Month December 2008

My Top *09 Fill-In-The-Blank Resolutions

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  1. I will not fall prey and browse on ambiguous sites again, ever.
  2. I will make enough money to fulfill my Arise & Build pledge and to prepare for marriage.
  3. I will spend time to pray more and surf less.
  4. I will finally get my driving license.
  5. I will quit procrastinating on doing the little things, start being enthusiastic in working on them, and eat humble pie.
  6. I will go to church but will not be limited by the church’s vision and be captivated by God’s and His kingdom’s vision.
  7. No more wasteful time over lunches and more catch-up sessions over dinners.
  8. I want to meet my goals for 2009 and bring more of His presence and power down to my world and into others.
  9. I will try to make time for writing a short book.
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My Read of the Month:

Title: Why We Want You to Be Rich: Two Men – One Message
Author: Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki
Published: 2006
Genre: Financial/Self-improvement
Ratings: 3.8 out of 5 stars

This is an arresting read that will serve well in giving you an overview of our global financial situation from these two highly successful businessmen.

In this combined-effort book, they challenge readers to think big and provide reasons why we should veer away from the crutch mentality. Reading this also helped me to understand Singapore and our government’s policies better like the reasons behind increasing the CPF take-out age and healthcare matters.

I like the part where Robert shared his views on the confusion that people had about God and money. Commonly, the desire to be rich is mostly viewed as being anti-God, but yet the bible (parable of the talents) rewarded the rich and not the poor.

In any case, he leaves readers to decide on their own set of beliefs, but shares his strong faith in a higher being (namely God).

Pick this up if you want to stretch your mindset or attitude towards attaining wealth.

Who should read it: Those who desire to gain insights towards their personal financial situation especially helpful during this economic slowdown.

The Christmas ‘Angels’

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The picture below was taken (by me) during a candlelight segment at a Christmas service of City Harvest Church on 24 December 2008.

If you observe carefully, the lights of the candles especially those at the back seem to resemble a horde of angels taking flight.

* Click over image for larger version

Divine or coincidence leh…? I also don’t know what to make of it.

A Christmas Conversation with a 7-Year Old

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One of the highlights for me during this Christmas period was an interesting conversation that I had with my eldest niece, Jacqueline.

We were at the Christmas Rock event by City Harvest Children’s Church. And this unfolded towards the closing moments.

Jesus is God

“Who is Jesus?”

“Jesus is God.” (me shrieking with glee).

“Oh… so Jesus is like xxxxx.” (she mentioned one Chinese god name which I couldn’t catch)

“Yes, but Jesus is the real (true and living) God and He LOVES you!”

This exchange was going on in Mandarin and I did my best to explain with my limited vocab.

Making theology simple

Shortly after listening to the pastor’s message, she turned to me again and asked, “How come God the Father and Jesus is the same?“

I replied, “Well, its like you and daddy. Both of you are different persons but share the same surname. Likewise, God the Father and Jesus though they are different persons but they are also the same.”

Explaining the theology to a 7-year old can be really challenging. I was not even sure if I replied correctly, but those were the words that was put in my mouth to answer.

Nonetheless, I thank God that my niece’s heart has been spiritually awakened. I pray that those ‘seeds’ of truth will one day bear the fruits of her salvation in Christ.

It is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive

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Despite finding myself becoming more of a ‘boring’ person with each passing Christmas, but on the contrary I actually find my life becoming more exciting.

This year’s Christmas has been very low-key one for me but an extremely meaningful one.

A season of giving

First, I broke my personal record of giving away a total of 100 Christmas gifts to my list of family members, colleagues, church mates, friends and associates.

Whether recession or not, God has blessed me much to be a blessing. I am thankful that I had enough to give as an expression of my sincere love to those around me especially my family.

Second, I served my community. I took time to host a Christmas Party by my Resident’s Committee (RC) for the residents living in Clementi. I found it a great platform for me to use my talent, gifts and skills to serve my neighbours.

On a separate occasion, I joined some of my fellow TOC members to distribute Christmas hampers and gifts to needy residents living at Old Airport Road. It was really satisfying to bless those families with no strings attached as we mentioned nothing of any organisation that we could have been representing.

Personally, this sort of engagement through serving my community is humbling as it puts my life in His perspective with His love.

Blessed to give than to receive

Looking back, I am amazed how God has increased my ability and capacity to give as I walked in His ways over the years.

I know I desire to give more and foresee that He will provide me the scalability or upward mobility in order to be a greater blessing.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:35

Though I no longer bask in parties with all the booze and glitter like how I used to enjoy, but I’ve now discovered the secret of attaining true joy; one that will not fade after the ‘high’ from the partying wears off.

That ‘secret’ is through giving and serving those (regardless of religion, race, gender, age or background) around me.

My Christmas 2008

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Despite the fact that Christmas day (25 December) is not exactly the date that Jesus Christ was born, Christmas still remains to be an extraordinary event that is celebrated world-wide.

My first Christmas

I recalled my first Christmas after receiving Christ. That was 12 years ago. I was in my prison cell.

During Christmas, all prison inmates who were Christians were served with a special dinner.

“Special” meant our normal serving style would be spruced up from white rice to fried rice and additional meat dish. That meal also included a slice of butter cake.

Today, I don’t just celebrate Christmas by treating myself with some special meals. I  celebrate by remembering His grace to me and the Hope He has given to me in living my life to the full.

Towards 2009

This year’s Christmas, I am thankful that I was also given an opportunity during a pre-Christmas gathering to recount my experience in prison where I had encountered God. Hopefully, it had inspired others to know our living and loving God.

In the past, that part of my life was a shame that I hid from others. Now, that part has become a banner that is raised for His glory. Unbelievable.

Like how the Jews observe the Pass Over to remind them of their roots, Christmas never fails to connect me back to His love for me . It serves also as timely annual reminder of the Hope I have in His Son, Jesus Christ as I enter the new year.

On this note, I like to wish everyone a BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

Being His Church- A Servant to All

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Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever.

I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view.

I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (The Message)

Let’s Be a Church Without Walls

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This is a beautiful song that never fails to move me.

I am sure it will serve as a reminder for us (His Church) to stay true to our call- to be His Hands and Feet in taking the Gospel and His love to touch our broken and hopeless world.

Today, is there someone you know that you can be a friend to?

“Does Anybody Hear Her?” is composed and sung by Casting Crowns

Are You Addicted to the Internet?

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Try the short quiz below (link provided below) to find out if you’re an Internet addict. 

I was quite relieved with my results. Ha ha…


42%  

Average@Internet-User.com (41% – 60%)
You seem to have a healthy balance in your life when it comes to the internet and life away from the computer. You know enough to do what you want online without looking like an idiot (most of the time). You even have your own Yahoo club or online journal! But you enjoy seeing your friends and going out to enjoy life away from your computer.

The Quiz at Quiz Meme!