24th December

10:00am

Got up early in the morning with much enthusiasm as I was expecting my two nieces to attend Hope Kids. But alas, they didn’t cos they couldn’t wake up. Now must wait till next Christmas =(

Nevertheless I managed to catch the drama which I missed during Saturday’s service.

12:00pm

Since my nieces were still in bed, I decided to visit them and surprise them with their Christmas gifts. Managed also to have a hearty lunch with my brother =)

4:00pm

Paid a short visit to another Peter. But this one is Peter Ong who fractured his ankle in a freak accident while playing soccer.

Poor guy had to be stuck at home with his leg casted over the holidays. Get well soon bro…

6:00pm

Christmas eve was spent at Keng Suan’s house where we had a simple and cosy affair of eatingand watching TV. And we did a crazy thing as well… we decided to spread the Christmas spirit to her neighbours with carolling.

And we did!

Have you ever loved and cared for someone before (or at present) and did things for that person of which he/she wasn’t aware at all?

Maybe he/she does know about your deeds, but takes you for granted, chooses to ignore or might even not acknowledge you. 

How does that make you feel?

For me, I know I was grieved, heart-wretched and devastated.

“He (Jesus Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” John 1:10-11

This Christmas, I was blessed to catch a glimpse of the true state of God’s heart…

Beyond the facade of the celebrations, the merry carolling in the air, the dazzling lights and cheerful giving of presents, God is actually utterly grieved.

He is grieving because His children (lost and unlost) do not acknowledge Him. Even if we do, it is not a full acknowledgement based on who He is and what He has done for us on the cross.

However, his main sorrow is over the unsaved who has not received Christ as Saviour into their lives. The very reason of His birth was meant for us.

God loves us very much… (c.f. John 3:16) Even if there’s one person left unsaved, He grieves.

Every single person on the face of this earth matters greatly to Him.

Have you ever loved and cared for someone before (or at present) and did things for that person of which he/she wasn’t aware at all?

Maybe he/she does know about your deeds, but takes you for granted, chose to ignore or might even not acknowledge you.

How does that make you feel?

For me, I know I was grieved, heart-wretched and devastated.

“He (Jesus Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own,but his own did not receive him.” John 1:10-11

This Christmas, I was blessed to catch a glimpse of the true state of God’s heart…

Beyond the facade of the celebrations, the merry carolling in the air, the dazzling lights and cheerful giving of presents, God is actually utterly grieved.

He is grieving because His children (lost and unlost) do not acknowledge Him. Even if we do, it is not a full acknowledgement based on who He is and what He has done for us on the cross.

However, his main sorrow is over the unsaved who has not received Christ as Saviour into their lives. The very reason of His birth was meant for us.

God loves us very much… (c.f. John 3:16) Even if there’s one person left unsaved, He grieves.

Every single person on the face of this earth matters greatly to Him.

I have been doing my maths lately…

< 8 hours sleep = wake up super shack = cannot focus and not alert

> 8 hours sleep = wake up fresh = can focus and alert

My maths analysis concludes that I now require more hours of rest for my body, in contrast to some (or many) years back where I could just steal a few winks and begun the next round of activities.

Guess I must concede that I am not any younger =p

So it is either I sleep early and wake up early or I sleep late and wake up late. Now cannot and unable to sleep late and wake up early liao…

Anyway, waking up fresh daily is so much crucial in beginning the day right with God.

I have been doing my maths lately…

< 8 hours sleep = wake up super shack = cannot focus and not alert

> 8 hours sleep = wake up fresh = can focus and alert

My maths analysis concludes that I now require more hours of rest for my body, in contrast to some (or many) years back where I could just steal a few winks and begun the next round of activities.

Guess I must concede that I am not any younger =p

So it is either I sleep early and wake up early or I sleep late and wake up late. Now cannot and unable to sleep late and wake up early liao…

Anyway, waking up fresh daily is so much crucial in beginning the day right with God.

Actually I thought after my studies, things would be better in terms of less stress, but it doesn’t seem so leh… At least at this moment =p

You know how it is when one has been sprinting with weights strapped around the ankles for training for months and years, and when the weights are taken out, what happens?

That person will not only sprint but soar without the weights bearing down.

That’s how I can best describe my phase since not having my weekly classes.

However I have found myself in numerous ocassions where I had over sprinted ahead of God and found myself over-ambitious, overly excited/anxious and overly frustated.

Really ‘taming’ myself down more, to sprint along side with Him and for Him to lead.

Relax suah…

I had whizzed past 28th year of life yesterday.

Honestly, crossed my heart, I wasn’t really anticipating to celebrate. After all birthdays are just like any other day. But I had appreciated what my brothers and sisters from the Unit did for me and doing their best to make it special for me.

However, I realised last night that I prefered a more cosy and intimate time with loved ones during such occasions. More meaningful. At least that was how I felt lar… I guess it happens as one gets older… Ha ha…

So what does 28 means to me?

It means I am on my way to my peak and not there yet. Still in ‘training’ and will get there pretty soon (in His timing of coz). Maybe in 5 – 10 years time? Ho ho…

Anyway ‘peak’ refers when I’m living life tapping on my fullest potential and maximising it to reap optimum results. It can also refer to ministry, career, love life and relationships around me.

In Marslow’s hierrachy of Needs, ‘peak’ can be associated with self-actualisation.

What was my favourite gift?

The genuine love and thoughtfulness of the people around me including my immediate family.

How is this year’s celebration different from last year’s?

More simple and less challenging ‘sabos’. Ke ke ke…

How am I different since last year’s birthday?

Mmmm… got to admit that I’ve got a bigger tummy. Ha ha…

But on a serious note, I think I have become more MAN- I know who I am, what I stand for and what I am aiming for as a person.

God has refined and defined me in Him.

This year’s wish?

Having clarity of God’s direction for my life after I graduate in October, and that He may reveal some specifics in due time including my ‘Fatima’ (Ha ha… only those who read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho will understand).

Wow… can’t wait sia… everything ahead is so uncertain and full of opportunities!

I’m like a butterfly just waiting for that moment to spread its wings from its cocoon!

So please pray for me… Gam Xia (Thank you)!