Man... I have so many things I wanna share with you. I will try to share everything, but it will have to be a short sharing though, as I have to sleep soon.
1. Be a true leader, not a fake strong leader
A leader must be strong and also look strong even when s/he is down or feeling weak. The first is very right, but the second can be misleading. I say again, it can be misleading. Yes leader must be strong, but at the same time a leader must be true to himself/herself and his/her follower/member, because at the end of the day, a leader is still a human being with many weaknesses. Here's what happened to me few wks ago, I felt so down and I wanted to cry to release the pains in my heart but could not do so. Then I called my leader/shepherd but they didn't picked up my phone (they're all busy people). And then I called my sheeps and few of my guys and just told them my feeling. Instead of looking at me as a weak and useless/hopeless leader who needed a shoulder to cry on, they sat there and just listened to me. After I finished sharing, they encouraged me, prayed for me and kept on calling back to see how I was doing.
At that time (when I shared with them) I actually was a bit worried, if they'd think of me as weak and not strong, a leader who can't stand strong under persecution. But it turned out completely different. They thanked me for sharing my pains with them. I'm so grateful for having these guys as part of my life-group. I thank God for everyone of them. I can be truthful to them. There is trust, respect, love and that bonding between us.
Many times, leaders don't want to share their weaknesses/pains/struggles because they don't want to be seen as weak or their sharing might stumble their members. Yes as leaders we need to be mindful and wise with what we're sharing, BUT we should be truthful to them and be as open and honest as possible, as we ourselves are also human being who still sin and make mistakes. When we do that, and only when we do that, we can start seeing our own people be open and honest with us.
2. Birthday
For the first time in my life I celebrated my birthday long before the day, ahhaha... and I got such nice bday presents, an RL polo, the boardgame cranium and a tie. Guys, thanks for the pressies.
3. Polo RL
ahahha.... I think by now most of my friends know that I like Polo RL. I tell you why? It's one of the most famous brand with good quality but pretty cheap price. Here's my principle, I will not buy anything that is fake or counterfeit. If I can't afford the authentic, then I won't buy the fake. I like Tommy, Lacoste and most branded stuff. I'm not gonna lie to you. The reason being is because they have such good quality plus simple designs. But I'm not gonna buy a fake Tommy or Lacoste if I can't afford the real one. People asked me why I have so many polos (as in Polo RL) and if those are real. Well, I bought most of my polos in Indonesia, they're very cheap ($20-$30 after discount) and yes they are all original/authentic. I also bought few polos in here, but I only bought them because they were heavily discounted. Yday I went to Harbour Town in GC with some of the guys from my group, and I bought 3 polos at $40ish each. So you see, I actually don't spend much, ahhaha.... I'm quite careful with my spending.
4. Farewell, Christmas and bday pressies
Man.... I'm really blessed, honestly.
This yr I feel I got so many pressies. Some of the people in my LG cooked such a nice dinner last Fri for me and they bought me this facial products to help me look young or age slower (since I'll be helping leading a younger working group), ahahha.... Besides that, I got some very nice christmas pressies from different ones in the church. One interesting gift is (sorry, I hope you're alright with me sharing this) this gift I received from our church senior pastors. They bought me this cute little globe and pen holder. I'm not sure how much thought they put into it (some other leaders might received the same thing), but I have always wanted to have a globe ball. Although the size is way very small, but I was literally speechless when I opened the box. I couldn't believe it. Long long time ago I really wanted to have a good size globe ball, or a big world map to hang on the wall. I searched for them and found out that they're very expensive (the big globe ball, or big world map). After few yrs, I lost the desire to have either one. And tonight, I was like.... " W O W ", this is awesome. It's so God. ahahaha.... It's really really God. ahahhahaa..... I got a globe, ahahhaa..... I can't believe it. It's for real, ahahhaa.... Thank you Pastors. Thank you God for putting that thought in their mind to give me this cute little globe and pen holder. ahahhaa.... I have a globe, ahahhaa...... woohooooooo.....
OK, it's getting late, good nite. ahahhaa..... I got a globe, ahahhaha....
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
A simple yet powerful testimony
I think if I share what this girl shared today at church about her walk with God, it wouldn't be powerful at all, or as powerful as when she shared it at church. So I won't do that.
Basically she shared how she persevered in trusting God even when things went wrong or hay-wire. In a very short period of time, she got bad medical report, her studies were so hard and her dad faced financial difficulties hence she too had financial problem (because she had to undergo treatment and surgeries to help cure her disease). But in the midst of all that, she still continued to seek God and find comfort from Him. She couldn't see the end of her painful journey of life, but she chose to keep trusting God. She used James 1:2 as the basis of her testimony and to encourage those who're currently facing hard times in life.
If I tell you her age, you would even be surprised, she's only 19.
Although we're not supposed to compare our sufferings and glory, but I felt like my suffering is nothing compare to hers. So many times I wanted to give up, because giving up is so much easier than to continue fighting and persevere, especially when you couldn't really see the end of the road.
The timing of her testimony was just so right, it's so God, as I was asking God for strength and wisdom to carry on. ah... her testimony really blessed my heart. Sister, thank you for sharing your journey in life with us at the church today. I truly thank God for you, for blessing me with your testimony.
:)
Basically she shared how she persevered in trusting God even when things went wrong or hay-wire. In a very short period of time, she got bad medical report, her studies were so hard and her dad faced financial difficulties hence she too had financial problem (because she had to undergo treatment and surgeries to help cure her disease). But in the midst of all that, she still continued to seek God and find comfort from Him. She couldn't see the end of her painful journey of life, but she chose to keep trusting God. She used James 1:2 as the basis of her testimony and to encourage those who're currently facing hard times in life.
If I tell you her age, you would even be surprised, she's only 19.
Although we're not supposed to compare our sufferings and glory, but I felt like my suffering is nothing compare to hers. So many times I wanted to give up, because giving up is so much easier than to continue fighting and persevere, especially when you couldn't really see the end of the road.
The timing of her testimony was just so right, it's so God, as I was asking God for strength and wisdom to carry on. ah... her testimony really blessed my heart. Sister, thank you for sharing your journey in life with us at the church today. I truly thank God for you, for blessing me with your testimony.
:)
Saturday, December 13, 2008
My stupidity
I woke up at 9am this morning.
Did my laundry and some house cleaning. At about 10.30am I sms-ed Francis telling him how hungry I was (I was so hungry at that time). He sms-ed me back saying that he could only cook lunch at 1pm, because had to run some errands.
An hour later, in desperation (after searching the wholehouse for some left-over food), I found a packet of korean noodle, cooked it and ate it. FYI, the packet was already opened (I believe since early this yr). ahahhaa.... taste was not that good.
After shower suddenly I felt sick and got headache, and wanting to vomit. I told Francis (who came and fetched me to buy a birthday cake) what happened, and he laughed out so loudly while saying, "you deserved it. why did you eat noodle with its packet already opened for long time."
ah... my stupidity. I felt sick the whole day and though I wanted to vomit, I couldn't.
Lesson to learn, DO NOT EAT UNSEALED/OPENED/EXPIRED NOODLE/FOOD. IF you're hungry, go to some restaurant to eat, or mcdonald. I've learned my lesson, ahahha....
Did my laundry and some house cleaning. At about 10.30am I sms-ed Francis telling him how hungry I was (I was so hungry at that time). He sms-ed me back saying that he could only cook lunch at 1pm, because had to run some errands.
An hour later, in desperation (after searching the wholehouse for some left-over food), I found a packet of korean noodle, cooked it and ate it. FYI, the packet was already opened (I believe since early this yr). ahahhaa.... taste was not that good.
After shower suddenly I felt sick and got headache, and wanting to vomit. I told Francis (who came and fetched me to buy a birthday cake) what happened, and he laughed out so loudly while saying, "you deserved it. why did you eat noodle with its packet already opened for long time."
ah... my stupidity. I felt sick the whole day and though I wanted to vomit, I couldn't.
Lesson to learn, DO NOT EAT UNSEALED/OPENED/EXPIRED NOODLE/FOOD. IF you're hungry, go to some restaurant to eat, or mcdonald. I've learned my lesson, ahahha....
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Communion
I had one wonderful moment during communion today at church.
During the communion, Kelvin being the co-chairperson for today's service asked everyone to think about the meaning of communion (btw, in case you don't know, communion here means the time when we took the piece of bread and cup of cordial as to remember the death of Jesus on the cross).
As he finished with that question, I asked myself in my mind what communion means. I started to sing the bridge from the song 'You'll Come';
Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Eyes be opened
Christ is revealed
As I searched the meaning of communion, God was telling me the reason why I had communion in the first place, and it was because of what Jesus did on the cross. His sacrifice means freedom to those who have been living their life in prison, whose life been shattered by hurts/pains and circumstances, whose eyes were blinded by what the world has taught them, and eternity that can only be received through Jesus Christ.
It's as if I have another revelation from God, although I know all these stuff already. ah... it was such wonderful moment, me and God, ahaha... Here's a clip of the song from youtube.
During the communion, Kelvin being the co-chairperson for today's service asked everyone to think about the meaning of communion (btw, in case you don't know, communion here means the time when we took the piece of bread and cup of cordial as to remember the death of Jesus on the cross).
As he finished with that question, I asked myself in my mind what communion means. I started to sing the bridge from the song 'You'll Come';
Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Eyes be opened
Christ is revealed
As I searched the meaning of communion, God was telling me the reason why I had communion in the first place, and it was because of what Jesus did on the cross. His sacrifice means freedom to those who have been living their life in prison, whose life been shattered by hurts/pains and circumstances, whose eyes were blinded by what the world has taught them, and eternity that can only be received through Jesus Christ.
It's as if I have another revelation from God, although I know all these stuff already. ah... it was such wonderful moment, me and God, ahaha... Here's a clip of the song from youtube.
Friday, December 5, 2008
My idols
I was just browsing youtube trying to find some nice and encouraging song or video clip, then I stumbled upon this video clip about worship. Instead of getting an encouragement, I felt I got a rebuke from God through this song, cause as I listened to the song, I realised that many times God is not the only one I worship in my life.
ah... I'm sorry Lord, help me to make you the only 1 I worship.
I hope this song can help you see who it is that you worship, really.
ah... I'm sorry Lord, help me to make you the only 1 I worship.
I hope this song can help you see who it is that you worship, really.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Retail Therapy
It's been pretty crazy at work.
I just had my monthly review on Tuesday and it was so.... ah dunno, so many things I need to learn and improve.
Today was another hectic day. So busy and intense I wanted to throw-up. But I kept on telling myself to be calm and focus. I felt so weak I told my friend that I wouldn't go to my friend's bday dinner celebration. So after work I went to garden city to buy few things to cook at home.
But instead of going straight to woolworths, I felt like taking a walk around the shopping centre to help ease my mind and my muscle's stiffness, thinking... maybe there's some good deal that I can grab for my secret santa.
As I looked at all the shops, I noticed one of the 'sale' sign at a shoes shop, it read Crocs 40% Off. I've been wanting to have one since last yr, but they're so expensive. The original price was about $50 something. So I went in to the shop and tried them on.
Aaww..... it felt so comfy. I bought the sandals and went out straight away. Now I have a pair of crocs. When I got home I realised I haven't bought anything for my secret santa, ahahaha..... Oh well, will look for it this Sat.
I just had my monthly review on Tuesday and it was so.... ah dunno, so many things I need to learn and improve.
Today was another hectic day. So busy and intense I wanted to throw-up. But I kept on telling myself to be calm and focus. I felt so weak I told my friend that I wouldn't go to my friend's bday dinner celebration. So after work I went to garden city to buy few things to cook at home.
But instead of going straight to woolworths, I felt like taking a walk around the shopping centre to help ease my mind and my muscle's stiffness, thinking... maybe there's some good deal that I can grab for my secret santa.
As I looked at all the shops, I noticed one of the 'sale' sign at a shoes shop, it read Crocs 40% Off. I've been wanting to have one since last yr, but they're so expensive. The original price was about $50 something. So I went in to the shop and tried them on.
Aaww..... it felt so comfy. I bought the sandals and went out straight away. Now I have a pair of crocs. When I got home I realised I haven't bought anything for my secret santa, ahahaha..... Oh well, will look for it this Sat.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Stop being positive
Yes, stop being positive and start being godly.
That's what I felt as I was writing some words of encouragement to my group. If we're truly the disciple of Christ, we should not be positive all the time, cause positivity won't take as far at all, but godliness will take us further, to eternity.
Jesus' teaching is somewhat different from the world's teaching. In Matthew 5:43-48 you would know what I'm talking about. Jesus said:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you."
Man, if you read it properly, where is the positivity in His teaching. Yes there's a bit of positivity, but more than that, it's godliness that is required. Because that is basically the essence of God's command, to love God and our neighbour.
So if you are a believer, if you think you are the disciple of Jesus, you should stop being positive (let alone having that negativity in your mind/heart), you should start being godly.
That's what I felt as I was writing some words of encouragement to my group. If we're truly the disciple of Christ, we should not be positive all the time, cause positivity won't take as far at all, but godliness will take us further, to eternity.
Jesus' teaching is somewhat different from the world's teaching. In Matthew 5:43-48 you would know what I'm talking about. Jesus said:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you."
Man, if you read it properly, where is the positivity in His teaching. Yes there's a bit of positivity, but more than that, it's godliness that is required. Because that is basically the essence of God's command, to love God and our neighbour.
So if you are a believer, if you think you are the disciple of Jesus, you should stop being positive (let alone having that negativity in your mind/heart), you should start being godly.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Troubled? Smile please.
I finished work at 7.30pm tonight.
My heart was actually quite troubled because there's lots of things I couldn't finish at work.
While walking back home from Garden city bus station, with so many things going on in my mind, I sighed, breathing so deeply/heavily. As I exhaled, I looked to the sky and... I saw the crescent Moon and the 2 planets (Jupiter and Venus) above the moon.
It was beautiful. I felt God was smiling at me while saying, "Why are you so sad. Don't worry, don't let your heart be troubled by circumstances."
ah... it lighten my heart a bit. And I just started praising God for the His greatness and awesomeness. Feeling in awe, I called a friend to tell what I saw, and her respond was "Wow... you're so random" when I ended the conversation. ahahhaha.... come to think of it, yeah... that was pretty random, ahahhaha..... But man, if you saw the smiley, you would be like " W O W . . . "
Ah... what a nite. Tomorrow will be another busy day in the office. Help me Lord to stand firm and strong, bless me with your wisdom so I know what to do. Good nite.
My heart was actually quite troubled because there's lots of things I couldn't finish at work.
While walking back home from Garden city bus station, with so many things going on in my mind, I sighed, breathing so deeply/heavily. As I exhaled, I looked to the sky and... I saw the crescent Moon and the 2 planets (Jupiter and Venus) above the moon.
It was beautiful. I felt God was smiling at me while saying, "Why are you so sad. Don't worry, don't let your heart be troubled by circumstances."
ah... it lighten my heart a bit. And I just started praising God for the His greatness and awesomeness. Feeling in awe, I called a friend to tell what I saw, and her respond was "Wow... you're so random" when I ended the conversation. ahahhaha.... come to think of it, yeah... that was pretty random, ahahhaha..... But man, if you saw the smiley, you would be like " W O W . . . "
Ah... what a nite. Tomorrow will be another busy day in the office. Help me Lord to stand firm and strong, bless me with your wisdom so I know what to do. Good nite.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
The case of letting go
Regardless whether you are a leader in church or at work, if you really care about your subordinate or the people you're looking after (or reporting to you), you would not let them fall away or leave them all alone by themselves. You will always come to the rescue when they ask for help (and sometimes even when they don't even ask for help, you would still come and rescue them - knowing they do need help).
At workplace, it might be because of responsibility. But in church level or in community, it goes beyond responsibility. There is this string between a leader and his/her follower, there's an attachment between them. This attachment can actually encourage a leader to take a drastic step to help someone who needs help but who doesn't even ask for help and choose to fall away. Because there's no clear cut on what a leader should/should not do, it makes it harder for a leader to see where s/he should stop when offering a hand/help.
I know many people wouldn't agree with this, but I believe a leader must be ready to stop offering help to his/her follower and watch the follower fall away (especially after the follower continually and consistently refused the leader's help).
I give you a very lame example.
Say me being the leader, and my sheep (Romeo, a young christian) is falling in love with a girl (Juliet, a non-christian). I know almost everything to know about Romeo, his past life and his dreams because me and Romeo are very open to one another. I know Romeo is weak spiritually and is easily influenced by his surrounding.
Due to his work commitments he works late many times in the office. There's a girl who happened to work late as well many times in the office (Juliet), and they work for the same department. Overtime they started sharing and Romeo felt that he needs to help her. I told Romeo to be careful, to refer her to one of the girls (preferably leader) in our group. He feels noone else could help her but him. I told to a female leader what happened and she offered help to Romeo and Juliet only to be ignored. For the next few months I would always ask how he is doing (in our shepherding time), and what's been happening with him and her. I would tell him not to spend so much time with her, especially going out together late at night after work for dinner and coffee. My advice went into his right ear and went out of his left ear.
One day I found out that they worked together on a project so late that she ended up staying over his place (because her house is 1hr away by train from the office). I was upset and ask him to speak to his boss so working late till 11pm won't happen again. Besides, he actually could've driven her home by car (though it's very far away). A month later on one beautiful night, out of nowhere I felt (say I'm quite sensitive to HS) God is asking me to call Romeo. I called him and found out that he just got home with Juliet (it's almost midnight). I told him to take her to one of the girls in our group so she can sleep there, but he's too tired drive.
After few months, he told me that he and her are together (as in bf-gf), after ignoring my advise not to go into relationship with her (based on logical reasoning and biblical principle). When he asked for my opinion if he and her should go into relationship, I told him honestly that they're not ready (and he acknowledged it as well), besides the point that she's non-christian. For the next few months I tried to tell him to stop the relationship and focus on growing in God as his life is becoming messy and messier. Because of that, he felt that I'm forcing him to end the relationship and I didn't want to give the support he needed. So he stop coming to LG and church.
6 months into the relationship, I found out Juliet is pregnant and about to do abortion. I know this because Romeo called me and asked my opinion if it's the right thing to do, considering they're still young and don't want to get married now. My heart was in pain and begged him not to proceed with the abortion.
First of all, the story above is not real.
Second of all I dramatised the story. Not all non-christian girls are willing to have sex before marriage, and not all young christians (men and women) are weak spiritually.
From the story above, what I want to share is that since I've known Romeo for years already and grow together with him, seeing him falling was quite painfully. There's an attachment between me and Romeo, more than just a leader and follower relationship, it's like a deep level of friendship, a bond noone can take away, except for both parties, me and Romeo.
But as a leader, I should never force anyone to follow my advise although I know that the consequences of not following my advise would be quite severe. I need to let him go. I need to let him make a mistake. A leader must learn to let go their followers if they choose to fall away. It can be quite painful, but everyone has freewill.
If you're a leader and you have quite a good relationship with your people, although the line can be very hard to see, you need to boldly and courageously say to yourself, "Alright, I've done my best. I need to let him/her go. I should stop here and let him/her fall away."
If you as a leader have prayed hard enough, and done every way you can think of to help someone not to fall, even encouraged them strong enough to come back to God's way, if they still choose not to heed your advise, you need to learn to let them make their own mistake and fall. You are not responsible for their mistake. You have a freewill, you choose to help them. They have a freewill and they choose not to let you help them. So don't force your way in.
Is it biblical? Yes it is.
That's the main reason why God give us freewill, so we will choose to love Him and follow His way. If He forces us to do everything, then there's no freewill there's no love. That's why He didn't force Adam and Even not to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge. That's why He didn't force us to believe in Him and Jesus (even after He sacrificed Jesus on the cross).
At workplace, it might be because of responsibility. But in church level or in community, it goes beyond responsibility. There is this string between a leader and his/her follower, there's an attachment between them. This attachment can actually encourage a leader to take a drastic step to help someone who needs help but who doesn't even ask for help and choose to fall away. Because there's no clear cut on what a leader should/should not do, it makes it harder for a leader to see where s/he should stop when offering a hand/help.
I know many people wouldn't agree with this, but I believe a leader must be ready to stop offering help to his/her follower and watch the follower fall away (especially after the follower continually and consistently refused the leader's help).
I give you a very lame example.
Say me being the leader, and my sheep (Romeo, a young christian) is falling in love with a girl (Juliet, a non-christian). I know almost everything to know about Romeo, his past life and his dreams because me and Romeo are very open to one another. I know Romeo is weak spiritually and is easily influenced by his surrounding.
Due to his work commitments he works late many times in the office. There's a girl who happened to work late as well many times in the office (Juliet), and they work for the same department. Overtime they started sharing and Romeo felt that he needs to help her. I told Romeo to be careful, to refer her to one of the girls (preferably leader) in our group. He feels noone else could help her but him. I told to a female leader what happened and she offered help to Romeo and Juliet only to be ignored. For the next few months I would always ask how he is doing (in our shepherding time), and what's been happening with him and her. I would tell him not to spend so much time with her, especially going out together late at night after work for dinner and coffee. My advice went into his right ear and went out of his left ear.
One day I found out that they worked together on a project so late that she ended up staying over his place (because her house is 1hr away by train from the office). I was upset and ask him to speak to his boss so working late till 11pm won't happen again. Besides, he actually could've driven her home by car (though it's very far away). A month later on one beautiful night, out of nowhere I felt (say I'm quite sensitive to HS) God is asking me to call Romeo. I called him and found out that he just got home with Juliet (it's almost midnight). I told him to take her to one of the girls in our group so she can sleep there, but he's too tired drive.
After few months, he told me that he and her are together (as in bf-gf), after ignoring my advise not to go into relationship with her (based on logical reasoning and biblical principle). When he asked for my opinion if he and her should go into relationship, I told him honestly that they're not ready (and he acknowledged it as well), besides the point that she's non-christian. For the next few months I tried to tell him to stop the relationship and focus on growing in God as his life is becoming messy and messier. Because of that, he felt that I'm forcing him to end the relationship and I didn't want to give the support he needed. So he stop coming to LG and church.
6 months into the relationship, I found out Juliet is pregnant and about to do abortion. I know this because Romeo called me and asked my opinion if it's the right thing to do, considering they're still young and don't want to get married now. My heart was in pain and begged him not to proceed with the abortion.
First of all, the story above is not real.
Second of all I dramatised the story. Not all non-christian girls are willing to have sex before marriage, and not all young christians (men and women) are weak spiritually.
From the story above, what I want to share is that since I've known Romeo for years already and grow together with him, seeing him falling was quite painfully. There's an attachment between me and Romeo, more than just a leader and follower relationship, it's like a deep level of friendship, a bond noone can take away, except for both parties, me and Romeo.
But as a leader, I should never force anyone to follow my advise although I know that the consequences of not following my advise would be quite severe. I need to let him go. I need to let him make a mistake. A leader must learn to let go their followers if they choose to fall away. It can be quite painful, but everyone has freewill.
If you're a leader and you have quite a good relationship with your people, although the line can be very hard to see, you need to boldly and courageously say to yourself, "Alright, I've done my best. I need to let him/her go. I should stop here and let him/her fall away."
If you as a leader have prayed hard enough, and done every way you can think of to help someone not to fall, even encouraged them strong enough to come back to God's way, if they still choose not to heed your advise, you need to learn to let them make their own mistake and fall. You are not responsible for their mistake. You have a freewill, you choose to help them. They have a freewill and they choose not to let you help them. So don't force your way in.
Is it biblical? Yes it is.
That's the main reason why God give us freewill, so we will choose to love Him and follow His way. If He forces us to do everything, then there's no freewill there's no love. That's why He didn't force Adam and Even not to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge. That's why He didn't force us to believe in Him and Jesus (even after He sacrificed Jesus on the cross).
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Work training
This morning I went to attend a training for all the PM (project managers) in my company. I actually didn't have to go, but since my main job is to keep their performance on track by reviewing their performance on a monthly basis, I need to sit there to understand more about their roles/responsibilities and also to show face.
It's absolutely boring. You know me.
But anyway, guess what I found? ahahhaa...
We sat them down and tell them how to lead people.
I was amazed when I looked at the material. I wasn't shocked to see how good the material was, but shocked to realise that there's a better material to use to train people to be a better leader, yes you got that right, the bible. More than that, the training that I received in the church through the many activities (that sometimes I felt like it was a waste of time) I participated (and still participating) in, gave me more insights and/or first hand experience in gaining the skills and capacity in being a leader, and it's not just being normal leader according to the world's standard, but a much better leader.
Amazing, isn't it. That in and at church, everyone can be trained and equipped to who God has designed us to be. That everyone can be trained and equipped to be a great leader (for we have been called to be the head and not the tail).
But here's the catch, in the Kingdom of God the only way up is down. So if you want to be a great leader, you must be a great servant. Hence, if you're not serving in LG or church right now, please go and ask your leader how you can contribute and what you can do. And I better tell you now, it's gonna be challenging, but it's worth it. ehehhe....
It's absolutely boring. You know me.
But anyway, guess what I found? ahahhaa...
We sat them down and tell them how to lead people.
I was amazed when I looked at the material. I wasn't shocked to see how good the material was, but shocked to realise that there's a better material to use to train people to be a better leader, yes you got that right, the bible. More than that, the training that I received in the church through the many activities (that sometimes I felt like it was a waste of time) I participated (and still participating) in, gave me more insights and/or first hand experience in gaining the skills and capacity in being a leader, and it's not just being normal leader according to the world's standard, but a much better leader.
Amazing, isn't it. That in and at church, everyone can be trained and equipped to who God has designed us to be. That everyone can be trained and equipped to be a great leader (for we have been called to be the head and not the tail).
But here's the catch, in the Kingdom of God the only way up is down. So if you want to be a great leader, you must be a great servant. Hence, if you're not serving in LG or church right now, please go and ask your leader how you can contribute and what you can do. And I better tell you now, it's gonna be challenging, but it's worth it. ehehhe....
Life without limits
I reckon I should write a book on how to live life full of negativities and far from God's way, but I won't do that as it's not edifying at all, ahhaha....
But then again, my english is not that good. So writing something edifying will take me hours and hours. So... to make my life easier and your life easier as well, not to put up with my bad english, I'll leave you with these 2 video clips from Nick Vujicic on how to live life without limits.
But then again, my english is not that good. So writing something edifying will take me hours and hours. So... to make my life easier and your life easier as well, not to put up with my bad english, I'll leave you with these 2 video clips from Nick Vujicic on how to live life without limits.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thank God for His mercy and grace
My complain:
It's impossible to please everyone. But the unseen pressure remains in the picture for most people, especially for leaders in the house of God. ah... the kinda challenges one must face.
My gratitude:
I'm still alive and kicking. Y'day night I went to shep my sheep in Boondall. I left his place at 10.30pm to go back home and I went through the ICB tunnel (in front of RBH). It was pouring, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. This morning I received a photo by someone (dunno who) sent by my friend showing the ICB tunnel was closed last night because of the flood. I was like "HAH???"
The flood must have been after I passed through the tunnel, cause when I drove pass the tunnel it was clean and nice. Thank God I'm still alive, or the flood didn't come when I was driving through the tunnel. Here's the photo.
It's impossible to please everyone. But the unseen pressure remains in the picture for most people, especially for leaders in the house of God. ah... the kinda challenges one must face.
My gratitude:
I'm still alive and kicking. Y'day night I went to shep my sheep in Boondall. I left his place at 10.30pm to go back home and I went through the ICB tunnel (in front of RBH). It was pouring, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. This morning I received a photo by someone (dunno who) sent by my friend showing the ICB tunnel was closed last night because of the flood. I was like "HAH???"
The flood must have been after I passed through the tunnel, cause when I drove pass the tunnel it was clean and nice. Thank God I'm still alive, or the flood didn't come when I was driving through the tunnel. Here's the photo.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Birthdays
This month so many people are celebrating their birthdays.
Happy birthday to you Cait (tomorrow) and your dad (last wk), Mami Ghone, Andri (in Jkt), Wesley, Su Ling, Jacinta, Rie, Megu-chin, Felly, Putra, Daren, Nishant, Sarah-Jane, Mandy, Kelly, Sisi, Sharron, Steph, Rigi, Aurora, Evan, Endra, WenJing, Brandon, Gavin, Hung-Do, Dedi, Anindita, Irvan, Adam, Zhen Yi, Teresa Mak, Joyce, Charlie, Carol, Johnny Chi, Victor, Yuri, Peter Wong, Putri and last but not least, my fav brudder whom people always think that he's my sheep, ahahha... Francis. FYI he's not my sheep, ahhaha....
BTW my birthday is end of this yr. But don't worry, I know you will genuinely forget about it, because of you busyness.
Anyway, talk about birthdays, few days before my birthday is someone's (very special to my heart) birthday. Nobody really knows the exact day of his birthday and he's not really around anymore, but I wonder if he celebrates his b'day.
Does Jesus celebrate His birthday?
:)
Happy birthday to you Cait (tomorrow) and your dad (last wk), Mami Ghone, Andri (in Jkt), Wesley, Su Ling, Jacinta, Rie, Megu-chin, Felly, Putra, Daren, Nishant, Sarah-Jane, Mandy, Kelly, Sisi, Sharron, Steph, Rigi, Aurora, Evan, Endra, WenJing, Brandon, Gavin, Hung-Do, Dedi, Anindita, Irvan, Adam, Zhen Yi, Teresa Mak, Joyce, Charlie, Carol, Johnny Chi, Victor, Yuri, Peter Wong, Putri and last but not least, my fav brudder whom people always think that he's my sheep, ahahha... Francis. FYI he's not my sheep, ahhaha....
BTW my birthday is end of this yr. But don't worry, I know you will genuinely forget about it, because of you busyness.
Anyway, talk about birthdays, few days before my birthday is someone's (very special to my heart) birthday. Nobody really knows the exact day of his birthday and he's not really around anymore, but I wonder if he celebrates his b'day.
Does Jesus celebrate His birthday?
:)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Taking sickie?
Y'day night I got such massive headache, runny nose, kept on sneezing and feeling so weak. In church, couple of friends prayed for healing. And at home, another friend prayed for me as well. When I hit the bed (after taking 2 tablets of paracetamol) I prayed again.
In the morning I got woken up by a msg ring tone on my mobilephone. Feeling so terrible, I reached out to my mobilephone. As I reached my mobilephone and opened my eyes, I felt so weak, my head was so heavy, my eyes were fuzzy and I kept on sneezing.
I looked at the time (it was 6.30am) and looked at the sender. It was from my boss. Puzzled, I read the msg. He said, "Antonius, I'm very sick right now hence won't be able to come to work. bla bla bla bla...."
I was like "HAH???"
Feeling terrible (because of my headache and weak body), I prayed to God and asked Him to heal me as I need to go to work (because my boss can't go to work). This time, I prayed fervently (unlike last night). ahahhaha.....
I got to office still feeling miserable. But I noticed when I left the office this arvo, although I still had a bit of the headache and not feeling 100%, my weak condition didn't affect my work at all. In fact today I was pretty productive. I thank God that I managed to go through the day without problems at all.
Lesson to learn?
1. Don't be lazy. Don't use sickness as an excuse not to go to work, though it's a very valid reason.
2. When you pray, believe. When you pray in faith, you will receive.
In the morning I got woken up by a msg ring tone on my mobilephone. Feeling so terrible, I reached out to my mobilephone. As I reached my mobilephone and opened my eyes, I felt so weak, my head was so heavy, my eyes were fuzzy and I kept on sneezing.
I looked at the time (it was 6.30am) and looked at the sender. It was from my boss. Puzzled, I read the msg. He said, "Antonius, I'm very sick right now hence won't be able to come to work. bla bla bla bla...."
I was like "HAH???"
Feeling terrible (because of my headache and weak body), I prayed to God and asked Him to heal me as I need to go to work (because my boss can't go to work). This time, I prayed fervently (unlike last night). ahahhaha.....
I got to office still feeling miserable. But I noticed when I left the office this arvo, although I still had a bit of the headache and not feeling 100%, my weak condition didn't affect my work at all. In fact today I was pretty productive. I thank God that I managed to go through the day without problems at all.
Lesson to learn?
1. Don't be lazy. Don't use sickness as an excuse not to go to work, though it's a very valid reason.
2. When you pray, believe. When you pray in faith, you will receive.
Getting busy for God
I'm not sure if you've been in such situation like mine where all you want to do is to do God's work, but somewhere along the line you get caught up with doing the work and almost forgetting God altogether.
ah... that's the kind of feeling that I have right now.
It's amazing how easy I can get so busy doing things for God, but not busy with God at all.
I've been very busy outside church, reaching out to people, building relationship and catching up with friends. Another thing is that when I encouraged people, I used to get encouraged myself and wonder how I did it. But nowadays I didn't feel encouraged myself when I encouraged others, and I wonder why. As I became so busy doing all that for God, I felt the dryness in my spirit. I became pretty thirsty, and it's quite uncomfortable.
Just now I was listening to this ps from singi and his words was like a knife to my heart when he said, 'Don't get busy in church if you're not busy with God. You can be very busy for God, but not with God."
When he said I felt that hit in my heart. I realised that I've been busy for God, but now with God. It's like God is telling me, "Stop it. Come and talk to me, I want to talk to you."
ah... that's the kind of feeling that I have right now.
It's amazing how easy I can get so busy doing things for God, but not busy with God at all.
I've been very busy outside church, reaching out to people, building relationship and catching up with friends. Another thing is that when I encouraged people, I used to get encouraged myself and wonder how I did it. But nowadays I didn't feel encouraged myself when I encouraged others, and I wonder why. As I became so busy doing all that for God, I felt the dryness in my spirit. I became pretty thirsty, and it's quite uncomfortable.
Just now I was listening to this ps from singi and his words was like a knife to my heart when he said, 'Don't get busy in church if you're not busy with God. You can be very busy for God, but not with God."
When he said I felt that hit in my heart. I realised that I've been busy for God, but now with God. It's like God is telling me, "Stop it. Come and talk to me, I want to talk to you."
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Something to ponder
This quote from an ad on tv captured my eyes, so here it is:
The more you gain, the more you have to lose
The more you gain, the more you have to lose
Sunday Story
After church service, few of us went to Steven's house to put all the PA stuff into his garage.
It was pouring.
Anyway, I was supposed to take my car in after Melissa. So to avoid being wet by the heavy rain, I ran out of the garage to my car. As I turned right to the pathway, it was so slippery that I skidded, slipped and almost fell completely to the ground with my face almost touching the footpath.
I was in such a funny position that everyone just laughed.
Man... I tell you, it was very embarrassing, but thank God nobody tried to make fun of me.
ah... what a day
It was pouring.
Anyway, I was supposed to take my car in after Melissa. So to avoid being wet by the heavy rain, I ran out of the garage to my car. As I turned right to the pathway, it was so slippery that I skidded, slipped and almost fell completely to the ground with my face almost touching the footpath.
I was in such a funny position that everyone just laughed.
Man... I tell you, it was very embarrassing, but thank God nobody tried to make fun of me.
ah... what a day
Saturday, November 15, 2008
What's been happening in my life
Alright,
I've been wanting to write many things but just kept on forgetting it or didn't have time to write it down.
1. Low-profile.
It's my question, how to be low-profile. Maybe I should go into exile for quite some time. This is one of my biggest challenges in life, I like to be around people, I like to make friends, I like to listen to people's stories, but I don't want many people to know me. How?
2. Setting a good example.
Another challenge I need to overcome. I'm really not good at this. I don't do QT regularly, I don't read bible regularly, I don't read my CJ regularly, I don't even pray for my group every day, only once in a while. Man... when I look at my leaders, they are so far above me, between 1 and 10 (10 being the highest level), my leaders will be in level 7 and i'm in level 2. ah...
3. Discipleship is a tough job
Man... if anyone says that discipleship is easy, please let me know and teach me how to do it.
4. 5 fold ministries
One of the ministries that I desire to be involved in is in the area of healing. Dunno why, but I want people to see that God is the Almighty and nothing is impossible with/to Him. Cancer can be healed, AIDS shall go away once and for all. Everyone should be able to taste what it's like to live a normal life without diseases/illnesses.
5. LG Restructuring
I'm waiting for my leader to announce the final decision on the restructuring of my LG (if there's any).
6. Looking forward to.
I'm so looking forward to many things right now. I look forward to:
a. Shep my sheep this wk and next wk (well, every week)
b. Christmas
c. My birthday
d. My friends' bday
e. New Year
f. My group's christmas' dinner
g. Catching up with JP and JB
h. Catching up with my long lost friend and sheep, my one and only korean sheep, ahhaha... I miss you sheep.
i. C4K
j. Salvations. I wanna see my colleagues and friends saved.
j. something else which I can't share in here, ahahha....
I've been wanting to write many things but just kept on forgetting it or didn't have time to write it down.
1. Low-profile.
It's my question, how to be low-profile. Maybe I should go into exile for quite some time. This is one of my biggest challenges in life, I like to be around people, I like to make friends, I like to listen to people's stories, but I don't want many people to know me. How?
2. Setting a good example.
Another challenge I need to overcome. I'm really not good at this. I don't do QT regularly, I don't read bible regularly, I don't read my CJ regularly, I don't even pray for my group every day, only once in a while. Man... when I look at my leaders, they are so far above me, between 1 and 10 (10 being the highest level), my leaders will be in level 7 and i'm in level 2. ah...
3. Discipleship is a tough job
Man... if anyone says that discipleship is easy, please let me know and teach me how to do it.
4. 5 fold ministries
One of the ministries that I desire to be involved in is in the area of healing. Dunno why, but I want people to see that God is the Almighty and nothing is impossible with/to Him. Cancer can be healed, AIDS shall go away once and for all. Everyone should be able to taste what it's like to live a normal life without diseases/illnesses.
5. LG Restructuring
I'm waiting for my leader to announce the final decision on the restructuring of my LG (if there's any).
6. Looking forward to.
I'm so looking forward to many things right now. I look forward to:
a. Shep my sheep this wk and next wk (well, every week)
b. Christmas
c. My birthday
d. My friends' bday
e. New Year
f. My group's christmas' dinner
g. Catching up with JP and JB
h. Catching up with my long lost friend and sheep, my one and only korean sheep, ahhaha... I miss you sheep.
i. C4K
j. Salvations. I wanna see my colleagues and friends saved.
j. something else which I can't share in here, ahahha....
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Friday at the office
As you may know already, one of the things I need to do in my job is to review people's performance, and these people are the project managers who are older than me and receive salary way more than me.
The way it works is I gather the data before project review with the project managers, then do their performance review with them individually. Using the data, I would tell/show them from the financial side of the project of what's happening with their project then ask them what they think about the project. In some cases I will suggest to them how to improve their performance.
This morning, while I was having my breakfast in the kitchen, one of the project managers came to me and just scolded me for a good 5-7minutes, in front of another project manager. Listening to her criticism and complaint was pretty hard.
Afterward I told everything to my manager.
He sat me down in a room and told me that it's not my fault that she got upset at me because it was her own fault for not managing the project properly. Apparently she got the 'ultimatum' from our director. He then pointed out to me where I've done well in my work, and praised me for the things I've achieved considering I only started my job 2 months ago, and it was my first project review.
At that time, I was overwhelmed with gratitude towards him that my eyes became wet and I almost burst into tears. Luckily I didn't cry, otherwise it would've been so embarrassing, a man crying in front of his boss, ahahha......
I know it's not my fault, and even if it's my fault, she should've been more gracious considering it's my first review. But to hear her complaining and accusing me for not doing a good job and made her look bad in front of our director (through my report) hit me pretty hard. I thought to myself, "Am I really that bad? Did I really do such a bad job? Did I really misunderstand her words (during the review)? Is it really my fault?"
After getting the comfort from my manager, I gained my confidence back, not to continue doing what I've been doing, but to do better.
You might thing that there's no real connection between what happened to me today and God, but I believe God has put me in this company for a reason. I don't know exactly the specific purpose of why I'm working for this company, but if it's not for God's grace and wisdom, I would've easily defended myself against her accusation this morning and told her off.
Well, my manager said that I will experience more of these from project managers who are not performing well. He asked me to get ready. ahhahaha..... So in my heart I said, "Alright, bring it on." ahahahha..... Oh God, I need your help.
Good nite.
The way it works is I gather the data before project review with the project managers, then do their performance review with them individually. Using the data, I would tell/show them from the financial side of the project of what's happening with their project then ask them what they think about the project. In some cases I will suggest to them how to improve their performance.
This morning, while I was having my breakfast in the kitchen, one of the project managers came to me and just scolded me for a good 5-7minutes, in front of another project manager. Listening to her criticism and complaint was pretty hard.
Afterward I told everything to my manager.
He sat me down in a room and told me that it's not my fault that she got upset at me because it was her own fault for not managing the project properly. Apparently she got the 'ultimatum' from our director. He then pointed out to me where I've done well in my work, and praised me for the things I've achieved considering I only started my job 2 months ago, and it was my first project review.
At that time, I was overwhelmed with gratitude towards him that my eyes became wet and I almost burst into tears. Luckily I didn't cry, otherwise it would've been so embarrassing, a man crying in front of his boss, ahahha......
I know it's not my fault, and even if it's my fault, she should've been more gracious considering it's my first review. But to hear her complaining and accusing me for not doing a good job and made her look bad in front of our director (through my report) hit me pretty hard. I thought to myself, "Am I really that bad? Did I really do such a bad job? Did I really misunderstand her words (during the review)? Is it really my fault?"
After getting the comfort from my manager, I gained my confidence back, not to continue doing what I've been doing, but to do better.
You might thing that there's no real connection between what happened to me today and God, but I believe God has put me in this company for a reason. I don't know exactly the specific purpose of why I'm working for this company, but if it's not for God's grace and wisdom, I would've easily defended myself against her accusation this morning and told her off.
Well, my manager said that I will experience more of these from project managers who are not performing well. He asked me to get ready. ahhahaha..... So in my heart I said, "Alright, bring it on." ahahahha..... Oh God, I need your help.
Good nite.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
How much is time?
I never really thought about it. Have you?
Well, I was browsing the net trying to find out how much time is when you put it in a case, to be a watch to wear.
I was shocked to find that to contain time into a case can be quite expensive. I couldn't find the most expensive price as the dealer didn't want to reveal the price, but here's what I found (mind you this is not the most expensive watch in the market).
It's Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, priced at US$218,900
Well, I was browsing the net trying to find out how much time is when you put it in a case, to be a watch to wear.
I was shocked to find that to contain time into a case can be quite expensive. I couldn't find the most expensive price as the dealer didn't want to reveal the price, but here's what I found (mind you this is not the most expensive watch in the market).
It's Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, priced at US$218,900
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Zzz....
Yes, hard to believe, hey?
2008 is coming to an end. Man... how time flies so quickly. So many things happened in the past 2-3 weeks and I want to pen them down, but ah.. I'm so tired right now. I'll do it either tomorrow or Thursday.
Before I say good night, here's something that just came to my mind.
God never intended to make us a superman/superwoman. We need to know and fully understand this.
Alright, my eyes are getting tired. Good night.
2008 is coming to an end. Man... how time flies so quickly. So many things happened in the past 2-3 weeks and I want to pen them down, but ah.. I'm so tired right now. I'll do it either tomorrow or Thursday.
Before I say good night, here's something that just came to my mind.
God never intended to make us a superman/superwoman. We need to know and fully understand this.
Alright, my eyes are getting tired. Good night.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Feel like dancing
The whole week I've been trying to find this beautiful song. I've heard this song few times before but never really pay enough attention to its lyrics and music/rhythm. It only hit me during the choir practice for our church's worship night. As the choir sang the song, all of a sudden I just wanted to dance. It's so beautiful, ahahaha... dunno how to describe it. The lyrics actually made me cry, as it's so profound. I don't know how my life can bring pleasure to God, but it'd be nice if He delights in me.
So here's the song. I'd love to learn to sing this song in many different languages. So if you know the song in language other than english, please teach me.
I Worship You, Almighty God
Words & Music by Sandra Corbett
Verse
G Em
I come into Your courts with praise
C G
I bow before Your throne
G Em
Your presence gives me peace within
C D
And the joy I’ve never known
Bm Em Bm Em
So I give to You, my heart and soul
Am D
May it bring You pleasure, Lord
Bm Em Bm Em
There is no higher call than to worship You
Am D G
For You alone are God
Chorus
G Bm Em Am
I worship You, Almighty God
C G
there is none like You.
G Bm Em Am
I worship You, O Prince of Peace
C D
that is what I want to do.
C G Em Am D
I give You praise, for You are my righteousness.
G Bm Em Am
I worship You, Almighty God
C D G
there is none like You.
So here's the song. I'd love to learn to sing this song in many different languages. So if you know the song in language other than english, please teach me.
I Worship You, Almighty God
Words & Music by Sandra Corbett
Verse
G Em
I come into Your courts with praise
C G
I bow before Your throne
G Em
Your presence gives me peace within
C D
And the joy I’ve never known
Bm Em Bm Em
So I give to You, my heart and soul
Am D
May it bring You pleasure, Lord
Bm Em Bm Em
There is no higher call than to worship You
Am D G
For You alone are God
Chorus
G Bm Em Am
I worship You, Almighty God
C G
there is none like You.
G Bm Em Am
I worship You, O Prince of Peace
C D
that is what I want to do.
C G Em Am D
I give You praise, for You are my righteousness.
G Bm Em Am
I worship You, Almighty God
C D G
there is none like You.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Life-Group
Last week we held our LG (Life-Group) meeting at a different day and time. Normally it's Friday night, this time it's Saturday from 2.30pm.
The main reason we shifted our LG meeting to Sat is because we wanted to do 'water baptism' for some of the young christians in our group.
I personally found it really awesome, having LG meeting during the day. It also gave so much room and/or space to move. But anyway, this is not the main reason why I'm writing now, the main reason is I just wanna share with you how awesome it was witnessing 3 people took a step of faith to proclaim to the world that they have accepted Jesus into their life as their personal Lord and Saviour, and that they want to follow Him for the rest of their life.
Congratulation to you Ying, Danny and Johnny. Man... I tell you, witnessing your H20 baptism really blessed my heart.
The main reason we shifted our LG meeting to Sat is because we wanted to do 'water baptism' for some of the young christians in our group.
I personally found it really awesome, having LG meeting during the day. It also gave so much room and/or space to move. But anyway, this is not the main reason why I'm writing now, the main reason is I just wanna share with you how awesome it was witnessing 3 people took a step of faith to proclaim to the world that they have accepted Jesus into their life as their personal Lord and Saviour, and that they want to follow Him for the rest of their life.
Congratulation to you Ying, Danny and Johnny. Man... I tell you, witnessing your H20 baptism really blessed my heart.
The need for openness
A friend of mine wrote me the other day, "I know that I have a relationship with God, but somehow I feel that there's still something missing, and I think it's the intimacy that I don't have in my relationship with God. I want to be intimate with God, but I don't know how. So tell me, how?
Though I wasn't prepared to receive such email, I felt really blessed to read his email considering he's a man (male). Normally men don't talk all this kind of emotional thing with each other.
2 things that I wanna raise briefly in here, 1 is about being emotional for men and the other one is about how to have intimate relationship with God. For now, I'll talk about the first one and will cover the latter part in the future.
The society has taught men on how to be tough, how to be strong and how to be great, without addressing the importance of dealing with their emotion/feeling. If a man wants to look cool, he should not show his weak point, he should not laugh out loud, he should not cry, when he smiles he should only smile a bit, he must be strong and he must also look strong even when he's dying, and bla bla bla bla....
I should say that the society has done well in doing so, but failed to make men realise that they are still human being who have emotion, hence would have emotional issue and therefore must deal with their emotional issue. Because of the above perception on men, men don't talk about their struggles, personal challenges or issues in life. And the sad thing is, even at church level most men still don't talk about personal challenges or issues. We walk behind the veil of success, courage, strength, wisdom, maturity and other nice and great stuff that people attribute to men, especially leaders. These made it hard for new or young believers learn how to overcome the challenges, issues and problems in their life from a more matured christians.
To the young believers, their only tools to overcome challenges and issues in life are bible and prayer. To some people bible and prayer are enough, but unfortunately to many, they need more than that. They need to see with their own eyes how biblical knowledge can be applied to real life situation, and it can indeed be successful. If they can't see it, then they need to hear it. But a lot of times, they can't see nor hear it, because a more matured male christians don't share with them about their life, how they've overcomed challenges or issues in life. And this re-create in the church what the world has successfully portrayed men to be, men are strong and men are not to tell others about their weaknesses.
Yes it is hard (and I know this because I'm on the same boat), but as leaders (male) in the house of God, we can not neglect the importance of sharing our life (past, present and future) -our mistakes and success in the past, and our dreams- with members in our group or those whom we're taking care of. If leaders do not cultivate a habit of being open and honest, how can we expect our members to be open and honest. Openness and honesty are important keys in being accountable with one another.
This is what I found.
I've been trying to be so open and honest to my group (the guys group) by sharing with them my past life, starting from the darkest to the greatest moments of my life so far. I shared with them even the temptations that I am still facing as a man and how I failed so many times in overcoming some temptations.
The first time I told them that I still failed overcoming some temptations, they were quite shocked. They thought I don't struggle that much when facing temptations. I was like, "Hello.... I'm still a normal human being, you know. I'm not God at all. If a pastor (who's so spiritually matured and full of biblical knowledge) can still fall into temptation and sin, then I can surely fall into temptation, not just once, but many times.
Over time, I see changes in my group. One by one they started sharing about their struggles and challenges they're facing. It's not a 1 night change, but it takes weeks and months (if not years) to see the real change in someone's life.
The road is long and winding, there's still so many things to do. But I believe, there's a need for men (especially leaders) to be open and honest (to each other) about their life, so other men can learn and grow in their maturity. When we do that, we can be more efficient and effective in helping and building one another up, and live our life as men to the fullest, according to the purpose God has created us to be.
Though I wasn't prepared to receive such email, I felt really blessed to read his email considering he's a man (male). Normally men don't talk all this kind of emotional thing with each other.
2 things that I wanna raise briefly in here, 1 is about being emotional for men and the other one is about how to have intimate relationship with God. For now, I'll talk about the first one and will cover the latter part in the future.
The society has taught men on how to be tough, how to be strong and how to be great, without addressing the importance of dealing with their emotion/feeling. If a man wants to look cool, he should not show his weak point, he should not laugh out loud, he should not cry, when he smiles he should only smile a bit, he must be strong and he must also look strong even when he's dying, and bla bla bla bla....
I should say that the society has done well in doing so, but failed to make men realise that they are still human being who have emotion, hence would have emotional issue and therefore must deal with their emotional issue. Because of the above perception on men, men don't talk about their struggles, personal challenges or issues in life. And the sad thing is, even at church level most men still don't talk about personal challenges or issues. We walk behind the veil of success, courage, strength, wisdom, maturity and other nice and great stuff that people attribute to men, especially leaders. These made it hard for new or young believers learn how to overcome the challenges, issues and problems in their life from a more matured christians.
To the young believers, their only tools to overcome challenges and issues in life are bible and prayer. To some people bible and prayer are enough, but unfortunately to many, they need more than that. They need to see with their own eyes how biblical knowledge can be applied to real life situation, and it can indeed be successful. If they can't see it, then they need to hear it. But a lot of times, they can't see nor hear it, because a more matured male christians don't share with them about their life, how they've overcomed challenges or issues in life. And this re-create in the church what the world has successfully portrayed men to be, men are strong and men are not to tell others about their weaknesses.
Yes it is hard (and I know this because I'm on the same boat), but as leaders (male) in the house of God, we can not neglect the importance of sharing our life (past, present and future) -our mistakes and success in the past, and our dreams- with members in our group or those whom we're taking care of. If leaders do not cultivate a habit of being open and honest, how can we expect our members to be open and honest. Openness and honesty are important keys in being accountable with one another.
This is what I found.
I've been trying to be so open and honest to my group (the guys group) by sharing with them my past life, starting from the darkest to the greatest moments of my life so far. I shared with them even the temptations that I am still facing as a man and how I failed so many times in overcoming some temptations.
The first time I told them that I still failed overcoming some temptations, they were quite shocked. They thought I don't struggle that much when facing temptations. I was like, "Hello.... I'm still a normal human being, you know. I'm not God at all. If a pastor (who's so spiritually matured and full of biblical knowledge) can still fall into temptation and sin, then I can surely fall into temptation, not just once, but many times.
Over time, I see changes in my group. One by one they started sharing about their struggles and challenges they're facing. It's not a 1 night change, but it takes weeks and months (if not years) to see the real change in someone's life.
The road is long and winding, there's still so many things to do. But I believe, there's a need for men (especially leaders) to be open and honest (to each other) about their life, so other men can learn and grow in their maturity. When we do that, we can be more efficient and effective in helping and building one another up, and live our life as men to the fullest, according to the purpose God has created us to be.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Performance Review
Y'day marked the first month of my employment at new company, this engineering consulting company in Southbank (just outside the city). And today I had my first performance review with my manager.
He brought the review sheet with him and sat me down and asked me to ranked my performance. The rank is between 1 and 5, with 1 being poor, 2 need improvement, 3 good, 4 very good, 5 excellent.
Before he even asked me to rank each criteria (10 of them) I told him straight away that I can rank myself as 2 (need improvement) for all the criterias. He was so shocked, and he replied, "Oh, hold on a second, I think you're wrong. I actually think you did pretty good considering this is only your first month. But look, let's do these (pointing at the criterias) one at a time."
Then we talked for almost an hour. We could've gone more than an hour if not for my appointment for project review with another PM (project manager).
My review with my manager was interesting because he believed I have met his expectation and even did more than he expected in some areas.
I know that I've done well (please don't misunderstand me as I'm not boasting at all), but I believe there's so much room for improvement, because I made mistake here and there. Yes it is understandable as it's my first month, but hey, honestly speaking, I could've done better than that. Why I didn't do much better? Some part of it is my laziness, another part is my lack of initiation and/or my drive to push myself harder.
The drive to push myself harder to be better at something, brings me to this point, that some people (I'm talking about people in general and christians specifically) don't want to push themselves harder to improve or to be better at something because of 1 thing, FEAR. When I think of it, I admit I have certain degree of fear as well from time to time within me.
Now, this can be any fear; fear of failures, fear of making mistakes (doesn't necessarily mean failures), fear of offending someone, or even fear of success. Yes, fear of success. You'd be surprised to know how many people are afraid of being successful.
If you're one of these people (mind you, at times I'm also one of those people) who have fear (whatever fear it is), let me say this to you right now, "FEAR NOT" or "DON'T BE AFRAID." If you think you can't do it, then ask God to help you to do it. If you think the success will be too big for you, well let me say this to you, God has called you to be the head and not the tail, to be the overcomer and not the overcomed.
So here's my advice, strive to be the best in whatever you're doing. You can't be the best in everything, because you're not superman, no one is superman. But in whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability. NEVER COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS. Remember, even if your best is not good enough to people, remember this, God is pleased with you when you've given your best shot in the things that you do. And that's all you have to do, to give your best and let God do the rest.
He brought the review sheet with him and sat me down and asked me to ranked my performance. The rank is between 1 and 5, with 1 being poor, 2 need improvement, 3 good, 4 very good, 5 excellent.
Before he even asked me to rank each criteria (10 of them) I told him straight away that I can rank myself as 2 (need improvement) for all the criterias. He was so shocked, and he replied, "Oh, hold on a second, I think you're wrong. I actually think you did pretty good considering this is only your first month. But look, let's do these (pointing at the criterias) one at a time."
Then we talked for almost an hour. We could've gone more than an hour if not for my appointment for project review with another PM (project manager).
My review with my manager was interesting because he believed I have met his expectation and even did more than he expected in some areas.
I know that I've done well (please don't misunderstand me as I'm not boasting at all), but I believe there's so much room for improvement, because I made mistake here and there. Yes it is understandable as it's my first month, but hey, honestly speaking, I could've done better than that. Why I didn't do much better? Some part of it is my laziness, another part is my lack of initiation and/or my drive to push myself harder.
The drive to push myself harder to be better at something, brings me to this point, that some people (I'm talking about people in general and christians specifically) don't want to push themselves harder to improve or to be better at something because of 1 thing, FEAR. When I think of it, I admit I have certain degree of fear as well from time to time within me.
Now, this can be any fear; fear of failures, fear of making mistakes (doesn't necessarily mean failures), fear of offending someone, or even fear of success. Yes, fear of success. You'd be surprised to know how many people are afraid of being successful.
If you're one of these people (mind you, at times I'm also one of those people) who have fear (whatever fear it is), let me say this to you right now, "FEAR NOT" or "DON'T BE AFRAID." If you think you can't do it, then ask God to help you to do it. If you think the success will be too big for you, well let me say this to you, God has called you to be the head and not the tail, to be the overcomer and not the overcomed.
So here's my advice, strive to be the best in whatever you're doing. You can't be the best in everything, because you're not superman, no one is superman. But in whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability. NEVER COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS. Remember, even if your best is not good enough to people, remember this, God is pleased with you when you've given your best shot in the things that you do. And that's all you have to do, to give your best and let God do the rest.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Growing up
Heard this phrase from 'Talking Live' program on the 96.5fm;
"To grow older is automatic, but to grow up is a choice one must make"
How true it is. That choice can be easy to some, but very hard and tough to others.
"To grow older is automatic, but to grow up is a choice one must make"
How true it is. That choice can be easy to some, but very hard and tough to others.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Badminton
I just came back from playing badminton. Yupe, I do play badminton. But tonight, I went there after about 2 months, and 2 months ago I played after about a yr or so, ahahha... so not my right arm is so sore.
While driving back I was thinking about my game. Although I managed to win most of the matches I had with different people (lost once), my stamina was far from fit at all. My body was not flexible at all and I had to use lots of power to smash, and that's because I didn't smash with the right technique. And my response was even worse, I missed lots of soft smashing from my opponents. I was really lucky (if I can use that word) that their skill was -at least- not far from mine, ahahhaha..... otherwise, they would have trashed me so easily.
Looking back, I realised it's the same as my knowledge of/about God. Nowadays I have to think hard when I wanted to quote a verse on the top my head. I used to read the bible a lot; in the morning, afternoon during lunch break and at night before I went to bed. And while driving my car, I used to play the audio bible and not listening to music at all. At that time, I could easily remember verses when I wanted to encourage people. But now I only read the bible once a day, sometimes I didn't even read at all (yep, that's how slack I've been). And because of this, I couldn't remember lots of verses and I felt like I'm losing my knowledge of God.
ah... it was a good time of thinking I had in the car. Okie dokie, I'm so tired. It's time for me to rest my body. Good nite.
While driving back I was thinking about my game. Although I managed to win most of the matches I had with different people (lost once), my stamina was far from fit at all. My body was not flexible at all and I had to use lots of power to smash, and that's because I didn't smash with the right technique. And my response was even worse, I missed lots of soft smashing from my opponents. I was really lucky (if I can use that word) that their skill was -at least- not far from mine, ahahhaha..... otherwise, they would have trashed me so easily.
Looking back, I realised it's the same as my knowledge of/about God. Nowadays I have to think hard when I wanted to quote a verse on the top my head. I used to read the bible a lot; in the morning, afternoon during lunch break and at night before I went to bed. And while driving my car, I used to play the audio bible and not listening to music at all. At that time, I could easily remember verses when I wanted to encourage people. But now I only read the bible once a day, sometimes I didn't even read at all (yep, that's how slack I've been). And because of this, I couldn't remember lots of verses and I felt like I'm losing my knowledge of God.
ah... it was a good time of thinking I had in the car. Okie dokie, I'm so tired. It's time for me to rest my body. Good nite.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Ministry of mediocrity
I was driving back home from Charlie's place when I heard the term, ministry of mediocrity on the radio (the usual 96.5fm focus on family).
For far too long I actually have been living a kind of double life. Yep, I confess my sin. I like to encourage people to grow in God, and as a leader in church, I know better than some people (if I can put it this way) how to grow deeper in God.
Now here's the thing, I am growing, there's no doubt about it. However, looking at the rate of my growth, I should've grown deeper than where I am currently. So what's holding me back from growing even deeper than now?
It's the level of comfort that I am living right now.
According to MS Word dictionary, mediocrity equals averageness. Put it simply, it means a quality that is adequate or acceptable, but not very good. In a flesh, it means somebody who lacks any special skill or flair.
There's a big chunk of laziness in mediocrity. Not so much of not wanting to do stuff, but it's the lack of desire to improve or be challenged for improvement. I was so shocked upon discovering (while driving I audited my daily schedule) that I haven't been fully utilising my time at all, to grow myself in God and help others to grow. There's so much I can do if I maximise my time.
ah... such a great time of thinking and pondering upon my life in the past few weeks. It's amazing how God can use different avenues to speak to me. So that's it. I have decided to leave the ministry of mediocrity. It's not doing me any good at all, so why should I continue to do so. Lord help me to discipline myself.
If you happen to be in the ministry of mediocrity, please leave now. Good night
For far too long I actually have been living a kind of double life. Yep, I confess my sin. I like to encourage people to grow in God, and as a leader in church, I know better than some people (if I can put it this way) how to grow deeper in God.
Now here's the thing, I am growing, there's no doubt about it. However, looking at the rate of my growth, I should've grown deeper than where I am currently. So what's holding me back from growing even deeper than now?
It's the level of comfort that I am living right now.
According to MS Word dictionary, mediocrity equals averageness. Put it simply, it means a quality that is adequate or acceptable, but not very good. In a flesh, it means somebody who lacks any special skill or flair.
There's a big chunk of laziness in mediocrity. Not so much of not wanting to do stuff, but it's the lack of desire to improve or be challenged for improvement. I was so shocked upon discovering (while driving I audited my daily schedule) that I haven't been fully utilising my time at all, to grow myself in God and help others to grow. There's so much I can do if I maximise my time.
ah... such a great time of thinking and pondering upon my life in the past few weeks. It's amazing how God can use different avenues to speak to me. So that's it. I have decided to leave the ministry of mediocrity. It's not doing me any good at all, so why should I continue to do so. Lord help me to discipline myself.
If you happen to be in the ministry of mediocrity, please leave now. Good night
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Full meal at PM
I went to my church PM (prayer meeting) tonight. Tonight was somewhat different, I got to have an entree, the main dish and the dessert, ahahha...
The Entree.
Tonight at PM, I managed to catch-up with one of my sheeps (someone whom I mentor, spiritually). I haven't caught-up with him for ages since he always finish work at 7pm. Because of his working hours, he seldom come to PM and LG. And most of the times, when we catch-up, we just speak on the phone. So it was really good to be able to meet and talk face to face. And to hear him say, "Man, I really miss God. I miss coming here and just pray with you all" really blessed my heart.
In my heart I told God, "Man... You're awesome. Only you who can change people's heart. Only you who can encourage people to come back to you."
The Main Dish
During PM, I just put aside everything in my mind and focussed on God. Actually, at the start of PM, the chairperson for the night, Torchie encouraged people to come forward and sing together at the front, and more than that, he called out my name to come to the front. I was a bit embarrased at that time but I just went to the front and started worshipping God. Looking back, I realised it (his encouragement asking me to go to the front) helped me focus on God. So at PM, God reminded me again about the many things that I have desired so much to see, and the work I should do to see people saved (which I've neglected for quite some time). Ah... it was so good to be reminded again, ahahha....
The Dessert
Towards the end of PM, as usual the chairperson asked everyone to gather in our own group. Guess what I saw? ahaha.... I saw half of the guys in my group came to PM. I was like, "Wow... Lord, what's going on? Man... thank you, thank you very much, thank you. ah... what a night. Truly, you are sovereign and only you who can move in people's heart."
When I got home, I was very tired already, and hungry. I quickly cooked and had my dinner. Physically, I'm really tired. But spiritually, ahahahha.... I am so refreshed. Such a strange yet beautiful feeling. I don't know how to describe it. I feel good, I feel beautiful, I feel wonderful. Thank you for such a beautiful night O Lord.
The Entree.
Tonight at PM, I managed to catch-up with one of my sheeps (someone whom I mentor, spiritually). I haven't caught-up with him for ages since he always finish work at 7pm. Because of his working hours, he seldom come to PM and LG. And most of the times, when we catch-up, we just speak on the phone. So it was really good to be able to meet and talk face to face. And to hear him say, "Man, I really miss God. I miss coming here and just pray with you all" really blessed my heart.
In my heart I told God, "Man... You're awesome. Only you who can change people's heart. Only you who can encourage people to come back to you."
The Main Dish
During PM, I just put aside everything in my mind and focussed on God. Actually, at the start of PM, the chairperson for the night, Torchie encouraged people to come forward and sing together at the front, and more than that, he called out my name to come to the front. I was a bit embarrased at that time but I just went to the front and started worshipping God. Looking back, I realised it (his encouragement asking me to go to the front) helped me focus on God. So at PM, God reminded me again about the many things that I have desired so much to see, and the work I should do to see people saved (which I've neglected for quite some time). Ah... it was so good to be reminded again, ahahha....
The Dessert
Towards the end of PM, as usual the chairperson asked everyone to gather in our own group. Guess what I saw? ahaha.... I saw half of the guys in my group came to PM. I was like, "Wow... Lord, what's going on? Man... thank you, thank you very much, thank you. ah... what a night. Truly, you are sovereign and only you who can move in people's heart."
When I got home, I was very tired already, and hungry. I quickly cooked and had my dinner. Physically, I'm really tired. But spiritually, ahahahha.... I am so refreshed. Such a strange yet beautiful feeling. I don't know how to describe it. I feel good, I feel beautiful, I feel wonderful. Thank you for such a beautiful night O Lord.
Monday, October 13, 2008
My speaking problem
Tonight I MC-ed my church (the afternoon service one) annual dinner. I should say I quite enjoyed it, but it was very tough though.
First of all, it was my mistake for not having dinner first. I had about 2 spoon of rice and some beef. Second of all, I had problems with speaking tonight. For some reasons I couldn't speak properly. I could see few eyes looking at me trying to understand my words, ahahha.... I feel sorry for you guys.
Now I can understand why all those entertainers (even MCs) got paid so much money, because it's really not easy to entertain people. Cause after the dinner, people gave compliments along with their very constructive opinion, "Hey, you did a very good job, but maybe next time you could speak louder." The others said, "Well done, but I think it'd be good if you could speak clearer cause I couldn't really understand what you're saying."
ah... so hard to entertain and satisfy people. Oh well, it's a good learning curve for me. I thank God for all of them who have been honest in giving me a constructive feedback. I guess now I better improve my speaking skill, ahahha...
First of all, it was my mistake for not having dinner first. I had about 2 spoon of rice and some beef. Second of all, I had problems with speaking tonight. For some reasons I couldn't speak properly. I could see few eyes looking at me trying to understand my words, ahahha.... I feel sorry for you guys.
Now I can understand why all those entertainers (even MCs) got paid so much money, because it's really not easy to entertain people. Cause after the dinner, people gave compliments along with their very constructive opinion, "Hey, you did a very good job, but maybe next time you could speak louder." The others said, "Well done, but I think it'd be good if you could speak clearer cause I couldn't really understand what you're saying."
ah... so hard to entertain and satisfy people. Oh well, it's a good learning curve for me. I thank God for all of them who have been honest in giving me a constructive feedback. I guess now I better improve my speaking skill, ahahha...
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Procrastination - Saved by HS
I should say that my weekend has been very interesting.
I thank God for His grace, mercy and support especially when I really need them. He's always there whenever I needed Him the most, and the sad thing is that many times I felt that I took Him for granted. Forgive me Father, please help me to manage my time better.
Here's the story.
2 weeks ago Vanessa told me that she'd be busy last wk and asked me to cover her in leading pnw in LG. I said yes. But I put that agreement aside and went on with my life without choosing any song at all till Friday morning (2 days ago). Neil my guitarist was panicking on Friday morning. He actually requested me to tell him the song by Tues night. I told him the song is coming.
Now here's the thing. Since Tuesday night I wanted to choose the songs for friday, but everytime I wanted to choose songs, I ended up merely listening without making decision, the worst part is, I didn't even pray for it (normally I do). Thank God on Friday morning I managed to find 2 songs and msg him the song on Fri afternoon.
When I got to Charlie's place for practice, I was a bit nervous and feeling so guilty for choosing the song so late. Thank God Neil has so much gracious. Come to the actual pnw, I just rest my case to God, knowing that if the pnw session go bad, it would be definitely my fault. But I asked Him to intervene.
He did intervene and the pnw was awesome. After the pnw session finished, I quickly thank God and Neil for being so cooperative and gracious. Man, I love you bro.
Now you'd think that I've learnt my lesson, right?
Well, I did learn my lesson that night, I forgotten altogether about it the following day.
2 weeks ago I had been assigned to lead discussion (not teaching) in our sub-d UDMM (meeting for all leaders in the group). Guess what, I realised I haven't done anything y'da night (sat night). So after dinner I decided to do it, prepare the discussion. Lo and behold, I realised I've left the discussion material at my workplace. So I thought for a moment that I would pick it up after I have dessert with my friends.
Ah... I'm getting tired, but let me continue.
After dessert at this tofu-fa (?) place in calamvale, I went to my friend's place to play poker. After poker I went back home straight away and sleep. I completely forgotten about going to office to get the discussion material. When I reached home, it was 2.30am. After a quick shower, I went to bed, set the alarm at 8.30am. I closed my eyes around just after 3am.
In the morning, panicking I won't have enough time to prepare, I quickly went to my office. The UDMM meeting was at 11am. When I reached my office, it was 10.15am. I went to my desk and prepared the discussion. 30mins later I finished the material. Went to meeting place at Eddy's place and led the discussion. Before I led the discussion I asked Him for help.
Again, He helped me out. After discussion finished we had an evaluation and everyone gave a such a good feedback and was encouraged by how I led the discussion. Oh man... it was such a relief. During the discussion I kept on asking God on how to lead the discussion. When to say the word, how to say it and what to say. I was so desperate for help.
Looking back, if it's not for His grace, mercy and love and help, I would've messed up my pnw and discussion leading. By saying all these, I'm actually telling you how ignorant and irresponsible I was in being a leader in His house. My main issue in here is my laziness, how I delayed doing 2 important things till the last minute.
Moral of the story is, do not procrastinate. Learn to be a good time manager. Time management is a skill and ability that must be developed by everyone. I thank God that nothing bad happened on Fri night pnw session and this morning discussion. I pray that I won't repeat the same mistake again. Last but not least, as I have mentioned, God is faithful and He's always there for us. It's comforting to know that He will never leave us nor forsake us. But we should not take it for granted. Thank you Lord for helping me out all these time, and thank you for your faithfulness. Help me to be faithful to you as well O God, in Jesus' name I pray, amen.
I thank God for His grace, mercy and support especially when I really need them. He's always there whenever I needed Him the most, and the sad thing is that many times I felt that I took Him for granted. Forgive me Father, please help me to manage my time better.
Here's the story.
2 weeks ago Vanessa told me that she'd be busy last wk and asked me to cover her in leading pnw in LG. I said yes. But I put that agreement aside and went on with my life without choosing any song at all till Friday morning (2 days ago). Neil my guitarist was panicking on Friday morning. He actually requested me to tell him the song by Tues night. I told him the song is coming.
Now here's the thing. Since Tuesday night I wanted to choose the songs for friday, but everytime I wanted to choose songs, I ended up merely listening without making decision, the worst part is, I didn't even pray for it (normally I do). Thank God on Friday morning I managed to find 2 songs and msg him the song on Fri afternoon.
When I got to Charlie's place for practice, I was a bit nervous and feeling so guilty for choosing the song so late. Thank God Neil has so much gracious. Come to the actual pnw, I just rest my case to God, knowing that if the pnw session go bad, it would be definitely my fault. But I asked Him to intervene.
He did intervene and the pnw was awesome. After the pnw session finished, I quickly thank God and Neil for being so cooperative and gracious. Man, I love you bro.
Now you'd think that I've learnt my lesson, right?
Well, I did learn my lesson that night, I forgotten altogether about it the following day.
2 weeks ago I had been assigned to lead discussion (not teaching) in our sub-d UDMM (meeting for all leaders in the group). Guess what, I realised I haven't done anything y'da night (sat night). So after dinner I decided to do it, prepare the discussion. Lo and behold, I realised I've left the discussion material at my workplace. So I thought for a moment that I would pick it up after I have dessert with my friends.
Ah... I'm getting tired, but let me continue.
After dessert at this tofu-fa (?) place in calamvale, I went to my friend's place to play poker. After poker I went back home straight away and sleep. I completely forgotten about going to office to get the discussion material. When I reached home, it was 2.30am. After a quick shower, I went to bed, set the alarm at 8.30am. I closed my eyes around just after 3am.
In the morning, panicking I won't have enough time to prepare, I quickly went to my office. The UDMM meeting was at 11am. When I reached my office, it was 10.15am. I went to my desk and prepared the discussion. 30mins later I finished the material. Went to meeting place at Eddy's place and led the discussion. Before I led the discussion I asked Him for help.
Again, He helped me out. After discussion finished we had an evaluation and everyone gave a such a good feedback and was encouraged by how I led the discussion. Oh man... it was such a relief. During the discussion I kept on asking God on how to lead the discussion. When to say the word, how to say it and what to say. I was so desperate for help.
Looking back, if it's not for His grace, mercy and love and help, I would've messed up my pnw and discussion leading. By saying all these, I'm actually telling you how ignorant and irresponsible I was in being a leader in His house. My main issue in here is my laziness, how I delayed doing 2 important things till the last minute.
Moral of the story is, do not procrastinate. Learn to be a good time manager. Time management is a skill and ability that must be developed by everyone. I thank God that nothing bad happened on Fri night pnw session and this morning discussion. I pray that I won't repeat the same mistake again. Last but not least, as I have mentioned, God is faithful and He's always there for us. It's comforting to know that He will never leave us nor forsake us. But we should not take it for granted. Thank you Lord for helping me out all these time, and thank you for your faithfulness. Help me to be faithful to you as well O God, in Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Thank you
I was checking my email just now, and noticed that I got an email from a friend whom I haven't seen for a while.
He updated me with what's going on in his life currently. ah.... after reading his email, I thank God for His faithfulness.
Hey bro, thank you for being so honest and truthful in your email. I'm truly happy to hear that God has brought you back to His path again. Also, let me apologise for not keeping in touch consistently. Frankly speaking I didn't pray for you everyday, only now and then when i remember you, ahahha... all I did was just resting your case before God and asking for His intervention. I know He is a faithful and wonderful God. So I praise Him for that.
Anyway, I miss you so much. Haven't seen you for ages, let me know when I can shout you bubble tea, hey.
:)
He updated me with what's going on in his life currently. ah.... after reading his email, I thank God for His faithfulness.
Hey bro, thank you for being so honest and truthful in your email. I'm truly happy to hear that God has brought you back to His path again. Also, let me apologise for not keeping in touch consistently. Frankly speaking I didn't pray for you everyday, only now and then when i remember you, ahahha... all I did was just resting your case before God and asking for His intervention. I know He is a faithful and wonderful God. So I praise Him for that.
Anyway, I miss you so much. Haven't seen you for ages, let me know when I can shout you bubble tea, hey.
:)
The Twins
It was Sunday afternoon.
I realised I haven't been cooking at home for quite some time. So I went out to Market Sq for grocery shopping. When I reached home, I was already so hungry and all I wanted at that time is just to eat.
While preparing the ingredients and all, I realised something very unusual. I got twins in my egg, and not only from 1 egg, but 2. ahahaha... The first time in my life to get twins, make them double, ehehhe...
I realised I haven't been cooking at home for quite some time. So I went out to Market Sq for grocery shopping. When I reached home, I was already so hungry and all I wanted at that time is just to eat.
While preparing the ingredients and all, I realised something very unusual. I got twins in my egg, and not only from 1 egg, but 2. ahahaha... The first time in my life to get twins, make them double, ehehhe...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The start
I've been thinking of changing my blog for quite some time, just didn't get the chance to do so. Now that I have a bit of time at home, after browsing so many people's blogs, I decided to use this site.
The main reason is because I couldn't post songs from youtube or other things while blogging. Second reason is, I'm afraid I can't tell you this, ahahha....
Alright, I'm still learning. So it'll take me months to tidy up this blog. Hope you have a great and colourful day.
The main reason is because I couldn't post songs from youtube or other things while blogging. Second reason is, I'm afraid I can't tell you this, ahahha....
Alright, I'm still learning. So it'll take me months to tidy up this blog. Hope you have a great and colourful day.
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