Week wif Ps Ulf.

[ personal ramblings ]





He's a real great man of God :)




I feel really happy that Ps Ulf is here. Cos he always prophesy great news to our church. and there is just a breakthrough in the atmosphere.




He shared 3 great sermons on 3 seperate days. And i love all 3 of them. Though in the first 2, i din really take in much. I spent much time pinching myself to stay awake :). Each service last about 3 hours .. and i really wished we could have more. It's just so great to be in church. and really it's nothin much more to do with my physical commitment to this church. my ministry. But i'm really happy to be in the house of God.


I like some of his points. randomly points.






Timing is everything.
The world works by it. We are moved around by it. But yet we aren't controlled by it. It's really important to see how much time we spent freely on. Because our progress in life, the good things we have .. and especially my relationship with God .. depends largely on how i spent it. The trick is to know when to do what. To be at the right place, at the right time. doing the right thing.


I'm going to plan for this and let the HS lead me upon it. :)





Faith inspired healing.
The same miracles in the times of Jesus Christ is everpresent today. I've seen it. I've felt it. And i know it for sure that it's there. But it's hard to believe it in the world today....... That this miracles exist. The birth of different beliefs. The complication of misguided Christian teachings. The numerous world crisis. It hits many atheist and skeptics about our Christian faith in miracles. I've read this short extract from Dallas Willard, from an interview in the award winning book - The Case of Faith.

'Next Tuesday Morning, just after breakfast, all of us in this one world will be knocked to our knees by a percussive and ear-shattering thunderchap. Snow swirls, leaves drop from trees, the earth heaves and buckles, buildings topple and towers tumble. The sky is ablaze with an eerie silvery light, and just then, as all the people of this world look up, the hevens open, and the clouds pull apart, revealing an unbelievably radiant and immense Zeus-like figure towering over us like a hundred Everests. He frowns darkly as lightning plays over the features of his Michelangeloid face, and then he points down, at me, and explains for every man, woman, and child to hear, "I've had quite enough of your too-clever logic chopping and word-watching in matters of theology. Be assured, Norwood Russell Hanson, that I most certainly do exist!"'

This lecturer asked the class, " So if this really happened, how would Hanson reply? "


Mr Lee Strobel said,"You think he'd explain it away"


"Absolutely. It's very unfortunate but i think he'd explain it away. We need to be alert to the fact that, in nearly every case imaginable, answered prayer can be explained away if you want to. And that's what people normally do. They say, 'Well, I'm very smart; I can't be fooled by all these things."




and so it is. The fact i'm bringing this up is that many people who opposed the very existence of God, has always approach with a conclusive perspective. that there is no God. And somehow in my journey.. frankly i do get fustrated over this group of people. :( Today's message does show me alittle light. That miracles are not mainly birth to combat destructive theories over Christianity and religions. But they are there to bless. To love and to show the very character of God that is displayed through his actions. Even so, i always come with a mindset that miracles are so rare. I can't really see how it'll work in our time. In my office. My home.


But in these 3 days i see how God moves again. I have no vision how it'll take place. But somehow, i know it'll work. His testimonies really inspires me to take an active role in Jesus's ministry. To bless and meet needs! :)





High-Calling that lifts.
Perspective is very important in life. Because the way we see things can really affect our decisions. The best thing i've learn is to keep in God's perspective. To keep praying that i will see what he sees. To have the spiritual discernment to make wise decisions. Because only so i can really fulfill my life-calling. To be what God wants me to be. :)



I love Ps Ulf :)




and yea.. i got a new phone too! SE K750I. My uncle wasn't too impress with me buying a new phone for 400+. It's true that it's very exp .. and i've used all my ang pow money and abit of my savin for it. So yea... can imagine the sacrifice T_T. But i dun regret my decision. :) Cos i really like the phone! It's a blessing from God! haha




well from now on .. i will pose less pics in my blog :D. Shall all upload back to flickr! and all the old pics to yahoo!-photos. :) be welcomed to view them :)



God Bless.







music session wif my sis:)




dinner out wif uncle and granny




My aunt and little Grace




:D

Relationship matters.

[ personal ramblings ]







It's been a heavy week ....






not just tiring ... but a week which i feel rather high and low. 'Cos A levels is really coming too.







It's a period which i kinda feel drawn away from people too...







but it's just great when it reaches the weekends .. not just because i am going back to the house of God.. to be with friends that i truly treasure.






but because somehow at the end of the week.. i feel that i've overcome it all. The stress. The problems. And that i can truly spend my precious time in doing what i like to do. Being in place(s) i want to be. Doing things that is slowly changing the course of my life and bringing me into another level of victory in life. And yes! Weekends are just so cool! :)





This week is also pretty special because of Valentine's Day .. on the 14th of Feb. It's a day for lovers. but for people who have no gf-s like me ... i got to spend the time with a special friend. That is Jesus. Hey it's not weird. well, evn though i once thought was. but really he's just the nicest guy i know on planet Earth. A relationship with him will really bring you far in life. The brothers of w143 has also brainstormed for a long time to make Valentine's gifts for the sisters in the cell group. I must say i'm proud of the brothers! For all the efforts they've contributed to make our idea work. And the main thing is the sisters love it :). Except maybe for one complain queen -_- ha. but well, i think we've gone up another level brothers. These gifts are really our blood and sweat. Thanks Chong :), Jarrett, Jian Kun, Wun Shun, and JJ!. Sorry that i can't bless the rest of my great-friends with Valentine's gifts...




will find a good time to make-up.... (that is if i never forget.. haha)




One thing about this week's service and Cell group is the way i feel it teaches us on relationship. Since the first day i join CHC, i've learn a couple things about relationships. Its importance .. and the way to deal with it. But as simple as it may sound in words ... relationships are never easy to handle. It takes afew unfriendly experiences, a few rubs in the wound, a few mis-steps (most of the time) to be a master of it. I have lots of that. And such is the person i am today. I've said so many things i shouldn't have said. Done countless unmeaningful ... hurtful things, swear-ed ( don't look at me as if you don't know me. :P ) But even so, it doesn't guarantee a perfect me. But it does build me up to be one some day. Even so, i do still face setbacks and disappointments qutie frequently when it comes to relationship. Abit of fear of opening up. Fear of betrayal. Disappointments. All of it is too draining. And even after i've accepted Christ, i could still taste that emotion. But looking back, it really doesn't affect me the way it used to do. Because i am a new man in Christ. He puts me through that much .. to make me a great man of God which now i confess daily that i would be.






The lessons learnt this week aren't new.
things like ...



Dealing with Fustration and Agressiveness.
by careful evaluation (to the former) and showing assertiveness (to the later) instead.



Steppin out of Insecurity
which results in the feeling of wanting to please others. Learn to do what's right instead and trust God.



Handling Uncertainty
being afraid of making mistakes. Afraid of failing deprives you of the chance of learning from yr failures. Learn to make right decisions. It's ok the make mistakes. It prepares you for big decisions.



Handling Loneliness.
Being alone differs from being lonely. It can be easily solved. Just ask yourself what are you goin to do abt it and do it.



Casting away Resentment .
Don't curse, nurse or re-hearse the fruit. Forgive (first) and forget. Let it go.



Filling Emptiness.
It's said our heart has an emptiness that is in the form of a cross. It can only be filled by Christ. It may not be true for some who have felt enlightened or somehow found their own way of living. But even so i feel it works true for all. Deep down in every human. I can't say it all by reasoning.. but just like the bible said, what good is a man who gains the whole world but loses his soul. there is more to life than it seems.



that's how we deal with ourselves. having a good relationship with yourself helps. you can't love others well if you can't love yourself well too. (as intepreted from in the bible)




For service. Ps Kong shared an entertaining message about relationships. It's a real heart-y message. Touches right down to the heart. Makes every man yell amen. And woman too. :)


10 colourful ways of having a great relationship.

Be Interested in people in their world.
Be there. Listen.

Make people feel important.
i've read before that if everybody does that in the world without braggin about their own importance... Everyone will end up feelin important without the need to say "I'm important! just see that!".

Smile when you meet people.
a smile a day drives the worries away. ( ha i formed it myself :P)

Encourage people.
En-courage = Put in courage in them. Give them faith that they can do it.

Esteem others as better than yourself.
This does not mean putting down yourself as some lowly useless guy in comparison with others. i did that before and it's plain stupid. Learn to comment on the good side of others. that's it.

Use people's names more than usual.
This point comes like a wow to me. I never thought using names can be so amazingly effective in cheerin the person on. unless u get names like Jebez (which means suffering in greek. not a cool name)

Be complimentary of people.
Use extravagant words. Don't hold yourself back on praising others. It's not about feedin the ego when it comes to complimenting something that is really true and nice about them. Charles Dickens got one approved manuscript, equipped with worthy praises that sets him off to become one of the world's great novelist.



and last but not least .. 4 things about true friends.

Friends strengthen your hand in God.
They creat Faith and not Fear.
They celebrate your victory.
They equipped you for the future.



I want to be that kind of friend for all the friends i treasure. :)

I hope i do find more of such friends that put faith in me. Pray for me and be there for me. Those are friends that are so rare. so so rare.






Thank God for relationships.






My blessed week..


Lerissa grinning with JC.




Ha we are quite compatible huh?




my Valentine's day gift from the sisters from w143.





Trip to Pastamania:)


A very friendly sign. lol




wad does that mean? lol




mamamia!? so many digits!




Filled to the brim. We realy have a good fellowship :)




Prosperous look. i give the "yum yum i'm full" look



cheers.

Sad

[ personal ramblings ]







I'm real tired....








of friends who fills me in with lies....









Why do i always get the feelin that i'm talking with people hiding behind a shady mask. I've always open myself to the truth. What's the real deal behind hiding behind a mask?









sometimes i feel it's best that i have no friends. No family connections. I just want to have one simple relationship with God.






God please help me understand this. Or at least have the strength to deal with it. :(

Into the Deep.

[ personal ramblings ]





was real tired the whole day...





unbelievably tired. but well i din compromise in my serving (in usher) ... lest peifen kills me.





well i was also alittle quiet during Ministry support duty in the morning. I'm sorry if i appear alittle "dao" or withdrawn. I guess i am still a shy boy :). or maybe is it because i'm tired? or i dunno...



Living a new life as a Christian did make me love myself better. Appreciate myself more. and understand myself more too. I was recently "scolded" by my mom, for looking down on myself. I was just chatting with her casually... telling her how i sometimes feel disgusted over myself. She den goes around and say .. " so you're despising God's creation now? He created you."



Sometimes it's best not to say anything when you're feeling all bad over what you did. But to a certain extent .. maybe she was right about one thing about me. About how much i really love myself. I know it's going to take some time for me to do that. But i just wonder. - just think about it.. How much do you really appreciate yourself for who you are? that when you look at the mirror every morning... despite the inperfect teeth, the little scars, the pimple and the messy hair.. you could say with a cheer that you look great!? :) It goes a long way to love yourself for who you really are. Behind the nice clothes. The makeup. The Gel. The botox. It's a great you. especially that which is inside.



A journey with Christ has brought me thus far. and yea.. ironically .. i feel that in many times, God knows me better than i know myself. I've to asked God frequently to change me. to make me a stronger, better and happier person! And this would be part of my new year resolution this year.



and yea.. i am still planning my new year resolution.



Gotta plan it quick before it becomes old year resolution. ha.

---

I've learnt that one of my friend has rededicated his life to Christ. :) i was really happy. Because despite the numerous set-backs he faces .. and the uneasiness i felt... it all work well. and yea... i've always told him .. dun worry dude. It'll all work out ..


I guess the best miracle i've really seen this week ... or actually ... one of the best miracle i've seen in my life. Is to see how God answers prayer. And from all these episodes ... i've learn one thing about sharing the gospel. It's not the theology of Christ much of this world needs. And not just the testimony of what he did back at Calvary. It's his love that really matter. For we love, because he first loved us.




Thank God for this testimony.

---

oh yah.... ushering was quite an experience this week. Because 5 of us has (from my team) made a pretty serious mistake. The news was apparantly so serious .. that the Chief Usher was informed. Many leaders had been scolded because of us. I felt pretty bad. It was partly my fault too. If there's one thing i've learn.. it's to always remember the last instruction. and not add any additional instruction to it. i guess that's how it works in the working world too. sigh.. thank God the service went well in the end.

---

Hmm overall everything was well this week. I know 'O' levels was out this week. And though i cheer up some of my friends who performed averagely well .. i was alittle quite worried myself over what i would get for my 'A' levels. After i did my paper, i fairly know where i stand in my grades. My Maths was real horrible. Even though it was like my strongest subject in the past ... i kinda feel i will fail my Maths this time round. My Chemistry was horrible too. I am really praying for some B's and C's at least this time round. It would really really be much better than getting E's and F's. :(



Say Jason ... All things work out for the good of those who love God yah?



i know even if i din do well this time. God will still provide away in my education. I won't give up!!!!



but hey.. i still wanna believe i'll do well :)







yea!











this week's happenings ...



this is what happens to pple who bully me! ha :D




Jon and me. So cool!





Little Lerisha joined us during prayer meeting!




prayer meetin! first time i lead worship leh! very nice. can feel the fire of God during prayer!





External Traffic usher - Allen. the shy boy.





Lol .. we took pic wif Ps Kong's car :)




guess where's this place?!




after church service .... on our way back!





Prem wif his colourful shirt and me!






Sunday Baptism Service.


i scribbled quickly on my members' cards before headin bk to duty




our Baptism pool.




The rowdy crowd.




Pastor Chuang wadin thru the pool :)




ahh target spotted!




Jarrett abt to be baptised! look how excited he is..




Grace after being dipped ..




there! Grinnin wif a new glorious look :D




pastor is out...




The salts of the earth.




Receiving another blessing time! material gifts :)




wah. so nice! ha not i get for them one btw :D




Mom praying over them. she has a very funny pose.




Our Cell who went to support!!




she must be proud of her sis and bro.




A pic with their family.






Steamboat at Pandy's place


eatin ice cream le.




our food. it's very nice!!!!




JK wif Pandy .. playin guit.




There caught stealin ice cream!! lol kiddin. i ask him to pose there one.


ps: must really thank Pandy and her parents! it's really a very very nce meal. a long time (since CNY a few weeks ago) when i enjoyed a good steamboat meal :P










woa hoho.. Valtentine's day next week.... i wonder wonder how it's goin to be like on tat day :P



cheerios.

Delirious

[ personal ramblings ]





de-lir-i-ous (adj) : Marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion; ecstatic





There's every reason to feel Delirious. :) Because Jesus lives in me. And i am ........ free ........ free........ free .......... from the clutches of the deceiver. This week wasn't a very particularly good week (except for the CNY of course ^^) ... at least when i am back in the office. Office politics are routine. But i am still learning to take a laugh over every bad thing that happen. It's really a great skill to master. Currently i am in level 0.9 ... so a very very long way to level-up.




But even so ... God's word never fails. All things work out for the good of those who love God :)





I am very very very excited abt wad happen over this weekend! Delirious? , a UK band from Littlehampton, England came over to our Church this week. It's like one of the coolest band i've known out there. Their music is really contemporary .. and very catchy. :)

Well though i miss out some of the worship due to my usher commitments, i was still quite happy. i was kinda bitter that i ain't able to praise and worship properly at first .. but well .. i slowly accept the fact that i did had the chance to worship. And i do know my God sees my pains and understand my heart. So eventually i felt quite ok :)



A very cool week i must say. Many ups and downs. But Thank God for CNY! :) a good break like that makes me thirst for more .. breaks!





i pray that there will be more off-s in Army for me this year. buahahah :D

---

the week and how it went..



Jon and me after workout. :D




2nd CNY Celebration in our camp... now together wif NSAD.




Our Ex - 9 Div / Gds Deferment team




testin HJ's new phone in camp.




Our files can bury you! :)




Me and JJ after Bible Study at Jurong East.












Meet-up with Ex-JC mates at Bishan.




as if new year food is not fattening enuff.. we have arranged for a barbecue :)



ha, when there is food.. there is me!




i arrived wif turtle. shortly later, i sense a disturbance in the force..




looks like im right. i'm on their next item of " to barbecue list "... -_-




Vivi .. wif her classic look.




turtle eats mashmallow.




a drunk man




Per and WanZ .. lookin great.




Me, my corn and Terry.




posin infronta barbecue pit .. ( they all look kinda barbecued huh?)




There .. all of us .. need 5 looong mins to take this shot... -_-










You know I feel this sky's about to break now.
You know I feel our city's gonna shake now.
And we hear you call every woman and man,
"Ring the mission bell" and storm the gates of hell.


Miracles run from street to street,
Rise up Church for a holy meet,
We're gonna paint this big old town red!
We're gonna paint this big old town red!
With the blood of Jesus!


Ohh.... Here We Come
Here We Come!!
Here We Come!!

yea....