Prophecies

February 2007: Pastor John (Australia)

• I'll speak into the lives of people
• God will send good people and form good team
• God will reveal 'my job' along the way

July 2007: Peter Truong

• Continue to praise Him till you see a breakthrough
• Don't give up until you see the doors open [Matthew 7:7-8]
• Active in asking and seeking (aggressive)
• Until you find what you want, don't stop knocking and asking

Matthew 7:7-8: Ask, Seek, Knock
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Closure week

Closure week
This week is actually my closure week. I will put an end to my youth ministry and an end to my life of ‘no need to worry about money’.

My ministry in youth will end soon. But I’m not feeling sad or anything. Anyway, I have accomplished what I planned to do, no regrets. In February this year, Pastor John from Australia prophesied that God will give me a good team. At that time, I didn’t know that there will be some restructuring, I it didn’t come across my mind what the prophecy meant, I thought it was referring to my current team. After that in early April, we had one restructuring and another one in June – then I realized that God really gave me a good team. God gave me a good team of ULs and CLs that enabled me to accomplish what I wanted to in North. Thank you, Jesus.

Holiday week
Next week is my holiday week. I’ll be in Thailand (Bangkok + Phuket). 4 days of shopping, eating and relaxing & 3 days of LC. Perfect timing – to have a break between the ending and the beginning.

A new beginning
Now I need to work and earn a living… Eeee, sound so old… yucks. And before I even start working, already there are people hounding after my pay. Though I’m quite excited to get my first pay, but I’m even more excited to start work. Oh ya, minus off CPF… hiya, there goes my 20%. Tithing – 10%. Student loan – 30%. Parents – 10%. See I do not have much left for myself – aiyo, now then I realized I’m left with… But having earning and spending power also means more power for negotiation and to do what I like without getting nagged at. YEA.

Currently, I’m excited at what I will be doing in my new pastoral ministry, church ministry and job. I have some plans in mind already. I know what I want to do.

In my Christian walk, whatever that I desire to do and have for God’s purpose, God always give them to me at His own timing.

As a young shepherd, I desire to be able to teach like my shepherd – I was so amazed that she was able to use anything in sight to give an illustration to help me understand God’s word. I just kept this desire and God developed me in this area. I am able to explain the word of God or bring across understanding in simple ways.

I remember when I was leading North A, I told my core team that whenever I desire something biblical God will give it to me at His right timing. So I told them to note down that I wanted to be able to be word-centered in how I do my ministry and how I lived my life. I want to be able to apply God’s word in my life and give explanations of how I choose to do ministry based on the word. [At that time, I felt that I knew how to do ministry the usual way but it should be more guided by the word then by my experiences] I told them that when these come to pass, I’ll tell them that “see, I told you so”.

“See, I told you so”

I know that whatever that I want to do for God; He will enable me at His own timing. I believe that God takes His time to develop me to be able to carry out certain tasks and to take up certain responsibilities but He is never late.

iLoveBlessings: Pink luggage

God did it once again. Haha.

I am going to Thailand this weekend but got no luggage. So I decided to post on my msn nick “Anyone has a luggage to lend me?” – Hopefully someone would respond. Actually, it was just for fun, I doubt anyone would respond.

In my heart, I wished that the person who is going to offer to lend me has a nice luggage, if not, how to reject nicely ah? Haha. I know I shouldn’t be so picky la, but I won’t want to carry an ugly luggage bag lo – so spoil image right. I also wished that if the luggage would be pink. I had in mind what kind of luggage I wanted – rectangle, small/medium-sized, hard cover (not those cloth material ones), pink, got handle and wheels so can drag the luggage around.

Then yesterday, someone whom I did not expect to even respond msn me.

Jennifer: You need a luggage? I have.
2inc: Ya, I’m going Thailand but no luggage.
Jennifer: I can lend you. Mine is pink.

(Hahaa… come again… Pink?!)

2inc: So how can I get it from you? I can go to your house on Thursday, 7.30pm or Friday 6.30pm
Jennifer: Thursday would be better. I’m working on Friday.
2inc: Ok sure. Thursday, 7.30pm
Jennifer: I’m temping at Sentosa
2inc: HEY
2inc: I’m working at HarborFront
Jennifer: I can meet you and pass to you tomorrow morning

I met her today. Guess what?! The luggage was exactly what I had in mind. Though I wished it was a darker pink – but hey, no complains here.

I also realized that she is only temping at Sentosa this week. Timing perfect.

God did it again right! My pastoral ministry goals, plans and desires, my church ministry goals, plans and desires, my temporary job, my permanent job, my motivation and now, even my luggage.

iLoveMakeup: Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil

Highly recommended.

It is selling at $31.50 for 120ml bottle over Fancl counters. However if you buy it online (Yahoo Auctions Singapore), they are selling at $24. $7 cheaper.
I heard that it is half-price over at Japan. Anyone going Japan?!
You can actually get the 20ml bottle to try it out first. It will cost about $4.50 – currently.

I love it :)

iLoveBlessings: Job Search (Final Chapter)

From a short chat, it turned into 3 impromptu interviews.

Lastly, I was supposed to meet my director supervisor (DS) whose office is not based in the HQ. I agreed to this impromptu meeting because I took a whole day off for this short chat. However just as I was about to set off with another staff, someone realized that DS was coming over to the HQ for a meeting. Perfect timing. I did not even need to travel. Just as I stepped out of the OH’s office, DS just came into the office. Then we had the impromptu interview over his lunch at the pantry. He ended the interview by informing me that I’ll be notified at the end of the week for a final interview.

I felt quite good after the whole thing. Quite positive but yet still anxious, since nothing is confirmed. Hah.
I waited… and it was Friday. And it was 5.30pm. No calls. So what does it mean?
Humph… but I told God since you gave me this opening, I’ll continue to trust you. I claim by faith, “This job is mine!”
Friday night gone, comes Saturday morning. I saw Jinqi online.

2inc: They never call me back eh.
Jinqi: What did they tell you?
2inc: They said they will get back to me at the end of the week.
Jinqi: Their week ends on Saturday.

Whahahaha… Ok God, I’ll trust you. (But I told God that I’ll continue to trust Him even if they fail to call me on Friday, I believe they will call me next week or so.) I carried my hand phone around during prayer meet and service. It was my hosting week – I brought my hand phone backstage as well, in case they call at anytime. When it was time to go on stage, still no call. I’ll wait some more :)

Then as I was worshipping on stage, I thought I felt my phone vibrated. Excited, but on stage le, cannot check hand phone lah :( So after hosting, I straight away rushed out of Nexus and checked my phone. Unfamiliar number. First instinct, call back immediately. To cut the long story short – yea, confirmed for final interview.

The same thing happened again, after final interview, they ended by saying, “We will get back to you at the end of the day” – this time faster. But still… no confirmation, cannot relax yet. Then I waited again. 5.30pm. Still no call. “God, why like that? God, I’ve learnt what it means to trust in you le – can skip this mah? Ok… I wait some more” :p

At 6.30pm, HR called me and confirmed my job. YEA. And I went to sign the employment letter on Friday.

It is such a relief that I have a permanent job. With the money issue settled, I can free my mine to do so many other things. This is the freedom of mind I have been waiting for, for the past 3 months since exams ended. YEA YEA YEA.

God has such perfect timing in my life once again. Just when I was worrying about my permanent job, He gave me one – but first settling my faith & trust issues.

Thank you, Jesus.

Repented (Final Chapter)

Just how good can God's timing get? Just when I was telling Him that my life seems to be lacking in motivation.

Actually, for the past year, God has been very good to me; taking care of me personally. He has a perfect timing for everything in my life and I really mean perfect timing. Each incident flows perfectly into the next. Everything works out perfectly for me. I basically relaxed in God. God's grace really propels you to give even more back to Him.

Now once again, perfect timing. What can I say? Just when I was about to go back into the field.

I have been telling God in my heart...
I want to do field work again. I want to leave my behind-the-scene comfort zone. I want to learn to serve in a new area in your Kingdom. I want to be able to outreach to new groups of pre-believers. I want to impact from near and not just inspire from far. I want to be able to experience another type of ministry other than the one that I have been serving in for a long time. I need to see, experience and do new things so that I can be more effective in planting the Kingdom. I want to understand new needs of your people.

Just when I was preoccupied with my own issues, feeling bored and telling God all these - Just how perfect can His timing gets?

Repented (Chapter 5)

I repented not because I was judging their sincerity for God and by the way, I did not. I repented because it was a long time since I’ve shared the gospel to pre-believers in such a bold manner. If those 2 person with a misinterpretation of the bible are so sincere and hardworking then what about me? Though I’ve been serving as a leader for the past several years, but I was hardly on the field, just merely equipping and focusing on a small aspect. I’m not saying that what I did was a waste of time, it is definitely necessary and very important - if not, I’ll not invest so much time, effort and money into it - but I really see the importance of being on the field even much more so now.

I repented because they more equipped to tell me more about their stuffs then I am to contest their argument. I thought that I was equipped at any situation to help people understand the gospel, but just how wrong can I get. Ok… I am equipped with the Word, I know the Word pretty ok, but just not in the way that draws people to receive Jesus. I would have convinced a believer that he should stand firm in Christ, give his all to God and trust God for the results; but I probably wouldn’t be able to satisfy a pre-believer’s doubt. I would have been able to tell a believer how God can meet his needs but I probably wouldn’t be able to convince a pre-believer that God is enough.

Repented (Chapter 4)

As they kept sharing, the sermon that Pastor Ben preached on "Myths, Truth and the Clueless" - 1 Tim 1:1-7, came to my mind.Point 1: Recognizing the authority of apostolic teachingPoint 2: Oppose false teachingsPoint 3: Emphasis the purpose of sound teaching Thank you Pastor Ben!!!

It was during this incident that these 3 points came alive. I recognised the authority of apostolic teaching. I remember that anything we hear but was never mentioned by the apostles were erroneous. Their interpretation of the bible was way off – especially it being a major doctrine – even more jialat. Their interpretation was never close to what the apostles taught; actually the apostles never even mentioned about it. During their sharing, I kept asking myself, “where in the world did the bible mentioned those things?”

The more they share, the more questions I asked and the more sincere they think I am in finding out about their version. But I was not interested the way they thought I was. Actually, towards the end of their sharing, I almost wanted to cry. I’m like “God, what is this?” – They are sincere people yet sincerely wrong. At that moment, I repented.

Repented (Chapter 3)

We just need to believe. By faith. Faith, is believing in what we do not see. God will help us to believe. Trust me; I know what I'm talking about when I say God will help us to believe, because I never understood what faith is until he showed me. God Himself will prove to you that He can be trusted - if you give Him that chance by leaving the results to Him and submitting according to His leading - then test and approve His ways.

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Just before I continue, I just want to share that I account to Shirley because she can take note of this incident in my life. The person that was sharing to me wasn’t a convert in the church - she was from another church but joined this church after hearing the ‘new gospel’ (which I bet would even confuse the priests).

No one is above temptations, above sin or fool-proof to stumbling blocks.

Repented (Chapter 2)

They shared to me very sincerely about their version of the gospel and they used bible verses (genuinely NIV) to support what they said. However, I belief any Hope members will be able to spot that they were interpreting the bible wrongly - I'm serious. At some points in their sharing I was like "huh?!". During the conversation, I was not being defensive but rather concerned about their sharing, so I did not purposely spot mistakes and 'bang' back. So there were many times that I posted them questions when I feel "huh?!", but 100% of the time they could not give me a clear explanation and I went "HUH?!" even louder - in my heart though. There were some questions that they do not even have an answer to offer. I'll not share the conversation here, but one thing that I'll share here about what we discussed and it is definately wrong in their doctrine which will jeopardise their salvation is that they mentioned that Jesus' death on the cross is not enough for salvation.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Jesus paid for the sins of the world through his death on the cross; all the punishment of sins are nailed together with Him on the cross, so that those who acknowledge His work on the cross will be saved through Him. Jesus said, "It is finished" (John 19:30).

John 3:16 (MSG): This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

John 3:16 (NLT): For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NIV): For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Repented (Chapter 1)

I was on my way home today around 9.30pm, I was stopped to do survey by 2 Christians. I told them that I'm Christian but they still insist that I do the survey. So being gentle and kind I thought, "How can I reject fellow Christians like how I reject those always-hanging-around-doby-ghaut-mrt-insurance-agents" - so I did the survey. The questions were regarding the Christian faith and I just answered accordingly. As I was going on to the last 2 questions, I realised that I don't know how to answer them because the questions were weird. Then I told one of them I did not understand the questions and couldn't answer.

Then they began asking me why I couldn't answer those questions and began to share to me another gospel doctrine that I have never heard before in my entire life. I have heard several weird versions of the gospel before but this is new. At that moment I was like "should I just walk away" or "should I stay to hear what they have to say"?

Then I thought, since I've been in church for 10 years already, I have been through many sermons and teachings, I've experienced God in many ways and was personally shepherded by God through many occasions, my 'spiritual sieve' should be able to sieve out the wrong doctrines. So I decided to stay, though throughout I prayed for my mind to be spiritually alert. I'm not saying that because I'm a Christian for that long then I won't be influenced so I stayed to listen. Our spiritual maturity is not determined by how long since we first say the sinner's prayer, or by how many years we have attended church, or how many sermons we have heard. I bet you know 40 years olds that behaves like 14 right? Anyways, I accounted the incident to Shirley shortly after.

Foundation: Make up is important

Compact powder vs. Loose powder
I also discover that compact powder works better than loose powder. Loose powder becomes cake-ish after awhile but compact powder blends into the liquid foundation. L’Oreal’s blendable makeup is really blendable.

Liquid foundation vs. Powder foundation
I prefer the liquid foundation as it last longer than the powder ones, which means you do not need to keep touching up (especially if you are lazy like me and don’t want to carry makeup in your bag because too heavy). However you will need to apply compact powder over the liquid foundation for the lasting effect, liquid foundation alone will not do. But if you are lazier than me – then just get the compact foundation.

Why is it important to put on makeup?
It is reported that children respond better to childcare teachers who put on make up than those who don’t. Personally, I feel that this could be a good reason. However more importantly, putting on makeup will help prevent dust and dirt from getting into your pores and clog it. I don’t put on heavy makeup; actually I only know how to put foundation, blusher and bronzer – that’s all. Wahaha. Oh… but you need to have a good makeup remover (Link to the Fancl blog), if not, your pores would also get clogged with makeup retained in your skin.
Unless you have good genes that results in good skin or maintains a good and healthy lifestyle that causes glowing complexion – you will need makeup to cover up.

Why do I think you need to spend money on good foundations and just buy cheap blusher and eye-shadow?
If your foundation sucks, whatever goes on it will suck as well. Good foundation makes it easy for you to apply the other makeup on top of it and holds them for long as well. If you cover your whole face with cheap foundation then you need to spend a lot of money to repair your damaged skin in the future. If you have budget issue, I suggest that you get a good foundation, and other things such as blusher, get cheap ones – my logic: since it is on your foundation, and it does not directly touch your skin, so it doesn’t matter (foundation is like a middle man).

iLoveBlessings: Job Search (Chapter 3)

Several minutes after reading the passage, I received an sms from Jinqi informing me of a job vacancy at her work place. I was very excited – because the job description is exactly what I wanted – government job, managing job… so I told God there and then to give me the job. About two days later, I submitted my first and one and only resume and I waited nervously for them to get back to me.

Then about two or three days later, before the online job application closed, I was informed to go for a short chat at the office – it was to help me understand clearly what the job was about. So funny right – short chat?! I later realized the reason behind was that many job applicants went for interview without proper understanding of the JD, therefore a lot of time was wasted on the interview sessions and also hiring of wrong people.

I went to the office the following day. The meeting went really well. It was suppose to last for about an hour, but in the end it lasted almost two hours. During the meeting, I met up with three important people and was ‘interviewed’ by them – all impromptu. The last question that shocked me was “What is your value in life?”

One of the ‘interviewer’, whom happened to be the most important one of the three, ended the session by saying, “Ok… you starting work tomorrow?” – I was like ‘whoa’ does this mean my chances are high?

iLoveBlessings: Job Search (Chapter 2)

I was in the office worrying about permanent job search – I already signed up for leadership conference in Thailand and I needed to end my temporary job before that and have a permanent job that I can start work after the trip – if not, my parents will start scolding me for being a slacker. I’m not slacker la, if you know me; you know I never slack one lor… I just take my time… whaha… EH… but I always get things done ok! Anyways, while I was worrying, I haven even send out any resume yet. Ok, maybe I was lazy, I dunno – but I know I don’t want to just sent out resume to ‘trial and error’ for interview chances, I don’t want to waste my time. I have no interest to go for interviews until I know what kind of job I really wanted or until I know of a job description that is close to what I wanted.

So one day in the office, on the first week of October, I read The Message Version of Matthew 6. I was so amazed at how God’s Word spoke to me that day.

Matthew 6:25-34 (The Message)
25-26"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

27-29"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

30-33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

All my doubts and uncertainties were eradicated after reading this passage and I told God that I’ll trust in Him in the circumstance – though I really have no idea how things will work out. However, I really have confidence in God, as I have experienced how he blessed me in my exams and the finding of my temporary job and many other incidents.

*****

Through many experiences over these years as a Christian, I have learned what it means to have faith and trust in God. Being logical, I thought that how possible is it to get what I want by just trusting in God and not working for it. I struggled a lot in understanding what ‘faith in God’ is. Then after many experiences and teachings of the Word, I realize that if we believe that something can be done, we will work hard. So if I believe that God will bless me, I’ll work hard at the given opportunities.

*****

iLoveBlessings: Job Search (Chapter 1)

I started my temporary job at Mapletree in July and I’m ending this job next Friday - I have already worked there for four months plus le. From July till late September I never really looked for a permanent job even though I consistently get nagging from people because I thought even if I managed to get a permanent job, the company will have to wait till my temporary job contract to end in end October then can hire me – so a bit no point in hurrying. So I just ‘float’ around until September lor.

Then funnily, on the first week of October, I started to feel anxious to get a permanent job. If I can’t find a job before my temporary job ends then how? I also dunno how :( However, I have something to fall back on – Mapletree extended my contract for another 6 months. Even so, I would like to get a permanent job because it would pay better and I’ll feel more secure to venture out to do more things, other then worrying about money issues.

*****

I never really told anyone about what kind of job I wanted – Firstly, because I have no idea exactly what kind of job to go for, so it’s very tiring of trying to explain the kind of job I might like. Secondly, I feel insecure sharing to others what I really wanted because people will always make judgment according to the degree that I hold and determine (for me) if I can get the job. I don’t really need discouraging comments so I never say.

I have a rough idea of what kind of job I wanted. I wanted a government job because I thought that it would be good to be able to serve the community – like that work got more meaning mah. (Ok… I know got other jobs also can have meaning, but in my impression, I can only think of government job la.) But I know people will tell me that with my kind of degree, CMI la – so I don’t dare to say lor, later more discouraged by others’ responses only. Aiya, actually I feel that whatever job I said I wanted to do sure got people tell me I dunno how to choose job properly. I know my strength is in managing, administrating and organizing – but I have no idea what job needs these, but I would like to work within my strength.

*****

Cafe Cartel with Mei Mei

It has been a long time since I blogged. It took me awhile to make my way through the thick layers of cobwebs accumulated over the past few months before uploading new photos :)

Anyway, here goes...

A birthday treat from me for my sister - during my birthday month... and until now she still haven got me my present lor...

We sat at table 2 at PS Cafe Cartel... lousy place.. so cram..

We ordered pork ribs & ham and cheese macaroni in tomato sauce :) We ordered snapple also - cheap cheap & how can we forget the 'free bread' whaha.. sure kill.. -_-"

Ok... I'm freaking pissed now.. spent the past one hour trying to fix the alignment of the photos..