16:49.
Heh. I saw this on Cass's blog and thought it's really pretty good and funny. Heh.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
0958.
I grew up reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Faraway Tree series... where ordinary children and an ordinary forest became exordinary for those who kept their eyes and heart open and went where impetus led.
One after another, they had adventures, meeting people and things and situations so excitingly unreal adults would scoff if they only knew or for that matter, listen.
My life is an adventure.
I have not busted criminals or seen fairy beings but Omnipotence has peeled back the stuff that lined my heart and eyes which prevented me from seeing and feeling like I am meant to do so.
I have not travelled to all that many places or ate the delicacies of non-human communities but Omnipresence has kept me under the shadow of His wings, in His heart and as the apple of His eye and I have ate and drank at the table of mercy and great rejoicing, the truest movable feast available for those who seek.
I'm not in the headlines nor do I live a child's tasks-free life but Omniscience has guided me through this adult's weaved world and kept me totally in His plan, hemming me in and out, left and right, top and bottom with the knowledge that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His promise.
When I was young, I loved sitting at, with legs poking out of, the metal gate of our HDB flat. There was a peace that came with sitting there staring at the skies and being quiet or talking or singing to myself.
There's always a peace when I sit with You, when I am with You and how thankful I am that my impetus is not my own folly but that it is You, You who help me be still when I should and move like the wind into my destiny when it's time.
Lots of things have been happening the last two weeks. At my first Msian PlanetShakers conference, I learnt things new to me and had matters learnt reaffirmed in my spirit. And many matters God has revealed and spoken to me over the last two months especially geared up for a curve I didn't see coming but which made all the sense now.
The light on the narrow path is purposefully only ever big enough for just the next step, not two km ahead but as you keep walking on, there is a step when you move into something different, something bigger and you see the tapestry of the lessons you took every step before.
Last night, the man who is going to be my pastor said, "It's an adventure."
And it is. This. wave. is. big. And I can't wait to ride it.
Blessed Christmas, everyone. Live big.
He came and died and lived again for you so you can live too.
I grew up reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Faraway Tree series... where ordinary children and an ordinary forest became exordinary for those who kept their eyes and heart open and went where impetus led.
One after another, they had adventures, meeting people and things and situations so excitingly unreal adults would scoff if they only knew or for that matter, listen.
My life is an adventure.
I have not busted criminals or seen fairy beings but Omnipotence has peeled back the stuff that lined my heart and eyes which prevented me from seeing and feeling like I am meant to do so.
I have not travelled to all that many places or ate the delicacies of non-human communities but Omnipresence has kept me under the shadow of His wings, in His heart and as the apple of His eye and I have ate and drank at the table of mercy and great rejoicing, the truest movable feast available for those who seek.
I'm not in the headlines nor do I live a child's tasks-free life but Omniscience has guided me through this adult's weaved world and kept me totally in His plan, hemming me in and out, left and right, top and bottom with the knowledge that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His promise.
When I was young, I loved sitting at, with legs poking out of, the metal gate of our HDB flat. There was a peace that came with sitting there staring at the skies and being quiet or talking or singing to myself.
There's always a peace when I sit with You, when I am with You and how thankful I am that my impetus is not my own folly but that it is You, You who help me be still when I should and move like the wind into my destiny when it's time.
Lots of things have been happening the last two weeks. At my first Msian PlanetShakers conference, I learnt things new to me and had matters learnt reaffirmed in my spirit. And many matters God has revealed and spoken to me over the last two months especially geared up for a curve I didn't see coming but which made all the sense now.
The light on the narrow path is purposefully only ever big enough for just the next step, not two km ahead but as you keep walking on, there is a step when you move into something different, something bigger and you see the tapestry of the lessons you took every step before.
Last night, the man who is going to be my pastor said, "It's an adventure."
And it is. This. wave. is. big. And I can't wait to ride it.
Blessed Christmas, everyone. Live big.
He came and died and lived again for you so you can live too.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
17:17.
In three hours, I'd be at the first night rally of Planet Shakers conference in Msia. I'm looking forward to it. Ray and I both took leave for Thurs and Fri so we could attend, though on Fri night, we would have to go to CG instead of the rally. It wld be the first CG meeting after multiplication, we think it's important for us to be there and we want to be there too.
Caught a chill just now for no reason or rhyme and felt pretty bad but my colleagues' preserved ginger powerfully chased the symptoms away. Praise God! heh.
Was designing a website for a new training and consultancy company last week. Yesterday, the directors kind of made me a job offer as Programme Developer, with pinches of design work, trainers sourcing and actually doing training thrown in. I'm not too sure about it so pls pray.
At WorldTeach meeting at 11am, David asked if I want to update the rest about me and I basically told them I'd be leaving and why I'm leaving. They prayed for me and all and were sweet.
After that, my lunch date was "robbed" by my boss, haha, and I ambled out to a roadside nasi campur stall to get a packet lunch of sambal chicken, sambal prawns with petai and a lovely runny omelette. So Malaysian hor? Roadside makeshift store some more. heh. The Malay and mamak food rock major. I'd miss them if I leave for a long time.
Any way, just wanted to update a bit before I disappear for the next few days. After the conference, we have Cg on Fri night and Eugene and Nianci's wedding (aww) on Sat. I got to write another article for the church mag (did one last night) on Sun (hopefully).
Enjoy the Christmas ambience. Now and then, I get a bit bleh and yet now and then, when I remember it's Christmas soon and sing a jingly song quietly or merely inside, I feel lifted up. How good it is that He came for me. How good it it that we have Christmas. I'm not expecting much gifts for Christmas, that's not why I love it. I just love the... vibe.
So I hope you remember the joyousness of our Saviour come. And smile :)
In three hours, I'd be at the first night rally of Planet Shakers conference in Msia. I'm looking forward to it. Ray and I both took leave for Thurs and Fri so we could attend, though on Fri night, we would have to go to CG instead of the rally. It wld be the first CG meeting after multiplication, we think it's important for us to be there and we want to be there too.
Caught a chill just now for no reason or rhyme and felt pretty bad but my colleagues' preserved ginger powerfully chased the symptoms away. Praise God! heh.
Was designing a website for a new training and consultancy company last week. Yesterday, the directors kind of made me a job offer as Programme Developer, with pinches of design work, trainers sourcing and actually doing training thrown in. I'm not too sure about it so pls pray.
At WorldTeach meeting at 11am, David asked if I want to update the rest about me and I basically told them I'd be leaving and why I'm leaving. They prayed for me and all and were sweet.
After that, my lunch date was "robbed" by my boss, haha, and I ambled out to a roadside nasi campur stall to get a packet lunch of sambal chicken, sambal prawns with petai and a lovely runny omelette. So Malaysian hor? Roadside makeshift store some more. heh. The Malay and mamak food rock major. I'd miss them if I leave for a long time.
Any way, just wanted to update a bit before I disappear for the next few days. After the conference, we have Cg on Fri night and Eugene and Nianci's wedding (aww) on Sat. I got to write another article for the church mag (did one last night) on Sun (hopefully).
Enjoy the Christmas ambience. Now and then, I get a bit bleh and yet now and then, when I remember it's Christmas soon and sing a jingly song quietly or merely inside, I feel lifted up. How good it is that He came for me. How good it it that we have Christmas. I'm not expecting much gifts for Christmas, that's not why I love it. I just love the... vibe.
So I hope you remember the joyousness of our Saviour come. And smile :)
17:01.
From BBC here. Way to go, China. I believe in compulsory education.
China ends school fees for 150m
China says it will abolish tuition fees for 150 million rural students, in a bid to narrow the gap between wealthy coastal provinces and poorer regions.
The students will be exempt from tuition fees over the course of their compulsory nine-year education.
The move would cost 15bn yuan ($1.9bn) a year, the China Daily said.
Last year the government abolished fees for 50m students living in the western provinces of China, some of the poorest parts of the country.
"It is part of a major move to relieve the financial burden of farmers and to develop a new countryside," the state-owned newspaper said.
Money shortage
In theory, Chinese children are guaranteed free education from age six to 15.
But in practise, cash strapped local authorities and schools charge fees and education taxes which poorer families can find prohibitive.
The move to end fees follows increasing concern at unrest in the countryside and at a growing gap between the rich coastal provinces and poor interior.
The authorities have promised more money and fresh policies to ease the problem, as part of what is officially billed as building a "harmonious society".
But many people in rural areas are still living on less than a dollar a day, and rural schooling is seen to lag well behind.
Rural unrest, often blamed on illegal land grabs, is also a growing problem.
There are thought to be thousands of protests a year across China, with farmers in villages whose land has been taken often directing their anger at corrupt local officials who skim off the profits when it is sold to developers.
From BBC here. Way to go, China. I believe in compulsory education.
China ends school fees for 150m
China says it will abolish tuition fees for 150 million rural students, in a bid to narrow the gap between wealthy coastal provinces and poorer regions.
The students will be exempt from tuition fees over the course of their compulsory nine-year education.
The move would cost 15bn yuan ($1.9bn) a year, the China Daily said.
Last year the government abolished fees for 50m students living in the western provinces of China, some of the poorest parts of the country.
"It is part of a major move to relieve the financial burden of farmers and to develop a new countryside," the state-owned newspaper said.
Money shortage
In theory, Chinese children are guaranteed free education from age six to 15.
But in practise, cash strapped local authorities and schools charge fees and education taxes which poorer families can find prohibitive.
The move to end fees follows increasing concern at unrest in the countryside and at a growing gap between the rich coastal provinces and poor interior.
The authorities have promised more money and fresh policies to ease the problem, as part of what is officially billed as building a "harmonious society".
But many people in rural areas are still living on less than a dollar a day, and rural schooling is seen to lag well behind.
Rural unrest, often blamed on illegal land grabs, is also a growing problem.
There are thought to be thousands of protests a year across China, with farmers in villages whose land has been taken often directing their anger at corrupt local officials who skim off the profits when it is sold to developers.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
1030.
It's very strange but highly welcomed - For all my love for Melbourne, the lifestyle and all its offers, I think finally, my soul has embraced Singapore and Malaysia as the better place for me to be in now. As if there's a shift in the well, the way my heart and neck's inclined towards, I guess.
:)
I'd a very good weekend. Friday evening was our CG sub zone gathering so all 9 CGs under PJ North 4 gathered at the venue the chinese church norm use. Ray was playing drums (and did a great job!). Watching him play was slightly deja vu :) After all, I used to watch him play. The CG had to put on a presentation for our cell leader and though it wasn't oscar winning materials, it was joyously riotous and very very funny.
Living Springs, our CG on stage midway through our sing-song for CG leader Shelley, next to me in black. Ray's covered by Jessey (in pink on most right), who happens to be our new CG leader.
We ended the evening with a mamak nearby where I discovered the joys of double cheese naan. By the time I got home, I guess it was over 1am. Had to get up a bit earlier than I wanted to on Sat morning 'cause I forgot to pass one of the church keys to my zone leader but that was fine. Ended up having a little chat where I updated her about what's happening with me too.
Saturday, we started it off late at 145pm and went to eat at a good hawker centre, then to The Curve to hang out, booked Happy Feet tix for the 7pm show, went to eat kaya toast and coffee/ tea at Kluang, hung around idyllically at scrapbook and techie stores, watched the movie and imprompt-ly went to a nice Italian restaurant we always fancied but never yet visit. I had a very very good grilled calamari salad (mmmmmmmm) and he had garlic prawn fettucine (home-made). We rounded it off with flat white and cafe latte. Very very nice.
Sun, we went to church, had pan mee (dry version, do we have it in Sg?) at the hawker centre oppt church then went to KL for the PC fair which was thronged with throngs of people and some very very good deals.
My baby got a black iPod, 30gig which came packaged as a deal at RM1249 with free speakers, leather case and a RM100 accessories voucher which we used to get another casing and two whaddaya call those stickers... screen protectors? We recuperated at Kenny Rogers after that before he sent me to a Dew Media Appreciation dinner (since I write for the newsletter, which falls under the Media Team). Was a good night. Lots of funny, impromptu sing alongs with an acoustic two-piece band, sharing from the ministry heads and good food. They made the senior pastor sing too, after he finally drop by on his third appreciation dinner on his rounds that night.
Got a free tee too, hah. It was a good night. And a very good weekend indeed.
Thanks, God :)
It's very strange but highly welcomed - For all my love for Melbourne, the lifestyle and all its offers, I think finally, my soul has embraced Singapore and Malaysia as the better place for me to be in now. As if there's a shift in the well, the way my heart and neck's inclined towards, I guess.
:)
I'd a very good weekend. Friday evening was our CG sub zone gathering so all 9 CGs under PJ North 4 gathered at the venue the chinese church norm use. Ray was playing drums (and did a great job!). Watching him play was slightly deja vu :) After all, I used to watch him play. The CG had to put on a presentation for our cell leader and though it wasn't oscar winning materials, it was joyously riotous and very very funny.
Living Springs, our CG on stage midway through our sing-song for CG leader Shelley, next to me in black. Ray's covered by Jessey (in pink on most right), who happens to be our new CG leader.
We ended the evening with a mamak nearby where I discovered the joys of double cheese naan. By the time I got home, I guess it was over 1am. Had to get up a bit earlier than I wanted to on Sat morning 'cause I forgot to pass one of the church keys to my zone leader but that was fine. Ended up having a little chat where I updated her about what's happening with me too.
Saturday, we started it off late at 145pm and went to eat at a good hawker centre, then to The Curve to hang out, booked Happy Feet tix for the 7pm show, went to eat kaya toast and coffee/ tea at Kluang, hung around idyllically at scrapbook and techie stores, watched the movie and imprompt-ly went to a nice Italian restaurant we always fancied but never yet visit. I had a very very good grilled calamari salad (mmmmmmmm) and he had garlic prawn fettucine (home-made). We rounded it off with flat white and cafe latte. Very very nice.
Sun, we went to church, had pan mee (dry version, do we have it in Sg?) at the hawker centre oppt church then went to KL for the PC fair which was thronged with throngs of people and some very very good deals.
My baby got a black iPod, 30gig which came packaged as a deal at RM1249 with free speakers, leather case and a RM100 accessories voucher which we used to get another casing and two whaddaya call those stickers... screen protectors? We recuperated at Kenny Rogers after that before he sent me to a Dew Media Appreciation dinner (since I write for the newsletter, which falls under the Media Team). Was a good night. Lots of funny, impromptu sing alongs with an acoustic two-piece band, sharing from the ministry heads and good food. They made the senior pastor sing too, after he finally drop by on his third appreciation dinner on his rounds that night.
Got a free tee too, hah. It was a good night. And a very good weekend indeed.
Thanks, God :)
Friday, December 01, 2006
11:09.
Greetings, December.
How've you been? Last time I saw you, we were in Oz.
You blew hot and cold but held us tight.
Me and my love, under your bright blue skies.
And yes, the end of the year is coming around again.
At DUMC, my church here, 2006 has been - or rather is - the year of building Faith. That that mirrors my own journey this year is more than coincidence.
Last December, I coolly spent SGD3000 on an almost month-long holiday, no sweat. Last weekend, I was walking around Singapore with SGD5 in my wallet, reluctant to take out any money from the bank account with a grand total of two-digit.
Last year, I was in the leadership class in church at Sg and playing in the band, praying for Ray every day in his involvement with Planet Shakers and Planet Uni in Melb, and really wanting to be with him to support him.
This year, I've been in a great cell group for about five months and serving on the church newsletter. Opportunities to serve in various para-church organisations and ministries abound and I'm proud of my baby who's stepping up to assistant cell group leader come next Friday as the cell group multiplies.
I'm going to have to be diligent and chronicle and give thanks for the very real, very deeply-driven-in lessons of 2006 over this last month but those will prob be better bite-sized and spread out.
One big thing though - I will be leaving WorldTeach :)
I don't know exactly when yet but it's quite definite. I've already told my chairman how I feel and my reasons and it has been very encouraging how he completely understands.
The Reason is multi-pronged and has been cuminating in clarity intensely over the last two months but to sum it out:
- I've already done all I can as a media consultant. Unless the ministry moves at a very rapid pace organising seminars much more regularly, honestly, there's not enough any more to keep me even half busy.
- At the end of the day, I want to be effective for Christ. The Christian politician in an industry of grime could be more effective for God than a full-time worker plodding on for 30 years, unwittingly becoming relevant only to people like him or herself. Talents can't be buried, they are God-given.
- I'm understanding that between the command to quit TNP to that place where I'm in my specific calling - I'm not called to limit my choices and that, that specific calling won't be in a para-church organisation but in a church.
I thank God for how He has been showing me things progressively.
He led me to understand those three points before my last trip back to Singapore and the day before I left, I had an unplanned talk with the chairman and told him how I feel.
Then when I came back, on Tuesday, some things about para church organisations and churches and my sentiments towards them dawned upon me with Eureka moments.
On Wednesday, he asked me to his office to discuss about the ministry and whether things are clearer for me and I shared with him how I felt, including the new relevations as we also discussed the ministry's future.
I'm glad I didn't realise how financially bad I'm doing until after I made it clear to the boss, ray and myself that I don't think this is where I can be most effective for God any more. God's good - He knows I question myself regularly and chronological relevations and realisations help keep those doubts out.
I'll share more as we go along, ya? :) Pls pray about the next step - Singapore or Malaysia? Whether to commit to a new lease hinges on this and hinges too on providence (if it's Msia, job offers from companies able to sponsor a visa). I'm also giving lots of thought as to what kind of profession I want to be in next.
Lots of things still up in the air. I'm awaiting the next chronological relevation.
"I was on the inside
When they pulled the
four walls down
I was looking through
the window
I was lost, I am found
... I will follow"
Greetings, December.
How've you been? Last time I saw you, we were in Oz.
You blew hot and cold but held us tight.
Me and my love, under your bright blue skies.
And yes, the end of the year is coming around again.
At DUMC, my church here, 2006 has been - or rather is - the year of building Faith. That that mirrors my own journey this year is more than coincidence.
Last December, I coolly spent SGD3000 on an almost month-long holiday, no sweat. Last weekend, I was walking around Singapore with SGD5 in my wallet, reluctant to take out any money from the bank account with a grand total of two-digit.
Last year, I was in the leadership class in church at Sg and playing in the band, praying for Ray every day in his involvement with Planet Shakers and Planet Uni in Melb, and really wanting to be with him to support him.
This year, I've been in a great cell group for about five months and serving on the church newsletter. Opportunities to serve in various para-church organisations and ministries abound and I'm proud of my baby who's stepping up to assistant cell group leader come next Friday as the cell group multiplies.
I'm going to have to be diligent and chronicle and give thanks for the very real, very deeply-driven-in lessons of 2006 over this last month but those will prob be better bite-sized and spread out.
One big thing though - I will be leaving WorldTeach :)
I don't know exactly when yet but it's quite definite. I've already told my chairman how I feel and my reasons and it has been very encouraging how he completely understands.
The Reason is multi-pronged and has been cuminating in clarity intensely over the last two months but to sum it out:
- I've already done all I can as a media consultant. Unless the ministry moves at a very rapid pace organising seminars much more regularly, honestly, there's not enough any more to keep me even half busy.
- At the end of the day, I want to be effective for Christ. The Christian politician in an industry of grime could be more effective for God than a full-time worker plodding on for 30 years, unwittingly becoming relevant only to people like him or herself. Talents can't be buried, they are God-given.
- I'm understanding that between the command to quit TNP to that place where I'm in my specific calling - I'm not called to limit my choices and that, that specific calling won't be in a para-church organisation but in a church.
I thank God for how He has been showing me things progressively.
He led me to understand those three points before my last trip back to Singapore and the day before I left, I had an unplanned talk with the chairman and told him how I feel.
Then when I came back, on Tuesday, some things about para church organisations and churches and my sentiments towards them dawned upon me with Eureka moments.
On Wednesday, he asked me to his office to discuss about the ministry and whether things are clearer for me and I shared with him how I felt, including the new relevations as we also discussed the ministry's future.
I'm glad I didn't realise how financially bad I'm doing until after I made it clear to the boss, ray and myself that I don't think this is where I can be most effective for God any more. God's good - He knows I question myself regularly and chronological relevations and realisations help keep those doubts out.
I'll share more as we go along, ya? :) Pls pray about the next step - Singapore or Malaysia? Whether to commit to a new lease hinges on this and hinges too on providence (if it's Msia, job offers from companies able to sponsor a visa). I'm also giving lots of thought as to what kind of profession I want to be in next.
Lots of things still up in the air. I'm awaiting the next chronological relevation.
"I was on the inside
When they pulled the
four walls down
I was looking through
the window
I was lost, I am found
... I will follow"
