Celebration of Life

Jesus Wept

Sunday, March 29, 2009

'Jesus wept' - this is the shortest verse in the bible - John 11:35

He went through so much, 40 days temptation/ harsh words/ demanding & doubting followers, without shedding a tear but when he saw his loved ones cry, he wept ...

Seeing God in all situations ...

Saturday, March 21, 2009

It was a good day, I was happy I could bring my nephew to DL again and he had fun. It was a good day till my mom picked us up from church and on our way to lunch, our car ran over the foot of a pedestrian.

We were on a narrow street and there was a family of four (father, mom, sons) walking along the roadsides ... both sides could have argued their case and heated words could have been exchanged. So, I braced myself and stepped out of the car. He was visibly angry at first but instead of spewing vulgarities, he regained his composure and calmly said,' It's ok, let me sit down for a second first.' When we offered to send him to the clinic, he declined and said he will just iced it at church first. His wife was more concerned about his foot rather than accusing us of causing the injury and the teenagers were simply 'nonchalant'.

'Does this happen to him often?' I wondered. How can he be so calm, cool and collected when a car just ran over his foot?! We drove him to his church and passed him our contacts.

My mom was shaken and my dad was angry when we told him about it at home. Sitting between the two of them, in the midst of their argument, I was upset as this wouldn't have happened if I haven't brought my nephew to church, if I haven't sign up for Tenet class in the afternoon. A millions of 'if I haven't' raced across my mind. Why now? Why now when my shoulders are already burdened and I was doing something 'good' and definitely his will..so why?

After wallowing in self-pity, I took a step back and asked myself, where is this Mel who was worshipping God in church an hour earlier, who was moved by Psalm 121, who wrote on her blog that she will sing no matter what. Where is she in all this?

It's so easy to miss God, isn't it? God's goodness and grace is present in all instances, it must be and I refuse to believe otherwise.

Psalm 121 - 'Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber.'

*Soliciting prayer for the injured man - His name is Jacob and it's his left foot. Praying for healing and no long term injury. Thanks!*

I will sing ...

In 1Kings 17, Elijah's faith was tested at different level. It was at first basic impossible (believing that he will be fed by ravens), then intermediate impossible (that a random starving widow will provide him with food), then supernatural impossible (bring a dead boy back to life).

My walk with God feels like a computer game. When I've cleared level 1, God up the stake and brought on level 2 and so on. Each challenge either weaken or strengthen my faith. There have been instances where I backslide but He remained faithful. I'm trouble, worried (even though I know I shouldn't be) but also extremely thankful I have Him. This beautiful song will be my 'soundtrack' for this season.

'I will lift my eyes

In the darkest night

For I know my Savior lives

I can sing when I lose my step

And fall down again

I can sing because You pick me up

Sing because You're there ...' - Chris Tomlin 'How can I keep from singing'

De feet has to touch the bottom of the pool at some point ?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Hmmm.. my new job ... a couple of 'tsunami-size' shocks since I joined but I'm taking them in my stride ... my feet will touch the bottom of the pool at some point ... right ?

Ha ... I guess God was not kidding when he says that this will be tough but it is His will afterall so ... just suck it up and do it la. On the bright side, I guess I'm learning how to run a company on someone elses' expense. Plus it's only when stretched can one know how much potential there really is ... so perhaps there's a hidden sales person, accountant, web-designer and marketeer and excel guru in me somewhere ... never try, never know.

When I went to india, we prepared some 'props' - 5 loaves, 2 fishes ... stuck them on my cubicle to remind myself to just give God what I have and he will multiply them for his glory... so, I'm buckling up and getting ready for the ride! HANG ON !

It's getting crowded in Singapore ...

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Deciding where to eat on a Saturday evening is extremely challenging. Parking is a nightmare and everywhere is packed. Recession ? Honestly ?

The media do play up on the 'juicy' stuff and as I've taught so many times in the past, the things that interest them - Proximity, change, fascinating facts & figures, human interest, bad news. YES .. BAD NEWS SELLS!

Yes, people are losing their jobs and wages are being slashed BUT the way the media paints it, it's the end of the world! How about putting these on front page for a change - news of more people turning to religion, spending more time with their family, going back to school to pursue their passions etc. How about playing these up and injecting the much-needed optimism back into the society?

Why can't we look at this as a HUGE wake-up call to the whole world to spend their time on what really matters? It shows how money has became our 'God', we spent years slogging in the office, neglecting our faith, family and friends in order to accumulate wealth. Now that the wealth is gone, what is left? It's those things that have been neglected - faith, family and friends! Yes, bread-and-butter is a very real issue, I'm just saying we need to be mindful and constanly remind ourselves of what really matters ... know when to switch off the computer, push yourself away from the desk and walk out of the office ...

Helpless...

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Have been 'avoiding' reading a book on Amy Carmichael (mission in India for 56 years). Picked up the book four hours ago and finished it with tears in my eyes as parts of the book brought back memories of how little the orphans in India had and how helpless the team felt when all we could offer were a couple hours of laugh, hugs and prayers.

Her description of an orphanage she saw in 1905 is heartbreakingly similar to one we visited in 2008 -'Their overcrowded nurseries were simple enough, little more than mud-brick walls with thatched roofs. Furnishings were grass-mat beds and plain cupboards for the few belongings.' I prayed that the situation would improved by the next hundred years and no child will ever have to grow up in such conditions.

Another part where an abused girl plead -'Don't let me go back to the dark, please, Lord! Oh, let me live in the light!" bought flashbacks from a tsunami orphanage (a home for boys who lost their entire family). There was a young child, about 10 years old or so... who was praying so fervently that tears were streaming down his face. I will never know what he was praying for and how he is doing now, all I can do is pray that he's still living in the light ...

New Phone

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Went to the Singtel Shop wanting to buy a Gold Sony Ericsson phone and the sales person advised against it. I told him all I need is a phone with camera, WIFI and looks pretty. Hence ... the Nokia Ruby Red E63. Gorgeous phone !

This is my first photo

Closing of a chapter

Monday, March 9, 2009

Rather hectic last day at work getting the necessary clearance and handing over of task. Ended up with only 10 mins to type a generic farewell e-mail to all before surrendering my computer access card. Spent a cou

ple of hours doing my 'farewell' rounds and yes it's nice to know that my presence will be missed ... perhaps for a minute or two before people get swept up by the usual whirlwind of events.

Though a rather short stint lasting only sixteen months, I've grown and learnt alot in the area of humility and how one can accomplish any seemingly impossible tasks by starting with baby steps. Responses I'll always remember are 'be mission-focused', 'just suck it up and do it' and 'don't tell me your problem, I'm not your father'. Harsh but it did toughen me up somewhat.

Received a farewell message from my boss in the evening - 'You have helped me alot against all odds and I appreciate it. Take care when travelling to far, exotic places. You will be missed.' Finally, the pat on my back that I've yearned for .... the concluding paragraph for this chapter of my life ...

Power of Prayer

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Pastor Keat was preaching about the power of prayer on saturday and how apt indeed. We were supposed to have a BBQ in the evening and it has been pouring since Friday. The storm intensified

on Saturday and Tzang sent out an sms to all of us to pray at around 4 pm. I'm not sure how hard the others prayed but for me, it was simple. I told God, I need this 'break', a time of positive fellowship after a extremely turbulent week and I'm sure many of us can use that too.

When we stepped out of church at 6.30 pm, there was not a single drop of rain .

When night fell, the sky was filled with stars accompanied by the bright moon. So there I was ... sea breeze, 'somewhere over the rainbow' playing in the background, bubbles, laughters .... I can feel my soul heaved a sigh of relief during this pocket of much needed rest.
God is good ....

Somewhere over the rainbow (live) - Jason Castro

Assured ...

Friday, March 6, 2009

After a whirlwind of unpredicatable events that came without any warning over the past four days ... I'm brought to my knees once again. I'm thankful I can rely on God for strength for one more day. My God is a faithful God, I'll do what I can and He'll do what I can't.

'Echoes of mercy, whispers of love' - Blessed Assurance

Blessed Assurance - Third Day

When do you say Goodbye ?

Monday, March 2, 2009

Weekend in BKK was uneventful except for the massive weight gain of 2 kg from OD'ing on coconut milk that was in everything. The vibe of a country/place can really affect how one feel/behave. I was in a general bad mood from the horrendous traffic. When I met a friend for dinner on Friday after being stuck in custom and jam for 2.5 hr, I'm not exactly the most pleasant person to hang with. Guess that will be the first and last time I go on a 'date' in Bangkok or with him for that matter. Poor guy. Weekend was just an endless flurry of shopping, eating, massages. Ha ... typical eh.

It was good to be back in Singapore and we were on our way to dinner at T2 when we passed by the 'Intercom Booth', which is a tiny

booth that lets you communicate with the people in the departure louge after they have checked in. Imagine the amount of tears being shed at this corner as people are made to part for various reasons and grasp those precious last few moments they have.

Though I don't think this intercom booth is relevant anymore with mobile phones being so rampant. Even after the person have left, he/she is not more than a sms or facebook message away. Xin commented that but with technology, you don't know when to say goodbye and as Drew Barrymore puts it 'now she has to be rejected by 7 different technologies' in the movie 'He's just not that into you'.

The line is blurred, isn't it? When do we say Goodbye? Should we part with the old-school 'this-is-the-last-time-we-will-ever-be-together passionate goodbye kiss' and have no contact ever or a modern 'lets keep in touch on facebook' and then let whatever was there die a natural death.

It's either going through it at one shot or spreading it out I guess. None is a better choice with the ideal being if no parting is required ...