Transfer the Vision

Let say, you are doing a good job as a leader. You're modeling the way. You are developing relationships with your people and building them up. You've trained them. You are developing them and plan to continue doing so. Now what? It's like you’ve taken the time to build a fine weapon and load it. So what so you do? You aim at the bull’s-eye and pull the trigger. In the area of leadership, that means transferring the vision.

The vision cast by the top management rarely gets transferred to the people without the whole-hearted participation of the leaders lower in the organization who are closer to them. Though leaders in the middle may not always be the inventor of the vision, they are almost always its interpreters.

1. Clarity

When the vision isn't clear, the people aren't clear. They just can’t figure it out. You have to pull all the pieces together for them to help them 'get' it.

When preparing to cast vision, ask yourself: What do I want them to know, and what do I want them to do?

And once you know the answer, keep communicating and filling in the blanks until you can sense that most of your people get it – not just the quick ones.

2. Connection of past, present and future

Any leader who casts vision and neglects to tie in the past and present is really missing an opportunity.

Talking only about the past gives no hope for the future, so you certainly don't want to put your focus there. But if you ignore the past, you fail to connect people to the organization's history. If you show that you value what has gone before and honor the people who laid the foundation to get you where you are today, you validate those people who have worked hard and sacrifice to build what already exists. You also give the people who are new to the process the added security of knowing they are part of something bigger.

When people are able to touch the past, they will be more inclined to reach for the future. Anytime you can show the past, present, and future are unified, you bring power and continuity to your vision casting.

2inc: Those people who weren't involved in building the foundations of North wouldn't realize how 'bad' it was in the beginning and what price were paid to build it till where it is now. Therefore if we do not include this as we challenge our new generation of believers then they will not see the importance of why we started out and carrying on where we left off. A successful leader is one who has a successor.

3. Purpose

Although vision tells people where they need to go, purpose tells them why they should go. Not only does that help people to make sense of what they are being asked to do, but it also helps them to stay on target. It helps them to make adjustments, improvise, and innovate as they encounter obstacles or experience other difficulties.

4. Goals

Leadership is leaders inducing followers to act for certain goals that present the values and the motivations – the wants and the needs, the aspirations and expectations – of both leaders and followers. Without goals and a strategy to achieve them, vision isn’t measurable or attainable. When you give people a process, they realize that the vision is realistic. And that increases their confidence in you and the vision.

5. A challenge

Just because you can make the vision realistic doesn't mean you can't make it challenging. In fact, if the vision doesn’t require people to stretch, they may wonder if it is worthy of their dedication. Some leaders seem to be afraid to challenge their teams, but a challenge makes good people want to spread their wings and fly. It fires up the committed people – and fries the uncommitted ones. You will accurately define your people if you ask them to stretch.

2inc: You will find out who is committed and who's not when you give them a challenge that will require them to stretch.

6. Stories

If you want to put a human face on a challenging vision, then include stories. They make the vision relational and warm. Think about people who have been involved in the advancement of the group so far. Tell about their struggles and victories. Praise their contributions. Make it personal. When you do that, you make the vision and the process identifiable to the average people who are wondering, Should I be a part of this? Can I be a part of this? Can I make a difference? A story helps them to see that even though they may have to reach to help achieve the vision, it is within their grasp.

7. Passion

If there is no passion, then your vision isn't transferable; it is just a pleasant snapshot. Who's going to work hard, put in long hours, fight through obstacles, and go the extra mile for that? The wonderful thing about passion is that it is contagious. If you are fired up, then they will get fired up, and they will need that fire to keep them going.

There is definitely a link between ownership and success. You don’t get the latter without the former. Take the vision 'from me to we.'

Handling the weight

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a
glass of water and asked,


"How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter.It depends on how long you try to hold it.

If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem.

If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.

If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

He continued, And that's the way it is with stress management.

If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. "

As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.

When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can"



So, my friend, why not take a while to just simply RELAX.

Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now.

Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

Life is short. Enjoy it!

Blessings

Finally I have time to share about my blessings from the past week.

Firstly, I want to thank God for a good job. I'm working at Mapletree Investments' Asset Management department as a temporary administration assistant assisting the administration executive, Joo Ai. You have seen my previous blog mentioning about her having a very sweet voice. She is a mum to 2 kids, 9 years old daughter and 11 years old son. She was married at 24, gave birth at 26… haha, 'hip' mum.

My friendships with the 2 Christian colleagues; Deana & LC, are fruitful. We always have biblical conversations during lunch time. I thank God that even at work I can receive biblical inputs from others and share my learning with them. I enjoy lunch time!!! They always try to bring me around to new food courts or hawker centres around harborfront to explore new food. Deana recently shared with me a place where they give free Christian talks – Crest, a Christian book shop at far east plaza – I haven really check it out though.

My ‘lao ban’… always ask me the same question, “You ok?”
Then I always reply with the same answer, “Yup!”
I appreciate it though.

I never expected to have such a good first working experience. I got this job on my first interview. I thank God I did not have to go through the experience of being rejected by a company. I also realized I was the highest paid temp employee among the others that was working for Mapletree just before I did… haha… not like as if my pay is super high, but I thank God that I didn’t get their kind of pay – that one really cheap (x3) labour.

I’ve learnt a lot during these few days, of which many, I have nothing big or important to do; so I’ll usually spend time to do ministry stuff. I even fell sleep during work yesterday – I really do all I need to do le…

I feel that the other colleagues quite like me too. Haha, it’s good because they will be more willing to teach me more stuff and more lenient when I make mistake.

During the most recent DL huddle, we had to share something about us. I had to share my fear. At that point, I really don’t know what I really fear, so I just said worms. However, I didn’t really want to share about those cliché things, but I really got nothing in mind. This question really bothers me – I kept thinking about it on my way home and it suddenly struck me – I fear… haha... you think I so stupid to disclose it publicly and let people use it against me… whahaha… ok, but I can give clue.

I think I fear these 2 things, of which, 1 is known by most people – _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ & _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. Oh, why did I suddenly insert the DL huddle incident here? I realized about 1 of the fears I had while working.

Anyways, back to blessings.

I’m very blessed with a good team in North – Joyce, Daryl, David.

They are a bunch of leaders that have their own conviction in Christ. They know what they want to do for God and what they need to do for God – in their personal lives and in their ministry. It’s not difficult to lead them because they know what they want and how to get there. I simply just need to evaluate and approve their plans – just like the senior managers in my work place; everyday sign documents can le… haha… They are people that make the difference in the North. They execute plans and follow through the plans. They have to lead their people and solve their issues.

From the North CLs, I learnt that it is not difficult to lead people pastorally. Students of different personalities, strengths or background can lead other students. As long as your heart loves the people you lead, then the other things (e.g. skills, resources…) can fall in nicely to help you to be an effective leader, but if you have the skills but not the heart – no use. Just like ornaments on Christmas trees – your skills are for ‘bai sui’ purpose only. So many times, I see the leaders who love God and love their people, worked hard to learn skills, to find resources… and in the end reach their goals – so the issue is not about what we don’t have but are we giving what we have for the Kingdom. The right heart manifested into right attitudes in leadership.

Their attitude towards God and God’s people motivated them to achieve beyond themselves. They taught me that the first important thing to have as a leader is the right heart.

The wrong heart --> wrong desires --> wrong actions --> wrong results --> affect him & others.

The biblical heart --> biblical desires --> biblical actions --> biblical results --> blessings for him & others.

However, it is not easy to lead and having to work in a ‘9-to-5’ job at the same time. I understand how DK feels. Each day after work, I have only enough time for 1 shepherding – from 7pm – 10pm. By the time I reach home, on the laptop, type some stuff, it’s 12pm le… so need to sleep and then… the next day.

Really salute the adult ministry, Filipino ministry, mandarin ministry and especially family ministry, having to serve God, serve family & serve babies… haha… For now, working as a temp, it’s still ok… as you can see… I can still blog entries. It’s easy when you are a full-time pastoral staff – anyway your job would be to do pastoral ministry; with flexibility of time also. However as an employee in a secular company, you have to IC your work from ‘9-to-5’ and whatever time you are left with, to IC your pastoral groups – 2 different things.

So leh, I really thank God for my leaders :)

That’s about all for now… *Feeling sleepy* at 10:35am.

Transformers, Roborts in disguise

Haha… It’s 8:51am right now. Just did my rounds as a ‘postman’ so now currently nothing to do as yet.

I went to watch “Transformers” yesterday night at 9.40pm until about 12pm – about 2hrs 20mins movie. So cool ah… so glued to the screen, can – even though I was sitting the 3rd from the screen and my neck felt a bit uncomfortable. This movie so totally deserved my $7. Haha.

I like the whole show – all the way from the beginning.

The scene where the robots went to Sam’s house to find the spectacles was so funny la… aiyo, can laugh until siao ah… But then in the movie, everyone was so quiet la… I want to LOL also pai sei… The scenes where the robots transformed are like WOW – so fast and so cool.

I TOTALLY love the fighting scenes man… sit there mouth open and watch… to one point I nearly feel like crying la… cause the show so nice!!! My mouth was kept open almost throughout the whole show… I was like “wah” – all the way…

If I was in shorts or pants, I would have squat on the chair and watch lo (and then fall off the chair at some point in the movie… haha… because leaned too forward…). Kept smiling and laughing to myself because the show so nice la… If I was watching DVD at home, I probably am able to be more noisy and expressive without being a nuisance. The whole time I was trying so hard to keep myself from expressing out the “wah-ness”… haha.

The scene where bumble bee morphed into a brand new car… wah seh… Bumble bee so loyal, in order to protect Sam and the girl, he kena caught and froze like pork. He never give up without a fight man – no legs already still fight while being dragged around… haha…

There is this robot that wants to ‘get rid’ things all the time; including Sam’s parents.

There’s another ‘hip-hop’ one… haha… so cute la.

Then the Megatron, always announcing his own arrival, “I am Megatron” – laugh until pengz…

But then, I totally don’t get the ending?!
How come Megatron just died like that – by absorbing the cube?
How come the cube killed him?
How did Sam know that the cube can destroy him?
I was so excited about the fight… eh… then suddenly Megatron die liao… I sit there and blur loh…

If you understand the ending, please ‘enlighten’ me :)

To know more about characters in the Transformers series --> Click here.

Ah Peh's Conviction

Hi everyone. Now I would to share about my group NORTH B.We had been stagnant for sometime already and we’re not seeing much fruits even after camp. Some weeks we tried really hard but the results are awfully disappointing. Guess what! We’re in wilderness!!

Yes, there are very little growth, in this case it’s street convert and people who are far away came back to join us. What we really wanted is exponential growth! The altar call to me, during the service for the past weeks makes my stomach extremely uneasy. I believe not only me, but the people in my group too. There’s really this stirring within our hearts to continue to work and be greatly assured by God’s promises.

So the solution was out. We aren’t supposed to think so much about growth. We are supposed to work so that we could grow! This week was a week of growth in terms of quality and quantity. We even have visitor already! Most people in the group had their fervor increased.

God have been evident through our lives this week. We’re all godsmacked this week. The turning point is when we all decided to commit to the common vision and allowing the same God that did miracles, as seen in the bible, to move through our doings. Reality is another stumbling block for us, in the sense where there will be some people that will not fully commit to the whole movement along with us. Nevertheless, we moved on and there’s BREAKTHROUGHS!

People sometimes will say, “God, you’ve not been evident in my life”. But the fact is that we’re not even doing anything to allow God to be evident in our lives!! In the end, we’ll grumble and start blaming God. God is not an object or idol, He should be the Lord of all in our lives.

I’m also convicted about D4RE(Determination 4 Reaching Everyone)! It is our group’s motto! We want to be people that, Dare to be different! Dare to stand firm for the Gospel! Dare to make a difference in Sphere of Influence!! For me, I beg to differ from the World! I want to be a Daring Christian! And for the group, we really wants to be believers that are not easily influenced by people of the world. We wants to burn that bridge that leads us back to the world. Because our lives are changed by God, through that very cross paid by flesh and blood, not the World.

[By Sherman Peh]

Copy and Paste

Part of Vivien's latest post

and i wanna affirm TINGTING :DDDDDDDDDDDshe's so hardworking, because she's going to shepherd her very first sheep soon, it's not a really easy sheep to take care[i mean tingting need to go the extra mile for her (((:], but i believe God will guide her and also be there for her ;DDi believe she's going to be a great shepherd :)) 加油，婷婷!

Part of Xinru's 2 latest posts

met up joyce just now.really had fun, videoed down how we interviewed joyce.all of us came to the miting with our eyelids half closed.almost going to sleep cause of the lack of sleephaha. then we prayed.devotions in the morning for 80plus more days.god! let me go with ur strength and joy!haha.help me, god, let us set the standard,let us be at the first frontier for you.

today's yishun de cg, only 6 ppl turn up!!!but that did not drown the hyper atmosphere we had.we prayed for the 2 new be's that came.baptised them in the holy spirit.both recieved it and started crying!god! that was such an awsome sight.reallyits god in the picture.then ting ting sang a song! its cool! haha.let the unit listen to it tis sat.we had such fun in fellowshipthat none of them wanted to leave.haha. it was a great success.thank u god for all you've blessed in yishun!

Part of Joan's latest post

After meeting , Joyce shared somethin' with us and it made wanting , celine and i teared . I have never seen Celine cry before . I love each and everyone of you so dearly . This family is filled with LOVE , FUN and ENTHUSIASM in serving God . We know each other's strengths and weaknesses .We've been through good times and really tough times together . I am really really very happy that im part of this team . I will never ever leave this family . =) Over my dead body . HAHAHAHA .

Part of Ace's latest post

Affirm people now..
joyce tan : joyce thank euu that euu leadingg this north A and hadd some joy withh euu and ii really cann learn alot of thingg..and euu are mine belovedd leader forever! xD

xinru tay : thankk euu sherpherdd that euu teachingg me as well..and we hadd cchy as cg ! but ii know that will be veryy toughh..but ii know that this word " united " we really can win win win ! soo jiayo! and ii love euu sherpherd..xD

sherry lee : thank euu sheepmate for accompanyy me no matter ii am sadd or dicouage..but yet euu still withh me no matter ii hadd upset.and euu are mine forever sheepmate.and ii love euu..and ii with euu..ii hadd bornn withh euu like that..hahas..and we look sister..cause ii think 1year sheepmate it euu are my forever sisterr lovedd ! xD

yuwen : thank euu sheep that euu are very first sheep to take care of euu in spiritual..and ii hadd withh euu alot of joy together..and ii also saw that euu are really enjoyy in this group.and i hadd seen euu grow too..anyway sheep, ii sherpherdd ii love euu as my sheep forever!

celine ho : heyy heyy! thank euu that eu last timee teachingg me..as my ex-sherpherdd..but thank euu that euu teachingg alot and ii hadd joy withh euu..but now also have..euu at my heart euu are my forever laughterr gall..hahas..butt ii lovee euuu too ! xD

euise : xiaoo ma ! hahas..ii love your laughter!! xDD hahas..butt euu hadd in this group ii hadd with joy withh euu too..and jiayoo OPSS! okaays!! xDD myy xiao ma! xDD love euu!

vivien LIM : hahas..my parnter! hahas..also thank euu that euu alway accompany me no matter ii am upset etc.and ii withh euu ii feel warm..and wee aree veryy forever foreverrr loveee! xD

ting ting yeo : haha! mommy! thank euu too also lahhs..thenn alwayy withh me too..no matter ii am upset etc..but mommy euu are my best mommy in kingdom of God ! hahas..xD lovee euu!

joan hoe : jojo! hahas..mojojo! hahaahahahaha! no lahhs..also thank euu that euu also withh me forever too.and we are like hunbandd and wife like that..keep on kissingg..hahahaha! butt ii love euu too! xD

messlisa : haha..thank euu also withh me too..ii love euu too! andd ii withh euu ii hadd joy withh euu..and euu are my blurrrr gall in my mind..but ii love euu too! haha xD

liyan : ii lovee euu ah ma! xD hahas..thank euu that euu alway with me no matter ii am upset or wadd...but thank euu! xD ii lovee euu too!

val : hahaha myyy cute cuteeeee val !! haha..thank euu that alway hadd joy withh euu!! thank euu!! ii lovee euuu! xD

joggina: hahas! myy usher leader!!! hahas..thank euu also alway peii me andd hadd joy withh euu! ii lovee euuu too!! xD

mandy : hahas..myy laughterr ! and ii feel warm with euu..hahas..ii dunno why..but also thank euu that hadd joy with euu too! and we had taken a emo andd tooopidd pic too! hahaa! ii love euu too ! xD

banana: iii loveee euu! hahaa my cutiee honey! haha! and euu are veryy forever cute lahhs..hahas..ii love your face look japan.hahas..but ii loveee euu too! xD

jiaxin: hahahahahahaha!!! myyyyyyy crazyy parnter! hahaha!! ii loveeeee euuuu!! hahaha..myy cute lahhs..ii lovee euu too! xD

Diary Entry [Part 2]

[Start 12:28pm] 17 minutes before lunch time… hehe…
At 11.58am, some information finding again on the 13th floor… need to climb again…
Just came back. I think after lunch need to do some proof-reading.
At least got something to do :) [End 12:30pm]

[Start 5:22pm] Yeah!! Did some work for Linda after lunch. Then went to the drink dispenser to try kopi and teh… haha… Free mah…

During lunch, I went out with LC and Deana. Deana is from FCBC. So she shared with me that her group is on a project called 100k., whereby 500 ‘warriors’ will outreach to 20 pre-believers each by asking them to select from a list of 20 ‘needs’ so that the ‘warriors’ can pray for them. This is to connect the pre-believers to them then to God. She is a serving Christian at the age of 50++, eh… I think she grandmother le… maybe 60+… not sure... but I thought I heard her talking about something to do with ‘granddaughter’… -_-?
Then I got to learn from them how to outreach in the marketplace… wah… so cool la!!

I’ve been planning for the group since 3++pm…
Updated my CG08 list and sort…
Just sent a long email to DK… wahahaha… When there is nothing to do in the office, I’ll send emails out to get other people to do things… whahaha…

Received sms from Jogina about her getting a big hole in her tooth filled… wahahah... She had 3 jabs in her gums and the procedure took 90 minutes?!
“Please brush your teeth, girl… This is what you get for not brushing your teeth…”

Another sms from David saying that as of now, he passed his papers, but not very satisfied with the results… “Aiya, give thanks la boy.”

Today, my ‘lao ban’, Mr Chan Tuck Kay, came and talk to me… just to give me a whole idea on how I contribute to the project with what I do…
Actually, I’m very impressed by him. From the interview, I realized that he is a person that wants to develop people. I thought that managers just want to get things done.
He said that he wants his employees, even his temps, to learn on the job. He put it into action today by sharing with me some stuff so that I learn new things.
Many people want to get things done quickly, very seldom someone is willing to take time to develop and teach someone else. *Impressed*

He reminds me of Ps Jeff. He kinda has the same mannerism and quite funny also. Haha… the funny thing is my response to jokes from the both of them, also the same one…
When Ps Jeff attempts to say something funny to make fun of me, I will don’t get it and dunno how to respond. With Mr. CTK – same thing.

I’m going to fix SOW now… haha… 22 more minds to ‘pang gang’… heh heh.. the got shepherding with Joyce Tan. [End: 6:08pm]

Diary Entry [Part 1]

[Start 9:31am] Reached office around 8.27am. Saw my VP at the lift lobby, she was on her way out, I was on my way in, so no awkwardness... haha… Went to look for something to do in the office, but nothing to do as yet… So I write entry for blog lo… if not sit too long never move, will fall sleep…

I’m like so new in everything (I just confirmed that I’m working in the Asset Management Department) that the Admin Executive, Joo Ai, has to guide me step by step and I feel so bad, like I’m wasting her time. Anyway, she is a very cute person. On her desk pin-board, she pinned up pictures for Jonathan (Singapore-idol), Show Luo Zhi Xiang and some other cute guy celebrities… by the way, she is married with kids le… Her voice very gentle but can tell she quite havoc kinda person; meaning very gung-ho for fun things one… This morning she was amazed that I wore colored lens and she shared that she also wears them in the past.

Anyways, something cool to share… You know the drinks dispenser, the one where you see in hospitals and each cup costs about 50 cents… Can dispense like coke, coffee, milo – with ice or no ice… you know? Ya la, that one la… haha… my office also has… but it’s FREE... just press and no need to pay… whahaha… yesterday got nothing to do, so went to check out the pantry and discovered free la…

Yesterday was my 3rd day working; LC invited me for lunch again – together with Deana. I lunched with them both on the 1st day as well. Both of them are Christians from both different churches, around 50+ years old… they said they were near retirement age so I guess it’s around here ba.

Anyways, during lunch, both of them started talking about spiritual things. LC is going to start attending a bible study course tonight at her church; it is a bible study that’ll last for 7 years… wah seh… I like so impressed at her desire to learn the word of God.

Deana attended her cell group gathering yesterday night, and she told me in the afternoon that her pastor just came back from a 9 years mission trip to Russia and she adopted a Russian orphan, who is around 25 years old now. She is currently looking for a part-time job and to learn English as well. She said her pastor is 40+. So cool yea!! Some spiritual talks during office hours.

Yesterday was kinda boring at work. Nothing much to do after lunch hour. Sat in the office from 3pm – 6.30pm, planning for group – sending emails to leaders to ‘get-things-done-‘ in their group. So free until can call David and ask him about his stats.

Now, I’m trying to find things to do and wait for people to approach me with work to do… but half-an-hour le… still no have… There is no internet access for the temp-staff com… haiya… see you later [End: 10:06am]

[Start: 11:24pm] At 9.45pm, finally, got work to do!! Linda, the HarbourFront Centre Manager IC, asked me to verify some worked done yesterday. Walked up and down 12th and 13th floor three times, to find, verify and print information. No lift suitable for use. Have to walk down long passage ways and up escalators. Then after that, become ‘postman’, cleared managers trays for ‘out’ documents and put them in ‘in’ trays of others. Walked up and down 12th and 13th floor, twice… because ‘boh-doh’ me… left the COO’s document in wrong person’s tray… Went down from 13th floor to 12th floor, back to 13th floor – haha... on my way up, took photo of nice view from 12th floor of Vivocity top view. Worked for the past 1 hour 40 minutes. [End: 11:32am]

A sudden thought

If you can complain about what you don't like, why don't you go do something about it?

Now, what is the difference between you and the one who created the trouble.. you just add fuel to the fire by just complaining and pushing the blame? In fact, you make matters worse - causing disunity, bitterness, hatred..

Proverbs 14:23 "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."
Proverbs 20:19 "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much."

It's would be better for you to keep quiet, if not, you better be prepared to be responsible for what you are spreading.

Hebrews 4:13 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

If you don't like it, then do something about it and stop pointing the finger - with your mouth :)
If you can complain, you can make a difference - then why hesitate?

If you really believe that something is wrong then show it by doing what is right.
With only talks, it only goes to show how much you believe if what you are spreading.

There is no such thing as 'I'm not in the position to do so', if what we are doing is for God.. then why wouldn't God bless it?

Acts 5:38-39
38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

2nd day at work

My high heels are killing me.. I love my heels.. but wearing it to work is a bad idea.. pain pain pain..

Anyways, working makes me realised what I don't like.. that's a good start at least.. I may not know what I want yet.. but at least I know what I don't..

People are like talking about how to earn big bucks.. get degrees for big bucks.. big bucks, big bucks.. Sorry, it's not getting into me at all.. I hate it.. but I guess for practicality sake.. money is necessary.. but can I earn it in a more meaningful way???

Ok.. I totally don't know why people are excited about making more money.. I'm simply not motivated at all.. I hate it when the conversation always revolves around money.. ok.. I'm so not used to this.. I think I hate the 'status' people give to money but I don't mind having more myself.. It's not that I don't want to work hard but I don't see the need to slog for money.. money can just come along the way as I work.. but to find ways to earn more money everyday?! To change jobs just to get better pay?!

Ok.. I think I'm in trouble now.. I think probably I'm not seeing something in the right perspective.. or perhaps seeing them in just one perspective.. perhaps I should be less judgemental about many new things that I just got in contact with.. haha..

I really need to get out of my comfort zone and mix with people whose '2nd home' is like the company.. but I have no intention to make that place my '2nd home' and I feel it's a waste of time to socialise and know a lot of people.. but I guess we all need to build good relationships to get the jobs well done.. I guess I'm a bit confused about how to relate with these people and what is expected of me.. I'm trying to fit in the right way, I guess..

I don't mind if they just give me work to do and leave me alone to do it.. but I think what makes me feel weird is when we go for group gathering and I'm feel obliged to somehow fit in to their 'culture', understand their inside jokes and laugh, and talk what they are interested about.. If I don't enjoy it - I'll naturally give the 'sian' look.. but I mean no harm but according to 'survey' people usually understand it differently, usually negatively.. So I feel super doom.. so everytime when I see them I need to smile, smile.. err.. smile.. If I were to be natural, I'll make people feel that I'm cold and sort..

Ok.. I think I'm in trouble (again!).. so self-centered.. It's 'I, Me, Myself'.. *sob sob*..

"Ok.. admitted it.. you are just lazy and can't be bothered to mix around with people."

"Yes, that's pretty true.. and all the more when I feel we have totally different agendas on our mind."

So I'm still trying to figure out some common grounds.. but I guess it'll be alright.. I'll always need sometime to figure out my 'place' in the environment.. and after that.. I'll start exploiting my rights as much as I can.. haha..

Perhaps it's just the 2nd day only.. I may just enjoy the work and find my interest in something somehow along the way.. I'm in the property assets managment/investment sort of department.. I've no idea why I'm there but I'm there.. how I wish I were in Marketing or HR kinda department..

I'm praying for God to speak to me where I should go, to close 'wrong' doors and open up doors to the right direction :)

ART of Harvesting 1

Acts 2:42-4742
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I decided to read this verse while waiting for the consulation.

I was planning what to teach in this Saturday's ART of Harvesting meeting.
The first session is Attract & Attach. It is about how to attract pre-believers through first time contact or through community interaction (CG) and attach them to the CG.

Then as I was reading this verse, I decided to teach about 'Community Evangelism' - What kind of school communities attract pre-believers to want to know God.

I realised that the believers were this.. this.. this.. then the Lord added to them.. hmm.. North girls came to my mind.. they have regular fellowship, they love one another in the cg and the Lord added to their number.

The North brothers are also building committed and encouraging communities in their groups. They meet in the mornings before school for prayer and QT, they do outreach together after schools. We have seen 1 weekday convert from last week.. and this is only the beginning!! The convert is a friend of our half-German, half-Indonesian member, David Sentosa.
From some things that he shared, I sense that the brothers in Sherman's new cg are maturing and many great things will start to take place in this group as the people grow. Ministry growth results from our spiritual growth.

Ok.. I'm so excited for this Saturday's meeting.. cause I'll be meeting everyone.. including all the new believers.. everyone will learn how they can contribute to building a biblical and attractive communities in their schools.. and all of them will be trained specifically on how they can be a harvester in their specific roles - we need workers at different levels, doing different things but together in the same direction, achieving the same goal.

Ok.. so if you read this post.. please pass this message on:

ART of Harvesting I
4pm - 6pm
Istana Park

Out alone

I spent the whole of today alone. Quite relaxing :)

Woke up at 8.10am this morning to prepare to go polyclinic to have my ears cleaned and asked for some medication for mu sore throat. Suppose to wake up at 7am to go and fight the kiasu crowd queueing at the polyclinic, but decided to sleep more in the end.

My polyclinic visit

Reach the polyclinic at 9.03am, got my queue number for consultation at 9.31am.. and saw the doctor at 10.50am.. waited for 1hr 19mins.. but I knew this kinda thing would happen.. haha.. so I planned to read bible and plan for 'ART of Harvesting'.. so the waiting time didn't bother me that much. The consultation lasted for around 15 mins only.. and I waited for 1 hour ++ :(

Then went to submit prescription and paid for everything, by the time I collected the medication and left, it was already 11.37am. So in total, I spent about 2 hour 34mins.. a total waste of time if I just sat there and do nothing while waiting..

Went for a haircut

Then, next up, I went Anchorpoint to get my hair cut. My mum bought a 8 sessions haircut package, so I just use 1 session.. This is one place - I guess the only place - that I dare to let the hairdressers cut my hair. The only thing that is different now is the length and the thickness.. oh.. and so much neater now..

My Brunch

I wanted to eat at Delifrance.. but then I realise bread+soup+coffee=$9.90... I decided to settle for Subway tuna sandwich [Favourite!!].. Same thing everytime, honey oat bread+toasted+tuna+all veggie+one cookie+small drink.

I read the newly bought 'A love worth giving' while eating.. yea! yea! as i was reading some parts of the book I feel like crying.. but cannot cry.. then got tears in my eyes but must control cannot let it flow.. so funny.. I left anchorpoint around 2.30pm..

Search for the goggles

I walked over to Queensway shopping centre with the intention to buy goggles, caused I forgot to bring out my sister's pair - I actually planned to wear my contact lens to swim, so that I can see while swimming. I tried searching for a cheap one, but the cheapest one I found was $22 -_-.. so sad cause I thought can find $10++ ones.. so I decided to just head to the swimming complex to buy, hoping that they sell cheap ones there..

Then when I reached the pool I realised that there was no goggles on display.. oh oh.. how? I just went to the stall and ask the aunty there if there were goggles on sale.. then yea!! have!! and only $10!!

Swam for 80mins

Feel so good swimming.. I love swimming.. I hate running.. anyways I intended to swim for 1 hour.. haha.. feel so proud of myself.. I actually finished 30 laps (15 laps if you count 100m/lap) within 1 hour.. hahah!! it was a continuous swim ok.. so must have stamina to tahan.. not easy ok.. then I wanted to leave but still feel that I can swim some more.. hehe.. then decided another to swim another 10 laps.. haha.. the final result - 40 laps in 80mins.. average 2 mins per lap.. haha.. like very slow hoh.. I think so too..

Good news

Just as I left the swimming complex, Joyce called to tell me that Yishun Secondary had 2 converts today and Chung Chung High Yishun Branch had 1 convert today.

Today was really fruitful for me.. cause I read books, swam, ate.. haha.. great!!

Talked to God about the group also and about myself also..

Tomorrow is going to be another great day as well :)

Today

Intro to my part-time job
From 5th July on, I'll be starting my part-time job as a full-time admin stuff at Mapletree Investment.. haha.. My working hours are like 8.30am - 6.30pm from Monday - Thursday & I end slightly earlier on Friday at 5.30pm.

This is my first step into the working world.. *sob*..

Ok, don't ask me how much I'm getting, it is a part-time job, so I get paid what part-timers get paid per hour.. anyway, don't bother discussing the salary issue with me.. cause that is totally not my concern at all.. but thanks for your concern..

Anyway, I've been in such a relax mood for the past 1 month since my final papers ended at the end of May, I wonder if I can keep up with the daily 'waking up early' + 'ministry after work' kinda lifestyle.. so I decided to go swimming to build stamina.. whahaa..

The last time I swam was before the exams period.. haha.. so long ago..

My swimming experience
Anyways, the swimming pool was slightly crowded.. I felt as though I'm trying to cross the road at a traffic junction or sort. I must always observe if there is anyone coming in my direction and change lane in order not to collide.. Then when there is someone swimming much slower in front of me, I need to change land again to move forward faster, while making sure that as I change lane I don't knock into someone who is swimming behind me who happened to be using that lane.. whahaa..

Yep.. nothing much happened during the swim.. then decided to leave when I'm tired.. so went to bath and change..

As I was walking to the locker to collect my stuff.. I felt like vomitting.. oh man.. though this time round it has nothing to do with NYNY.. It felt like the day when we had captain's ball match during the camp games, run like 'siao' then after that feel like vomitting. So went to the toilet but nothing came out.. fine.. so went to bath..

Then, I became giddy and very giddy.. cannot raise my head.. a little movement makes me sick.. sometimes my vision was a bit bright/blur... I took about half and hour or so to bath.. It felt like when I had fever and no energy to bath kinda experience.. but in the end I still make it out of the bathroom.. hahah..

The kopitiam incident
Oh.. I forgot to mention, I went with my sister. Moving on.. we took a bus home and walked to a kopitiam near our house to get dinner.. as we walked into the kopitiam, we heard one 50++ man shouting vulgarities like nobody's business.. shout so loud some more.. at one woman, about the same age, who was sitting with a group of friends..
Suddenly I heard a voice within me said, "Sounds familiar?!".. whahaa.. laugh until 'pengz' within..

I don't know what both of them were quarrelling about.. but the man became more and more angry.. then suddenly he took up a beer bottle and smash against the wall.. I think he felt very 'shiok', cause he smash another 2 more..
My sister and I were choosing our dinner when the smashing of beer bottles happened.. we were - maybe - 4 tables away? When he smashed the first bottle, I stood there watching.. but when he smashed the 2nd one, the broken pieces flew really far, and we walked further away quickly just before he smashed the last bottle.

My sister was so pissed with the man being so rude to a woman.. seriously I have no idea why she was pissed at that.. cause both the man and woman were like in a drunken state and both were quarrelling.. -_-? The customers at the kopitiam just sat at their table, continue eating while watching the drama mama that is going on.. nobody dare to do anything.. but I guess in the end someone did, cause the police from the neighbourhood police post across the street came shortly after the bottles were smashed.

I think everyone was glad that the police came.. because they can settle the saga.. it was about 8pm then.. then my sister said that police post usually closes at 8pm.. haha.. poor policemen must OT.

Tomorrow
Anyway, these are today's interesting happenings. Tomorrow I'll be going polyclinic to get my ears checked and cleaned, cause I feel that I'm becoming deaf. Maybe will ask for some throat medicine too cause I still sound 'out-of-tune' since camp - which is very bad. Will be cutting my hair too - no need to expect new style, I'm too lazy to do hair-maintenance daily - probably a shorter and neater version of current hairstyle. Then perhaps will drop by ikea to look see look see.. Maybe, most likely, go swimming again.. hahah.. yeah!!!

New book
Bought a new book. Max Lucado's A Love Worth Giving. Wanted to buy another of his book - Facing your giants; perhaps next time :) I haven really got the time to start reading it, I'll do it tomorrow!! I'm very excited about buying and reading new books :)

Winnie's convictions in relating with the opposite gender

Chanced upon Winnie's blog. Found this interesting, thought that I should share it, I hope she's ok about this.. anyway, she blogged it yea?!

Convictions in relating with the opposite gender:

1. I shall not plan to spend time alone with the opposite gender, except leaders above me and for ministry purpose.
2. I shall not talk/engage into conversation with the opposite gender when i'm emotionally vulnerable.
3. I shall not share with the opposite gender deep things about me that my shepherd does not know
4. I shall not engage into a conversation with the opposite gender for nothing or without any purpose. if i have to, always check my motives.
5. I shall not show friendliness that is questionable.

Okay, thats all for now..this is what i've set for myself after thinking through and all, everyone has different ways of handling such things,so its not something i impose on you as well. if you have any views on certain points do feel free to discuss with me! =) at the end of the day it's the purity of our hearts that matter and not the legalism and the actions =)

N.O.R.T.H

North: The place that we are planted, the place where we will bloom.
A land so dry that the land had cracks everywhere. It was unable to produce anything at all.
A source of water began to fill in the cracks and the land became moist.
It became a land that had potential to grow anything.
When good seeds fell on good soil, it produces more good seeds.

North is a people that are spiritual dry, unable to produce anything spiritual at all.
But when God came and fill the lives of the people, our hearts repented and became sensitive to God.
Because of our obedience, we began to have unlimited potential in Christ.
Whenever the Word of God took root in our hearts, we die to ourselves, and in turn, we influence our land.

We want to Plant the Kingdom in North.

Zec 8:12 (MSG)
"But things have changed. I'm taking the side of my core of surviving people: Sowing and harvesting will resume, Vines will grow grapes, Gardens will flourish, Dew and rain will make everything green. "My core survivors will get everything they need - and more.

We will change the spiritual atmosphere in North. No longer do we rely on the natural authority to do the influencing. The spiritual authority should create a spiritual revival. 'Born-again' youths will influence their parents, families, schools. Rise up and become leaders in our class, schools, CCA and ministries for Jesus. Let those who are biblical influence, set the standards and create the cultures and norms.

We will be prominent people because the fruit of our lives are different from the rest. People will envy us and want to be like us. We will attract people through our fruitful and purposeful lifestyle. People may ridicule us now for our commitment in Jesus, but they will acknowledge Jesus is real through the blessings we receive because we love Jesus.

North Y-Hope will bring hope into their land. It is not difficult to make a difference in North.
It is not about what we have 'in' us but how much of us is given to God for His purpose.

We will be the head and not the tail.
Deu 28:13
"The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom."

We can’t help but shine
Phil 2:14-5
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…"

We will show people the way to Jesus through our lives.
Matt 5:14-16
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.


We want to Disciple followers of Jesus.

In order to Plant the Kingdom in NORTH, we need workers - workers working at different levels, doing different things but moving together in one direction.

Mark 8:34
"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

In order to live like a normal Christian: we need to have:

• right motive - For Jesus
• right priority - Jesus no.1, others no.2, I no.3
• right focus - Jesus is the way

We will do what God has convicted in our hearts to do. Why must we compare with how other people are doing their job? We are not seeking for consenses but biblical standards.

Thoughts from Ps Marcus' sharing

Just wanna share some thoughts I had after hearing a lot from Ps Marcus.

I personally asked him 2 questions.

First. He mentioned that an average german student reads more widely than an average Singaporean student. I'm always very puzzled as to what makes them read more than we do? Is it a culture thing? It is that they simply just love to read? It seems that we are always being 'put down' in terms of this area - 'You don't read enough' -_- Fine.

So I asked him "Why is it that the German youths read? Culture? Enjoyment?"

He replied that firstly, there is no other entertainment besides reading especially in the cold seasons. "Chey, I thought they love reading books or what... 原来 is 没有 other things better to do. So it's really not my fault that there are so many things to do in Singapore like - DOTA & Sentosa... and it's not really my fault if we only have "hot" and "hotter" seasons only.. hahahaha.. hmm.. please read your bible!!"

Then also, those parents who are more educated, read to their kids since they are young and therefore it created a reading habit in them. However, for parents who are not educated, they do not read to their kids and therefore these kids don't read much as well.

"This reminds me of the culture in North. The types of family the people come from ranging from non-educated, single-parent, traditional chinese. The parents have really no idea how to teach their kids and basically leave them on their own to 'survive' by providing them money, just telling them to achieve the bare minimum can le and motivate them by 'comparing them with others'."

2nd question I asked was, "Why are the youths detesting Christianity so much? Is it influenced by their parents or...?"

He replied that many Germans claimed that the bible is not true, but when you post them this question "Have you read the bible?" - they would reply "no". So where do they get this assumption? It could be influenced from parents who have had experience Christianity before.

"This is the importance of us presenting Christ well, if not, the next generation will be influenced to think that Jesus is not good. We better win our generation well so that next generations to come will still be praising Jesus"

What really struck me was to share the gospel quickly while the situation is still in our favor. In Germany, it is so difficult to help someone come back to God. 6 months - 3 years of sowing is needed (generally) per person. In Singapore, while the people's hearts are still receptive to God we have to move fast. For our sake and for their sake.

We always say this "Win the youths today, win the world tomorrow". Sound super cool right -_- but if you realised, this makes a lot of sense in terms, if we don't win our generation then we will allow the corrupted world of tomorrow to start forming today and guess what.. we are the recipients of tomorrow's world.

We can actually shape the world of tomorrow, by what we do today.

We always say things like "Wah.. the secondary school students are worse off then when I was in secondary school" Yeah.. we agree that each generation is getting more and more rebellious than the previous one. So we better stop this trend by doing what we can - influencing our peers to godliness.

50 converts in 5 days

This is the group that brought in 50 converts in a span of 5 days. *clap clap*.. I want to affirm them for creating a breakthrough in the North's spiritual atmosphere through their boldness and excitement in sharing the gospel. These conversions took place during the holiday season where they don't usually see secondary school students around - this is amazing as well. Many people have approach them or myself to ask how it was done. Many people have been curious about how they did it, even the North brothers.

Perhaps let me go through what happened that leads to this 'miracle'.

Before the camp, the change in the spiritual atmosphere already started to take place in the unit. We have 1 convert who receive Jesus after watching 'The Passion of Christ' and she brought the vcd home to watch it with her entire family - her ah ma, mother, father, uncle, aunt, and the list goes on (without our knowlegde). After that she called her shepherd, Celine, to account to her what happened. Celine told Joyce and Joyce told me about the incident. When I heard what the new believer did, the first thought that come to my mind is "wah.. sure die one.. sure kena objection then cannot come anymore le" 谁知道... her family members all teared after the movie and encourage her to go to church.. *shock shock shock* this kind of thing never happen in Yishun before.

Another member, Sherry's account is even funnier. Her mother wanted to send her for counselling because she thought that Sherry had intention to commit suicide. Her reason: Sherry is so well behaved, very different from the past. Whahahaha..

Next, for the mid-year exams, the girls did really well in their exams. Vivien scored many As :) I just got to know that Celine is actually a normal tech student that moved to a normal academic class this year.. we're so encouraged that we are encouraging many others like Ace and Sherry to work hard in the next 3-4 months to move to NA as well.

Before the camp, the girls already had a lot of fun together. They are attractive and dynamic. There is so much postitve encouragement going around. CG members enjoy spending time together and play CG games. You can just go to some of their blogs (I've some links in my blog) and see for yourself what I mean. Even when there is someone in the group who is not 'doing well', there is no 'boycotting' but acceptance and concern for the person and the person's shepherd. It was about 2 months before the camp that we had this new structure - North, the girls didn't really had opportunity to find out more about each other. And there was the camp - perfect timing.

During the camp, there was the new addition of the Woodlands girls. The girls were quickly absorbed into the 'then' Yishun group. There was no division like 'hey, woodlands (yishun) girl'.. haha.. Getting all the girls together increased their dynamics.. woohoo..

In the camp, it was really the Word of God and the 'all-new' experience with God that increased the girls' faith in God, believe and trust in God for more challenging goals, and desperation for more youths to receive a 'brand new life' that they are living in Christ right now. It was during the final night's worship session that really moved my heart when I saw how they worshipped God. Many of them knelt down (for the first time) to worship God. Many of them cried as God touched their hearts.

A thought came into my mind as I was worshipping, "With surrendered lives like these, how can North not be won".

After the session, I gathered the group to challenge. I felt that even if I were to mumble rubbish, the people will still 'Amen'.. haha.. because they are so convicted about what God spoke to them and they are so 'gung-ho' for anything that is to come. I remembered some of their responses. Let me share with you:

Joan looked so 'disturbed' after the 2nd night's response session. I was concerned but didn't really know why, she just told me that she was in deep thoughts about something. Then on the last night's worship and response session.. again.. she looked 'troubled'.. usually you'll seldom see this kind of expression unless she is not happy about certain things.. so I was more concern already with the frownings and all. However, during the session, I began to realise that she was in deep thoughts about how to win the schools that she is responsible for; troubled for the spiritual things, disturbed by the lack of spiritual influence in the land. She wants to make a difference.

Valerie shared with me during the last night that God really touched her heart this time round. She couldn't really explained it in words, but she felt that God was never as real in her life before until that night. Now she is such a different person, she is really more joyful, expressive and initiative. She is a shepherd now and I can see that she is doing a good job. She is a good student as well as a responsible shepherd. I believe God will bless her much in these two areas in her life to be an example for the rest of us.

Everytime in the camp, you'll hear this sentence, "The real things begins when the camp ends". God encouraged the people with Ace's testimony. When she went home after the camp has ended, her dad, who is a pre-believer, suddenly ask her, "ah girl, Jesus really good ah"... not so long after he received Jesus. Now her whole family is serving God together :) She is really grateful to God for the many things that she was blessed with. She shared with me that her peers actually said, "I think you look (literally her looks) more mature after you come back from the camp. Wah seh... haha.. Spiritual plastic surgery.

After the camp, the group bonded even more. The unity was 'thick'. Joyce challenged her team to outreach everyday (street evangelism) from monday to friday. She also met her core team members daily after their evangelism to teach about SOW and sort.

The first day, they only had 3 converts. But they were not discouraged, the continued to persever to outreach on the 2nd day and by the 4th day, they had 27 converts. Joyce shared this testimony in ULM on thursday. Also, I want to encourage Sherry here - she personally brought in 9 converts.

On friday, while I was queueing up to pay for my orange juice in carrerfour (ok.. irrelevant.. -_-), I receive a call from Joyce with her team shouting in the back ground "we have 50 converts in total" - meaning 23 converts on the last day.

Can you see already that it has nothing to do with going down to the street and evax alone? It is about the hearts of the people that are ready for God to move. The harvest is a result of their personal relationship with God. It is about what God had convicted their hearts to do and specifically through this method. Given a different bunch of people using the same method, i don't think it will reap the same result.

Luke 24:32
They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Luke 5:4-6

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." 5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." 6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

John 21:3-6
3"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. 6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.