Times and Seasons
This season has been tremendous.
Took my mummy to the Christmas drama. First time I saw her laugh so hysterically over the Three Wise Man. Gary was the one on the stage right. He and the rest of the Two Wise Man dance as if they cannot balance on their legs. Their hand movements and facial expressions are so funny, it is such a creative humour from heaven. Thanks Gary and the rest of you all for making my mummy and the rest of the audience laugh so happily. You are our joy! Thanks to Xuan as well, for a great dance offering!
After drama, I took my mummy for a lunch at food court with my CG members. We have some food before going to the Carnival for some fun. Because my mummy was with me, I want to take good care of her and don’t want her to feel neglected. I will never forget how I neglected my mum when I took her to Hong Kong during my younger days and forgot about her while having fun with my friends. I will also never forget the days of snow-skiing in Korea, and leaving my mummy trying to balance on her own, while wearing her skis. Thus I tell myself if I ever bring my mummy out, I’d remain focus on her needs and not be distracted by the fun things around me.
During carnival, I took my mummy to play ball games because she couldn’t take the rides. We won a soft toy and a gas balloon! We gave all these to baby Dylan.
I remember telling my cg members that I want to play some rides with them. But I couldn’t play immediately cos I was playing ball games together with my mummy. I was definitely enjoying the ball games, but was wondering if my cg members are taking the rides? After a few sessions of games, I took a walk around the carnival hall with my mummy. We saw the Big Ring Ride? (using centripetal force to keep you in place). Suddenly I saw my cg members inside! Oh, its gonna be too late to join them now.
But what happened next I will never forget. It’s a great hint to me from God. The guy in charge of the ride suddenly shout out “ONE more person needed!”. WOW…………… I quickly gave him my $5 coupon and step into the ride, with my cg members just opposite me!
This incident leaves me in AWE. Though it seems like a trivial thing, it has brought alive the Word of God in this very carnival. Times and Seasons are in God’s hands. He is never late. Its not use struggling to bring forward certain things which are not of God's precious Will, or trying to achieve something which God has not told you to. If it is from God, it will come to pass, at the right time.
John 3:27John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.
Matthew 20:6
And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?'
Mark 9:35And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1[ Everything Has Its Time ] To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
Daniel 2:21And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.
Labels: Feelings and Thoughts
A Dance Offering
What is a dance offering?Persevering at all timesDance even when very tiredSmile even when dance badlyJesus is my audienceRemember every complicated steps even when tired mentallyKeep dancing even when teacher scoldsBe faithful even with the intricate dance stepsDoesn't matter if your dance mates are better than youKeep meditating on your dance steps before performingNever be proudDance your very bestMy sister is performing on stage this Christmas drama. She's a very good dancer. Please pray for her, and this Christmas drama.Thank you, wonderful children of God.Labels: Feelings and Thoughts
Love your ENEMIES
Today I drove from my office to Potong Pasir during lunch. On the way, teared a little as I drove. The office battle was too much to bear. How can mankind's character and integrity degenerate to such an extent? Being a good disciple of God in the marketplace truly requires me to put on the WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD. Else I will never survive.Parked at a HDB lot, I took out the little bible I always place in the car. And flipping quickly, I was looking into Psalms for all the verses about adversaries and enemies -- their tongues are so sharp, every words spoken are like arrows piercing into the heart. Searching through every pages in the bible is like hunting for a treasure from God. I managed to find a few verses which really encourage me and give me the revelation to look at things from a fresh angle.1) Remain CALM and sing PRAISE SONGS to God when people hurt you with their wordsPsalm 57: 4-8My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.I went back to office, keeping my cool, and humming lots of praise songs in my mind.
After a while, I felt so peaceful and was in a better position to think clearly and work efficiently.
2) Righteousness in times of Tribulation is a SacrificePsalm 4:4-5Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD. Imagine being polite to someone who was so rude to you in front of everyone? How can I afford to let loose of my wrath when the Name of my precious God is at stake?
3) God's heart is with the righteous. Revenge is in His hands.Psalm 7: 10-11My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart. God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.Psalm 37: 12-15The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct. Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken. Just now a JAMs Church teacher, Kumar, was sharing with me about revenge in God's hands and timing. He mentioned that his colleague deliberately took "MC" on New Year's Eve without consideration that his own duties have to be covered by Kumar (who has already planned his fun activities!) Unwillingly and very very upset, Kumar just helped his colleagues with his duties and forgo his holiday.
But God is a just God. A year later, that colleague of his ended up having to work on New Year's Eve as well and it's compulsory for him! So no escape this time!Labels: Feelings and Thoughts
First Day @ Expo
Just like what sis kless said, its one thing to know that we are going to Expo, but another thing to feel the reality coming to pass.
Today is my first day at Expo. I was so overwhelmed by the size of the hall. Its so big.
I arrived at 8.40am. I was driving. On my way to the car park, I saw many people walking towards Church. I saw many cars. I saw many traffic ushers. I saw a long queue already at Hall 8. I saw many people at the foyer area.
In my heart, I asked God for Peace.
Colossians 3:15 (New King James Version)
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Seeing so many people makes me worried about not able to secure a parking lot, not able to secure a whole row at a good location for our cell group. Am I supposed to come so early all the way from Yishun every week to book seats, and yet there’s already such a long queue at only 8.35am? How am I going to bring my mother and new friends, and ensure that they are comfortable even while queuing up with me? What about big events like Christmas?
All these questions keep running in my mind. I cannot help but feel a sense of insecurity and uncertainty.
But even as these feelings came into my heart, God certainly heard my prayers.
I tell myself that I am not going to squeeze and push with the crowd. I will be gentle even as we make our way down the queue when the auditorium doors open.
Philippians 4:5 (New King James Version)
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Pastor John Avanzini said that a church is powerful not because of its organizational structure, but because it is built on the work of every anointed man and woman of God.
I want to be one of those anointed woman of God.
Even as our church gets bigger and stronger, I will not be proud and forget about myself serving my cg members. In the midst of taking care of my own cg members, I must also consider the needs of other cg members. We are a church united together, all cell groups should care for one another.
As we are going to be history makers, I want to have a part, and STAND IN THE GAP. May it be big or small matters, as long as I fulfill God’s calling, I have not lived this precious life that God has given me in vain.
Ultimately, it is not my glory, but God’s Holy Glory.
Let God open our hearts, and give us a BIGGER HEART – to be quick to Love and to Forgive.Labels: Feelings and Thoughts
Xuan's Special Day
Yesterday was Xuan’s 21st Birthday celebration. It was a very special day for her. TWENTY ONE years ago, as she’s in her mother’s womb, God already has a special plan for her, to give her a future and a hope.
We planned a buffet in the house, and invite all the relatives for a good gathering. Its been a long time since all the relatives have a get together. My mum thought this would be a good opportunity for all of us to come together and “fellowship”…. Heee…..
It was a great time in the afternoon, but nothing beats having a surprise visit from Xuan’s cell group. Kristie and I have been communicating since last week on the “surprises” in store for Xuan. But I believe Kristie was the one who planned most of the surprise, including the gift as well. Thank you Kristie for all the efforts made, to make Xuan’s 21st birthday such a memorable one.
I remember my leaders spoke about the presence – physical presence of friends during times of need. 21st birthday is such an important event, and when you can see your friends coming all the way to your house to give you a pleasant surprise, the Love and Warmth of God suddenly come ALIVE!
Yesterday, Brother Isaiah, Gerald, Kristie, Jing Jun, Lili and Jacky came. It was such a funny experience when Gerald jumped out of the toilet while the rest came out from my brother’s room to present Xuan her birthday cake and sing her birthday song. It was so warm to see Bro. Isaiah and the rest of his members after they have a long day.
Then it was game time. They wanted Xuan to tear out words from the magazines to form this verse from Eph 3: 20 -- “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”
Hahhaha… those who wants to SABO others usually ended up SABOTING themselves…. The magazines have so little vocabulary as those are accounting magazines (that I’ve prepared) and everyone ended up helping Xuan with the words hunting!
But it was so fun.
We have some cakes and dinner and very comical conversations about stars. It was so funny with Bro. Isaiah and Gerald around. Everyone was laughing hysterically.
I really wanted to thank Xuan’s cg for their Love towards one another.
Thank God for Eph 3:20.
Xuan, remember, this is a verse we will always lean on for strength to go on.
Labels: Family
How Great is our God
Yesterday was the last service in Jurong West. It was a sense of joy, coupled with bits of sadness. Everyone was busying taking photos, knowing deep in their hearts, that this familiar scene will soon be history in moments to come.
As I was driving to Jurong West, I was singing…. “Age to age He stands…. And Time is in His hands….. Glorious Redeemer…. You have paid for my life….” Immense love for God was building up in my heart. Indeed no one can know the work God has done from the very beginning. As I look at my spiritual sisters and brothers around me, I will never be able to comprehend the things that God has done, which has brought together so much blessings and happiness. My heart is happy for all of them.
As the service started, and worship began, the first worship song was what I’ve sang in the car earlier on. I was so touched. Because I know God is assuring me that He has heard me sang in the car, He has heard what I told him and He understands.
The presence of God was so strong in the auditorium. I knelt on my knees. I could feel that I love God so much. My life is nothing without Him. He is my Strong Tower, I can run to Him and be safe. I just want to surrender everything to God.
This immense feeling I’ve never felt till yesterday. It was so intense, so overwhelming. The Love seems so tangible. I thank God for His presence.Labels: Feelings and Thoughts
