It always is a shock to see the lights and baubles being put up along Orchard road & hearing the baritone voice of Jim Reeves telling us about how he dreamt of a white Christmas.
Hello November.
We are just inches away from singing Silent Night and Aud Lang Syne. A year has gone by- just like that.
I want to take the next couple of posts to look back at the blessings of 2011, to give thanksgiving to a good God, a wonderful Father, a caring shepherd and the holy spirit who is the best teacher ever.
There is the Nanowrimo event happening this month plus Christmas Advent calendars going on sale and I guess this is my Thanksgiving Advent Calendar being started in Novemer.
Falalalalala. :)
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
A 5.24am thought
It's tomorrow
But I have not slept yesterday away
It's tomorrow
And He has already gone ahead
With blessings
With favour
For one day to the next
I rest
I'm blessed
Amen
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
But I have not slept yesterday away
It's tomorrow
And He has already gone ahead
With blessings
With favour
For one day to the next
I rest
I'm blessed
Amen
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, 4 April 2011
It's been awhile
I haven't been blogging much in a while. One reason is because I am beginning to feel social networking has complicated and perhaps killed some v treasured friendships that were ironically made online... another is because I have been busy being mummy to two boys.
Yup. I have a second little one now and his name is a reflection of my current season- restful laughter. :) Baby Noah Isaac Wee joined our family in mid-Feb this year.
Being a second time mum has brought with it new lessons as every child is different. I am learning how not to compare my children and to lean more on the HS- a very gentle teacher- as I parent two kids in two very different stages of their lives.
I miss the mentorship of an older sister in Christ who perhaps has cut me out of her life, but I am thankful also for other friends and sisters that God has blessed me with. Esp thankful for those who have stood by me through the years... You know who you are. :)
It was a season of growth through the hurts last year and I believe this season is one of rest and laughter as I lean on Daddy God and laugh through the blessings He has showered out family with. :)
I endeavour to write more soon. I abandoned this of for my Tumblr but the latter has its buggy days which threw me off my writing for quite a bit. :) Prob will parallel post. ^.^
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Yup. I have a second little one now and his name is a reflection of my current season- restful laughter. :) Baby Noah Isaac Wee joined our family in mid-Feb this year.
Being a second time mum has brought with it new lessons as every child is different. I am learning how not to compare my children and to lean more on the HS- a very gentle teacher- as I parent two kids in two very different stages of their lives.
I miss the mentorship of an older sister in Christ who perhaps has cut me out of her life, but I am thankful also for other friends and sisters that God has blessed me with. Esp thankful for those who have stood by me through the years... You know who you are. :)
It was a season of growth through the hurts last year and I believe this season is one of rest and laughter as I lean on Daddy God and laugh through the blessings He has showered out family with. :)
I endeavour to write more soon. I abandoned this of for my Tumblr but the latter has its buggy days which threw me off my writing for quite a bit. :) Prob will parallel post. ^.^
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, 12 December 2010
12/12/2010 NCC Sermon Notes (Ps Lian was preaching)
What a blessing to be in a church where Jesus is beautifully unveiled.
Christmas Jokes - Ps Lian
1) What does a mosquito do during the cold winter? - They give u a frost bite. Lol. XD
2) What is the fear of Santa called? - Santaclaustrophobia. XD
Rock kid's testimony:
Ps Lian shared briefly abt a boy with physical condition whose mum was worried for him. He shared with his mum about how Jesus is a healer and shared a Wigglesworth testimony that their teacher told them. The boy was full of faith.
Gabriel- in April this year boy complained of a bruise. Did not go away after a few wks so saw doc n referred to children's clinic at NUH. CTC and MRI scan done and found a tumor right above his brain. Lesion in bone. Shocked. Neuro surgeon asked them to seek second opinion and adviced removal asap. The parents saw Ps Henry who prayed over the boy. Trusted God. Spiritual overdrive and told to rest, go for a movie. Since believed for healing and miracle, decided to go for second scan. But it was still there. Gabriel continued to encourage his parents about testimonies from bible and would remind his mum that Jesus' finished work had healed him. For someone usually very hyper, he related w detail and accuracy what he learned on church. Made apt for 3rd MRI after exams, allowed Gabriel to continue swimming and learning wave board before scan. Gabriel confessed before scan that there will be no tumour and that the LORD l completely heal his skull and that his healing will be a testimony to others. Doc scanned and told them there was gd news. Lesion had regressed significantly. No sign of tumour anymore except for shadows to show shrinking of lesions had coz some scars. Bone restored just as he had prayed. Shared with doc they were Christians and that Christ had healed him. Gab shared w rock kid's teachers he was so thankful he wasn't the son of the doc or else would have been operated on the next day after first scan. Lol.
Christmas is such a special time where we can be used to share with people about Jesus coz they are open to learns out the LORD. Ps Prince first realised there is a God who loves him when he was young and he heard Christmas carols at a church.
Jesus not born on 25/12 but doesn't mean we don't celebrate Christmas, becoz we celebrate anything that glorifies Jesus. Blv Jesus born during feast of tabernacles.
Word was made flesh and DWELLED amongst us- dwelled = tabernacled.
John the baptist born six mths ahead of Jesus. When angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, she went to visit Elizabeth- Elizabeth was 6 mths preg then.
Luke 1:5 -Zachariah from division of Abijah.
V8-9... Serving in the order of his division.
King David had divided priests into 24 divisions. Schedule- One week for each of the divisions. Custom of his time. During May or June, Zac was serving. Count nine months- March or April, John was born. Passover. Count another six mths, discover Jesus born during feast of tabernacles.
Look at feast and have deeper revelation of what God did for us.
The first thing abt feast of tabernacles
Lev 23:39 KJV
15th day of 7th mth (grace and perfection)
1st and 8th day= Sabbath (REST)
Our life will start and end with rest in Jesus.
Hear the Word of Rest today and we shall start and end with Rest and increase.
In the City of David, born to us a Saviour- we dun have to strain and stress out because we have a savior.
When the children of Israel didn't rest- can learn from their mistake.
Ps95:7-11
Trial in the wilderness --- Exo 17:1-7
V1 commanded them to camp in Rephidim (resting and refreshing). They went, but in resting and refreshing, there was no water. So the people contended with Moses. Worried and anxious- followed and obeyed but upset with God becoz felt that they kenah tiok pian (cheated).
It is ne'er His fault and He won't be angry if we question Him during our ordeals. But the Herews here rejected that God was their provider- they wanted to give up on God and return to Egypt.
Testimony that a couple in Australia, Leon and Gerladine, had a baby called Ka'el prematurely. Both took communion in proxy for their child and next day, hospital told them of baby's extraordinary art improvement. Had single handedly ripped out the feeding tube from his stomach. Then he began to feed on his own- ie. He could start to suck the milk on his own. Shocked docs and nurses giving him 24/7 care. Nicknamed him Superman baby. Parents knew right away that Jesus had answered their prayer. What healed him? Jesus and His finished work through the communion. Hole in baby's heart was closed, appetite improved tremendously and baby is growing very well.
Sometimes when we think we rest, then we will see everything happen. Rest is just leaning and believing on Him.
V5-7... When we are unable to rest, we must look to the Cross. Look at how Jesus was struck. Jesus is the rock of our salvation. He was struck and water- rest and refreshing- gushed out.
Do not look at the circumstances. Do not judge me by the circumstances. Believe in what my Son has already done and stand on that.
U can tell him u feel discouraged and anxious BUT don't say God I don't believe, it won't happen.
Despite all the negative thoughts and emotion, speak faith over the situation.
They rested and went to Church camp an hour's drive away although baby was in hospital. Didn't go to the hospital to fret over baby, but trusted in the LORD.
Their eyes were on their Saviour and rested on the body that was broken and the blood that was shed. Believed that His Word is truth- that is rock.
And when u rest, u will surely receive. Amen.
Lev 23:39-43 NIV
See emphasis on celebration:
CELEBRATE the festival for 7 days
REJOICE before the LORD for 7 days
CELEBRATE this for 7 days each year
CELEBRATE it in the 7th mth.
7 feast days
Passover
Unleavened Bread (cruxifiction)
First fruit (resurrection)
Pentecost- marks birth of the church
Tabernacle (Jesus- birth)... Only feast where people asked to celebrate and rejoice.
Day of Atonement- NKJV say celebrate but means "observe" not "celebrate" if u check Hebrew.
Rejoicing is a choice that I make. God wants us to choose to keep our joy everyday becoz there are many things out there trying to rob our joy from us.
Isaiah 12:3- read on feast of tabernacles.
Many wells - how do we draw from these wells? With joy.
Many opportunities to lose our joy but don't let them rob u of ur joy. Joy is like the bucket u use to draw from the many wells. No joy. No bucket. Left with wounded spirit, bitter and angry.
It doesn't matter what the person said a out u even though it is untrue or malicious, let it go.
It is ok to give away my parking lot, but not ok to give away my joy. Although these things are small, but one of many foxes that come to spoil your vine.
So even if ur teacher said something about u, whether true or untrue, don't let it rob u of ur joy.
If u have been criticized, u have attempted something of worth and greatness.
If Satan cannot steal ur joy, he cannot steal ur goods. - Jerry Seville
Cheated of 3k during early years of preaching. Let go of the bitterness and released the guy in Bis getting. Went to the LORD. A few mths later, someone blessed him with 7x3000- 21k perfect restoration.
Gen 26:19-22
Isaac's servants dug the well. Laughter/ Joy's servant dug the well. Other people came to quarrel with him again. What did Isaac/Joy do? Joy let go off the quarrel and strife. Dug another well. Again quarrel erupted so Joy let go of "enmity"- didn't hold on. Third time, dug another well and they did not quarrel over it. Isaac named it "The LORD has made room for us". Rehoboam- spaciousness. When we let go of enmity and strife, the LORD GIVES US SPACIOUSNESS- a place of fruitfulness.
Jesus makes it easy for us to rest and rejoice.
Matt 11:28-30
His Yoke- under OT... see ACTS 15:10. Yoke was the yoke of the law under old cov. Yoke in new cov is yoke of the spirit of grace. We are now in Christ reconciled to our Father and the HS in us, the Spirit of grace, cries out Abba, Father.
The Yoke is easy becoz when u need help, the Spirit cries out to God- Abba Daddy!
John 7:37-38
Hoshanah Rabah- last day of the feast.
Priests will pour water from Siloam and mix with wine- symbolises Jesus the Living Word and the Spirit of God. Water libation ceremony- celebration of life. Rabbis say when u see the water and light ceremony u will know what joy is. But when u know Who He is, joy flows out.
V37- Jesus spells out to them if they have a need to go to Him and DRINK.
V38- he who believes in Me as the scripture has said (that I am ur redeemer, ur all in all), out of his belly will come out rivers of living water(- HS will come forth. "He who supplies the Spirit to u and works miracles among u..."- gal 3:5 He who supplies the Spirt, the Spirit works miracles - miracles will be supplied to u- simply by the hearing of faith.
Jn 9:1-7
Jesus- light.
Siloam- sent. Jesus is the sent one, the savior who was born. The pool.
When blind man went to Siloam to wash, light came and scattered the darkness and it is no more. True restoration and rest.
Inmate from Changi prison came across Solid Rock magazine that someone had brought in. Wrote to NCC to ask for more materials- Ps sent him "Destined to Reign". Read it 4x. Heart moved by Jesus. Had boils and didn't want medicine. After shower in the evening, sat in the presence of the LORD, fellowshipped with Him. Need to see doc pls see doc, but this guy saw the true substance and touched the light. Next morning and issued bread n tea for breakfast, partook it as holy communion. Boils take time to heal but that very same day, all his boils were miraculously healed. Hallelujah.
Our true joy, true light is Jesus.
Christmas Jokes - Ps Lian
1) What does a mosquito do during the cold winter? - They give u a frost bite. Lol. XD
2) What is the fear of Santa called? - Santaclaustrophobia. XD
Rock kid's testimony:
Ps Lian shared briefly abt a boy with physical condition whose mum was worried for him. He shared with his mum about how Jesus is a healer and shared a Wigglesworth testimony that their teacher told them. The boy was full of faith.
Gabriel- in April this year boy complained of a bruise. Did not go away after a few wks so saw doc n referred to children's clinic at NUH. CTC and MRI scan done and found a tumor right above his brain. Lesion in bone. Shocked. Neuro surgeon asked them to seek second opinion and adviced removal asap. The parents saw Ps Henry who prayed over the boy. Trusted God. Spiritual overdrive and told to rest, go for a movie. Since believed for healing and miracle, decided to go for second scan. But it was still there. Gabriel continued to encourage his parents about testimonies from bible and would remind his mum that Jesus' finished work had healed him. For someone usually very hyper, he related w detail and accuracy what he learned on church. Made apt for 3rd MRI after exams, allowed Gabriel to continue swimming and learning wave board before scan. Gabriel confessed before scan that there will be no tumour and that the LORD l completely heal his skull and that his healing will be a testimony to others. Doc scanned and told them there was gd news. Lesion had regressed significantly. No sign of tumour anymore except for shadows to show shrinking of lesions had coz some scars. Bone restored just as he had prayed. Shared with doc they were Christians and that Christ had healed him. Gab shared w rock kid's teachers he was so thankful he wasn't the son of the doc or else would have been operated on the next day after first scan. Lol.
Christmas is such a special time where we can be used to share with people about Jesus coz they are open to learns out the LORD. Ps Prince first realised there is a God who loves him when he was young and he heard Christmas carols at a church.
Jesus not born on 25/12 but doesn't mean we don't celebrate Christmas, becoz we celebrate anything that glorifies Jesus. Blv Jesus born during feast of tabernacles.
Word was made flesh and DWELLED amongst us- dwelled = tabernacled.
John the baptist born six mths ahead of Jesus. When angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, she went to visit Elizabeth- Elizabeth was 6 mths preg then.
Luke 1:5 -Zachariah from division of Abijah.
V8-9... Serving in the order of his division.
King David had divided priests into 24 divisions. Schedule- One week for each of the divisions. Custom of his time. During May or June, Zac was serving. Count nine months- March or April, John was born. Passover. Count another six mths, discover Jesus born during feast of tabernacles.
Look at feast and have deeper revelation of what God did for us.
The first thing abt feast of tabernacles
Lev 23:39 KJV
15th day of 7th mth (grace and perfection)
1st and 8th day= Sabbath (REST)
Our life will start and end with rest in Jesus.
Hear the Word of Rest today and we shall start and end with Rest and increase.
In the City of David, born to us a Saviour- we dun have to strain and stress out because we have a savior.
When the children of Israel didn't rest- can learn from their mistake.
Ps95:7-11
Trial in the wilderness --- Exo 17:1-7
V1 commanded them to camp in Rephidim (resting and refreshing). They went, but in resting and refreshing, there was no water. So the people contended with Moses. Worried and anxious- followed and obeyed but upset with God becoz felt that they kenah tiok pian (cheated).
It is ne'er His fault and He won't be angry if we question Him during our ordeals. But the Herews here rejected that God was their provider- they wanted to give up on God and return to Egypt.
Testimony that a couple in Australia, Leon and Gerladine, had a baby called Ka'el prematurely. Both took communion in proxy for their child and next day, hospital told them of baby's extraordinary art improvement. Had single handedly ripped out the feeding tube from his stomach. Then he began to feed on his own- ie. He could start to suck the milk on his own. Shocked docs and nurses giving him 24/7 care. Nicknamed him Superman baby. Parents knew right away that Jesus had answered their prayer. What healed him? Jesus and His finished work through the communion. Hole in baby's heart was closed, appetite improved tremendously and baby is growing very well.
Sometimes when we think we rest, then we will see everything happen. Rest is just leaning and believing on Him.
V5-7... When we are unable to rest, we must look to the Cross. Look at how Jesus was struck. Jesus is the rock of our salvation. He was struck and water- rest and refreshing- gushed out.
Do not look at the circumstances. Do not judge me by the circumstances. Believe in what my Son has already done and stand on that.
U can tell him u feel discouraged and anxious BUT don't say God I don't believe, it won't happen.
Despite all the negative thoughts and emotion, speak faith over the situation.
They rested and went to Church camp an hour's drive away although baby was in hospital. Didn't go to the hospital to fret over baby, but trusted in the LORD.
Their eyes were on their Saviour and rested on the body that was broken and the blood that was shed. Believed that His Word is truth- that is rock.
And when u rest, u will surely receive. Amen.
Lev 23:39-43 NIV
See emphasis on celebration:
CELEBRATE the festival for 7 days
REJOICE before the LORD for 7 days
CELEBRATE this for 7 days each year
CELEBRATE it in the 7th mth.
7 feast days
Passover
Unleavened Bread (cruxifiction)
First fruit (resurrection)
Pentecost- marks birth of the church
Tabernacle (Jesus- birth)... Only feast where people asked to celebrate and rejoice.
Day of Atonement- NKJV say celebrate but means "observe" not "celebrate" if u check Hebrew.
Rejoicing is a choice that I make. God wants us to choose to keep our joy everyday becoz there are many things out there trying to rob our joy from us.
Isaiah 12:3- read on feast of tabernacles.
Many wells - how do we draw from these wells? With joy.
Many opportunities to lose our joy but don't let them rob u of ur joy. Joy is like the bucket u use to draw from the many wells. No joy. No bucket. Left with wounded spirit, bitter and angry.
It doesn't matter what the person said a out u even though it is untrue or malicious, let it go.
It is ok to give away my parking lot, but not ok to give away my joy. Although these things are small, but one of many foxes that come to spoil your vine.
So even if ur teacher said something about u, whether true or untrue, don't let it rob u of ur joy.
If u have been criticized, u have attempted something of worth and greatness.
If Satan cannot steal ur joy, he cannot steal ur goods. - Jerry Seville
Cheated of 3k during early years of preaching. Let go of the bitterness and released the guy in Bis getting. Went to the LORD. A few mths later, someone blessed him with 7x3000- 21k perfect restoration.
Gen 26:19-22
Isaac's servants dug the well. Laughter/ Joy's servant dug the well. Other people came to quarrel with him again. What did Isaac/Joy do? Joy let go off the quarrel and strife. Dug another well. Again quarrel erupted so Joy let go of "enmity"- didn't hold on. Third time, dug another well and they did not quarrel over it. Isaac named it "The LORD has made room for us". Rehoboam- spaciousness. When we let go of enmity and strife, the LORD GIVES US SPACIOUSNESS- a place of fruitfulness.
Jesus makes it easy for us to rest and rejoice.
Matt 11:28-30
His Yoke- under OT... see ACTS 15:10. Yoke was the yoke of the law under old cov. Yoke in new cov is yoke of the spirit of grace. We are now in Christ reconciled to our Father and the HS in us, the Spirit of grace, cries out Abba, Father.
The Yoke is easy becoz when u need help, the Spirit cries out to God- Abba Daddy!
John 7:37-38
Hoshanah Rabah- last day of the feast.
Priests will pour water from Siloam and mix with wine- symbolises Jesus the Living Word and the Spirit of God. Water libation ceremony- celebration of life. Rabbis say when u see the water and light ceremony u will know what joy is. But when u know Who He is, joy flows out.
V37- Jesus spells out to them if they have a need to go to Him and DRINK.
V38- he who believes in Me as the scripture has said (that I am ur redeemer, ur all in all), out of his belly will come out rivers of living water(- HS will come forth. "He who supplies the Spirit to u and works miracles among u..."- gal 3:5 He who supplies the Spirt, the Spirit works miracles - miracles will be supplied to u- simply by the hearing of faith.
Jn 9:1-7
Jesus- light.
Siloam- sent. Jesus is the sent one, the savior who was born. The pool.
When blind man went to Siloam to wash, light came and scattered the darkness and it is no more. True restoration and rest.
Inmate from Changi prison came across Solid Rock magazine that someone had brought in. Wrote to NCC to ask for more materials- Ps sent him "Destined to Reign". Read it 4x. Heart moved by Jesus. Had boils and didn't want medicine. After shower in the evening, sat in the presence of the LORD, fellowshipped with Him. Need to see doc pls see doc, but this guy saw the true substance and touched the light. Next morning and issued bread n tea for breakfast, partook it as holy communion. Boils take time to heal but that very same day, all his boils were miraculously healed. Hallelujah.
Our true joy, true light is Jesus.
Friday, 10 December 2010
Nesting Instinct continues...
Well, hubby is now away and about to arrive in Gold Coast, Australia. =) Kae is at my parent's for the weekend.
It's just Noah and me... and a ton of laundry to do hahaha.
Just washed a bag I intend to use as a diaper bag, 12 white cotton nappies and am waiting for a laundry load to be done. Phew! I think when the baby comes, I will lose weight very naturally and very quickly from all that breastfeeding and from all the household chores that need to be done- more clothes to wash with a new addition to the family. Lol. Lots more cleaning too coz the house needs to be much cleaner with the baby around the place.
Bought the white cotton nappies because I decided Bum Wear was $$$, takes longer to dry and I am gonna be using both cotton nappies and disposables (Drypers probably- altho' I love Mammy Poko). I am not the "green" sort of mummy- sorry folks! ^.^" Gonna use disposables at night and we head out. Nappies are for day use in the home.
I also bought the nappy liners, breast pads ("Lilypads"- silicon ones) and disposable breast pads (stand by and also to use when we go out... I will be using little cotton towels, folded and tucked into my nursing bra when I am at home. Need to go to the market to get those one of these days hahaha). I got a compact powder by Pigeon meant for baby's butt- compact powder means there will not be loose talcum powder flying all over the place. It's portable and very practical to use. I also have a Kodomo liquid talcum powder that I've been using. This product comes in liquid form which later dries to become powdery to the touch. Cons? It take ages to dry and can be annoying until then. =p Mental note- I have to go get my Drapolene - nappy rash/barrier cream to standby as well.
Hmm... I think we are otherwise pretty much done with our smaller ticket purchases. We are counting on our friends to give us diapers of assorted sizes during the baby shower OR vouchers to help us with our future diaper purchases. Hint hint dear ones! =) Help us out here? =)
For the larger ticket items- we might get a changing table from Kiddy Palace or Ikea (Plastic vs Wood... $140 vs $59). We also need to pick up the baby cot(s) and purchase the mattresses for them- gonna get those breathable/ porous latex ones. =p They cost a bit though. God will provide. Amen.
Hospital bag's all packed and ready to go- baby's receiving blanket and romper (just washed them a few days ago), my clothes, my lingerie, S.napkins, toiletries, documents (i/c and a copy of our marriage cert), breastpads, spare NB diapers in case... I just need to add in the birth plan, the phone, ipod, camera, plus their respective chargers when the time comes.
Just 10 more weeks or so before Noah arrives!
I am sooooo excited and at the same time, I feel overwhelmed by all the cleaning and packing that still needs to be done. This week's gonna be a quieter week though as hubby is away. Gonna wait for him to return before I continue cleaning/storing etc. Really hard to do cleaning all on my own. =p
Resting my way through my nesting instincts. =)
It's just Noah and me... and a ton of laundry to do hahaha.
Just washed a bag I intend to use as a diaper bag, 12 white cotton nappies and am waiting for a laundry load to be done. Phew! I think when the baby comes, I will lose weight very naturally and very quickly from all that breastfeeding and from all the household chores that need to be done- more clothes to wash with a new addition to the family. Lol. Lots more cleaning too coz the house needs to be much cleaner with the baby around the place.
Bought the white cotton nappies because I decided Bum Wear was $$$, takes longer to dry and I am gonna be using both cotton nappies and disposables (Drypers probably- altho' I love Mammy Poko). I am not the "green" sort of mummy- sorry folks! ^.^" Gonna use disposables at night and we head out. Nappies are for day use in the home.
I also bought the nappy liners, breast pads ("Lilypads"- silicon ones) and disposable breast pads (stand by and also to use when we go out... I will be using little cotton towels, folded and tucked into my nursing bra when I am at home. Need to go to the market to get those one of these days hahaha). I got a compact powder by Pigeon meant for baby's butt- compact powder means there will not be loose talcum powder flying all over the place. It's portable and very practical to use. I also have a Kodomo liquid talcum powder that I've been using. This product comes in liquid form which later dries to become powdery to the touch. Cons? It take ages to dry and can be annoying until then. =p Mental note- I have to go get my Drapolene - nappy rash/barrier cream to standby as well.
Hmm... I think we are otherwise pretty much done with our smaller ticket purchases. We are counting on our friends to give us diapers of assorted sizes during the baby shower OR vouchers to help us with our future diaper purchases. Hint hint dear ones! =) Help us out here? =)
For the larger ticket items- we might get a changing table from Kiddy Palace or Ikea (Plastic vs Wood... $140 vs $59). We also need to pick up the baby cot(s) and purchase the mattresses for them- gonna get those breathable/ porous latex ones. =p They cost a bit though. God will provide. Amen.
Hospital bag's all packed and ready to go- baby's receiving blanket and romper (just washed them a few days ago), my clothes, my lingerie, S.napkins, toiletries, documents (i/c and a copy of our marriage cert), breastpads, spare NB diapers in case... I just need to add in the birth plan, the phone, ipod, camera, plus their respective chargers when the time comes.
Just 10 more weeks or so before Noah arrives!
I am sooooo excited and at the same time, I feel overwhelmed by all the cleaning and packing that still needs to be done. This week's gonna be a quieter week though as hubby is away. Gonna wait for him to return before I continue cleaning/storing etc. Really hard to do cleaning all on my own. =p
Resting my way through my nesting instincts. =)
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Articles on Motherhood and Parenting that I wrote
http://www.mummysg.com/forums/content/54-how-avoid-war-your-toddler.html
http://www.mummysg.com/forums/content/55-overcoming-miscarriage-personal-journey-shared.html
http://www.mummysg.com/forums/content/33-separation-anxiety-when-your-kid-starts-pre-school.html
http://www.mummysg.com/forums/content/32-i-breastfed-3-years-loved.html
http://www.mummysg.com/forums/content/55-overcoming-miscarriage-personal-journey-shared.html
http://www.mummysg.com/forums/content/33-separation-anxiety-when-your-kid-starts-pre-school.html
http://www.mummysg.com/forums/content/32-i-breastfed-3-years-loved.html
Third Trimester- by grace alone =)
Well, here we are in the third trimester of my pregnancy =) I've been blogging at "http://bygracealone.tumblr.com/" pretty regularly but as tumblr is down- still- here I am at my trusty good ol' blogger blog again.
I am now 30 weeks preggers and Noah's been really active. He has been doing his regular kickboxing exercises in there with stronger punches and kicks. =) I am going to miss all of that when he comes out into this world, but then I will get to smell his sweet baby smell and watch him gurgle, coo and smile. Warm and fuzzy feelings here. =D
Ian will be going off on a work trip to Australia in 2 days time for about a week. I praise God that it is just for a week because he was orig scheduled to be there for longer, but the team finished the shoot earlier so he is able to go there earlier and return faster after packing up all the stereoscopic equipment. I will miss his help getting out of bed and doing stuff around the house when he is away. I am about 83kg or so right now and I have days where I feel like a beached whale hahaha... but I know all this weight will melt away when baby arrives and I start breastfeeding & caring after our little guy.
We will be going for our gynae appointment later on and we believe that the baby and the placenta are both in a good position for me to have natural delivery without epidural. =) Always expecting only the best from Daddy God because He is faithful to deliver. ^.^ <3
I am now 30 weeks preggers and Noah's been really active. He has been doing his regular kickboxing exercises in there with stronger punches and kicks. =) I am going to miss all of that when he comes out into this world, but then I will get to smell his sweet baby smell and watch him gurgle, coo and smile. Warm and fuzzy feelings here. =D
Ian will be going off on a work trip to Australia in 2 days time for about a week. I praise God that it is just for a week because he was orig scheduled to be there for longer, but the team finished the shoot earlier so he is able to go there earlier and return faster after packing up all the stereoscopic equipment. I will miss his help getting out of bed and doing stuff around the house when he is away. I am about 83kg or so right now and I have days where I feel like a beached whale hahaha... but I know all this weight will melt away when baby arrives and I start breastfeeding & caring after our little guy.
We will be going for our gynae appointment later on and we believe that the baby and the placenta are both in a good position for me to have natural delivery without epidural. =) Always expecting only the best from Daddy God because He is faithful to deliver. ^.^ <3
Monday, 25 October 2010
24/10/10 Sermon by Ps Prince on Bible Hope- how it never fails
Testimony:
Pics of a totally turtled and totaled car. Driver and passenger from NCC. Mavis Ong n her son.
725am sending kid to school in Woodlands. They were on the Seletar expressway. Listening to sermon about how God saved Noah and his family. Someone suddenly hit their car from the back and their car spun and turn-turtled. She screamed JESUS at least five times. Couldn't hold her son and he kept very quiet and the seat belt clung onto him. Her kid's limbs didn't fling about even as car spun in midair- Jesus held on to them. The car that knocked them hit another car and truck. Neither her nor her son were hurt or whiplashed. The sermon was still playing in the car that was now a wreck. She let it keep playing to fill the situation with His Word. Whoever came to their aid, she told them about Jesus and Rom10:13. The guy who hit them was in a worse state although her car was more wrecked than his was. Her hubby was going to wk around that time and felt impressed to turn off radio and pray in tongues for them. Power of marrying a believing spouse. Later found out that all the doors were jammed and only driver's door wasn't jammed so she could get out n help her
son get out. Jesus was behind it. No Amt of safe driving could have helped them but Jesus. A lady who stopped to help them called to thank them. She was moved by sermon playing from car wreck and by what she witnessed. She said her hubby and her were having problems and what she witnessed in Mavis' accident has strengthened her belief in Christ. :) Devil meant to harm them but many blessings came from this incident. No one was scratched but Mavis's son's new water bottle. Lol.
God's deliverance system- by the foolishness of preaching to sozo us. Keep on speaking forth the water. Sozo- save, heal and deliver. We are going back go better circumstances and better financial situation and better family relationships and better health.
Ppl of the world think they are broad minded but investing time and energy in what is temporal, empty. We are pursuing things that are eternal, with true substance. So who is truly broadminded? It takes greater stupid faith to look at all these things & believe there is no god.
Our earth is precisely where it should be. A little closer... Just a few miles... And the Sun would burn us up. A little further and we would freeze. And they say there is no God.
Jesus said if u speak to the mountain and the mountain will move. We will have whatever we say. Ur expectation must be in the right place. U must speak what u want and expect what u speak. Don't doubt it. Mountain = insurmountable problem. Speak to the mountain. Not to Him. There is a place to speak to Him also. Jesus never prayed for ppl to be healed. He spoke over the illness of the ppl. "Women you are loosed from your infirmity."
Speak to Ur body in Jesus's name. :)
I curse this growth in Jesus's name. I curse this financial problem in Jesus's name.
Keep on speaking and speaking. Keep speaking the word of God in faith.
Heb3:1
Christ is the HP of our confessions.
Homologio- confession not of sin. It means keep speaking the same.
See heb4:14. U cannot hold fast to a confession of sin.
Heb10:21-23. Once u know Jesus Christ died for Ur sins. Cleansed in Greek means cleansed once and for all. Evil conscience- keep feeling condemned, guilty. We should have a righteous consciousness. To have sin on our consciousness is to insult the one who paid for it.
V23- HOLD ON TO THE CONFESSION OF OUR HOPE (Elpis- bible hope. Not faith.) BECAUSE THE GOD WHO PROMISED IS FAITHFUL.
There is a teaching that u must have faith and not hope. But that's not true, when u hold fast to confession of bible hope, the faith is released.
Elpis- joyful and confident expectation of good.
This is bible hope. It is not a maybe hope or wishful thinking. Bible hope is a CERTAIN expectation of good. U know and are confident it will happen.
Woman with issue of blood. She had issue of blood and had hope that if she touches His garment she SHALL be healthy. Was able to visualize that she could be healed. No healed yet but had a confident expectation of good.
Bible hope has to do with salvation. Because Christ has died for us, we are confident that Jesus will always come through for us.
Heb 11:1
Before there is faith, there is hope. Faith is the SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR. Heb 11:1
No hope = nothing for faith to build upon on.
Have confident expectation and prepare for the good to come through.
We can say WE WILL HAVE DOUBLE RESTORATION even when we face trouble.
Not human hope- "Maybe lor." or "See how lah."
God has promised and He is FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISES.
The world likes to say don't raise people's hope because that is human hope. It always disappoints.
But bible hope ne'er disappoints.
Romans 5:1-8
Justified by faith leads to 5 results.
Righteousness is right standing before God is not bases on our performance but through the finished work of Christ. It is a gift.
1) PEACE with God through Christ. Peace with the one who really matters. Doesn't matter what ppl say abt u. God sings over us (see Zephaniah).
2) ACCESS into FAVOUR ground. Grace = favour. Personal access to His grace and all the favor of God that u have read about. The favor on Noah and Ruth and Abraham... U have access to this FAVOUR. Ppl dunno why but wants to work with u. Ppl who have demonic influences can treat u badly still though because the demonic influence in them are afraid that u have favor. Love that person as it causes His light to fall upon the darkness & releases the favour.
3) Confident God's glory will manifest in Ur life. There is a glory that envelopes us. Man was created to have dominion over circumstances through his words. Adam forfeited it when he sinned. Lost the glory. But Christ came and showed how man is supposed to function. He spoke and the wind and waves listened; He spoke and illness had to flee. Curse is speaking negative. Don't speak what people speak over u. Don't speak negative over Ur family.
4) We also glory in our troubles. Nothing happens that doesn't go through the filter of God. All things will work for your good to showcase His glory. See Joseph's life. The things that happened to him wasn't funny. But the chain of negative circumstances that happened to him were stepping stones to His glory. He can take everything negative the devil throws at u and turns it into double restoration. He will cause all your troubles to work for u, not against u.
Troubles produce character and that in turns produce perseverance. Soldiers made in the furnace of affliction, not through lying down and playing dead.
Steel- made into horse shoe is $30, made into small springs for Rolex watches $1000. Same steel but one more refined and crafted than the other.
Some ppl always angry with their circumstances. But see that sometimes these troubles are food for Ur character. Proven character is confident expectation of God's goodness. Raise Ur bible hope. Bible hope will never put u to shame. Amen!!!!!
** WHEN DOES HOPE NOT DISAPPOINT?
Whenever we feel God loves us. See Rom5:5.
Father I know this day will be a good day. Ur favor will surround me. Ur goodness has gone ahead of me. Because U love me.
Call out for the results u want, even though haven't manifested, because God loves u. U are the child of God.
Because YOU love me, Daddy God, I am greatly blessed, no evil can come upon me.
When u have a sense that God loves u, good things happen to u.
Sometimes before u even pray, He brings the answer. :)
"Before they call, I will answer" says God.
U are God's beloved- primary role of HS is to show us we are God's beloved.
He that endures to the end will be saved. :)
Bible tells us God wants us to be prisoners of hope- to blv the best in the worst of situations.
Eg of this? Abraham!
Roman 4:17-22
Sometimes God's promise goes beyond our understanding. He sees the end from the beginning. God calla those things that haven't exist as though they are. He spoke light when He saw darkness and there was light. U must speak first then u will see. If u see first then speak, will not see it.
Abraham, who contrary to hope, in hope, believed. He had confident expectation of God's goodness.
Hope comes first then faith happens.
Abraham, against hope, believed in hope.
Zechariah 9:11-12
The blood of Jesus is powerful. It is God's righteousness. Frees us from waterless pit.
Even when we do wrong, God sees us right. Not encouraging us to do wrong. It embolds us to keep doing right because He sees us right.
I am a hopeless prisoner of hope. Lol. U are a prisoner of hope whether u like it or not. He will restore double to us. Restoration is coming our way. Haven't happened yet but SMILE because Ur future is bright. U are His object of love and care. Double means what? PLENTY. MORE THAN ENOUGH.
Eph 6 says out on His armour. The devil can't tell who is inside when u are inside. Helmet of Salvation= 1 Thess 5:8... Helmet that protects Ur mind from stinking thinking.
Morning woke up happy. By night time feel blah. Not circumstances that happened to u. Ur thinking changed. No one can make u angry. U have to know it and think about it. If God didn't put glory into the criticism they say, forget it... because God can make every word of theirs to fall to the ground. Don't bother about the naysayers.
Ppl talk bad about us all the time. Dunno dun affect us. When we know, then we think and react and we choose how we want to react.
It's more important to be at peace than to be right. If u fight to be right, U can lose Ur peace and Ur joy and Ur health. If God defends who can attack?
We are all in charge of our emotions. Guard Ur mind with the helmet of positive expectation of GOOD.
Jesus loves me so bad things will not happen to me.
Don't let the devils move u out of that personal revelation of God's love with thoughts like "This can happen to u. No one knows." Speak and say "Jesus, thank you that you are the high priest of my confession and this bad thing will never happen to us."
Ps60:7- Ephraim is the helmet for My head.
Who is Ephraim? Key is in hebrew - "Double fruitfulness."
God thinks MORE THAN ENOUGH... put on that helmet. Not the world's helmet of negative thoughts.
NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME. TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION. FAVOUR EXISTS IN THR REALM OF NOW. I AM THAT I AM. NOT I WILL BE IF I WILL BE.
Live in His NOW not in the "what if"...
Luke -
Opens up with Zechariah, John the Baptist's dad. The Priest will come out to bless the people from the temple. Nothing more tragic to Israel than a dumb/ mute priest.
Zechariah- God remembers.
Elizabeth- God's promise
John- God's Grace
God remembers His promise to give grace.
Angel appears to Mary and she asks HOW it will happen. Didn't doubt but marvelled. Gabriel appeared to Zechariah but he questioned HOW CAN THAT BE? He doubted. So God shut his mouth to prevent him from speaking against the blessing.
So Luke opens with a dumb priest that cannot bless. How did Luke end? See Lk24:50- He opened up His hands and blessed (eulogio) them. The last pic of Jesus - a High Priest that blesses.
He was parted from them: He was unwilling to stop blessing them. He did not depart. He was parted from them.
And we say what He says. He says u are blessed, so u say u are blessed. Homologio.
The prayer of Apostle Paul Rom15:13- prayer for abounding hope.
GOD IS THE GOD OF HOPE.
Keep on rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. If u are in trouble, u also rejoice becoz Ur hope will not disappoint. Jesus loves u and u are coming out of trouble. And it came to pass. Ur troubles may seem forever but it will pass. Joseph and David had seasons of trouble but season are not forever. Rejoice in tribulation. Character being moulded so He can trust u with more and more. God is a present help. Don't allow yourself to regret yesterday or worry about tomorrow. His grace will swallow up Ur mistakes and Ur worries and Ur troubles.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch.
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Like an aircon that needs regular maintainence
The aircon maintainence guys came by earlier to service our three aircons and our bedroom aircon will require chemical cleaning soon.
The person explained that as it was getting choked inside, the normal maintainence cannot get at the dirt lodged deep inside the coil. It can only clear the surface parts. We will need chemical cleaning to resolve the intermittent bursts of aircon (it should be a constant flow) and the longer duration requires to cool our room down. Thereafter, we should have a regular maintainence schedule to keep the aircon in tip top shape.
I couldn't help but think it was a metaphor for maintaining our spiritual life too. Sometimes we get so caught up in our day to day tasks/ chores, we have barely anytime to spend with the HS, in the Word.
Over time, we start being more easily affected by external circumstances or people. Our emotions feel the strain and we might feel down, angsty or emo. It takes longer to cool off or to shake off our frustration.
Things that we know have no power over us in Christ also seem to be able to get to us because we have become dusty from what the world says. We forget His truth is The truth and it overcomes what doctors say, what people around us tell us, and what is printed or represented in the media.
Like my aircon, I realise the constant need to maintain my inner man's health by spending quiet time each day.
Reading His Word clears up my fears, anxieties and worries. Why wait until something bad occurs before we hit rock bottom and run to Jesus? Keep walking with Him, by Him, listen to the HS's gentle leading each day and nothing can faze us.
As we let His promises and His truth wash over us, the dustiness of this world is cleansed away and we can see afresh with spirit eyes what our inheritance is as heirs to the promises in Christ Jesus. :)
Perfect love casts off all fear, all anxiety. How lovely to bask in it as often as possible. :))
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch.
The person explained that as it was getting choked inside, the normal maintainence cannot get at the dirt lodged deep inside the coil. It can only clear the surface parts. We will need chemical cleaning to resolve the intermittent bursts of aircon (it should be a constant flow) and the longer duration requires to cool our room down. Thereafter, we should have a regular maintainence schedule to keep the aircon in tip top shape.
I couldn't help but think it was a metaphor for maintaining our spiritual life too. Sometimes we get so caught up in our day to day tasks/ chores, we have barely anytime to spend with the HS, in the Word.
Over time, we start being more easily affected by external circumstances or people. Our emotions feel the strain and we might feel down, angsty or emo. It takes longer to cool off or to shake off our frustration.
Things that we know have no power over us in Christ also seem to be able to get to us because we have become dusty from what the world says. We forget His truth is The truth and it overcomes what doctors say, what people around us tell us, and what is printed or represented in the media.
Like my aircon, I realise the constant need to maintain my inner man's health by spending quiet time each day.
Reading His Word clears up my fears, anxieties and worries. Why wait until something bad occurs before we hit rock bottom and run to Jesus? Keep walking with Him, by Him, listen to the HS's gentle leading each day and nothing can faze us.
As we let His promises and His truth wash over us, the dustiness of this world is cleansed away and we can see afresh with spirit eyes what our inheritance is as heirs to the promises in Christ Jesus. :)
Perfect love casts off all fear, all anxiety. How lovely to bask in it as often as possible. :))
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
A reflection on that which is transient n that which is forever
I haven't been writing much quiet time reflections in the recent months, not so much because I have nothing to reflect on, but there are so many personal moments of quiet repose and resting with Daddy God.
There are some sadness that cannot be put into words, and other happiness that I decided to keep private with my family at first. There were moments of thoughtfulness as I rested from writing and took in His Word that comforts and recharges as well.
Sometimes, it is hard to imagine what tomorrow may bring. Friendships that feel like they can last forever find themselves faded over time, worries and cares that seemed so real in the past are brushed off today because of the firm foundation I have in His wonderful victory, kids grow and blossom, parents age gracefully... So I endeavour this day to enjoy today as it is. Every today I have, I rejoice for this is the day that the LORD has made. =)
There are some days that I sit here, on my bed, and muse about how far I have come from despair and despondency (which I have blogged about before). That probably is my greatest comfort- that as bittersweet some of life's experiences can be, I have learned to take my emotions and thoughts captive in Christ so that no matter how my feathers are ruffled, the Holy Spirit is never far to comfort, to teach, to whisper about my covenant friend, my LORD and Saviour, to heal wounds that only He can heal. In Him, I have a peace and calm I never knew before.
I count my blessings and there are plenty. Praise Jesus. And in counting these blessings, I discount the losses for I will always have life and life more abundantly in Christ ^.^!! What I lose or am robbed of, He always gives back in abundance. ^.^
Grass withers and flowers fade but the Word of our God stands forever. How wonderful to always hold that truth close to our hearts.
What is His Word on love?
1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us."
Without His love, we cannot love unconditionally. 1 John 3:14 further speaks of how when we have no love, we are dead. John probably means that when we find it hard to love from His love, we have yet to fully die to our flesh and rise to our new life as believers. We are breathing but somewhere inside, something is still not alive.
What does this all mean?
If there is a brother or sister we feel has fallen from grace, we love them back to Him.
If there is a brother or sister who no longer feels lovely to our flesh, we love them from His love.
If there is a brother or sister who is doing wrong, we pray for their victory because He first loved.
If there is someone (believer or not) who hates us or speaks ill of us, we continue to love them with His love no matter how it cuts because hate, despair, condemnation only grows bitterness in the heart.
And it is this love that He pours out in us, in me, that helps me get through the darkest days because His Son-shine always casts a light where I sit, stand and walk- a pillar of passionate love in the deepest night, a cloud that shelters me from the blistering heat of this world.
It is this love that makes it possible for me to wake up every morning to say a heartfelt and thankful Hallelujah where I once used to wake up and bemoan that I had another 24 hours to try to get through.
Thank God for that which is forever because this forever love makes it easier to exhale the transient and draw from His grace that is available for every moment of our lives- the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly.
There are some sadness that cannot be put into words, and other happiness that I decided to keep private with my family at first. There were moments of thoughtfulness as I rested from writing and took in His Word that comforts and recharges as well.
Sometimes, it is hard to imagine what tomorrow may bring. Friendships that feel like they can last forever find themselves faded over time, worries and cares that seemed so real in the past are brushed off today because of the firm foundation I have in His wonderful victory, kids grow and blossom, parents age gracefully... So I endeavour this day to enjoy today as it is. Every today I have, I rejoice for this is the day that the LORD has made. =)
There are some days that I sit here, on my bed, and muse about how far I have come from despair and despondency (which I have blogged about before). That probably is my greatest comfort- that as bittersweet some of life's experiences can be, I have learned to take my emotions and thoughts captive in Christ so that no matter how my feathers are ruffled, the Holy Spirit is never far to comfort, to teach, to whisper about my covenant friend, my LORD and Saviour, to heal wounds that only He can heal. In Him, I have a peace and calm I never knew before.
I count my blessings and there are plenty. Praise Jesus. And in counting these blessings, I discount the losses for I will always have life and life more abundantly in Christ ^.^!! What I lose or am robbed of, He always gives back in abundance. ^.^
Grass withers and flowers fade but the Word of our God stands forever. How wonderful to always hold that truth close to our hearts.
What is His Word on love?
1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us."
Without His love, we cannot love unconditionally. 1 John 3:14 further speaks of how when we have no love, we are dead. John probably means that when we find it hard to love from His love, we have yet to fully die to our flesh and rise to our new life as believers. We are breathing but somewhere inside, something is still not alive.
What does this all mean?
If there is a brother or sister we feel has fallen from grace, we love them back to Him.
If there is a brother or sister who no longer feels lovely to our flesh, we love them from His love.
If there is a brother or sister who is doing wrong, we pray for their victory because He first loved.
If there is someone (believer or not) who hates us or speaks ill of us, we continue to love them with His love no matter how it cuts because hate, despair, condemnation only grows bitterness in the heart.
And it is this love that He pours out in us, in me, that helps me get through the darkest days because His Son-shine always casts a light where I sit, stand and walk- a pillar of passionate love in the deepest night, a cloud that shelters me from the blistering heat of this world.
It is this love that makes it possible for me to wake up every morning to say a heartfelt and thankful Hallelujah where I once used to wake up and bemoan that I had another 24 hours to try to get through.
Thank God for that which is forever because this forever love makes it easier to exhale the transient and draw from His grace that is available for every moment of our lives- the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly.
In Memory of Friends Lost
When mortal friendship fades
Weeping petals in its wake
It is a clear reminder
That only one friend
Truly is full of grace
Truly is full of love
Truly befriends with no condition
Truly cares with no expiry date
One name comes to mind
Jesus
Weeping petals in its wake
It is a clear reminder
That only one friend
Truly is full of grace
Truly is full of love
Truly befriends with no condition
Truly cares with no expiry date
One name comes to mind
Jesus
Possible Names for Sticky Bean
Lol. Just saw my friend from UK has named her kid Sofia.
Ok, just to clarify, I've been meaning to name my first daughter (which will be sticky bean if sticky bean is a girl) Sophia Charis (or Chanya) Wee En Xi for a looooong time (years already since I thought her name out... just like I thought of the name Kaelen when I was in my teens hahaha).
Initially, I wanted to name her En Hui which is the direct Chinese translation for her English name (Wisdom= Sophia, Hui & Grace= Charis/Chanya, En)... but a CG member named her daughter that so I was like aiya... then I thought it'd be nice to change my daughter's mandarin name to En Xi (Grace Rejoice) instead. I want her to be wise, grace-filled and joyful! =)
If our sticky bean is a boy, I will prob name him Noah Isaac Wee Zhong Feng (Noah= Restful (and the story of Noah was also the first time Grace appeared in the bible if I recall correctly), Isaac= Laughter, Zhong= Loyal (same first half as Kae's mandarin name), Kai= Generous (from the mandarin term "kang kai").
As you can see I want my kids to be joyful and cheerful, grace-filled, conquerors in Christ.
Ok, just to clarify, I've been meaning to name my first daughter (which will be sticky bean if sticky bean is a girl) Sophia Charis (or Chanya) Wee En Xi for a looooong time (years already since I thought her name out... just like I thought of the name Kaelen when I was in my teens hahaha).
Initially, I wanted to name her En Hui which is the direct Chinese translation for her English name (Wisdom= Sophia, Hui & Grace= Charis/Chanya, En)... but a CG member named her daughter that so I was like aiya... then I thought it'd be nice to change my daughter's mandarin name to En Xi (Grace Rejoice) instead. I want her to be wise, grace-filled and joyful! =)
If our sticky bean is a boy, I will prob name him Noah Isaac Wee Zhong Feng (Noah= Restful (and the story of Noah was also the first time Grace appeared in the bible if I recall correctly), Isaac= Laughter, Zhong= Loyal (same first half as Kae's mandarin name), Kai= Generous (from the mandarin term "kang kai").
As you can see I want my kids to be joyful and cheerful, grace-filled, conquerors in Christ.
Monday, 26 July 2010
We are expecting =)
Well, I am about 2 weeks away to my next gynae appointment and am very excited. Sticky Bean is now 9 fetal weeks old (which is 10 gestational weeks). According to my app on iPod Touch, he or she is the size of a prune (3.81cm). When we last saw Sticky Bean, he or she was 2.21cm (see attached picture). =)
The gynae gave the EDD (est due date) as 21/2/2011.
All glory to God =)
Having plenty of cravings with this little Sticky Bean. Kwei Pie Tee, Kimchi Ramen, Ginseng Chicken Soup, North Indian Chaads... =))
Also feeling plenty of nausea but barely puking (I generally refuse to puke no matter how much I feel like it). The doc says it is a good thing because it means my preg hormones are strong. Hurrah!
I am not sure if it is gas in my stomach or Sticky Bean's somersaults I am feeling, but I have been experience flutterings. As this is not my first preg, the flutterings will come early, but I am not sure if it does THIS early. Lol. If it is hurrah! If it isn't, my stomach is sending out morse code signals to me.
Avoiding Singapore Motherhood Forums as I honestly feel that people scare each other on those forums. All this negative talk is fear inducing and faith shaking. I'm happier reading my Bible, tucking into Nerida Walker book and sermons, as well as gobbling up "Supernatural Childbirth" by Terry Mize. These are needful spiritual food. =)
Checking out some websites with real nice maternity clothes, but they must be purchased online. As tech saavy as I am, I still prefer trying out clothes before I buy them. Jap, Taiwanese designs are so kawaii. I really am not fond of those aunty aunty European Angmor designs. Someone bring cuter maternity clothes to Singapore already!!! =ppp
Ok gonna go take my vitamins and snooze. Feeling very sleepy (generally feeling sleepy ALL the time these days... Hahaha)
Zzzzz with love,
Geri
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Agreeing to Disagree
Was reading the ST Forum earlier and saw this letter (insert) from Dr Tan Soo In:
--------
Jun 18, 2010
On evangelists and religious convictions
I REFER to Wednesday's editorial, "Points to ponder when sermons chafe".
I believe there are a number of issues here. First, is the call to speakers of all religions, and indeed secularists, not to ridicule and run down other religions and belief systems in their sermons and talks. This is right and timely. In an increasingly global and interconnected world, we must be vigilant to protect the religious harmony we enjoy.
However, the same editorial also calls on evangelists to study anthropology and comparative religions so that they would not "fail to notice a difference between an ethnic cultural practice with no religious overtones and an overtly religious ritual".
The truth is many Christian seminaries have had anthropology and comparative religions on their curriculum for a long time now. It is possible that after having the benefit of studying them, I will still arrive at convictions about my religious practices, and the practices of others, and still believe that what might be considered cultural by others is still religious to me.
Dr Tan Soo Inn
----- end quote
Honestly, I agree with the writer. I grew up experiencing myriad religions from Taoism, Buddhism to Roman Catholicism and each are so distinctively different. I also had Muslim housemates from Syria & Nigeria when I studied abroad. My Syrian housemate and I would also sit down after dinner to discuss our beliefs and our family, our countries of origin and our perception of God and the middle eastern situation. We shared our differences with open minds and hearts. He would sit there with his Koran and I with my Bible. We knew our beliefs differed greatly but we shared about it and about hope and about our lives back home. He shared about his wife not being allowed out of Syria along with him for fear that they would escape from Syria, how he couldn't study medicine and be a doc as the govt quota had been acheived, so he had to study something else and he ran a factory making clothes. My eyes were opened to a whole new world. Those were the days. Muneeb was like an elder brother to me and I wish we were still in touch. I wonder often about his family and hope they are doing fine.
I digress.
I would call myself a pretty open-minded person but I draw a line with regards to agreeing to agree that I think that all cultural practices draw parallels and similarities to my faith. It just isn't this way.
Wearing red for luck is a Chinese superstition that I cannot agree with for example. I don't agree with superstitions basically and many of these are perceived to be cultural. But a lot of them have religious roots. Even Qing Ming Jie where the Chinese pay homage to ancestors through ancestral worship is part cultural and part religious. We practice visiting the graves with the older generation as part of our culture, but we do not make offerings to them aka ancestral worship. I guess as more of my older generation become Christian, I would rather spend Qing Ming as a day to remember them fondly over a meal and to keep memories alive. Talk about all those times together with them and all the fond or funny instances durin our interactions with them. The grave to me is not where they are at. That's an empty shell left behind. I celebrate their life and not their death. I don't believe in afterlife; I believe in more life. :) I believe we are truly alive with God the Father when we wake up from our sleep (Christians don't die. They sleep.)
It's unreasonable and narrow minded to say that Christians have the freedom to worship God but must compromise by agreeing to agree. Again, I say, I draw the line at agreeing to disagree with other religions. I don't go around telling people that their religion is wrong regardless of what I believe in, so I don't expect people to tell me my faith is wrong, or that it is wrong for me to disagree with other religious theology simply because I live in Singapore. It is unreasonable and we are naive if we claim that all of us can be on the same page with regards to religion. It's just so personal at the end of the day.
If I really wanted to pick bones, I would question MOE- why do our local Chinese textbooks feature Chinese mythologies in them that talk about Taoist deities? I would ask them why kids of differing religions have to study these mythologies as part of their curriculum. Can't we have more neutral stories in the textbooks? And why must kids learn the name Fo (Buddha) when they learn the "or" sound in Chinese? Why not use the more neutral Bo (uncle) or Po (grandmother) instead?
This is a subject that has no end if we want to pick at it. Sometimes it is best to acknowledge that we can never be the same in one area, and then choose to let go and refuse to not to be offended. After all being offended or not boils down to a personal choice. Instead, let us bond over the many other areas we find similarites in- football, food, movies, Korean dramas (hehe), concerns about our children and the well-being of the elderly and disabled, YOG, etc etc.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch.
--------
Jun 18, 2010
On evangelists and religious convictions
I REFER to Wednesday's editorial, "Points to ponder when sermons chafe".
I believe there are a number of issues here. First, is the call to speakers of all religions, and indeed secularists, not to ridicule and run down other religions and belief systems in their sermons and talks. This is right and timely. In an increasingly global and interconnected world, we must be vigilant to protect the religious harmony we enjoy.
However, the same editorial also calls on evangelists to study anthropology and comparative religions so that they would not "fail to notice a difference between an ethnic cultural practice with no religious overtones and an overtly religious ritual".
The truth is many Christian seminaries have had anthropology and comparative religions on their curriculum for a long time now. It is possible that after having the benefit of studying them, I will still arrive at convictions about my religious practices, and the practices of others, and still believe that what might be considered cultural by others is still religious to me.
Dr Tan Soo Inn
----- end quote
Honestly, I agree with the writer. I grew up experiencing myriad religions from Taoism, Buddhism to Roman Catholicism and each are so distinctively different. I also had Muslim housemates from Syria & Nigeria when I studied abroad. My Syrian housemate and I would also sit down after dinner to discuss our beliefs and our family, our countries of origin and our perception of God and the middle eastern situation. We shared our differences with open minds and hearts. He would sit there with his Koran and I with my Bible. We knew our beliefs differed greatly but we shared about it and about hope and about our lives back home. He shared about his wife not being allowed out of Syria along with him for fear that they would escape from Syria, how he couldn't study medicine and be a doc as the govt quota had been acheived, so he had to study something else and he ran a factory making clothes. My eyes were opened to a whole new world. Those were the days. Muneeb was like an elder brother to me and I wish we were still in touch. I wonder often about his family and hope they are doing fine.
I digress.
I would call myself a pretty open-minded person but I draw a line with regards to agreeing to agree that I think that all cultural practices draw parallels and similarities to my faith. It just isn't this way.
Wearing red for luck is a Chinese superstition that I cannot agree with for example. I don't agree with superstitions basically and many of these are perceived to be cultural. But a lot of them have religious roots. Even Qing Ming Jie where the Chinese pay homage to ancestors through ancestral worship is part cultural and part religious. We practice visiting the graves with the older generation as part of our culture, but we do not make offerings to them aka ancestral worship. I guess as more of my older generation become Christian, I would rather spend Qing Ming as a day to remember them fondly over a meal and to keep memories alive. Talk about all those times together with them and all the fond or funny instances durin our interactions with them. The grave to me is not where they are at. That's an empty shell left behind. I celebrate their life and not their death. I don't believe in afterlife; I believe in more life. :) I believe we are truly alive with God the Father when we wake up from our sleep (Christians don't die. They sleep.)
It's unreasonable and narrow minded to say that Christians have the freedom to worship God but must compromise by agreeing to agree. Again, I say, I draw the line at agreeing to disagree with other religions. I don't go around telling people that their religion is wrong regardless of what I believe in, so I don't expect people to tell me my faith is wrong, or that it is wrong for me to disagree with other religious theology simply because I live in Singapore. It is unreasonable and we are naive if we claim that all of us can be on the same page with regards to religion. It's just so personal at the end of the day.
If I really wanted to pick bones, I would question MOE- why do our local Chinese textbooks feature Chinese mythologies in them that talk about Taoist deities? I would ask them why kids of differing religions have to study these mythologies as part of their curriculum. Can't we have more neutral stories in the textbooks? And why must kids learn the name Fo (Buddha) when they learn the "or" sound in Chinese? Why not use the more neutral Bo (uncle) or Po (grandmother) instead?
This is a subject that has no end if we want to pick at it. Sometimes it is best to acknowledge that we can never be the same in one area, and then choose to let go and refuse to not to be offended. After all being offended or not boils down to a personal choice. Instead, let us bond over the many other areas we find similarites in- football, food, movies, Korean dramas (hehe), concerns about our children and the well-being of the elderly and disabled, YOG, etc etc.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
What is the Christian message?
Over the years, the church has forgotten what it means to be a Christian.
It doesn't mean we go around telling people "my God is better than yours", or "my church is better than your church, my church is more right than your church."
Being a Christian is about going out there and telling people- "There is a God out there and He came and died on the Cross because He loves you. He died to free you from the bondage and disappointments of your past, the anxieties and grievances of today, and the myriad uncertainties of tomorrow. There is a God up there who calls you beloved; Who loves you even before you know of Him or even come to love Him. His door is open even before you knock. His name means covenant friend because He has made a promise to redeem you, to raise you up if you choose to call on His name. His name is Jesus."
Our central message is about how Jesus loves the people in this world so much... How He never had an unkind word to say to the lost, the abandoned, the sick, the destitute and those who feel their lives are condemned beyond salvation or hope.
Our central message is how He came to take our place of sinfulness on the Cross despite being without sin, so that we can have a new identity in Him.
Our central message isn't about making fun of another person's belief or telling them they got it wrong. We should show them graciousness and a god who died for us whilst we were all sinners, we should be telling them it is ok even though they are imperfect before coming to Jesus, becoz it is His love that will perfect and complete their brokeness within & without.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch.
It doesn't mean we go around telling people "my God is better than yours", or "my church is better than your church, my church is more right than your church."
Being a Christian is about going out there and telling people- "There is a God out there and He came and died on the Cross because He loves you. He died to free you from the bondage and disappointments of your past, the anxieties and grievances of today, and the myriad uncertainties of tomorrow. There is a God up there who calls you beloved; Who loves you even before you know of Him or even come to love Him. His door is open even before you knock. His name means covenant friend because He has made a promise to redeem you, to raise you up if you choose to call on His name. His name is Jesus."
Our central message is about how Jesus loves the people in this world so much... How He never had an unkind word to say to the lost, the abandoned, the sick, the destitute and those who feel their lives are condemned beyond salvation or hope.
Our central message is how He came to take our place of sinfulness on the Cross despite being without sin, so that we can have a new identity in Him.
Our central message isn't about making fun of another person's belief or telling them they got it wrong. We should show them graciousness and a god who died for us whilst we were all sinners, we should be telling them it is ok even though they are imperfect before coming to Jesus, becoz it is His love that will perfect and complete their brokeness within & without.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch.
An apology from our church that I wholeheartedly agree with and commend
Response To Recent Circulation Of Audio Clips Of A Sermon Preached By Pastor Mark Ng In August 2008
New Creation Church (NCC) would like to express our deepest apologies to any person who may have been offended by the remarks made by Pastor Mark Ng during a sermon delivered in August 2008. Pastor Mark has explained to us that his intention was to highlight what he viewed as some inconsistencies in the local Chinese practices, and not meant to cause disrespect to any race or religion.
Following the widely covered media reports in February 2010 of another incident not related to NCC, we initiated an internal review of all past and ongoing sermons. In the course of this review, we realised that Pastor Mark had in this sermon, inadvertently spoken in a manner that could be regarded as slighting these practices.
Arising from this review, we immediately stopped the circulation and sale of this and several other sermons that were deemed insensitive. We also strongly emphasised to all our pastors that sermons of this nature are not acceptable and should not be repeated.
We recognise our responsibility in this major oversight in allowing this sermon not only to be preached, but also, as a usual practice, to be made available as a resource for sale. It is unfortunate that while we have endeavoured in every way to stop the circulation of this sermon, its recent appearance on the Internet continues to possibly cause offence when it was never Pastor Mark’s intention to do so. We assure the public that NCC has no part in the current surfacing of this sermon.
Pastor Mark offers his unreserved and unmitigated apology to the public for his insensitive comments and for failing to observe the basic tenet of Christianity, which is founded on love for one and all. He humbly appeals to those whom he has offended to forgive him of this serious indiscretion.
NCC takes this opportunity to affirm our commitment to the public that we place a high premium on the value of both racial and religious harmony in our multi-faceted society. This is evidenced by our years of consistent support for the many nation-wide programmes on racial and religious harmony.
New Creation Church Council
13 June 2010
13/6/2010 Sermon Notes NCC “True Joy” (Pastor Lian)
Filled from lunch, but are u ready to eat the food that lasts, that gives real life? :)
Today’s sermon inspired by what Rick Godwin told Darlene Zschech
Two significant moments in a person’s life 1) day of our birth 2) when we find out WHY we were born
We all are born, but 2nd point is so impt- discovering the reason why we are here.
U think most ppl know why they are here, but not true.
A guy did a study on what is the meaning of life and sent it to 250 of the finest minds in America-philosophers, scholars, etc. They wrote back to him- first 2 grps: we never thought about meaning in life hut made up our own, 3rd grp: honestly dunno, 4th grp: really dunno too but would like a reply if he discovers the answer.
It’s not a surprise actually becoz a faith oreaher said that he blv 80% of charismatcs have no idea why they are here on earth.
God wants us to know the reason so we have focus in life and focus is power.
He gave Abraham a destiny and purpose.
Gen 12:1-2 God called Abraham out of darkness and told him His destiny and purpose for Abraham- bless him to be a blessing. Didn’t tell him what to do.
When God called His ppl out to be holy- diff from the world, special, set apart. Not a people who has to strive, but a people He will bless and turn into a blessing. And what God promised, He is always able and faithful to perform.
In the world, largest number of Jews in US & followed by Israel, France, Russia, etc. There are 13-14m Jews in the world. When God called Abraham, Sarah was barren and they were very old and aged. So that they have 13-14m descendants today, that’s pretty good.
What God promises no one can stop Him for performing it. No dictator, no enemy.
Jews are made by Him to be special people. Wow a blessed people they are becoz God promised Abraham and performed His promise. Not about them being good but about how God is good and faithful.
Ps Lian shows a list of famous Jews in Sc and Meds. From coining the term medicine and discovering blood types, discovering adrenal hormones, discovered first live virus vaccine for polio, performed first heart transplant, vaccines for hepB….
Jews in IT Michael Dell Dell Computers, Benjamin Rosen Compaq, Andrew Grove Intel, Larry Ellison…
Famous Jewish brands levis, estee lauder, sears, calvin klein, Hagen daas, etc etc
God blessed the Jews and made them a blessing. Not that they are a good people but that God is faithful to perform.
Stan Lee, Jerry Siegel, Joe Achuster, Max Fleisher… A Jew created Porky Pig.
Singers- Carol King, Billy Joel, Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamknd, Bob Dylan, Natalie Portman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Conelly.
ALL the studios in Hollywood founded by Jews as well.
He made an uncommon people with a disproportionate amount of favour and blessings. This is their destiny and God’s plan for them.
What about us?
See Gal3:13-14 “… That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles through Christ Jesus…”
Our destiny is to blessed and to be a blessing. God has ordained us to be a special and uncommon people.
We too will be a people called out of darkness not to do this and do that or strive or pursue wealth… He asked us to come and be blessed. Great difference. In that blessing there is financial blessing but we dun pursue the wealth on purpose. We just come to God to receive blessings and be a blessing.
Deacon Matthew Kang:
Got to know wife in 1979 and married in 1988. First came to NCC in 1991. Wife was abt to divorce him. He was in debt and a wild gambler. Remembered when try got married, it was tough for him. Ps P counselled him and expc restoration in their marriage. Had to go around house looking for coins Amt $2 to take bus to go to work. Came from a family of 15 and they ate food from dumping ground. Eat expired can food. His wife earned more than him and one day she got retrenched. He went to PP for prayer and PP spoke over him- dun worry, God will take care of his family and one day raise him up to be the sole breadwinner. Asked God did He know what he was going through or not? Within 5 mins, got a page from a leader who called to say God knows what u are king through.
The things he held on to over the years is the Word of God. Made the Word personal for himself. Claimed off the word of God. Today blessed beyond his wildest imagination. A revelation he had was whatever u want, speak it out. God likens our tongue to be the rudder of the ship. Where we want our future to be, speak it out. Not about the house we stay or whatcar we drive, but about who our God is how faithful And good He is. They have 3 kids today ranging from 8 to 21years old. Happily married to his wife.
God is faithful to his promises. Amen. Deacon Matthew just kept believing and speaking and it manifested.
Deacon Matthew and his wife, June, appeared in papers becoz they sponsored the wedding of their domestic helper who met a man and was going to get married. They are blessed to be a blessing.
We are a consecrated and set apart people. Consecrated- in the OT… Consecrated = fill your hands…. Priests filled their hands with sacrifice. When your hands are filled with Jesus, God will fill your hands.
He will cause that Word to be a reality in your spirit man. Not about memorizing but catching and receiving the revelation that He is an awesome God.
Ps Lian visited a few homes in Malaysia that ministered to sick and destitute. Met thw guy who set these 30 homes up. He told Ps Lian that he was a drug addict and at lowest point wanted to commit suicide. Heard voice inside saying it’s okay just jump. Know now it is devil. He resisted. Finally, he cried out to God and He said if u dun want your life, dun end it, give it to Me. Went to his brother’s place in JB and went cold turkey. In 5-6 days, the addiction broke. Went to church with his brother. He worked as a cleaner and earned close to nothing at first for a while, but was so happy. That is being rich. Said it was like heaven come down on him.
U can have a lot of money but be poor. We are rich and blessed people becoz God has called us out of darkness because we are blessed to be a blessing. That is our destiny.
God doesn’t want us to pursue His Will. We don’t have to chase after it. Some ppl chase this will going meetig after meeting, begging pastor after pastor to tell them what is God’s specific will for their lives.
Don’t pursue the will. That is not how God means for us to live even though He has a specific will for us.
Fill your heart with Him and He will fill your hand with every good thing
So how to walk in His will? Ps37:4-9… Instead of chasing your tail, delight yourself in the LORD and HE SHALL GIVE U THE DESIRES OF UR HEART. Commit your way to the Lord and trust in Him and He shall bring it to pass…. Note psalm says REST in the Lord and not run after him… When we WAIT on the LORD we shall inhert earth.
Rest, not run.
When Samuel came to anoint one of Jesse’s son to be king…. But none of the 7 present were the one. Jesse forgot abt David.
Our parents might forget, our bosses might forget but God does not forget. He who promised is faithful to do what He has promised.
When u are blessed, u will be a blessing.
When Darlene wrote “Shout to the LORD”, she never thought she would write a hit Christian song. She wrote it in her darkest moment. She just turned to Jesus and delighted in Him- she turned to find comfort and strength in Him. She was so embarrassed about the song when she first played it for her music directors and asked them to face the wall as she sang it. And God took that song and made it a blessing throughtot the nations because she delighted herself in Him.
Whatever u are called to, just pursue Him, and delight yourself in Him.
Just delight ourselves in Him and He (not us) will bring the blessings to pass. God’s way - dun chase ur tail, delight yoursf in Him. World’s way is stressful and about striving.
Everday just commit what is in your hand to the LORD… don’t be quick to throw it away. Commit what is in your hand to Him.
See Col 1:9 When u have the knowledge of His will- you will also have wisdom and spirtual understanding.
What is wisdom from above like? James 3:17
God’s will for our life- to bless us.
Don’t need to do big things, every day dreaming big. Don’t pursue those. Pursue Him an let Him bring it to past. Dream but let Him do it. Don’t run after the big things. He just wants us to do great things everyday… What’s diff btw great things and big things? Big thing is being a superstar, having a lot of money. Great thing is having an excellent spirit, as in the one that Daniel has, a spirit that DEPENDS ON GOD. No amount of intelligence that can shut the lion’s mouth. Depending on God causes great things to happen.
Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not here yet, we only have today.- Mother Teresa Ps 118- this is the day the Lord has made
Just focus on today. Rejoice. Depend on Him today. Dun regret yesterday or worry about tomorrow. Focus on today. Just rejoice in what He has put in your hands today and He will take what’s in your hand and make it big. U dont have to make it big yourself.
John Osteen came from poor and non believing bckgrd. Go to school hungry and had holes in shoes. His mum washed clothes and paid 10cents per hour. John had a classmate called Sam who wrote scripture on the blackboard altho mocked by other classmates. John never forget Sam. John was so poor in the heart and his hands were thus empty. Went drinking a lot and felt so empty. Questioned the meaning of life and who God is. Looked for Sam and asked Sam for answers. Sam invited him to church and at church, John gave his life to God. And that day, God took the family out of the realm of the curse and put them in the realm of blessing. That is what happened to us too. John pastored a big church and Sam too pastored a church, smaller one. Sam wrote a book and the title was “I Touched One And He Touched Millions”.
Mothers are called to greatness- supportive of hubby and raise champions in our kids.
What is the secret of a life like Apostle Paul?
Phil1:21 - For me to live is Christ
Christ is on the throne of His life; not his job or anything else. Christ is Paul’s focus.
That is the secret of a life like Apostle’s Paul.
When u put Jesus first on the throne of ur life, it means ur fears and worries and problems are not first, and everything will be alright.
When god says I am a jealous God, it means He is jealous for our welfare, jealous that we should be blessed.
When we are on the throne, it is painful. When we are on the throne, we are full of self and our anxieities.
Lady told Ps Lian she discovered hubby had affair and had lost her will to live. Ps Lian sat her down and counselled that this is becoz she out her hubby on the throne. So when he went, her life crashed and burned. Still love hubby and dress up for him but as unto the Lord, because if u do it for hubby u will be disappointed when he doesn’t appreciate it. Put Jesus on the throne of ur life. Met lady some time later and she was happy because she now understands how putting Christ first has freed her from unhappiness.
Men out works on throne mostly. Kids tend to out games, entertainment and pleasures on the throne. See Solomon’s reflection after putting pleasures of life first- Ecc2:17.
Parents don’t put your kid on the throne of your life.
Ps Lian shares letter from a couple who wrote about how they introduce kids to Jesus and entrust them to Him. Tell kids to look to God first, not parents first. Tell Him and ask Him to fix it before looking him up. Sometimes they can’t answer the phone because in meetings. Only depend on His love for them, because God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Great is His faithfulness. Parents are not perfect and have moods and ups and downs. Inconsistent.
“We outsource our children to the best 24h care in the whole universe, Jesus. :D” AMEN!!
Life is not difficult. It is impossible. A life lived by our own strength is impossible. It may not feel so at first but as u keep pressing on alone without God, without His blessings will burn out.
This is the true joy of life: the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one… Etc… That the world will not devote itself to making u happy. - George Bernard Shaw
The joy of life- when we know our destiny is that God has taken us out of the realm of curse and placed us in the realm of blessing.
—— end sermon
(God loves everyone, not just Christians.)
Today’s sermon inspired by what Rick Godwin told Darlene Zschech
Two significant moments in a person’s life 1) day of our birth 2) when we find out WHY we were born
We all are born, but 2nd point is so impt- discovering the reason why we are here.
U think most ppl know why they are here, but not true.
A guy did a study on what is the meaning of life and sent it to 250 of the finest minds in America-philosophers, scholars, etc. They wrote back to him- first 2 grps: we never thought about meaning in life hut made up our own, 3rd grp: honestly dunno, 4th grp: really dunno too but would like a reply if he discovers the answer.
It’s not a surprise actually becoz a faith oreaher said that he blv 80% of charismatcs have no idea why they are here on earth.
God wants us to know the reason so we have focus in life and focus is power.
He gave Abraham a destiny and purpose.
Gen 12:1-2 God called Abraham out of darkness and told him His destiny and purpose for Abraham- bless him to be a blessing. Didn’t tell him what to do.
When God called His ppl out to be holy- diff from the world, special, set apart. Not a people who has to strive, but a people He will bless and turn into a blessing. And what God promised, He is always able and faithful to perform.
In the world, largest number of Jews in US & followed by Israel, France, Russia, etc. There are 13-14m Jews in the world. When God called Abraham, Sarah was barren and they were very old and aged. So that they have 13-14m descendants today, that’s pretty good.
What God promises no one can stop Him for performing it. No dictator, no enemy.
Jews are made by Him to be special people. Wow a blessed people they are becoz God promised Abraham and performed His promise. Not about them being good but about how God is good and faithful.
Ps Lian shows a list of famous Jews in Sc and Meds. From coining the term medicine and discovering blood types, discovering adrenal hormones, discovered first live virus vaccine for polio, performed first heart transplant, vaccines for hepB….
Jews in IT Michael Dell Dell Computers, Benjamin Rosen Compaq, Andrew Grove Intel, Larry Ellison…
Famous Jewish brands levis, estee lauder, sears, calvin klein, Hagen daas, etc etc
God blessed the Jews and made them a blessing. Not that they are a good people but that God is faithful to perform.
Stan Lee, Jerry Siegel, Joe Achuster, Max Fleisher… A Jew created Porky Pig.
Singers- Carol King, Billy Joel, Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamknd, Bob Dylan, Natalie Portman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Conelly.
ALL the studios in Hollywood founded by Jews as well.
He made an uncommon people with a disproportionate amount of favour and blessings. This is their destiny and God’s plan for them.
What about us?
See Gal3:13-14 “… That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles through Christ Jesus…”
Our destiny is to blessed and to be a blessing. God has ordained us to be a special and uncommon people.
We too will be a people called out of darkness not to do this and do that or strive or pursue wealth… He asked us to come and be blessed. Great difference. In that blessing there is financial blessing but we dun pursue the wealth on purpose. We just come to God to receive blessings and be a blessing.
Deacon Matthew Kang:
Got to know wife in 1979 and married in 1988. First came to NCC in 1991. Wife was abt to divorce him. He was in debt and a wild gambler. Remembered when try got married, it was tough for him. Ps P counselled him and expc restoration in their marriage. Had to go around house looking for coins Amt $2 to take bus to go to work. Came from a family of 15 and they ate food from dumping ground. Eat expired can food. His wife earned more than him and one day she got retrenched. He went to PP for prayer and PP spoke over him- dun worry, God will take care of his family and one day raise him up to be the sole breadwinner. Asked God did He know what he was going through or not? Within 5 mins, got a page from a leader who called to say God knows what u are king through.
The things he held on to over the years is the Word of God. Made the Word personal for himself. Claimed off the word of God. Today blessed beyond his wildest imagination. A revelation he had was whatever u want, speak it out. God likens our tongue to be the rudder of the ship. Where we want our future to be, speak it out. Not about the house we stay or whatcar we drive, but about who our God is how faithful And good He is. They have 3 kids today ranging from 8 to 21years old. Happily married to his wife.
God is faithful to his promises. Amen. Deacon Matthew just kept believing and speaking and it manifested.
Deacon Matthew and his wife, June, appeared in papers becoz they sponsored the wedding of their domestic helper who met a man and was going to get married. They are blessed to be a blessing.
We are a consecrated and set apart people. Consecrated- in the OT… Consecrated = fill your hands…. Priests filled their hands with sacrifice. When your hands are filled with Jesus, God will fill your hands.
He will cause that Word to be a reality in your spirit man. Not about memorizing but catching and receiving the revelation that He is an awesome God.
Ps Lian visited a few homes in Malaysia that ministered to sick and destitute. Met thw guy who set these 30 homes up. He told Ps Lian that he was a drug addict and at lowest point wanted to commit suicide. Heard voice inside saying it’s okay just jump. Know now it is devil. He resisted. Finally, he cried out to God and He said if u dun want your life, dun end it, give it to Me. Went to his brother’s place in JB and went cold turkey. In 5-6 days, the addiction broke. Went to church with his brother. He worked as a cleaner and earned close to nothing at first for a while, but was so happy. That is being rich. Said it was like heaven come down on him.
U can have a lot of money but be poor. We are rich and blessed people becoz God has called us out of darkness because we are blessed to be a blessing. That is our destiny.
God doesn’t want us to pursue His Will. We don’t have to chase after it. Some ppl chase this will going meetig after meeting, begging pastor after pastor to tell them what is God’s specific will for their lives.
Don’t pursue the will. That is not how God means for us to live even though He has a specific will for us.
Fill your heart with Him and He will fill your hand with every good thing
So how to walk in His will? Ps37:4-9… Instead of chasing your tail, delight yourself in the LORD and HE SHALL GIVE U THE DESIRES OF UR HEART. Commit your way to the Lord and trust in Him and He shall bring it to pass…. Note psalm says REST in the Lord and not run after him… When we WAIT on the LORD we shall inhert earth.
Rest, not run.
When Samuel came to anoint one of Jesse’s son to be king…. But none of the 7 present were the one. Jesse forgot abt David.
Our parents might forget, our bosses might forget but God does not forget. He who promised is faithful to do what He has promised.
When u are blessed, u will be a blessing.
When Darlene wrote “Shout to the LORD”, she never thought she would write a hit Christian song. She wrote it in her darkest moment. She just turned to Jesus and delighted in Him- she turned to find comfort and strength in Him. She was so embarrassed about the song when she first played it for her music directors and asked them to face the wall as she sang it. And God took that song and made it a blessing throughtot the nations because she delighted herself in Him.
Whatever u are called to, just pursue Him, and delight yourself in Him.
Just delight ourselves in Him and He (not us) will bring the blessings to pass. God’s way - dun chase ur tail, delight yoursf in Him. World’s way is stressful and about striving.
Everday just commit what is in your hand to the LORD… don’t be quick to throw it away. Commit what is in your hand to Him.
See Col 1:9 When u have the knowledge of His will- you will also have wisdom and spirtual understanding.
What is wisdom from above like? James 3:17
God’s will for our life- to bless us.
Don’t need to do big things, every day dreaming big. Don’t pursue those. Pursue Him an let Him bring it to past. Dream but let Him do it. Don’t run after the big things. He just wants us to do great things everyday… What’s diff btw great things and big things? Big thing is being a superstar, having a lot of money. Great thing is having an excellent spirit, as in the one that Daniel has, a spirit that DEPENDS ON GOD. No amount of intelligence that can shut the lion’s mouth. Depending on God causes great things to happen.
Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not here yet, we only have today.- Mother Teresa Ps 118- this is the day the Lord has made
Just focus on today. Rejoice. Depend on Him today. Dun regret yesterday or worry about tomorrow. Focus on today. Just rejoice in what He has put in your hands today and He will take what’s in your hand and make it big. U dont have to make it big yourself.
John Osteen came from poor and non believing bckgrd. Go to school hungry and had holes in shoes. His mum washed clothes and paid 10cents per hour. John had a classmate called Sam who wrote scripture on the blackboard altho mocked by other classmates. John never forget Sam. John was so poor in the heart and his hands were thus empty. Went drinking a lot and felt so empty. Questioned the meaning of life and who God is. Looked for Sam and asked Sam for answers. Sam invited him to church and at church, John gave his life to God. And that day, God took the family out of the realm of the curse and put them in the realm of blessing. That is what happened to us too. John pastored a big church and Sam too pastored a church, smaller one. Sam wrote a book and the title was “I Touched One And He Touched Millions”.
Mothers are called to greatness- supportive of hubby and raise champions in our kids.
What is the secret of a life like Apostle Paul?
Phil1:21 - For me to live is Christ
Christ is on the throne of His life; not his job or anything else. Christ is Paul’s focus.
That is the secret of a life like Apostle’s Paul.
When u put Jesus first on the throne of ur life, it means ur fears and worries and problems are not first, and everything will be alright.
When god says I am a jealous God, it means He is jealous for our welfare, jealous that we should be blessed.
When we are on the throne, it is painful. When we are on the throne, we are full of self and our anxieities.
Lady told Ps Lian she discovered hubby had affair and had lost her will to live. Ps Lian sat her down and counselled that this is becoz she out her hubby on the throne. So when he went, her life crashed and burned. Still love hubby and dress up for him but as unto the Lord, because if u do it for hubby u will be disappointed when he doesn’t appreciate it. Put Jesus on the throne of ur life. Met lady some time later and she was happy because she now understands how putting Christ first has freed her from unhappiness.
Men out works on throne mostly. Kids tend to out games, entertainment and pleasures on the throne. See Solomon’s reflection after putting pleasures of life first- Ecc2:17.
Parents don’t put your kid on the throne of your life.
Ps Lian shares letter from a couple who wrote about how they introduce kids to Jesus and entrust them to Him. Tell kids to look to God first, not parents first. Tell Him and ask Him to fix it before looking him up. Sometimes they can’t answer the phone because in meetings. Only depend on His love for them, because God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Great is His faithfulness. Parents are not perfect and have moods and ups and downs. Inconsistent.
“We outsource our children to the best 24h care in the whole universe, Jesus. :D” AMEN!!
Life is not difficult. It is impossible. A life lived by our own strength is impossible. It may not feel so at first but as u keep pressing on alone without God, without His blessings will burn out.
This is the true joy of life: the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one… Etc… That the world will not devote itself to making u happy. - George Bernard Shaw
The joy of life- when we know our destiny is that God has taken us out of the realm of curse and placed us in the realm of blessing.
—— end sermon
(God loves everyone, not just Christians.)
Saturday, 5 June 2010
2 years make a difference
I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to any believers of other religions if they feel aggrieved about posts from 2 years back. I guess I have grown much more since then and temper my articles, I hope, with greater sensitivity, love, and grace.
I would also like to express that this blog was created not with any intention to hit out any particular religion. I might have said some stronger things 2 years back when I was a little more brash, and as this is my personal space to share with my other Christian friends, I did not consider that people of other faiths might actually find their way here through google or some random search, and feel hurt about anything I wrote.
For this, I am truly sorry. As this is also a reflection of a journey of growth and discovery in the walk, I hope this blog shows how Christ truly is able to change and transform us.
I cannot deny my beliefs; but I have come to understand that religion is a deeply personal choice and I hope to agree to disagree with others. I hope that as you ask for tolerance for your views, that you too can tolerate my view. If not tolerance becomes a meaningless fad word that we toss out...
Logaically speaking how can I call myself a Christian if I agree with the theology of another religion? =) Similarly, I have grown to see that belief comes with seasons passed and experiences one meets. I will not expect everyone to agree with my faith, and I do not look for you to agree with me. BUT let's truly agree that we disagree for this is an area so individual that we can't force an agreement on any one person at all.
I ask for your kind understanding to see the growth from 2 years ago till today... of a Christian who might have been less understanding, to a Christian who hopefully now deals with wisdom and the unconditional love of Jesus.
I have no agenda but to encourage and to tell everyone that Jesus loves you. But you have the right to receive or reject it. I am not here to force any one view down your throats.
The Jesus I believe in loves you regardless of your religion, the door is always open. But I also cannot deny my belief that one needs to receive Him in order to receive eternal salvation. In that same breath, I am not condemning any non-Christian to Hell. I cannot judge nor can I condemn. It is not for me to say. =) It is between you and the maker. I walk my path and this blog has moved to being one meant to encourage and instil HOPE through the Word of the LORD vs one that hopes to criticise and incite negative feelings.
Shalom- which means Peace, Wholeness, Health and Prosperity- to you and your loved ones...
I would also like to express that this blog was created not with any intention to hit out any particular religion. I might have said some stronger things 2 years back when I was a little more brash, and as this is my personal space to share with my other Christian friends, I did not consider that people of other faiths might actually find their way here through google or some random search, and feel hurt about anything I wrote.
For this, I am truly sorry. As this is also a reflection of a journey of growth and discovery in the walk, I hope this blog shows how Christ truly is able to change and transform us.
I cannot deny my beliefs; but I have come to understand that religion is a deeply personal choice and I hope to agree to disagree with others. I hope that as you ask for tolerance for your views, that you too can tolerate my view. If not tolerance becomes a meaningless fad word that we toss out...
Logaically speaking how can I call myself a Christian if I agree with the theology of another religion? =) Similarly, I have grown to see that belief comes with seasons passed and experiences one meets. I will not expect everyone to agree with my faith, and I do not look for you to agree with me. BUT let's truly agree that we disagree for this is an area so individual that we can't force an agreement on any one person at all.
I ask for your kind understanding to see the growth from 2 years ago till today... of a Christian who might have been less understanding, to a Christian who hopefully now deals with wisdom and the unconditional love of Jesus.
I have no agenda but to encourage and to tell everyone that Jesus loves you. But you have the right to receive or reject it. I am not here to force any one view down your throats.
The Jesus I believe in loves you regardless of your religion, the door is always open. But I also cannot deny my belief that one needs to receive Him in order to receive eternal salvation. In that same breath, I am not condemning any non-Christian to Hell. I cannot judge nor can I condemn. It is not for me to say. =) It is between you and the maker. I walk my path and this blog has moved to being one meant to encourage and instil HOPE through the Word of the LORD vs one that hopes to criticise and incite negative feelings.
Shalom- which means Peace, Wholeness, Health and Prosperity- to you and your loved ones...
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Wigglesworth in "ONLY BELIEVE"
A woman came to me one day and said, "My husband is such a trial to me. The first salary he gets, he spends on drink. Then he cannot do his work & comes home. I love him very much. What can be done?" I said, "If I were you, I would take a handkerchief and would place it under his head when he goes to sleep at night, saying nothing to him but having a living faith." We anointed a handkerchief in the name of Jesus, and she put it under His head. Oh, beloved, there is a way to reach these wayward ones.
The next morning, on his way to work, he ordered a glass of beer. He lifted it up to his lips, but he thought there was something wrong with it, and he put it down and left. He went to another saloon, and another, and another, and did the same thing. He came home sober. His wife was gladly surprised, and he told her the story of how he had been affected. That was the turning point in his life; it meant not only giving up drink, but it meant his salvation.
God wants to change our faith today. He wants us to see that it is not obtained by struggling and working and longing. "The Father Himself loves you." (John 16:27). "He Himself took our infirmities and bore out sicknesses." (Matt 8:17). "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28)
Don't think there is magic power in the handkerchief, or you will miss the power. It is the LIVING FAITH within the man who lays the handkerchief on his body, and the power of God through that faith. Praise God, we may lay hold of this living faith today. The blood has never lost it's power.
As we get in touch with Jesus, wonderful things will take place.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
The next morning, on his way to work, he ordered a glass of beer. He lifted it up to his lips, but he thought there was something wrong with it, and he put it down and left. He went to another saloon, and another, and another, and did the same thing. He came home sober. His wife was gladly surprised, and he told her the story of how he had been affected. That was the turning point in his life; it meant not only giving up drink, but it meant his salvation.
God wants to change our faith today. He wants us to see that it is not obtained by struggling and working and longing. "The Father Himself loves you." (John 16:27). "He Himself took our infirmities and bore out sicknesses." (Matt 8:17). "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28)
Don't think there is magic power in the handkerchief, or you will miss the power. It is the LIVING FAITH within the man who lays the handkerchief on his body, and the power of God through that faith. Praise God, we may lay hold of this living faith today. The blood has never lost it's power.
As we get in touch with Jesus, wonderful things will take place.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
Friday, 12 February 2010
My 5 cents worth on the Pastor Rony Tan fiasco
All u have to do is to reflect the love of Christ for souls to be touched. Christ doesn't need us to pelt stones at people to give Him an edge. He clearly commanded us to love our neighbours back to Him, not promote eye for an eye mentality.
We are to do things in a way naysayers won't have ammo to defame Christ with.
All this talk of "no apologies" remind me of Peter's cutting off the enemy soldier's ears. Jesus healed that ear back in place! And that gesture of love prob spoke more to those there about who Christ is than Peter's impulsive action!!
And when John asked Christ if they should pray for fire to rain down on a village that didn't welcome Him, Christ rebuked them saying they know what Spirit they are of.
Let us have the grace and wisdom to admit one of our own had unwisely acted in a manner that misrepresents Christ's true heart. And let's, as a body, apologise graciously and move on to sow seeds of unconditional love and grace to reflect the heart of Jesus in our lives and those of the lives around us.
Make no mistake, I do not compromise on my belief but I don't agree with the manner the leader in question carried out matters. The end does not justify the means.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
We are to do things in a way naysayers won't have ammo to defame Christ with.
All this talk of "no apologies" remind me of Peter's cutting off the enemy soldier's ears. Jesus healed that ear back in place! And that gesture of love prob spoke more to those there about who Christ is than Peter's impulsive action!!
And when John asked Christ if they should pray for fire to rain down on a village that didn't welcome Him, Christ rebuked them saying they know what Spirit they are of.
Let us have the grace and wisdom to admit one of our own had unwisely acted in a manner that misrepresents Christ's true heart. And let's, as a body, apologise graciously and move on to sow seeds of unconditional love and grace to reflect the heart of Jesus in our lives and those of the lives around us.
Make no mistake, I do not compromise on my belief but I don't agree with the manner the leader in question carried out matters. The end does not justify the means.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
Blessed Proportion by Spurgeon
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:5
There is a blessed proportion.
The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales-in this side he puts his people's trials, and in that he puts their consolations. When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the same condition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will find the scale of consolation just as heavy.
When the black clouds gather most, the light is the more brightly revealed to us. When the night lowers and the tempest is coming on, the Heavenly Captain is always closest to his crew. It is a blessed thing, that when we are most cast down, then it is that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit. One reason is, because trials make more room for consolation.
Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart-he finds it full-he begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more room for grace.
The humbler a man lies, the more comfort he will always have, because he will be more fitted to receive it. Another reason why we are often most happy in our troubles, is this-then we have the closest dealings with God.
When the barn is full, man can live without God: when the purse is bursting with gold, we try to do without so much prayer. But once take our gourds away, and we want our God; once cleanse the idols out of the house, then we are compelled to honour Jehovah.
Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is happiness. Come, troubled believer, fret not over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralds of weighty mercies.
- CHARLES SPURGEON
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2 Corinthians 1:5
There is a blessed proportion.
The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales-in this side he puts his people's trials, and in that he puts their consolations. When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the same condition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will find the scale of consolation just as heavy.
When the black clouds gather most, the light is the more brightly revealed to us. When the night lowers and the tempest is coming on, the Heavenly Captain is always closest to his crew. It is a blessed thing, that when we are most cast down, then it is that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit. One reason is, because trials make more room for consolation.
Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart-he finds it full-he begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more room for grace.
The humbler a man lies, the more comfort he will always have, because he will be more fitted to receive it. Another reason why we are often most happy in our troubles, is this-then we have the closest dealings with God.
When the barn is full, man can live without God: when the purse is bursting with gold, we try to do without so much prayer. But once take our gourds away, and we want our God; once cleanse the idols out of the house, then we are compelled to honour Jehovah.
Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is happiness. Come, troubled believer, fret not over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralds of weighty mercies.
- CHARLES SPURGEON
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Spidey, Newton, Grace & Rest
I was reading Strazynski's AMAZING SPIDER MAN earlier on and well, although the comic has a sucky ending, I found something really awesome to think about.
I haven't thought about Physics in a long while (sorry teachers) but well, thanks to Peter Parker's musing, I was brought to look at this good old Physics principle-
"An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by a force."
How does this apply to my life?
Well I believe in life, things are propelled forward either by the light of Christ or by the darkness of the fallen world. These are the two forces that drive people forward in their lives either to eventual victory or eventual destruction based on their person decisions.
Before Christ, I was this ball of mess (think seriously tangled ball of yarn) propelled forward by depression, anger, fear, disappointments...
I was definitely an object in motion alright- think runaway train, breakneck speed hurtling towards a brick wall. And I was staying in motion with the same destructive speed and in the same destructive direction.
Then Christ entered my life again when I became a single, unwed mum. That was the force that Life and life more abundantly that propelled me off that path.
It was my Damascus moment. Paul became blind to see. Geri became a mum to have back her child-like faith.
Now most people like to call an unplanned pregnancy an accident. As much as I did not plan getting preggers out of wedlock, I see my son as more of a planned blessing from above than an accidental bomb. I made decisions that I am not proud of that led me there, but God is so gracious to take what is meant to stumble and turn it into a blessing. :)
I had become an angsty, jaded monster inside struggling to be something else outside. I wanted love and I sought it in all the wrong places. I wanted to belong to someone, anyone. I had a blackhole inside that wanted go be filled. However, nothing on Earth can fill a God-sized void.
Having an extraordinary 7 year old has helped me to see faith in a childlike way. He has a way of putting to words his understanding of what faith, grace, trust and the battlefield of the mind is. (Please see my older notes or blogs for past shadings.)
Being a mum has stopped me from being full of self. I was full of self-pity, self-destruction, selfish notions. I suddenly had to place a little life big with joy above all my old fears, suicidal thoughts, anger towards life. I stopped cussing like a sailor, I became more responsible, I stopped mulling. I experienced a change in the way I looked at the future.
When Ian entered my life- first as a friend and then as a boyfriend- I had already begun to let go and let God. Ian's presence opened a new chapter in my life as I came to lose religion to gain new relationships- with Christ, as well as with him. I came to see the Word not as printed text but living, breathing Word. I came to see the truth of what it means to be in Christ. This new sight propelled me even more into a deeper relationship and closer walk with Christ.
Sure, there were struggles within and without at first as the old had to give way to the new, as I became a new wineskon filled with new wine. I poured away the old wine as I came to know what I have become in Jesus.
All these new forces that guided me towards the right direction in my life stemmed from one source- Grace.
So what am I now?
I am an object at rest. Having come to know grace, I have come to know a shalom that the world cannot give... a shalom wholeness, contentment, health, prosperity and peace I have never known before. My mind is sound, my heart refreshed, my soul is whole and my spirit is filled with so much Life!
An object at rest tends to stay at rest.
Sure the devil tries to apply external forces to get me to go off track, but this new wineskin and new wine is light with joy yet firmly founded and filled with unconditional love. And these keep me from going off course because no force can be greater than the pull of His love, His grace, and His shalom.
I am at rest physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. And I am going to remain at rest because I stand on a firm foundation- my Christ Jesus, my Yeshua, my Saviour King.
Praise the LORD God ALL-mighty!! Amen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
I haven't thought about Physics in a long while (sorry teachers) but well, thanks to Peter Parker's musing, I was brought to look at this good old Physics principle-
"An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by a force."
How does this apply to my life?
Well I believe in life, things are propelled forward either by the light of Christ or by the darkness of the fallen world. These are the two forces that drive people forward in their lives either to eventual victory or eventual destruction based on their person decisions.
Before Christ, I was this ball of mess (think seriously tangled ball of yarn) propelled forward by depression, anger, fear, disappointments...
I was definitely an object in motion alright- think runaway train, breakneck speed hurtling towards a brick wall. And I was staying in motion with the same destructive speed and in the same destructive direction.
Then Christ entered my life again when I became a single, unwed mum. That was the force that Life and life more abundantly that propelled me off that path.
It was my Damascus moment. Paul became blind to see. Geri became a mum to have back her child-like faith.
Now most people like to call an unplanned pregnancy an accident. As much as I did not plan getting preggers out of wedlock, I see my son as more of a planned blessing from above than an accidental bomb. I made decisions that I am not proud of that led me there, but God is so gracious to take what is meant to stumble and turn it into a blessing. :)
I had become an angsty, jaded monster inside struggling to be something else outside. I wanted love and I sought it in all the wrong places. I wanted to belong to someone, anyone. I had a blackhole inside that wanted go be filled. However, nothing on Earth can fill a God-sized void.
Having an extraordinary 7 year old has helped me to see faith in a childlike way. He has a way of putting to words his understanding of what faith, grace, trust and the battlefield of the mind is. (Please see my older notes or blogs for past shadings.)
Being a mum has stopped me from being full of self. I was full of self-pity, self-destruction, selfish notions. I suddenly had to place a little life big with joy above all my old fears, suicidal thoughts, anger towards life. I stopped cussing like a sailor, I became more responsible, I stopped mulling. I experienced a change in the way I looked at the future.
When Ian entered my life- first as a friend and then as a boyfriend- I had already begun to let go and let God. Ian's presence opened a new chapter in my life as I came to lose religion to gain new relationships- with Christ, as well as with him. I came to see the Word not as printed text but living, breathing Word. I came to see the truth of what it means to be in Christ. This new sight propelled me even more into a deeper relationship and closer walk with Christ.
Sure, there were struggles within and without at first as the old had to give way to the new, as I became a new wineskon filled with new wine. I poured away the old wine as I came to know what I have become in Jesus.
All these new forces that guided me towards the right direction in my life stemmed from one source- Grace.
So what am I now?
I am an object at rest. Having come to know grace, I have come to know a shalom that the world cannot give... a shalom wholeness, contentment, health, prosperity and peace I have never known before. My mind is sound, my heart refreshed, my soul is whole and my spirit is filled with so much Life!
An object at rest tends to stay at rest.
Sure the devil tries to apply external forces to get me to go off track, but this new wineskin and new wine is light with joy yet firmly founded and filled with unconditional love. And these keep me from going off course because no force can be greater than the pull of His love, His grace, and His shalom.
I am at rest physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. And I am going to remain at rest because I stand on a firm foundation- my Christ Jesus, my Yeshua, my Saviour King.
Praise the LORD God ALL-mighty!! Amen.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
Thursday, 11 February 2010
A pic of Kae & I :)
Taken during one of our crazy Photobooth moments. Grins. :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
Updating both Tumblr n Blogger blogs
Recently, I found out that there is an Internet firm that can be paid to print out people's blogs for them. Their services have yet to extend to Tumblr & hence, I will be trying to parallel park my reflections on both Blogger & Tumblr. :)
The tumblr site is at http://hungribunni.tumblr.com :)
Shalom!
Geri
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
The tumblr site is at http://hungribunni.tumblr.com :)
Shalom!
Geri
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
Precious moments with Kae (7y 9m)
A fav part of the day is when I get to walk Kae to school. He spouts the most interesting stuff, and we have the most heartfelt mummy-son talks then (& at night again, before he sleeps).
Talking to him gas really blessed me with a 7 year old's untainted perspective on life, love, positivity n relationship with people, and more importantly, with God.
At 3, Kae told me not to worry for his dad who was overseas directing a docu. Bird flu was rampant then- "We can pray to Jesus and God is everywhere."
Half a year later, at 4, he told us that "people look for God because they want to be healed."
At 5, he told me that "the devil and Jesus fight in our minds."
At 7, he told me I score a 9/10 because no one is perfect. Only God is 10/10. :)
Kaelen is now 7 yrs 9 mths old and you can see from our recent conversations (see 3 earlier posts) with him, that his insights are still amazing windows to what I can only assume is the Holy Spirit's teachings. Some of these things he says are thoughts and views beyond his years.
Of coz he has his 7yo moments of Ben10 and Transformers talk. XD He is also quite the joker when he wants to be.
I must admit that Motherhood is an amazing journey, and hardly a day goes by that I don't stop to praise God for giving me the wisdom, courage and support I needed at 21 to make the right decision to bring Kae into this world. How has he touched the hearts of the people in his life! :)
I am so blessed that our son is blessed to be a blessing. :D
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
Talking to him gas really blessed me with a 7 year old's untainted perspective on life, love, positivity n relationship with people, and more importantly, with God.
At 3, Kae told me not to worry for his dad who was overseas directing a docu. Bird flu was rampant then- "We can pray to Jesus and God is everywhere."
Half a year later, at 4, he told us that "people look for God because they want to be healed."
At 5, he told me that "the devil and Jesus fight in our minds."
At 7, he told me I score a 9/10 because no one is perfect. Only God is 10/10. :)
Kaelen is now 7 yrs 9 mths old and you can see from our recent conversations (see 3 earlier posts) with him, that his insights are still amazing windows to what I can only assume is the Holy Spirit's teachings. Some of these things he says are thoughts and views beyond his years.
Of coz he has his 7yo moments of Ben10 and Transformers talk. XD He is also quite the joker when he wants to be.
I must admit that Motherhood is an amazing journey, and hardly a day goes by that I don't stop to praise God for giving me the wisdom, courage and support I needed at 21 to make the right decision to bring Kae into this world. How has he touched the hearts of the people in his life! :)
I am so blessed that our son is blessed to be a blessing. :D
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod Touch
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
K enjoys his reward :)
Friday, 30 October 2009
NOTIFICATION OF BLOG MIGRATION! =D
I have decided to migrate my blog to http://hungribunni.tumblr.com.
It still is about my walk with Christ and my marriage remains and always will remain a 3nity btw Christ, Ian and me.
I apologise for any inconvenience caused to anyone because of this "migration" exercise. ^^"
It's just... well... I really like the layout of this new blogging tool hahaha. I can also blog directly from a widget on my Mac's desktop.
Do make adjustments to your blog's link to my blog and I hope you will still check out my online quiet time reflections and thoughts about our Awesome Daddy God! =D
Shalom!
Geri aka Hungribunni (always hungri for His Word =D)
It still is about my walk with Christ and my marriage remains and always will remain a 3nity btw Christ, Ian and me.
I apologise for any inconvenience caused to anyone because of this "migration" exercise. ^^"
It's just... well... I really like the layout of this new blogging tool hahaha. I can also blog directly from a widget on my Mac's desktop.
Do make adjustments to your blog's link to my blog and I hope you will still check out my online quiet time reflections and thoughts about our Awesome Daddy God! =D
Shalom!
Geri aka Hungribunni (always hungri for His Word =D)
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
What are we demonstrating to our kids about the priorities of life?
This first appeared in a comment I made on Blog Pastor's Page about 5 mins ago =D I edited it further as I had more reflections to add on hahaha.
When I first watched this (video by Yasmin Ahmad for Petronas) 2 years back, I loved it so much.
All these adorable Ah Mas remind me of the old women my maternal mama used to chill with when I was a kiddo. =) <>
When I first watched this (video by Yasmin Ahmad for Petronas) 2 years back, I loved it so much.
All these adorable Ah Mas remind me of the old women my maternal mama used to chill with when I was a kiddo. =) <
Watching this video, this thought strikes me- At the end of the day, what matters is the value our kids grow up with, and not so much the tutors, extra lessons, exam stress, comparisons, and maids.
Children need to be shown what the priorities of life should be- it's not about the paper chase, not about the salary. They watch and observe their parents to decide what are the things that decide their self-worth/ value. They listen to what we say to measure their success. So what are the things that mater most? Are we sharing with them what they are, guiding them to see what the important things in life are?
I really felt sad after reading how a local parent described her kid's feelings after the PSLE papers this year - CONDEMNED.
Children need to be shown what the priorities of life should be- it's not about the paper chase, not about the salary. They watch and observe their parents to decide what are the things that decide their self-worth/ value. They listen to what we say to measure their success. So what are the things that mater most? Are we sharing with them what they are, guiding them to see what the important things in life are?
I really felt sad after reading how a local parent described her kid's feelings after the PSLE papers this year - CONDEMNED.
See this excerpt from CNA's news report-
The first thing her son did when he came out from the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) Maths paper on Thursday this week was to gesture as if he was "slitting his throat".
"One look at his face and I thought ’oh no’. I could see that he felt he was condemned," said Mrs Karen Sng.
Condemnation is one key way Satan robs our kid. The joy of the LORD is our strength- that is what scripture says. When we feel guilty or condemned, we naturally feel sad, demoralized, depressed- the opposite of being full of joy and hope.
As parents, we must make sure we are not one of the factors leading to this condemnation, but that we are their source of encouragement and motivation, and that we point them to always turn their eyes upon Jesus and not just on the report card.
Of course it is good and wonderful if they do well, but what matters most is that they gave it their best shot. As they do the natural, God will do the supernatural! Our kids have the grace and favour of our LORD Jesus Christ- that cannot be earned. Looking back at what a basket case I was, and where He has carried me to despite all of my past, I know I can have the shalom that my kids too will come out great.
Why? Because Jer 29:11 promises that His thoughts to us are of GOOD not evil, and that He will keep us in His Shalom and bring us to an expected end. Our expected end is VICTORY because we are more than conquerors in Christ. So instead of tearing our kids down before and after an exam, let us build them up no matter what we see in the natural, we keep building and speaking over them and loving them so that His perfect will for them will manifest as our kids see what they are heirs to.
So that our children will prosper as their soul prospers... and that, I believe, is the shalom that the world cannot give! Shalom is that beautiful grace-filled revelation of His perfect love for us that will drive away every shred of fear and doubt and anxiety in their lives! Amen?
Of course it is good and wonderful if they do well, but what matters most is that they gave it their best shot. As they do the natural, God will do the supernatural! Our kids have the grace and favour of our LORD Jesus Christ- that cannot be earned. Looking back at what a basket case I was, and where He has carried me to despite all of my past, I know I can have the shalom that my kids too will come out great.
Why? Because Jer 29:11 promises that His thoughts to us are of GOOD not evil, and that He will keep us in His Shalom and bring us to an expected end. Our expected end is VICTORY because we are more than conquerors in Christ. So instead of tearing our kids down before and after an exam, let us build them up no matter what we see in the natural, we keep building and speaking over them and loving them so that His perfect will for them will manifest as our kids see what they are heirs to.
So that our children will prosper as their soul prospers... and that, I believe, is the shalom that the world cannot give! Shalom is that beautiful grace-filled revelation of His perfect love for us that will drive away every shred of fear and doubt and anxiety in their lives! Amen?
Saturday, 24 October 2009
How to Succeed at BEING YOURSELF - Joyce Meyer
t’s tough to enjoy life when you don’t like yourself. People who haven’t learned to accept and get along with themselves tend to have more difficulty accepting and getting along with others. Yet, the Bible repeatedly tells us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” I personally spent years having a hard time getting along with people, until I finally realized through the Word of God how my difficulty with other people was actually “rooted” in my difficulties with myself.
The Bible says a good tree will bear good fruit, and a rotten tree will bear rotten fruit. Likewise, the “fruit” of our lives comes from the “root” within us. If you're rooted in shame, guilt, inferiority, rejection, lack of love and acceptance, etc., the fruit of your relationships will suffer. However, once you have a revelation of God’s unconditional love for you and begin to accept yourself and others, eventually these new roots will produce good fruit, and your relationships will thrive.
Here are a few tips I believe will help you succeed at being yourself.
1. Never say or think negative things about yourself, such as, "I never do anything right." “I'll never change.” “I'm ugly.” “I look terrible.” “I'm dumb.” “Who could ever love me?” Matthew 12:37 says, ...by your words you will be justified..., and by your words you will be condemned…. Proverbs 23:7 says, …as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he. (KJV). In other words, the way we talk and think about ourselves reveals how we feel about ourselves.
2. Speak good things about yourself (as private confessions) in line with what the Word says about you. For example: "I am the righteousness of God in Christ.” “I am made acceptable in the Beloved.” “God created me and formed me with His own hands, and God doesn't make mistakes." I like starting the day making good confessions. Perhaps you can do this while you're driving to work or cleaning house. I also encourage you to look in the mirror and say out loud, "God loves and accepts you, and so do I." You may even try hugging yourself. This is beneficial to people who have lacked love and acceptance in their lives.
3. Never compare yourself with other people. God must love variety or He wouldn't have created us all differently—even down to our fingerprints. You'll never succeed at being yourself if you're trying to be like someone else. Other people can be a good example to you, but duplicating even their good traits will manifest differently through your individual personality.
4. Focus on your potential instead of your limitations. Actress Helen Hayes was told early in her career that if she were four inches taller she’d be the greatest actress of her time. Her coaches tried various methods of stretching her, but nothing increased her height. She refused to concentrate on the supposed limitation of being five feet tall and decided to concentrate on her potential. As a result, she was eventually cast as Mary, Queen of Scotland—one of the tallest queens who ever lived.
5. Find something you like to do that you do well, and do it over and over. If you spend your time doing things you're not good at, it’ll frustrate you and cause you to feel defeated and unsuccessful.
6. Have the courage to be different and deal with criticism. Be a God-pleaser, not a man-pleaser (see Galatians 1:10). If you dare to be different, you’ll have to expect some criticism. Going along with the crowd—when you know in your heart God’s leading you a different way—is one reason people don't succeed at being themselves. You won't like yourself very much if you go against your own convictions.
7. Don't let the way another person treats you determine your worth.
8. Keep your flaws in perspective. People with a high level of confidence have just as many weaknesses as people without confidence, but they concentrate on their strengths—not their flaws or weaknesses.
In conclusion, let me remind you of my opening statement: It’s tough to enjoy life when you don’t like yourself. When you learn to succeed at being yourself, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying life more fully.
The Bible says a good tree will bear good fruit, and a rotten tree will bear rotten fruit. Likewise, the “fruit” of our lives comes from the “root” within us. If you're rooted in shame, guilt, inferiority, rejection, lack of love and acceptance, etc., the fruit of your relationships will suffer. However, once you have a revelation of God’s unconditional love for you and begin to accept yourself and others, eventually these new roots will produce good fruit, and your relationships will thrive.
Here are a few tips I believe will help you succeed at being yourself.
1. Never say or think negative things about yourself, such as, "I never do anything right." “I'll never change.” “I'm ugly.” “I look terrible.” “I'm dumb.” “Who could ever love me?” Matthew 12:37 says, ...by your words you will be justified..., and by your words you will be condemned…. Proverbs 23:7 says, …as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he. (KJV). In other words, the way we talk and think about ourselves reveals how we feel about ourselves.
2. Speak good things about yourself (as private confessions) in line with what the Word says about you. For example: "I am the righteousness of God in Christ.” “I am made acceptable in the Beloved.” “God created me and formed me with His own hands, and God doesn't make mistakes." I like starting the day making good confessions. Perhaps you can do this while you're driving to work or cleaning house. I also encourage you to look in the mirror and say out loud, "God loves and accepts you, and so do I." You may even try hugging yourself. This is beneficial to people who have lacked love and acceptance in their lives.
3. Never compare yourself with other people. God must love variety or He wouldn't have created us all differently—even down to our fingerprints. You'll never succeed at being yourself if you're trying to be like someone else. Other people can be a good example to you, but duplicating even their good traits will manifest differently through your individual personality.
4. Focus on your potential instead of your limitations. Actress Helen Hayes was told early in her career that if she were four inches taller she’d be the greatest actress of her time. Her coaches tried various methods of stretching her, but nothing increased her height. She refused to concentrate on the supposed limitation of being five feet tall and decided to concentrate on her potential. As a result, she was eventually cast as Mary, Queen of Scotland—one of the tallest queens who ever lived.
5. Find something you like to do that you do well, and do it over and over. If you spend your time doing things you're not good at, it’ll frustrate you and cause you to feel defeated and unsuccessful.
6. Have the courage to be different and deal with criticism. Be a God-pleaser, not a man-pleaser (see Galatians 1:10). If you dare to be different, you’ll have to expect some criticism. Going along with the crowd—when you know in your heart God’s leading you a different way—is one reason people don't succeed at being themselves. You won't like yourself very much if you go against your own convictions.
7. Don't let the way another person treats you determine your worth.
8. Keep your flaws in perspective. People with a high level of confidence have just as many weaknesses as people without confidence, but they concentrate on their strengths—not their flaws or weaknesses.
In conclusion, let me remind you of my opening statement: It’s tough to enjoy life when you don’t like yourself. When you learn to succeed at being yourself, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying life more fully.
Internet Identity Theft- one girl, many masks
Welcome to the freaky world of identity theft.
I was randomly surfing on Cozy Cot about the latest Liese Bubble Hair Colour when I stepped into the rabbit hole and surfaced to see so many articles about this young 19yo girl who "chain identity thefts". Freaky.
Her name is Jowenn Yeo.
What she's done is created multiple personas online with other people's photos. Try to keep up:
- She pretends to be this happily married young mum with one kid and expecting another one soon (Belle Ng - her profile pic is of another blogger called "J" - to keep her privacy, using initials).
- As Belle Ng, she stole pics off V's blog and claims V's daughter is her own! She then set up Twitter acc for herself, her "hubby Ervin" and her "kid"! She names her "kid" Elssa Tan Le Xuan. The little girl's real name is Wen Xuan. =pp
- She starts up another blog as Evabelle with diff profile pic and uses V's daughter's photo again to claim as her own. She also claims to be married to E's friend (see below) Dowell Lim (who doesnt know her) in this blog.
- She stalked this other blogger called E for 4 years, copied her dressing (very "Single White Female", if you know the movie) and even uses personal photos E takes for her Twitpic!! =p As her true (subjective hor) self, she creates some social networking/blogging acc in Hi5 copying E's first name and adopting it as her own!! She even claims on this website that she is 21, but she is 19.
- She took E's niece's photo and twitpic as her own niece's pics or something. And as Evabelle, I think she also used the same girl's photo and claim it as pics of the same "fake kid" of hers.
This girl just can't live her life as herself! E and V recently did an expose of what she's been up to. V said that Jowenn apparently bought some clothes from her, and recently asked for a refund claiming she is going overseas. V did so but E told her according to Jowenn's Twitpic, Jowenn was enjoying some Mac Delivery makan on the same day refund took place, on the same day that she claimed she was leaving SG. =pp
Perhaps Jowenn is
1) Schizo - then she really needs medical help
2) Insecure about her life or looks (adoi)
3) Has huge crushes on both Ervin and Dowell for afar, enough to pretend to have a "real" life of "wedded bliss" with both guys (still a bit creepy dun u think to pretend online and create facebook/ blog/ twitter accounts and a whole "universe" for the game of pretence?!?!)
4) Is desperate to have kids (at 19???)
5) Comes from a broken family, lacks attention
Whatever it is, she needs help. =pp
It is very sad but it seems the internet is rife with such cases and they are mostly teenage girls who are "copying" popular bloggers or something. ^.^""
I was randomly surfing on Cozy Cot about the latest Liese Bubble Hair Colour when I stepped into the rabbit hole and surfaced to see so many articles about this young 19yo girl who "chain identity thefts". Freaky.
Her name is Jowenn Yeo.
What she's done is created multiple personas online with other people's photos. Try to keep up:
- She pretends to be this happily married young mum with one kid and expecting another one soon (Belle Ng - her profile pic is of another blogger called "J" - to keep her privacy, using initials).
- As Belle Ng, she stole pics off V's blog and claims V's daughter is her own! She then set up Twitter acc for herself, her "hubby Ervin" and her "kid"! She names her "kid" Elssa Tan Le Xuan. The little girl's real name is Wen Xuan. =pp
- She starts up another blog as Evabelle with diff profile pic and uses V's daughter's photo again to claim as her own. She also claims to be married to E's friend (see below) Dowell Lim (who doesnt know her) in this blog.
- She stalked this other blogger called E for 4 years, copied her dressing (very "Single White Female", if you know the movie) and even uses personal photos E takes for her Twitpic!! =p As her true (subjective hor) self, she creates some social networking/blogging acc in Hi5 copying E's first name and adopting it as her own!! She even claims on this website that she is 21, but she is 19.
- She took E's niece's photo and twitpic as her own niece's pics or something. And as Evabelle, I think she also used the same girl's photo and claim it as pics of the same "fake kid" of hers.
This girl just can't live her life as herself! E and V recently did an expose of what she's been up to. V said that Jowenn apparently bought some clothes from her, and recently asked for a refund claiming she is going overseas. V did so but E told her according to Jowenn's Twitpic, Jowenn was enjoying some Mac Delivery makan on the same day refund took place, on the same day that she claimed she was leaving SG. =pp
Perhaps Jowenn is
1) Schizo - then she really needs medical help
2) Insecure about her life or looks (adoi)
3) Has huge crushes on both Ervin and Dowell for afar, enough to pretend to have a "real" life of "wedded bliss" with both guys (still a bit creepy dun u think to pretend online and create facebook/ blog/ twitter accounts and a whole "universe" for the game of pretence?!?!)
4) Is desperate to have kids (at 19???)
5) Comes from a broken family, lacks attention
Whatever it is, she needs help. =pp
It is very sad but it seems the internet is rife with such cases and they are mostly teenage girls who are "copying" popular bloggers or something. ^.^""
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