Sunday, July 31, 2005
You rescued me
Pastor Graham is back from the mission trip ahead of the rest of the team so was able to preach yesterday. As always, i find his message challenging, and would like to share what he said. Did you know that Madagascar has a population of 20 million, half of whom are under the age of 14? Half of them are also under the poverty line. And most of those many children will only reach the equivalent of a Grade 2 educational level. What kind of future is in store for the country if things continue on without change? I am also reminded of the many who are suffering in other parts of the world, like in India where the recent floods struck. There is so much that can be done to meet the physical, emotional, even educational, needs of others. But i do believe that the greatest need is the spiritual one as people search for meaning to this life. In just one short line from Galatians 1:4, Paul summarises the Good News – that Jesus Christ died for our sins, just as God had planned, in order to rescue us. “Rescue” refers to help we cannot give ourselves – something we could never have done on our own. The most amazing thing about this God in Whom we believe, and which i suppose i’ll never be able to understand, is how He could love us so much and want to reach out to us, and sacrifice so much for us. Yet He took the step to reveal Himself to us. And because of Him, we are made free. Free to live as He wants us to. What an amazing truth; what an Awesome God we have!
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
This is my housemate Karen :) (We were at Cottesloe beach and it was rather windy!) If i haven’t said so already, i’m really so thankful for how God led me to the house i’m presently staying in.. Thank God for Carol who approached Karen in the first place, and for how things have worked out! Karen’s really a great encouragement and provides very good perspective on many things, plus she’s extremely capable and very caring! Pray that the Lord will continue to bless her in her job as she takes care of her patients, and also as she prepares for her 5-month mission trip next year on the Mercy Ship to Africa.
…And yes, this is my car! (Sorry lah; i have no training as a car photographer :P) ..Ma
ybe should have stood beside it to show how small it is haha but i’m really so thankful for it because of the freedom it gives to go out at night especially, and i have a feeling it’ll be much appreciated when i find out where i’m going for my first placement in hopefully a few weeks! Yah and the great thing about small cars (at the risk of being repetitive) is that it can turn rather tight corners and is easier to park ;P
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Enjoying the people in our lives
Just want to commit the new term in OCF to God even as i help out with the Bible Studies on Hosea and have changed groups from last term. It will take some time to get to know the people in this new group, but trust that we’ll learn much from each other, even as we study this seldom-studied text ;)
Today’s sermon was titled "Enjoying the people in your life". Based on Philippians 1: 3 – 11, it gives several reminders for us to thank God for everyone He has put in our lives, to pray for them, to be patient with them (as we are all still works in progress!), as well as to love them from the heart. Also, in verses 9 to 11, Paul gives us specific wonderful ways we can pray for each other. I really do thank my God every time i remember my dear friends, who encourage me along the way :)
Today’s sermon was titled "Enjoying the people in your life". Based on Philippians 1: 3 – 11, it gives several reminders for us to thank God for everyone He has put in our lives, to pray for them, to be patient with them (as we are all still works in progress!), as well as to love them from the heart. Also, in verses 9 to 11, Paul gives us specific wonderful ways we can pray for each other. I really do thank my God every time i remember my dear friends, who encourage me along the way :)
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
First week... and first photo!
Am in the middle of my first week of the new term.. Lectures have mostly started slowly (e.g. Monday's first lecture on Theories of Developmental Psychology lasted about 20mins instead of the scheduled 2hrs because it was just to give us the outline of the module and let us pick topics to present on ;) So i've still been in a holiday mood really - catching a movie with Karen and having tea with her and her friends yesterday heh.. Don't worry; will work hard this term! Although right now it looks like i only have to come into Uni on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, hopefully my first 30-day placement (two days a week) in a school will start soon!
Trying to start putting pictures up, like Liz Ang's great blog which is full of pics
! :) Hope this works.. At first thought i'd show the people in Singapore my car but then didn't want the first photo in the blog to be of my car! (Plus i haven't washed it yet haha!) So here's a photo of my dear cousins (erm, and some additions ;) It's definitely not all of the cousins, but this picture is really quite precious because Caleb and Tim & Velma were back in Singapore! ..So thankful for all my beloved cousins because they're really like my brothers and sisters, and we're so blessed with our whole family.. :)
Trying to start putting pictures up, like Liz Ang's great blog which is full of pics
! :) Hope this works.. At first thought i'd show the people in Singapore my car but then didn't want the first photo in the blog to be of my car! (Plus i haven't washed it yet haha!) So here's a photo of my dear cousins (erm, and some additions ;) It's definitely not all of the cousins, but this picture is really quite precious because Caleb and Tim & Velma were back in Singapore! ..So thankful for all my beloved cousins because they're really like my brothers and sisters, and we're so blessed with our whole family.. :)
Sunday, July 17, 2005
The obligation of the cure
Two thoughts from yesterday’s church service:
The sermon speaker was Graham Laycock, a physiotherapist who is visually-impaired. This is the second time i've heard him preach at Subi. He humbly shared about how the Lord has been able to use someone like him. And the amazing thing is that he has been blessed with spiritual sight, even more precious than physical sight – and now he is even able to help others see as well! What a testimony!
Also, the worship leader brought up the Tour de France and spoke about Lance Armstrong, who finds that he cannot help but give his all in his cycling and help other people cope with their cancer because of his own recovery from cancer. He calls this the “obligation of the cure”. Isn’t this the same for each one of us who, like Paul, is compelled to share our joy and hope with others around us who haven’t found it yet?
The sermon speaker was Graham Laycock, a physiotherapist who is visually-impaired. This is the second time i've heard him preach at Subi. He humbly shared about how the Lord has been able to use someone like him. And the amazing thing is that he has been blessed with spiritual sight, even more precious than physical sight – and now he is even able to help others see as well! What a testimony!
Also, the worship leader brought up the Tour de France and spoke about Lance Armstrong, who finds that he cannot help but give his all in his cycling and help other people cope with their cancer because of his own recovery from cancer. He calls this the “obligation of the cure”. Isn’t this the same for each one of us who, like Paul, is compelled to share our joy and hope with others around us who haven’t found it yet?
Friday, July 15, 2005
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing!
Have been wanting to post this up earlier but needed time to compose it properly first.. Be warned: this is gonna be a long post heh.. In summary though, i am just awestruck and amazed at God’s immense love for me, and His wonderful grace, which has truly seen me through all the days of my life thus far, but so clearly demonstrated during these last few days.
First, the wallet incident. On Tuesday, on my way home after going to the police station in the morning to collect my Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (anyone want to see it? – it cost S$45 :P), i dropped my wallet around the time i got off the bus. I remember using the Ezy-link card before alighting but didn’t realize i had dropped it until more than 2 hours later at home when transferring things into another bag to go out again. So of course, started worrying.. Looked all over the house for it then walked out to the bus-stop, retracing my steps just in case it was lying on the ground somewhere. No sign of it. Reminiscent of when my mum's handbag was stolen in Perth, i even looked in the dustbin and drains to see if anyone had picked it up then thrown it away.. No wallet. Called my mum at home, who told me to go back to the house. When i reached our house, there at our gate was my mum with the uncle who had found my wallet (presumably on the bus or at the bus-stop). Although living at a neighbouring street not on the way, he had walked all the way in looking for our house with the address on my I/C. He was so nice about it; kept asking me to check if everything was there, including the money.. Oh, the goodness and grace of God! Even when i was so careless and undeserving of it.. My mum said she had walked out of the house at that time to look in our letter-box, and she saw the uncle outside the gate holding my I/C. And on hindsight, if i had discovered the loss of my wallet earlier, i would have been panicking for longer and probably started calling the police and card companies etc to report the loss. Isn’t He wonderful! God is so so good.. I am simply awestruck at His many mercies shown to me, over and above the ultimate act of love and sacrifice He has already shown on the cross 2000 years ago. - I was even still able to go out that afternoon and evening as previously planned!
On coming back to Perth, God has been so gracious and merciful in the weather. Although it was about at freezing point last week, these few days have been relatively warmer, giving me the chance to adjust from the temperature in Singapore even if it does get colder again. So many things to give thanks for; i really could go on...
But think i shall just write about one more for today.. The Lord really knows our deepest desires and satisfies our every need in His perfect timing. Just when i was trying to be content with singleness, and learning to give thanks for whatever gift He gives in that sense, He has given me more than what i dared hope for.. In His perfect timing, He in His measureless love has reassured me that He is able and willing to give more than i ask or imagine. I really don’t dare be presumptuous and come to any conclusions beforehand, for the future remains unknown to all of us, and Christ may return any time. But i am so touched and moved by God’s demonstration of His love in all the friends He has granted, and for allowing me to join Agapella, and for bringing Stan into my life! Cannot stop saying how amazed i am at God’s love for me. Whatever happens in the future, we've committed that to God, knowing that He is already there, and has the best planned for each one of us who know and love Him, in His wisdom and His love. Still praying for all my dear friends who continue to wait on the Lord in this respect.. Know that God will bring the right person in His good timing, or else have something even better in store in His perfect plan! Anyway, in whatever situation, pray that we will all learn to trust and obey, and glorify Him in all that we do. Want to really mean it when singing I surrender All.
First, the wallet incident. On Tuesday, on my way home after going to the police station in the morning to collect my Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (anyone want to see it? – it cost S$45 :P), i dropped my wallet around the time i got off the bus. I remember using the Ezy-link card before alighting but didn’t realize i had dropped it until more than 2 hours later at home when transferring things into another bag to go out again. So of course, started worrying.. Looked all over the house for it then walked out to the bus-stop, retracing my steps just in case it was lying on the ground somewhere. No sign of it. Reminiscent of when my mum's handbag was stolen in Perth, i even looked in the dustbin and drains to see if anyone had picked it up then thrown it away.. No wallet. Called my mum at home, who told me to go back to the house. When i reached our house, there at our gate was my mum with the uncle who had found my wallet (presumably on the bus or at the bus-stop). Although living at a neighbouring street not on the way, he had walked all the way in looking for our house with the address on my I/C. He was so nice about it; kept asking me to check if everything was there, including the money.. Oh, the goodness and grace of God! Even when i was so careless and undeserving of it.. My mum said she had walked out of the house at that time to look in our letter-box, and she saw the uncle outside the gate holding my I/C. And on hindsight, if i had discovered the loss of my wallet earlier, i would have been panicking for longer and probably started calling the police and card companies etc to report the loss. Isn’t He wonderful! God is so so good.. I am simply awestruck at His many mercies shown to me, over and above the ultimate act of love and sacrifice He has already shown on the cross 2000 years ago. - I was even still able to go out that afternoon and evening as previously planned!
On coming back to Perth, God has been so gracious and merciful in the weather. Although it was about at freezing point last week, these few days have been relatively warmer, giving me the chance to adjust from the temperature in Singapore even if it does get colder again. So many things to give thanks for; i really could go on...
But think i shall just write about one more for today.. The Lord really knows our deepest desires and satisfies our every need in His perfect timing. Just when i was trying to be content with singleness, and learning to give thanks for whatever gift He gives in that sense, He has given me more than what i dared hope for.. In His perfect timing, He in His measureless love has reassured me that He is able and willing to give more than i ask or imagine. I really don’t dare be presumptuous and come to any conclusions beforehand, for the future remains unknown to all of us, and Christ may return any time. But i am so touched and moved by God’s demonstration of His love in all the friends He has granted, and for allowing me to join Agapella, and for bringing Stan into my life! Cannot stop saying how amazed i am at God’s love for me. Whatever happens in the future, we've committed that to God, knowing that He is already there, and has the best planned for each one of us who know and love Him, in His wisdom and His love. Still praying for all my dear friends who continue to wait on the Lord in this respect.. Know that God will bring the right person in His good timing, or else have something even better in store in His perfect plan! Anyway, in whatever situation, pray that we will all learn to trust and obey, and glorify Him in all that we do. Want to really mean it when singing I surrender All.
Monday, July 11, 2005
End of the holiday..
Just a quick one..
So many things to give thanks to God for; this was a truly wonderful break, being back home in Singapore. I've been so happy to be back as it's really coming back to my comfort zone.. Meeting up with friends again, including being part of the Agapella recording, being able to attend Shea Lin and Wei Ming's wedding, going back to the DAS, hearing from friends how the Lord has brought them through the past few months, also being able to catch up with Caleb again, who doesn't come home that often.. But am ready to return to Perth and study hard and trust that the Lord will supply all my needs - physically and emotionally, as well as in wisdom for my studies, in my service in OCF, and in my relationship with others.
One very exciting thing is that i have finally managed to transfer photos from my digital camera to my laptop! So will hopefully be able to put up some photos soon!! :)
Ok my next update will be from Perth ;)
So many things to give thanks to God for; this was a truly wonderful break, being back home in Singapore. I've been so happy to be back as it's really coming back to my comfort zone.. Meeting up with friends again, including being part of the Agapella recording, being able to attend Shea Lin and Wei Ming's wedding, going back to the DAS, hearing from friends how the Lord has brought them through the past few months, also being able to catch up with Caleb again, who doesn't come home that often.. But am ready to return to Perth and study hard and trust that the Lord will supply all my needs - physically and emotionally, as well as in wisdom for my studies, in my service in OCF, and in my relationship with others.
One very exciting thing is that i have finally managed to transfer photos from my digital camera to my laptop! So will hopefully be able to put up some photos soon!! :)
Ok my next update will be from Perth ;)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)