Author andrewong2024

HSBC Treetop Walk

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Last Saturday was my first time as a Singaporean to visit MacRitchie reservoir. But I am sure I am not alone. Ha ha…

With our foreign visitors in tow, we trudged along the 5km trail which led to the HSBC treetop walk. Btw, HSBC means holy shit bloody ‘chow’!

Ha ha… just kidding but that was what most of us were thinking as we walk, walk, walk and walk….

We walked until we finally reached the HSBC treetop bridge. And there was where I really said sibeh chow…

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Really felt cheated after walking so much for this treetop walk which promised a 2km scenic walk. It reality I think it was 500 metres only. The other 1.5km must be for the flight of steps to enter and to exit that place.

But it did kept one promise: We really saw alot of treetops. KNS lor… =p

After that, it was another long walk for us to civilisation. Though disppointed with the treetop walk part, but the long walk was a nice way of relaxing with nature. I like.

More pictures here>>>

HSBC Treetop Walk   WE CAME. WE SAW. WE CONQUERED! 

My old school mates

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Met up with my old primary school mates some time back to celebrate a classmate’s twins’ 1 year birthday.

It was really a feeling of some kind to see my old mates after 20 years with their entourage in tow. Ha ha…

Here was the first entourage…

Qiuwei with her hubby and two bubbly boys. Talked about being surrounded by men =p

  

And no, you’re not seeing double here… These cute little ‘meaty’ ones are twins- Charlotte and Claris!

Lastly, for old time’s sake… my OLD school mates. Ha ha…

His timing

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One of my pains when I was enduring through my studies was the lack of time to catch up with my friends- old and new. My fear was that I might lose touch with them.

But since completing my studies, I have observed how God has led me to them one by one in His timing. And when I meant His timing, I must say that it really is His will.

After catching up with most of them, I realised that during my time of studies (4 years), some were overseas, others busy with their careers and there were some with their new families. So in fact, I hadn’t really lost touched. 

Even if I had the time then, they wouldn’t have the time. But now, most of us are more or less settled in life. So it’s really His perfect timing as most of us will be thinking about our lives and the meaning behind in all.

Making a difference!

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Thanks to a fellow blogger, Tiger I present to you this heartwarming and inspiring clip of our brothers and sisters-in-Christ spreading His love in Peru.

This was aired last week on Channel U. 

Those bored with life should see this. Maybe it might give you an idea how to use your life meaningfully =)

Enjoy!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Marketplace jungle

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Phew… can blow out a short breath of relief for this moment. Finally got work under control.

The passed few days has been tough sia… Everyday there seems to be an insurmountable ‘mountain’ to face. Thank goodness now the ground has been ‘flattened’! But of cos not for long lar… =p

Besides the work load and demands, what was stretched was my dealings with people around me in regards with work. I guess people will tend to impose on you or makan you as their food (scape-goat) in order to survive in this marketplace jungle.

One crucial part that I gained much from this phase has been defining my role and boundaries in terms of work relations as a Christian in my workplace. I strongly believe this is important cos then you will know when to say “No” or “Please wait, I will get back to you”, even if it’s to your boss.

The likelihood if one does not know his/her role and boundaries, is where they will be taken advantaged and bullied into doing work for others and bearing the brunt when their primary work is affected. And once we are deem incompetent professionally, our effectiveness as His salt and light is also affected.

Jesus taught us, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matt 10:15

In marketplace evangelism, just as we need to carry the love and truth of Christ, it is equally important that we are equipped professionally in our field of expertise in order to stand on common ground with them. Once on that ground, we can effectively translate God’s love and truth through our profession to win their hearts and minds for Jesus.

Being His ‘cutting edge’ instrument

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“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, 
     and because I love you, 
     I will give men in exchange for you, 
     and people in exchange for your life.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; 
     I will bring your children from the east 
     and gather you from the west.

I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ 
     and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ 
     Bring my sons from afar 
     and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

everyone who is called by my name, 
     whom I created for my glory, 
     whom I formed and made.” Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, 
     who have ears but are deaf.”

Isaiah 43:4-8 (NIV)

Some ramblings at work

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Now I truly concede that guys cannot multi-task and can only do one thing at a time.

Due to being a freshie at work and not taught the ropes proper by any of my predecessors, I have not been able to anticipate the load/demands. Now I am hitting loads of works from different sides in full force sia…

I feel like my Nokia N73 mobile. Any attempt to open multiple applications at the same time would cause the mobile to hang. CMI… =p

But seriously, instead of me hanging, I kena splitting headaches. Damn jialat…

I just need to pass through this week and things will be better cos this time around I will be better prepared for the loads.

Later in the morning we got a big event and must wake up by 6:00am.

Jia you!  

An encouragement

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I received this sms a couple days back.

“Hi hi, hehe, XXXXX just called me after I msged her. She said she sold off her Sunday slots (work duty) realising she’s drifted far. And she will come to church this Sunday”

Wow… it is people’s response to Him like this one that truly encourages me to press on in serving our wonderful Father and in finishing the race ahead.

Quitting is even harder

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I smoked my first stick of cigarette when I was 14 years old. It was a Marlboro. I chose Marlboro cos it was a cool brand. The cowboy and macho stuff. Ha ha…

So looking back, my initial reason to smoke was cos I wanted to look cool. Eventually it became a habit and cool became just one of the reasons.

Other reasons was that it provided a quick relief from stress, great companion with beer and while crapping. Hee hee…

Deciding to quit

Before committing to Christ, I did try to kick the habit becos it was becoming a costly habit. But all attempts failed lar… I had no motivation and saw no better alternative. Quitting seemed harder, so suffer for what sia??? Anyway I could still afford it and was enjoying it. So never mind lor…

My smoking habit was one of the stuffs that I was unwilling to give up for Christ before I committed to Him. However that changed.

The time after I had committed to Christ after being humbled by His forgiveness and grace over my sins, I was still smoking. But somehow the smoking grew less enjoyable and became repulsive. I believe it was the renewal work of the Holy Spirit destroying the cravings of the carnal flesh.

I think after a month or less, I decided to totally stop smoking as I desired to honor God and to be a good testimony to His name since I’ve chosen to follow Him. That was my motivation.

Taking the cold step

I went for the cold turkey treatment. The first week was bad and my nose went runny and all. But it was through this period that I kept praying and meditated on His Word to block off those tempting thoughts. God was with me.

The temptations were most alluring especially after meals and when I wanted to crap. During those times, I would either sucked on a sweet or read His Word. That helped practically.

So 1 week slowly became 2 and then a month and without realising much, I was finally free from this stronghold in my life. Christ conquered and took more hold of my life! Praise the Lord!

Quiting it all for God

To further add on, about a half a year later, God told me to stop drinking as well. That was really a struggle then too. But I relented almost right away as I knew what He was doing for me. He was tearing down every single stronghold of the devil that had a grip in my life and making sure they wouldn’t have a hold on me again.

For those who know, drinking and smoking are cousins. You can’t have one without the other. If you drink, you sure want to smoke. So for my case, I knew I better not drink =p

Now after 7 years, I am smoke-free but more importantly, I am free! Free to love and worship my dear God fully without restrain!

Quitting is harder, BUT not impossible in Christ cos He never quits on us.

Fun in Sentosa

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I was delighted when one of my GLK buddies agreed to join me to Sentosa on Good Friday.  We go way back man…  10-15 years?

I believe somehow working life has done him some good as I’ve observed that he is more open to making new friends. Christians included =p

 

We went for the Imbiah skyride and luge. The skyride is a must-try for everyone! 

Sentosa is really transforming fast and developing into a great hangout with beautiful people, facilities and scenery.

Errr… of cos except for those sights of oil tankers and ships that are an eye-sore.

See more pictures here>>>