“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers“
1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)
Author andrewong2024
Working smart =p
Hearing from the other sides…
As most are aware, the popular topic hawking the local headlines since last week had been the upcoming raise of the GST to 7%.
On the news front, we have have been reading and hearing primarily from our ruling party who have been presenting their points of justifying this move.
Now let’s hear from the other sides (Opposition Parties) and what they have to present for us to have a more balance view on the GST rise …
From the Worker’s Party (WP):
Parliamentary Speech- 28 February 2007
Budget Speech
Sir, the Second Finance Minister has outlined increased social spending in the years ahead. This is to be expected of any government faced with an aging population, an increasing income gap and the threat of an underclass developing if the income gap is unchecked. Looking at the Budget offerings, I support the principle behind supplementing low wages and keeping our low wage workers employed.
Read full speech here>>>
From the Singapore People’s Party (SPP):
An excerpt from a MP’s dialogue session on 4 February…
We will like to propose to the Government, the humanitarian ways of helping the poor that without the need to increase the GST.
1. To tax the rich to help the poor and not tax the poor to help the poor.
2. To scrap the idea of lighting up the City skyline
3. Put various departments that are from same Ministry under one roof
4. Cut down Government expenditure
5. Stop or reduce assistance to neighbouring countries
6. Stop spending too much money on fireworks Ha ha ha ha!!! (laughter my own insertion =p)
7. Tax collection from IR, to be only use for helping the poor
8. Optimize the land usage and release it to private for development
9. Last but not least, exempt essential items that are necessary for our daily life from the GST.
View full details of dialogue session here>>>
The ultimate goal: 21st Century ACTS-men
As I was heading home and I was led to sketch this…
* Click picture to see bigger version
Wah Laaa…. like my masterpiece?? =P
Inspired after reading a story about Bill and Ed from the book CASHFLOW Quadrant. I was thinking hard on my own “water pipeline”. However my goal is not producing wealth, but ultimately developing 21st century ACTS-man for a globalised world.
They will be the leaders for tomorrow with cutting edge to influence, impact and intercede with towel and basin in hands, all ready to ‘wash the feet’ of others, especially in the global marketplace where the action is.
Building His Church
Frustation and anguish stirred within me as the sermon came to an end. And I did the next unthinkable thing. I cried. I really cried.
Pastor Kong Hee’s simple yet powerful message (video sermon– The power of pop culture) on how we, as Christians needed to be effective agents of God’s common grace to our world by using pop culture struck a deep chord in me. My burden was released onto God with every wail and tear.
I was reminded of Nehemiah and how he too responded when he heard how Jerusalem was in shumbles and disgrace. He mourned, fasted and pleaded with God to redeem His people.
More importantly, Nehemiah made himself counted and eventually God used this cupbearer to lead the Israelites in rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem in merely 52 days! (c.f. Nehemiah 1:1-11, 12:1)
Likewise, my burden is about our Hope church (Adults). The nagging debt for the church building fund that is crippling us in progressing and our dwindling spiritual state. Though the numbers have grown (quantity) but in my honest opinion, it doesn’t reflect accurately the quality of us as His church in being relevant, compassionate and spirit-led/filled as Salt and Light in our community.
We need to step up!
My cry: GOD PLEASE DO SOMETHING. PLEASE USE ME IN ANY WAY!!!
His reply: And I tell you…. on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (c.f. Matthew 16:18)
Everything happens for this purpose
Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though it is hard to realise this. For the world was built to develop charcter and we must learn that the setbacks and griefs which we endure help us in marching onward.
HENRY FORD
Time with Hong Teck and Mag
This evening our cell group had the privilege to have an upclose and personal session with one of our married couples- Hong Teck and Mag, from our church over dinner.
Hong Teck* is a full-time staff with Hope Church Singapore in the Hope kids ministry and has been married with Mag for almost 10 years with 3 wonderful kids.
It was a great time as not having many close ‘married with kids’ friends, I brought back many insights in what goes on in a marriage. Much thanks to them taking the time to be with us.
Many various questions were asked…
- How and when did you both met and how did it hit off?
- How do both of you resolve conflicts?
- What are the common issues of conflicts?
- How do you balance between ministry and family commitments?
And the lesson I learnt most: To be committed in co-supporting one another; when either party is weak or down, the other should provide support instead of being impatient or selfish.
I truly thank God for godly married couples in our midst who choose to obey God and serve His Church despite the adverse difficulties pounded by the demands of parenting and providing the family.
Thank you Hong Teck for your obedience to His calling and thank you Mag for your great example as a sacrificial and supportive wife and mother!
* Hong Teck is incidentally another fellow Hope blogger. Visit his blog here>>>
The shift of power
Feb 28th 2007 | NEW YORK
Taken from Economist.com
Turmoil in the markets has many causes
AMERICA boasts the world’s biggest and most liquid stockmarkets, and it has long been a cliché that when it sneezes the rest of the world catches a cold. But as other markets mature and capital moves more fluidly across the globe, the risk of infection spreading the other way grows.
A graphic illustration came on Tuesday February 27th, when shares dipped around the world after China’s stockmarket suffered its biggest drop in a decade (before rebounding somewhat on Wednesday). America saw its steepest points fall since the markets reopened after the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001—and the end of its longest run without a 2% daily drop since the 1950s.
Read full story here>>>
My first day at SMa
My first day at SMa went pretty well as I started the morning with great anticipation!
I never could wake up so early before for work at 7am, but today I did. Its not just because it is the first day but also from the ‘training’ from God working previously at the Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA) for 2 over years. There, I was pretty much not-so-on-time at most times =p
Just like any first day, it was just an orientation day so quite relax. Enjoy it while it last which is pretty much soon as my direct boss is leaving soon. Ho ho ho… Jia lat liao…
I was also oriented on my job scope, one of which was one important criteria which I prayed for which is being involved in publications like the corporate magazines, newsletters and etc…
Why?
One of my life-time dreams or goals is to be able to be editor of my own publication for His Church in order to serve as His voice to educate and impact lives. Hence the experience and learning the ropes are what I essentially prayed and hope to acquire.
God is good!
I got THE job!
Great, awesome and incredible news! I got THE job! And divinely after one month exactly from my resignation from my previous job =)
THE job is with the Singapore Manufacturer’s Federation (SMa) in a Research & Corporate Communications position.
It is THE job cos it not only met my specific criterias, but exceed as well with the following reasons:
- To get the job by end of February
- The scope of work must have an element of me being involved in the corporate magazine
- 9-6pm and 5 day work week
- The salary as requested met
- Good profile and stability for my career to help me in future
- This job would enable me to be in touch with the global marketplace
- Location- Jurong East is near my home
I know for sure that landing this job is not because of my capabilities but due to God’s favor as my soon-to-be boss mentioned that he was willing to overlook my past record and inadequate experience.
I also know that it was due to this ‘favorable’ circumstance that that particular department was going to be non-existent cos almost the whole team had left, hence he was desperate to hire someone to fix the situation.
While waiting for my interview (2nd round), I also found out that I was the only selected candidate for that day. Therefore, I believe if there were other candidates that met their ideal requirments, I would not be his automatic choice.
So you can say that I got the job thru the ‘back door’ =p
Credit and glory really goes to God! He is faithful and true to His word*!
Thank God for His mercy and those that have kept me in their earnest prayers.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
*Related previous entry here>>>
Andrew: Inside & Insights 