some thoughts leading to this entry

I was just thinking this morning about the issue of christian leadership, especially in our community.

So apt after being reminded to pray for the leaders in church. Surely the devil will have things in place to prevent leaders from doing their job. But even more surely God has the power to prevent that from happening. All praise to God for that.

According to many, the three major obstacles in living a life that is set apart for God are power, money and sex.

My question is this: Who protects our leaders from these obstacles? Aside from covering them in prayer (which cannot happen 24/7), what are the other things put in place so leaders are fully covered to lead the community?

In a small church like FCC, these challenges pose an even greater challenge, particularly in the area of sex and intimacy as leaders are required to go down to the ground to speak with and minister to people. The exposure to many people may inevitably lead to certain complications. The vulnerability of the human put to test. It's easy to allow oneself to fall into open arms, isn't it, especially when the other party is somewhat pleasant and attractive? Coupled with the right dose of attention, what is to stop a leader who's single (and perhaps lonely and looking) to explore something more with another who waits with open arms, whether they are right for each other, or not? How strong is one to resist from falling into temptation?

What then, other than praying, should be done to protect our leaders so that they can continue leading the church? This is a question that requires much more prayer and thought.
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Trials, tribulations and their benefits

I was happily doing my laps at the pool, enjoying the whole pool for myself. And so, I was doing regular strokes, reflecting and praying from time to time as I glided through the water, when this guy came into the pool and started swimming too. Whenever he swam past me, his stroke caused ripples, making it slightly difficult to keep to my pace. I found myself having to use a stronger stroke and tilt my head a certain way when I breathe so water will not get into my nose.

Needless to say, that distraction caused me to stop reflecting and praying, instead anticipating the next time he passed me so I do not get water in my nose. I experienced, I learnt and I overcame when I accepted the other swimmer as part of my pool experience. How do I become a better swimmer if I do not experience disturbances like that?  I wouldn't even have this story to share if there weren't another swimmer in the pool, right?
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@ Nook

You, who created trees in all forms;

Branches- tall and majestic, short and stumpy

You who created them all unique but known

How wonderful all your works are

You are God who is beyond comprehension

Your word comes at the right time all the time

The power of your word evident in the state of vulnerability

Let our lives not be a broken hallelujah

Because of the endless hope we have in you.

the message for this week

This message came up twice this week.

I started on a book called Praying with Power. In the first chapter, the author shared a testimony on how a murder capital in Africa became clean by the power of God. He shared how intercessors were facing spiritual attack so much that he had to cover the intercessor praying for that day using two other intercessors. The main lesson learnt was this: Intercessors need armour bearers.

Yesterday, I listened to Pastor Joseph Prince's cd given to me by a dear friend called Grace-centred discipleship. Towards the end, Pastor Prince shared about the spiritual attacks he faced and asked that the congregation pray for him too.

So yeah. A good reminder to pray for our leaders. They need the protection and the anointing of God to be upon them.
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On days like these

On days like these, I wish I could sleep in
On days like these, I wish I could hide in a cave
On days like these, I chose the lone chair at the back of the hall
On days like these, I kept my attention on my book during morning assembly though I know my VP walked to stand beside me, maybe expecting to make conversation
On days like these, conversations are just between my kiddos and me
On days like these I wish I was on holiday in Australia
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but today is over and thankfully, I got through the day all right  i.e I did not bite anyone's head off. And I am grateful that I went to work. I got many things done and at 3.55p.m., I have packed myself a healthy lunch from Subway, writing this entry at the Nook. On days like these, I am just glad the work day has come to an end.
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The Nook

days like these make me appreciate the provision of the Nook. Till today, I am continually thankful to be able to get this place at a good price.

The weather is perfect to be here. When the sweetheart is not in town, I come here only for the purpose of stealing some quiet time or some sun by the pool or some gym time. Right now, I am using OTO foot massager as I am blogging after a leisurely dinner, resting a bit before meeting the Mini Olympic committee team for a final meeting before launching the registration form for our very own Les Fit games. Being so comfortable makes me really sleepy though. Hopefully, the badminton game will boost my energy a bit.

Laters.
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I miss you much

Today, I stalked you on Instagram. You are so incredibly cute and creative.
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my dad

I don't know if God is reassuring me in my dreams, but two weeks ago, I dreamt for the third time in a few months that Dad's face was no longer disfigured. He looked normal again. I remembered being very happy in all three occasions. I pray that this shall come to pass. Amen.
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Why pray?

Why pray when God is all-knowing? We pray precisely because God is all-knowing! (Matt 6:28)

 

God knows, therefore pray. We pray because God gives us free choice. God doesn't violate our free choice. Prayer represents open hands, open hearts and open lives; open to the working of God. God doesn't force all that unto us. Asking from God represents a receptive mode.

 

God loves it when we ask. Because when we ask, we look to the one who can bless us, that we know it is not through our own effort, but through our reliance on God.

Blessed to be Broken to be Given

Cell group is important to me because it encourages me when I see fellow believers come together to share thanksgivings and personal testimonies on how God has worked/works in their lives, to worship together and to want to grow spiritually and to serve one another. That encourages me in my own walk with God.

Why is cell group important for the general body of Christ? Many people are very preoccupied with many things, work to say the least. Some do not come to fellowship because of work. Some come but have little to give because they had not been spiritually fed through the week.

As I reflected on the follow up session I conducted, I realised that that week had been spiritually dry for me. I had not the time to worship God, read His word and did not pray much aside from praying for my Dad. During those two hours of follow up, the promises of God came up from time to time. I was reminded of God's provision as I shared my own testimony. In facilitating the session, I was given avenues to contemplate more deeply on God.

Similarly, for people who are "too busy", cell group may just be the right place to set aside that time to just sit at the feet of Jesus. For that season of time.
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tonight

I read your blog right from the beginning. I remembered the last time I read those entries, and I felt embarrassed when I read about posts concerning me, because I guess I wasn't ready to receive how you were feeling so I browsed through the entries very quickly.

Tonight, I was missing you and I decided to reread the same entries. I teared because I truly could hear how much you cared for me long before I seriously thought about what we had experienced together. Please don't get me wrong. I wasn't looking at seeing anyone else. I guess I wasn't ready to acknowledge that I was in a relationship with anyone. The heart was weary. It wasn't strong enough to withstand any more disappointments. It was so much easier to spend time together with that carefree feeling, without any expectations.

But tonight, as I read your posts, I heard your heart, I saw your heart. And I am sorry if I had hurt you in any way in withholding a large part of myself back then. It was true that I subconsciously pushed you away whenever I flippantly spoke about starting to date people though I did not feel like I wanted to do that at all. I am ashamed of myself for not letting myself feel for you in the way you felt for me. I wondered how things could have turned out if we had let things flow more naturally then. Perhaps we would have fallen head over heels with each other then.

But I like it now. I like how we have gotten to know each other so much better because of the time spent together. I like how we have understood each other and learnt to accept each other before the poison of expectations killed what we have for each other. I am glad we started officially on 8th June this year instead of any time earlier.

Happy 1st Montheversary. You are very special and I miss you terribly.
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I miss everything about you

would the title of this post be too intense for you?

let's whisk away somewhere. anywhere.
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my battle today

was in deciding if I should go to the gym before I eat.

My laziness won. And I am blogging this while I am eating my Bento set (teriyaki chicken and saba) YUM! It is already 8.30p.m. and by the time I am done at the gym, it will be 9.30p.m. And Oprah says not to eat so late. hehe.

I was thinking, we really have limited hours in a day. I could never fathom how people can say they are bored and have nothing to do. This is how I break down my time on weekdays:

I wake at 6 to get ready to reach work at 7a.m. I have lessons from 7a.m. - 1.30p.m (of course with an hour break in between). I spend about half an hour settling administrative matters like speaking with my pupils etc. Then I sit down at my desk at 2p.m. and start marking. Usually, I will try to stop work by 4p.m. Then I will try to spend an hour or two with my dad either at home or at the hospital. I will try to squeeze in an hour of workout and by the time I am done, dinner starts at 7p.m. If my dinner lasts for an hour and If I read the newspapers from 8p.m. for about an hour, I barely have time to do anything else. Time oh time. I am looking forward to mid 2015, where if God willing, I can take a break for half a year, work at leisure and spend the rest of the time resting in whatever way possible.

Please please, God, hear my prayers. Amen.
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thankful

thankful for the long weekend
thankful that when the alarm rang at 6a.m. today, I could switch it off and go back to sleep (Yes, setting of the alarm was deliberate)
thankful for being able to sleep in till 830a.m.
thankful for errands run
thankful for the unhurried start to the Saturday
thankful for reminders from God through conducting follow up
thankful for Japanese lunch
thankful for comfortable fellowship
thankful for time alone
thankful for Christian songs and good sound system
thankful for the Nook which feels like my resort home.
thankful for plasters of assorted sizes
thankful to God for all He has given to me
thankful thankful thankful
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South West CDC

so... near where my parents (and I) stay, there is a huge exercise area comprising of a fitness corner, a field big enough for a soccer game and a 350m track surrounding the field. I spent some time exercising with my sister today, partly because I am on my way to a healthier body (both inside and outside) and also partly because my sister needs the exercise.

At the fitness corner, I began to appreciate what the town councils (our government indirectly) have provided for its residents. Aunties could now exercise on gym-like equipment without having to wear sporty attire. I see aunties going on the skier in their dresses and sarongs (the traditional indian sarong!) and what not! Well done! Plus, I could sit there for about 20 minutes without getting bitten by mozzies despite being surrounded by greenary. Well done. I love Singapore, truly.
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