Sunday, November 13, 2005
Salmon Fish
This is a collage picture of Salmon fish swimming up stream. From what i know is a time of giving birth to the next generation. I have a friend who told me that my character is like the salmon fish, go against all odds. I really don't know how he sees it, but it's true...but i really hope that it is not my stubborn attitude and pride that hinder my growth in the Lord and as a human too!
Dinner with The Hougers on 8 Nov 05
Dinner at Fish & Co., Parkway Branch with my Bible College Principal - Rev. Dr. Weldyn Houger and his wife, Rev. Barbara Houger. Thank God for a wondeful fellowship and also a time of sharing and learning. This picture was taken after we have our meal. Sis. Barb, ordered a normal fish & chips, while Bro. Houger and me ordered New York Fish & Chips. I regretted my choice 'cos, it's salty and heavy as it was deep fried. Guess i will stick to my Corriander Catch next time. They will be flying back to States on 30 Nov 05, it will be another half a year before I could see them. I thank God that I am able to know them and to be taught by them. Thank God that they stay near my place and if could they will send me home after class or school function.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Sunday, June 12, 2005
It's Been A While
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Wheels!
I remembered that when I was a kid, roller-skating was the "in" thing but I got a bad fall that hit the back of my head and a sprained wrist...Thank God I didn't die but one thing was that I was a slower learner for about a decade...Until I got a high fever at the age of 21 or 22..And after that high fever, strange enough, I tend to pick up things faster.
Next was skateboarding...Wanted to learn, I even tried out but no courage to get it move as I find myself unable to balance due to fear....haiz...
Roller Blading...I managed to wear the roller bade but all I did was to stand and tried to move a bit with 2 teenagers holding on to me...Not bad lah...Maybe I will try the next time...hahah...
Ice-Skating...No wheels but I hurt my knee caps while trying to maneuver it, fell down and later part of it over-strained my knees...
Skate-Scootering...At last I am able to learn something that have wheels! Don't have the confidence to try to move around...but I pluck up my courage and try to play with it...and I improved....yeah...Thank God that I am able to learn something new in the Leaders' Retreat 2005!
Friday, May 20, 2005
The Hand of GOD
hand and guide me until the day I see Him in glory land.
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:13 (NKJV)
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
Isaiah 42:6 (NKJV)
"I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles..."
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
TEARS
Picture found from http://www.trekearth.com/themes.php?thid=941
The above picture was named "Tears"
How come I would write on this topic tears? Well, as I am sweeping the floor and praying at the same time - rather talking to Father God, some things in my heart and I told Him that I want to cry and I began to recall the time at age 19, how I prayed to God that I want my tears back.
I was being brought up in a family culture that crying was not good. Maybe the adults don't know how to handle when a kid cries...so by the age of 17, i tell myself not to cry even in tough situations. (I see my mom that even how tough the family situation is or sometimes she quarrelled with my papa, she did not show out her grief or sadness or hurts in terms of tears.
Therefore, in my mind, I some how taught myself that adults cannot cry...and I have problems seeing people cry, especially in church when I was at age 13. To me adults cannot cry).
But I really thank God was that I told Him that I need back my tears, i need to express out how I feel, my emotions....God did answered my prayers.
I read in a small 15min. devotion book by Dr. Ruth Fowke - A Way through Depression, how an article on "Precious Tears" thought me something - that if we divert a child away from his or her tears he/she would learn to suppress his/her tears and in time might become unable to express, or even accept, the powerful feelings behind the outward show of tears. (Paraphrased).
But if an adult cuddled the child when he/she is hurt (to let the child feel safe and secure as to the hurt he/she was experiencing), until the pain abated, then played with him as before, that way the child's confidence and his/her ability to handle the knocks of life would be built up.
Wow, what a powerful effect tears can contribute in our lives. But what I really like and appreciates is that God - our Heavenly Father keeps our tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8)!
I really wonder how big or huge is that bottle!
Okay...that's some thoughts about tears....
Sunday, May 15, 2005
What is Love?
4Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
9For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
Unconditional Love of God
Friday, May 13, 2005
Thank GOD!
Both of us were engrossed in our conversation and suddenly there is this "thud" sound hitting the ground, later I realised that it was a golf ball. Thank God that we didn't walk fast if not either
one of us will get hit or hurt by the hard golf ball!
I really wonder who was the super professional golfer...if not who is able to hit the ball so high
over the fence across the field?
In all thank God for watching over us.
When you get really tired,
Of waiting on God's hand;
Think about Moses,
And the Promised Land.
They all wandered around,
Forty years and many nights;
And they weren't just looking,
At all the pretty sights.
Many wandered around,
And complained, most of them;
That's because their faith,
Grew so very dim.
We must pray and believe,
And then, in God's own time;
You'll receive God's Promise,
And your life He will realign.
Copyright 1999 Brenda A. (Preston) McMahon
Thursday, May 12, 2005
The Principal's Office
Principal from elite primary school: "...girl...you must study hard...if not you will go to stupid secondary school (those not so well-know secondary school - which means those neighbourhood schools)...if you don't behave yourself...(the principal twist his body and opened a cupboard full of canes, try to frighten me)...I will punish you..." (I am just a Primary 2 kid at that time...imagine the stress level I am going through...)
Current Principal from AGBC: " Janey, I would like to encourage you is that..."
Yesterday, 11 May 2005, I have a chat with the Principal for an assessment of my strengths & weakness. When I went back home, besides thinking about what my bible school principal told me, suddenly I recalled of the day when I need to meet my elite primary school principal - just because I flung my test and in that elite school, they want to make sure every student makes the mark of scoring so as not to pull down the ranking of the school. That's why when a student failed a test, he/she could not get back their test papers, not only that, one of the parents need to go to the principal's office together with their child to listen to the principal's story, after that the test papers will be returned to the child so that their mum/dad could sign on the test papers. Sign...tedious...right? What to do? The educational system in Singapore is not targeting at teaching the kids or the students to appreciate that joy of learning but competition and acceptance is only you could prove yourself much more brighter and smarter than any one else. Of course there are a handful of schools that are very good to the students.
Two decades later, I am being found in the principal's office again. Not because I have done something wrong or incorrigible...hahaha....but I would like the principal to give me an assessment of my strengths and weakness - in short what he saw in my attitudes.
I am surprised by the way how he looks at a person and how he encouraged a student. Even he sees a weakness, he did not say that this is a negative side of yours, he simply just said that he would like to see me improve in one of the area of _________.
This is what I really meant by building a student up and really valuing and appreciating the student. I went out of the Principal's office with a sense of renewed strength and I felt that I have gone closer in knowing him. Truly he is a shepherd that I could learn from. (I must also remember that Jesus is the Greatest Shepherd - The Shepherd of my soul).
I remember that I learnt this song "THE SHEPHERD OF MY SOUL" when I am a young Christian:
Shepherd of my soul
I give You full control
Wherever You lead I will follow
I have made the choice
To listen to Your voice
Whenever You may lead I will go
Chorus:
Be it in a quiet pasture
Or by a gentle stream
The Shepherd of my soul is by my side
Should I face a mighty mountain
Or a valley dark and deep
The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide
Hope what I have shared will be a blessing to those who read.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Communion
I remember the 1st time i have a communion with my cell group was the year before I go to Young Adult Service. To remember it, I suggested to the Cell-Leader that I would like to have
communion with the Cell, and coincidently I partake of the communion together with the class today. (It is also small group, the difference was that it was a module - Small Group)
Pardon me, for not writing properly - no inspiration - I don't feel sad, but it's just the normal feeling of someone I loved had to leave. Haiz...they belong to God...not me...this is the first time I really respected my teachers since I entered AGBC....
Monday, May 09, 2005
Animal shaped rubber bands!!!
I found this on the website - it's so cute...I have not seen animal shaped rubber bands. The description says that it will return to it's orginal shape after removing them from the fastened object. Incredible! From this website:http://www.lowermanhattan.info/tools/news/print_story.asp?referrer=/news/lower_manhattan_holiday_gift_48155.asp
Am I stretching my potential?
willing to:
- Take up challenge - not afraid of difficulties, dare to act.
- Take risk - not afraid of failure
- Learn from mistakes - willing to find out from his colleague who is a good baker.
From this small observation, i began to realise that sometimes, we end up doing a heavy portfolio that sometimes kill our brain cells, but if we are(I am) willing to try our best, we may find out what are our(my) talents, giftings or abilities. And if we find that we could not handle it, it is not because we are stupid, it just that we are not cut out for that job.
I went for an interview last Thursday and before I secured this interview, i told God that I would want a simple job, but to my surprise, the job scope offered to me was almost the same as my previous company. The pressure, the speed, the expectations are the same. I told God in my heart that HE must be joking but later I calm myself down by not thinking too much and told GOD to help me to handle the stress level and the pressure if I am being selected.
Before I end, I would like to share a quote from a book I read - THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE by Rick Warren from page 251.
'You will never know what you're good at until you try. When it doesn't work out, call it an "experiment", not a failure. You will eventually learn what you are good at.'
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Are you afraid of the dark?
How i found out she got this fear was that I shared room with her during a church camp few years back and below is the conversation between both of us...
Me: It's time to sleep, let's off the lights...
My friend: NO! I sleep with the lights on.
Me: Oh okay...then i will turn on the bathroom lights at least it will not be glaring ....
My friend: NO! Cannot...I cannot see the lights clearly...it will be dark....
Me: Then...too bad...i sleep with the lights off....(my friend being a young girl - 8 years younger than me....I compromised to her request by letting her to turn on her bed side lights...)
My friend: Sleeping mode....
Me:...Unable to sleep mode.....
About ten mins later, i thought she fell asleep so i went over to her side and want to turn off her lights...but to my amazement...she jumps up and said loudly....NO! DON'T OFF THE LIGHTS!!! and me got a shocked!...After I recovered from that shock, I told her that i will turn on the writing table lamp instead...she agreed...and fell to sleep mode again....
As usual...i climbed out of the bed and wanting to switch off the lamp as i thought she was asleep but she woke up again and said NO! This is amazing...so incredible and in the end, i told her that i have a torch light and she could keep herself accompany using the light that shines from the torch light. She agreed and this time round both of us fell asleep till the next morning.
Next Morning...
My Friend: How come the torch light is off? You turn it off for me???
Me: Hello...the torch light accompany you to sleep for a few hours already and it's out of battery by now! (Besides batteries don't have eternal life like us Christians)
My Friend: Hahahahahaha......face turned red.....
Me: Joke of the morning!
Friday, May 06, 2005
Ouch!
"....you want to become a missionary or a matyr?...."
"....wow...you can preach leh...."
I have received some comments from friends that i could become Pastor, Missionary...blah...blah...but is that what God wants me to be? I don't know...really at this moment I don't know...all I know now is to be faithful in what I have been allocated to me.
I have learnt that it is good to have a heart to serve God, because we do it out of love and not
out of an obligation, but it's another thing to insist on being someone in the Kingdom of God before we starts to serve or think that i will serve full-time as a ________.
No matter in a Christian Org or in a secular job, we are still serving God full-time, it just that the interest of the individual organisation is different. Secular Company wants profit and in Christian Org, mainly is serving people needs prority.
So what am i driving at? Is to recognise that God is the one who knows and has already plan out what He wants us to be...all He requires is our OBEDIENCE. He is the Potter and we are the clay...if the clay resist being moulded by the Potter, it's not the Potter suffers, but the clay. THe clay has to spend extra time and effort to go through the process once again.
I remember one Sunday School teacher said that if we resist God we will remain us a Charcoal and use for BBQ and if we persevere on we will be changed from carbon to a very precious diamond.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
HISTORY MAKER
Truly, the Lord is my History Maker - He had changed my outlook towards life and telling me that He has a plan for me, a plan to prosper me and not to harm me.
I grew up having thoughts of whether could i be someone who earns big bucks or will I even have a future...this is because i don't do well in my accademics studies. I even flung my Primary 5 and need to be transferred to a primary school that is very low in resources and money...it is a run-down kind of study environment. Even though the school may lack the funds needed to refurbish the environment, the teachers that taught me were encouraging. They encouraged the whole class to ask questions if we could not understand, so different from the elite school that I came from.
To cut the whole life story short, based on my poor accademics results, I really wondered will I become a factory worker or someone who is a office cleaner? When i flung my Primary 5 to my parents at that time was like "oh no...my daughter...has no future...die...haiz....don't know next time how she survive..."
But when I come back to God at the age of 19 on NEW YEAR DAY - 01 January 1995, God changed my whole perspective. Now i am a Certified Accounting Technician - ACCA Diploma holder (I have two accounting Diplomas - LCCI 3rd level higher in Accounting Diploma & ACCA C.A.T Diploma). To God be the glory. Besides these two diplomas, i have other miscellaneous certificates.
I worked for ten years in the accounting field...doing from Full-Sets of Book-keeping to becoming an Accounts Assistant in a big company. I thank God for the wonderful change that He has brought in my life.
I am not being perfected yet...I am still being mold by God..and come to think of it...it is really a miracle that I could study Bachelor of Theology in Assemblies of God Bible College.
To God be the glory!
A DIFFERENT THURSDAY
When it is the time for both fighting parties to talk terms...before Balian talks to Saladin (the other fighting party) one of them said that it's time to talk terms or surrender...
Priest: "...surrender...how?...convert to Islam and repent (to God)later?..."
Balian: "....looks at the priest with (oh mind goodness...kind of look) and walks off to meet Saladin to talk terms.
********************************************************************
The above lines are from the show THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. This is the first time I sit through a movie that is 145mins long! Not only that, the first time I watch this kind of movie...but somehow I did enjoy the show. (Thank God too for the free movie ticket).
How come i chose the above lines to write...well it really let us know how human nature works sometimes...especially the priest, someone who should have faith in God, be a Spiritual Counsel/encourager to the knight and villagers...that's his job anyway...but instead of helping...he wants to run and put the villagers in danger.
Being a Christian, I must be careful of not falling into such a situation that my carnal man takes over and loose faith in God. That is why reading the Word of God is so important, fellowship with other godly Christian is a must so that we could keep our fire glowing and burning, practicing is a YES so as to make our foundation strong.
I attend a Bible Study on the Book of Amos in my church, and the invited speaker told us that:
Mind + Heart (understand what the Word says) - Will (practice) = Carnal Christian (Know about God category)
Heart (understand) + Will (practice) - Mind (Word didn't get in the brain) = Emotional Christian (Know about God category)
BUT if a person combines the three important ingredients...
Mind + Heart + Will = A Christian who knows God
Another line I find it is good was (not sure am I right theologically...please give comments...)
The King (before he died) told Balain that when we stand before God, it is our actions that God wants us to account for, not because someone told me to do so (as in someone who is of a higher authority and told us to do certain things which is or are not ethical...).
A lot of times, i heard that well it's the leader told me to do, so if anything wrong, God will judge Him and not me...which to me is just like pushing responsiblity and not be accountable for our own actions. I have heard of Pastors who resign and went to another church to be a member because they felt that they could not agreed with the Senior Pastor. Hummm...what a thought....
NOTE: The above script is being typed with the best memory i could recall what they are trying to say and what I have written here concerning the issues is not trying to sow discord but have heard of it and has been thinking about it...if you disagree it's okay...i will not be angry with you...i am glad that you read my blog and add some comments if you will...let's exchange info...
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Give Thanks...
Before the end of April come, i panicked again as i told God i don't have enough to tie over the month end and especially i need to honour my mission pledge. Even though it is not big amount but it still a pinch in my heart to give out and i left a meagre sum of money. I then told God that XXX amount of money should be enough to tie over April.
23 April 2005, the dancers agreed to have a fund set up so that we have money to buy birthday presents for one another. I have cold sweat by that time i heard that. I told them very straight that i could not give at this moment because i am very tied. Actually inside me i am frustrated. Since there is about one and a half hours before service practice, a few of them agreed to go to the Church library to fellowship but i left and went to the prayer room because i want to read God's Word. In the prayer room, i did read God's Word, but my mind was full of the money issues and how am i going to 'survive' with that sum of money. I wrote down how i feel and told God about my situation and i am getting cold feet....
AWESOME SUNDAY SERVICE - 1.5.2005
This year Labour Day falls on a Sunday and Pastor Chia had announced that Ps. Benny Ho will be preaching on that Sunday. Weena SMSed us leaders and remind us to pray for the people who will beat the altar.
Sunday came and Ps. Benny Ho preached and entitled the message as COMING INTO THE 100 FOLD ANOINTING - it is about an anointing that empowers us with authority. The most important is not to be satisified in whatever you have and stagnate but to hunger after God and His righteousness.
An altar call was given to the believers and i believe a lot of us was challenged to give our 'stale oil' in exchange of 'fresh oil' from GOD. Basically, most of us are hungry. I went down want to receive atouch from GOD and the altar was packed - utterly packed! People was kneeling and standing side by side to each other. Literally, a foot size space here and there to allow movement for leaders to pray forthose believers.
Before the leaders and Pastors were asked to pray, all of us was told to receive the anointing from God ourselves by praying and seeking God. I sensed the presence of God and I believe that He did filled me and i went down to pray for others with the olive oil on my left palm and i got a chance to anoint and pray for the believers.
A miracle (to me) happened, normally i felt that i don't pray well or able to minister well to the believers when i pray for them at the altar, but at that time, after I took a step of faith to step out to pour the olive oil onto my left palm, and the moment i starts to anoint the person i prayed for, even though i may not pray flowery words but the prayer that i made was strong and confident enough....THank GOD and all GLory be to HIM! Amen! Ps. CHia later shared to us that small amount of gold and silver dust was found on Ps. Benny's Bible! Truly God is manifesting His Presence! HAllelujah!
Blog written on 2 May 2005
Yesterday after Service, Dennis suggested that we go to town for lunch and off we go to Raffles CityShopping Centre and have our lunch at Cafe Cartel. We fellowshipped and enjoyed our food. FOr me it is a blessing that I could eat an expensive lunch yesterday as God it is really God who provided me the money to spend. (But could not over spend it too...)
Later we proceeded to shop around and guess what 30 mins. before i left Raffles City, I met Xuehui at the JPG Counter. She called me and we have a great fellowship.I shared to her the awesome work God has done and I could see from her face that she wants to comeback for service and cell but some how find that she is tied up with work. I am glad that I could catch up with her and let her know of the improved services Bethel website included. SHe was glad.
Before I left Raffles Shopping Centre, Mom called and told me to go out for dinner and accompany them to shop at Parkway. I went and after marketing, i told my parents to try the fish at FISH and CO.They did and they loved the fish there. THis year is a year that they eat so call 'western food'.Returned home...feet tired...hot....went to bathe...and watch TV...surf net...call Huimin and catch up with her...found out that she will be going to US to study...so good....never mind..God You open a way for me to go to Waverly Summer School. Hahaha.... :)
Around 10.40pm, Joanna Lim called and asked me whether do i want to catch a movie with her....and besides that we kept on fellowshipping and she shared with me things that encouraged my walk in the Lord. This is the first time that i chat on the phone for almost 3 hours! and of course my HP battery flattened! By the time i went to bed it is almost 2 am! She prayed for me before we put down the phone.Really Thank God for the timely call! PRaise GOd!
Relocate from agraftedbranch.blogdrive.com
Below was written on 2004-12-27 14:05:35
Time really flies as usual people says....2005 is just round the corner.
2004 for me is a year of challenges and unexpectancy.March 2004 i left my ex-company - my third full-time job for a part-time job March 2004 to December 2004 - first time in my life serving the Lord in a Christian Organisation. Getting paid per hourly and really learn how to cope with a bit of money in my pocket. Thank the Lord that i am able to fork out the money to pay for my insurance and my transport, my tithes and mission pleges.Now waiting and looking for a new job opening for me so that i could take up the load of providing for my family expenses again.i hardly can wait for next year to come so that i can go back to Bible School. Well it's tough but i really enjoy the learning process and also the learning environment.
Tried to upload my entries but got problem uploading it....well hope this time can.
In December i have learnt how to really apply Psalm 34:10 "The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing." During cell-meeting, Kelvin and Ruth shared that both of them just don't understand why those who don't do the 'right-thing' get blessed. No one could answered this question, but God reminded me of this verse as we are praying before leaving the home. I believe that the cell got a reminder that God is in control of everything. What is true is that the most important thing in one's life is not power and position but our attitude and response towards God. During an altar call on a Sunday service, i prayed for a youth and she told me that she wants to be set free from the sin of jealousy. Wow! Psalm 34:10b comes to me again...
Reading a book now...entitled "ENVY"...as i read...i really come to a point of understanding what CONTENTMENT really means...it does not meant that we as humans not going to upgrade ourselves to get better and to improve..what it really means is that we wouldn't fall into the trap of comparing with other people and starts to compete with them to be on par with them in terms of money and fame....Thank God for helping me to undertand. To God be the glory.
Received a Christmas Card from Lynn and she told me that she can see the confidence in me when i am dancing...thank God too for i know that the confidence that i have is not from me but from Him. Thank God for it and to Him be the glory for helping me to remember the steps and dance it confidently until i can feel it and others can see it....Love u Jesus...