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.

Remember there’s always HOPE

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I had received a text message that sent me reeling. It was from my secondary school mate who informed me about the demise of his younger brother.

There's Hope in any situationI was shocked when I was told he had committed suicide. Apparently, he had plunged to his death from his flat.

Gosh… He was only 29 years of age!?

Though I wasn’t close to his brother, I regretted that I could not be that friend he would have thought of in his time of need.

I strongly believe that he needed someone who could listen and understand him. And more importantly, to show him that there was HOPE in his situation.

It’s really saddening to see a life gone just like that.

So folks, please remember that there’s always HOPE in God! No matter how grave your mess may be, hand it over to our Almighty God.

I guarantee with my life that He can turn all things around THAT’S IF you are willing to trust Him whole-heartedly and follow His instructions step by step.

Home is where your Heart is

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Home is where your heart isMy weekly jogging route would lead me by a stretch of residential areas. These are rich and nice-looking maisonettes and high-rise condominiums. 

As my jogs are usually in the nights, the warm lights that come from these homes would glimmer from their windows and balconies. And at times I cannot help but allow my thoughts to wander and imagine myself being in one of those units.

The desire for a family

In those thoughts, I would picture myself with my own family- a wonderful wife and maybe a couple of playful kids around me and just feeling close. Ha ha…

I think due to my dysfunctional background, the longing for a family is made greater. Hence, in the past I would be always looking for some intimate relationship in hope of creating that loving atmosphere called home in which I was deprive of. However, I was too immature and self-centred then.

Despite desiring for such a family that I could call home, I realised that I had neither the capacity nor the capability to sustain such a commitment and responsibility. Thus, almost all of my past relationships didn’t quite last as much as I wanted to.

I guess like anyone else, I too desire a family of my own; a place I can call home.

Home is in heaven

Fast forwarding to today, my desire for my own family in which I can call home has not change. However, the longing has been further extended with eternity in heart and mind, and with my identity rooted as His child in His huge spiritual family in which I am grateful for.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:13-16 

From scripture, I now understand and know by faith that my real home is not on earth, but in heaven. So what really matters most is not what I build here on earth as whatever I build here would eventually be temporal. 

Home is where the heart is 

I think adopting foresight with eternity in view has helped me live my live with contentment and with added perspective of long-term rewards versus short-term gains. 

Now I view my life on earth as a “training and working ground” with whatever I build on earth today is actually an investment for my eternal home! And that’s where I got my sight on and where I am truly long to be- with my Heavenly Father.

Hence, what I should be building should not be made on “bricks and stones” alone, but built on people- the lives of those around me- focused on love and truth cos this has true eternal value. And to me, building His Church is that answer.

And of cos when the time is ripe to have a family of my own, I want it built around His Church! =P

My Sharing on a Life Lesson

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Last Saturday, I was invited to meet a bunch of secondary kids. These great kids were actually on some character-building programme as they were deemed problematic by their teachers.

Me & da kidsAfter being through a similar growing up experience with these kids, I dare say that the problem doesn’t lie in the kids. The real problem is the adults or the people who are in authority.

Not only do they not take the time to listen and understand these kids, they are haste in their judgement to label these kids who do not seem to “flow” with the mainstream as problematic.

Being misunderstood and condemned, naturally these kids would rebel or show dis-interest in their studies.

A life lesson to learn

As my purpose being there was to encourage these kids, during my allocated slot I was prompted by God to share one life lesson that I had learnt from my past of which was to take responsibility of our own lives and dreams.

Despite how people in our lives such as our parents, teachers, government and friends would surely in some point of time disappoint and hurt us, the key was not to blame people or circumstances for our plight. But instead, respond by taking ownership of our lives by working through the situation.

At the end of the day, our lives are decided in our own hands and not on others. How we want our lives to be, largely rest on our shoulders. 

Whatever decisions we make, the consequences is solely ours to bear and not others. So we need to make our decisions count.

Trusting God with Our Lives

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In His Hands

Funny isn’t it, how we listen to our doctors’ prescription for us to whatever remedy/operation that is fitting for our sickness?

Funny isn’t it, how we can hand over our hard-earned money to our financial advisor to invest in stocks and bonds in a volatile market?

Funny isn’t it, how we believe our Prime Minister on his upbeat message on our economy in spite of the clear signs of a gloomy recession heading our way?

I guess most of us trust these people as it is their profession. They are expected to know how to solve these problems.

However, sad but true, they too can make mistakes that would implicate our lives.

Trusting ourselves

In our lives, who do we trust to lead and guide us in navigating the storms of life or to get us out of a difficult situation or to rectify a wrong?

Do we have someone whom we can turn to when we need to solve some of these issues in our lives?

I think that is a very important question that each one of us have to come to terms one way or another. And the right answer would determine how we end our life journey: well-wasted or well-lived.

I am sure that most of us would trust ourselves above anything or anyone else; in our ability, experiences or on our resources such as wealth, material possesions or people.

But then again, ain’t we grossly limited and falliable?

Trusting God

Similarly as how we trust so easily these people, we can also trust God if not more, in leading our lives.

Not only it is His “profession” to lead us as our Shepherd, but it is also His responsibility as our Father . Therefore it is both on a “professional” level and a personal level that He relates with us.

Therefore we can expect and trust God to fulfill His role to perfection if we allow Him to cos HE IS perfect and He is GOD after all. And He doesn’t make mistakes.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

My prayer:

God teach me more to trust You fully. Help me surrender my everything to you; with my heart, ambitions, possessions and life subjected to Your will and purpose.

Amen.

A Reunion with an Old Friend

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Last night, I was reunited with an old friend who was arrested with me for the same offence in 1996.

He was released just 3 weeks ago as he was convicted for some other offences after our release. I was really elated to see him after so many years!

Read about our case here>>> 

Me and my old friend

The BEST news was when he shared with me how Jesus found Him and saved Him when he was serving his time! And now he is with a prison after-care cell group in FCBC.

To think that in the past, we were at the same ABC coffeeshop talking about getting high, girls and our fights. But this day, we are talking about GOD!

Awesome! What a drastic but welcoming change!

Only Jesus can truly change lives!

A Long Overdue Meet-up

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Over the weekend, I finally caught up with my defense lawyer, Ms Teo Soh Lung who represented me during my criminal appeal case. She is also my family’s friend.

This meet-up was long overdue since it has been 12 years since we last met. And now she has retired from law practice.

Ms Teo Soh Lung

Though looking petite and harmless, don’t mess with this spunky lady beside me as she packs a punch!

If she’s in the mood, she will sue your pants off until you pok kai (bankrupt in Cantonese)! Ha ha…

Oops… I think that description should belong to another retired lawyer who is now a MM =p

But on a serious note, it was over this session that I had learnt (for the first time) she actually took my case without asking a single cent!

I thank God that I was able to share with her my side of the story during the case and also to sincerely thank her for being an instrument of God in winning my appeal case.

Read the newspaper article on my appeal here>>>

Growing with God in His Church

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Healthy RelationshipsRecently, I am attending a seminar called Healthy Relationships Essentials organised by Hope Church Singapore. This will be running for three nights within this week.

Against a backdrop where I grew up learning to fend for myself in the real world for most part of my life, sometimes it is mind-boggling how I can actually put myself through such sessions to re-learn about doing life all over again.

But of cos I do know the reasons why I want to re-learn everything again lar…

My desire to follow God

After living my past life that was apart from God and now with my new life being a part of God, I just want to live it in His way and not my way.

Therefore, as I have experienced so far, understanding from scripture does provide the essential principles in which one can truly experience sustainable success in living a FULL life.

In the real world, we are pretty much left to grope through life in this dog-eat-dog world. Even if they teach it is to get something out in return.

And in my personal opinion, no other organisation/instituition besides His Church has the holsitic capabilities to teach us (regardless of background or education) how to succeed in life- from the cradle to the grave.

My love for His Church

I’m grateful for all the efforts invested in organising such sessions (even on holidays) for the members of Hope Church, in order that we might benefit in our personal development and being equipped to face life with God.

Hence, I am thankful and always amazed how God works through His Church (in Hope Singapore). In spite of Hope’s imperfection, at least there is one thing that she’s doing right which is the teaching of the word of God uncompromisingly.

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:10-11

The Church is the Answer

Even though I came from a dysfunctional family background, God in His mercy and wisdom gave me His Church as a spiritual family where I can experience His love and learn about true life.

As a victim of God’s wonderful love,  I am convinced and convicted that His Church carrys the answer to all of mankind’s problems.

My prayer is for those who need a touch of God’s love be with His Church and for His Church to grow to her fullest potential to love more people even more.

Amen.

Obedience is Better than Sacrifice

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Over the weekend church service, the Lord ‘whispered’ to me during the corporate worship time.

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

1 Samuel 15:22

Beginning 2008 on the right note

With the start of 2008 slowly taking pace, many of us have charted plans and projections for the new year. And I’m sure plenty of us (including me) have also jotted down goals that we believe would be for His Kingdom and glory.

However, I was gently reminded that at times, in the course of our pursuit of these goals, the underlying motives might not be as pure as we thought it to be.

The heart is deceitful above all else. (c.f. Jeremiah 17:9)

Obedience to God all the way

This is a personal reminder that obedience to God is the primary priority for me as His child.

And this takes precedence over everything including things/goals that are even labelled as “For Him” or beyond my logical understanding.

Cos if it is truly “For Him” that I seek, then shouldn’t I be fully trusting and obeying His ways and not mine?

Ultimately, the end of goal for us all is to follow Jesus’ example (c.f. John 5:19) of walking right and close with our God; to obey what He sets us off to be or to do according to His purpose and will, even to the point of death.

Thank You Lord for this reminder! =)

Random Thoughts on 2007

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Before summing up my personal journey for the year of 2007, here are some of my random thoughts from last year…  

1. My unforgettable answered prayer

My job at SMa Federation in February! Upon God’s leading, I quitted my previous job before landing my current job and was put to test my faith in Him. What a ride! =p

ThoughtsAfter 2 months, the job came and it came with the exact “FIT” for me in honing my skills and expanding my boundaries. Thank God!

2. My greatest breakthrough

Participating and completing the 10km Standard Chartered Run!

This was a breakthrough cos I hated to run, but did it to push my limits. All things are possible (with God)!

3. My memorable experience

It happened at Suntec City on 22 December 2007. It was my first time approaching strangers and sharing them the Good News with their permission.

Besides being my first, it was also an experience that helped me debunked the presupposition that most Singaporeans have heard the Good News.

4. My happiest and elating moment

The completion of the Breakthrough campaign with Hope Church’s attaining debt-free status for Nexus Auditorium!

5. My lessons learnt about God

My vision was enlarged as He showed me more of what He can actually do in regards to fulfilling His purpose and His will.

I experienced a paradigm shift in how God works relevantly beyond the walls of the Church and “spiritual” work.  

Now I understand in particularly how I can partner with God to work through our global marketplace in advancing His Kingdom.   

6. My lessons learnt about my own-self

I am discovering that I have this God-given “gift” to identify potential, talents or resources with people and link them up, in order all can achieve some common purpose with synergy.    

What Christmas Means to Me…

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Significance of ChristmasFor me, Christmas is about remembering the significance of the Gift of eternal life with God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

My Christmas 2007

During this year’s Christmas celebration service, I was brought back to the time when I was lost (yet I didn’t know then) in darkness- leading an aimless life of wild living pierced with vices.

And somehow, God graciously intercepted my spiral path towards total destruction and condemnation. He sought me and saved me.

If that was not enough, He brought me into His Family- Hope Church- to be loved and taken care of. And now, I have a new identity and purpose in Him; His new creation (c.f. 2 Corinthians 5:17)!

But above all that He has done for me, I am deeply grateful with this fact that though I was once lost, but now I’m found!

My Christmas prayer

In response to His love and mercy upon me, I earnestly pray that my loved and close ones or everyone for that matter who are lost will experience His goodness and power in their own lives.

I pray that God would be merciful and snatch them from the clutches of darkness just as He did with me.

Amen.