Holiness and Love

Have been reminded many times this term about God's nature. His is a holy love; a loving holiness. The two cannot be separated. Just like the churches of Thyatira and Ephesus mentioned in Revelation, do we lean more to one side, focusing only on love without remembering God’s righteousness? Or only on holiness, ignoring His amazing mercy and grace? Something to be mindful of as we reflect Christ in our lives.

Counting down the days

Even amidst the assignments and placement and other stuff, there's that feeling of anticipation deep in my stomach with the thought at the back of my mind of going home.. especially thinking about Christmas and the upcoming weddings (yay - this Agapella wedding i am _not_missing! =) and catching up with friends again. Know it's crazily early to be flying back, but don't worry, my dear friends in Perth - i won't be on holiday.. Am starting my second placement quite immediately in fact! And will definitely be keeping you all in prayer while you take your exams, and as you attend Convention!

But of course, still lots to do before i go..! 4 more pieces of work to hand in including my thesis proposal..

On Wednesday night, having finished our Careline training, had dinner with those on the course at Han’s Café in Centro Galleria (the only time i’ve been back since i had dinner there with Jam & Lyn when they were in Perth at the beginning of the year!) Besides what we’ve actually learnt through the course, it has been such a blessing getting to know these wonderful people a bit better.. It’s really quite impressive how good some already were at the active listening skills (guess that’s where life experience also plays a part) and i know the Careline will be enriched by their service.

..This morning when i drove into the school carpark, was greeted by the sight of a Snow White, Belle, and Wilma and Betty from the Flintstones throwing streamers up into the trees in the school field! -It’s the Year 12s’ last day of school before their study break in preparation for the TEEs. Despite the looming major exams, the air is quite filled with excitement at this being their last day of compulsory formal schooling.. Can’t wait to see what they’ve prepared for Assembly later on ;)

Sunday

Thank God for speaking through Pastor Max on Sunday to remind us that the Christian walk is all about discipleship: to be a disciple of Jesus, which simply means to disciple others. Didn't know that in the Great Commission, the command to "make disciples" is central, and all the other verbs merely add to that imperative. May we all strive to make disciples for Him!

And even though can't really compare the production we saw on Sunday with the West End one, i did indeed enjoy Les Mis. The whole afternoon was great, what with the gorgeous weather, and being able to spend time with friends and get to know them a little better :) ..Love the songs so much, and definitely the whole theme of mercy and love running through the musical!! And heh in kelvin and jane's defense, i didn't hear any singing from the audience ;)

One Day More!

Confession: Tomorrow will be my third time watching Les Miserables. ..Feel slightly guilty in indulging in this pleasure, especially at this time when assignments are due and my weekend is already pretty packed. But hopefully this gives added motivation to work harder today and for the rest of the week! And also the money is for a good cause even though it's not a professional cast.. Gee i really hope james and grace don't mind jane and kelvin singing along with the performers hahaha... ;)

While surfing for online learning styles questionnaires for my study skills workshop

Probably one of the concepts that drew me into the study of Psychology initially was the whole area of personality types and personality tests.. And one of the more well-known tests is the MBTI which i distinctly remember doing in Secondary School. Quite interesting how my profile has changed over the years despite what some social psychs might say about the stability of temperament. Thinking again about how easy/possible is it to change an aspect of your personality.. The psych i'm working under right now is really bubbly and animated and warm, and the receptionist here at this school has got to be the best person for the job really - always smiling and friendly =) ..Found a site where the quiz can be attempted online (free and no registration required) - but erm can i just say that i don't know how reliable the results are: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp.

Now doing a time-audit together with Sarah and Zhong Yu as part of the Discipleship course to see how we're actually making use of our time.. Think it's quite terrible how i procrastinate - although i've been saying for ages that i want to finish my thesis proposal off early, i haven't actually done so because it's not actually due yet (i'm quite sure i could actually be finished by now so if the due date was set!) Anyway, may the Lord convict us of the changes we must make regarding how we spend our time.

The second years handed in their theses yesterday. What a feeling that must be, after being super-stressed for the last two weeks and perhaps running purely on adrenaline for that period of time.. Can only look forward to that time next year ;) So joined them for a short while at the pub for a drink in the afternoon (just Sprite!) before heading home to do my Stats assignment :P

And although i don't know all the details, from what i did hear, God really acted amazingly last week and was exceedingly gracious at Agapella's gig. Despite the illnesses and unexpected events during the week, the weather was fine and think the whole event went well! Praise the Lord!! =)

New Day

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.

Lam 3:22, 23

Thanks, Esther, for the reminder of that wonderful promise :)
And thank You, Lord, for this beautiful new morning. Even though things in the world might not be going right, we trust that You are in control of all things.

If you're in Singapore and free this Saturday...

The mighty cross

Jonathan James came to Subi to speak today :) His message entitled Exalting Christ and the Cross was very timely. Beginning by asking us what our motivation in life is, and what we see as the symbol of Christianity, he reminded us about the centrality of the cross. Besides being the basis of our salvation, it is also the means by which we can grow to be more Christ-like. In addition, the cross should be the only message that we preach, and finally, it is the basis of our eternal worship. Just as i’m reading through Deuteronomy and it seems almost ridiculous how many times the Israelites have to be reminded of their past and of God’s promises of blessing if they obey Him, isn’t it still so true of us. Have to be reminded time and time again to be careful about how we live our lives. Really a daily process of dying to oneself.

Prayer point and Wildflowers

My parents have gone to North Carolina for about 3 weeks so my dad can be near his professors as he tries to finish off his thesis. Please pray for the Lord’s protection for Mum and Dad on the way there and back, and for His enabling and wisdom for Dad.

And here are some pictures from the wildflower exhibition i visited in King’s Park – yes, these flowers do actually grow by the side of the road! I too thought of the same verses, Yahui, in seeing the beauty of these! =)

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6: 28 – 33

Church anniversary and OCF cd

Was missing home especially yesterday because my home church was celebrating its 51st anniversary. Thank God for His blessing and provision throughout these many years of the history of YCKC. Thank God for all the wonderful Sunday school teachers, friends, elders, and uncles and aunties who have been such a support and just showed God’s love throughout the years. Thank God for this family! Hm.. wonder if the choir sang Find Us Faithful again during the anniversary..? ;P) Good job, Simon, and all the other web team on the new website! =)

Also, the OCF cd is out! Can hear some samples at http://www.ocfconvention.org/multimedia.html. So exciting :) Thank God for seeing us through the recording and production, and really give thanks to Him for all the talent involved in the whole project. It was such a blessing to be involved, and this album will definitely bring back wonderful memories in the future =)