Yesterday I finally collected my transcript! Yeah and a yay!!!

Can’t believe that in 3 month’s time (October) I will be actually attending my graduation ceremony leh…

Never have I imagine myself studying, least to say picturing myself (an ah beng drop-out and pai kia) wearing the graduate student’s gown with mortarboard. So unreal lor… =p

It’s ALL God’s leading and doing. I simply follow and obey Him by faith.

Thank you God!

I allowed my heart to cry unto the Lord during Sunday’s corporate worship and these words followed…

Surrender all. Surrender all. Surrender all.

Those words were uttered as I pleaded before Him to help me. I needed Him so much; to renew and change me in His likeness and power. 

Almost at once, He spoke His word to me…

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Mark 12:30 (NIV)

Does God have my whole heart? Or 99% or 50%?

To love God with all my heart, my heart needs to be fully devoted and faithful to Him.

Is my mind, my thoughts and all submitted to Him? How am I feeding my mind if it belongs to God?

If I love God with my mind, I will keep watch against things that would corrupt and distract me from Him.

Am I wholly given unto Him and His cause by serving His Church? Or am I only using my daily strength in indulging in the things I take pleasure in?

In loving God with all my strength, I must be available to Him and use all that I have for His service.

Lord, I SURRENDER ALL!

An interesting incident happened last evening while I was travelling on the MRT.

The cabin that I was in was relatively empty and about 3-4 metres away I spotted this young fella (probably in his early 20s) who’s behaviour was a little unusual. 

As he was standing with his ears plugged into his music, I noticed that he was attempting to snap a shot with his camera phone.

At a closer look, I realised that he was zooming his shot on a female passenger who was seated and asleep. This passenger was about 4-5 seats distance away from him. And amazingly the image on his screen was that sharp and clear that I could see what he was aiming at from where I was standing.

I was not exactly sure of his intentions for taking her picture, but all I knew then was that a wrong act in which might have undesirable intent on the girl (voyuerism) was being committed before me.

Without hesitation I calmly walked over to that fella and tapped his shoulder…

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing… just see see pictures only” He replied

“Don’t try to be funny k… You better be careful”

With that I walked back to where I was standing. That fella kept his phone and alighted a couple of stations later.

Wow… can’t believe I actually did that sia?! 

But reflecting on this, it had to be the Spirit of God who compelled me to approach him cos in reality, who am I to be some sort of “moral police” and reproached a fellow sinner?

Only by His grace and released by His truth do we have such authority.

Last Sunday was like just any Sunday and I was worshipping the Lord corporately.

As usual with hands lifted high in worship when suddenly I heard this inner voice questioning me…

“Why are you lifting your hands?”

“How come you are so excited in praising and worshipping?”

“Are you doing it because others are doing it? Or has it become a ‘protocol’?”

I paused for that moment trying to think of those answers. And it eventually came flowing with reverberance from the depths of my heart…

I do what I do because I worship a living and loving God; my Lord, my God. I have surrendered my life to You and will give my utmost praise.

From that moment, my worship went up the experiencial intimacy scale with God.

I love You Lord =)

When I first heard about the launch of the Discipleship Roadmap (DR) in church, I was amazed of its timeliness. It came just as God showed me His ‘system’ of discipleship- “The 21st Century ACTS man” which was in my previous entry.

Personally I find this DR extremely detailed and macham a job appraisal especially with the Personal Assessment Form which is good cos we need a pragmatic approach in being motivated to grow spiritually.

Indeed the DR is a very effective tool for a good spiritual check-up as it even recommends a range of “remedies” after diagnosing. And in a way the ‘system’ is now completed with the aid of the DR. Praise God! =p

Kudos to Hope’s Education staff team for their long hours of research and hard work putting this DR together!

Whenever I see or eat “Honey Stars” which is a type of cereal by Nestle, I am reminded of God’s love for me. And it was during the first breakfast in Melaka camp that I ate my “Honey Stars”.

Let me share the story…

In 2002, I attended a Thai camp- “Faith Church” at Bangkok. One of the nights I was hungry and went snooping around in a 24hr shop looking for something to eat. However, I didn’t have much Baht with me and if I recalled correctly, that was all I had left for the remaining trip.

Finally after much snooping, I calculated that I had enough to buy a pack of Nestle Honey Stars and a packet of milk. But just when I was deciding to buy, the Holy Spirit gave me the idea to use whatever Baht I had left to buy small gifts for my CG back then.

After much deliberation, that night I slept with an unsatisfied stomach but a joyful spirit.

On the last day, Pastor PN announced that one of the camp sponsors was providing breakfast for the foreign delegates who were leaving Thailand the next morning. I didn’t think much of it.

The next morning as I dragged my sleepy feet to collect my breakfast, guess what was breakfast?

That’s right! Breakfast was a pack of Honey Stars and a packet of milk!

It was exactly what I had initially wanted to buy. But now God somehow bless me with it! 

When I think of it, I know it was no coincidence. I mean what were the chances of such a coincidence?!

There were so many range of food that could have been sponsored but we were served with Nestle cereal in Thailand. Plus it came with a packet of milk! Just exactly as I had desired. 

Becos no one else knew about it, only God knew.I can only conclude that this simple miraculous gesture was God’s way of telling me that He loves me and cares for my every need.

My post-camp entry…

I went for camp with much anticipation to hear from God. And He spoke…

1.   Stewardship aspect: G.S.S. or “God, Save and Spend”…. This will be a habit I will adopt from now. Presently, my money habit has been “God and Spend” and no “Save”. But now, it is time to start saving. Yipee… Can’t wait!

Build a bigger “storehouse” to contain His blessings (finances) when He pours them down. How much blessings I can receive from the Lord is dependent on how big my “storehouse” is, for Him to bless. Enlarge through various creative means such as investment or business.

2.   BGR aspect: Put 100% heart into it and not just doing the form. Its not about the doing but the being.

3.   Discipleship aspect: More deliberation in being discipled and to disciple future leaders within CG and with sheeps.

4.   Personal apsect: Grow intimacy with God through my “pathways”- worship, creation and activism. These are my main ones with a somewhat contemplative streak in me too.

So far since the Melaka camp, I have been trudging along with God in stretching in these aspects and more.

Tough sia…

But He must be more and I must be less.

Lately, I’ve sensed deeply a lack of capacity in ministering and leading others towards God. Like got no power like dat…

Siao liao…

I concluded that my present situation was God attempting in taking me to the next level with Him. However it seems I am still operating in the same mode. Hence the “inadequecy” It is similar in how it is incompatible to run a Windows Vista system on a Pentium II computer. The hardware just doesn’t have the capacity to contain and run such a robust upgraded system.

Likewise, God is unable to pour more of His power and love in my current mode. I need to stretch the “wineskins” within me to hold more of Him as responsibilities and obligations mount up.

That is why though sick at home yesterday, I was rather thankful for the time to rest. Besides sleeping more, I was blessed with some “contemplative pathway” moments with God. Ha ha…

I have learnt over these few years that our public lives should never take precedence over our private lives.

This is the “inside-out” approach where I know I have to constantly plug-in into His word and presence to draw ‘nutrients’ to strengthen my inner man to withstand and shine thru the daily demands of this world. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Looks like more time of deep plugging in for me.

The game of soccer is more than just about 22 players chasing after one ball. There is just so much dynamism in this universal game.

Personally I follow the soccer news alot, and it is not just about being updated with Man United or knowing the latest scoreline or transfer. There are alot of things that can be learnt (even if you are not a soccer fan) from this game just by observing the happenings that surround this game.

One can learn about leadership, management, marketing, public relations, team dynamics, HR issues and life itself whether you’re observing a player’s lifestyle or a club’s standing and progress.  

The popularity of Beckham 

Take the recent example of Real Madrid’s intentions of retaining David Beckham. Some few months ago, Real Madrid couldn’t wait to ship him off and he was not even chosen on the first team squad. It didn’t help further that the club’s form was in a dip. Naturally, a scapegoat was needed to take the rap and David Beckham was the one.

Now fast forwarding to the present, Real Madrid is one win away from clinching the Prima Liga Championship. It seems they have sung a different tune and have heaped praises upon praises of David Beckham’s contributions to the club. Real’s president Ramon Calderon express his intent to prize him back from LA Galaxy but was rejected. 

Read full story here>>>

Lessons to be learnt

What we can learn from this observation?

1. Humans are fickle-minded– They can like you one day and hate you the next. So as an individual, don’t take criticism personally. People changes with the mood, circumstance and with the winds of trends. More importantly is what God thinks of you as His love is constant (never changes) and never fickled.

2. Expect the blaming game to begin in crisis- It is naturally to expect fingers to be pointed at parties whom one thinks have contributed to his/her downfall or bad plight. When every things is good, everyone is happy. But when crisis happens, that’s when the true feelings, thoughts and character is exposed. So expect this sort of behaviour from people if/when they blame you in a crisis.

“Why you like that?!”

“How come you never do this/that?!”

Again, do not take it personally as it is the carnal nature. If you know in your heart and with God you have kept to His truth and spirit, stand firm. God will clear His name.

In my own thoughts

I think over the years through my personal observations and experiences, I am amazed how God can love us unfailingly and unconditionallly even when we are incorrigible and hopeless in being good and not acknowledging Him. (c.f. John 1:10-11)

Right from the beginning from Genesis, Exodus, Judges, the Fall of Jerusalem and to our present age, mankind has been consistently defiant and stiff-necked with God. But God has remain FAITHFUL to His covenant till now. Wow…!

This truth about God and His love for me over-rides my judgemental spirit towards people and helps me keep on loving people as He loves me.

If He never gave up on me, how can I give up on others?

If He never condemned me, how then can I condemn others?

In God, there is hope for any one and every one through the ressurection power of Jesus Christ!

How do you handle success in general?

I learnt this from my previous spiritual mentor. When success comes, enjoy it. Bask in it just enough before it gets to your head, then let go and give it back to God.

Are you ever tempted to glory in them as if it came from you rather than from God?

I would be lying and not human if I say I never been tempted. Yes I have been tempted. However as answered in point 1, I have learn to reflect the glory back to God.

Ultimately I am the instrument and He is the Master. I have to consciously replay this truth in my mind to remind myself how small I really am in this world.

Are you ready to handle the success of being used by God to establish a mega-church of mega-influence?

By His grace I do want to be used in a greater capacity to influence others to Him. Whether ready or not, I guess God would only know if I am truly proven and tested in my love for Him.

At the mean time, I will just be faithful with the little-church He has entrusted me with and do my best to allow it to have a mega-influence.

What is one area that you think is important that a leader should adopt for the long haul?

Accountability. This helps a leader not to be above the law or board where he/she is opened to feedback/correction from close and trusted fellows. This keeps a leader’s blindspots covered and not veer away from the original focus and purpose.

Practising accountability also builds humilty for the leader which is an important virtue in God’s sight.  Accountability also produces submissive-ness towards God and His authority which promotes unity among His Church. 

When a leader walks under His divine covering, God will surely bless the leader for the long haul for His glory.

Questions taken from Hope CONNECT Journal- Judges (Day 38)