I think I've always been quite emotional, and reflective...and sometimes overly reflective. Sometimes I wish I can drop everything and hang loose. But yet at times this overwhelming burden creeps up on me. And it is a fight to be joyful in times like this.
Yet, I recognise that burdens are also good. They are what God gives to us, to tell us something is not right in this world. And it leads us into taking action, to put right the things that are wrong.
Don't get me wrong. Not implying that we should use our own fleshly ways to put things right. But burdens are God's way of telling us to intercede for something, seeking Him so that He may use us to fulfill his plans!
At times I feel this "cognitive dissonance" with this world. But dwelling too much on that makes me look inward, and it kills my joy. Looking upwards changes everything. Looking outwards teaches me I am so blessed to be alive. I'm so blessed at this age of 24, with such a long future ahead. This is but one quarter of my life.
I've still got ideals, dreams, passions that I want to fulfill in this lifetime. I don't want to die yet. ;) Heh...And taking that step back to give thanks, makes me realise that I yet cannot dwell in a state of immobilisation. Of being weighed down by burdens. To be weighed down and inhibited from moving forward. ;)
It is such a fight for joy. A fight of courage. Something in Colossians encourages me, and I hope it encourages u too. That we are to be strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power. (Col 1:11) Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith (Col 2:7).
Today's counseling class was on Young Adults. I had the opportunity to go up and "counsel" someone. Bleah...haha..it was quite a learning experience I guess. Anyway young adulthood is so scary. I think I've fought the past one whole year of battle in transition from a youth to an adult. Very very common for young adults to ponder about career and lifestyle choices. And I've made some very major decisions for my own life. Hence, learning not to worry so much about this "cognitive dissonance" but understand that it is very much a growing process. And afterall, there is so much more to learn about life. So much things we don't know.
Hence look upward and outward, and these help us to grow inwardly.
Indeed, may we be rooted and built up in Him. Amen!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Book sale!
Yeah, just came back from Bethesdal Book Centre. It is really a gem of a shop, located next to the NTUC at Marine Parade, tucked nicely in the row of shops! There's a book sale now:
Bethesda Book Centre – Marine Parade
Clearance Sale
At Blk 80 Marine Parade Central #01-784 Tel: 63483775
12 noon to 7 pm Mondays to Saturdays
Clearance Sale Discounts
Bibles between 10% to 70% discount
Small Group Bible Study Guides
at reduced prices between $4.50 and $10.90
Ministry Resources (Large format)-Any 3 copies at 50% discount
(except Gospel Light Resources which is 10% discount)
Books for children - Any 15 copies / titles-70% discount *
*Except 'nettsp' and 'final'
All Regular Priced Books-25% discount ;
Any combination of 5 titles/copies - 37% discount *
*Except Sets and 'nettsp' - 20% discount; 'final'- 10% discount
You may now mix and match books which are usually tagged at 40%, with titles from the Red Star Section and titles published by Westminster John Knox to enjoy these discounts:-
1 copy -40% discount; 3 titles/copies - 50% discount;
5 copies/titles -55% discount; 10 copies/titles -65% discount
-----
No commission for advertising for them! I find that it is a really great shop cos there're all sorts of christian books there.
I got 4 books today, lemme know if u are interested to borrow any:
1. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Richard Foster
2. Good News to the Poor: Sharing the gospel through social movement, Tim Chester
3. How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering & Evil, D.A. Carson
4. The giving gift: The Holy Spirit in person, Tom Smail
I think they are all pretty good books. :D It's quite a balanced selection right?
Anyway, yesterday, mum opened my letter and saw the receipt from World Vision. It was a relatively big amt, but actually very small compared to all I have got. Dad began harping about how we shd accumulate more capital to invest so we can help more people. Which I challenged, as to whether the accumulation of more wealth means that we will donate in the future. And whether we will still be alive to be able to give. Today while we went shopping, mum told me something, she said she saw a bangle that was nice, but she decided not to waste money, upon thinking of my donation, and how I saved on myself to donate. And she added fr now on she won't buy anymore clothes for me. I encouraged them on another ocassion to considering adopting a child. I think they are starting to have a paradigm shift, which is quite a happy thing. Glad that my personal choices have some effects on the ones I love. I pray that our lifestyles may slowly change to be a wiser steward of what God has blessed us with.
Mum bought me a dress just now as a christmas present. I really like it a lot, and saw it about a month's back but didn't get it. I'm Happy. :)
Thank God that He has also blessed me in the stock mkt. :D Dad helped me to invest some money!
In clarity, I believe that God can bless us with prosperity. I say can because I believe that a christian may not always prosper but may suffer for his faith. Next to that is something that probably splits some hair-what we do then with the money?
Thank You God for every good thing! He created all things beautiful on earth, the designs, the art, the fashion etc.
Bethesda Book Centre – Marine Parade
Clearance Sale
At Blk 80 Marine Parade Central #01-784 Tel: 63483775
12 noon to 7 pm Mondays to Saturdays
Clearance Sale Discounts
Bibles between 10% to 70% discount
Small Group Bible Study Guides
at reduced prices between $4.50 and $10.90
Ministry Resources (Large format)-Any 3 copies at 50% discount
(except Gospel Light Resources which is 10% discount)
Books for children - Any 15 copies / titles-70% discount *
*Except 'nettsp' and 'final'
All Regular Priced Books-25% discount ;
Any combination of 5 titles/copies - 37% discount *
*Except Sets and 'nettsp' - 20% discount; 'final'- 10% discount
You may now mix and match books which are usually tagged at 40%, with titles from the Red Star Section and titles published by Westminster John Knox to enjoy these discounts:-
1 copy -40% discount; 3 titles/copies - 50% discount;
5 copies/titles -55% discount; 10 copies/titles -65% discount
-----
No commission for advertising for them! I find that it is a really great shop cos there're all sorts of christian books there.
I got 4 books today, lemme know if u are interested to borrow any:
1. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Richard Foster
2. Good News to the Poor: Sharing the gospel through social movement, Tim Chester
3. How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering & Evil, D.A. Carson
4. The giving gift: The Holy Spirit in person, Tom Smail
I think they are all pretty good books. :D It's quite a balanced selection right?
Anyway, yesterday, mum opened my letter and saw the receipt from World Vision. It was a relatively big amt, but actually very small compared to all I have got. Dad began harping about how we shd accumulate more capital to invest so we can help more people. Which I challenged, as to whether the accumulation of more wealth means that we will donate in the future. And whether we will still be alive to be able to give. Today while we went shopping, mum told me something, she said she saw a bangle that was nice, but she decided not to waste money, upon thinking of my donation, and how I saved on myself to donate. And she added fr now on she won't buy anymore clothes for me. I encouraged them on another ocassion to considering adopting a child. I think they are starting to have a paradigm shift, which is quite a happy thing. Glad that my personal choices have some effects on the ones I love. I pray that our lifestyles may slowly change to be a wiser steward of what God has blessed us with.
Mum bought me a dress just now as a christmas present. I really like it a lot, and saw it about a month's back but didn't get it. I'm Happy. :)
Thank God that He has also blessed me in the stock mkt. :D Dad helped me to invest some money!
In clarity, I believe that God can bless us with prosperity. I say can because I believe that a christian may not always prosper but may suffer for his faith. Next to that is something that probably splits some hair-what we do then with the money?
Thank You God for every good thing! He created all things beautiful on earth, the designs, the art, the fashion etc.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
The orange fat cat
Just came back from counseling class!
On the way back home, walking past the carpark to go home, I was asking God something. I asked Him, can I really believe You? How do I know I can believe You? And if I may be audacious enough, if the orange fat cat comes ard and strokes my legs while I walk past the carpark, this thing will come to past!
Didn't really have any supernatural feeling of faith rising, walked past the carpark anyway...din see the cat in sight. Sigh. Decided to walk through the pavement betw my block and the next. And lo! There was the fat cat sitting on the pavement.
I meowed at her, and she walked over, slowly ard my legs before collapsing on the floor with her fat tummy up, exposing the white fur beneath. :) Stroked it as it happily stared away, tail bobbing up and down.
There, in the middle of the night, I sought solace in the cat. Always so calm and reassuring cat. ;)
Not sure if this implies anything with regards to what I prayed for! Nevertheless, I hope it does.
----------------
Been re-reading some emails, and thought that I hadn't thought things through from another's perspective. Truly am sorry for the hurt done.
This made me think of To Kill a Mockingbird, and Atticus's famous quote to his daughter Scout:
"if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it"
I really liked that book when I read it in secondary school.
O Lord, give me a big enough heart to love others, to truly love and seek the better of the other. I'm sorry for the hurt done and for seeing things only from my own perspective.
On the way back home, walking past the carpark to go home, I was asking God something. I asked Him, can I really believe You? How do I know I can believe You? And if I may be audacious enough, if the orange fat cat comes ard and strokes my legs while I walk past the carpark, this thing will come to past!
Didn't really have any supernatural feeling of faith rising, walked past the carpark anyway...din see the cat in sight. Sigh. Decided to walk through the pavement betw my block and the next. And lo! There was the fat cat sitting on the pavement.
I meowed at her, and she walked over, slowly ard my legs before collapsing on the floor with her fat tummy up, exposing the white fur beneath. :) Stroked it as it happily stared away, tail bobbing up and down.
There, in the middle of the night, I sought solace in the cat. Always so calm and reassuring cat. ;)
Not sure if this implies anything with regards to what I prayed for! Nevertheless, I hope it does.
----------------
Been re-reading some emails, and thought that I hadn't thought things through from another's perspective. Truly am sorry for the hurt done.
This made me think of To Kill a Mockingbird, and Atticus's famous quote to his daughter Scout:
"if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it"
I really liked that book when I read it in secondary school.
O Lord, give me a big enough heart to love others, to truly love and seek the better of the other. I'm sorry for the hurt done and for seeing things only from my own perspective.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
To love at all is to be vulnerable
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully around with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable."
-C.S. Lewis
-C.S. Lewis
The voiceless...The left behind
There has been a spate of articles recently in the newspapers on the lower income group in Singapore, and how the income gap is widening. I think that this is something to be concerned about. Both HY and I were talking some time back, and we agree that we belong to an "elitist" crowd in Singapore. We may not belong to the highest income group, but nevertheless, having upper middle class exposure, having a limited social circle.
Who are those left behind anyway? Do they have a voice? If they are not well-educated in the first place, there is probably no way they can articulate their situation in words to the ST forum, or Today. Are they left behind?
Last year my friend and I visited a man who stayed alone in his one room flat. He was heavy on smoking, didn't have money to get a mattress, and probably surviving hand-to-mouth.
In CHC, the youths I got to know did belong to a different social circle from my usual crowd. Some of them dislike studying, a few of them smoked. One of them, clear in my mind, a girl who was in sec sch. Her parents wanting a boy badly, and had abt 4 daughters before they had a boy. However the family was not well to do, and ofcos having many children meant that they had to struggle.
I also met an unwed mother- In her early 20s only, her bf had just come out from jail. They had to depend on loans from family to start their own family, feed the new born child and all that.
Anil said something that time. Lest I misquote, this is only the jist of it. Why do we catagorise the poor? Because, if everyone in the neighbourhood has a TV set, and you don't have, u are considered poor.
For some time, immediately after hearing this commment, I was a little taken aback, and the most immediate response from me was, er...but a TV set is not even a necessity. People in Africa are probably dying from lack of food. That is a difference between wants and needs, between "good to have" and surviving.
But..The left-behind group in Singapore, who are they? Do they have enough to eat? Are they forever trapped in poverty cycle? Will they ever own that TV set?
Surely that is of a concern also. Whether it is about needs or wants. $1 income per day....no singaporean can survive. But can they survive with $2 a day? One plate of chicken rice costs $2.
Pardon the blabbering... Just trying to reconcile some thoughts. This December will probably be visiting and giving out some christmas gifts to the Left Behind. And I urge you to think about them as well.
-----------------------
Where your heart is, there your treasure is also. I've been trying to allocate parts of my money to different purposes. Learning to be a wise steward. If I am giving money, give to who? Philippines? Bangladesh? Lesotho? Ethopia? China? Where? And is this giving sustainable?
Oh I do need to think of long termed how I should start something to do something.
Thinking abt my conversation with a friend. Again, the comment of how much can I help. Again the comments of naivity. And so we need to change government and political structures, eliminate corruption, cos those mean that the food aid doesn't get to the proper place. But my point is, while the structures are being changed, does it mean that we just quit and say that no point us doing anything anyway? It must be a two pronged approach to solve poverty issues. Surely while govt structures are being changed, we can't afford to sit there and do nothing. Or a three pronged approach, govt, civil and corporate sectors must work together.
Anyway there are all sorts of possibilities. I hope make poverty history happens in our lifetime.
An idealist can become a realist. Or he can become a cynic. ;P
I hope to become the former.
Who are those left behind anyway? Do they have a voice? If they are not well-educated in the first place, there is probably no way they can articulate their situation in words to the ST forum, or Today. Are they left behind?
Last year my friend and I visited a man who stayed alone in his one room flat. He was heavy on smoking, didn't have money to get a mattress, and probably surviving hand-to-mouth.
In CHC, the youths I got to know did belong to a different social circle from my usual crowd. Some of them dislike studying, a few of them smoked. One of them, clear in my mind, a girl who was in sec sch. Her parents wanting a boy badly, and had abt 4 daughters before they had a boy. However the family was not well to do, and ofcos having many children meant that they had to struggle.
I also met an unwed mother- In her early 20s only, her bf had just come out from jail. They had to depend on loans from family to start their own family, feed the new born child and all that.
Anil said something that time. Lest I misquote, this is only the jist of it. Why do we catagorise the poor? Because, if everyone in the neighbourhood has a TV set, and you don't have, u are considered poor.
For some time, immediately after hearing this commment, I was a little taken aback, and the most immediate response from me was, er...but a TV set is not even a necessity. People in Africa are probably dying from lack of food. That is a difference between wants and needs, between "good to have" and surviving.
But..The left-behind group in Singapore, who are they? Do they have enough to eat? Are they forever trapped in poverty cycle? Will they ever own that TV set?
Surely that is of a concern also. Whether it is about needs or wants. $1 income per day....no singaporean can survive. But can they survive with $2 a day? One plate of chicken rice costs $2.
Pardon the blabbering... Just trying to reconcile some thoughts. This December will probably be visiting and giving out some christmas gifts to the Left Behind. And I urge you to think about them as well.
-----------------------
Where your heart is, there your treasure is also. I've been trying to allocate parts of my money to different purposes. Learning to be a wise steward. If I am giving money, give to who? Philippines? Bangladesh? Lesotho? Ethopia? China? Where? And is this giving sustainable?
Oh I do need to think of long termed how I should start something to do something.
Thinking abt my conversation with a friend. Again, the comment of how much can I help. Again the comments of naivity. And so we need to change government and political structures, eliminate corruption, cos those mean that the food aid doesn't get to the proper place. But my point is, while the structures are being changed, does it mean that we just quit and say that no point us doing anything anyway? It must be a two pronged approach to solve poverty issues. Surely while govt structures are being changed, we can't afford to sit there and do nothing. Or a three pronged approach, govt, civil and corporate sectors must work together.
Anyway there are all sorts of possibilities. I hope make poverty history happens in our lifetime.
An idealist can become a realist. Or he can become a cynic. ;P
I hope to become the former.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Cross sector alliances
This week I was attending a quantitative finance course by a SMU lecturer. It is a series of about 10 lessons held for GIC staff. All he discussed looked all too familiar. T-stats, CAPM model, three factor model, Farma & French, regression etc. It was just like yesterday when I was doing my final year in NUS, sitting in the tutorial room listen to my lecturer. All too vivid, the pouring through of journals, surfing the net, coming up with propositions for thesis.
And a nudge in my heart, why didn't I do a finance thesis? Crunching numbers, regression? Be like every finance major. And then another tug. This tug that said, I wouldn't have enjoyed it. If I got to choose all over again, I would still have done my thesis topic: Cross Sector Alliances in Singapore: An exploratory study of collaborations between companies and charitable organizations. :)
For this is me...all along have been me I guess. Just thinking thru who am I really, what do I like to do?
This passion for the marginalised always been there...this desire for sustainable help for the marginalised always been there.
The word is sustainable.
Seeing companies becoming for socially responsible. I will be so glad and happy. ;0 Ha...really...
Really glad that the Habitat project has opened up doors for future. We are planning for future trips already. Opening bank account for charity projects. Feels good seeing the transformation within the company. Very encouraged by my director. Maybe next year we can go with Pastor Don to China to build a rehab centre. That will be nice.
There's a season for everything...
Been really tired the whole week. Ha...think I've said that already. Been having lots of giddy spells, and bad memory. Almost can't remember what was being said to me few minutes after. Think my brain been processing too much info. I can see the numbers floating about. Returns, profits, portfolio numbers. It just makes me feel again how long more I am going to do this.
Surely my knowledge of finance must have a use for my future work. I pray it may all come together in clarity.
And a nudge in my heart, why didn't I do a finance thesis? Crunching numbers, regression? Be like every finance major. And then another tug. This tug that said, I wouldn't have enjoyed it. If I got to choose all over again, I would still have done my thesis topic: Cross Sector Alliances in Singapore: An exploratory study of collaborations between companies and charitable organizations. :)
For this is me...all along have been me I guess. Just thinking thru who am I really, what do I like to do?
This passion for the marginalised always been there...this desire for sustainable help for the marginalised always been there.
The word is sustainable.
Seeing companies becoming for socially responsible. I will be so glad and happy. ;0 Ha...really...
Really glad that the Habitat project has opened up doors for future. We are planning for future trips already. Opening bank account for charity projects. Feels good seeing the transformation within the company. Very encouraged by my director. Maybe next year we can go with Pastor Don to China to build a rehab centre. That will be nice.
There's a season for everything...
Been really tired the whole week. Ha...think I've said that already. Been having lots of giddy spells, and bad memory. Almost can't remember what was being said to me few minutes after. Think my brain been processing too much info. I can see the numbers floating about. Returns, profits, portfolio numbers. It just makes me feel again how long more I am going to do this.
Surely my knowledge of finance must have a use for my future work. I pray it may all come together in clarity.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Definitions of poverty
I thought I will just share some of the stuffs I read from Jeffrey Sachs book, some basic information that I never knew, and I think my blog readers don't as well.
"As a matter of definition, it is useful to distinguish between three degrees of poverty: extreme (or absolute) poverty, moderate poverty, and relative poverty. Extereme poverty means that households cannot meet basic needs for survival. They are chronically hungry, unable to access health care, lack the amenities for safe drinking water and sanitation,cannot afford education for some or all of the children, and perhaps lack rudimentary shelter-a roof to keep the rain out of the hut, a chimney to remove the smoke from the cook stove and basic articles of clothing, such as shoes. Unlike moderate and relative poverty, extreme poverty occurs only in developing countries. Moderate poverty generally refers to conditions of life in which basic needs are met, but just barely. Relative poverty is generally construed as a household income level below a given proporation of average national income. The relatively poor, in high-income countries, lack access to cultural goods, entertainment, recreation, and to quality health care, education and other perquisites for upward social mobility.
The World Bank has longed used a complicated statistical standard-income of $1 per day per person, measured at purchasing power parity- to determine the numbers of extreme poor around the world. Another World Bank category, income between $1 per day and $2 per day, can be used to measure moderate poverty....They estimated that roughly 1.1 billion people were living in extreme poverty in 2001, down from 1.5 billion in 1981...1.6 billion moderately poor."
The End of Poverty, Jeffrey D. Sachs
By this, it seems that the people we are helping in Manila are the moderately poor. We will be building for illegal settlers at Taugig City. A bit disappointed we are no longer going to the rural areas. :( Sigh.
Anyway I am so tired. But good that I went to CG yesterday. It was a good praying together with the people there. :O I know that God calls us to be accountable to one another, and that is to protect us from the evil one- a lone ranger is easy to be attacked. Ofcos we can retain our own individuality in a group, being in a group doesn't mean we lose our brains (I hope!). How we all need christian friends to pray with. How we all need each other in our imperfections. How we need each other even when we can't don't agree with each other. How being together with others teaches us humility and contrition. How God teaches us to love through loving imperfect people. The more we hang out with others, the more we find out abt their flaw/strengths, the more we discover our own weaknesses too.
"As a matter of definition, it is useful to distinguish between three degrees of poverty: extreme (or absolute) poverty, moderate poverty, and relative poverty. Extereme poverty means that households cannot meet basic needs for survival. They are chronically hungry, unable to access health care, lack the amenities for safe drinking water and sanitation,cannot afford education for some or all of the children, and perhaps lack rudimentary shelter-a roof to keep the rain out of the hut, a chimney to remove the smoke from the cook stove and basic articles of clothing, such as shoes. Unlike moderate and relative poverty, extreme poverty occurs only in developing countries. Moderate poverty generally refers to conditions of life in which basic needs are met, but just barely. Relative poverty is generally construed as a household income level below a given proporation of average national income. The relatively poor, in high-income countries, lack access to cultural goods, entertainment, recreation, and to quality health care, education and other perquisites for upward social mobility.
The World Bank has longed used a complicated statistical standard-income of $1 per day per person, measured at purchasing power parity- to determine the numbers of extreme poor around the world. Another World Bank category, income between $1 per day and $2 per day, can be used to measure moderate poverty....They estimated that roughly 1.1 billion people were living in extreme poverty in 2001, down from 1.5 billion in 1981...1.6 billion moderately poor."
The End of Poverty, Jeffrey D. Sachs
By this, it seems that the people we are helping in Manila are the moderately poor. We will be building for illegal settlers at Taugig City. A bit disappointed we are no longer going to the rural areas. :( Sigh.
Anyway I am so tired. But good that I went to CG yesterday. It was a good praying together with the people there. :O I know that God calls us to be accountable to one another, and that is to protect us from the evil one- a lone ranger is easy to be attacked. Ofcos we can retain our own individuality in a group, being in a group doesn't mean we lose our brains (I hope!). How we all need christian friends to pray with. How we all need each other in our imperfections. How we need each other even when we can't don't agree with each other. How being together with others teaches us humility and contrition. How God teaches us to love through loving imperfect people. The more we hang out with others, the more we find out abt their flaw/strengths, the more we discover our own weaknesses too.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Superficiality
Thought I will just give a quick update of what I will been up to! Monday I took leave to rest and go to the library, and I borrowed Jeffrey Sach's The End of Poverty. I was quite happy with this borrow cos I thought that I would have had to buy the book. ;) He writes in a rather interesting and engaging manner, and hopefully this will give me some head's start on poverty issues, beyond the superficial things I know.
Tues onwards I went back to work, and started having a flu. That lasted for the whole of last week, but I got better on Friday. Been a rather challenging week, cos it was the peak period for our fund raising. We have managed to raise more than 12K already. Anyway was quite stressed out again with numerous emails & phonecalls. I guess yet again, needing to have some quiet time with God so that I don't get caught up in all the doing again. Had counseling classes on Mon and Wed too, and worked late on Tues...so it was a really tiring week for me.
Stayed out late with colleagues and sec sch frens respectively on Fri and Sat nights. Came home on Fri night abt 2ish....really v rare to be home so late for 2 consecutive fri nights. We had fun singing KTV @ The One. Sat had a bbq with my rg sch mates. "Interesting" how almost all of us are working for the govt, whether directly or indirectly. I think the govt is doing a good job in recruiting.
Actually didn't really enjoy the bbq that much. Maybe I was tired. It was good ofcos catching up and seeing how others are doing. But more than that I guess I couldn't connect nor identify that much. And it was tough to connect authentically beyond the superficial, due to the class gathering being once in one/two years. I know I can't grow old like that, be an typical Singaporean who aspires to have a stable career, car, house, country club membership, and yeah, be happy.
Service was good today, on prayer. ;)
Was reminded of this verse at the end when we sought God:
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'
Isaiah 58:8-9
Went to Parkway to get my contacts, and I saw this cute toddler in his pram, and he was crying. His eyes and nose became red. But his dad reached out his hand and said, come daddy carry you. And it was such a sweet moment to see almost immediately, the brawling stopped. "Daddy" was quite a big plump guy, and toddler lying in his arms was in such a secure position. It reminded me of Daddy's love that embraces me...when I mess up and cry, I know He is there.
Been feeling rather burdened these days for people. I guess that kind of emotional tiredness and burden is even more heavy that physical sickness. Though I am reminded that I am NOT God, and it is not abt me to take matters in my own hands.
Tues onwards I went back to work, and started having a flu. That lasted for the whole of last week, but I got better on Friday. Been a rather challenging week, cos it was the peak period for our fund raising. We have managed to raise more than 12K already. Anyway was quite stressed out again with numerous emails & phonecalls. I guess yet again, needing to have some quiet time with God so that I don't get caught up in all the doing again. Had counseling classes on Mon and Wed too, and worked late on Tues...so it was a really tiring week for me.
Stayed out late with colleagues and sec sch frens respectively on Fri and Sat nights. Came home on Fri night abt 2ish....really v rare to be home so late for 2 consecutive fri nights. We had fun singing KTV @ The One. Sat had a bbq with my rg sch mates. "Interesting" how almost all of us are working for the govt, whether directly or indirectly. I think the govt is doing a good job in recruiting.
Actually didn't really enjoy the bbq that much. Maybe I was tired. It was good ofcos catching up and seeing how others are doing. But more than that I guess I couldn't connect nor identify that much. And it was tough to connect authentically beyond the superficial, due to the class gathering being once in one/two years. I know I can't grow old like that, be an typical Singaporean who aspires to have a stable career, car, house, country club membership, and yeah, be happy.
Service was good today, on prayer. ;)
Was reminded of this verse at the end when we sought God:
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'
Isaiah 58:8-9
Went to Parkway to get my contacts, and I saw this cute toddler in his pram, and he was crying. His eyes and nose became red. But his dad reached out his hand and said, come daddy carry you. And it was such a sweet moment to see almost immediately, the brawling stopped. "Daddy" was quite a big plump guy, and toddler lying in his arms was in such a secure position. It reminded me of Daddy's love that embraces me...when I mess up and cry, I know He is there.
Been feeling rather burdened these days for people. I guess that kind of emotional tiredness and burden is even more heavy that physical sickness. Though I am reminded that I am NOT God, and it is not abt me to take matters in my own hands.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Snuffles
Well, I've been sick. My colleague called me Snuffles, which is quite a cute name! ;P Dragged myself to work on Wed sniffy and all, nose kept dripping. Nevertheless had a meeting in the morning and endless emails to clear!
It has been so tough managing the trip, work and counseling sch! Really tired. Try to catch a few winks on the bus though. Listening to music, reflecting and talking to God on the bus helps. :)
Weekend is here soon! Glad I'm feeling much better too. Pls keep me in yr prayers for wisdom and strength.
It has been so tough managing the trip, work and counseling sch! Really tired. Try to catch a few winks on the bus though. Listening to music, reflecting and talking to God on the bus helps. :)
Weekend is here soon! Glad I'm feeling much better too. Pls keep me in yr prayers for wisdom and strength.
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