God is speaking to me! But what regarding specifically?

Sat: John 16:33 (ESV)

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world"

Sunday (NCC service)

Darlene's new song:

"Hallelujah

You have overcome, you have overcome

Hallelujah

Jesus you have overcome the world"

Sermon: John 16: 33 repeated again. 

The same message repeated thrice in 2 days. What does that mean? Hmmmm..

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What is the business of church?

The purpose of the church (us) is to reconcile people to God. How profound. And how focused our mission in life can be if we are able to centre on this purpose.

Ministry in discipleship is therefore  to draw people to God and help them grow like Christ. Serving and giving to the marginalized therefore is built upon this principle that they do not know the hope they have in God, and even if they do, their lack of basic needs in their lives outweighs their spiritual need for God. So helping the marginalized cannot stop in providing for their needs. The next logical step is to have them be acquainted with God and be reconciled with God, because if we believe God to be a powerful God who will listen to his people's prayers and who will provide, He will surely fulfill their needs better than humans can. Without bringing God into the picture, wouldn't humans feel like god even if they profess to obeying the commandments of God to care for the needs of the marginalized?

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A new season?

I had been hiding my favourite form of ministry in reaching out, talking to and following up with people behind serving in the worship ministry. When I am on duty on audio or on duty to play instruments for service, communication is mostly just between me and God. Sure, there is a bit of fellowship here and there, but that was okay. 

Recently, I was prompted to follow up with two other younger believers and during the same period of time, started reading a second book on discipleship, I felt a renewed sense of conviction that relationship with people is the way to go. There is a certain hunger and desire to reach out again. I am excited to see who God places in my path and where He sends me in this next season of life.

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Worship

"Sound doctrine is essential to true worship. Worship is more than doctrine but never less"

When I read this in one of my Facebook status updates, it felt to me that worship is merely a part of our spiritual life, something extra, part of the many activities which constitute our walk with God. 

For me, worship of God is everything, and in worshipping God, we are changed and transformed. When we worship God, something special happens, no conditions attached. We come before God, worshipping him with all that we are; whoever we are, however we are.

True worship will definitely bring about a sound doctrine.

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oh what a busy week. TGIF

This week has been extremely full, in all sense of the word.

Monday saw me driving down to the North to run some errands after work. I went to the hospital for a bit to see how Dad was doing. Also managed to spend some time walking, jogging and catching up with my favourite walking mate.

Tuesday saw me going for a check-up at the hospital for the two insurance plans I had signed up for. Went to the hospital for a bit to see Dad. Managed to squeeze in 15 mins to see my special friend before going for CG.

On Wednesday, had a long meeting after work till 430p.m. and went to the hospital to visit Dad before going for CG again. Then did a speedy grocery shopping for home before going for a friend's Dad's wake. I can only say that the world is really small.

Today, I went to do some gym therapy for my recovering knee. Managed to complete a 20 minute jog on the treadmill jogging normally (using all the muscles in my injured knee) followed by 20 minutes of stationary bike cycling. My knee is 80% recovered, I think. Woot. Went to celebrate a colleague's 50 years of being in the teaching service. (wow). Had a good time catching up with some ex-colleagues. Met celebrity Chef Wan at his restaurant too!

The only downside of this week is not spending enough time with the special one. It makes me slightly grouchy and restless. So I really thank God Friday is here. Date night!!!
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My Heart Sings

a new beginning
Jars of Clay
prayer
worship
ministry
hearts uniting
common people
common vision
common goal
common desire
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The Ripple Effect

Sometimes, I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, prompting me to pray for certain people. Someone must have prayed for me too. If we pray for 3 persons a day, imagine how many people will be covered in prayer in a single day! *note to self*
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do gay people go to heaven?

My ex-cell group leader, straight, who knew that I was gay, asked a fellow cell group member that question.

His response: Only God knows.

And he's right.

But that's besides the point. Does it really matter? Does going to heaven mean everything? Maybe some people think that's important. The only reason why I think that's important is so that I can meet my family members again. But maybe that's why christiainity is so distasteful to many non-believers.

I believe that what matters most is this:

Are we living a spirit-filled life?
Are we exhibiting the fruit of the spirit?
Are we living like children of God who have become a new creation?

Are we living for others? Or merely living for ourselves?
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moolah issues

Looking at Dad's 6 figure medical bills made me think twice about traveling anymore.
 
Thankful for government subsidy though it meant staying in a 6-bedded ward. Extremely thankful that Dad got upgraded to a single-ward room at the 6-bedded cost. Still, nearly all of my money in my medisave account will be wiped out at the end of this hospital stay. What does that mean? It means that if dad gets hospitalized or requires another surgery, we have to end up paying cash.
 
Perhaps I should just stay in Tokyo during my one week stay in Japan in June. This way, I can save the money on traveling to the other cities. And I am totally okay with that. I can get to know Toyko very well. I can save about SGD$1000. Am I okay not maximizing my trip? Totally, because I am just thankful to be able to go to Japan for the first time in my life.
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Countries/Cities I have visited

Thinking back, I am thankful I had the chance to visit so many places even before my craze for Aussieland. I don't have to travel that much anymore, right?

 
Europe:
London
Edinburgh
Dublin
Paris
Barcelona
Rome
Zurich & Bern
Vienna
Amsterdam
 
North America: 
Texas
Denver, Colorado
 
Asia:
Maldives
Sri Lanka
Siem Reap, Phenom Penn
Hong Kong
Seoul
China
Taiwan
Bali, Jakarta, Batam, Bintan
Phuket, Pattaya, Bangkok
Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perhentian islands, Tioman,
 
Australasia 
Tahiti
Tasmania
New Zealand
All cities of Australia except for Alice Springs
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unwinding

it has been an overwhelming few months. I am thankful for every burden/load lifted off my shoulders one by one:

1) End of the netball season
2) End of formal lesson observation
3) Break from Masters Classes till July
4) Finished all the practising and serving on drums for worship

It was a very packed weekend with important engagements and the usual hospital visits and I was half expecting myself to be very tired when the work week starts. Surprisingly, I was super productive at work yesterday and today and I am extremely thankful for that. God never shortchanges us. Serving brings about a change in us. We serve not for God to be benefited from it, but for ourselves to be blessed by the filling of His Holy Spirit.

It's never never about us, yet it's only only for us.
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stand in awe

that's the title of the song I am currently following. I remember being tremendously ministered by it the first time I heard it, especially at the bridge of the song where the song goes:

"all of my heart, all that I am,
worship jesus
all of my heart, all that I am,
worship jesus
all of my heart, all that I am,
worship jesus
all of my heart, all that I am,
worship jesus"

At that moment, time stood still, and I could feel myself being filled, being energized, being empowered. This is the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqDaDdfDr-g

And.. for the rest of the song, it is a great reminder that God is greater than anything on this earth, any pleasure, anything good. Not to say it's wrong to enjoy what we have on Earth. God created good things for us to enjoy, He loves us and wants to bless us, but the truth of the matter is this: God's love and presence is even more enjoyable than the most enjoyable thing we have experienced. heh. Pardon my lack of vocabulary. It has been a long queer day.
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