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I was in the showers (haha...) when the prompting came for me to officially get a set of working attire for myself.

For the past months I've been surviving on just two pairs of pants and two shirts, which I alternate between days... and a pair of shoes that's wearing out soon. For that, I think I'm easily identifiable in school since I'm practically wearing the same colour combination all the time... Haha.

Point is... it never came across to me that I should spend on a new set, not that I'm going to wear them for long. So for this prompting to come... well.

Let's see how it goes bah.

Off to work... staff meeting, here I come!

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Didn't know why... but I decided to sleep early the night before, hoping to wake up early to do my readings and begin work earlier for a start.

Had a dream so clear I really hope it's true. I dreamt of my mom walking fast on her feet and talking to me, and I was caught so off guard... and when reality set in I went around praising God and testifying... :)

Woke up early and did my readings... but it's one of those days when you feel that you've woken up from the wrong side of the bed. Incongruence set in... well. Did some work and then went for a jog.

I couldn't bring myself to pray for others throughout the journey. There were a lot of "me" prayers but they were all essential... just as what I'd read the day before, it's not a matter of "if" God will heal. I had to constantly pray that He'll help me in my unbelief... not just for mom, dad or sis... or anyone else... but also for myself.

Then a song kept ringing in the ear... to remind me to simply live... to live simply:

Say the word and I will sing for You
Over oceans deep, I will follow
If each star was a song
And every breath of wind, praise
It would still fail by far to say
All my heart contains
I simply live, I simply live for You

As the glory of Your presence
Now fills this place
In worship, we will meet You face to face
There is nothing in this world
To which You can be compared
Glory on glory, praise upon praise
You bind the broken hearted
And save all my tears
By Your word, You set the captives free
There is nothing in this world
That You cannot do
I simply live, I simply live for You

Yeah. Was preparing to go to school for a project meeting before meeting Char when my student messaged me to cancel the meeting. That led to some change of plans for the rest of the day... which I'm really thankful for.

But first.

I'm asked to give an update on the competition which I'm coordinating and coaching students for in school tomorrow at the staff meeting. There're approximately 46 more days to the competition deadline... and I wouldn't say that it has been an entirely enjoyable time coaching all the teams. Somehow I just didn't sense the same kind of enthusiasm that I had when I was a student participant many years ago... when coaches then took a pretty much back seat and the student participants were the ones driving the team forward.

Perhaps it's because this is the first year the competition kind of got picked up in the school again... well. There's this excessive concern over points - whether if they would get certain points crucial to their promotion if they just participate, even though they may not win. Then we see a hoard of students spreading themselves thin - participating in a million and one activities not so much for the passion or enthusiasm, but just so that they would chalk up enough points.

I don't wish to coach students who're entirely capable of making it on their own. I just wish that I'll be able to coach those who're genuinely interested, motivated and passionate to learn the ropes, where I can truly "pass it on" - the experiences and all. But all I'm getting is lukewarm participation for now.

Should He wills me to stay on for the following year... really hope that He'll draw in the crowd.

Having said all that, I must acknowledge that there are students who're really trying their best... and I'm thankful for that.

:)

With the meeting cancelled, Char and I decided to do a cook-in for dinner - decided to try out Markudesu's recipe he posted just the day before or so for japanese garlic fried rice. She brought the ingredients to my place - we did some marinating before leaving for Ikea - our original plan. Yes the heavenly meatballs... it was in the midst of eating them that I realised that I haven't had it for years... Haha.

Then we got home and did the preparations... which took one hour! Thank God it ended well... the aftermath which can be found here. :)

Caught the Arena match between HCI and RI... it was really a good one. David gave good rebuttals and put forth his points well... no surprise that he was complimented alongside the third speaker from RI in the end. That brother... we actually only met up twice - once when he actually had the time to check out WEB on a saturday afternoon... and once after an 8am service when I turned around and saw him at the seat behind me. For a 16 year old (15 then) to be attending such an early service by himself and that he lives pretty far from church... it speaks volume, kinda, don't you think so? Am just mindful that the lack of meaningful fellowship may mean the lack of encouragement to press on in this walk... but lest I forget, that He is the one who ultimately gives us the endurance and encouragement (Rom 15:5).

Raffles Institution won the match in the end... but (don't read if you can't stand spoilers!!!! Hahaha...) that's not the end for Hwa Chong Institution. In fact... hur hur hur... watch on if you want to know. :P

Alright... it's late. Time for bed. I'm just thankful that in the end... Pa is good... and His love endures forever and ever.

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"They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"

He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly." - Mark 8:22-25

I want to be one of the some people to them.

Can't help but wonder if there were such some people to me when I was blind.

I have to confess that intercession is oft one of the things I really ought to do but I often don't find myself doing as much as I will like to.

He'll take them by their hands... He'll heal... He'll open eyes.

That I be reminded to bring... and beg.

(dinner with 7)

I hope I can be both a leader, brother and friend. :)

Oops. Cannot use "both". Argh. Haha...

I think it's true that time's needed for people to open up to one another... but it's also true that sometimes something more is needed than just time. Some people don't really spend a lot of time together and yet know each other like long-time friends... Personalities play a part too; same past experiences, journeys... sometimes you don't really know what makes a relationship / friendship tick.

For all those relationships that tick-ed, I give thanks. :)

How Jesus can be Lord, King, Servant and Friend... I guess that's the reason why we can always stand amazed. :)

(might not be original... but yeah)

It's not about putting God in the centre of all we do, but letting Him be the centre from which we do all things... so that there may be no option of leaving Him out of anything that we can ever do.

(classic sms exchange)

sis: I'm waiting for the liang cha (herbal tea) and hair shampoo. I wanna bathe.
me: Huh. I was back for the past two hours lei...

Then she walked into my room and found me there.

WAHAHAHAHA... I didn't see her when I got back. She didn't see me either. Hahaha...

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Thankful that so many of them can make it... :) When God gave me that verse a few years ago, the only thing that struck me was the promise to grow, that it's a "when" and not an "if". Today, as TMS concludes its five year run as a group in the WEB youth ministry and as the guys prepare to enter into their newly streamlined groups, it struck me that I've been missing out on the second part.

It takes faith to believe that each seed has been sown... and the eventual result would be that of growing into a tree, the largest of garden plants, for birds to perch on its branches.

From those who sticked with the group throughout to those who just came not long ago... and those who came briefly and left shortly after... and even those who just did a touch and go... I'll take it in my stride that this promise shall come to pass for each and every one of them.

And so... I've just given myself something to look forward to in the future. :)

That each will grow to serve in whatever capacity that He's called them to. I'm not joking when there's surpassing unbelief in me as I think of various individuals... but yet, that's what faith is all about ya? Haha...

Let's see how the first reunion goes next year. :P

Love you guys.

:)

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Really good reminders from Oswald Chambers.

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Okay okay... after gazillion years and months... I've finally succumbed and fallen prey to multiply.com. Haha... I know this sounds stupid, but I really just realised that they offer unlimited space for vidoes, music and photos. And it allows cross-posting to livejournal as well... so... might as well! Hahaha... Apologies to those at multiply.com who saw a sudden influx of entries from yours truly! Sorry sorry!!!

Now I'm just wondering if it'll really take my entire photo collection that dates all the way back to 2000. WHAT IF MULTIPLY STARTS CHARGING?!?! Hahaha... but yeah. It's a good place for people who know me personally to keep in contact... So if you know me, why not hop by and get yourself an account there as well? :)

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Think I'll find some time to organise my photo albums... Haha.

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I have to confess... that I'm lagging in my daily readings.

Had a long day today... but even in my feeble attempts to read, He's put a stark reminder in me... that all's done so that I can get back to Him... so that I can see His glory... so that I can know Him.

I'm a simple person... I don't like complications. All I want in this life is to know the God who loves me more each day despite my shortcomings and struggles... and encourage others along the way in this journey. All I want in this life is to serve the God who gave Himself for me... to know that it's worth every single bit.

Thankful for the day spent with loved ones... and all the more thankful that we're all in this eternal journey together. Sometimes it just hurts so much when I'm with friends yet saved... not knowing if the time will ever come for them to really understand the implications beyond just different worldviews and sets of thinking.

Faith... and trust.

Religions exist because of man's pursuit of self fulfillment. If you take a step back and look deeper, you will realise that all religions when peeled to the core reveals pretty selfish desires.

That a smooth life shall be betowed... wealth... health... or that the wrath of god or bad luck will not be upon the individual.

And sadly, there are many religious Christians around, too.

Having that intimate personal relationship with God changes everything. Perspective changes... and as we walk towards Christlikeness, we will begin to see with eyes not of our own. Love takes on a new meaning... for one. Prayer becomes demechanized, praise and worship becomes from the heart, service and discipleship becomes a want, servanthood becomes natural.

I've been holding back on the songs for the 10 March service in which I will be leading worship... had them in mind but my mind wasn't very much settled... now I know why. I was to wait till this day for this song to resurface in my life once again.

Now I understand why Char said she banned herself from hearing this song a year ago because it was too "sentimental" and it made her cry... Haha. I've never had this kind of experience for a really long time... and prior to writing this entry I had it. Right in my own room. Simply because the words spoke like they'll come right off my mouth. And it sums up the third paragraph of this entry, exactly the way I would have wanted to.

I can never be perfect this side of eternity... but the day I will be made complete. And till that day comes...

...by faith I will walk on Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day
I will be complete in You...

Thank You... thank You... thank You.

COMPLETE
by Parachute Band

Here I am, Oh God
I bring this sacrifice
My open heart, I offer up my life
I look to You, Lord
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you Lord
In your strength will I break through Lord
Touch me now, let your love fall down on me
I know your love dispels all my fears
Through the storm I will hold on Lord
And by faith I will walk on Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day
And I will be complete in You

Here I am, Oh God
I bring this sacrifice
My open heart, I offer up my life
I look to You, Lord
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you Lord
In your strength will I break through Lord
Touch me now, let your love fall down on me
I know your love dispels all my fears
Through the storm I will hold on Lord
And by faith I will walk on Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day
And I will be complete in You

I look to You, Lord
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you Lord
In your strength will I break through Lord
Touch me now, let your love fall down on me
I know your love dispels all my fears
Through the storm I will hold on Lord
And by faith I will walk on Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day
And I will be complete in
I will be complete in
I will be complete in You

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A visit to the shower can yield wondrous results. Haha... seriously. Sometimes when the tune comes, it comes. Then comes the lyrics... somehow.

It contains little draps of words from one of my favourite songs and my favourite psalm... and it's borned out of a burden for two people. So in a sense, yeah, it's written for the two of them. One of them is extremely close to my heart... (:)), and another, a young brother in Christ whom I've never met or corresponded with before. Did quite a bit of blog hopping the past weeks and somehow came to his... perhaps we'll never get to meet in person (who knows, we might have walked past each other countless times for all I know... haha), but for as long as He allows me to keep updated with his blog, it'll be a privilege to witness his growth along the way.

So... yeah. And to whomever this song speaks to... it's His gift to you too. :)

YOU'RE FAITHFUL, LORD

Jesus
You've searched me
You know what I'm going through
You see deep inside of me
The torn and tattered parts

Teach me to trust
In all my circumstances
That Lord, You know what's best
You hold the future
In Your sovereign hand
In You I can depend

You're faithful Lord
You're faithful Lord
You see me through the seasons
Through it all
And though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death
I'll fear no evil
For You are with me

You're faithful Lord
You're faithful Lord
You carry me through times
When I can't see
When all else seems to fail me
I will pray and be still
And feel the hand
That's holding onto mine

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The more substantial post will come after a good shower and dinner after a good workout... which has been done. Hurl hurl hurl...

"A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." - Proverbs 10:4

These past two days have proved to be the epitome of my slackishness and sluggishness... not that nothing has been done, it's just a general feeling that I could have better used the time to do more productive things.

Anyways. As stated, this is going to be a totally random post.

I think I am guilty of this... that sometimes I just give people monosyllabic replies on msn. Not that I don't want to chat... but sometimes I just don't know what to type... or rather there is nothing on my side to keep the conversation going... and they're mostly people whom I don't really know.

It's a different story when I'm on the receiving end and the other party is someone who matters... Haha oh well. Hopefully things will change in time to come.

Sometimes I wonder what'll happen if my sister didn't contract leukemia seven years ago... what'll happen if my grandma's still alive... what'll happen if my mom didn't have a brain haemorrhage that led to her half paralysis now... will I be who I am right now? Perhaps I wouldn't have known God... or would He be sovereign and gracious to allow me to know Him in the course of growing up still? Would I have clamped myself up in my fixated thinking and reject Christianity should He be gracious to send people to share Christ with me?

I know it's definitely going to be a totally different path for me... there were many things for me to unlearn from my past before I became a Christian... or rather, there ARE many things still. Certain things may forever be a snare and a thorn in my life... but I know that if it wasn't for Him, I may have gone unto a path of no return.

Perhaps that is why I keep on saying that I've seen and I've tasted... because I truly did. :)

Reading my pre-Christian posts in 1999 can give a little insight to the changes I guess. Haha... too bad I lost my 2000 entries. SIGH. Hahaha...

Okay. All the sweat's more or less dried up (can you feel the stench tonight...). Time for shower!!

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好久没有以中文写entry了...哈哈。可不是应为今天是大年初一我才以中文书写一番...心血来潮吧。:)

不知怎么的，今天突然想重温一些旧梦，就把艘藏着美好回忆的蓝色宝盒从橱柜里搜了出来。这盒子里装满着多年累积的贺卡及小礼物...刚才花了不少时间“整理”一番，才发现其实我是多么的受爱戴的。也许我以前真的不懂得怎么去珍惜真挚的友谊...或许我的内向成为我跟他人沟通的障碍。Well.

有些朋友年复一年风雨不改的寄圣诞卡给我...我却毫不回应。庆幸的是我们还保持着联络...哈哈。Reading through the cards again really brought back a lot of memories. I wouldn't consider myself to be really close to any of my secondary school classmates... so I was really touched beyond words when a bunch of them whom saw me as their friend decided to spring a surprise on me on my 18th birthday at Coronation's Cosy Corner. It was our J2 year and we were all in different classes... Haha.

还有一位仁兄，中四那年做他的 sitting partner 做足一年。我们不是说很close... 我们毕竟属于不同的clique。But as he says in a christmas card, "there is this special bond between us". 友谊有些时候真的是很难理解吧...哈哈。

其实我这些年来根本都没忘记过你们...听起来可能很愚笨，但有些时候觉得见面了又不知道能说些什么。

Sometimes I do wonder if you guys actually reminisce the past... if you actually wonder if your friends remember you.

回想起来...才发现华岗的日子其实令人回味无穷。

我真不会好好珍惜...

但希望还来得及吧。

也许我话曾未多...但只想说声真心的感谢。虽然我还是不知道以后见面时能说些什么...但我真的希望我们能有更多见面的机会。

保重。:)

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Just came back from service... Gonna rest a while before walking over to uncle's place for visitation before coming back for lunch.

sanc-ti-fy –verb (used with object), -fied, -fy·ing.

1. to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.
2. to purify or free from sin: Sanctify your hearts.
3. to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding: to sanctify a vow.
4. to entitle to reverence or respect.
5. to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.

I'm reminded that sanctification is a process... and it's a journey.

I'm reminded that the reason why we ought to take a proactive stance towards sancitification not that we will avoid God's wrath in the midst of doing so... but that we may draw closer to Him who loves us.

God is Holy (set apart). No two ways about that.

Grace is the only reason why we can come before Him in this intimate and personal relationship. He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die in our place so that when it is said that "His blood has cleansed us of our sins", it basically means that through this sacrifice, we're able to come before God with Jesus before us.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." - Hebrews 4:14-16

May this grace be upon you this festive season. :)

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It's the year of the OINK OINK!!

Haha... It's been a memorable chinese new year eve. First time having family reunion dinner at xiao jiu (youngest uncle)'s place at woodlands... I suppose they had it planned this way so that they could bring mom to Lighthouse Evangelism's miracle service after that.

I have to confess that I had my reservations with regards to bringing mom to miracle services... was quite heavy hearted to the extent that I had to text some people to ask for prayers. Received a reply to remind me to be open to God's work with regards to healing, be it spiritual, physical or mental. The service went well... It's my second time hearing Ps Rony Tan ever since "Christmas at the Stadium" a few years ago... mom was prayed for.

Not that she could suddenly stand up and walk... or she could suddenly talk... but I believe that the peace of the Lord that surpasses all understanding gets filled in her once again. And yeah... was glad to be there. Thanks to the Gospelighters who prayed for us! :)

Then I did a chinese new year eve jog. Hahahahahaha... now that's memorable! :P

Alrights. Time to sleep for now... got to attend the earliest service and then prepare to go bai nian.

Oh oh... I'm mirroring my entries in livejournal from now on... so if you have an account there you can add me as a friend! ;)

BLESSED CHINESE NEW YEAR!!

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I remember that we started off in upper primary writing autograph books, filling in pages of our friends' ones with our profiles, our "favourites", our bronze, silver, gold friends, best of best friends... where we would use our names and write acronyms of exhortations... Haha oh my. Memories.

My Personal Data (Primary 4A)

Name: Galvin Sng, Minghui
Nickname: Penguin didi
Best F.: Jeremy Pan and Kevin
Best Girl Classmates: Lingling and Xueyun
Best Boy Classmates: Hongsheng and Guoxiang
Hobbies: Swimming, collecting bookmarks and wrappers
F.F: Fishburger
F.D: Orange Crush
F.T: Miss Wee, Miss Lee, Mr Yong, Mrs Tan, Mrs Goh and Mdm Kok

Haha... that's fifteen years ago... GOSH. As I wrote the first paragraph I remembered I had my two autograph books nicely kept in one of my drawers... one started in primary school and one in secondary school (hahah yah! Chinese High boys can be sentimental one okay...) which lasted to the end of my junior college days.

Thing is... I've lost contact with so many of them. I remember an acronym so-oft quoted: FRANCE - Friendship Remains And Never Can End. It's funny how we write such things when we're young without realising the commitment that we have to put into any relationship.

Thankful for all whom we manage to keep in contact all this while... perhaps that's why 99S31 to me is still a special bunch... along with some of the guys from 4D'98. Though I never was especially close with anyone in class, I'm thankful to know that there's still a bunch out there. :)

And of course, all the brothers and sisters that I met along the way in this journey... the days spent in the early days as the Living Stones... they're the days I find most memorable still, crashing people's houses, baking cakes, visiting chinatown during the cny period, the retreats... Haha.

When all else's stripped away... there's only one thing I can say.

Thank You my best friend.

For being always there for me even when I didn't know You.

For being always there for me when I know You and when I didn't acknowledge You.

For being always there for me even when I fall, when I so defiantly ran away.

For being so committed to me even when I feel that everything's crashing in.

For dying for me.

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

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I know I'm a weird person.

Haha...

But yeah. Just finished a session with DG2... and most probably the last session in light of all the changes happening. Don't know if it's proper closure to them... well. We went through the chapter on spiritual warfare... and I'm reminded that at the end of the day, having donned on the spiritual armour of God, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shod with the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit - God's Word... I'm called to enter the arena down on my knees.

Because this battle is not of flesh and blood... and it belongs to God.

I look at them and I ask God... when will the sherpherding stop? As in... when will the time come when I can be assured that they've learnt to stand firm upon His foundations... when will the time come when I can really let go and know that they'll be actively seeking Him out?

It's really a journey of trust that God will stir hearts... that He's ever on the business of drawing people to Himself. And as for me... I'll just hold on to what has since been in my heart ever since I've heard of it... that is to aspire to inspire before I expire. Haha... which is so true, because no position lasts.

I searched my heart and asked for the greatest satisfaction I experienced apart from drawing near to God last year... and I'm brought back to a few places.

The starbucks at bukit panjang plaza... when I was blessed to be given the opporunity to share my heart with jj with regards to the gospel. The macs at serene centre... where he decided to receive Jesus into his life. The wooden tables at the back of the church, where yf made the decision to receive Jesus into his life... where I witnessed david, chris, zeb, pete and amos' growth through the weeks of dg...

I wonder how this year will be like? Haha... but I think I can sum it up in a way. To see youths coming into the wondrous knowledge of their Creator and as a result living out a victorious and wonderous life and passing it on... ah. Have I just conjured a personal mission statement for myself? Haha...

May God's love for us becomes a reality in our hearts.

(half an hour later...)

Heavy rain. Aunt stuck at market. Took bus and brought umbrella for her. Took bus back. Saw a couple of them on the bus.

Hur hur hur.

Ah. So much so for instantaneous affirmation and reminder.

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One must be loved... to love.

One must be impacted... to impact.

One must believe... to live.

When one lives in the light of eternity with God, perspectives and goals will change.

No God...? Know God.

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SPRING CLEANING OF MY ROOM!!!!!!!!

Haha... meeting some of my new WEBBERs (youth peer leaders) in the evening for a time of fellowship, sharing and visioneering... looking forward to it. :)

Then after that... hohoho.

Everytime I do a spring cleaning I'm reminded of my favourite song.

Not just the surface this time round... but clearing up the clutter stuffed here and there. But this means that I'll most probably not have much sleep tonight. :|

For those of you prayer warriors out there who keep me in prayer from time to time, do pray that I'll continue to let His light shine and guide me in this personal walk... want to affirm you that they really matter. Thanks! :)

Alright. Off for work!

Take, me, make me
All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking

Take me, make me
All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking

- Welcome Home by Shaun Grooves

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There are just too many things... experiences... emotions... that I can't simply attribute to chance. In every sense of the invitation in Psalm 34:8 - "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him..." I've tasted... and I've seen... that He is good.

It's been some time since I've parked myself at Capitol's Starbucks. Had a nice two hours sipping my grande tazo earl grey tea and doing the day's readings. And once again it hits me... to know that God's desire to reconcile us back to Himself motivates Him to lay the path before us and drive out all forms of obstructions and roadblocks there may be to bring us back to Him all the way from the Old Testament... to the culminating point of sending His only begotten son to die on the cross to atone for our sins once and for all. Mmmm... perhaps it'll be clearer when I post the later idt reflections in time to come. :)

Lesson this evening was on anger management... and before the lesson ended, we were shown this video... and really, after watching this video, it puts many people who are angry with life to shame... and above that, it shows the heart of a man who knows that all things work for the good for those who love God... and are called to His purpose.

Sometimes blessings don't come in the way we humans understand.

And the greatest blessing... is the reconciliation between man and God.

Visit www.lifewithoutlimbs.org to know more about Nick Vujicic.

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Who God Is...

1. Exodus 32:7-14: God listens to and answers prayers of intercession. "And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people." I'm reminded that Jesus is seated on the right hand engaging in constant intercession for me. This passage also reminds me of how Abraham pleaded with God with regards to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah... how it makes a difference, that God does listen. He is God of mercy.

   Application: 2 Chronicles 7:14. Although I know that nothing much can be done with them whom I do not know well and most probably will not get a chance to reach out to them unless He wills, I know I can stand in the gap and intercede on their behalf, that His grace and mercy shall fall upon them, that they'll come to know Him in His timing. I do wonder... if there were people interceding for me and my family way before we entered the Kingdom. Haha...



2. Psalm 33:6-9: He is God the Creator. "For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm." As we look around, it is really easy to forget that every plant, tree, animal, landscape, etc... is His work.

   Application: I must learn to open my eyes and look at my surroundings... and give thanks.

How We Ought To Live The Christian Life

1. Exodus 32:1-6: Do not live a self-gratified Christianity / Christian life. The Israelites acknowledge the presence of a higher being, but they were more concerned that their "gods... go before us..." "And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." And it still happens today, that many do not engage in the life-transforming personal relationship one can have with God but merely see Him as a God who blesses and answers prayers of desires. The "what's in it for me" attitude is still very much alive today.

   Application: Matthew 6:33. It is so easy for me to be engaged in ministry, attend church, be involved in relationships for personal desires... and I'm reminded and challenged to seek Him first in all things and wait upon Him, even if nothing seems to be happening.



2. Exodus 33:13-17: "Please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight" "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here..." We can only worship in a manner pleasing to the Lord as we know Him better through His Word. Also, in all the things we do, we have to see Him going before us and that He is with us.

   Application: I am called to wait upon Him, know Him better, and move as He moves.

What God Has Done / Will Do (Promises)

1. Psalm 33:11: "The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations." It is a promise that His will and plans will definitely come to pass... not my will but His be done.

   Application: I can have many plans... and even in my inability to discern which are of Him, I am assured that ultimately His plans will stand... and that His glory will fall. All I ask is the ability to wait and discern, so that I touch His heart, and that I may know Him better.

Main Deposit For The Day

Intercede on their behalf.

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I'm having evening lessons tomorrow... so we had to bring it forward to today. Haha... but first.

Met up with MouseyKel for a lunch to catch up... didn't have time to do so ever since he returned from his China attachment some weeks ago... glad to finally do so. We ate at a place full of fond memories for me... a place where flogs of beige uniformed students congregate for comfy meals... a place where I last ate at about seven years ago... Haha. The lemon chicken rice still tastes the same! :)

It's been a journey seeing this boy grow through those tumultuous years and out of adolesence this year. Haha... so, no more boy le, young man! Haha... he's someone who's taken the brunt of my untested and unpolished shepherding in the past... and I must say, after so many years and reflecting upon the good and the bad times, I'm thankful that He's kept our friendship in tact. He's grown so much!!! Hur hur hur...

Press on in this journey brother. ;)

Project meeting this afternoon was a little different... it turned out to be a really impromptu meeting with me standing at the entrance of their class. These boys... headache ah. Haha... but it's interesting how I grew to be a little closer to the guys in this class as compared to the rest which I took for a period of time last year. :) Some of them tried to be cheeky and asked about Valentine's Day and ang baos for Chinese New Year... I told them to wait till they're J1. Haha...

But really. Hopefully when the time comes, they'll still remember this teacher they used to have... and that they'll turn up. Heh.

Proceeded to town to meet up with Matty first... first year ordering a bouquet from him. :) He painstakingly arranged every single stalk of the purpose rose and have them wrapped up in nice purple paper... Thank you so much brother!! We took LOADS of photos!!! Haha... really, the few of you are really God's gift of friendship to me!! :)

Met up with Char at PS after that. Didn't dare to reveal the bouquet... so carried the huge ikea plastic bag everywhere we went. :| She was there to collect her handphone sent for repairs... was on the way down to the service centre when we walked past Couple Lab, a pushcart stall selling couple rings, and saw a bunch of the college boys there most probably doing last minute purchases. Sigh. We were joking that the significance of rings had just been further diminished... well. Hopefully they'll really understand the meaning of commitment... lest we see more heartbreaks. Mmm.

Took a bus to Esplanade for dinner... we lou yu sang!!! Haha... Then it was the usual walk around... then back home. Nothing really extraordinarily special about this day... for just as everyday should be Christmas, Good Friday or Easter day, remembering Jesus' birth, sacrifice and resurrection for us in our lives... everyday ought to be Valentine's day to us, not that we pamper ourselves more... and to all out there, singles or attached, that we may cherish the friendships we have in our lives each day... not only when birthdays come.

And it was a good reminder how this relationship was really "matchmaked" by God... that it really wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Him.

Teach me to continually point her towards You Lord... and likewise, allow me to listen to godly counsel as You lead her... that You'll use us for a purpose greater than ourselves.

Happy Valentine's / Friendship Day to all of you out there!

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Decided to reproduce parts of my written reflections here not knowing if they'll actually be used to speak into lives... but should they ever, it's for His glory and purpose.

Reflections are as such - I have to confess that I don't possess a mind that's entirely yielded to Christ and as such my thoughts can be incomplete and fallible. Still, I hope it will be of some sort of an encouragement to spur you on in your journey with Him.

That we may run and finish this race well. :)

Who God Is...

1. Exodus 30:17-38: God is HOLY, set apart. Like a piece of white paper, entirely spotless. It is not in His nature or attribute to withstand the tiniest speck of dust. Though instructions given were long and eleborated, I can see that God really desired His people to draw near to Him. It is not that He wants to make things difficult for His people... but that it is necessary so that they may draw near.

   Application: John 3:16. God knows that I cannot make it by myself to set myself apart and keep His commandments fully. He loves me so much that He gave His own Son - that I may draw near and know Him!! In trying to keeping the commandments and withstanding temptations, I must remember that the primary reason is drawing near!



2. Exodus 31:1-6: God gives us talents and gifts primarily for His usage.

   Application: Be it in encouragement, design, writing, songwriting... I must constantly be mindful of the exercising of these gifts for His Kingdom purposes. Thankful for the chat with Seby over MSN regarding some burdens He laid upon my heart... things are getting clearer as to how the gifts can be combined to work out something in that direction.

How We Ought To Live The Christian Life

1. Matthew 26:53-54: Live a life trusting that God knows best in all circumstances, that He is in total control of all situations... knowing that His will shall be done. "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?"

   Application: I will trust in His love, will and sovereignty... that even though the road ahead is uncertain, not knowing if Dori, dad and mom will ever be fully healed physically, not knowing if we'll be able to get by, not knowing if I ever will be fully healed, that the thorns in my life will be taken away... I will trust that God knows best. He gives and takes away... blessed be the name of the Lord.



2. Matthew 26:61-63: "But Jesus remained silent." In the midst of opposition and false testimonies, there is a place for us to keep silent, especially if we discern that hearts are hardened and that opposition comes as an outright "slamming". I wonder how Jesus felt as he looked at the two men bearing those false testimonies against him... knowing that it is also for them that he is dying.

   Application: See as He sees. Yesterday, I came across a young person's blog posting his opinion with regards to intelligent design. Am prompted to keep him in prayer... sensing God's deep compassion for him.

What God Has Done / Will Do (Promises)

1. Psalm 32:1: My transgression is forgiven... my sin is covered... I am blessed. I am blessed because He has provided me the way to draw near to Him - the pardon for iniquity and sin is but the means to draw near to Him, to be reconciled to a personal and intimate relationship with Him.

   Application: PLEASE LET ME NOT TAKE ALL THESE FOR GRANTED.

2. Psalm 32:8: God will be my path and guide. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

   Application: I must confess that sometimes I really hope that He'll speak forth clear instructions, step by step, to me with regards to the vision and burdens laid upon my heart. With so many possible directions to make, it is hard to discern and choose... but I will trust that His eye is upon me as I embark on this journey to do His will... and that He will constantly teach and instruct me by His Word (2 Timothy 3:16).

Main Deposit For The Day

See as God sees... Pray as God prays... Do as God says.

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I spent the night in the east yesterday.

It's really interesting and amazing how the Lord brings people together to encourage and edify one other.

This brother and I made a pact to catch up once every quarter of the year... we kind of missed this quarter's one by a bit due to our very busy schedules and he in the midst of his wedding preparations (woohooo ... hahaha)... but yeah, finally managed to catch up yesterday. :)

Broke the previous record and chatted five hours non stop. Haha... but then we broke it up and realised that we would only have conversed for about an hour plus per month... yes, we are from the same church but we rarely see each other... so other than the deliberate time spent catching up, we wouldn't have much opportunities for impromptus.

Even though it's only about an hour plus per month, those sharings and encouragements go a long, long way. Not a single moment was spent talking about personal problems per se... it just happens so that whenever we meet we are able to speak of what the Lord lays upon our hearts... burdens, ministry... and when we do talk about our own lives, everything's pretty much geared towards living in the light of His glory and grace.

Such brothers for you to bear your heart and soul... hard to find leh. Not that we actively sought each other out.

And to think that many years ago, we were that close to each other geographically every other day... he's one year my senior in the same high school. Hahahaha...

I'm challenged to write an article on Matthew 6:33:

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Because only through seeking Him first in all things... will all else fall into place.

As He leads bah. :)

Brudder... let's press on and spur one another towards love and good deeds! Hahaha... thanks for the breakfast!!

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Heavy hearted.

All of a sudden, many people's futures got thrown into the realm of uncertainty.

I guess it's true that you get affected when the people around you whom you care for aren't doing exactly well.

There were quite a few moments my heart sunk and eyes got on the verge of welling up as I hear of their results on the phone... and the thing is, there really wasn't much I could have done... words of comfort would have sounded too cliche. But yeah... guys... they'll be strong. Hehe. ;)

A joy shared amongst friends is a joy multiplied... a sorrow shared is a sorrow divided. Happened to experience both today... yeah. The greatest comfort is to know that He is in full control.

Take care... k?

:)

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Tried my best but still found it so hard to engage.

Perhaps some relationships are really meant to be just scratching the surface.

Or perhaps... more time is needed?

Hmmm. Ah well.

On another token... all the best to all getting back their "O" level results tomorrow!! Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding... in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight!

Yeah... It boils down to me trusting the Lord too.

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Every jog is a matter of trust.

Yeah... I know it's something unique to me... cause now a jog's not just a jog for me. Faith is as such I guess - there are so many things that given the present state and circumstances, it just seems so hard to look into the future to know that this person will grow in His likeness, that person will yield and grow in love with Jesus, they will come to know of this wonderful relationship... and even for myself... and that things will come to pass.

I ask myself how it'll be like if I consciously leave God out of my life's equation...

Then I realise... eh. Cannot imagine. Haha...

And it struck me that our kneecaps and in need of touching the floor more often.

That I may consciously make time and jog even more.

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

The LORD is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever."

- Psalm 28:7-9

"Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me."

- Psalm 31:3

There are so many times we can sing songs of praise and worship, meditation and hymns in vain...

Lead me.

HE LEADETH ME

Words: Jo­seph H. Gil­more, 1862.
Music: Wil­liam B. Brad­bu­ry, Gold­en Cen­ser (New York: 1864)

"As a young man who re­cent­ly had been grad­u­at­ed from Brown Un­i­ver­si­ty and New­ton The­o­lo­gic­al In­sti­tu­tion, I was sup­ply­ing for a cou­ple of Sun­days the pul­pit of the First Bap­tist Church in Phil­a­del­phia [Penn­syl­van­ia]. At the mid-week ser­vice, on the 26th of March, 1862, I set out to give the peo­ple an ex­po­si­tion of the Twen­ty-third Psalm, which I had giv­en be­fore on three or four oc­ca­sions, but this time I did not get fur­ther than the words "He Lead­eth Me." Those words took hold of me as they had ne­ver done be­fore, and I saw them in a sig­ni­fi­cance and won­drous beau­ty of which I had ne­ver dreamed.

It was the dark­est hour of the Ci­vil War. I did not re­fer to that fact—that is, I don’t think I did—but it may sub­con­sciou­sly have led me to real­ize that God’s lead­er­ship is the one sig­nif­i­cant fact in hu­man ex­per­i­ence, that it makes no dif­fer­ence how we are led, or whi­ther we are led, so long as we are sure God is lead­ing us.

At the close of the meet­ing a few of us in the par­lor of my host, good Dea­con Watt­son, kept on talk­ing about the thought which I had em­pha­sized; and then and there, on a blank page of the brief from which I had in­tend­ed to speak, I pen­ciled the hymn, talk­ing and writ­ing at the same time, then hand­ed it to my wife and thought no more about it. She sent it to The Watch­man and Re­flect­or, a pa­per pub­lished in Bos­ton, where it was first print­ed. I did not know un­til 1865 that my hymn had been set to mu­sic by Will­iam B. Brad­bu­ry. I went to Ro­ches­ter [New York] to preach as a can­di­date be­fore the Se­cond Bap­tist Church. Go­ing in­to their cha­pel on ar­riv­al in the ci­ty, I picked up a hymn­al to see what they were sing­ing, and opened it at my own hymn, "He Lead­eth Me.""

He leadeth me, O blessèd thought!
O words with heav'nly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where’er I be
Still 'tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still 'tis His hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since 'tis my God that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict'ry's won,
E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

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I've been taking long walks after my project group meetings in school the previous week to get to places where I can find the bus to take for my evening lesson... the first time round I walked from one end of the botanical gardens to the other end... Hahaha... then the other time I tried another route. Yeah. It's been some time since I've taken such long walks... reminds me of the time when I walked the area as a student donned in the beige uniform... there was a time I really wanted to try walking the highway back home... siao right. Haha...

And I wonder if this solitudinous activity is something that I willingly cultivated along the way. In fact, sometimes I still find it quite weird... how the noisest primary school boy in tuition turns out an introvert as an adult. I must admit that even after so many years I find it hard to totally accept the personality that keeps me away from making lots of friends... Hahaha... ah wells.

Sometimes I even wonder if that's the reason I'm able to spend so much time building up that relationship with Papa. Haha...

Held the design course for some of my students today. Not many came... but it wasn't that that I felt sad. Okay, sad isn't exactly the right word to use... it's just that it makes me question the way I teach whenever they can't grasp the things taught. Hopefully they'll think that it's just due to my incapability bah. Don't wish to see their efforts go to waste... yet not knowing what else I can do.

Melancholic thoughts... haha.

Did another long walk today after the course. Walked to serene centre where Char parked herself to do her readings... spent some time digging in to a mudpie and two scoops of ice cream (horlicks and pineapple tart - MUST TRY!!) at Island Creamery. Then we moved on from there, walked past the atas shophouses and walked down cluny road and into the cluny gate of botanical gardens.

It was a pretty long walk through the park and out of the tanglin gate and all the way to orchard road... and in the midst of it we engaged in pretty big talk. And as we were having pepper lunch for dinner (how ironic... haha. But it was good!), it dawned on me how blessed I am, that amidst all the uncertainties and circumstances, He's blessed me with such a wonderful girlfriend... but a friend above that. Two more months to a year... and I'm amazed at how He's led us through so much. It's really the case of without Him, I wouldn't be having her. All the transparent sharings of our lives, lifting of our expectations to Him, encouraging each other towards a deeper relationship with Him... thankful.

Just want to say... thank you. zhen de xing ku ni le... :')

This journey is long.

But I'm thankful that I'm walking with He who loves me and knows the way back home... that I can speak forth with certainty and confidence to know where I'll be at when I pass on from here. :) And thankful that in this journey I'm blessed to be walking with dear people who care... and I hope that I won't be too bad a brother and friend to others... till He calls me home.

You know what. It's my desire to be able to address every one of you whom I come across as brother... and sometimes I really don't know if the time will ever come for every single one of you... but I'll hope... and I'll pray. That somehow, someday, your heart will be touched... that somehow, someday, you will be reached out to and return to the relationship that you're originally intended to be in.

JOURNEY
by Corrinne May

It's a long long journey
Till I know where I'm supposed to be
It's a long long journey
And I don't know if I can believe
When shadows fall and block my eyes
I am lost and know that I must hide
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to You

Many days I've spent
Drifting on through empty shores
Wondering what's my purpose
Wondering how to make me strong

I know I will falter I know I will cry
I know You'll be standing by my side
It's a long long journey
And I need to be close to You

Sometimes it feels no one understands
I don't even know why
I do the things I do
When pride builds me up till I can't see my soul
Will You break down these walls and pull me through?

Cause It's a long long journey
Till I feel that I am worth the price
You paid for me on calvary
Beneath those stormy skies

When Satan mocks and friends turn to foes
It feel like everything is out to make me lose control
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to You
To You

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Was supposed to work out the plan and prepare the materials for the design course I'm holding for my project groups happening in about twelve hours' time... but He has His agenda.

If you ever pop by again... know that I'll be keeping you in prayers. ;)

Please please please please... let me wake up at seven in the morning to read and then do the preparations... or else I will M-A-T-I.

Hur hur hur.

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This letter can be downloaded in pdf format here. Please feel free to print it and pass it around.

GREATER LOVE

In this age where all things have to be either numbered according to the tangibles or dismissed as fluffy whimsicality, saying "God loves you" or "Jesus loves you" may most probably bring about a bout of laughter of dismissal at the very least... or an acknowledgement of concern at most.

Be truthful to yourself this Valentine's Day.

Have you not ever longed for love?

Think about the things keeping you sane in school... the lectures? Tutorials?

No man (or woman) is an island. We're all in need of company - some of us enter our senior years not knowing the challenges that lie ahead of us... then in come orientation. We suddenly feel that the world is a better place knowing that we're not really alone in this race. School begins to take on a different dimension other than the tones of work that loom ahead – you find yourself going out everyday, mixing with company whom you start to wish will last forever. Sometimes it's not even the things you talk about... sometimes it's just the company that makes you feel at home.

Then suddenly you find yourself hanging out more frequently with certain individuals... it could have been a calculated move after a certain attraction you feel for some, or it could genuinely happen naturally as you find yourself getting along really well with the person/s. You have found for yourself an outlet, a place for solace where you can open yourself up, speak your mind and know that you'll be heard and cared for.

You start to wonder if he or she's the one. All the better if he or she comes up to you and asks you out.

Infatuation happens. You find yourself having this tingly feel-good sensation every time you hang out with a particular someone. For the girl, he gives you a feeling of security and happiness and for the guy, you somehow can't get her looks off your mind... and you look forward to all the times she'll come pour her mind to you.

You have found your potential love... and suddenly those times spent build up to an official date... and then you found your hand holding his or hers, marking for yourself the start of a relationship.

At the back of your mind, you know that a relationship requires commitment... but somehow with all the things happening so fast, you find yourself unable to see beyond the present and hope to stay on cloud nine for as long as it lasts.

Then you start to know the person more and more and realized that there are quite a number of differences between the two of you. You begin to question if he or she is really the one for you in the first place... the worst case is when one of you decides to throw in the towel to the relationship. The times spent... the gifts given... the love... the heartbreaks... are they really necessary?

The gungho will say that at least I've tasted love.

Is that love in the first place?

You might have heard it from your friends, or you have read about it somewhere in books or the internet, or you can even be a believer... but somehow you've always dismissed the "concept" or thought that you are created to be in a really intimate love relationship with your Creator.

This Valentine's Day, I pray that He in His sovereignty will keep your heart tender even as you read this... and that He will allow you to really take a step back in your own life to ponder, make informed decisions and own them.

The Bible mentions that "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)" I have to confess that I take it for granted that the people around me know who Jesus Christ really is and what exactly He has done... do you?

You are created for a purpose... you are created for a relationship with God. The word "sin" may conjure up many different images in your mind... you may have heard of Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit, you may know the story of Jesus Christ inside out even, but somehow it just doesn't connect to you that God is relational and He's constantly reaching out to you.

That is one effect sin has on us. God is light (1 John 1:5) and we're in the darkness as a result of sin in our lives. This great divide prevents us from even understanding what it means to be in a relationship with God.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)"... and that includes myself. It doesn't seem as bad as it seems, but the Bible also writes that "the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)". We all know that death is a certainty, but do you know that it is not how it is originally intended to be?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)"

That is the promise God has given us in His Word. You will most probably know that Jesus Christ died on the cross... You may think that His death on the cross may not concern you... but as a matter of fact, He died for you. He paid the price of sin in our lives so that we may re-establish the relationship with Him and live this life on earth with purpose till we enter the other side of eternity.

History records that Jesus died and was buried in a roman tomb heavily guarded with roman guards. Nothing amazing about that. The amazing thing is that history also records that He came back to life three days after, triumphing over death.

Friend (if you'll allow me to call you that), I am not commissioned by any church or organization to write this piece of crap to satisfy quantitative growth of any kind. I write because He has laid in me a burden for people your age, an age where everything may be looking normal outside, but deep inside you are crying out loud for love and satisfying relationships.

I write as one who has tasted His love... and until you have personally tasted of that love, you may stand to disagree with whatever that's written here. Yes, I am currently attached with a wonderful girlfriend... and that in itself is a wonderful story carved from this love that God has given. God willing, it will be the greatest joy for me to be able to share this story with you in the future face to face.

His invitation for you to return to this relationship with Him is ever open. This Valentine's Day, will you consider receiving Jesus into your life and note the remarkable differences in the days to come?

You are only a prayer away. The Bible says that He's not only our God... but also our friend. There are no specific words to use in prayer - converse as you will to your best friend:

Dear God, thank you for your love that you have for me. There may be things I still cannot comprehend, but I am taking this step of faith to believe. I admit the wrongs that I've done in my life... and I thank you for what you have done for me on the cross for my sins. Teach me as I live this life afresh and attuned to you from this day forth. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

You may have picked this up somewhere... or a friend may have passed this to you. Do approach your friend whom you know is a Christian and talk to him or her... and if you have prayed to receive Jesus into your life, I'm sure your friend will be more than glad to share the joy with you. :)

Just in case any one of you will want to contact me, or if you want to verify that this letter's not written by a dodo or a robot or an intellectual retard (highly subjective... haha...), I can be contacted via email at galvin.sng@gmail.com.

God loves you. You can either laugh about it and dismiss it, or you can choose to believe and enter a journey you'll never regret.

I personally wished that I would have believed earlier.

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I've yet to do my homework for today.

Hahahahaha...

IDT (Intentional Discipleship Training) has been a great learning journey thus far, especially in the area of building discipline. I know I was wailing for Him to speak in my previous entry... in actual fact, He's been steadily revealing lar... it's a matter of discerning with wisdom as to the steps that I'll have to take in the days to come.

Even with the series of sermons over the past month, God's been using them to speak into the vision and plans that I must admit I'm at the stage of not wanting to really entertain. It's like it is potentially very exciting and yet the things required seem too gargantuan for now for me to imagine.

But one thing I know... it's that I'll definitely not be doing it alone. THAT... is a promise! Haha...

This week has its share of ups... downs... struggles... but of which, I'm just thankful that the Lord is faithful.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33

Whatever worries, desires, dreams, be it for Him or personal, are we able to cast all aside and seek Him wholeheartedly... and trust Him that He'll let all other pieces fall into place in our lives?

Are we able to choose to deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily... and follow Him (Luke 9:23)?

I asked Char this question on the way to town one day in the bus:

How do you become a nominal Christian?

She gave me an interesting answer.

Give me two weeks.

Haha... She went on to finish the answer, saying that she'll stop praying and reading the Bible.

This walk is a progressive walk... sometimes we think it's okay to stay stagnant. Lest we forget that we're climbing a mountain. Now... it makes much more sense to the word "backsliding" ya. :)

It takes discipline to keep up the consistency in doing quiet time, reading the Word, praying... till we reach a point when it truly becomes a daily bread that we can't do without... let's press on and keep on encouraging one another, alright? Press on! ;)

Okay... time to grab some groceries from the supermart, send 5 to the bus stop (he came by to finish his homework... hehe), come back to do homework... and then go for a joggie!!!!

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I don't dare to start planning anything concrete despite so many things happening...

A part of me will still rather take a back seat.

Am I asking too much for a clearer sign... a definite affirmation?

I need a clear direction... I need clear instructions... I need to know what I have to do first... next... and next.

Speak to me... speak to me.