Archive for August, 2005
IT FELT GOOD to end my “mourning”. I was concerned that my teenage children were right when they remarked that I was getting addicted to blogging. So I did a 7 day “blog-fast “. I found I had to resist surprisingly persistent urges to yield to its pleasures. It kept knocking on the door of my desires. More than once I thought of abandoning the” fast”. But my dignity was involved as I had already told Josh and Matthew of my intention.With time though, the loud knocks weakened and faded and I was reassured of God’s grace in this area. I wonder though if I can last 2 weeks without blogging.( I will try it if Arsenal loses to Chelsea again!) I also wonder, if I had been into on-line gaming, would I be able to successfully resist its alluring pull? I think it is tough to be a teenage guy nowadays, with all these absorbing entertainment options.
IT IS NOT EASY to communicate to children, youth and adults all together in the main service but I thought Abe Sim did a creditable job of it . Now we will never forget the trick candles that would relit after being blown off! What an apt and neat illustration of death and eternal life. (We should keep a few boxes of those candles for funeral services.) And I must salute the boldness, creativity, and faithfulness of all the teachers and helpers, both past and present, for their work in the Lord who commanded us to, “Feed My lambs (young ones)”.
BUT SURELY THE HIGHEST ACCOLADE goes to Whose-son. In his sermon, Abe reminded us of the themes of the Gospel of John series chapter by chapter. Chapter 1, Jesus revealed as SON OF GOD. Amen. Chapter 2, Jesus revealed as SON OF MAN. All nodded. Chapter 3, what was Jesus revealed as? Adults scratch their heads. However a brave GNK boy quickly called out aloud “SON OF WOMAN!”. Everyone laughed out loud…. profound comic relief. There is hope for our education system. The younger ones are speaking up! Hope that whose-son did not get whacked by parents or teachers for not giving the model answer.He should have been given a present on the spot! ha ha.
August 29th, 2005
Jorris finished the new vision poster within the deadline and it looks real good and eye-catching. Happy faces depict “a Christ-centered community of joy”. Placed on the wall beside the entrance of the Cry Room it is visible to all who enter the sanctuary.(I only wish we had a bigger wall so it can’t be missed). Happy with end result.
This amazing and gutsy sister has also made specially-designed bookmarks to be given to those who attended the Foundations or Ministry Courses equipping series. There are 4 unique designs for each series. Wow!
She and her creative team of Euodia (an art teacher in trng), and Jane (a skilled painter and new Christian) will also be doing a set of four big canvas artworks to depict our 4 major infrastructural purposes: worship; reaching out; people development; fellowship. I am waiting in anticipation.
This is one of many delights of pastoring: to match people’s giftings with tasks at hand, and see them blossom, their potential developed, the church blessed, and their sense of well-being(joy) increased! O the joys of match-making!
ARSENAL LOST 0-1 TO LUCKY-AGAIN CHELSEA. THIS BLOGGER AND THIS WEB-BLOG IS IN MOURNING……….
August 22nd, 2005
Wonderful thing happened. Last week the posb account was real low and we had to transfer money from our savings, analysing how the money went so quickly. At the beach on Sunday we received a love offering from an anonymous giver! One moment we were scratching our head, and then this week we were rejoicing and praising the Lord. He is gracious, gracious, gracious!
One of the great keys God has provided to the Joshua generation to unlock the richness of life is faithful tithing i.e. giving 10% of your allowance or income to the Lord. It was never taught openly in church in my teenage years. I sort of picked it up reading books and interacting with church friends.
Tithing is actually God’s financial plan to prosper us and to enable the church to spread the Gospel message. He is God and doesn’t need our money but our acknowledgement that all we have is His, and our act of faith, puts us in a posture to receive His blessings.
I have tithed since I learned this principle at Pre Uni 1 and from small amounts in school, through National Service and my cadet teaching years and when I went into full-time ministry, got married and had children to this present day, I have found that God has fulfilled his promise to “POUR OUT SO MUCH BLESSING THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE ROOM ENOUGH FOR IT” (MAL 3.10).
All these 32 years, I have been so blessed and contented spiritually as well as relationally and materially. I have come to personally experience God’s love, faithfulness, tender kindness and attention.
August 18th, 2005
20 were baptised on Sunday. Wonderful weather, picnic and baptism. Mark Cheong baptised others for the first time: a sign that we are empowering others to do the work of ministry.
Visited mum. She talked about the workers painting the block; that it is crowded outside; that she goes to church and back and otherwise feels lost.
She said: Your hair is curly. I replied, I’m your son. Hair same as yours. She asked, Where do you live? Jurong East, ten minutes away. Never been there.(She’s been there many times.) How many children do you have? Three.
It is becoming too painful to see my mum this way, just a shell of the person she was. Dementia . Felt tears in my eyes. I left shortly. Couldn’t bear to stay longer.
August 15th, 2005
JASMINE LAU HAS THIS GREAT IDEA OF STARTING A WRPF BLOGRING. IT WILL GIVE US IDENTITY AS WELL AS A CONVENIENT DIRECTORY TO ALL XANGIANS WHO WANT TO BE OPEN AND GET TO KNOW AND PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER.
TO JOIN WRPF BLOGVILLE: 1. CLICK ON “WRPF” ON THE LEFT HAND COLUMN OF MY OR SOMEBODY’S WEBLOG.  2. LOOK FOR “JOIN THIS BLOGRING” AND CLICK. 3. “WRPF” WILL THEN APPEAR ON YOUR WEBLOG. 4. CLICK THAT IN FUTURE AND YOU HAVE A DIRECTORY OF SORTS. (These notes are for computer illiterates, like this old man.)
JABEZ is asking for a ” blogring” for blogspot church members who want to be part of an affirming, encouraging and praying blog community.Great idea. ( I do wish xanga executives decide to not keep xanga “exclusive”. Perhaps its their growth strategy or they cannot afford the additional technical requirements.Just does not make sense to me.) Anyway can someone in blogspot land come up with something?
Maybe do what Wei yang did? I don’t know how he did it…..He is in xanga blogring “wrpf blogville” but his real website is in blogspot.When you click his blogspot address on show at wrpf blogville, it brings you straight to his blogspot website. Neat idea, huh? Take a look.
August 13th, 2005
WRPF BLOGVILLEÂ population is growing:
1. Edwin & Lydia(Jabez’s n Daphne’s parents): “xanga.com/tansinus”
2. Cheryl Toh: “oneway–jesus.blogspot.com”
3. Thomas Tan changed from blogspot to xanga when he realized he wasn’t young anymore. so new addr.:” xanga.com/ stillpressingon”. (Joel Mo please update your very important directory).
4. To get to most folks, esp.us xanga folks who( like Samaritans relations with Jews) have no links with blogspot squatters: go to “herochan.blogspot.com” address of Joel Mo. (believe me he is not paying me; he is only letting me touch some drumsticks he got from a Hillsongs drummer).
5. Joanne Tay:” the martian.blogspot.com.”.
6. Ced & Christina Yeo: “xanga.com/psychoramble” and “xanga.com/StretchedOnGrace”.
7. Stephen Tay at”xanga.com/sbmtay”
8. Jasmin lau(?) wee li’s friend in Boston -”maomi79.blogspot.com”
VISIT &WELCOME THEM.
FUTURE INHABITANTSÂ Simeon Siau, Salome Wong,Mark Cheong (president), Wai Tuck (vice), Eden (gardenofeden is nice blog name)…ha ha
August 11th, 2005
Just imagine being at Bukit Timah Hill at 7.30 am on National Day. With me were three other fools. My wife, trusty n helpful Daniel Chew, and adventurous Joanna Loh. Waited for some kinabalu friends, n then we climbed. Found this better than my usual 3.30pm climbs. Cooler n fresher air.Feels shiok. Ought to make it every saturday morning.
Asked Daniel Chew if he can help me train youths for March 2006 Mt Ophir youth adventure. Good for bonding n leadership development. How to learn leadership in the class or by textbook? Youths require exposure to cell leadership, missions, projects, ministry, etc. And outdoor adventure is a good training model of leadership principles . Boy Scouts, ccas, outward bound, ODAC all recognize this . The church as usual is slow to see this. Anyway Daniel did not respond immediately. Getting smarter! ha ha. Praying n looking for adventurous n game hlepers, fools for Christ. Since I have never climbed Ophir before, I need others who can help me prepare the climbers.
Arsenal lost to Chelsea. No mood to celebrate nation’s birthday. Lazy afternoon nap. The Singapore i want? Go and read my previous ramblings.
Merdeka! Merdeka!
August 9th, 2005
On Saturday i met with the worship people’s Who’s Who at my place together with the Hillsong conferees. Great sharing and visioning and energizing time. I felt we are at the beginning of a long climb up the “mountain of the Lord”. We have a clarified vision and direction and renewed team: good signs of steady transformation n future!
Found another new blogger’s landing site. Joanne Tay landed secretly at “themartian.blogspot.com” . we welcome her to wrpf blogsville. please bombard this alien before she does harm to our island.
Sat through Good News Kids from beginning to end, including the pastoral with Nick’s group, and the evaluation. Where do these veteran’s get their sense of call and energy and stamina from? It’s really amazing. One of the seven wonders of wrpf!!
August 8th, 2005
I have 2 aspirins in my wallet for emergency use in case of a heart attack. When i heard Wai Tuck had an “attack”, i prayed for him…… and then i checked my wallet. Not that i don’t believe God. With high blood pressure, kidney infection and cholesterol problems…it is my responsibility to my family to take a little precaution besides exercise. It is me i don’t trust. Life is in God’s hands and while we plan for the future in dependence on God, we should be ready for any eventuality including death. My counselling lecturer Anthony Yeo, told us “IF YOU ARE NOT READY TO FACE DEATH, YOU ARE NOT READY TO LIVE”. …..something like that. Find it to be true.
August 7th, 2005
I blog only twice a week: Mondays and Thursdays. Thats official n intentional. But unofficially…i must admit every now n then, like Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday n Sunday …..i also stroll wrpf blogovillage. This must be “fever”. I wonder how long this fever will run? Can experienced bloggers n doctors out there tell me how long before my temperature returns to normal?
Today i spoke to the 20 strong church staff of St John-St Margarets. Envy them . Soon they’ll be moving to a new 1000 seater. They are excited but exhausted. Appropriately i spoke about “abiding in the vine”. I felt good. When i received an offering of $50 i felt even gooder . ha ha. Then i met with Alvin my mentee n showed him how to read with varying speeds for greater effectiveness. Survival skills for bible school! Law 1: don’t read everything they require you to!
August 4th, 2005
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