Lessons from school

Being a teacher has taught me something- that there is at least one person looking up to you.

I realised that this is not just a job. It is a mission field and I love each and everyone of of my students.

I realised that what I am doing is not just teaching Mathematics. I am also teaching them how to love, how to communicate, how to be thankful, how to forgive, how to view things in a different perspective, how to rejoice with others, how to encourage one another, and not to give up.

I realised that I am learning from each of my student too.

I learnt that as a teacher, we do not need to block all access from our students. Rather, we can welcome them in with open arms whenever they need a listening ear. I learnt that it is not wrong to be their friend.

I learnt that respect is not forced upon, it is earned.

Checking the heart

I am sitting here invigilating Year 11 students taking their end of term test. December is always the month where people do stock taking, checking the heart, checking the year's goals to see what have been missed, what could be done better, what were the regrets, what were the achievements..

It is the Year of No Repeats as what pastor told the church, to encourage the church to embark in new things. As I listed down the blessings and everything I thanked God for, I realised how much God has been faithfully providing and protecting me. "He will never leave nor forsake you."

Heart checking. How much have I learned to love and to receive love? Have I been angry and frustrated over small things? How have I shown forgiveness? How is my heart towards others - my family, CG members, students, friends and colleagues?

Yes, this year I was blessed to be a school teacher again. September 2014, I started a new journey as a Maths and Physics teacher at an international school. I thank God for His grace, I survived a whole term in teaching these kids that He loves so much. I learned to love them, to accept their character, to mould and guide them.

Next year I will focus more on these students. This is my mission field for now, and Philippines too. I pray for more love. That His love will heal hearts and restore the wounded emotions.

Dealing with loss

Last Friday my grandfather passed away. To be honest I did not know how to respond to that, I did not know how did I feel exactly. I just know that I have lost a grandpa due to cancer and he has held on longer than expected. He has kept the faith for a long time.

I know I will miss him. Will miss him asking "How is your walk with God?" "Are you still attending church regularly?" His love for the Word of God never failed to inspire me to keep on pursuing the heart of the Father. He has kept a journal from 1999. The year he accepted Christ. Until 2011. I know I will find gold in it. Treasures that God has spoken to him personally.

I have my regrets too. For not appreciating enough when he boiled a pot of soup or barley drink without sugar. Or when he walked down to the market to buy bread just so that our tummies are even more fill after feeding us so much. Or the pots of flowers he tended for as long as I could remember. I did not appreciate enough the allowances he gave everytime I paid a visit. I did not make it in time to sing him a last song.

I thank God he was at peace when he left. I thank God he has made a decision to follow Christ for the past 14 years. I thank God my 5-year old childish remark of "Yeh yeh, if you don't believe in Jesus you will go to hell ahh" was something he remembered for so long, that I couldn't remember. It must have sowed a tiny seed that time.

How do I deal with loss? I mourned. And then I keep my chin up. I will keep on looking forward, and try my best to run this race well like how he did. And how God was so pleased with his simple faith. I will keep on living my life discovering more of God's plan for me everyday. I will keep on loving Him and loving others. I will keep on praising God.

Moving Forward

2013 was an amazing year for me. Started the year with worship and prayer, ended the year with worship and prayer in a whole new level.

I met new friends, who are so passionate for God and His Kingdom

I travelled to many places for work, mission and holiday. Went to an eye-opener, life-changing trip to Philippines under OMF and Bukang Liwayway. Went to Sabah for the first time. Went to all the states in Peninsular Malaysia for work

Left my job end of November.

I discovered so much of God that I have never experienced before. And He still amazes me in so many ways. He is my Provider

I took up a course online called WorshipU

Planted a new CG at Bangsar

Preached in an event for the first time. I normally preach only in CG. And had altar call where the Holy Spirit did His work...and salvation came upon the young people

Went to the streets... And just be a vessel for God to demonstrate His love through me. Witnessed His healing power, His presence that brought warmth and peace that surpasses all understanding

Worship leading. Ah, it has been a ministry close to my heart for 10 years. And He stripped away everything I 'know' about worship leading. Brought me to a deeper relationship with Him. Worshipping God is a joy. It is an honor to sing to the Almighty.

....

2014 will be amazing. I am excited. CHCKL calls it the "Year of No Repeats." Breaking of habits, exploring new things, letting go and trusting God.

Eyes

I saw the most tender looking eyes as I was spending time with the Lord. And I was reminded how much He loves me. Doesn't matter how much I love Him, He still loves me more.

That eyes full of gentleness, without judgement. The eyes that say, "It's okay, I have found you and you are save in My arms."

Do you know how much God loves you? There's no way to explain that so He demonstrated that by sacrificing His Son, because no one else could do it. No one else was perfect enough, selfless enough, obedient enough, to do the will of the Father. So He did it. And we are here, still given the choice to return the love or to reject the Love. Still He loves.

Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Imagine this love that faces so many objections and rejections. He holds on to you and say, "I'll never let you go." No where else can you find this love than in Jesus Christ.

Thank You for loving me..

Plugged In

I don't know if it is just me, but it has happened to me many times. When I wanted to charge my phone or laptop, I would plug in the cable and then continue using my devices.. And suddenly I'll receive a 'warning' sign that battery is running low, only to realise, I did not switch it on.

When we are doing ministry it is very easy for us to get tired. And so often we would plug ourselves into motivational books and sermons that would inspire us. I'm not saying that listening to sermons and reading books are wrong, but these cannot be our only spiritual food. It is like the charger, we plug in but forgot to switch on. Take time to be so aware of what God is doing, what is He saying at that moment. Read the Word and have your personal revelation.. switch on and be recharged.

Worship Uni

When I signed up for this course, I was super excited. Did not know what to expect, what was I going to learn, but I know my life will definitely transform. I took this 3-month course, committing 5-6 hours a week learning from the online videos and try to absorb as much as I can. In summary, I learned how to worship a King. The King of Kings. I learned how to be aware of His presence at all times and ask Him, "God, how was my worship, did you enjoy it?" "What are You saying...?"

There's no more striving, only resting. These 3 months was a blessing. I thank God for this opportunity. I'm gonna relisten all the lessons again, and write more notes...and hopefully a song. ^^