Month May 2009

andrewong2024 2 Comments

My Read of the Month:

Title: The Man in the Mirror : Solving the 24 Problems Men Face
Author: Patrick Morley
Published: 1997
Genre: Christian Living
Ratings: 2.0 out of 5 stars

This book aims to invite men to take a probing look at our identities, relationships, finances, time, temperament, and integrity, and then directs us to take the first time step toward lasting change.

I find Morley’s book not quite that engaging. I mainly read this book as it was a gift. This title is a good read for those who wish to be grounded in the basics of Christianity.

Many a times I found this book preaching isolation rather than insulation; to stay away from the world and culture to remain holy rather than engaging with the Holy Spirit.

I won’t recommend this book though it does contain some helpful insights, but most of them are pretty obvious to us these days.

Who should read it: Men who are taking their early steps in the Christian faith.

Have an Elevated Faith

andrewong2024 1 Comment

Whenever we get into an elevator and press the level which we want to go, we always safely expect and assume it will take us to that level.

Without any hesitation, we put our full trust in the elevator that it will take us where we want to go.

I think that is the kind of approach all of us should have when in comes to having faith in God.

Having faith in God

If God says to you that He will bless you, it simply means He WILL bless you. If He says to you He will heal you, then it simply means he WILL heal you.

God always says what He means and means what He says.

His words do not change conveniently like how man would likely react whenever circumstances are unfavourable.

In fact, His words words has the power to come through in whatever circumstances and change any situation.

Therefore, just as we can expect the elevator to work when we ride on it, we should have that similar expectancy if not more when we put our trust in God for any particular matter.

Faith that elevates

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

Having faith in God is important as it determines our altitude. And especially in tough times, faith keeps us going; serving as the foundation that holds our vision.

Like they say, “Tough times don’t last but tough people do.” And faith is that substance that makes us tough.

Strange how an everyday ride on the elevator can inspire faith… Ha ha…

My Miracle Breakthrough

andrewong2024 2 Comments

I have another testimony to share about a miracle breakthrough in regards to my career.

If you recall, last year I shared briefly about some of my ramblings at work.

Since then, I was praying that this year would be the year that God would give me a breakthrough in my career to take me to the next level of growth.

After five months, He made it happened. And it was nothing short of a miracle.

The breakthrough

Without boring you with the full details, my direct boss who moved to join a private education organisation (PEO) unexpectedly offered me a job position to join him.

The role that I was offered was marketing and communications in nature and required me to oversee and execute the advertising and promotion of the PEO’s offerings.

Needlessly to say, I recognised it as God’s timely answer to my prayer and gratefully accepted the offer.

I am now in my second week with my new job.

The journey through

This miracle breakthrough brings back memories of my relentless search for my initial desired job upon my graduation some years ago.

Yes you guessed correctly, it was marketing communications. However, all my attempts led to closed doors then.

Now after a long and tedious journey of equipping, the door has finally opened. And it opened in such fashion that it gives full credit to God.

He has done it again; making things happen in my life in spite of the odds that are stacked against me.

Thank you God.

Miracles Do Happen When You Believe

andrewong2024 7 Comments

Two months ago, I met Fabien.

At that point of his life, he was at the brink of depression and was suicidal.

He had already attempted suicide four times and was eventually warded at Institute of Mental Health (IMH).

Facing pressing problems

Fabien is divorced with two kids- 5 year old daughter and 7 year old son. Both of them are under his ex-wife’s custody.

Being unemployed for two years, he has never been able to keep up with the alimony payments.

If you think that is bad, it could only get worse.

His dad had also passed away last year and left a huge pile of bills from the housing unit for him to shoulder alone. He’s the elders and both of his siblings are currently serving their jail terms.

Understandably, he was hard pressed and cornered by his circumstances.

But that was two months ago before He decided to hand over his life with its problems to God.

The miracles that happened

Now and most recently, he is gainfully employed. It was an answered prayer that saw his specific request of the salary package and working schedule met.

Prior to this employment, he had experienced several miraculous incidents within two months. But I will just recount two of them on his behalf.

The first was when the PUB decided to terminate his water supply after failing to make due payment. On that same day, his neighbour whom he barely knew and who had just moved into the neighbourhood two months ago, approached Fabien.

His neighbour had kindly offered to pay the entire utilities bill. That amount was about $500 and was paid in full without conditions.

That day, his water supply was re-connected on the same day it was terminated.

The second miracle happened two weeks after that.

He received a letter from the North West Community Development Centre (CDC) that included a cheque of $250 as part of a financial assistance scheme to help him through this period.

In the letter, it stated that he would be receiving this amount for three months. On top of the that, CDC would also be subsidising a substantial amount for his housing bills such as utilities and maintenance.

The miracle was that Fabien did not apply for any financial assistance scheme and the cheque appeared at a time when he most needed it.

More miracles ahead

Fabien now carries a totally different countenance; one that is hopeful.

Last Saturday, he witnessed yet another miracle when his ex-wife whom he invited to a church service with him, responded in becoming a Christian.

I truly believe that there are more good stuff that is heading Fabien’s way now that he has decided to follow God. Because He is a God that truly loves us and has the best plans for us.

Not sure about you, but I believe in miracles and the God that performs them.

If you’re presently in a trying situation especially with the recession, I hope Fabien’s miracle story will encourage you. Because your situation could be an opportunity for your miracle to show up.

The question is, “Would you believe and trust God enough to hand it (your situation) over to Him? “

andrewong2024 2 Comments

My Doodling:

This blog is participating in the MOST INSIGHTFUL BLOG category of S’pore Blog Awards organised by omy.sg. And has been hand-picked as one of the nominees. If you like what you read here, please support by voting lar… Gam Sia… =P 

How We Make Others Feel Matters

andrewong2024 1 Comment

In the midst of this month, I have attended two funerals.

The first funeral was a friend who died in an unfortunate and tragic accident (see inserted picture).

The other was my step-grandma who passed away because of old age. She lived a full 86 years.

I believe we have been through enough funerals to observe that one of the important things that we leave behind when we depart from earth are memories.

Leaving behind memories

Memories are the traces of marks that are left behind from the encounters and experiences  that family and friends accumulate with the person while still alived.

Ideally, these memories  should be pleasant for others to remember fondly.

The truth about this observation is that people may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

Therefore, how we relate and treat people around us matter more than what we know or say to them.

For instance, I may not be able to recall what my primary school teachers taught me more than 20 years ago, but I have impressions of them from how they related with me as their student.

Making that difference each day

So what am I saying?

Resolute to deposit lasting memories to those around us by treating them with love and respect; little acts of kindness to others will go a long way in making an impact and leaving a legacy.

The small daily differences we make towards others, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.

Bridging the Differences

andrewong2024 2 Comments

Taken with long-time-no-see friend, Nixem, Runway Director for Runway Concepts at the PINK DOT SG event on 16 May 2009 at the Speakers’ Corner@Hong Lim Park.

For the record, I’m very straight and he’s very gay… LOL

Crossing Over from Being Religious to Loving

andrewong2024 Leave a comment

Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, “Come along with me.” Matthew stood up and followed him.

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them.

When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. “What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?”

Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.‘ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”

Matthew 9:9-13 (The Message)

Gay Marriage—How Should Christians Respond?

andrewong2024 4 Comments

This is an interesting article with a good thread of comments that might be helpful in providing some Christian perspective  towards dealing with matters of homosexuality. Below is an extract.

“Rising generations need to articulate a stance that protects the nature of marriage in a way that is both logical and loving,” says Jonathan Merritt, a faith and culture writer who serves as national spokesperson for the Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative.

“We must move away from the us-versus-them, culture war mentality that treats our gay and lesbian neighbors only as our political enemies, and begin embracing them as people of mutual goodwill who happen to see things very differently than we do.”

Eric Bryant, author of the book Peppermint-Filled Piñatas, echoes Merritt’s call to love our gay neighbors. “Christians are known for who we hate rather than how we love,” he writes in his blog.

“This moves us out of the conversation and polarizes those involved so quickly, no progress can be made,” Bryant says that it’s crucial for Christians to love people we disagree with, and to discuss the gay marriage issue with civility.

“We cannot influence others we have pushed away,” he writes. “This includes those who are struggling to figure out what to do with their sexual desires while growing up.”

Read the full article here>>>