Author andrewong2024

GE 2011: What is God doing?

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This year, the general elections in Singapore looks to be a watershed one!

Since independence, this is the first time all (87) seats are contested except 5 seats namely from Tanjong Pagar GRC. And this was due to a controversial incident.

Nonetheless, this remains a significant progress for Singapore’s political scene especially with majority of Singaporeans voting for the very first time after countless walkovers.

From the last election that happened in 2006, I’ve observed two key factors that are distinctive in shaping this election.

First is the increased numbers of young voters or Gen-Ys who are eligible above the age of 21 years old, and the other is the influence of social media, in particularly Facebook that is shaping the opinions of Singaporeans.

These two are inter-linked because it is the Gen-Ys that are more savvy or in tuned to such online social media platforms. And together, they prove to be a lethal force to be reckoned with.

It has contributed in addressing the general lack of apathy among the average Singaporean towards political issues and appealed to more citizens to join the opposition parties.

Because information is now no longer just confined or belonging to the higher echelon of society or baby boomers. The Internet has levelled the playing field where vital information is easily accessible and shared among people.

That said, amidst all the buzz and excitement, I’m trying to discern what is God’s agenda or move in this overall political situation.

I strongly believe that He’s taking Singapore to the next level where this nation and the Church can fulfill its full potential towards advancing His global redemptive plan.

So in this elections, let’s pray and vote wisely.

I know that He loves me

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My trip to Sydney was nothing short of perfect!

It was the perfect getaway with God. And one fully instigated by Him.

Everything was arranged and paid for, from the air ticket to the accommodation.

He even got me fetched from and driven to the airport!

If that was not enough, He even blessed me with a couple of hundred dollars for expenses through a thoughtful friend.

From the start to the end of the trip, I was unreservingly lavished with His (practical) love through His people.

I guess God knew I needed a reminder and a fresh outpouring of His love since it is so easy to overlook or ignore my own needs (emotional and spiritual) in the midst of all the doing.

True enough, I met God there especially during the 4-day Presence Conference. He renewed me, refocused me and rejuvenated me.

In particularly, I felt a release of faith upon my inner being. I was comforted in His presence and assured of His love for me.

I know that He loves me; that He is and has been there for me even in my weakness. He is faithful and I’ll trust in His love.

I’ll wait for His promises to come to pass. I’ll keep the faith because a vision that is impossible requires faith. If it doesn’t, that it is not God-given.

We’re one year old!

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Last month, my wife and I celebrated our first year marriage anniversary. Yes! We’re one year old!

I believe for most of that one year, God had been molding our character and unity as a couple. And He still is.

We learnt to be independent from our parents and at the same time, to be depended on God together; instilling steel into the back bone of our marriage.

Not everything has been ‘and-they-lived-happily-ever-after’ though. We do have our crazy moments where we fall from lovers to enemies in an instant; from hugging to strangling  each other. Haha…

For most parts of those moments, they primarily stemmed from our differences in personality, gender traits and personal habits. For instance, I’m the outgoing and adventurous sort while my wife is more reserved and safe.

So you can imagine how we can unknowingly or knowingly unnerve each other. That’s explosive couple-discovery! Haha…

Fun as it may seems but there’s no doubt that marriage is hard work. There are loads of loving and forgiving to do each day on top of the practical challenges that need to be tackled. 

Nonetheless, I give thanks for an awesome first year (and the latter years ahead)  of marriage. Indeed, God is good!

Every drop of His grace matters

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But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven’t I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others?

Even then, my work didn’t amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it.

So whether you heard it from me or from those others, it’s all the same: We spoke God’s truth and you entrusted your lives.

1 Corinthians 15:10-11 (The Message)

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My Doodling:

I’m all geared up for my trip to Sydney. Flying off on 10 April and returning on 16 April. I’ll be attending the Presence Conference by C3 Church that’s gonna be held at the Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour. This is an answered prayer for a personal retreat! But I’ll surely miss my wife =(

Winning the future: energy security

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This is a recent speech by US President, Obama on its nation’s energy security plans to stay ahead in the 21st century global economy. 

Worth the watch for those who are unfamiliar with this global subject that affects each one of us.

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My Read of the Month:

Title: Rich Dad’s Conspiracy of the Rich: The 8 New Rules of Money
Author: Robert T. Kiyosaki
Published: 2009
Genre: Financial management/Entrepreneurship
Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars

“One of the greatest conspiracies of the rich is found in our educational system,” says Robert Kiyosaki as he points the system’s glaring lapse in it not teaching people about money. “Rather, it only teaches us how to become a good employee,” he added.

This is just one of the explosive conspiracies that will definitely set readers thinking about their life and future, and to relook into the path in which they’re threading.

In this compelling book, Robert also shares 8 rules of money: money is knowledge; learn how to use debt; learn to control cash flow; prepare for bad times and you will only know good times; the need for speed; learn the language of money; life is a team sport- choose your team carefully; and since money is becoming worthless and less, learn to print your own.

If you’re a fan of his and have read most of his books, you will find much of the information and facts familiar and repetitive in this book. But that said, the quick financial historical lesson of the US was most useful. It gives reader a good grasp of our existing global economic situation and a glimpse of what to expect in the future.

All of us need to learn about money. And in my opinion, the need for churches to educate and empower their people from a biblical standpoint is critical in countering the likelihood of learning about money from the world’s standpoint. Hence, keeping people ignorant of the truth about money is wrong with detrimental consequences.

Back to this book, Robert is a remarkable communicator as he is able to make the usual complex financial terms readable and easy to understand for an average joe like me. If there’s any takeaway from reading this, is got to be knowing the game of money in our world. Because if we don’t know the game of money and don’t
play it well, we will be the used as game.

Who should read it: For anyone who’s concern about his/her own financial health and future.

God’s affirmation: keep writing

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Last month, my writing ‘career’ received a boost with an award- “Most Outstanding Writer” by City News.

This was my first ever such accolade since I started writing (and blogging) passionately and professionally some four years ago.

It definitely came as a pleasant surprise as I’d never expected to receive anything in return for my voluntary service.

But more significantly with the award aside, I saw this as an affirmation from God for my faith and obedience in using what I’d thought is His gift to me to serve.

This has also encouraged me to embark on a personal project that has been closed to my heart for a long time.

And all that can be revealed for now is that it will involve more writing and more writing. Haha…

Lastly, did I mention that the award included a prize of an all-paid trip plus accommodation to Sydney?

Yeah!! God is AWESOME!!!