The odd people

The real Christian is an odd number anyway.
He feels supreme love for One whom he never seen,
talks familiarly everyday to Someone he cannot see,
expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another,
empties himself in order to be full,
admits he is wrong so he can be declared right,
goes down in order to get up,
is strongest when he is weakest,
richest when he is poorest,
and happiest when he feels worst.
He dies so he can live,
forsakes in order to have,
give away so he can keep,
sees the invisible, hears the inaudible,
and know that which passeth knowledge

A. W. Tozer, The Root of the Righteous

O, odd people, hear that.

Let there be light.

Will be watching

Will be watching this show with my father. Excited. =D

On the way to work

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalms 19:7-14

Stumbled on this verses on my way to work today. God forbids me from falling down further in disobedience. May my life be pleasing in Your sight Lord.

Currently reading

The title sounds quite nasty right?

Well, the writer's standpoint is making me a bit confused, now I'm not really sure which side I am rooting for in this topic anymore. Haha..

The words of Agur

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 
Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with food convenient for me: 
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD?
Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Proverbs 30:5-9

My best days are ahead of me =)

Guess what, Danny Gokey released his album just in time on my birthday =D. Really like this song, which gave me inspiration and motivation to see forward. Though he decided to make a secular album, I still think that he can still promote Christian values there as well =). Hands down my favourite American Idol ever.

Anyway, the song is nice and the lyrics is also very encouraging.

My Best Days are Ahead of Me

Blowing out the candles
on another birthday cake
Old enough to look back and laugh at my mistakes
Young enough to look at the future and like what I see
My best days are ahead of me

Life hasn't always been a party
but mostly it's been good
There's only one or two things that I'd change if I could
I don't get lost in the past or get stuck in some sad memory
My best days are ahead of me

Age is nothing but a number
Sometimes I have to wonder
What does it really mean
But I'm still putting it together
I keep getting better
if I keep getting better
I can be whatever I want to be
My best days are ahead of me

I've got sunsets to witness
dreams to dance with
beaches to walk on
and lovers to kiss
there's a whole lot of world out there
that I can't wait to see
My best days are ahead of me
My best days are ahead of me

Official video clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtWLedrjOcs&feature=related

Better sound quality:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMoS2tb4R7s&feature=related

Let there be light! =)

Let's start writing the 23rd page!

Okay, I know I promised to write this note on Wednesday. Unfortunately, my body is getting the better of me and I fell pray to throat infection, that I have to stay bedridden for two days. So, let's just start this before it's not relevant anymore =P.

Okay so....

1. On Life Vision, I hope that I can have the confirmation on what I am going to do this year. Be it study or professional work or even, full-time ministry work if it come to that, I hope that I can have the confirmation from God this year. Or at least on the 24th page. (I know what I think I want to do, but I'm still waiting for God's confirmation)

2. On ministry, I am hoping to be able to start ministering as a speaker in FES-IM starting this year -- I hope. I need to find what will be most suitable for me to talk about. Maybe on leadership/fellowship management/church history. I also wish to be more effective being a PKTB,  and have more focused involvement in student ministry. Having said that, I hope that I will not be neglecting my duty in church. Hope I can do them both in a balanced way.

3. On KTB, like I said, I want to be more effective. I want to be more focused on the people, having finished most of the curriculum (20% to go I think). Need to start preparing them for being a PKTB as well (if they wanted to be).

4. On relationship with others, I wish I can sort out this struggle that I had for the past 10 months =/. I hope that I can be a better friend for others, and stop giving circling answers (that would be hard as hell)

5. On that side of relationship..... like what i said on my last post.... errrrr.... hahaha. I guess I will still be as timid and as clueless as usual. Hoping for the best, but will not force my will if it is not His. I guess I will wait on God to show me His will. I like Danny Gokey's new song: My best days are ahead of me. Amen to that. =D

6. On personal development. I want to have more time on reading on bible expository, and I think I need to improve my quiet time as well. But more importantly, I have to improve on the applications of the word.

7. On personal relationship with God, as I said earlier, improve my quiet time, lean on God's mighty hand, and trust in His judgment. Don't want to have dry moment anymore, and stop falling in the same hole over and over again. God help me.

8. I want to be a good uncle. LOL

9. Double the amount of saving. Need to build up reserves for later on as I might be forced to take drastic measure. I think.

10. Stabilize my self on 65 mark. XD

11. Reduce my bad habits, and be a better listener.

12. Work harder, better, and increase my involvement in day-to-day operations.

13. And maybe.. I want to have a better structured life. I guess I am messy.

Well.. all thing being said and done, I think I will not be able to fulfill all that in one year. But hey, we need to aim high in life right? ;)

Please pray for me that I can be a better Christian, and be more like Him day by day.

"He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor"
(Proverbs 15:32-33)

And thus the twenty third page is on

Yesterday's was my twenty-third birthday. I was sharing with my friends over my place on Sunday night, without realizing that they prepared a surprise party for me (that is, until nearing the midnight where some of them are acting a bit strange ;p). Anyway, I guess I am happy that I can spend my birthday with those who I regard as closest friend here in Singapore. It was cool. Thanks for the sharing and the surprise party.

Now, after one tiring day of writing comment on facebook wall due to the enormous amount of my friends who congratulate me via facebook, I did some reflections as usual. I reflect back at the previous year, the highlights and lowlights. Let me share with you some of them:

1. On my life vision, I am still sure about taking further studies and, God permits, becoming a lecturer. I just love working among students. Even though right now I am feeling very happy working in my company, old aspirations die hard. However, I have to admit that I do take some time to consider about continuing in professional field as an engineer. The door is still open for both. I have some ideas about it, but am still waiting for God's confirmation. Hoping to settle everything in three years time.
2. On my ministries, After five year exploring campus and church ministries, I have found what I think I wanted to do. I am still passionate about campus ministries and will run back with haste if I can contribute something. It's not that I don't want to serve in church, but I think that is my calling. But I won't stop ministering in church - it's just that I will focus my hearts on it. What I want to do? Maybe something that is closely related to me, teaching, equipping and leadership development.
3. On KTB, I have to say that we are at a crossroad right now, with Kentank going to final year next semester and the other three is (forced?) to seriously consider their future ministries. The previous year has been cool though. I have seen how some of them grow significantly, and discussions inside the group is increasingly getting interesting. There are still a lot of space to develop, but I'm satisfied, so far. Bru, if you're reading this, it does not mean that you can relax. I'm satisfied, but I'm barely satisfied. haha.
4. On relationship with others, I still think that I need to work out more on this part. period. being a phlegmatic-melancholic who were converted into choleric-melancholic is not.. easy.
5. On that side of relationship... ...errr.... Still clueless as usual I guess hahaha... But I have decided to spent 2009 in singleness after my last relationship. And guess what, it was a blessed experience, being able to explore more. I thank God for the year =).
6. On personal development, I think that I'm too focused on church history last year. I need to learn more on Christian Leadership and Bible Expository. On professional/academic side, learned a lot about SIM Card here in my work so I guess it's enough.
   
7. On personal relationship with God, this one is still tricky, roller-coaster as always. First half of my 22nd was dry, but the second was more encouraging. I do hope I can grow more in the future. I have to work on my recurring bad-habit though.
   
8. I'm going to be an uncle in 5 months time. duh.
9. I'm still as clumsy as ever.
10. My mouth is still getting the better of me.
11. I really enjoyed my work so far =)
12. Money spending... some said that I overspend my money, but on my side of things, I'm still on track of my saving plan that I decided after I graduate. And it was not an easy target. So... no, I don't agree with them. Haha.
13. At least I managed to stabilize over 67-69 over the year. Want to drop it to around 65. lol.

Now, I guess I need to start thinking about what I want to do next year.. I'll post that tomorrow. =)

Thanks to those who give their regards yesterday. I felt the blessings of the Lord through you.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Mighty To Save

I'm hearing this song a lot these days. It is a treat to my ears and my heart, easy song to sing along as well. Nice. =)

Mighty To Save
Hillsong Australia

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

Chorus:
Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

Bridge:
Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)

---

Three versions that I heard: Original from Hillsong, one from Michael W Smith, another from Don Moen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZQ6KN13jU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJUn7M7wUKM

The Anxious Heart and the Victory.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."

(Psalms 139:23-24, NIV)

I read this verses last night on my quiet time. Now, as I am currently in pseudo-melancholic-ish mood, I do reflect a lot on my grimy heart, which is unable to fulfill the Lord's will. The more I try to do it, the more I realized that I am not capable of it. Even though I have been saved, truth is, I am still another sinner among sinners. I am only a sinner who is lucky enough to have been able to know Him.

But I have to say it always came back to me: "Lord, I always commit sin in my life, there's no day that I passed without committing sin, be it intentionally or unintentionally. I have those sins that I have tendencies to fall to, and even though the frequency is lower, I still fall in the same hole at times of my weaknesses." Now, I don't blame the evil force for it, as no matter what it is, the one who committed them is still, me. I won't get anywhere if I blame (borrowing C.S. Lewis' words) "our father below". However, I still can't get it out of my minds that Our Father Above is sad when I fall over and over again.

I shouted and shouted: "Why have you chosen me?", "How can you still forgive me" and even at one time, "Will you even want to forgive me once again?" I drew anxious and fall into my knees.

It was not until the night that I found my peace. Those verses gave me peace, because He told me that He know who I am. He told me that he understand what is inside our heart. He is not just fighting this battle with us -- He fought this battle FOR us.

And He won.

So God, please see my heart again, show me the depths of my own heart, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Thank you, Lord.

Let there be light (once again).

Fantasies on iPhone

I checked iTunes store today and I found a surprising thing:

SquareEnix is porting the remake of Final Fantasy 1 and Final Fantasy 2 to iPhone.

And it is already available! =D

It's a good prelude before the real deal on 9th of March 2010. ;)

Gifts

There are different kinds of gifts,
but the same Spirit.
There are different kinds of service,
but the same Lord.
There are different kinds of working,
but the same God works all of them in all men.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom,
to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
to another faith by the same Spirit,
to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
to another miraculous powers,
to another prophecy,
to another distinguishing between spirits,
to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,
and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,
and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

The body is a unit,
though it is made up of many parts;
and though all its parts are many,
they form one body.
So it is with Christ.

(1 Cor 12:4-12)

This is part of yesterday's KTB topic: Spiritual Gifts. It's nice to see them so engaged in discussions....

....Though I'm starting to have tough times answering their questions.