Archive for May, 2006
About twenty two years ago, after the traumatic births and near- death experiences of my wife and twin sons, the head of pediatrics dept said to me about my surviving twin,
“Your son is severely brain-damaged. You  have to be prepared to send your son to a special school.”
Today he is twenty-two. Take a look at his astounding second yr uni results http://www.xanga.com/dearjoshua (29 May post).
Not bad for a “retard.”
His lovingkindness makes us great and humbled at the same time.
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May 29th, 2006
While we were cooking dinner, my wife, feeling drained after a day’s work at office, asked me: “Shall we get a tiffin caterer for a month?”
She has been labouring in the kitchen for the years since she became a home-maker after our third child was born. Her cooking has improved greatly. And now she wants to hang up her kaoli and kung-fu.
I would suppose thousands of women in Singapore are thinking and feeling the same way. Can someone tell me,
“Why do most women of today dislike cooking?”
May 26th, 2006
Yesterday my wife and I went round Jurong East stadium 8 times; we alternated between walking and jogging. I was surprised I made it. Cheryl’s run is just several weeks ahead so we have to get ready and it is an opportunity to make good a rare new year’s resolution that I made in Jan to build up my stamina.
Cheryl is of course a special girl the Lord took home. Mature in Christ for one so young I think she rightly belongs to an appendix that should be appended to the end of Hebrews chapter 11. I know there is none in your Bibles but there is one in my imaginary Bible. It lists the people I know who belong there because they were heroes of faith and courage, people who lived for Christ, for what is of eternal value.
To get a glimpse of Cheryl, check out the 22 May post of http://www.xanga.com/erikanissa
May 24th, 2006
It is with apprehension and a state of blur that I try to navigate in this new frontier of blogging outside xanga. May God be with me. And may the Vee be with me.
May 22nd, 2006
Kinabalu. Interestingly in the last few weeks about five persons asked me,” Planning to climb Kinabalu again?” I usually ask them,”Why… you want to climb?” And yes it is they or one of their kids. And it got me thinking too and asking,”Do I want to do it …..again?”
The first time it was with my wife and my tennis friends and it was real fun and very challenging. The second time, it was part pleasure and part work for me; pleasure because my daughter came along, and work because we were seeking to use outdoor challenges to teach leadership and emotional quotient to our youths, as well as do some parent-child bonding.
If I do it again I wonder if it would be just torture. So I am like processing it: counting the cost; asking, will it be worth it? do I have it in me? I have no doubt it will be good for youths to learn about leadership and eq. Maybe I need to add an optional river rafting…………that will be quite fun for those who want more. haha. And do a worship service up there along the ancient granite slopes. Today Agnes said she’s willing to go and even help in the organizing, which is just not my strength. Lord, March 2007?
Maybe this time must get Abe Sim, the man in charge of leadership development to come along. And his wife Hwee Inn. And Sarah.
BTW Rachel Lim, Peter & Eunice’s daughter is at www.livin-in-my-world.blogspot.com. Visit leh.
May 21st, 2006
What could be worse than Arsenal FC losing the Champions League final to Barcelona FC?
Answer: Arsenal FC losing Thierry Henri to Barcelona FC!!
By the way there is a new kid in the blog: http://www.xanga.com/erikanissa .
Visit, bless her and and be blessed.
May 17th, 2006
I don’t usually drive my daughter to school but when she is running late I give her a lift. After that I go to the MacRitchie reservoir to meditate until the ERP lifts.
I take a park bench in front of the cafeteria. I sit and my eyes and ears just savor the sights of grey and green, and sounds of distant traffic and nearby birds. It just helps me settle into a receptivity to God. Too often we rush in too quickly with our thoughts and talk all tangled or cliched in a routine formality, to get over with it. Slowing down with deep breathing also helps me. Or a rhythmic short prayer.
Then I take a short portion of Scriptures and read it over a few times. And I meditate on an insight or a phrase that is like a burning bush in the desert. This is where Spirit of God broods over my meditation and out of it the Lord speaks to me.
Then I talk to the Lord as if He is sitting next to me, about what He has said to me out of His word; what I medidated upon; and whatever else comes to mind including concerns, problems, decisions and challenges.
This is my staple “cooked rice”, but I don’t eat rice all the time. Maybe I’ll talk about other forms of prayer that I also practice………
May 14th, 2006
This was an eventful week. On Wednesday, I met up with my old seminary classmates, one a missionary from Bolivia, Raphael Samuel; another, Benedict Muthusamy, from Kulai, Malaysia, and Goon Heo from here. It was a long chat over tim sum at Red Star and cheesecake and coffee at Secret Recipe. We have come a long way and we were glad to see each other.
Had a coaching session from James Creasman (http://www.asiabruin.blogspot.com/) yesterday and we talked about purpose, values and personal vision. Sort of get to know each other too. This was part of the mentoring course that Abe Sim and I are attending which has a monthly small group component and a personal coaching element as well over a period of one year. Pray the Lord will work deeply in our lives and we will have things to impart to the other leaders, especially the younger generation.
I notice I have been posting lots of entries these three weeks. It’s because three other preachers have taken the pulpit and a lot of things were happenning: election, my vacation break; and I have this urge to blog. Have also been reading a number of epistles, and studying Romans, praying over the second-half of the year’s sermon themes. When I return to preaching it will be back to the normal output.
Anyway today is a public holiday. I was hoping for a MacRitchie trek today but some of my trekking friends have gone for a short holiday in Yangon.
Another tim sum appointment……have to watch and pray as I eat. I am putting on too much weight.
May 11th, 2006
The Da Vinci Code.
The Gospel of Thomas.
Its the garden of Eden all over again. Only Adam and Eve is gone and the garden is lost. But the serpent is hissing and slithering around. And he is doing the same thing: “Did God say…..?” He is casting doubts on the word and character of God on a world-wide scale through the Da Vinci Code and the Gospel of Judas. We need to be watchful and prayerful.
On the one hand I feel a push to read the book, see the film and be able to engage with people about the issues. Yet I feel such an anger and hurt to see the Lord Jesus Christ brushed with the accusation of sexual immorality and deception, I don’t even want to add anything to satan’s scheme to deceive people into doubting the accounts of eyewitnesses in the Gospels. I was reading a blog that expresses an anger I can identify with:
While I applaud Christians’ intent of engaging culture and using interest in DaVinci Code to talk with people about the historical facts about Jesus and the impact of his life, I don’t want to contribute a cent to the success of the movie.I threw the book in the rubbish bin and was sorry I had bought it.“This film is based on a book that wears its heresy and blasphemy as a badge of honor, and I intend to stay far away from it.”Our freedom in Christ allows us as Christans to have either postures. Let us not criticize or condemn each other for any difference in opinion regarding this, but let each one be persuaded in his mind of where his convictions lie. Let us be assured the Holy Spirit will teach and guide us into all truth and convict the world of the sin of not believing in Christ, of not being right of thinking of Jesus in such a manner, and of the judgment to come.Our freedom in Christ allows us as Christans to have either postures. Let us not criticize or condemn each other for any difference in opinion regarding this, but let each one be persuaded in his mind of where his convictions lie. Let us be assured the Holy Spirit will teach and guide us into all truth and convict the world of the sin of not believing in Christ, of not being right of thinking of Jesus in such a manner, and of the judgment to come.Our freedom in Christ allows us as Christans to have either postures. Let us not criticize or condemn each other for any difference in opinion regarding this, but let each one be persuaded in his mind of where his convictions lie. Let us be assured the Holy Spirit will teach and guide us into all truth and convict the world of the sin of not believing in Christ, of not being right of thinking of Jesus in such a manner, and of the judgment to come.
Our freedom in Christ allows us as Christans to have either postures. Let us not criticize or condemn each other for any difference in opinion regarding this, but let each one be persuaded in his mind of where his convictions lie. Let us be assured the Holy Spirit will teach and guide us into all truth and convict the world of the sin of not believing in Christ, of not being right of thinking of Jesus in such a manner, and of the judgment to come.
Our freedom in Christ allows us as Christans to have either postures. Let us not criticize or condemn each other for any difference in opinion regarding this, but let each one be persuaded in his mind of where his convictions lie. Let us be assured the Holy Spirit will teach and guide us into all truth and convict the world of the sin of not believing in Christ, of not being right of thinking of Jesus in such a manner, and of the judgment to come.
May 10th, 2006
Just managed to help Rev Dr Norman Wong start a blog. I know the titles in front are high-sounding but he is an unassuming, inspiring and discerning gem of a guy. Get to know him and visit his blog and say Hi at http://www.xanga.com/NormanWongCS . I meet the “doctor” once a month for “treatment.” Everyone, including pastors, need a mentor too. We need a Paul (mentor), a Barnabas (peer-encourager) and a Timothy (mentoree).
May 9th, 2006
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