The Online Citizen (TOC) team appearing on the Straits Times page A36 on 3 October 2008.
Category His & My Story
Spirtual insights and my daily reflections with God in my life. My life is now a shared journey with God. My story is His story.
Opportunities in Times of Uncertainty
It is unavoidable that organisations, families and ordinary folks will be taking steps in responding to the winds of change in the economic and market forces.
Manufacturers will be looking into cost-cutting measures to sustain their operations in view of low demands. Our government will be looking at ways to facilitate a vibrant economy and to manage unemployment. Families and people alike will be grimly tighting their belts to brace for the uncertainties that lie ahead.
With the media feeding us with day-to-day news that are reactive and short-sighted, there’s no doubt our future looks bleak.
Catching wind of the Holy Spirit
Apart from reading the news to follow the wind of the economy to determine our steps, I believe it is imperative for us (especially Christians) to keep in step with the wind of the Holy Spirit.
“Therefore I am now going to allure her (Israel); I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her”
Hosea 2:14
Even in these times, the Holy Spirit might be leading us out of our comfort zone to new areas to conquer. There might be some priorities that need re-aligning or wrong fundamentals that need to be corrected.
Staying in the realm of faith, this recession can pose opportunities for stock-taking in our life.
Arising opportunities
A change in industry for our careers might be where the Holy Spirit is re-directing us. Or signaling for us re-train or upgrade our knowledge and competency in our professions.
For businesses, the slowdown will provide more time to take a step back to evaluate and streamline core processes to improve capabilities.
For folks like myself, the situation will “force” us to acquire more interest in being financial savvy in the management of personal finances.
No matter how gloomy and uncertain the road ahead may look, we must not lose heart and keep the faith. And not just hold on to our jobs, but hold on to God.
Just as the sun continues to shine brightly behind every dark cloud, we can also be sure that there is hope and an opportunity for the better in every gloomy and uncertain times.
A Man after God’s Heart
It is something noteworthy that despite having committed adultery and murder, King David was still singled out by God as “a man after His own heart” (c.f. Acts 13:22).
So how did he qualify as a man after God’s heart?
Being after God’s heart
I believe that David qualified as a man after God’s heart because he lived a life of repentence. He was a man that kept his heart soft and tender to the love, leading and voice of God.
Even when he fell into sin, he was humble enough to respond to God in obedience when rebuked. And God honoured his obedience as it was under David’s rulership that Israel was at its peak and enjoyed political stability, peace and prosperity for many years.
Learning from David
I take heart that God does not look at our accomplishments or our good works in determining our righteousness. It is by the saving grace of Jesus that I can stand righteous before Him with confidence.
Being man that is still prone to sin, I am assured that with this same grace and the power of Jesus’ blood, I have the ability to overcome sin and sustain my pursuit of holiness.
Thanks to God for the deposit of the Holy Spirit in us for sensitivity and power against sin. And His truth to guide and set us free from the enemy’s schemes and bondages in our lives.
Erasing That “Black Mark”
After more than a month since I had my tattoo mark on my forehead removed, what is left now is nothing more than a slight scar with no visible traces of ink.
Winning over as many as possible
Actually it took me a long time to decide to do this and I finally caved in in order “to win as many as possible” for Him; to be effective and relevant as His marketplace minister.
I guess with human tendencies to stereo-type and exhibit prejudices, it was something practical to do so that my past (who I was) would not be overly-highlighted more than my new life (who I am today) in Him.
I can do all things in Him
For instance, last 2-3 weeks ago I managed to clinch a job interview, but was later turned down before I could meet them after they learnt of my past when I confessed about my criminal record that happened 12 years ago.
I think this is proof that the Yellow Ribbon Project campaign and its message is not exactly getting through society rite? Ha ha….
In any case, this sort of challenges only makes me more determine to shine for Jesus cos I believe God thrives in adversity as He relishes the chance to exhibit His power for His glory!
Being where I am today, I have already crossed many “mountains”. Therefore, I am confident He will continue to enable me to do so as He has done before, in regardless of the obstacles that will lay ahead in my journey of faith.
The “Ah Beng” in Me
WARNING: Parental guidance strongly advised. The following contains some images that may not be suitable for children under the age of 16. Ha ha…
Pictures taken way back in 1995/96.
I am a Groundbreaking Thinker
Recently I did a personality test which I thought was rather accurate in its description of me. Here is a summary:
Groundbreaking Thinkers are charming, enthusiastic persons. They really bubble over with energy and like to take centre stage. They love variety both professionally and privately.
Groundbreaking Thinkers tackle changes consistently with their optimism and firm belief in their own abilities; they are always on the look-out for improvement possibilities. Their excellent communication skills are of great advantage to them here.
On Work life
In their work, Groundbreaking Thinkers highly rate challenges and diversified tasks. They cannot stand routine and too detailed work. They love to astound others with bold ideas for an original, new project and then leave it up to the others to implement them.
Hierarchies, rules and regulations arouse their opposition and they love outsmarting the system. It can happen that some people feel somewhat duped by their flexible, spontaneous nature.
Their sociability and enterprise ensure that Groundbreaking Thinkers always have a large circle of friends and acquaintances in which activity plays an important role. As they are mostly in a good mood, they are popular and very welcome guests. Grumbling and peevishness are unknown to them. However, they do tend to be a little erratic and unstable when it comes to obligations and this makes them appear to be unreliable to some.
On Love life
Groundbreaking Thinkers are very critical and demanding when it comes to picking a partner because they look for the ideal relationship and have a very concrete picture of this ideal relationship. Mutual aims in life are very important to them. They do not like compromising and would rather remain alone.
For the partner, it is often a challenge to have a long-term relationship with a Groundbreaking Thinker. Groundbreaking Thinkers need a lot of space and diversity or otherwise they become bored and feel cramped.
Types who are rather more traditionalistic often have problems with the willingness of Groundbreaking Thinkers to take risks and their often crazy, spontaneous actions. However, if one can summon up sufficient flexibility and tolerance for them, one will never be bored in their presence and will always have a loyal and faithful partner.
Try out the personality test here>>>
My God-sent Family
At times, I can’t help but wonder how did I ever end up with my gang of friends during my secondary school days.
Whenever I reflect about this, I find it divinely funny since there is somewhat some distinct difference between them and myself.
Our special bond
Albeit the obvious differences, all of us share a common situation that I believe bonded us together: our dysfunctional family background.
Somehow, our gang became our family that we did not have or experience at home. It was being together that we felt a sense of belonging and security with each looking out for one another. It is amazing how we are still keeping tabs on one another till now.
God’s love revealed
Lately, I had a revelation that it was His plan and purpose from the very beginning that He “planted” me in that group in order that one day He could use me to reach out to them. And already I see this coming to pass.
I am not ashamed to say that I am thankful to God for my chequered past and the friends that I have made from there. Without them, I would not be the uniquely me I am today.
And I dare to say that I would have been worse off if I didn’t have friends as such as they were my family when I needed one during the most critical period of my early years.
Through my personal life, I am coming to understand more and experience more the deep love that God has for each one of us. He will resort to all means to ambush us with His love in order to save us.
The Move of God’s Love
Remember my “big brother” who was miraculously saved by God’s grace some 3 months ago?
Last Sunday, I saw God moved right before my eyes during a rare dinner with about 10 of us. He used Thomas as His mouthpiece to share about his salvation.
Mind you that my old gang (pun intended) of friends were mostly from the traditional chinese background and are never interested in seeking Christianity. So witnessing the entire session was just mind-blowing!
In spite of his limited knowledge of God, I was encouraged how Thomas was able to boldly convey his personal experience with the Lord’s saving grace. He was even able to refute a couple of “attacking” comments!
Apart being glad for Thomas and his growing convictions of God in his life, I am also truly thankful how God is surely and slowly sweeping His love and truth among my friends.
After 8 years, some “seeds” are finally budding and bearing fruits!
Is it All Worth it?
The recent news about Planetshakers’ Youth Pastor (right), Michael Guglielmucci’s confession of his fraud and addiction to porn has brought many Christians into a shroud of disappointment and delusion.
From what I have observed more and more each day, I think this world is getting darker and darker with every passing year. It seems that we, as people are just getting more and more “sick” and evil in this present age.
My inner dialogue
Like many others, I can’t help but question myself if my all-out pursuit towards godliness is worth it.
Would it really make a difference or matter?
Why am I tiring myself for?
What good will it contribute to our world?
But God is always quick to draw me back to Him…
Honoring Him
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48
Albeit being surrounded by darkness, I know I will still choose to honor the Lord with all that I am as compelled by His grace. Even if setting a high godly standard is tiresome, I do know that it is worth it cos He’s worth it. I love Jesus.
And personally, I believe my obedience to stand tall on His godly standards do matter. But even if it doesn’t make much of a contribution as I hope it would, at least the next generation (my future children) will.
Charging onwards
As a saying goes, “The higher you are, the harder you fall.” When we are higher, we are also an easy target for the enemy.
Therefore, it is critical that certain “check and balances” have to be learnt and to be in its proper place from the beginning to prevent any slip-ups that may proof costly like what Michael Guglielmucci has experienced.
In all honesty, I have no reservations to say that living a godly life is an insurmountable task to achieve in a lifetime. But I’m confident that God WILL provide the sustenance for us in living a godly life in order that we can be His “lighthouse” in this world.
No matter what goes on, we need to continue charging onwards.
My Journey of Faith: Crossing the 30-year mark
Today marks my 30th year in this journey called life. And to the contrary of what most people would think, I am enjoying every bit of this ageing process. Ha ha…
Personally, I think I am in an age and in a time of age (21st century) where divine opportunities are just laying before me (and for us) to seize in faith with His divine promises!
This journey with God
In retrospect, the past 8 years has been the most fruitful years of my journey. And that’s only because it has been a journey walked closely with God.
I can’t help but be grateful to where He has led me at present. I am also amazed that I am where I am cos never would I have imagined being who I am as a person or being where I am today.
Without Him, I am nothing and would have achieve nothing.
Expecting more with the road ahead
If I have to recount all the blessings and miracles that I have received and encountered, I will have to take an entire lifetime. And that’s what I intend to do!
What’s so exciting is that I know my journey with God has only just begun, and I’m looking forward to next 5 and 10 years of my life. I know whatever I am doing or deciding upon now would have a definitive effect on the future.
My prayer is that my heart will always be soft to His love and my walk aligned to His truth. Though I know the walk ahead is not going to be all easy, but I am assured of His faithfulness and love to me.
This journey in life is not just a test of faith in Him, but also a test of love for Him.
Andrew: Inside & Insights 