It’s been fourteen years,
Since we “I do”-ed
We proved the naysayers wrong,
I knew we could
It’s been fourteen years,
The day I didn’t stop beaming
The day we exchanged our wedding rings
To start a life we had been dreaming
It’s been fourteen years,
Since we sweated out at Prinsep
Waltzing to the Ritz Carlton
Together step by step
It’s been fourteen years,
As we started our journey,
From Singapore to Makassar
To Vietnam and eternity surely
It’s been fourteen years
From Hertz and Price Waterhouse
To SingTel, Pat’s and now Ascendas
It’s a life together, since we took our vows
It’s been fourteen years,
We served at ARPC,
To ICF Makassar, and now Crossroads
Together serving God, we will always be
It’s been fourteen years,
With now three children to love and care
With our faith to guide us
And our lives we share
It’s been fourteen years
Remember our 1st – the Cat from Hell!
How nice to now have, loveable Moppy
What will our next pet be like, who can tell?
It’s been fourteen years,
Despite the endless tears
God has been faithful,
We can rest our fears
It’s been fourteen years,
I cannot thank God enough & I shudder
For keeping us in faith
To Him and to each other
It’s been fourteen years,
I wonder what’s next in store
In our journey before us
I’m sure looking forward to much more
It’s been fourteen wonderful years
Oh how wonderful we’ve lived a life
How time flies when you’re having fun
Thank you for being my wife
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Monday, 15 March 2010
Serengeti Trek Camp
Serengeti Trek Camp, 12-14 March 2010.
Pre-arrival
The group of ladies from our fellowship, are amazing.
They (Shawna, Lynda, SoMin, my wife and others), put in massive amounts of work, for months, to organize our yearly Children's Bible camp.
The guys, well, we work, take leave on Friday, and show up.
So my story starts on Friday after lunch.
We all meet at the "Crossroads" compound (4 out of 12 residents attend our fellowship).
The registration table is set up, with bag tags, name tags, fruit/snack ready.
All the "counselors" (group leaders), are given a pack - registration forms of all the kids in our groups (I got 5 kids from 10-12 yrs of age), schedule, pens, and a clip board (oh.. i always wanted one of those!) - we prayed, and off we went!
55 kids arriving later, we loaded up into 2 big buses and off we went to Mango Garden resort in DongNai. We had to think up of our own group name and cheer, and my kids (Garrett, Jackson, Tim, Ben & Eric) agreed on Serengeti Penguins, and the following cheer:
We are the Serengeti Penguins!
We can't fly, coz we're scared of the sky
We are the best, better than the rest
We KILL Fish!
Arriving at Mango Garden
We get a warm reception from the folks who went in the morning to set up.
The room are all set up, decorated, bags in place.
Ok, some highlights of the camp:
1. Food.
The food was fabulous. I over-ate - both coz we used up so much energy, and it was just quite yummy.
And I also found out that we had so many problems in the kitchen, the cooler broke down, food was attacked by an ARMY of ants, hygiene standards were questionable - it is just amazing that no one got sick, and the rest of us were none the wiser.
Thanks to Lulu, Victor, Cally & gang! You guys are precious.
2. Accommodation.
Oh, my group had a blast! We had pillow fights, Uno games, and then more pillow fights.
I got my boys to bathe and brush their teeth, before I allowed them 1 last pillow fight on Sat nite, 9pm. They all got to it pronto, and when I ended the fight at abt 9.30pm, I suddenly realized... that it probably wasn't so smart to get the boys all pumped up with adrenaline, just before bedtime... d'oh! Ok, so just 1 Uno game, before lights out.
You know what? 5 min later, everyone was asleep! well.... I was anyway.
3. Amazing G-race
The games were planned by my wife, and helped by Wendy. Now, my wife is a person who doesn't like games; and both of them hadn't watched Amazing Race on TV at all.
And you know what, it was THE highlight of the camp.
Friday nite: we played "catch the tail" in the dark.
we all were in the tennis courts (kids can't get lost?), and the kids were given strips of clothe painted with glow-in-the-dark paint. Run, grab a tail, and try to avoid getting yours grabbed.
Everyone could take part, it was great fun for all, except my team who came in 2nd from last...
Sat morning: 3 parts
1st part, count squares within a black rectangle in lobby were we started, multiply and go to the room number. The problem is, only 1 kid really counted, and got it wrong. We all ran off, with the wrong room number. and so, we got a bit lost.
B, who saw other kids running in diff direction, got all excited, insisting that we go that way. Then he saw other kids running to station #2 and #3, and insisted we follow them too! But we havn't even got to 1st station.
When we finally found a games master (Theresa, God bless her heart), she finally directed us to station 2, and so we dashed off, being really really last.
When we got to the restaurant, guess what? I lost B.
He ran off in a different direction altogether! I left my group to do the challenge (eat diff kinds of food like wild boar, croc meat, liver concoction & ostrich), to go hunt him down.
I finally found him, and he was unhappy, and I was unhappy - but we finally joined the group with him crying his eyes out.
Well, God sent an angel in SoMin. She "happened" to be at the restaurant, and gave comfort to B, whilst allowing my group to head off to the next challenge.
Next challenge was at the swimming pool, kids had to find a clue in the pool, and on the the "island" in the middle of the pool. Well, all of my remaining kids jumped in anyway, fully clothed.
Unfortunately, we ran out of time, and had to end - not completing challenge #2 and not even smelling challenge #3.
Saturday afternoon, the Amazing GRace continued.
I am so thankful that SoMin agreed to come alongside, and in case B wanted to head off, she'll "shadow" him.
Challenge #4 - make playdough and shape animals
Ok, simple enough to follow recipe, everyone took part in making it, and all made their own animals, mostly snakes, 1 snail, a croc and an Eiffel Tower..... ok, no one made Eiffel Tower.
Challenge #5 -Hoola Hoop
Whilst we were going through the instructions, there I see B, picking up the hoola hoop, and just going at it! So, since we had to pick someone to hoola hoop across the stage, he gamely did it.
And I tell, that moment was priceless. All of us cheered our hearts out, B was so proud of that moment. He was the star.
Challenge #6 - Ostrich Ride
Ok, this one was just for the crew leaders, i.e. adults, aka me.
We were 3rd to reach the station. 1st 2 adults rode on the ostrich, and it looked easy, the ostrich just walked slowly - no problems.
My turn, and after I got on (there is no harness, just sit on the Ostrich's back, and hang on to its wings) - I'm not sure what happened, and but I was out of the stable like a bat out of hell (pardon the saying) - like a rodeo, I gripped its wing for my dear life, and finally after 30-40 meters, I fell off, got trampled by the Ostrich. Dazed, I got out of there, whilst everyone seems to have been amply entertained.
The funny thing was, at night, the kids made up a game, where you can have a soosing ostrich ride. 1 kid would piggy back another, run, then dump the kid into the ground plus the bonus trample.
Challenge #7 - Paddle Boat/Word Challenge
Next up, we got 2 volunteers to get into a paddle boat, and hunt down the games master in the middle of lake for the next clue. The rest of the kids had to do this word puzzle.
Challenge #8 - Water Balloon/fling
We reached this station being 2nd. The idea was for 2 teams, to use towels (each kid grabbed a corner) and throw a water balloon over a net, back and forth. Again, all of us took part, and when we got into a rhythm, we aced it, coming away with highest points.
Challenge #9 - pass the water ball
Last game for sat, pass 5 sponge ball to all members, in sequence.
I was glad that it was over. Being dazed from the fall, my left arm throbbing from the trample. Ostriches are really that light.
Happily, at the end of Saturday's game, from being LAST (after morning's games), we got into 5th (out of 8). My kids were great, B was a real part of each challenge - thanks SoMin for your help, and I am just so thankful to God!
Ok, Sunday had the last Amazing GRace session.
Challenge #10 - Charades
Challenge #11 - M&M challenge, eat a whole bunch of em, without using hands
Challenge #12 - Find letters and make out clue to the next place
Challenge #13 - Pay a resort staff a compliment in Vietnamese, and get them to rate.
The challenges were really well planned, and really covered a whole spectrum of activities, allowing diff kids with diff abilities to shine at diff games. I'm really really proud of my wife and her team for pulling it off!
4. Talks
All the talks were done at interesting and appropriate venues.
Steve's talk on Gideon, was done amongst bamboo trees in the dark; Tracie's talk on Daniel in Lion's den was done at the bear pit; Shawna's talk on Medrach/Meshach/Abednego in Furnace was done at the camp fire pit; Brett's talk on Paul & Silas in jail was done at the tennis courts, with its high fences (like jail?).
Whilst Steve is always a fantastic speaker, my favorite talk was Tracie's talk. So hard to make a familiar story fresh, and she did a great job, presenting it like a newspaper reporter in Babylonian Times. It certainly grabbed me, and I know the story pretty well.
5. Altar Call
This is what it is all about. At the end of the camp, Steve led an altar call. Quite a few kids went up, many responding to accept Jesus for the 1st time!
I noticed one of my cabin boys, Ben, going up too. He had already accepted Jesus, and when asked why he went up, he simply said "I want to know Jesus more".
Even one of the adult helpers, accepted Jesus!
Oh how the heavens rejoice, strain and you can hear the angels going wild with applause and joy.
The camp has really shown me how great and wonderful a God we believe in. Everything was put in place, my stories are just a small part of the miracles God had worked during the camp.
We had a sharing session last night (Tuesday night), and everyone just had praises for God, in how he worked, in our kids, and in us.
This is what life is all about, what it is worth living for.
John 3:16
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.
Pre-arrival
The group of ladies from our fellowship, are amazing.
They (Shawna, Lynda, SoMin, my wife and others), put in massive amounts of work, for months, to organize our yearly Children's Bible camp.
The guys, well, we work, take leave on Friday, and show up.
So my story starts on Friday after lunch.
We all meet at the "Crossroads" compound (4 out of 12 residents attend our fellowship).
The registration table is set up, with bag tags, name tags, fruit/snack ready.
All the "counselors" (group leaders), are given a pack - registration forms of all the kids in our groups (I got 5 kids from 10-12 yrs of age), schedule, pens, and a clip board (oh.. i always wanted one of those!) - we prayed, and off we went!
55 kids arriving later, we loaded up into 2 big buses and off we went to Mango Garden resort in DongNai. We had to think up of our own group name and cheer, and my kids (Garrett, Jackson, Tim, Ben & Eric) agreed on Serengeti Penguins, and the following cheer:
We are the Serengeti Penguins!
We can't fly, coz we're scared of the sky
We are the best, better than the rest
We KILL Fish!
Arriving at Mango Garden
We get a warm reception from the folks who went in the morning to set up.
The room are all set up, decorated, bags in place.
Ok, some highlights of the camp:
1. Food.
The food was fabulous. I over-ate - both coz we used up so much energy, and it was just quite yummy.
And I also found out that we had so many problems in the kitchen, the cooler broke down, food was attacked by an ARMY of ants, hygiene standards were questionable - it is just amazing that no one got sick, and the rest of us were none the wiser.
Thanks to Lulu, Victor, Cally & gang! You guys are precious.
2. Accommodation.
Oh, my group had a blast! We had pillow fights, Uno games, and then more pillow fights.
I got my boys to bathe and brush their teeth, before I allowed them 1 last pillow fight on Sat nite, 9pm. They all got to it pronto, and when I ended the fight at abt 9.30pm, I suddenly realized... that it probably wasn't so smart to get the boys all pumped up with adrenaline, just before bedtime... d'oh! Ok, so just 1 Uno game, before lights out.
You know what? 5 min later, everyone was asleep! well.... I was anyway.
3. Amazing G-race
The games were planned by my wife, and helped by Wendy. Now, my wife is a person who doesn't like games; and both of them hadn't watched Amazing Race on TV at all.
And you know what, it was THE highlight of the camp.
Friday nite: we played "catch the tail" in the dark.
we all were in the tennis courts (kids can't get lost?), and the kids were given strips of clothe painted with glow-in-the-dark paint. Run, grab a tail, and try to avoid getting yours grabbed.
Everyone could take part, it was great fun for all, except my team who came in 2nd from last...
Sat morning: 3 parts
1st part, count squares within a black rectangle in lobby were we started, multiply and go to the room number. The problem is, only 1 kid really counted, and got it wrong. We all ran off, with the wrong room number. and so, we got a bit lost.
B, who saw other kids running in diff direction, got all excited, insisting that we go that way. Then he saw other kids running to station #2 and #3, and insisted we follow them too! But we havn't even got to 1st station.
When we finally found a games master (Theresa, God bless her heart), she finally directed us to station 2, and so we dashed off, being really really last.
When we got to the restaurant, guess what? I lost B.
He ran off in a different direction altogether! I left my group to do the challenge (eat diff kinds of food like wild boar, croc meat, liver concoction & ostrich), to go hunt him down.
I finally found him, and he was unhappy, and I was unhappy - but we finally joined the group with him crying his eyes out.
Well, God sent an angel in SoMin. She "happened" to be at the restaurant, and gave comfort to B, whilst allowing my group to head off to the next challenge.
Next challenge was at the swimming pool, kids had to find a clue in the pool, and on the the "island" in the middle of the pool. Well, all of my remaining kids jumped in anyway, fully clothed.
Unfortunately, we ran out of time, and had to end - not completing challenge #2 and not even smelling challenge #3.
Saturday afternoon, the Amazing GRace continued.
I am so thankful that SoMin agreed to come alongside, and in case B wanted to head off, she'll "shadow" him.
Challenge #4 - make playdough and shape animals
Ok, simple enough to follow recipe, everyone took part in making it, and all made their own animals, mostly snakes, 1 snail, a croc and an Eiffel Tower..... ok, no one made Eiffel Tower.
Challenge #5 -Hoola Hoop
Whilst we were going through the instructions, there I see B, picking up the hoola hoop, and just going at it! So, since we had to pick someone to hoola hoop across the stage, he gamely did it.
And I tell, that moment was priceless. All of us cheered our hearts out, B was so proud of that moment. He was the star.
Challenge #6 - Ostrich Ride
Ok, this one was just for the crew leaders, i.e. adults, aka me.
We were 3rd to reach the station. 1st 2 adults rode on the ostrich, and it looked easy, the ostrich just walked slowly - no problems.
My turn, and after I got on (there is no harness, just sit on the Ostrich's back, and hang on to its wings) - I'm not sure what happened, and but I was out of the stable like a bat out of hell (pardon the saying) - like a rodeo, I gripped its wing for my dear life, and finally after 30-40 meters, I fell off, got trampled by the Ostrich. Dazed, I got out of there, whilst everyone seems to have been amply entertained.
The funny thing was, at night, the kids made up a game, where you can have a soosing ostrich ride. 1 kid would piggy back another, run, then dump the kid into the ground plus the bonus trample.
Challenge #7 - Paddle Boat/Word Challenge
Next up, we got 2 volunteers to get into a paddle boat, and hunt down the games master in the middle of lake for the next clue. The rest of the kids had to do this word puzzle.
Challenge #8 - Water Balloon/fling
We reached this station being 2nd. The idea was for 2 teams, to use towels (each kid grabbed a corner) and throw a water balloon over a net, back and forth. Again, all of us took part, and when we got into a rhythm, we aced it, coming away with highest points.
Challenge #9 - pass the water ball
Last game for sat, pass 5 sponge ball to all members, in sequence.
I was glad that it was over. Being dazed from the fall, my left arm throbbing from the trample. Ostriches are really that light.
Happily, at the end of Saturday's game, from being LAST (after morning's games), we got into 5th (out of 8). My kids were great, B was a real part of each challenge - thanks SoMin for your help, and I am just so thankful to God!
Ok, Sunday had the last Amazing GRace session.
Challenge #10 - Charades
Challenge #11 - M&M challenge, eat a whole bunch of em, without using hands
Challenge #12 - Find letters and make out clue to the next place
Challenge #13 - Pay a resort staff a compliment in Vietnamese, and get them to rate.
The challenges were really well planned, and really covered a whole spectrum of activities, allowing diff kids with diff abilities to shine at diff games. I'm really really proud of my wife and her team for pulling it off!
4. Talks
All the talks were done at interesting and appropriate venues.
Steve's talk on Gideon, was done amongst bamboo trees in the dark; Tracie's talk on Daniel in Lion's den was done at the bear pit; Shawna's talk on Medrach/Meshach/Abednego in Furnace was done at the camp fire pit; Brett's talk on Paul & Silas in jail was done at the tennis courts, with its high fences (like jail?).
Whilst Steve is always a fantastic speaker, my favorite talk was Tracie's talk. So hard to make a familiar story fresh, and she did a great job, presenting it like a newspaper reporter in Babylonian Times. It certainly grabbed me, and I know the story pretty well.
5. Altar Call
This is what it is all about. At the end of the camp, Steve led an altar call. Quite a few kids went up, many responding to accept Jesus for the 1st time!
I noticed one of my cabin boys, Ben, going up too. He had already accepted Jesus, and when asked why he went up, he simply said "I want to know Jesus more".
Even one of the adult helpers, accepted Jesus!
Oh how the heavens rejoice, strain and you can hear the angels going wild with applause and joy.
The camp has really shown me how great and wonderful a God we believe in. Everything was put in place, my stories are just a small part of the miracles God had worked during the camp.
We had a sharing session last night (Tuesday night), and everyone just had praises for God, in how he worked, in our kids, and in us.
This is what life is all about, what it is worth living for.
John 3:16
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.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Running (parts of) a Marathon - Diary of a completely lazy, clueless, unprepared Marathoner don't-wannabe,
Dec 2009: In the beginning
Ok, so my wife has this crazy idea of going for Beijing Marathon in May 2010. The Pashens (American church friends who just stay behind us) are planning to go as well!
Of course, I have never ever ran longer than 10km at one go (and this was like 20 years ago during my fit army days). I can't even remember when was the last time I ran 1 km; and my only excercise is going to the TV room on 3rd floor of my house - yes, I'm not exactly in the pink of health and fitness.
Anyway, I think it's fantastic - never been to Beijing or the Great Wall of China, plus various doctors have been telling me I need to excercise over the last decade or so. A few friends tell me 5 months is enough to train.
So great! Kill a few birds with one stone, and hopefully not myself along with it.
AND, you have the option of half marathon or 10 km. Hmm... or was there a 1 km option? gotta go check the website again.
4 Jan 2010
Happy New Year!
Came back to HCMC, and decided to start on my training regime - always a perfect time to start a new resolution at the new year.
Woke up at 6am, and planned to run the AnPhu circle (supposed to be 4 miles or 6km according to Mark Pashen). Yes, it was him who told me 5 months is enuf to train. Right.
So I put on me running shoes, and headed out the door.
10min later, I'm starting to pant, and walk till I reached BIS secondary (abt 1 km or less...) and the streets are flooded! Hmm. High tide again. I see this guy running from the opposite direction right through the flooded street, but I didn't feel like splashing thru 10-15cm of water (u know, spoils my.... pedicured toes, which I tried for the 1st time abt 3 months ago).
So.... I turn back - not too reluctantly.
Not too bad, jog 10min, walk 5. Jogged another 3, before walking another 3.
Half hour later, I reach my gate, and ran past it (feeling a little proud of myself). Another 100m, and the thought of no particular destination, body is starting to itch (happens when I start excercising after too long a hiatus), and finally the sweat is starting to make its way out of my pores - I turn back (come to think of it, am not sure whether I would have made all 6 km - but I would have attempted to, if it wasn't flooded!).
SUCCESS! I made it home in 1 piece.
5 Jan 2010
Oh.... body is protesting. Why am I doing this again? Oh, to try to be fit, reduce cholesterol.... try not to die too young. ok.
I think I will try my jog starting every alternate day.
Perhaps I should try and get hold of some guidelines about training schedules, how to prep for a run - rather than just by gut feel (my gut is feeling a little heavy at the moment).
to be continued..... groan.
Ok, so my wife has this crazy idea of going for Beijing Marathon in May 2010. The Pashens (American church friends who just stay behind us) are planning to go as well!
Of course, I have never ever ran longer than 10km at one go (and this was like 20 years ago during my fit army days). I can't even remember when was the last time I ran 1 km; and my only excercise is going to the TV room on 3rd floor of my house - yes, I'm not exactly in the pink of health and fitness.
Anyway, I think it's fantastic - never been to Beijing or the Great Wall of China, plus various doctors have been telling me I need to excercise over the last decade or so. A few friends tell me 5 months is enough to train.
So great! Kill a few birds with one stone, and hopefully not myself along with it.
AND, you have the option of half marathon or 10 km. Hmm... or was there a 1 km option? gotta go check the website again.
4 Jan 2010
Happy New Year!
Came back to HCMC, and decided to start on my training regime - always a perfect time to start a new resolution at the new year.
Woke up at 6am, and planned to run the AnPhu circle (supposed to be 4 miles or 6km according to Mark Pashen). Yes, it was him who told me 5 months is enuf to train. Right.
So I put on me running shoes, and headed out the door.
10min later, I'm starting to pant, and walk till I reached BIS secondary (abt 1 km or less...) and the streets are flooded! Hmm. High tide again. I see this guy running from the opposite direction right through the flooded street, but I didn't feel like splashing thru 10-15cm of water (u know, spoils my.... pedicured toes, which I tried for the 1st time abt 3 months ago).
So.... I turn back - not too reluctantly.
Not too bad, jog 10min, walk 5. Jogged another 3, before walking another 3.
Half hour later, I reach my gate, and ran past it (feeling a little proud of myself). Another 100m, and the thought of no particular destination, body is starting to itch (happens when I start excercising after too long a hiatus), and finally the sweat is starting to make its way out of my pores - I turn back (come to think of it, am not sure whether I would have made all 6 km - but I would have attempted to, if it wasn't flooded!).
SUCCESS! I made it home in 1 piece.
5 Jan 2010
Oh.... body is protesting. Why am I doing this again? Oh, to try to be fit, reduce cholesterol.... try not to die too young. ok.
I think I will try my jog starting every alternate day.
Perhaps I should try and get hold of some guidelines about training schedules, how to prep for a run - rather than just by gut feel (my gut is feeling a little heavy at the moment).
to be continued..... groan.
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
I am not a happy camper
At our men's fellowship, we were looking at Galations 3, and I mentioned that it is sometimes easy to forget that we need grace to finish the race, not just get us to the starting point; and added that regardless, we still needed to work out our Salvation (from Php 2:12) in the mean time - not to gain salvation, but after we get salvation, and cannot be "cruising" thereafter.
It was then that a full time Christian brother serving in same ministry "disagreed strongly" with me, saying that we only need grace, there is no effort on our part - it is all through Christ.
Now, I know where he is coming from, and it isn't wrong. Christ saves us, and through the Holy Spirit enables us to finish the race, enables us to put to death our earthly desires (Col 3), that we aren't bound by work of Law.
I felt derided & angry.
The choice of words may have not been 100% theologically correct, but hardly said deserving such a strong response.
In my nearly 20 years of growing as a Christian, I have been very fortunate to never experience an "attack" or "correction/rebuke", regardless of the theological blunders I have said/done.
It felt like an outright attack by a fellow brother, who is in ministry with me, cut deep.
And yet, I shouldn't be surprised.
Satan is all but pleased when unity of the body of Christ is being pulled apart.
All the better when pride is at stake.
Yes, it's pride, which is an obstacle to love.
Because my pride is hurt, I don't feel like loving this brother.
I wonder if Jesus felt the same.
I wonder what he felt, as he washed the feet of Judas - who was going to betray him; the feet of Peter - who was going to deny him 3 times; the feet of the other disciples - who were going to flee at his arrest & subsequent crucifixion.
And yet he loved them, as he does to me.
That's where the rubber hits the road - I feel angry; but Christ's love compels me to love.
Love isn't a feeling, but a decision, a choice you make.
I don't think Jesus enjoyed the process to the cross, but he decided to love, and so did it.
I pray that I will put aside my own pride; ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart and freely love.
The Christian walk sure doesn't feel effortless.
It was then that a full time Christian brother serving in same ministry "disagreed strongly" with me, saying that we only need grace, there is no effort on our part - it is all through Christ.
Now, I know where he is coming from, and it isn't wrong. Christ saves us, and through the Holy Spirit enables us to finish the race, enables us to put to death our earthly desires (Col 3), that we aren't bound by work of Law.
I felt derided & angry.
The choice of words may have not been 100% theologically correct, but hardly said deserving such a strong response.
In my nearly 20 years of growing as a Christian, I have been very fortunate to never experience an "attack" or "correction/rebuke", regardless of the theological blunders I have said/done.
It felt like an outright attack by a fellow brother, who is in ministry with me, cut deep.
And yet, I shouldn't be surprised.
Satan is all but pleased when unity of the body of Christ is being pulled apart.
All the better when pride is at stake.
Yes, it's pride, which is an obstacle to love.
Because my pride is hurt, I don't feel like loving this brother.
I wonder if Jesus felt the same.
I wonder what he felt, as he washed the feet of Judas - who was going to betray him; the feet of Peter - who was going to deny him 3 times; the feet of the other disciples - who were going to flee at his arrest & subsequent crucifixion.
And yet he loved them, as he does to me.
That's where the rubber hits the road - I feel angry; but Christ's love compels me to love.
Love isn't a feeling, but a decision, a choice you make.
I don't think Jesus enjoyed the process to the cross, but he decided to love, and so did it.
I pray that I will put aside my own pride; ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart and freely love.
The Christian walk sure doesn't feel effortless.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Life after birth
Just something I wrote 5.5 years ago.
****************************************************************************
It used to be all so simple.
There I was, all growing up quite comfortably in this nice warm surrounding. A bit claustrophobic, but more snug than anything. Everthing I needed, I had. Everything I wanated, I got. But I was told that there was more to life than just hanging around, taking the occassional swim. I didn't quite believe it, I waited and waited, and life was pretty much status quo, I continued to live my life my own way, and it made no difference. I mean, who have thought that there's such thing as life after birth?
So I made myself comfortable, becoming quite attached to my nice umbilical cord. It was my everything, my food, my air, my companion, my life possession, my life. I caressed it, fondled it and treasured it. Where would I be without it? Quite unimaginable.
Then it began on 2 Sept. My precious failed me, I panicked. I had gambled my life's hopes on it, and my dearest umbilical cord just gave up on me. It really started getting cramped, claustrophobic, and tight. My walls around me were caving in, my life was falling apart, my fears realized. My end had come.
It felt like an eterrnity, but next thing I knew, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. It was blinding. I thought I died, but I lived, I found myself alive instead. What do you know... who would have thought that there's life after birth.
It's 5.04pm. I was born Goh Chang Jernn to 2 proud parents (Soo Sing & Sha-Rin), and 2 other annoying kids (Chang Hann & Di Yann), all of 3.1 kg and 49 cm.
Funny thing is that I wonder how real my life will be this time. Next thing they tell me, there's life after death.
****************************************************************************
It used to be all so simple.
There I was, all growing up quite comfortably in this nice warm surrounding. A bit claustrophobic, but more snug than anything. Everthing I needed, I had. Everything I wanated, I got. But I was told that there was more to life than just hanging around, taking the occassional swim. I didn't quite believe it, I waited and waited, and life was pretty much status quo, I continued to live my life my own way, and it made no difference. I mean, who have thought that there's such thing as life after birth?
So I made myself comfortable, becoming quite attached to my nice umbilical cord. It was my everything, my food, my air, my companion, my life possession, my life. I caressed it, fondled it and treasured it. Where would I be without it? Quite unimaginable.
Then it began on 2 Sept. My precious failed me, I panicked. I had gambled my life's hopes on it, and my dearest umbilical cord just gave up on me. It really started getting cramped, claustrophobic, and tight. My walls around me were caving in, my life was falling apart, my fears realized. My end had come.
It felt like an eterrnity, but next thing I knew, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. It was blinding. I thought I died, but I lived, I found myself alive instead. What do you know... who would have thought that there's life after birth.
It's 5.04pm. I was born Goh Chang Jernn to 2 proud parents (Soo Sing & Sha-Rin), and 2 other annoying kids (Chang Hann & Di Yann), all of 3.1 kg and 49 cm.
Funny thing is that I wonder how real my life will be this time. Next thing they tell me, there's life after death.
Monday, 8 December 2008
Peace in Chaos
I love taking the boat shuttle into town daily - away from the hustle and bustle, no incessant honks and crazy motorcyclist find new ways to kill themselves.
It's a 20 minute peaceful quiet ride, which I can find time to do my QT (when I wake up bit late), eat my apple (breakfast), read some, prayer or just reflect.
I did some reflecting recently - about life here in Vietnam.
God opened the doors some months back, for the family to relocate here - and we are exceedingly thankful. God is really really good - my kids are fully settled in school, family settled in the country.
My kids got back a "progress" report, and I was just blown away at the detailedness of the report, and just how positive it read. Least to say, it is a completely refreshing change from the school reports from Singapore (won't say too much...).
I am extremely thankful my wife found her Quiet Time grove - she is God's gift to me, someone whom I treasure and love dearly.
We have started to get to know a few families, and I can already see good fellowship/friends ahead.
I've also started attending Men's Fellowship (see previous article), and look forward to it, to closer fellowship with fellow men in the faith.
And yet, all that could change within days or weeks - we live in an uncertain world.
In addition to the chaotic past few months (work wise) - I can honestly say I am really really contented right now.
Our version of peace is often defined by the lack of chaos.
It is peaceful, when the kids are asleep.
It is peaceful, when I'm chilling by the beachside, reading a book and lazying away.
Is it true peace, when it can be so fragile, easily shattered by our circumstance and what happens around us?
Can we actually have peace, in spite chaos around us?
One song which completely blows me away is "It is well with my soul" - lyrics below.
The background to the song is tremendous. Spafford lost his 4 children in a ship accident, wife survived. Eventually, he wrote this hymn in commemoration of the death of his children.
How is it ever possible to have peace, after losing 4 children?
How is it ever possible to write that it is well with my soul after such a tragedy?
And yet, when we realize that God is in complete control of our lives, the good and bad, and that no matter what happens, how bad it is, Christ has already died for us, and redeemed us from the grasp of the evil one into the bosom of our heavenly Father.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/i/itiswell.htm
It's a 20 minute peaceful quiet ride, which I can find time to do my QT (when I wake up bit late), eat my apple (breakfast), read some, prayer or just reflect.
I did some reflecting recently - about life here in Vietnam.
God opened the doors some months back, for the family to relocate here - and we are exceedingly thankful. God is really really good - my kids are fully settled in school, family settled in the country.
My kids got back a "progress" report, and I was just blown away at the detailedness of the report, and just how positive it read. Least to say, it is a completely refreshing change from the school reports from Singapore (won't say too much...).
I am extremely thankful my wife found her Quiet Time grove - she is God's gift to me, someone whom I treasure and love dearly.
We have started to get to know a few families, and I can already see good fellowship/friends ahead.
I've also started attending Men's Fellowship (see previous article), and look forward to it, to closer fellowship with fellow men in the faith.
And yet, all that could change within days or weeks - we live in an uncertain world.
In addition to the chaotic past few months (work wise) - I can honestly say I am really really contented right now.
Our version of peace is often defined by the lack of chaos.
It is peaceful, when the kids are asleep.
It is peaceful, when I'm chilling by the beachside, reading a book and lazying away.
Is it true peace, when it can be so fragile, easily shattered by our circumstance and what happens around us?
Can we actually have peace, in spite chaos around us?
One song which completely blows me away is "It is well with my soul" - lyrics below.
The background to the song is tremendous. Spafford lost his 4 children in a ship accident, wife survived. Eventually, he wrote this hymn in commemoration of the death of his children.
How is it ever possible to have peace, after losing 4 children?
How is it ever possible to write that it is well with my soul after such a tragedy?
And yet, when we realize that God is in complete control of our lives, the good and bad, and that no matter what happens, how bad it is, Christ has already died for us, and redeemed us from the grasp of the evil one into the bosom of our heavenly Father.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/i/itiswell.htm
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
Refrain
But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
Refrain
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Men's Fellowship
I stepped into a "church" building some 33 years ago.
I became a Christian some 16 years ago (yes, took me some time to get my act together) - and in all these years, I've had cell/bible-study/home groups grouped together based on faculty (Commerce Christians in Uni), type of student (Fellowship of Overseas Christians University Students), families (at Adam Road Presbyterian Centre), work (at my previous work place).
Strangely, I've never had a group based on... gender.
Sure, Ladies Fellowship was quite common (not that I was ever part of one), but Men's Fellowship? Anyway, I attended my first today!
The plan was to meet at 7am, once a week (and strangely, I found myself waking up almost every hour last night, checking the time, so that I would not oversleep).
A bunch of grown men, sitting around a table, with a cuppa - and you know what? I was really really encouraged.
A guy who shared that he was a fairly new Christian, and that he struggled from things going too well (erh.. sorta) - and I was blown away! After struggling with prosperity gospel previously, that was just refreshingly.... mature. It normally takes a good evangelical matured Christian to realize that things going all too smoothly, isn't always a good thing.
The dynamics are different from the family based (scripture based, but grouped by families I mean) bible study. There are struggles that us MEN have to deal with, and it's just encouraging that we can support each other in this way - what a revelation!
And that's why they have Ladies Fellowship all these years- we Men have been missing out!
Hebrews 10:25
I became a Christian some 16 years ago (yes, took me some time to get my act together) - and in all these years, I've had cell/bible-study/home groups grouped together based on faculty (Commerce Christians in Uni), type of student (Fellowship of Overseas Christians University Students), families (at Adam Road Presbyterian Centre), work (at my previous work place).
Strangely, I've never had a group based on... gender.
Sure, Ladies Fellowship was quite common (not that I was ever part of one), but Men's Fellowship? Anyway, I attended my first today!
The plan was to meet at 7am, once a week (and strangely, I found myself waking up almost every hour last night, checking the time, so that I would not oversleep).
A bunch of grown men, sitting around a table, with a cuppa - and you know what? I was really really encouraged.
A guy who shared that he was a fairly new Christian, and that he struggled from things going too well (erh.. sorta) - and I was blown away! After struggling with prosperity gospel previously, that was just refreshingly.... mature. It normally takes a good evangelical matured Christian to realize that things going all too smoothly, isn't always a good thing.
The dynamics are different from the family based (scripture based, but grouped by families I mean) bible study. There are struggles that us MEN have to deal with, and it's just encouraging that we can support each other in this way - what a revelation!
And that's why they have Ladies Fellowship all these years- we Men have been missing out!
Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
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