I was baptised as an infant ( i think i was about 5 weeks old) by my grandfather who was pastoring at Bukit Panjang Methodist at that time.
In true Methodist tradition, i did not partake of Holy Communion all through my childhood and teenhood till i was confirmed at 18 years of age. This was part of my upbringing and i didn't question it, though i did see that there were others who just came to church and they started participating in the Holy Communion, whilst i had to wait patiently.
i mostly enjoyed going to church, and i hardly missed any sundays. There was something about church that appealed to me, even though i spent most of my childhood attending Hokkien service.
I remember being assured of my salvation accepting Christ at 12. That was when i stopped praying the salvation prayer to confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I don't really remember when i was born again. I probably prayed the prayer earlier on in my childhood while attending Sunday School.
Sunday School was fun! I loved the songs about Jesus, and i especially loved one song about how we could talk to God anywhere
Did you ever talk to God above?
Tell Him that you need a friend to love.
Pray in Jesus' name believing that God answers prayer.
Have you told Him all your cares and woes?
Every tiny little fear He knows.
You can know He'll always answer prayer!
You can whisper in a crowd to Him.
You can cry when you're alone to Him.
You don't have to pray out loud to Him.
He knows your thoughts.
On a lofty montain peak, He's there.
In a meadow by a stream, He's there.
Anywhere on earth you go, He's been there from the start.
Find the answer in His Word; It's true.
You'll be strong because He walks with you.
By His faithfulness He'll change you too.
My God answers prayer.
I can still picture the little classroom we met for Junior Sunday School. This old, dim classroom was in a single-storey, 2 classroom building, and i met my life-long girlfriends there. 4 of us still meet occasionally for a meal to chat. One of my sunday school teachers is still in church serving in the Mandarin congregation.
When i was in secondary one, i joined the Senior Sunday School with this group of friends, and made more friends. It was here i learnt that God is real, real in my soul, and He was interested in me as a person, and He had a plan for my life.
There are some things I may not know
There are some places I can't go
But I am sure Of this one thing
That God is real
For I can feel Him deep in my soul
My God is real real in my soul
Yes God is Real
For he has washed And made me whole
His love for me Is just like pure gold
Yes God is real
For I can feel Him in my soul
Another lesson i learnt was the priorities in my life. Master, Mission, Mate - in that order.
I began to hunger for more of God at 16. I believe i started writing journals then, as i had no boyfriend to talk to. That was old-fashioned blogging. Only those who got their hands on my journal could read what i wrote. My journals were usually addressed to God. One of the things i began to see myself doing was to sing all over the world. God was already putting things in my heart, setting in motion His plans and purposes for me.
The year i was to turn 18, this desire for God grew stronger.
Friday 30 November 2007
Thursday 29 November 2007
excellence through passion
I've always believed that Passion for God Himself and for the things of God must and should be directed towards a purpose. That purpose is His will. Praise God that His power is available to us through our Lord's death on the cross, burial and resurrection in order to accomplish His will and to accomplish it well!
So while we wait upon Him and spend time in His word and in His presence, whether in prayer or meditation or praise and worship, we are increasing in that passion and in His power, as well as discovering more and more of His plans and purposes for our lives. Then we step out and just be who we are in Christ, and out of that abundance and divine flow, do what He has called us to do.
I just learnt this phrase yesterday: Excellence through passion. Passion for Him - being focused on Him and His will - can result in excellence.
So while we wait upon Him and spend time in His word and in His presence, whether in prayer or meditation or praise and worship, we are increasing in that passion and in His power, as well as discovering more and more of His plans and purposes for our lives. Then we step out and just be who we are in Christ, and out of that abundance and divine flow, do what He has called us to do.
I just learnt this phrase yesterday: Excellence through passion. Passion for Him - being focused on Him and His will - can result in excellence.
Wednesday 28 November 2007
make room for the supernatural
Make time for him, give Him honour and praise, take time to listen to Him, make room for Him in your life - these are ways to make room for the supernatural.
Sunday 25 November 2007
my spiritual christian heritage
What about my spiritual heritage? The Lord has been revealing to me scriptures on this aspect...
My inheritance, as shown in the Word of God, is the nations.
Psalms 2:8 (KJV)
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
My inheritance, as shown in the Word of God, is the nations.
Psalms 2:8 (KJV)
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Wednesday 21 November 2007
remembering my paternal grandparents
My paternal grandfather often told me that trusting in God was really simple, just like sitting on a chair. I was to learn later that in the greek, trust meant to "lean on". He encouraged me with this analogy when i was having my exams, which was a couple of years before he went home. I remember he called me and talked to me a couple of times during that crucial exam period. He was so happy i did well in that exam, and was able to enter university. It was sad that he died just a couple of days before registration day.
When he knew that i considering becoming a teacher, he told me anecdotes of how he taught for a short period of time when he was younger, and how he managed a really difficult and stubborn student. He found out accidentally that the student was afraid of snakes, which were common in the village where he was from. The student had screamed when he came across some rope in the dark, thinking that was a snake, My grandfather used this knowledge to his advantage. From then on, this student obeyed his instructions. He used to laugh at this amusing memory even as he told it. I really appreciated it as it was his way of connecting to me.
When he knew that i was considering serving the Lord in a full-time capacity, he advised me not to become a pastor, but perhaps a pastor's wife as it would be easier for a woman to serve in a supportive role. Probably this was his wisdom. I didn't set out to find a full-time minister to marry, but i did pray about being able to serve together with the man i married. Praise God that i'm currently working together with my husband in a bible school.
I was one of the only grandchild who could speak both mandarin and hock chew (our dialect) with him. But i don't think i was his favourite... he pretty much loved every one the same, i believe.
He went home to the Lord when i was 19. He was 77 when he died of cancer. He heard angels singing before he died. My family was at his home. He just breathed slower and slower till he stopped breathing. Peacefully, he slipped into eternity.
I loved him very much.
My grandmother followed six months later. I was in school when she went to her eternal home. She was a very loving wife and mother - a model pastor's wife who supported her husband in every way. She taught herself to read using the bible, and kept careful records of household expenses.
She was a good cook. We loved her soups, her sweet and sour pomfret, and stir-fried beef with ginger. She made great poh piah vegetables. She was very particular with soups - must be served piping hot. I would always wait for mine to cool. And she would have every garnish available: fried onions - done just right; chives and "heong swee" (a kind of chinese parsley). These made the soup even more tasty... yummy!! Her fried bee hoon was so delicious. She used the thinnest vermicelli and the texture would be just right.
I loved her sense of humour. We used to laugh together in the kitchen. She used to say: a woman's work is never done; she works from the time the cock crows till the time the ghost calls. No, she was not supersititous; she was a woman of faith. It was just a phrase that came to her, and made both of us laugh. She also used to say that i was pretty, like my aunt. And then i would respond: no, i'm pretty like my grandma. And we would laugh...again.
I remember that she told me that God's ways were the best - we don't have to fear or worry, but just submit to His ways.
It's been almost 20 years, but I still miss them. I'll see them in heaven one day, and we'll exchange stories and jokes again!!
When he knew that i considering becoming a teacher, he told me anecdotes of how he taught for a short period of time when he was younger, and how he managed a really difficult and stubborn student. He found out accidentally that the student was afraid of snakes, which were common in the village where he was from. The student had screamed when he came across some rope in the dark, thinking that was a snake, My grandfather used this knowledge to his advantage. From then on, this student obeyed his instructions. He used to laugh at this amusing memory even as he told it. I really appreciated it as it was his way of connecting to me.
When he knew that i was considering serving the Lord in a full-time capacity, he advised me not to become a pastor, but perhaps a pastor's wife as it would be easier for a woman to serve in a supportive role. Probably this was his wisdom. I didn't set out to find a full-time minister to marry, but i did pray about being able to serve together with the man i married. Praise God that i'm currently working together with my husband in a bible school.
I was one of the only grandchild who could speak both mandarin and hock chew (our dialect) with him. But i don't think i was his favourite... he pretty much loved every one the same, i believe.
He went home to the Lord when i was 19. He was 77 when he died of cancer. He heard angels singing before he died. My family was at his home. He just breathed slower and slower till he stopped breathing. Peacefully, he slipped into eternity.
I loved him very much.
My grandmother followed six months later. I was in school when she went to her eternal home. She was a very loving wife and mother - a model pastor's wife who supported her husband in every way. She taught herself to read using the bible, and kept careful records of household expenses.
She was a good cook. We loved her soups, her sweet and sour pomfret, and stir-fried beef with ginger. She made great poh piah vegetables. She was very particular with soups - must be served piping hot. I would always wait for mine to cool. And she would have every garnish available: fried onions - done just right; chives and "heong swee" (a kind of chinese parsley). These made the soup even more tasty... yummy!! Her fried bee hoon was so delicious. She used the thinnest vermicelli and the texture would be just right.
I loved her sense of humour. We used to laugh together in the kitchen. She used to say: a woman's work is never done; she works from the time the cock crows till the time the ghost calls. No, she was not supersititous; she was a woman of faith. It was just a phrase that came to her, and made both of us laugh. She also used to say that i was pretty, like my aunt. And then i would respond: no, i'm pretty like my grandma. And we would laugh...again.
I remember that she told me that God's ways were the best - we don't have to fear or worry, but just submit to His ways.
It's been almost 20 years, but I still miss them. I'll see them in heaven one day, and we'll exchange stories and jokes again!!
my christian heritage - part 3: growing up
I remember as i was growing up, my mum would be teaching sunday school, and i would be helping her set out the "props" and other materials. We also had a Saturday club at our home for a few years - i don't think i was 10 yet - and i would be helping her with turning the pages of the big book, and holding up the song cards for the children there.
I loved church, and never missed it. My parents would make us sit in the pews with them, as Sunday school was always before or after church, never during. So we had the privilege of worshiping as a family. And when we fidget, we would be given sweets. I attended Hokkien service for quite a few years, and learnt certain Christian phrases of prayer, song and even bible verses. Little did i know at that time, I would later in my life marry into a Hokkien family! :D
Papa and Mummy started our family worship and prayer time when i was about 10. We would sing hymns like What A Friend We Have In Jesus, Saviour Like A Shepherd Lead Us (Papa compiled a little booklet of perhaps 10-12 songs). This would evolve into contemporary choruses later n we had over 200-300 songs to choose from...
So we would praise God, and then we would read from the word or from a devotional, and then we would pray. This was difficult as papa was quite a pray-er, like his father before him. His prayer was at least half an hour, so after a while we would endeavour to volunteer for prayer. This strategy only worked at certain times, because if papa had a burden to pray, he had to discharge that burden. Sometimes, he would pray round the world, whether for his siblings and relatives settled in various parts of the globe, or just for believers in general. A few years later, this would exacerbate as mummy developed into quite a pray-er too. Family devotions would be more than an hour long... the record of the longest family devotion ever being one hour and 45 minutes.
I loved church, and never missed it. My parents would make us sit in the pews with them, as Sunday school was always before or after church, never during. So we had the privilege of worshiping as a family. And when we fidget, we would be given sweets. I attended Hokkien service for quite a few years, and learnt certain Christian phrases of prayer, song and even bible verses. Little did i know at that time, I would later in my life marry into a Hokkien family! :D
Papa and Mummy started our family worship and prayer time when i was about 10. We would sing hymns like What A Friend We Have In Jesus, Saviour Like A Shepherd Lead Us (Papa compiled a little booklet of perhaps 10-12 songs). This would evolve into contemporary choruses later n we had over 200-300 songs to choose from...
So we would praise God, and then we would read from the word or from a devotional, and then we would pray. This was difficult as papa was quite a pray-er, like his father before him. His prayer was at least half an hour, so after a while we would endeavour to volunteer for prayer. This strategy only worked at certain times, because if papa had a burden to pray, he had to discharge that burden. Sometimes, he would pray round the world, whether for his siblings and relatives settled in various parts of the globe, or just for believers in general. A few years later, this would exacerbate as mummy developed into quite a pray-er too. Family devotions would be more than an hour long... the record of the longest family devotion ever being one hour and 45 minutes.
my christian heritage - part 2: maternal
My maternal grandfather served in the church for a period of time. He was blessed with long life, just like my great-grandmother. He was always lean and trim, and was in his mid nineties when he went Home. My great-grandmother was 101 when she went Home. When Ah Kong reached his mid- to late-eighties, he often desired to go to heaven, as his wife, most of his siblings and friends were already there. He would often plead with the Lord to take him Home, though my mum and her siblings would often persuade him to stay a while longer since he was still healthy.
He would often be reading the Chinese large-print bible with his magnifying glass, and sometimes when you walked past his room, you could hear him praying.
He was very alert, and even up to his nineties, he would amuse us with his witty remarks, and stories.
My maternal grandmother went to her eternal Home when i was barely 6. I think my mum was in her late 20s at that time. I remember her from photographs, and vaguely from my childhood days. She was a wise woman who taught her children well.
According to my mum, grandma knew that she was going Home, as she announced to her family a few days before it happened. She was ill for a while and hospitalised. But they all thought she was referring to being discharged. Mum also said there was such peace and serenity.
My mum and her siblings grew up knowing the Lord, and were greatly influenced by a lady whom they called "bible woman", who taught them in sunday school. She taught them to love the Lord and the word of God.
One of Mum's nieces is a pastoral staff.
Mum's youngest sister and brother-in law were short-term missionaries for a few years, and are preparing to serve Him again in a few years' time.
Both my eldest aunt and my mum attended bible school, so did my dad (but i haven't come to that yet). They are all actively serving in church in the areas of prayer, teaching of the Word, and in the healing/deliverance ministries, evangelism, short term missions, choir, counselling and leading cell groups.
He would often be reading the Chinese large-print bible with his magnifying glass, and sometimes when you walked past his room, you could hear him praying.
He was very alert, and even up to his nineties, he would amuse us with his witty remarks, and stories.
My maternal grandmother went to her eternal Home when i was barely 6. I think my mum was in her late 20s at that time. I remember her from photographs, and vaguely from my childhood days. She was a wise woman who taught her children well.
According to my mum, grandma knew that she was going Home, as she announced to her family a few days before it happened. She was ill for a while and hospitalised. But they all thought she was referring to being discharged. Mum also said there was such peace and serenity.
My mum and her siblings grew up knowing the Lord, and were greatly influenced by a lady whom they called "bible woman", who taught them in sunday school. She taught them to love the Lord and the word of God.
One of Mum's nieces is a pastoral staff.
Mum's youngest sister and brother-in law were short-term missionaries for a few years, and are preparing to serve Him again in a few years' time.
Both my eldest aunt and my mum attended bible school, so did my dad (but i haven't come to that yet). They are all actively serving in church in the areas of prayer, teaching of the Word, and in the healing/deliverance ministries, evangelism, short term missions, choir, counselling and leading cell groups.
Monday 19 November 2007
my christian heritage - part 1: paternal
I've been asking the Lord about my Christian heritage. My dad was the one who started my quest in a discussion we had some weeks ago.
My natural Christian heritage - as a 5th generation Christian on my dad's side, and a 4th generation Christian on my mum's side - is a rich one. I just discovered from papa's cousin, Uncle M, who's been doing a little research and has been visiting their "hometown" that the missionaries went there around 1870s. The churches there are usually more than 100 years old. I remember he said that there are more than 100 churches in the island. Our beginnings were humble - Uncle M said our ancestors were fishermen, who then became fishers of men. I think that's just wonderful...
My paternal grandfather was a pastor. In a way, my grandparents were also missionaries as they sailed from China when my grandmother was pregnant with her eldest son. My youngest grandaunt told me this: she remembered sailing with them and she was much younger than her eldest brother. She was probably only 4 or 5 years old then.
So was my granduncle, who was also the bishop of the Methodist Church of Singapore for 8 years, and he retired as Bishop Emeritus. My uncle (papa's brother) is a retired pastor in Australia. Another uncle (papa's cousin) is currently a pastor based in Singapore. Papa told me recently that he has at least 2 cousins who are pastors based in East Asia. Papa and Mummy were themselves short-term missionaries for about 3-4 years of their lives early this decade.
Uncle M said that he counted 12 full-time ministers in the our family. That's 12 more than i can account for. With 3 more in our family - me, hubby and brother (soon to be), there should be 15 altogether...
Kong Kong had an apostolic calling upon his life besides being a pastor. He built churches in Singapore, Malaya (as Malaysia was known then) as well as East Asia. Papa remembers five altogether: two in Sitiawan in Malaysai (Kampong China and Pekan Gurney), two in Singapore (Foochow Methodist church and Geylang Chinese Methodist church) and one in East Asia.
He was a visionary, an excellent administrator, a man of faith and prayer. His records of the many fund-raising efforts were meticulously maintained. He had a systematic way of recording prayer requests and thanksgivings. Given his contacts over so many churches in various countries, it was his way of ensuring that he prayed over their needs over time. He wrote requests on index cards and kept them in trays. Answered prayer was recorded at the back of the card and dated accordingly.
When i stayed over at his house during my school holidays, i could hear his voice mouthing prayers to the Lord too. You could hear his baritone voice booming in the church as he sang with the congregation. Having to raise a family of seven children, he always just had enough because God provided for the family even as he sought to extend and advance the Kingdom of God. His prayer life was disciplined and he had an intimate relationship with the Lord, who gave him a strong burden to build the church of Christ (through the building of physical churches, as well as edifying the body of Christ).
Mummy told me that Kong Kong had established prayer groups in many of the churches he pastored. These were mainly women as the men were mostly working. Powerful women of prayer who had results when they prayed. Some of them accompanied the pastoral team in their home visits and were instrumental in deliverance and salvation.
His testimonies of God's divine provision included money placed in his post box, an envelope filled with money thrown into the passenger seat when a motor-cyclist sped past his car (windows were wound down in those days as few cars had air-conditioning), members presenting gifts to the family.
Whatever finances they had, Ah Ma kept good records too, and they seemed to be able to stretch and provide for the family's needs, as well as meals for whoever was in the house as pastors, members and leaders were always dropping by for prayer and counselling or simply for fellowship.
Footnote: i received some input from papa's cousin, Uncle M, at a recent 10th wedding anniversary dinner that another uncle and aunty celebrated on 20 Dec 2007.
My natural Christian heritage - as a 5th generation Christian on my dad's side, and a 4th generation Christian on my mum's side - is a rich one. I just discovered from papa's cousin, Uncle M, who's been doing a little research and has been visiting their "hometown" that the missionaries went there around 1870s. The churches there are usually more than 100 years old. I remember he said that there are more than 100 churches in the island. Our beginnings were humble - Uncle M said our ancestors were fishermen, who then became fishers of men. I think that's just wonderful...
My paternal grandfather was a pastor. In a way, my grandparents were also missionaries as they sailed from China when my grandmother was pregnant with her eldest son. My youngest grandaunt told me this: she remembered sailing with them and she was much younger than her eldest brother. She was probably only 4 or 5 years old then.
So was my granduncle, who was also the bishop of the Methodist Church of Singapore for 8 years, and he retired as Bishop Emeritus. My uncle (papa's brother) is a retired pastor in Australia. Another uncle (papa's cousin) is currently a pastor based in Singapore. Papa told me recently that he has at least 2 cousins who are pastors based in East Asia. Papa and Mummy were themselves short-term missionaries for about 3-4 years of their lives early this decade.
Uncle M said that he counted 12 full-time ministers in the our family. That's 12 more than i can account for. With 3 more in our family - me, hubby and brother (soon to be), there should be 15 altogether...
Kong Kong had an apostolic calling upon his life besides being a pastor. He built churches in Singapore, Malaya (as Malaysia was known then) as well as East Asia. Papa remembers five altogether: two in Sitiawan in Malaysai (Kampong China and Pekan Gurney), two in Singapore (Foochow Methodist church and Geylang Chinese Methodist church) and one in East Asia.
He was a visionary, an excellent administrator, a man of faith and prayer. His records of the many fund-raising efforts were meticulously maintained. He had a systematic way of recording prayer requests and thanksgivings. Given his contacts over so many churches in various countries, it was his way of ensuring that he prayed over their needs over time. He wrote requests on index cards and kept them in trays. Answered prayer was recorded at the back of the card and dated accordingly.
When i stayed over at his house during my school holidays, i could hear his voice mouthing prayers to the Lord too. You could hear his baritone voice booming in the church as he sang with the congregation. Having to raise a family of seven children, he always just had enough because God provided for the family even as he sought to extend and advance the Kingdom of God. His prayer life was disciplined and he had an intimate relationship with the Lord, who gave him a strong burden to build the church of Christ (through the building of physical churches, as well as edifying the body of Christ).
Mummy told me that Kong Kong had established prayer groups in many of the churches he pastored. These were mainly women as the men were mostly working. Powerful women of prayer who had results when they prayed. Some of them accompanied the pastoral team in their home visits and were instrumental in deliverance and salvation.
His testimonies of God's divine provision included money placed in his post box, an envelope filled with money thrown into the passenger seat when a motor-cyclist sped past his car (windows were wound down in those days as few cars had air-conditioning), members presenting gifts to the family.
Whatever finances they had, Ah Ma kept good records too, and they seemed to be able to stretch and provide for the family's needs, as well as meals for whoever was in the house as pastors, members and leaders were always dropping by for prayer and counselling or simply for fellowship.
Footnote: i received some input from papa's cousin, Uncle M, at a recent 10th wedding anniversary dinner that another uncle and aunty celebrated on 20 Dec 2007.
Sunday 18 November 2007
Lord I'm hungry for a mighty move of God
The final song that the praise leader chose for prayer meeting just last Friday was tremendous. In fact, the whole set she prepared helped all of us to just move into the presence of God. I thanked her through sms the next day, and she said that these songs were in her heart the whole week. Praise God for the Holy Spirit!!
Once she started on the final song, it was almost like a lightning bolt had hit my very being - I was charged with a burning passion (yet again) - acutely aware of the presence of God and His heart for the church to grow. There was a cry from my spirit, in communion with the Holy Spirit, to see transformed lives within the church so that the Kingdom of God may be advanced.
I've also been meditating on these 2 scriptures, and i just thought i'd share them with you:
Luke 4:18-19
Once she started on the final song, it was almost like a lightning bolt had hit my very being - I was charged with a burning passion (yet again) - acutely aware of the presence of God and His heart for the church to grow. There was a cry from my spirit, in communion with the Holy Spirit, to see transformed lives within the church so that the Kingdom of God may be advanced.
Lord I'm hungry for a mighty move of God
Lord I'm thirsty; Pour out Your Holy Ghost
Lord I want to see the Hand of God
Move mightily inside of me
I'm hungry for a move of God
Lord I'm thirsty; Pour out Your Holy Ghost
Lord I want to see the Hand of God
Move mightily inside of me
I'm hungry for a move of God
I've also been meditating on these 2 scriptures, and i just thought i'd share them with you:
Luke 4:18-19
18“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
Acts 10:38
"How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him."
His power is already in me, working in me and through me to touch, influence and impact lives, breaking bondages spiritually, physically, emotionally!
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
Acts 10:38
"How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him."
His power is already in me, working in me and through me to touch, influence and impact lives, breaking bondages spiritually, physically, emotionally!
Thursday 15 November 2007
akan datang
I've been on facebook, and i've been teaching, and i've been celebrating my mum's and my birthday, so that explains somewhat my absence...
i've been meditating on my Christian heritage and also the power of God (again).
More on these coming up soon.
i've been meditating on my Christian heritage and also the power of God (again).
More on these coming up soon.
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