Saturday, March 30, 2002
22:52. i wish i don't need to close the window when the storm starts to blow. i like to just lie on my bed or stand at the window and feel the wind touch my face and blow my hair straight back. and just be in awe of the beauty and wonder of creation and my Saviour's handiwork. i like to be caught up in the beauty of the moment, the spectacle and feel my heart swell to bursting. and when it's all over, i will be a little bit sad but more so invigorated and more alive for a while.
i like to be more alive more constantly. is it possible? but life's made up of ups and downs. i don't ask for more ups, i just ask that i live in all circumstances. it is possible but how? Lord.
lead me, oh lead me
into your arms
i will be safe in the shadow of your wings
oh lead me oh lead me
into your arms
i will be safe in Almightly.
"the worst thing in life is to be ordinary"
- paraphrase off american beauty
skye 23:10
Friday, March 31, 2006
12:44.
Monday, March 27, 2006
16:40.
Three job interviews.
Three offers.
Only One God. His Name is Jesus Christ and He always blows my mind.
One's a full-time ministry. One's a Christian company who believes (rightfully) that what it does is ministry. And another one has Christian roots but is right now commercial.
They are respectively - This, this and this.
Job duties are - again respectively - promotions, including handling the literature and going around speaking to churches about the ministry; promotions, including creating and handling newsletters, catalogues, website and some events management help when speakers and bands are brought in; and the last one - editor, editing books for their publishing arm.
On Sunday, when I bought tickets to go to PJ, it was for one interview.
I was due to leave on Fri and have the interview on Sat. On Tues, the ministry called me in response to my two-week-old email and I suggested a Fri interview provided I could arrange the tickets. I arranged it that evening, got the last third seat on the bus. On Thurs, before I left for the bus, I checked my email and found a letter from the publishing company. I replied, asking if a Fri interview is possible.
On the bus, 10 minutes after I put in my Msian prepaid SIM card, they called and we settled on an interview time.
So it was arrive on Thurs, 730pm. Interviews - Fri, 10am. Fri, 130pm. Sat 5pm.
And all that from basically nothing except emails and referrals for about three weeks.
God is great.
I'm going to be praying and making my choice this week.
Will blog again :) Thanks for the prayers!
Three job interviews.
Three offers.
Only One God. His Name is Jesus Christ and He always blows my mind.
One's a full-time ministry. One's a Christian company who believes (rightfully) that what it does is ministry. And another one has Christian roots but is right now commercial.
They are respectively - This, this and this.
Job duties are - again respectively - promotions, including handling the literature and going around speaking to churches about the ministry; promotions, including creating and handling newsletters, catalogues, website and some events management help when speakers and bands are brought in; and the last one - editor, editing books for their publishing arm.
On Sunday, when I bought tickets to go to PJ, it was for one interview.
I was due to leave on Fri and have the interview on Sat. On Tues, the ministry called me in response to my two-week-old email and I suggested a Fri interview provided I could arrange the tickets. I arranged it that evening, got the last third seat on the bus. On Thurs, before I left for the bus, I checked my email and found a letter from the publishing company. I replied, asking if a Fri interview is possible.
On the bus, 10 minutes after I put in my Msian prepaid SIM card, they called and we settled on an interview time.
So it was arrive on Thurs, 730pm. Interviews - Fri, 10am. Fri, 130pm. Sat 5pm.
And all that from basically nothing except emails and referrals for about three weeks.
God is great.
I'm going to be praying and making my choice this week.
Will blog again :) Thanks for the prayers!
Thursday, March 23, 2006
12:01.
Am getting on a green bus to Bangsar, KL, Msia in a bit under two and a half hours. Will be seeing my sweetie after a month and two days. Will also be having a meeting with the president of the Msian chapter of an international ministry tomorrow. Having an interview with a Christian company on Saturday. And just got an email from another company. Maybe we can set up an interview in time....
Be still my heart. And friends, pray? :)
Will be back in Sg on Monday afternoon. And can I tell you how utterly thankful I am for a God who's bigger and greater than all the basketcases I can be from one second to the next? God is good.
*does a jig*
Am getting on a green bus to Bangsar, KL, Msia in a bit under two and a half hours. Will be seeing my sweetie after a month and two days. Will also be having a meeting with the president of the Msian chapter of an international ministry tomorrow. Having an interview with a Christian company on Saturday. And just got an email from another company. Maybe we can set up an interview in time....
Be still my heart. And friends, pray? :)
Will be back in Sg on Monday afternoon. And can I tell you how utterly thankful I am for a God who's bigger and greater than all the basketcases I can be from one second to the next? God is good.
*does a jig*
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
12:42.
It's a rainy day here in Sg, has been so more or less since last evening. Somehow, when I sat at my room's desk just now after breakfast, the cool wind that blew through the partially opened windows smelt like Melbourne on a mild day. And I remembered how I was in Melbourne, walking across the road from Elizabeth Street and somehow in that Autumn air, I smelt Singapore.
Olfactory wonders.
....
It's a rainy day here in Sg, has been so more or less since last evening. Somehow, when I sat at my room's desk just now after breakfast, the cool wind that blew through the partially opened windows smelt like Melbourne on a mild day. And I remembered how I was in Melbourne, walking across the road from Elizabeth Street and somehow in that Autumn air, I smelt Singapore.
Olfactory wonders.
....
Saturday, March 18, 2006
1217.
I used to cry every time I heard History Maker by Delirious.
I cried because I was cynical and to the "Is it true today...?" lyrics, I could only wish I could say yes but not break through my, if you like, "protective coat" of cynicism. 'cause heck, I believed and fell flat before. 'cause heck, I trusted and got betrayed before.
Not that rare though not that often, people fail us - Someone hurt you, and when that someone, being in the family of God related, acts like a flippin' cow on high-speed egocentric, blind to own flaws mode with pretty mask on so that not everyone sees, well, you get hurt doubly. 'cause it's family. And 'cause it's family, it sometimes feels like betrayal.
I do know how you feel, how family, loved ones, people in who hope is - or was - placed... seem more like turd than treasure. But hey, above all, God is real. Even when his ambassadors are lacking.
And before we scream "quality check, please on them rift raft", may God help us remember - We didn't earn our salvation and are each a child of Grace... too.
Because of God and the fact that He lives in me and helps me do things I can't do on my own, I realised I am always empowered 'cause I always have choices.
We can choose to be people of choices.
God doesn't need to live behind the veil of the misdemeanors of those who claim to serve Him and those who genuinely do but trip up and spill what they carry into your face. Your God doesn't need to be "unclear".
He loves you, it's that simple.
He loves you, it's that simple.
He loves you, it's that simple.
Certain truths never ever erode.
I still cry at History Maker. 'cept now I got past my wall of cynicism and fear of being let down, I cry because I believe and I know I have the power through Him to shake this world. Help me believe more, help me live it.
One life to give. And it passes in a twinkling.
Won't you dance too?
I used to cry every time I heard History Maker by Delirious.
I cried because I was cynical and to the "Is it true today...?" lyrics, I could only wish I could say yes but not break through my, if you like, "protective coat" of cynicism. 'cause heck, I believed and fell flat before. 'cause heck, I trusted and got betrayed before.
Not that rare though not that often, people fail us - Someone hurt you, and when that someone, being in the family of God related, acts like a flippin' cow on high-speed egocentric, blind to own flaws mode with pretty mask on so that not everyone sees, well, you get hurt doubly. 'cause it's family. And 'cause it's family, it sometimes feels like betrayal.
I do know how you feel, how family, loved ones, people in who hope is - or was - placed... seem more like turd than treasure. But hey, above all, God is real. Even when his ambassadors are lacking.
And before we scream "quality check, please on them rift raft", may God help us remember - We didn't earn our salvation and are each a child of Grace... too.
Because of God and the fact that He lives in me and helps me do things I can't do on my own, I realised I am always empowered 'cause I always have choices.
We can choose to be people of choices.
God doesn't need to live behind the veil of the misdemeanors of those who claim to serve Him and those who genuinely do but trip up and spill what they carry into your face. Your God doesn't need to be "unclear".
He loves you, it's that simple.
He loves you, it's that simple.
He loves you, it's that simple.
Certain truths never ever erode.
I still cry at History Maker. 'cept now I got past my wall of cynicism and fear of being let down, I cry because I believe and I know I have the power through Him to shake this world. Help me believe more, help me live it.
One life to give. And it passes in a twinkling.
Won't you dance too?
Thursday, March 16, 2006
17:48.
A lady from promotion booth hawking spa packages called me "girl" while yet another girl at orchard mrt tried "talent scouting" me. On the latter, they could try till the cows come home (oooh, cows...) and I'd still not be persuaded. Unless you are from a movie house I heard of. And I know my stuff decent, mind you.
Bygones.
Yesterday was ray and my 9th month together. It has been nine months and the symbolic figure doesn't escape me. Spiritual fruits, foundations we stand on, preparations for the future... these have been birthed in our first nine months together.
I love that man of God and I'm still so glad, happy, walking with a bounce that he is mine :)
It will be one year soon. And over two years of knowing each other.
Ooooh.
A lady from promotion booth hawking spa packages called me "girl" while yet another girl at orchard mrt tried "talent scouting" me. On the latter, they could try till the cows come home (oooh, cows...) and I'd still not be persuaded. Unless you are from a movie house I heard of. And I know my stuff decent, mind you.
Bygones.
Yesterday was ray and my 9th month together. It has been nine months and the symbolic figure doesn't escape me. Spiritual fruits, foundations we stand on, preparations for the future... these have been birthed in our first nine months together.
I love that man of God and I'm still so glad, happy, walking with a bounce that he is mine :)
It will be one year soon. And over two years of knowing each other.
Ooooh.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
16:59.
Hebrews 1:8
But about the Son he says,"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom"
Wow. A scepter is this staff or rod-like thing a king or sovereign of a nation carries. It is an emblem, a symbol of the sovereign's well, sovereignty. In other words, it is the object that demonstrates your royalty. It may be "just a " ceremonial object to carry but it is the visible sign of your inherited royalty.
When you are righteous, people see Christ in you. They see your divine royalty. And It's through this righteousness (impossible to inherit through works) that people see your heir-hood: Christ in you manifesting.
How do you tell the world that Jesus reign or that you are a Christian? With a cross around their neck? No, by the cross they carry in their lives to showcase the righteousness of God, Christ Jesus.
What is righteousness? I reckon if we try to seek His Kingdom and His Ways first, righteousness is a natural result. And righteousness doesn't mean stuffy boring but you know that already.
In some nations, if a king loses his scepter, he forfeits his right to rein. Serious consequences. Oh sure, he's still part of the royalty but he loses his influence and sovereignty. Reminds me of what's written: If salt loses its saltiness, what's its use?
Go down the chapter a bit more and there's verse 14:
"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"
"Inherit salvation" - We are not talking about whether your parents or uncles or aunties know Jesus and thus you automatically inherit something. We are talking about the realness of how we are adopted into God's own family when we receive Him. And thus, we are given salvation by our blood ties with the Lamb of God who died for us. Christ earned our salvation so we can inherit it and enter His family through it! Royal blood runs through our veins now!
And what a mystery that is! And how awesome!
Lord Jesus, I pray that our lives bear fruit. That You continuously show us how You have changed our lives, the contrast between the old and the new us, and how we are your children now by inheritance through your blood! And help us, Dad, to bear fruit and be righteous that all men may see You. Amen.
:)
Hebrews 1:8
But about the Son he says,"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom"
Wow. A scepter is this staff or rod-like thing a king or sovereign of a nation carries. It is an emblem, a symbol of the sovereign's well, sovereignty. In other words, it is the object that demonstrates your royalty. It may be "just a " ceremonial object to carry but it is the visible sign of your inherited royalty.
When you are righteous, people see Christ in you. They see your divine royalty. And It's through this righteousness (impossible to inherit through works) that people see your heir-hood: Christ in you manifesting.
How do you tell the world that Jesus reign or that you are a Christian? With a cross around their neck? No, by the cross they carry in their lives to showcase the righteousness of God, Christ Jesus.
What is righteousness? I reckon if we try to seek His Kingdom and His Ways first, righteousness is a natural result. And righteousness doesn't mean stuffy boring but you know that already.
In some nations, if a king loses his scepter, he forfeits his right to rein. Serious consequences. Oh sure, he's still part of the royalty but he loses his influence and sovereignty. Reminds me of what's written: If salt loses its saltiness, what's its use?
Go down the chapter a bit more and there's verse 14:
"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"
"Inherit salvation" - We are not talking about whether your parents or uncles or aunties know Jesus and thus you automatically inherit something. We are talking about the realness of how we are adopted into God's own family when we receive Him. And thus, we are given salvation by our blood ties with the Lamb of God who died for us. Christ earned our salvation so we can inherit it and enter His family through it! Royal blood runs through our veins now!
And what a mystery that is! And how awesome!
Lord Jesus, I pray that our lives bear fruit. That You continuously show us how You have changed our lives, the contrast between the old and the new us, and how we are your children now by inheritance through your blood! And help us, Dad, to bear fruit and be righteous that all men may see You. Amen.
:)
13:09.
With the Queen's visit to Canberra, her coming trip to Singapore, the Commonwealth Games and my impending move and the Sg-Msia-Aust quandary of the past, it struck me the past week of the shared multi-cultural societies that all three shared (at large at least) with varying success and overtness of racism.
An article asks :"What Does It Mean To Be Australian?"
For years, we grappled with: "What Does Being Singaporean Mean?"
And Malaysians are free to protest being in the same category but I've always been fascinated at race relations and the politics of race and money in our neighbouring country up north, a country I am looking to move to for this season.
What does it mean to be Malaysian?
Or yes, for that matter, Singaporean or Aussie? Surely every nation asks that question some time in their history and define it with patriotic pride by their fish n chips, beer or war history, liberty movement, abundant nature bounty, belief in way of life and so on... but why does these three countries' answers seem harder to articulate, or at least, to this girl from Sg.
National identity, unique cultural nucleus, nations born from a people united by one thing - That they chose to leave their countries to come to this land and make it their own.
It's something I love.
Pastor J was saying in church one weekend, inspired by the death of our first foreign minister who also wrote the national pledge (which pledged us, the citizens of Singapore "to be one united people regardless of race, language or religion to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation") that the late minister saw the required vision and conviction to have if we were to make it - 'cause we all made a choice to be Singaporean.
In every search for a dream, there are sacrifices; departures as investment for the future.
I'm a third-generation Singaporean on my maternal side and second-generation Singaporean on my paternal side (Grandpa came from China when he was young). I'm from a nation that chose to be and fought to become.
When I received Christ, I became a first-generation Christian. Now that Mom is a Christian too (Whee!), maybe I'm a first and half gen?
But like my pride at my nation's birth and ahem, I have to say it, fast progress from third to first world in just 30 years, I'm aware and proud of my heritage in Christ.
When I first received Christ, I may not have received with full understanding the dream I have been given. But now that I'm an adult, I am coming to understanding more and more. And as a grown citizen in God's kingdom, I want to and am willing to always try to pay the price, whatever sacrifice required for the kingdom come.
When you ask me what it means to be Singaporean, I may not give the best answer. It means belief in meritocracy, it means a rat race for prosperity, it means continual advancement and upgrading in everything because we are getting the newest everything so fast, it means a country where I can have friends of all races without any racism at work (SPG stuff excluded), it means I can walk home at 3am in the morning and still feel relatively safe, it means I can sleep on public transport and feel safe, it means I can depend on the public transport, it means we have a great school system 'cause I see how well turned out academically we generally are but the same system makes me wonder if I want my kids subjected to its rigorous nature, it means we are a nation with different facets - little india, myanmar, thailand, old singapore in katong, new singapore in town and so on. There are heaps heaps more that makes Singapore *grins* uniquely Singapore.
While my identity is build on Christ, I believe that doesn't mean a total disown of my heritage. Much can be learnt from history and heritage.
It seems like I'm attracted to nations like Singapore - Full of cultural mish-mash and seeking still to understand itself (Globalisation will soon make the mish mash part go everywhere though, if it hasn't done so already).
Free will rocks. You decide on a commitment and you keep to it, you decide on the battle for you and you fight for it, you decide who you are and whose you are and you live for more than me or you.
What are you and I bound by? Does the same blood of the Lamb flow through us? What is the heritage you choose to have in this one life?
In every search for a dream, there are sacrifices; departures as investment for the future.
Our founding fathers of this nation fought to make their dream of a world class Singapore happen, though we are really just one little red dot on the world map.
Jesus Christ fought to die for us. God the Father chose to give His very very best, His only Son for you and me. For the dream of having us lost children know abundant life and find our way home to Him.
What's your dream? What's the cost you are willing to pay?
I'm a Singaporean Christian with a proud heritage of my nationality and Christianity. I dream of a today when my dad and bro are Christians in the same army for the kingdom. I dream of a life so full to the brim sacrifices can hurt but fail to have power to cripple. I dream of days of impact to change lives, countries and world for God. I dream to see miracles and the face of God. I dream of a world where people can laugh without barbs, where my family can laugh till they cry in pure joy of the simple goodness life still offers today.
And I will do whatever it takes for the will of God.
What does it mean to be you?
And tell me, what's your dream?
With the Queen's visit to Canberra, her coming trip to Singapore, the Commonwealth Games and my impending move and the Sg-Msia-Aust quandary of the past, it struck me the past week of the shared multi-cultural societies that all three shared (at large at least) with varying success and overtness of racism.
An article asks :"What Does It Mean To Be Australian?"
For years, we grappled with: "What Does Being Singaporean Mean?"
And Malaysians are free to protest being in the same category but I've always been fascinated at race relations and the politics of race and money in our neighbouring country up north, a country I am looking to move to for this season.
What does it mean to be Malaysian?
Or yes, for that matter, Singaporean or Aussie? Surely every nation asks that question some time in their history and define it with patriotic pride by their fish n chips, beer or war history, liberty movement, abundant nature bounty, belief in way of life and so on... but why does these three countries' answers seem harder to articulate, or at least, to this girl from Sg.
National identity, unique cultural nucleus, nations born from a people united by one thing - That they chose to leave their countries to come to this land and make it their own.
It's something I love.
Pastor J was saying in church one weekend, inspired by the death of our first foreign minister who also wrote the national pledge (which pledged us, the citizens of Singapore "to be one united people regardless of race, language or religion to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation") that the late minister saw the required vision and conviction to have if we were to make it - 'cause we all made a choice to be Singaporean.
In every search for a dream, there are sacrifices; departures as investment for the future.
I'm a third-generation Singaporean on my maternal side and second-generation Singaporean on my paternal side (Grandpa came from China when he was young). I'm from a nation that chose to be and fought to become.
When I received Christ, I became a first-generation Christian. Now that Mom is a Christian too (Whee!), maybe I'm a first and half gen?
But like my pride at my nation's birth and ahem, I have to say it, fast progress from third to first world in just 30 years, I'm aware and proud of my heritage in Christ.
When I first received Christ, I may not have received with full understanding the dream I have been given. But now that I'm an adult, I am coming to understanding more and more. And as a grown citizen in God's kingdom, I want to and am willing to always try to pay the price, whatever sacrifice required for the kingdom come.
When you ask me what it means to be Singaporean, I may not give the best answer. It means belief in meritocracy, it means a rat race for prosperity, it means continual advancement and upgrading in everything because we are getting the newest everything so fast, it means a country where I can have friends of all races without any racism at work (SPG stuff excluded), it means I can walk home at 3am in the morning and still feel relatively safe, it means I can sleep on public transport and feel safe, it means I can depend on the public transport, it means we have a great school system 'cause I see how well turned out academically we generally are but the same system makes me wonder if I want my kids subjected to its rigorous nature, it means we are a nation with different facets - little india, myanmar, thailand, old singapore in katong, new singapore in town and so on. There are heaps heaps more that makes Singapore *grins* uniquely Singapore.
While my identity is build on Christ, I believe that doesn't mean a total disown of my heritage. Much can be learnt from history and heritage.
It seems like I'm attracted to nations like Singapore - Full of cultural mish-mash and seeking still to understand itself (Globalisation will soon make the mish mash part go everywhere though, if it hasn't done so already).
Free will rocks. You decide on a commitment and you keep to it, you decide on the battle for you and you fight for it, you decide who you are and whose you are and you live for more than me or you.
What are you and I bound by? Does the same blood of the Lamb flow through us? What is the heritage you choose to have in this one life?
In every search for a dream, there are sacrifices; departures as investment for the future.
Our founding fathers of this nation fought to make their dream of a world class Singapore happen, though we are really just one little red dot on the world map.
Jesus Christ fought to die for us. God the Father chose to give His very very best, His only Son for you and me. For the dream of having us lost children know abundant life and find our way home to Him.
What's your dream? What's the cost you are willing to pay?
I'm a Singaporean Christian with a proud heritage of my nationality and Christianity. I dream of a today when my dad and bro are Christians in the same army for the kingdom. I dream of a life so full to the brim sacrifices can hurt but fail to have power to cripple. I dream of days of impact to change lives, countries and world for God. I dream to see miracles and the face of God. I dream of a world where people can laugh without barbs, where my family can laugh till they cry in pure joy of the simple goodness life still offers today.
And I will do whatever it takes for the will of God.
What does it mean to be you?
And tell me, what's your dream?
Friday, March 10, 2006
12:48.
Music Meme, tagged by hypodermically.
1. A song by a Beatle:
Er, by a Beatle or by The Beatles? Across The Universe for the latter. Jealous Guy, John Lennon for the former.
2. A song featuring piano as the main instrument:
No One Else Knows, b429
3. A song with a woman's name in the title:
Layla, Eric Clapton
4. A song with a man's name in the title:
Vincent, Don McLean
5. A song about money:
Money, Money, Money, Abba
6. A song with weather in the title:
Rain Down, Planet Shakers
7. A song with parentheses in the title (these are parentheses):
Please Forgive Me (I Don't Know What I Do), Bryan Adams
8. A song made by a punk band:
I Don't Wanna Grow Up, The Ramones
9. A song with the word "song" in the title:
Your Song, Moulin Rouge OST
10. A song you love so much you stop and listen whenever you hear it/ put it on repeat mode and never get sick of it:
There are heaps but to choose just one - All This Time, Delirious
5 people i'm tagging:
Don't want lah... :P
Music Meme, tagged by hypodermically.
1. A song by a Beatle:
Er, by a Beatle or by The Beatles? Across The Universe for the latter. Jealous Guy, John Lennon for the former.
2. A song featuring piano as the main instrument:
No One Else Knows, b429
3. A song with a woman's name in the title:
Layla, Eric Clapton
4. A song with a man's name in the title:
Vincent, Don McLean
5. A song about money:
Money, Money, Money, Abba
6. A song with weather in the title:
Rain Down, Planet Shakers
7. A song with parentheses in the title (these are parentheses):
Please Forgive Me (I Don't Know What I Do), Bryan Adams
8. A song made by a punk band:
I Don't Wanna Grow Up, The Ramones
9. A song with the word "song" in the title:
Your Song, Moulin Rouge OST
10. A song you love so much you stop and listen whenever you hear it/ put it on repeat mode and never get sick of it:
There are heaps but to choose just one - All This Time, Delirious
5 people i'm tagging:
Don't want lah... :P
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
12:20.
Update time.
Feb 7 - Last day of journo work
Feb 9 - R a y came to Sg
Feb 15 - S k y e went to PJ, Msia with R a y
Feb 21 - S k y e came back to Sg
Feb 21 to 28 - One week of fasting and praying abt whether God's call was in SG or Msia.
Feb 28 - Decided it's Msia.
March 1 - S k y e starts sending resumes and reading up on visas, work permits, accomodation....
March 2 - R a y met his employer-to-be unplanned
March 3 - Employer-to-be called him personally for intw
March 4 - R a y went to employer-to-be house on a Sat for intw
March 6 - R a y met employer-to-be and a sister company's C E O for one more intw
March 6 (still) - R ay got hired! :)
It's always great to see how God opens doors and how perfect R a y's job really seem - A chance to do marketing and design work in a big company and at the same time, get involved in the Msian chapter of an international ministry that the bosses (Christian, yes) are heavily involved in.
Builds up my faith, it does. Even as it has officially been a month since I was an economically independent adult.
I'm pressing in - In prayer and in sending out resumes. The visa thing looks scary - There's forum talk of how it can take up to nine months to obtain work visa and you have to get an employer to want you and apply for you - but whew, my God can put any army to flight.
I've never been jobless. Was one of the first to start working after Polytechnic - Started work in June after school ended end of May 2002. A day after I tendered my notice for that job, an acquaintance called me out of the blue to offer me another job. While in that latter job, two interviews with two of Sg's dailies came through and I left to join one. When I came back from Melb in Feb 2005, I came back to a job offer that was already made in Dec 2004 while I was still in Melb.
God has always been faithful and I trust that He will still be faithful now as He always is.
But I do appreciate all the prayers I can get :)
Cheers, kind readers. Have a good day now.
Toodles.
Update time.
Feb 7 - Last day of journo work
Feb 9 - R a y came to Sg
Feb 15 - S k y e went to PJ, Msia with R a y
Feb 21 - S k y e came back to Sg
Feb 21 to 28 - One week of fasting and praying abt whether God's call was in SG or Msia.
Feb 28 - Decided it's Msia.
March 1 - S k y e starts sending resumes and reading up on visas, work permits, accomodation....
March 2 - R a y met his employer-to-be unplanned
March 3 - Employer-to-be called him personally for intw
March 4 - R a y went to employer-to-be house on a Sat for intw
March 6 - R a y met employer-to-be and a sister company's C E O for one more intw
March 6 (still) - R ay got hired! :)
It's always great to see how God opens doors and how perfect R a y's job really seem - A chance to do marketing and design work in a big company and at the same time, get involved in the Msian chapter of an international ministry that the bosses (Christian, yes) are heavily involved in.
Builds up my faith, it does. Even as it has officially been a month since I was an economically independent adult.
I'm pressing in - In prayer and in sending out resumes. The visa thing looks scary - There's forum talk of how it can take up to nine months to obtain work visa and you have to get an employer to want you and apply for you - but whew, my God can put any army to flight.
I've never been jobless. Was one of the first to start working after Polytechnic - Started work in June after school ended end of May 2002. A day after I tendered my notice for that job, an acquaintance called me out of the blue to offer me another job. While in that latter job, two interviews with two of Sg's dailies came through and I left to join one. When I came back from Melb in Feb 2005, I came back to a job offer that was already made in Dec 2004 while I was still in Melb.
God has always been faithful and I trust that He will still be faithful now as He always is.
But I do appreciate all the prayers I can get :)
Cheers, kind readers. Have a good day now.
Toodles.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
13:00.
"From this time many of his disciples turned back
and no longer followed him.
"
"You do not want to leave too, do you?"
The crowd grumbled and "many of his disciples left".
They "turned back and no longer followed Him" (Jn 6:66)
"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
And Peter summed up the crux of it all: "Lord, to whom shall we go?"
To whom whall we go? If you leave the Lord, to who can you go? When you truly touched God and know His Glory, when you love God for more than what He can do for you, something happens. Your whole consciousness understands that apart from Him, you can do nothing. Nothing that really matters or satisfy what's inside of you. You just know that you can't leave, not now, not ever.
"We have come too far now," Mike Gug said during the opening night of Planetshakers Conf 06.
And we have.
You can't go back now. You can't try to pretend you never knew this God who changed your life. Sometimes, God takes you to places like the other side of the lake. You have followed Him for a while, seen His miracles, been fed by His Words and deeds and He wants you to grow further, to be ready to know Him better and more and He feeds you with knowledge that seems hard to digest. Or He takes you to a dry patch or to the edge of that boat so you can walk out onto the water.
What's your choice then?
Shrink back and go back to the comfortable life you had where you had "just enough" of everything to live comfortably but never grow or answer that tiny voice inside which tells you there is so much more to the Christian life, to your life?
Noooo!
Press on! Keep praying, keep believing, keep knowing that Your God who called you is faithful and able to do more than what your heart can sometimes believe.
Press on!
Maybe turning back is really appealing but yet, it's all too clear that there's really nothing to return to. When you are serious about following God, serious that whatever it takes, you want God's will for your life to be fulfilled, then one day, you are going to come to a point.
It's a point when you are ready.
Ready to handle how it feels like when you are hard pressed on every side, ready to say but I'm crushed; when you are perplexed yet not in despaired; when you feel persecuted but know you are not abandoned; when you are struck down but completely convicted you are not destroyed. (2 Cor 4:8)
And at that point, you know you have come too far to turn back. And because you have asked to follow Him all the days of your life, sometimes, Dad makes sure that there's nothing for you to return to either. You can't move to the left or the right or backwards. The only thing for you to do is to go forward.
And because you are with Him, it is okay.
"I'm alive 'cause You're alive
I'm alive 'cause You're alive
I'm alive 'cause You're alive
I'm alive 'cause You're alive"
- I'm With You, Delirious
"From this time many of his disciples turned back
and no longer followed him.
"
"You do not want to leave too, do you?"
Jesus asked the Twelve.
"Simon Peter answered him,
"Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
"
- John 6:66-68
The crowd grumbled and "many of his disciples left".
They "turned back and no longer followed Him" (Jn 6:66)
"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
And Peter summed up the crux of it all: "Lord, to whom shall we go?"
To whom whall we go? If you leave the Lord, to who can you go? When you truly touched God and know His Glory, when you love God for more than what He can do for you, something happens. Your whole consciousness understands that apart from Him, you can do nothing. Nothing that really matters or satisfy what's inside of you. You just know that you can't leave, not now, not ever.
"We have come too far now," Mike Gug said during the opening night of Planetshakers Conf 06.
And we have.
You can't go back now. You can't try to pretend you never knew this God who changed your life. Sometimes, God takes you to places like the other side of the lake. You have followed Him for a while, seen His miracles, been fed by His Words and deeds and He wants you to grow further, to be ready to know Him better and more and He feeds you with knowledge that seems hard to digest. Or He takes you to a dry patch or to the edge of that boat so you can walk out onto the water.
What's your choice then?
Shrink back and go back to the comfortable life you had where you had "just enough" of everything to live comfortably but never grow or answer that tiny voice inside which tells you there is so much more to the Christian life, to your life?
Noooo!
Press on! Keep praying, keep believing, keep knowing that Your God who called you is faithful and able to do more than what your heart can sometimes believe.
Press on!
Maybe turning back is really appealing but yet, it's all too clear that there's really nothing to return to. When you are serious about following God, serious that whatever it takes, you want God's will for your life to be fulfilled, then one day, you are going to come to a point.
It's a point when you are ready.
Ready to handle how it feels like when you are hard pressed on every side, ready to say but I'm crushed; when you are perplexed yet not in despaired; when you feel persecuted but know you are not abandoned; when you are struck down but completely convicted you are not destroyed. (2 Cor 4:8)
And at that point, you know you have come too far to turn back. And because you have asked to follow Him all the days of your life, sometimes, Dad makes sure that there's nothing for you to return to either. You can't move to the left or the right or backwards. The only thing for you to do is to go forward.
And because you are with Him, it is okay.
"I'm alive 'cause You're alive
I'm alive 'cause You're alive
I'm alive 'cause You're alive
I'm alive 'cause You're alive"
- I'm With You, Delirious
Saturday, March 04, 2006
21:07.
Thank You, thank You, thank You for Noah, for Abraham, for every biblical hero of faith who have gone before in faith and into Your eventual vindication, reward and destiny. I love You, Dad!
From Next Wave.
Build a Boat, Noah
04 March 2006
Hebrews 11:7 'By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.' (NIV)
The famed evangelist Oral Roberts has said that, 'faith is living on the edge of insecurity.' Faith heroes always challenge the perceived wisdom. In one way or another, they are not 'normal' by most people's standards. God told Noah to build a boat. 'Great,' said Noah, 'what's a boat?' 'You know,' came the reply, 'one of those things you use when it rains a lot.' Noah was excited, but perplexed. 'Great,' he said, 'what's rain?' (Genesis says there had never been rain to the point in time.) When God told Noah to build a boat, it wasn't a balsa-wood boat-in-a-bottle constructed out in the garden shed. Noah built a supermarket-sized boat in his driveway -- and several other people's driveways. It was huge! Tourists came from miles around to take photographs of 'the fool and his boat'. Noah found favour with God -- and saved his family -- because he refused to be ruled by popular opinion. God declared a flood to world that had never seen rain -- and only Noah was prepared to believe him. Were their moments when Noah felt doubt? Of course. Were there times when Noah wished someone else had received the call? Sure. Nevertheless, Noah was prepared to live with the insecurity. That was what made him a world changer, a planet shaker…
Prayer: 'Dear Father, thank you for the example of people like Noah who are obeyed your call even in the face of ridicule. I want to pursue your call on my life whatever the cost, so please, I pray, trust me, call me afresh even today.'
Thank You, thank You, thank You for Noah, for Abraham, for every biblical hero of faith who have gone before in faith and into Your eventual vindication, reward and destiny. I love You, Dad!
From Next Wave.
Build a Boat, Noah
04 March 2006
Hebrews 11:7 'By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.' (NIV)
The famed evangelist Oral Roberts has said that, 'faith is living on the edge of insecurity.' Faith heroes always challenge the perceived wisdom. In one way or another, they are not 'normal' by most people's standards. God told Noah to build a boat. 'Great,' said Noah, 'what's a boat?' 'You know,' came the reply, 'one of those things you use when it rains a lot.' Noah was excited, but perplexed. 'Great,' he said, 'what's rain?' (Genesis says there had never been rain to the point in time.) When God told Noah to build a boat, it wasn't a balsa-wood boat-in-a-bottle constructed out in the garden shed. Noah built a supermarket-sized boat in his driveway -- and several other people's driveways. It was huge! Tourists came from miles around to take photographs of 'the fool and his boat'. Noah found favour with God -- and saved his family -- because he refused to be ruled by popular opinion. God declared a flood to world that had never seen rain -- and only Noah was prepared to believe him. Were their moments when Noah felt doubt? Of course. Were there times when Noah wished someone else had received the call? Sure. Nevertheless, Noah was prepared to live with the insecurity. That was what made him a world changer, a planet shaker…
Prayer: 'Dear Father, thank you for the example of people like Noah who are obeyed your call even in the face of ridicule. I want to pursue your call on my life whatever the cost, so please, I pray, trust me, call me afresh even today.'
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
19:57.
"you did not choose Me
but
I chose you
and appointed you to go
and bear fruit - fruit that will last"
- John 15:18
God chose you.
Despite your imperfection, He still chose you. If you take a look at the checklist of criteria, you would see qualities different from the stuff we worry about. While we stutter about our feebleness, lack of charisma or talents, our God - who is Love Himself (1 Jn 4:16) bypasses our checklist for His.
If you can just really believe God chose you, then your life will totally change.
No one chooses something or someone without a purpose. I don't go into the supermarket to get a say, tomato unless I have a purpose for it, a reason to buy it 'cause I want to do pasta sauce or something with it.
If you can just really believe God chose you then your life will have natural purpose.
What is it that God made me to do? You mean Almighty God had a specific purpose for making me? What is that grand plan that my Maker saved me for? Man, I want to see. There's a children's song that went "God has a plan for my life, I just can't wait to see what's in store for me! 'cause God has a plan for little old me".
And far from being childish, that is true!
The bible says that God knows us before we were even made. And that there are good works prepared in advanced for us to do.
There's a reason why you are where you are now, there's a reason why you are even here on earth.
There is a divine destiny for your life. Why won't you believe it? It is true.
"you did not choose Me
but
I chose you
and appointed you to go
and bear fruit - fruit that will last"
- John 15:18
God chose you.
Despite your imperfection, He still chose you. If you take a look at the checklist of criteria, you would see qualities different from the stuff we worry about. While we stutter about our feebleness, lack of charisma or talents, our God - who is Love Himself (1 Jn 4:16) bypasses our checklist for His.
If you can just really believe God chose you, then your life will totally change.
No one chooses something or someone without a purpose. I don't go into the supermarket to get a say, tomato unless I have a purpose for it, a reason to buy it 'cause I want to do pasta sauce or something with it.
If you can just really believe God chose you then your life will have natural purpose.
What is it that God made me to do? You mean Almighty God had a specific purpose for making me? What is that grand plan that my Maker saved me for? Man, I want to see. There's a children's song that went "God has a plan for my life, I just can't wait to see what's in store for me! 'cause God has a plan for little old me".
And far from being childish, that is true!
The bible says that God knows us before we were even made. And that there are good works prepared in advanced for us to do.
There's a reason why you are where you are now, there's a reason why you are even here on earth.
There is a divine destiny for your life. Why won't you believe it? It is true.
