Author andrewong2024

Love and Serve ALL

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JESUS said….

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:31-40 (NIV)

Nation-building the Pro-Singapore Way

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Last Saturday I “incidentally” turned up for a private event organised by Ms Chee Siok Chin of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) at the Excelsior Hotel.

One Nation Under Lee

Read the event coverage here>>>

The good side of the screening

The movie was a political documentary by Honest Productions titled One Nation Under Lee and it presented the unscrupulous ways Mr Lee Kuan Yew wielded his power since entering into the political scene.

It is very informative and factual with news reports and interviews of individuals that were victims of Mr Lee’s political regime and ambitions. Much of what was presented is unknown to Singaporeans, especially the 2nd and 3rd generation of Singaporeans like myself.

This is a must-see, though it is certain never to be approved or released by the authorities.

The ugly side of the screening

Though I applaud some of the individuals’ courageous and sacrificial stance in championing the cause for a democratic political system, I do not agree with their course of actions undertaken during the event.

For instance, the emcee boldly crushed a letter from MICA which warned them of the consequences and legal implications of screening the movie, and threw it on the floor with defiance in front of the audience.

When MICA officials arrived, shouting could be heard from inside the room. Though I wasn’t at that scene to witness who were the ones shouting, but sometimes I think we forget that whether we are government officials or politicians, we are still fellow Singaporeans.

Moreover we are all in the same plight, and perhaps even sharing the same common goal. But just on opposite sides.

Building our ideal future

Personally, I do empathise with the frustrations of the opposition wards in not been given a fair playing ground to pit against the ruling party. As it remains a fact that it is almost impossible to be a voice or have a say in our country.

Dr Chee in a protest in 2006However, I am not a supporter of outright rebellion and civil or uncivil disobedience against our government or towards any particular politician. Even how unfair the playing field might be, a basic respect still needs to be rendered to our authorities when we engage with them without being mired by personal grievances.

When we render respect, we can safely expect respect to be reciprocated. And that is how I believe we can earn the right and credibility to speak and to be heard.

Being pro-Singapore first

Without a doubt I am certain we do not want the younger generation to learn from us in becoming a disrespectful or unruly bunch in the course of exercising their freedom of speech or rights, for it is said that true freedom is being able to do the right thing at the right time.

In the course of achieving our democratic goals, I think it is far more important to impart the right values and virtues such as love and respect to our people especially the younger generation. This would surely build a more gracious, cohesive and inclusive society that we all hope for.

Because in the final analysis, it is not the political system that needs the reforming, but the people in the system that needs the reforming.

Therefore, if we truly want to convey the right message, I believe the reforming begins with each one of us first before we attempt to change or overthrow others.

Or else, how different are we from those we attempt to change?

TOC’s New Look

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TOC's New Look

Theonlinecitizen (TOC) has a new look!

It is amazing how this non-partisan site has grown in readership and prominence with fellow Singaporeans in such a short span. And I am privileged to be able to share and play a bit part in it as a national service.

For those who are clueless to this site and current affairs, this is a site to visit for alternative views besides those we frequently read from our predictable and lop-sided mainstream media.

I forsee that TOC will play a significant role in the years to come in informing, educating and empowering Singaporeans in being more active in shaping the future of our nation.

Visit the website here>>>

More on Excellence

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Pursuit of ExcellenceMediocrity is a curse that God wants to remove from our lives.

As Christians, we should reach for a higher standard of excellence than the world sets. God deserves our very best!

Superior quality should be the hallmark of everything a Christian is and does as we have the responsibility to bear a good testimony whenever we produce works of superior quality.

Conversely, we become a poor testimony when we produce works of inferior quality.

What does it mean to excel or to have excellence?

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, excellence means:

  • To exceed a given standard that is ordinary, average, terrible or unworthy.
  • To be first-rate, first-class, exceptional, peerless, matchless, foremost, exemplary, top-grade, outstanding, superior, superb, superlative, splendid, deserving admiration, top-notch, A-1, marvelous, extraordinary, awesome, brilliant, fabulous, fantastic, heavenly, mind-blowing, stupendous, super, terrific, wondrous and pukka (best quality)!
  • To be superior in quality, greater in quantity, to transcend your job description, and to outdo yourself each time.

Being an Excellent Winner in Christ

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Manchester United has done it again!

They have added a 17th Championship title to their cabinet of trophies by finishing the Barclay’s Premier League 2007/08 season with a virtuso display of hunger and team spirit.

This team begun the league slowly but leap-frogged over Arsenal to lead the table in the later stage of the season’s second-half, and eventually pipped Chelsea to secure the championship in dramatic fashion!

Playing to win the title

The Champs of BPL 2007/2008But what if the script didn’t turn out this way, and if Chelsea had snatched the championship under the nose of the Red Devils?

That would have meant all their hard work and goals scored throughout the season of nine months would amount to nothing.

The one and only objective of being in the league is to win the race for the championship title.

Without aiming and clinching the title, being in the league would be meaningless.

A winning mentality and attitude

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:24

Similarly, we as Christians are all in a race of our faith and the goal is to accomplished our purpose and calling as His servants.

At the end of this league or to be exact, at the end of our lives on earth, would we reach our goal? Would we emerge as winners or losers?

As apostle Paul beseeches, we need to live out our faith in such as way that we aim to win. And that can never be achieved with a passive or mediocre mentality and attitude.

Winning with excellence

What distinguishes winners from losers is the hunger and spirit of excellence in achieving the goal or prize.

A spirit of excellence is created and thrusted by our hunger fueled by our love for God and the passion for the lost that needs to be touched by His love.

I think it is not uncommon to be comfortable where we are in life with what we have. We can so easily go about daily losing the aim or purpose of our lives.

Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27

Even if we think we are doing well, that would posed a challenge to be continually motivated. Because it is easy to allow the “Rabbit and tortoise syndrome” to creep in when we think that we’re ahead of the rest.

Live excellently and be excellent

Despite winning almost all that is to win in the football world, Manchester United has never cease to evolve, improve and excel in all departments.

Hungry RooneyTheir hunger and avoidance of complacency has seen them striving to outdo not only their opponents, but also their ownself.

Likewise, with continually spiritual hunger for God and to do His will, we can also expect to see the Mighty Hand of God in our lives using us powerfully beyond our imagination.

When we are truly living out God’s purpose for our lives, that’s when we are excelling in every areas of our lives.

And just as it is fair to say that no one wants to support or be associated with a team that always loses and has no spirit to excel (which attributes to Manchester United being one of the most supported football clubs in the world), we cannot expect to win people towards Christ if we do not lead victorious, successful and excellent lives in Christ for the world to see.

Therefore, we need to live excellently and be excellent in Him with the supernatural resources we have in His promises and the power of the Holy Spirit, for Him.

Making My Mother’s Day

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My mother & meYesterday was Mother’s Day.

If anyone were to ask me how I would describe my relationship with my mother, I would just say that it is a love-hate relationship.

Far from perfect relationship
Eight years ago before moving back in, I could tell you that there were 20 six inches thick and solid concrete slabs between my mother and me.

We rarely communicated and the only time we managed to communicate was during a heated exchanged.

This hostility is accumulated over the years with a family that lacks intimacy, and disappointments incurred. But in spite of this, somehow in our hearts we knew we shared this unspoken love for each other.

Learning to love and forgive

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility

Ephesians 2:14

By the grace of God, through many “trials and errors” with more exchanges after I had moved back, the 20 slabs of concrete has been reduced to 8 slabs now.

At least now, we are able to carry a decent conversation without raising our voices. Ha ha…

I believe God has been teaching me to love more by forgiving more through this process. And He still is.

Making her day

Recently, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that being a testimony also begins at home, just as it matters in the marketplace.

I have to admit it is a tall order for me and especially being a man where expressing feelings and showing love doesn’t come that natural.

But I guess I need to have faith and obey by being more deliberate when I am home to share my life more with my mother.

And I know the breakthrough will come for us when I would be able to say, “I love you” without hesitance.

I think that would sure make her day rite? =p

God WILL Accomplished His Purpose

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“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.

It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Isaiah 55:8-11 (New Living Translation)

Fulfilling Our Life’s Purpose

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Reaching for our purpose and destinyEach one of us carry within us a seed of greatness or a vast potential that is just awaiting to be unearthed and unleashed.

This can be represented mainly through our dreams, passion, talents, desires and aspirations.

Don’t lose sight and connectivity

The harsh reality is that in most cases, this seed or potential never get to see the light of day and are left buried in our graves.

Somehow as we grow older, we get caught up in the humdrum of making a living. We begin to sub-consciously or even consciously to do the things that we feel we have to, instead of doing the things we love to.

Gradually, we lose sight and connectivity with our dreams, passion and aspirations. These possibilities eventually become ideals and fantasies.

Our purpose in life is a life of purpose

On the onset, our purpose is not to live a life of self-indulgence where we use our God-given potential and talents only for our own benefit.

Our true purpose is to be a blessing by serving others by contributing to human society with what we have been given.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

We must understand that each one of us were created for this purpose, and the responsibility is on us to discover it. Unearthing and actualising this would ultimately bring us true fulfillment as we live a life of destiny.

Do all that you can to live it out

From the day we were born, our purpose have been calling out to us. As mentioned earlier, it is revealed through our dreams, passion, talents, aspirations and desires in our hearts, and as well as through the circumstances that have trained us to become who we are today.

The challenge is for us to keep stretching ourselves out from our comfort zones and to be courageous in charting towards the direction God is leading us. If not, dogma, people’s expectations, trends and status quo will define what our life purpose is and lead us towards a life of mediocrity.

As it is, we must do all that we can to keep those dreams alive by staying connected to them in all that we do and see as we draw closer to God through His word and prayer.

Only through Him can we be empowered to live out our purpose and to fully actualise our destiny as it is He who planted the seed of greatness and eternity in our hearts and minds.

andrewong2024 3 Comments

My Doodling:

I’ll be away for a week to Vietnam to visit and fellowship with some friends there. During this period, I may not be able to update this site as frequent as I would like to. Most grateful if you keep me and those I am going with in prayers. Thanks! =)