Archive for December, 2005
The “baby” has been born, our very own interactive church website. Be first to check her out http://www.wrpf.sg and contribute your stories and thoughts to the public forum, especially you young people (who else?).
Please do not judge by appearance, but look at the heart! ha,ha.The church website is finally ready but only so. There is still much to be developed and features to be added.The main purpose of the website is communication. There are things we want visitors to know, but we mainly have communication within the church community in mind. We want to hear from the members and we want them to own the website. With so many component groupings and a growing generation gap, the website could facilitate understanding and unity.
The website will also inspire and strengthen faith and worship; be a resource center and an administrative tool. However it will take patient and steady efforts for this “baby” to grow and mature.
May the Lord be pleased to use and bless this tool for his kingdom.
December 29th, 2005
1. The littlest gift, the drama produced by the youths, was a gem. Simple yet effective in communicating a central truth……like my sermons. I felt moved to pray that the Lord will help me guide this church to a bigger more fitting stage and hall with proper lighting etc. The talent and effort put in deserve a better stage and larger audience. So much talent on and off stage…..Lord help us move to a better place, don’t want to stay here in Geylang for good.
2. Today busy with Chinese core group meeting. Was satisfied with the progress in goal-setting and planning. Sensed the Lord is leading us in a fresh direction and appreciated the maturity and commitment of the core group comprising Steven Siau, Tammy, Eunice, David, and Daniel . Lunched in Joyce Liew’s place with single mothers she is reaching out to. Had a chat with my godson Jonathan who did super well with his foundation course in Australia. But when the ladies sat in a circle for sharing ……I ran off. Went to trek Bukit Timah hill to prepare to climb gunung Agung. Too much food this Christmas and can feel my pants tighten. Two hours of perspration later, I came home to a Chinese home meeting and just said hi before I went off to eat and blog. Tomorrow my sister in law Baby and her two kids, who have been with us this past week or so, will go back to Bangkok with Matt and Elaine in tow, courtesy of Baby. We enjoy their company every year and its good for the cousins to bond.
3. In December, I reflected on my year and as usual I have activities, commitments and tasks I need to cut back, delegate away, re-focus on, give increased attention to. It is always good to re-focus annually. It is God’s way of keeping us “lean and mean”(good sense). The Lord is good and gracious to me and my family and the church. With Him I enter the New Year with fresh faith, hope and love! Hallelujah!
December 26th, 2005
Sunday was wonderful for three reasons:
1. Rev. Dr. Abel Thomas preached and it ministered to me. I have to double what the Lord has given me. Furthermore, while he was preaching I felt that he would be a good camp speaker for us but the past few years he had been overseas every June and unavailable. The thought persisted, so after the service I asked him, Will you take our church camp in June 2006? He was surprised I asked, and I was surprised he said yes. He said he had decided to be in S’pore in June to take camps and was praying for invitations. The theme I had in mind was When Jesus Returns.
2. Nat was supposed to preach at the youth but wasn’t feeling well after the mission trip. Could see that the team was quite stretched with their heavy schedule and adjustments but they enjoyed it. Looking for a substitute speaker on super short notice is no joke. Most of the pastors were away and I was preoccupied with website work. Our church leaders can speak but to do so on short notice is asking too much. So I asked my wife to share with the youth and though reluctant initially she finally put her whole heart in it. Thank God. (sigh of relief). I wasn’t there so she wouldn’t be nervous but she later said how come I was not there to support her? ha ha. One of my sons said she was good, the other said she did not land well (end the message promptly). Whatever…… I was proud of her.
3. Several weeks ago, someone asked about duplicating and selling tapes/cds saying she is willing to run it. And I told her I will pray about it. So I asked the Lord to confirm it is him inviting us to join Him in His work.. After all she was passionate and willing to do it all - a champion. The Lord is probably at work here because He is stirring this sister’s heart. Then on Sunday, Roland Leo came and talked to me about duplicating and selling tapes/cds of messages because I guess he enjoyed Abel’s message so much he wanted to listen again and pass it on to others too. (Lord, you have my attention now!). Exciting development.
December 19th, 2005
It was a good mission trip to Yangon and Mandalay and I enjoyed it. The internal flight was better than expected with good propellor driven planes and a surprisingly new and nicer airport than the one in the capital. The food there is very Chinese influenced and we had no problems tucking in. The local contact booked a run-down budget hotel and it took us just 2-3 hours to switch to a better hotel for US$ 3 more. Best decision we made during the trip since we’d be there for 3 nights! It was busy running around visiting with pastors and ministering in different churches. Joy to see Matthew and Chee Keong sharing testimonies and God’s Word. Thomas was quite a sight to behold because when he preaches he seems to operate on another dimension, a greater passion and power, with great responses from the locals. He is God’s man for Myanmar!! fitted for the job perfectly. We had an afternoon to sightsee and learn more about the history of Mandalay Palace and the British colonisation of Myanmar but no time at all to shop, which I don’t mind, but I pity Matthew who didn’t even get to see Boyoke Market.
Then it was back home in Singapore to touch base and then off to Cameron Highlands to celebrate my silver wedding anniversary with my wife. Yes it has been 25 wonderful years of marriage.Still lovin’ it! Couldn’t ask for more. God has been good, and if not for his “engineering” we would not have gone on this vacation! We went up with Wai Tuck’s and Eliam’s families and it was relaxed and enjoyable. Cool lovely weather and scenic views. After 3 nights I was all alone at the OMF Bungalow for a prayer retreat while my wife left with them for home. First night, wish my wife was around.Second day I was looking for company, and by God’s mercy manage to meet Nicolas and had tea and fellowship. By third day of solitude I wished I was home. ha ha. I always thought being alone was no problem for me. But not anymore. ha ha. .
Came home to good news as the internet at home was down for about 10 days and despite countless attempts and noble and desperate efforts by Matt and xie Xing, it refused to be coaxed back. Turned out it was a problem with the external line and Singtel had to come correct it. Frustrating for all. Shows how the digital age has made us dependent on it. Well it also means I am back in blogsville…….if this busy Christmas period allows. ha ha.
December 12th, 2005
