B L O G P A S T O R

Matthew back

It was good to have the whole family together for dinner again. Matthew is back and has learned a lot from the Sisters of Mary. Elaine is entering into that stressful period in the Singaporean’s life called “O” level exams. Have to clear my leave before it is “LOST” anyway -can only carry 7 days over into the new year. Have to be Ahmad for a season.

Add comment October 31st, 2005

fire-fighting duties

Busy with fire-fighting duties in church……and getting info for church website designer. Just finished sermon for Chinese service tomorrow. Thank God the cute bunny was willing to hop (translate) on such short notice.

If you prayed, thanks, I managed to get a room at OMF bungalow in rainy December, holed up alone with God and a group of writers having their own writers’ workshop.

Add comment October 29th, 2005

anniversary service

I think it was wonderful for all the tribes to come together during the anniversary- the chinese, youth, children, deaf and the main service. It gave us a sense of being one rather than many disparate parts, and an added sense of excitement and gratitude for what God has done. Pastor Thomas Tan and his right hand creative director Karen Tan did a great job getting everything organized and pieced together like a quilted blanket.

I enjoyed the powerpoint presentation done by Cedric with its poignant accompanying music…. shed as much tears as the recent Jap and Korean dramas I have been watching. Nostalgia, gratitude, the feeling of “its worthwhile”, of seeing all the committed people of our history (the history makers).. ..I don’t know what else moved me…to tears. (This old man rarely shed tears!)

Next thing I enjoyed was the youth presentation. I thought they looked real cool. Its the way Marcus and Samuel stood and held the guitars, the way Lionel stood behind the keyboard, the way Nicholas played the bass, though I wished they allowed us to bring the full drum-set so the Joel Mo don’t look so naked. I am in no position to assess the standard of the music but it sounded good enough to me. Anyway, nowadays as long as they look stylo its okay lah! ha ha. And the worship leaders’ and singers’ passion for worship really showed. I felt like: “Wow, the Lord has indeed raised a new generation of leaders and worshippers……5 more years and they will make an even greater impact …and become history-makers like many of their parents.” I believe we become history-makers when over a longer stretch of time we make ourselves available for God to use us despite our weaknesses and fears. Hebrews 11 are full of examples of such history-makers! Pastor Mary and Mark Chua did well in developing them.

I liked my speech too which the Lord put in my heart. But my wife said I should have added: “I love the church because that is where I met my wife…” ha ha. Missed an opportunity to score points…haiz, F9 again.

I think we have giftedness and character for a 1000 members community , not that I am into the numbers game, but folks like Christina and even Sharon were confident and had the singing voice and poise to hold their own in the big crowd. It was so obvious to see that our ‘talent-capacity’ has outgrown our halls maximum ’seating capacity’.

But the greatest kudos go to all the history-makers of our past and present. Some of their faces were flashed on the big-screen. The par see buay chow (hokkien for beat to death also will stay loyal) members and leaders who have stayed committed for more than a decade, who made themselves available to serve the Lord and the church, especially the leaders and workers, of cells, ministries, and elders and intercessors. The Lord knows who they are. May their tribe increase amongst us!

Add comment October 24th, 2005

share a HDB church building

The possibility of forming a partnership with another church to bid, build and share a HDB premises is really an exciting prospect. Just imagine, two separate facilities in the same building and on the same site so that both can have prime space and time. And since at 14 million you can have one, half the cost means we can be in a HDB area with change of use for just 7 million - which is within the just approved budget! This was one of the possible paths mapped out by the church building committee. We need to ask the Lord to stir our hearts to believe and give generously and to guide us to a suitable partner and a suitable site. Please pray.

Next year in March I would like to bring youths up on an adventure trek to Mt Ophir (Gunong Ledang). I believe leadership lessons are best learned outside the classroom and on-the-job (in ministry). Leadership development is very much on Abe Sim’s and my heart, and mountain climbing can etch on trekkers minds the importance of goal setting, planning and preparation, perseverence, teamwork, etc.What I need are a few who have gone up there before to assist me in preparing the people. I think the cost is about $150-200. It will be fun. Anyone in blogville interested?

Add comment October 19th, 2005

what would Jesus blog?

Jasmine Lau our blogring leader directed my attention to a news article on “What would Jesus Blog?” Have a look at it; quite interesting.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/internet/10/17/god.blogging.ap/index.html

Add comment October 18th, 2005

humiliating defeat

Losing to West Bromwich Albion 2-1 was utterly humiliating. I thought Arsenal would be fourth by the end of the season but it looks like it could be worse.
Meanwhile Joshua is secretly smirking because the season is almost over for his Chelsea.

Add comment October 16th, 2005

personal retreat

Felt a need to take a five day personal retreat for prayer and seeking the Lord. Tried to go to cool and mountainous Cameron Highlands, OMF Bungalow, after the anniversary meetings but “no room was found in the inn” - not a single room! Not even for the weeks before and after. haiz (whatever this popular blog expression means!). Praying and knocking on other doors…..

Added a counter around this period.

Add comment October 13th, 2005

wrpf website

I feel excited planning the church website. We had a meeting with Barry Wong our webdesigner and all the staffmembers and Sam Leo. Sam Goh couldn’t come- school (he’s got his priorities right-on!). He showed us what the possibilities are and answeed a lot of questions. After lunch, Barry, Sam and I spent the whole afternoon in detailed planning. I am taking overall charge of this ( like chief editor) and Sam will be the website administator(the one with technical knowledge). Its fun for me because I see it as a faithful usage of the strengths God has given me, an extension of my preaching and teaching.. Life is a trust.! Have been praying for some time to modernise and get a new logo and this week I was planning and getting a draft of what our homepage will look like when an idea for the new church logo struck me. Hallelujah. I passed the idea to Sam and Jorris and asked them to design it graphically. Pray for them. What a fun week.

On Saturday the Holy Spirit just came and ministered to the people 20 odd who showed up for the Foundations Course “Wholeness in Christ”. Beng Choo was okay and Andrew was pretty anointed and Mary was in top form. Best of all, when the Spirit took over everyone was blessed! Looking forward to this Saturday when we will do deliverance and Holy Spirti baptism.

Add comment October 9th, 2005

matthew with Sisters of Mary

Last Thursday, my second son Matthew went to spend a month with the Sisterhood of Mary in Camden, off Sydney. He is there as a volunteer helping out the faith community and they are very appreciative of him because he is one of three males helping out in all the heavy chores! . The sisters are from different countries but most of the volunteers are Aussies or Koreans. He works there and he attends the sisters’ sharing of the word and their lives, the 3.00pm prayer times and he gets free meals and lodging. During the weekends they take trips to Sydney or other parts to relax or visit.

I am glad he went and paid for his own airfare. The Lord was good and provided him with money from a NTUC finance competition he was in ($500), some accounting and tuition work he did and in addition special promotion fares from Qantas. I was impressed that he did not go out to fulfill the normal teenager’s wish list (MP3 player, etc, etc) with the savings and was willing to sacrifice and serve. Praying that God will do His work in him.

I have a fondness for the sisters’ ministry because years ago I was obviously burnt-out and near resignation when my wife and I spent 3 weeks in their HQ in Darmstadt, Germany. My wife left after 10 days and I continued on in prayer and reflection. The Lord spoke clearly to me about a turnaround in the church ministry and the fundamental importance of keeping Christ at the center. The time there put me back on my feet and strengthened me to press on. It was several years later before things began to change and the word of the Lord was fulfilled.

The sisters are full of love and joy and if you want to know what holiness feels and looks like, spend some time with them.Theirs is an attractive holiness like Jesus’ holiness. You will feel accepted, loved and encouraged and at the same time see their humanity. If you want to find out more or consider volunteering yourself check out their international and australian websites: www.kanaan.org and www.marysisters.org.au .

BY THE WAY, NEW RESIDENT IN WRPF BLOGVILLE. DROP IN AND GIVE HIM A WARM WELCOME! LIONEL SOH DE DYNAMITE AT www.xanga.com/bloggersoh

Add comment October 5th, 2005