Seated comfortably, I took my eyes off my book to see who was this huge person that was hovering in front.

I looked up and found this person very familiar. I squinted. Unsure, I called out his name.

“Richard”

No response.

“Richard!”

This time, he turned. It was really Richard!

After 7 long years, finally we bumped into each other. He was one of the bosses that I worked with and we lost touch after we left the night scene. And that night, we were reunited. Unbelieveable.

By right I was supposed to be watching a movie at that time, but I had decided not to. If I had, I think I might have to wait another 7 years to see him again =p

Thank God. 

Through him, I also got another contact (also named Richard) whom I was looking for as well. And we met up just two days ago to catch up on loss time (see picture above). And amazingly, through him, I got another contact again. Next week I intend to catch up with him. These are my DJ friends.

I strongly believe that this is no coincidence but God’s Hand and leading which is His response through my fasting and praying.

It is just incredible to experience what God can do when we yield to Him and seek His will.

In retrospection of my life in Christ, I got to say that God is good.

7 years ago, I came into His Family with nothing- no proper qualifications (secondary school drop-out), no career prospect (failed DJ business), no home (estranged family relations), no close friends, no character and no life purpose.

Now after 7 years…  

1. Completed a Bachelor’s Degree programme
2. Working in a job I could only dream of in the past
3. Living with my mum; reconciled with my dad; talking with my brothers
4. Surrounded by great brothers and sisters in Hope
5. Holy Spirit and God’s word renewing me from within
6. His vision has become my life purpose of serving others

To me these accomplishments are not just achievements, but more importantly to me, they represent and testify of God’s power, goodness, faithfulness and grace working actively in my life.

It is like God’s nimble and careful Hand piecing together the pieces of my shattered life for these passed 7 years.

I remember when God first spoke to me then, to quit my work as a DJ in the nightscene. I struggled…

What else can I do God? I got no paper qualifications and being a DJ is my bread and butter. You sure or not?

Little did I know that then, that was very call from Jesus to be His fishers of men. (c.f. Matthew 4:18-21)

(To be cont’d…)

Yesterday was Terrence’s last day with us in Singapore and thank God for the extended opportunity that He provided for us to further explained the Gospel to him before he departed.

Now can only pray and await for those sown ‘seeds’ of truth to grow in His time.

There was a moment in our conversation where he threw me a question, “What is the difference now that God is in your life?” 

To be honest, I was caught off guard. Not becos I was unprepared, but there was just too much to share and wasn’t sure where to begin and the aspects to which would have been relevant to him . 

Anyhow I plucked up and shared very briefly…

THE DIFFERENCE:

(1) Addiction: Back then, I was bounded by an unhealthy addiction to alcoholism and smoking, just to name a few. But now, I am addicted to the reading of His word, His love and work. Maybe the only unhealthy one I have now is my morning prescription of brewed aromatic coffee =p

(2) Values: Back then, anything goes. I wasn’t even aware of the word ‘values’ or what I even stood for. But now, love, integrity and holiness are just some of my new found values that have been re-defining and influencing who I am and shaping my life. 

(3) Purpose: Back then, just happy, enjoy my life and dun back-stab people can oredi… But now, He has given me an exciting, global and eternal purpose to live for! Making a difference in the lives of those around for His Great Commission. Now everyday is an adventurous journey in trudging forward towards His goal for me- my destiny/calling. 

Yeah! Sure glad that I could have been a part of God’s saving mission for Terrence and to be used by Him. Now just have to await and see how God will do His part =)   

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Read another related entry here>>>

Last week I attended the Healing Workshop (Thurs) and Everyday Evangelism Workshop (Sat). Both were conducted by Peter Truong from HOPE Brisbane.

Don’t be deceived by his diminutive size as this little man of God packs a mighty punch of the Holy Spirit’s power.

As proclaimed by faith in the name of Jesus, many were healed and were touched by God one way or another.

You can read some of the testimonies here>>>

There was a given time where Peter prophesised over me which brought healing to my heart, mind and soul.

This was the prophesy and reminder from God to me:

“There is no limit in God. God’s vision is big for you. Continue to seek and desire Him. Now its only the beginning, His vision is bigger. You are going to be His world-changer and a history-maker in impacting many lives.

Like Abraham, you will receive a spiritual inheritence and a father to many spiritual children.”

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.

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)

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:

1. To get the job by end of February 
2. The scope of work must have an element of me being involved in the corporate magazine
3. 9-6pm and 5 day work week
4. The salary as requested met
5. Good profile and stability for my career to help me in future
6. This job would enable me to be in touch with the global marketplace
7. 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>>>

Though I had spent only two days of the Chinese Lunar New Year (CNY) in Singapore, it was still definitely a fruitful time of catching up and bonding with my family and friends.

Here are some of the pictures taken over last weekend…

MY FAMILY

MY FRIENDS

Woody, Amy and kid Wayne

Ah Boy and me with our lucky ang-pows (red packets) =p

Some preparation for the greatly anticipated IR with my neighbourhood soccer kakis from Clementi.

And here’s something nostalgic…

BEFORE

                                                                   AFTER

Looks like the 3 of us (Daniel, me and Ricky) have grown out of our uniforms and incidentally we posed in the same positions we did some 20 over years ago =)

Since this week has been mostly focused on love and romance due to Valentine’s day, I thought I share my love story…

Those who knew me from my past will all have this to say about me, that I changed girlfriends like I change underwear… that was just a way to describe how frequent I would had been seen with a different girlfriend each time with my group of friends.

I started had my first ‘steady’ (a term used to refer as girl/boyfriend among teens) when I was 14 years old. This was quite late oredi you know… =p

By my 21st birthday, I had oredi lost count… But the last count that I remembered was 50!

I guess it is due to my dysfunctional family background (divorced in my teens), influence from peers and my discovery of manhood that led to this rampage with the opposite sex. These factors were the springboard for growth of wrong attitudes, understanding and behaviour in BGR.

(1) Fear of being alone

I was one that was afraid of being alone and when a girl couldn’t be there, I would just get another almost right away. So that was a vicious cycle that destroyed many of my relationships.

In retrospect, the fear of being alone was due to the fear of facing my issues or problems that needed to be confronted. Hence having someone around occupied my thoughts and distracted me from those stuff that needed to be confronted.

But of cos, at that time I didn’t know.

(2) Masking my insecurities

Due to my sub-conscious inferior complexity, I also ‘leverage’ on the girlfriends I had to gain security with my peers. It is the same as how we would place confidence on our job position or edcuation qualification.

So the more beautiful or the more girlfriends I had, equated to my high capability and my peers would look up to me.

(3) Heightening my low self-esteem

I again sub-consciously, relied heavily on people’s approval on me to gain some sort of esteem that I was okay by their acceptance. Therefore I had developed an unhealthy way of measuring my esteem by getting as many girls to like me.

So the more girls I liked me or the more girls I had, it equated to me being accepted and that felt great.

MY TRUE LOVE:

However one night in 2000 all these started to CHANGE. I re-dedicated my love to Jesus!

It was there and then that I truly tasted LOVE which I had never felt before in my whole life. I was ambushed my His love when experienced His forgiveness over my sins and that captured my heart; how good He really was.

Since then and till now I am truly able to embrace, enjoy and experience singlehood like I never did before. Though of cos there has been its up’s and down’s, but with Him, I was able to focus on my personal growth and my pursuit in His destiny for me as His love is never-ending, never-enough and never-failing.

And of cos, I have learnt to relate with the opposite sex with geniune love, care and respect =p

God did a miracle in me and His love is so sweet and real cos if it were not, I would not be able to pledge and enjoy my singlehood with Him these passed 5-7 years.

Jesus is my true love and may He be truly yours too =)