work. Since I was curious and unwilling to leave so early for shopping, we stayed to chat with them. Nope, I didn't eat anything coz I still felt full from the dim sum I ate earlier on. hehe. I must say, the church members really made us felt welcome. So many of them came to chat with us. They remembered we came from S'pore ( there were other newcomers as well) and chat on and on with us. They came from Taiwan, States, New Zealand, Hong Kong, etc... It's so fun =)

My afterthoughts:
I love to attend service, worship and hear God's word whenever I travel. This is because I want to experience a little of how heaven would be like when we worship God together. When I'm in heaven, I believe that I'll be standing among different peoples groups. I also want to obey the commandment of keeping the Sabbath day holy by attending a service. I believe God will speak to me especially when I'm away from my busy schedule at home. Lastly, I've been influenced by my uncle Simon. 3 yrs ago, he told me, "Aggie, everywhere we go, it's a mission trip. Christians have no holiday. We share Christ everywhere we go." Thus, I made friends and chat with people I met: toilet cleaners, shop assistants, waiters, train passengers, road sweepers and so on. I learnt many things from them. For example, their problems, their working load and struggles and their lifestyles. Sometimes, during divine appointments, I got a chance to pray for them as well. Then, I would be so touched by God to be used by Him in this way. Who say Christian life is boring? It's so unpredictable and exciting!!!!

It's my prayer that more people from Hong Kong will come to worship God together and that there'll be more churches there too.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matt 5:16

Gie =)

First Day at Work

2005-06-27T23:35:00.000+08:00

My conclusion is : Work is absolutely boring.

For the unenlightened, today was my first day at work! c",)

I want to say I met alot of interesting people, impressed my boss, finished my work on time and held an intellectual conversation with my colleagues. But sadly, that was not the case. Instead, I sat in at a totally boring meeting where I did not know what was being said half the time, did some data entry that the temp person was supposed to do, checked the temp's work, photocopied worksheets (I work in an enrichment centre, not tuition centre and I DO NOT teach!) and read the orientation manual which was full of rules and how to dress.

However, I'm not bitter about my day's experiences, because I did meet alot of people (whose names I cannot remember) and tomorrow is my off day! Harharhar...work one day then the next day rest!!! Harharhar...well...the system works like this. I work 4 weekdays and 1 weekend. So usually my off day would be a Monday. However, today was my first day, so I get tomorrow off. I get Saturdays off too, but I have to work on Sundays. But since I have worship practice once every 3 weeks, I get Sundays off then, but work on Saturday and go off early for service, but make up for it on another day. So, this company is really very welfare oriented. And I'm frankly happy about the weekday I get off! Heh...I can go shopping while avoiding the crowds and the swimming pool won't be so crowded so I can maintain the tan and the keep the upper arm flabs at bay! Wonderful! And the renumeration is above my expectations! So in keeping with being my usually optimistic self, I'm sure working life will improve (especially after I get my pay). Hee...anyway, I ended work at 9pm today. Have to work shift. But as I said, they're very welfare oriented people, so my schedule is such that I still can go for cell, go for service and go for worship practice without any disruption.

Work may not be as exciting as I would like it to be, but I'm quite happy. =]

rach

Isaiah 42:16

2005-06-15T13:00:00.000+08:00

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I do; I will not forsake them."

worry worry worry

2005-06-08T18:34:00.000+08:00

harlow everyone...

how come no one posting anymore??? well...since i'm so free...i might as well post something...heh...ok...juz some updates...i'm still waiting for the right job and it seems to take so long!!! Actually it has only been one month since i sat for my last paper...by right I should be taking it easy and enjoying my last holiday before I commence work for the REST OF MY LIFE. But, I just feel so uneasy every night...especially before I go to sleep, then these crazy thoughts and worries flood my mind, making it so difficult to actually go to sleep... *sighz*

I know it's wrong to worry. I should be able to trust God for the right job, but sometimes the wait seems so long (although its really really really not, just seems like)! Harharhar...I also dunnoe why I worry...I really like having nothing to do at the moment...need to recharge...but at the same time I would really like some direction and some "definite-ness" in my life, if you know what I mean. I want things to be definite so that I don't have to keep guessing. Life used to be definite in the sense that I knew I was going to be studying and where I would be studying, but now life is just "un-see-able!" I guess this is where I learn to really trust God and who knows? It may come in handy for the mission trips that I plan to go! Heh...I'm still optimistic! Alright...shall stop rambling...once again, please pray for direction in my life!

Lost (in all sense of the word) in His embrace,
rach

dilemma!!!

2005-05-25T20:39:00.000+08:00

Harlow everyone!!!

It's getting pretty quiet in here...where's everyone??? come back!!! harharhar...anyway, I have a piece of good news to share! Heh...

I woke up today feeling rather sluggish and my throat was really causing me distress so I decided to abandon my original plans of going to MOE to make another A'Level cert (they destroyed the original 'coz I forgot to collect last time). I was lazing in bed when my crazy neighbours started their drilling again. I don't know why but they have been drilling got the past FEW YEARS. I'm not exagerating (hmm...spelling looks funny...anyway...)!!! Every week at least one morning will be filled with drilling noises that drive me crazy!!! Anyway, I started whining and moaning to God about how pathetic my life is, how sick I feel and how could he allow crazy people to use drills.....blahblahblah...then....................I received.....................

AN SMS.

harharh...drama me...it was emmeline asking me if I had applied for any jobs yet. I told her I was sick and didn't feel like doing anything and that I was waiting for replies from the jobs that I had applied for through the school webbie. To cut a long story short, she was on MC 'coz she needed some time to study for her exams and she asked me to stop being lazy and get out of the house to look for a job or go shopping or swimming. She said she was stuck at home 'coz she had to study and I could be doing more meaningful things (like shopping! harharharh!!!). Anyway, I took her advice and went to Recruit Express, it's a job agency. And guess what people???

YES. I GOT OFFERED A JOB ON THE SPOT.

Harharhar...the consultant asked me if I wanted to do what he's doing and I said I don't know, so he asked me to think about it and call him on Friday if I wanted to go through a second and more in depth interview. He rambled on abit about what the job is about : Recruitment Consultant. Honestly, it seemed rather interesting. 'Coz I'll get to meet people, it's not super desk bound, I get to interview people (heh!), its basic pay plus commission for every client I match to a job....well....here comes the dilemma...I've applied for other positions which I think are rather good, especially this management trainee program with L'Oreal and I'm still waiting for a reply. I asked emmeline what she thought and she said I could go through the interview first, learn more about the job and I wouldn't have to give an immediate reply. This way I could buy more time to consider and to pray about the job too. I thought this was pretty good advice, but I'm torn!!! Should I try for this position or wait for a better one???

The consultant talking to me said although it's difficult to decide on a career to embark on, I had to decide some time soon and he said that it was a big step, but an unavoidable step. How true. BUT it's not just a step to me! It's a huge LEAP of faith! By the way, he told me he was from SAJC too. Singapore so small can. Please pray for me kae!!!

Desperately in need of divine wisdom,
rach

Friend in need...

2005-05-24T13:16:00.000+08:00

Working during this sch holidays has never been in my mind. I just wanted to take a good rest before my school reopens in july... lazy me, you might think but i feel that i deserve taking long rest after 4 months of busy school work which often caused me to have limited sleep almost everyday... hee... :)

However, after enjoying rotting at home for the 1st 2 weeks, things start to change....

A secondary sch friend of mine who had a part time job, found a perm job recently. She asked if i could take over her part time job as she couldn't find another replacement. As it is only 2 days per week so i accepted it lor...

Within a week, my JC friend called me and she sounded very desperate. She had just finished her UNI exams and had a tuition job. After she taught a lesson, she recieved another job opportunity that clashes with the tuition timing. As she prefer the later job, she asked if i could help her to complete the next 7 lessons for her.. The level of the tuition kid is only pri 1 so i thought that it shouldn't be a problem... so i accepted it... thinking that to help a friend, why not??... :)

I felt like a "helpline" at that time but as mentioned earlier, to help a friend, why not??... hee.. keke..i love my holidays...!!

fen.fen

Just venting my frustrations

2005-05-17T12:39:00.000+08:00

Ever experience when you are going an extra mile for people's convenience and then still get criticised by them or they simply take you for granted? Well, I do, lots of times too.

Last weekend after band practice, i went to make some copies of my music scores. As usual, there will be people trying to cut queue to zap their own pieces. Some even better, just dump their scores to me and give me a big smile expect me to help them to print and walk away. What?! I'm your automatic photocopier ar? or do i have "photocopying service provided" written on my face?!!

Though it's not a huge fussy issue, print scores only ma but its just so unfair to those who make the efforts to queue up and make their own copies! then why bother to queue up next time? might as well bump everything to me. Not only that, they still can complain and say i'm SLOW!!

Well, if you can copy them faster than i do, then you go ahead to do it! i doubt there is anybody in the band who can print faster than i do. So dont you come nag at me when i'm printing YOUR SCORES! argh... so mad! i almost wanted to just dump the scores onto the copier and walk away and say "print it yourself"
*************************************************

Am i that unfortunate to keep having these kind of people around me? like at work, at school, at home and even now at band. Or is it simply me? or they think i seldom blow up means i don't blow up at all?

My patience and my tolerance has reached it threshold limit and is diminishing...

Keeping meself in check:
"Love is patient, Love is kind" 1 corin 13 <-- I'm not loving them enough maybe thats why

My first Guitar lesson

2005-05-08T14:06:00.000+08:00

I had my 1st lesson last friday and it was fun!!
It reminded me of my band practices when i was in sec 1 in Band, everyone was blurr with the instrument.. haha..

Luckily the lesson is only 1 hour because my left fingers are in pain!! especially my little pinky finger which needs to hold the finest string... Nevertheless, I enjoyed the class very much and i'm looking forward to the next lesson!!!

Hmmm.. finally i manage to be able to accomplish this goal (learning guitar) this time. I enjoy music and learn a variety of instruments too!! but please spare me from the theroies... HEee... I love my Holidays!! :)

Irene_fen.fen

examz are over!

2005-05-06T13:05:00.000+08:00

harlow everyone!!!

my examz are finally over!!! finally!!! Just had my last paper yesterday. 60 MCQs in 2 hours. Sounds easy right??? harharhar...but it's not!!! The lecturer really made it super difficult. I took the whole of 2 hours to work those questions out! Anyway, I'm just so happy it's over for now. Heh. But the next step I'm absolutely dreading and anticipating!! Harharhar...just mixed feelings...gotta get my resume touched up, send out, go for interview...*sigh* so lazy leh...oh well! Gotta try to look forward to getting up super early in the morning, having only one stipulated hour of lunch, watching my back so I don't get stabbed and all the rest of the unpleasantries associated with working life. But I'm still so happy!!! Shall take a break before I work and I just KNOW God has an exciting plan for me!!! So I'm excited 'coz I know God is excited for me as well!!! Life is exciting!!! Harharhar...the optimist in me at work again...alright!!! Gotta go play my mindless games!!! Wanted to go swim, but it has to rain!!! Sun for the last 4 days while I was studying and when I'm free? IT RAINS!!! Aargh......but life is great!!! My God is great!!!

rachel

Just another chapter

2005-05-06T12:45:00.000+08:00

Yoz..! how everybody? should be finishing exams soon right? :D haha... jia you orh! looking forward to see the full cell turning up for fellowship. (maybe we can group up and play cluedo again! hehee..:p )

Haiz.. Anyone there good at music theory? I'm kind of stuck at harmony and chords progression(fundamentals only and i'm confused).. feel abit alien doing that topic, worse of all almost the entire grade 6 and above are all about it. -_-!! can't see the logic of it, make abit no sense to a non-keyboard player. :p but then again, if i ever managed to master this area, hahaa, maybe i can go rearrange music and maybe play it in church. :D abit far-fetched but then who knows... ;)

Oh Lord, please either explain your wonders of music making personally to me OR drop me a good teacher to teach me all over again OR make my existing teacher teach in my "frequency" of understanding.

Have an adventurous weekend and see you guys real soon!

Wow...great blog..

2005-05-05T16:34:00.000+08:00

Hi hi...teresa here..long time no see..well get to know this blog from rachel liu and aggie..hmmm..very nice blog. i think this blog is to spread the word of GOD rite, long time never go to church, but never fail to read my bible at home..even school..!! really hope that can go to church but my mum still quite object to it...but i will never give up..i will contiune to pray to GOD..to know let HIM know how much i desire to go to church...hahas..so how everything in church? Guys & Gals...how have you all been...well now studying in ITE clementi..office skill..then recently just join in the councillor board..very busy..but really enjoy the time spent in school...thnking of going into business information technology next years after my office skill course..so working very hard now to acheive my target...quite tough as i am not really that kind that study very hard..but now really doing my best..hope that i will not failed for this month test...ok..got to stop here..hope that you all are doing fine..no matter in work or school...JIA YOU(U-u)...

Remeber that GOD is always with US
He guide us through our life

Direction and Purposes -Part2

2005-05-03T13:13:00.000+08:00

Here comes part 2 of my story.

soon after my secondary school, I began to join many other bands to see and to learn more playing skills from other
clarinettists. The largest number of bands i guest-played at one time was about 4 bands. 6 days of practices each week (now cannot liao, getting old... not enough energy for 4 bands... hehehee...)

Anyway, i was walking towards the MRT station one day (for practice of cause) and a question popped into my head, "If you can afford to have 4 bands at the same time, what about playing for God?" So i decided to ask the music ministry if they have any vacancy for a clarinettist. Of course, they are willing to have any musicians to wants to play for God. So thats how i first came into the music ministry.

But things aren't doing well at all, i can't play without scores, and when finally there's scores, i got 'drown' by the electrical guitars and drums. Microphone were of no use at all. Discouraged, i just left things the way it was (till now, i only played once on stage). Quite a few song-leaders ask me to join as a vocalist but i rejected immediately. My immediate response was, "I can't sing, I'll go off-pitch." (I don't see singing as my talent)

Some months later, My uncle passed away, when people started to give testimonies on how persistence he was on learning to serve God and not giving up, i wept. Then i reflect on the times i rejected offers simply because on the reason of not able to do it well, God begin to shown me this particular verse. "The Lord said to him, 'Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him
deaf or mute? Who gives his sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?' Exodus 4:11" My heart grieves because i tried to serve God with what i think its my best and not what God can make the best out of me.

From this lesson, i've learn that not knowing how, is not an excuse for not doing it. Don't limit God from doing greater things through us, things that we have never done before. My uncle wasn't born from a hokkien family, its cantonese that he is being brought up from, but this doesn't stop him from learning hokkien to preach to others. Let us not limit what God can do through us.

Reflection
Are you facing any similar situations? Areas that you think its too hard to complete? Are you going to take up this challenge
if called?

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to Man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" 1 Corinthians 10:13

they're my encouragementSSS :]

2005-05-01T16:10:00.000+08:00

HEYHO~!!
i find this blog is like an online dailybread to me!
all these posts really touched my heart, remindin me every now and then everything about God.
couz hui ping's post are really encouragin..
really useful to me..
or rather, everybody's posts are terribly GREAT!!
it's good that we're usin this way to encourage each other when there're times it's hard to talk about things.
=] GOOD JOB, PEEPS OF KOINONIA!
i really want to thank God for everybody who put in effort for this!
and i pray that da dae when da wong bruddas are comin to join us would come faster!
then we'll have more peeps in our cell..
pray for mavis too :] that she'll have nothing on tues and join us!
AMEN!

@udrey

wat's happenin?

2005-05-01T16:05:00.000+08:00

harlow peeps~!!
heheheh...
this is my second ENGLISH post..
how's everybody so far? :]
have ya guys eaten? heh heh..
drink lotsa water!
cos the weather is sooooooooo hot nowadays..

i'd say so becoz i did an english one for my CHINESE blog. everybody must have a CHINESE blog erh! heheh.

hmmm, skool's been OK so far. SO FAR. but i'm really struggling with a one metre stack of work i have to do almost everydae. maybe if i really manage my time well, i'd be able to pull through. but it's kinda hard at da beginnin since it's slackin time everydae in MI for da 1st 3 months. i slack so much i think i gain a few KGS. argh. i don't want to be like that, not completing certain work and then feelin guilty and stupid for doin so. i wanna be hardworking! wahahaha..

for my CCA, i wanna join EVERYTHING! cos everything seems fun. but after a great long time to thinking, i narrowed them down to swimming OR drama and photographic society. i spent a great long time askin my friends and everyone i know for opinions. itâ€™s like such a great deal to me erh! hahahha. hmmm, so my conclusion is: i take up swimming in JC, then if iâ€™m in uni, i can take up photography at least. it sounded logical to me. so yea, i joined swimming!! YEA! i was so happie. WAS. but after a week, da bad news came that swimming HAD TO close down. thereâ€™re only 6 keen members. so itâ€™s impossible to continue da swimming club as besides trainin, we organize events like water carnival or some sort, big scale events that definitely require MORE THAN six peeps.

so yea, iâ€™m very very sad. mournin already. hahahha. itâ€™s closure for me! wahhhaa. but i trusted God, i told Him to take control and plan watâ€™s best for me. hmmm, sometimes my mama wants to go swimming and iâ€™d go with her. heheheh, one of my younger loh cousin j would ask me occasionally whether i wanna go swimming and we could go together. but so far nothing happened. cos of my schedule!!

hmm, so iâ€™m takin photography. next tues is da start of da trainin, and iâ€™m kinda excited. i wonder if we had to pay. iâ€™ve been askin my parents for $$$ to buy lotsa things erh! oh yea! IJâ€™s uniform is out!! hheehehe. itâ€™s NICE! wahhahaha. da PE uniform just came out. itâ€™s blue and looks like a jersey.

innova [in=new, nova=star]
todae, 29th april is our first cross country [CC]. my house, aquilas, blue house, was da forth in overall. my house in SESS is also a blue one. and itâ€™s been last for da 4 years iâ€™m there. argh.

aniwae, i ran like mad. i never liked runnin. but i guess CC really changed my impression a lil. i came in first for my class. hehehe, for my class only. but i ran 3.2 KILOMETRES in less than 27 mins erh! THANK GOD! iâ€™m proud of myself. wahahaha.

and i guess it sort of motivated me to get to work and stop slackin! hmmm, i guess so.

aniwae, this is written [da first few parts] a few daes ago and [da last parts] yesterdae. heeeeeeeeeee

howâ€™s everybody erh? =D

God bless!

@udrey

Our earthly possesions

2005-04-27T13:49:00.000+08:00

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

2005-04-27T12:56:00.000+08:00

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)

I thank GOD for Holidays!!

2005-04-26T13:34:00.000+08:00

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

2005-04-26T09:25:00.000+08:00

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.

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

2005-04-19T17:50:00.000+08:00

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!

TGIF

2005-04-15T16:59:00.000+08:00

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...

A Sticky Situation

2005-04-14T12:21:00.000+08:00

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."

just another day

2005-04-13T12:51:00.000+08:00

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

2005-04-13T10:18:00.000+08:00

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 =)

Psalms 86:11

2005-04-12T12:38:00.000+08:00

"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.

Our Chief Shepherd

2005-04-07T06:15:00.000+08:00

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!

inaugural post!

2005-04-05T23:27:00.000+08:00

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