Author andrewong2024

Great is the Love of God

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I look at your heavens,
which you made with your fingers.
I see the moon and stars,
which you created.

But why are people even important to you?
Why do you take care of human beings?

You made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.

You put them in charge of everything you made.
You put all things under their control:

all the sheep, the cattle,
and the wild animals,

the birds in the sky,
the fish in the sea,
and everything that lives under water.

Lord our Lord,
your name is the most wonderful name in all the earth!

Psalm 8:3-9 (New Century Version)

My Valentine’s Day SMS

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During the Valentine’s Day weekend, I was greeted with a SMS from MINDEF!

As a guy growing up in Singapore, it is as if we are married to our government.

This love-hate relationship begins when we are at the ripe old age of 18 years old. That’s when we go “honeymoon” for two years serving National Service.

After ORD, we still have our regular 1-2 weeks “tryst” or reservist training. If that’s not enough for her, then there’s remedial training!

Damn tough being a guy in Singapore sia… No wonder we don’t make enough babies… LOL

But on a seperate and serious note, read about this latest disturbing news about the world’s youngest boy dad with daughter at 13 years old in England.

Valentine’s Memo Joke

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To: All Staff,

As you know, the realities of the downturn have hit home and I am forced to introduce the following cost-cutting measures to help shore up our beloved company.

I know you will understand that the pain is temporary and the gains will be there for all of us to reap when the company comes through these difficult times stronger… and ready to ride the next big wave.

So with immediate effect, all staff will be required to adhere to the following:

a.      The cups on the two vending machines are to be recycled.   Annabelle has already sterialised them.

b.      Sabbatical leave: Executives booked for New York will now go to Kukup in Johor Bahru instead. Senior executives can go further – up to Yong Peng.

c.      Our chalet lease in Pulau Ubin has ended. However, as the management takes a keen interest in staff welfare, we have arranged with Francis (from Admin Dept) to rent out one of his rooms at Blk 923, Pasir Ris Drive. His flat was chosen for its proximity to the sea and you can still see Ubin from the window.

d.      Entertainment claims: Staff will be required to go for a 30-min demonstration by Raj from Finance Dept, who will show you how to withdraw your credit card slowly from your wallet (58 secs), so that others at a business lunch will inadvertently beat you to it when the bill comes.

e.      The Valentine’s Day white chocolates (Deluxeur) which I gave out in January : Those of you who have yet to open the box, please return them expiry date: Dec 2009).

f.      Monthly Best Employee Award : The $1000 cash award will now be replaced by a box of Deluxeur white chocolates.

g.      Annual Best Employee Award : The 14-day Disneyland/Hawaii tour and solid gold Rolex Oyster watch will be replaced by TWO boxes of Deluxeur white chocolates.

h.      Medical: The Oxfordshire-Hopkins Medical Group will no more be on our panel. Annabelle will give you the address of Hong Tong Hong Medical Hall in Sungei Road. Bring you company pass for a 10% discount.

i.      Country Club Memberships : Senior executives must return their membership cards to Annabelle, who will then register your name with Bishan Community Centre.

j.      Transport Allowance : No reduction of rate! However, it will be paid on alternate months.

k.      Gifts for clients : New choices. The Bohemian Crystal list will be replaced by the one from 7-eleven.

l.      Annual Dinner & Dance : No change (March 20, yay!), but the venue is switched from The Ritz-Carlton to the void deck of Annabelle’s flat in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.

m.      Bonus : This time, staff welfare comes first! Instead of the usual amount, we raised it up to $2 million. Each employee will be given a Singapore Sweep ticket. The draw is on March 5.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

From:   Chief Financial Officer

How to Get a Car for Valentine’s Day

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Now with the COE at an ultra low price, it wouldn’t be so bad to get a car right? Might even make a great gift for Valentine’s =P

Watch how this girl got her boyfriend to buy a car for her. Fierce sia…

This will serve as a good warning for us guys… LOL

Some Jokes about Love and Marriage

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With Valentine’s approaching, below are some jokes on love and marriage to set is in the mood amid the doom and gloom:

  • It doesn’t matter how often a married man changes his job, he still ends up with the same boss
  • My wife and I always compromise; I admit I’m wrong and she agrees with me
  • A couple was having a discussion about family finances. Finally the husband exploded, “If it weren’t for my money, the house wouldn’t be here!”
    The wife replied, “My dear, if it weren’t for your money, I wouldn’t be here.”
  • When a newly married couple smiles, everyone knows why
    When a ten-year married couple smiles, everyone wonders why
  • A little boy asked his father, “Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?”
    And the father replied, “I don’t know, son, I’m still paying for it.”
  • The most effective way to remember your wife’s birthday is to forget it once
  • First Guy (proudly): “My wife’s an angel!” Second Guy: “You’re lucky, mine’s still alive.”
  • Boring husband: Honey, why are you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger? Bored wife: Because I married the wrong man!
  • When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing: either the car is new or the wife
  • If you do NOT have a wife – You are missing Some thing in your life
    If you have a wife – You are missing So Many things in your life

Found Faithful

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Below is an excerpt taken from one of Kong Hee’s daily devotions. This particular entry spoke to me- now I’m in a period of preparation. I have to be faithful. Amen.

“Many are called, but few chosen” (Matt. 20:16). It is one thing to be called of God, it is quite another to be chosen by God.

But Revelation 17:14 says, “Those who are with [the Lamb] are called, chose, and faithful.”

Moses wasn’t just called and chosen by God, he was found faithful in everything he did for the Lord in His house (Heb. 3:2).

Similarly, there will be three distinct divisions in your life. You must have the call of God. Then there will be a preparation period.

If you pass that preparation period, there will come a time when God will choose you and put you into a ministry. But for that ministry to flourish and bear great fruit, you must be found faithful in serving God in His church.

Crossing the Two-Year Mark

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This week, I’ve crossed the two-year mark in being with  my present organisation.

Though two years doesn’t seem long, but it does feel very long.

Since my first day, I have been through many turbulent phases with the organisation.

Presently, I am relieved and thankful that we have turned the corner and are climbing to prominence.

The turn around truly taught me what a difference a committed and competent leader can do for an organisation. And the reverse being also true with an undedicated and incompetent leader.

Connecting the dots

It has been a very fruitful two years. God has used this particular environment to stretch my vision from a “B2C” to a “B2B” mindset.

Being thickly involved and in tune with the business community has also enriched my perspective in what God is doing in the marketplace and enhanced my business acumen (c.f. Matthew 10:16)

From the social service sector, then to an e-commerce set up and now in this business federation, each working environment has provided me with unqiue experiences, aquired knowledge and honed my skills.

Upon analysing, I do see a pattern or the dots that are connecting each one of these phases of my work life towards my vision.

Being where God wants me to be

Though from a worldly standpoint, I can honestly admit that my resume or portfolio may not be classed with the “elites” in Singapore, but I know I am where God wants me to be and that’s my definition of success.

I think being given a vision beyond what I can see has helped me see my life in His perspective in the light of His plans for me. And knowing God gives me the confidence to face my tomorrows.

At where I am now, I am more excited than I ever was about the future ahead with Him, even in this downturn.

Moving forward, my prayer would be for me to learn patience and stillness in waiting upon God even more; that I may be faithful in all I do and also rely fully on Him. Amen.   

Powerful Environments

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Taking this idea of environments a little further, consider the following ideas:

1. If you want your intelligence to grow: go to a library, a book store or a school

2. If you want your health to grow: go to a gym, ride a bicycle or play more

3. If you want your spirit to grow: go to a church, find a quiet spot and meditate or pray more

4. If you want your wealth to grow: go to a place where people are getting rich (like a real estate office or stockbroker’s office), join an investment club, or start a study group and meet new friends who want to grow richer.

5. If you want to expand your world: go to places you’ve never been before… do things you’ve been afraid of doing before.

In other words, sometimes the fastest way to change and improve yourself is simply to change your environment.

The Environmental Factor on Your Vision

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The kind of environment that you place yourself in can limit your vision.

Using myself as an example when I grew up with a gang during my teens. My vision was to own a club or a pub.

Some of my other peers in the gang aspired to be loan sharks, drug pushers, bouncers or managers for a disco or pub.

Obviously, our vision was much influenced and limited by our environment.

Not surprisingly, most of us did not pursue or further our studies as our aspirations didn’t require any high academic qualifications.

This taught me that no one can grow beyond his vision. In other words, the greatness of your vision will determine the greatness of who you can be or what you can achieve.

More about the environment factor

Another influencing factor about our environment is that it largely determines how successful we can be with our vision. Not finding an environment that supports us can cause us to fail.

Tiger Woods’ genius came out from golf courses. If he was a jockey, he would not have been successful. Likewise, Mick Jagger who initially studied to be an accountant, found his genius on stage as a Rolling Stone.

For me, after I became a Christ-follower, I entered a new environment with a church community. That developed me spiritually and practically. God used the right environment to change and define my vision and mission in life.

Choosing your environment

Similarly, as employees, we are probably working in an environment designed for those who work not to lose- people who want job security and a steady pay check. This can be described as a poor environment.

Many people who want to become rich fail to become rich simply because they are rich people in a poor environment. Employers who create such environments attract and keep good employees- employees who are happy working not to lose. And one such  obvious environment is the government service.

Like how a tree will grow strong and big with  the right environment that provides a healthy dosage of sunshine, water and fertile ground to take root. The same is true with us as people.

Choosing the right environment (led by God) to be rooted will not only shape your vision, but will largely determine your success in achieving it.