I think it's good for Pastor Prince to get bashings from the other churches regarding his "prosperity gospel" message. Even though people might say they do not care about what other people think of them, there is some form of evaluation and benefit in being questioned most times. It causes some people to really think about what they believe in and further strengthen what they believe, or in this case, making the message more palatable for the general public without watering down the message of grace. I do believe he is gifted and anointed in the preaching of God's word though I may not agree with 100% of what he preaches, particularly the area on prosperity, which believe it or not, rarely comes up in his sermons.
Last week, he summarised the theology of grace in the way I have always understood what grace means even before I start visiting NCC. He was comparing the difference between our standing and our states. He shared that our standing in Christ can never be changed. And we are forever righteous because of what Jesus has done for us. Our states (anger, jealousy, and the other negative emotions that lead us to sin), however, can change but we should never judge our standing in Christ because of our states. We only care about our states because that can reduce our testimony of God in front of others, that it can reduce the glory of God in us and of us. Self-judging therefore, is not the same as self-condemnation. Self-judging helps us improve to be better persons and better testimonies to those who needs to see God through us. God corrects us (our states) without changing our standing. What an awesome message. It fits righto with the spirit. Compared to many pastors I know, Pastor Prince is very Jesus-centred. I pray that this man of God will continued to be used to be a vessel of blessing to many, that the congregation will hear the message of God from God himself through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN!!!!
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Monday, 20 January 2014
yoga, help me
just done with the first official session of Yoga at the gym. The first was stretch yoga a few nights ago. That was tough because of my very tight muscles (and a chronic back and knee injury) but that was okay. Today's.. oh gosh, I felt like I just had a half day workout. My abs hurt, my arms are shaky, my legs too. I was perspiring 10 minutes into the 1 hour session... but that was a mighty workout for me, I must say. My favourite yoga mate was also shaky. And she's supposed to have the fitness level that of an average sporty guy. Cheers to yoga. Looking forward to many more sessions to come.
signing off with shaky hands,
me.
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signing off with shaky hands,
me.
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Sunday, 12 January 2014
the many layers of strengths.. or weaknesses
I was in a relationship once where I tried several times to get out of it because I felt it was unhealthy and that we were incompatible for each other. I failed those several times and ended up being together again after she pleaded, cried and asked. Obviously, I wasn't ready to let go because I was still emotionally attached to her. It took a trigger at that moment that helped break away from her.
Subsequently, in the next two relationships, I made it a point to detach myself emotionally once the relationships were over. I thought I was strong to not be drawn back into the relationship. But I realised that it was precisely the fact that I wasn't strong enough to face them that I had to run away so I need not go through that period of mourning with them. I learnt that being strong enough means being able to cry with them, and tell them you are as upset and sorry that the relationship could not continue, in so doing, give them an avenue to make that gradual and proper closure, that by God's grace, we will still be able to be friends in time to come. I have learnt that very well, I think. And I think I am strong enough to be able to do the closure the right way if it had happened now. But of course, I pray hard that this never have to happen again.
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Subsequently, in the next two relationships, I made it a point to detach myself emotionally once the relationships were over. I thought I was strong to not be drawn back into the relationship. But I realised that it was precisely the fact that I wasn't strong enough to face them that I had to run away so I need not go through that period of mourning with them. I learnt that being strong enough means being able to cry with them, and tell them you are as upset and sorry that the relationship could not continue, in so doing, give them an avenue to make that gradual and proper closure, that by God's grace, we will still be able to be friends in time to come. I have learnt that very well, I think. And I think I am strong enough to be able to do the closure the right way if it had happened now. But of course, I pray hard that this never have to happen again.
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Today
my heart was stirred to pray for a female keyboardist for FCC; a god-loving, god-fearing woman of God. Heavenly Father, please send someone like that to us. I pray all this in your most powerful name, amen.
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Behold the lamb of God
on why I listen to Hillsong when they are supposedly homophobic. My response is this:
My desire to worship God, and the amount of gratitude I feel for God, amplified when I am ministered by their songs far surpasses the right to defend myself as a lesbian and my "community". I believe God is big enough to put love into the hearts of all His people and I believe that He will do that in His time, I believe God is loving enough to find for the cause of the marginalised through the desire and conviction He places in the hearts of His people without having to fight against fellow believers.
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My desire to worship God, and the amount of gratitude I feel for God, amplified when I am ministered by their songs far surpasses the right to defend myself as a lesbian and my "community". I believe God is big enough to put love into the hearts of all His people and I believe that He will do that in His time, I believe God is loving enough to find for the cause of the marginalised through the desire and conviction He places in the hearts of His people without having to fight against fellow believers.
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Wednesday, 8 January 2014
the lesbian ex-neighbour
Months ago, my mum had told me that my lesbian ex-neighbour owns a tuition centre beside the studio she was teaching dance at. We had a casual conversation about that and that was it.
Last night, my mum told me my lesbian ex-neighbour passed her number to my mum and told me to contact her because she wanted to work together with me since I was a teacher.
When I was spending more time with her studying then (between 16 to 17 years of age), I thought that I was straight. In fact, she had told me she was interested in me and even tried to persuade me to "try" to be lesbian for a week. LOL. I was disgusted then of course.
Wouldn't it be interesting to make contact and share stories now? I used to be quite close to her mum and her younger sister too (very pretty). hehe. Will do that soon.
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Last night, my mum told me my lesbian ex-neighbour passed her number to my mum and told me to contact her because she wanted to work together with me since I was a teacher.
When I was spending more time with her studying then (between 16 to 17 years of age), I thought that I was straight. In fact, she had told me she was interested in me and even tried to persuade me to "try" to be lesbian for a week. LOL. I was disgusted then of course.
Wouldn't it be interesting to make contact and share stories now? I used to be quite close to her mum and her younger sister too (very pretty). hehe. Will do that soon.
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Novels and the English teacher
I have never been fond of reading novels unless I have watched the movie and have the intention to read more about the story. The main reason for that is because I have very little time and there are so many novels. I didn't see the benefit of reading fiction when there are so many non-fiction stuff to read and learn from.
Recently, my friend, who's considered an expert in teaching English, showed me a book she was reading. I asked her why she chose to read novels. She said that she was an English teacher. I didn't understand and didn't have time to probe then.
When my friend went back to Australia, she left behind the book Ender's game (I watched the movie twice because I liked it). I started reading it at the pool today, then, I realised why it's important for English teachers to read English books. A good writer can translate an action "they fought" to this:
"He swung his leg as if to kick, but changed to a leap at the last moment. Ender noticed the shifting weight and stooped lower, so that Bonzo would be more off-balance when he tried to grab Ender and throw him. Bonzo's tight hard ribs came against Ender's face and his hands slapped against his back, trying to grip him. But Ender twisted, and Bonzo's hands slipped. In an instant, Ender was completely turned, yet still inside Bonzo's grasp. The classive move at this moment would be to bring up his heel into Bonzo's crotch. But for that move to be effective required too much accuracy, and Bonzo expected it. He was already rising onto his toes, thrusting his hips backward to keep Ender from reaching his groin. Without seeing him, Ender knew it would bring his face closer, almost in Ender's hair; so instead of kicking, he lunged upward off the floow with the powerful lunge of the soldier bounding from the wall, and jammed his head into Bonzo's face."
That's why. An Ah-Ha! moment.
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Recently, my friend, who's considered an expert in teaching English, showed me a book she was reading. I asked her why she chose to read novels. She said that she was an English teacher. I didn't understand and didn't have time to probe then.
When my friend went back to Australia, she left behind the book Ender's game (I watched the movie twice because I liked it). I started reading it at the pool today, then, I realised why it's important for English teachers to read English books. A good writer can translate an action "they fought" to this:
"He swung his leg as if to kick, but changed to a leap at the last moment. Ender noticed the shifting weight and stooped lower, so that Bonzo would be more off-balance when he tried to grab Ender and throw him. Bonzo's tight hard ribs came against Ender's face and his hands slapped against his back, trying to grip him. But Ender twisted, and Bonzo's hands slipped. In an instant, Ender was completely turned, yet still inside Bonzo's grasp. The classive move at this moment would be to bring up his heel into Bonzo's crotch. But for that move to be effective required too much accuracy, and Bonzo expected it. He was already rising onto his toes, thrusting his hips backward to keep Ender from reaching his groin. Without seeing him, Ender knew it would bring his face closer, almost in Ender's hair; so instead of kicking, he lunged upward off the floow with the powerful lunge of the soldier bounding from the wall, and jammed his head into Bonzo's face."
That's why. An Ah-Ha! moment.
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That PE T-Shirt
In Singapore, even in my time when I was studying from primary school through junior college, there was this trademarked shirt that most PE teachers wear. When I was studying PE at the PE college, I bought a few too, in a range of colours. But they were made of cotton and had since been condemned.
Recently, my ex-classmates began to take orders for a new batch of dri-fit material PE shirts and so I ordered and have been wearing them. Thing is, because it's such a familiar-looking shirt, everyone who has gone to school would have recognise it (including the aunties and uncles at the coffee shop). I feel very conscious when I wear it outside of school especially when I look a bit older and not as fit as I did when I was younger. So I carry an extra set of T shirt with me wherever I go.
Also, I am fond of changing out of my shoes to my flip flops in the car whenever I reach home after work. In the morning, when I take the lift down on my way to work, I feel embarrassed walking into the lift looking like a poser auntie wearing the t-shirt to the market (with my flip flops). Big sigh. And when I wait at the lights, cross the road to the car park, most people look. I wonder what they are thinking. Bigger sigh.
The point of this post? I am not very proud of being seen in my PE shirt. hehe.
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Recently, my ex-classmates began to take orders for a new batch of dri-fit material PE shirts and so I ordered and have been wearing them. Thing is, because it's such a familiar-looking shirt, everyone who has gone to school would have recognise it (including the aunties and uncles at the coffee shop). I feel very conscious when I wear it outside of school especially when I look a bit older and not as fit as I did when I was younger. So I carry an extra set of T shirt with me wherever I go.
Also, I am fond of changing out of my shoes to my flip flops in the car whenever I reach home after work. In the morning, when I take the lift down on my way to work, I feel embarrassed walking into the lift looking like a poser auntie wearing the t-shirt to the market (with my flip flops). Big sigh. And when I wait at the lights, cross the road to the car park, most people look. I wonder what they are thinking. Bigger sigh.
The point of this post? I am not very proud of being seen in my PE shirt. hehe.
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thanksgiving
And so, since the day I started writing my research proposal, I had been thinking of a name for my intervention programme but to no avail. Even as I finished writing the outline of the programme a few weeks later, I still could not think of a suitable name. One busy afternoon, as I was having a meeting at work, i started scribbling and there it was, the name of the programme. It was absolutely a flash of inspiration from God. I am so thankful!
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Friday, 3 January 2014
TGIF
I wonder if it's a good or bad thing to be thankful that it's Friday when it's only the first week of work. What is going to happen for the next 51 weeks. Brrrrrrr.... counting on the grace of God to get me through again.
It was great seeing the kiddos again. But it's gonna be stressful meeting the target expected of the top graduating class. It's gonna be a whole lot of work this year. Not totally looking forward to so much work. Plus the research and the thesis. Blah. It's too early in the year to feel overwhelmed. It will help if I start working on my writing now.
And it was obvious that the kiddos thought it was great seeing one another again too.. talk talk talk talk talk talk talk, talk talk talk talk talk talk talk.
TGIF!
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It was great seeing the kiddos again. But it's gonna be stressful meeting the target expected of the top graduating class. It's gonna be a whole lot of work this year. Not totally looking forward to so much work. Plus the research and the thesis. Blah. It's too early in the year to feel overwhelmed. It will help if I start working on my writing now.
And it was obvious that the kiddos thought it was great seeing one another again too.. talk talk talk talk talk talk talk, talk talk talk talk talk talk talk.
TGIF!
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Wednesday, 1 January 2014
2014
I have not actually sat down to make a list of resolutions for 2014. But I do know that letting the Holy Spirit lead me more in where I go and what I do is one of the resolutions. So that I did.
I had wanted to go to work outside but I did not know where I should go. So I prayed for God to lead and started driving. Church came to mind but there were many questions in my head: Why so far, what's the purpose? No ambience, no delicious coffee, no people to watch. I thought: maybe someone might need something from church. But as I continued driving and continued to wonder why, the feeling got stronger so I decided to follow the leading. Once I was set on going to church, I thought of how it made much sense to go to church. Free parking, no distractions, privacy and guitar to worship if I needed to take a break, restroom available and my friend, who had left his mobile phone at my parents' place last night lives just down the street.
So here I am, settling all errands online, blogging, watching the FCC Christmas video clips, and finally starting work : )
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I had wanted to go to work outside but I did not know where I should go. So I prayed for God to lead and started driving. Church came to mind but there were many questions in my head: Why so far, what's the purpose? No ambience, no delicious coffee, no people to watch. I thought: maybe someone might need something from church. But as I continued driving and continued to wonder why, the feeling got stronger so I decided to follow the leading. Once I was set on going to church, I thought of how it made much sense to go to church. Free parking, no distractions, privacy and guitar to worship if I needed to take a break, restroom available and my friend, who had left his mobile phone at my parents' place last night lives just down the street.
So here I am, settling all errands online, blogging, watching the FCC Christmas video clips, and finally starting work : )
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NYE
It was a mixed group of people coming together to countdown together with my dad. But the dynamics were great. We had my dad, a straight married couple from cell group, a straight guy (my ex-colleague who knew about me), his friend, a straight gal ( I think), another cell group friend and one old friend who's really the friend closest to my dad. What made it better was that Twilight was showing on telly after countdown. Oh wow. We watched it together and had some great discourse over the movie and more. It was wonderful though it ended late. The last guests finally left at about 4a.m. Thank God I got to sleep in till 1130a.m. :) Good sleep because I was so tired. Woke up to a great 2014!
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