I found this note written to God in an old literature text from my JC days.
"Where to go?
I do not know what you want to teach me. I feel lost with all these choices before me and me with no inkling at all. I like many things - singing, writing, talking to people and learning about them. I want to serve you too. What am actually to do next? And what am i to do in the meantime besides studying?"
Looking back, God has shown me His will and led me step by step. He has never left me nor forsaken me through all my days.
He will continue to lead me!
Monday 31 August 2009
Friday 28 August 2009
souls!
We had a time of refreshing in the Lord in prayer school yesterday, amongst the many other things we did, like ministering to the students, praying for one whose father is in a coma, and being prayed for.
As hands were laid on hubby and me, I felt the anointing of the Lord 'whoosh' into me, the weight of His anointing pushing me down on my knees. There was a burning in my spirit, and i knew it was a desire of the Lord. And as i opened my mouth, i was amazed at the force behind the word that was spoken: SOULS!! It was a cry that birthed from the very throne of God, a yearning that came forth from the very depths of my spirit, a desire that superseded all my other desires.
I had not realized the strength of that desire that God had placed in me. As i was pondering over these things, i began to understand that the Lord was showing me what my focus should always be.
I have been singing songs about the greater things God is going to do, the love of the Father in sending Jesus and how our response should be, and our desire to see the nations whole and healed, in preparation for a missions banquet this Sunday. I believe the Holy Spirit has been using these songs to touch my heart, and help me focus.
From each of the three songs, i thought i'd just share lines that have impacted me.
"Greater things have yet to come, Greater things are still to be done in (these) cities...
Where glory shines from hearts alive, with praise for you and love for you in (these) cities..."
"In sweet abandon, let me be spilled out and used up (wasted) for Thee."
"Break me for the nations
Let my heart become Your heart for all the world"
That last line is the very line that God showed me during that prayer time.
It was His heart speaking in my heart and from my mouth: SOULS!!
As hands were laid on hubby and me, I felt the anointing of the Lord 'whoosh' into me, the weight of His anointing pushing me down on my knees. There was a burning in my spirit, and i knew it was a desire of the Lord. And as i opened my mouth, i was amazed at the force behind the word that was spoken: SOULS!! It was a cry that birthed from the very throne of God, a yearning that came forth from the very depths of my spirit, a desire that superseded all my other desires.
I had not realized the strength of that desire that God had placed in me. As i was pondering over these things, i began to understand that the Lord was showing me what my focus should always be.
I have been singing songs about the greater things God is going to do, the love of the Father in sending Jesus and how our response should be, and our desire to see the nations whole and healed, in preparation for a missions banquet this Sunday. I believe the Holy Spirit has been using these songs to touch my heart, and help me focus.
From each of the three songs, i thought i'd just share lines that have impacted me.
"Greater things have yet to come, Greater things are still to be done in (these) cities...
Where glory shines from hearts alive, with praise for you and love for you in (these) cities..."
"In sweet abandon, let me be spilled out and used up (wasted) for Thee."
"Break me for the nations
Let my heart become Your heart for all the world"
That last line is the very line that God showed me during that prayer time.
It was His heart speaking in my heart and from my mouth: SOULS!!
Tuesday 25 August 2009
introducing baby zee
My nephew (we shall call him baby zee) was born on 10 August.
He's just turned 15 days old today. Really cute and adorable, with features of both mum and dad.
He's just turned 15 days old today. Really cute and adorable, with features of both mum and dad.
At first glance, his face (usually sleeping), especially the nose, is a mould of his father's (and uncle's - both brothers after all!), and who can miss his "curly not-so-black hair" (definitely father's, though you have to look really closely at the back of his head to follow the wave of his hair) but his lips are longer like his mum's, and when he opens his eyes, they are surprisingly, startlingly large.
Precious.
Monday 24 August 2009
rekindling friendships (continued)
God brought another godly friend onto my path just two weeks ago.
I had known this friend as she attended the same church before she was married in the early 90s, and moved off to attend her husband's church. We had kept in touch with through their newsletters at least once a year, sometimes more often. Their newsletters regarding their ministry were always very interesting, with lessons from their experiences, and insights about God and His Word. Over this period, i probably replied only a few times.
We first knew each other when i was in secondary school, and she was in uni. I was only a few years younger, but mid to late teens can be quite different from early to mid twenties, and we moved in entirely different church groups. However, I remembered finding her very pretty (she is still very pretty) and her wedding invitation, which had the phrase: "each for the other, together for the Lord" impacted me. I used it for my own wedding a few years later.
A new acquaintance of mine was instrumental in bringing my friend's husband into a discussion meeting we had regarding a particular project i was helping out in. I immediately replied in the email that i knew this man, but i only replied to the new acquaintance. Later i forwarded this same email to all involved in the discussion meeting to remind them regarding the date and time. The very next day, my friend wrote that she wanted to meet up.
It was strange because she had also been thinking of me every since her friend, which was the ex-colleague i mentioned in my previous entry, shared with her about how God had answered her prayer about contacting me. At that time however, she just thought it was strange how my friend had found someone with the same name as me, and who also was a teacher. She didn't realise it was just one and the same person. I quickly replied and said yes, i would love to meet up with her.
We had a good time when we met up. She hadn't changed much, really, though it's been probably 15 years since i had seen her in person.
Half an hour into our date. My ex-colleague appeared - she had a gift for me too!
It was like hitting double jackpot for me. Haha! God doubly answered my prayer for godly friends. I believe we were mutually encouraged. I certainly was strengthened in my walk with God as i heard their testimonies of faith and God's goodness in their lives.
I'm looking forward to more dates with my godly friends.
I had known this friend as she attended the same church before she was married in the early 90s, and moved off to attend her husband's church. We had kept in touch with through their newsletters at least once a year, sometimes more often. Their newsletters regarding their ministry were always very interesting, with lessons from their experiences, and insights about God and His Word. Over this period, i probably replied only a few times.
We first knew each other when i was in secondary school, and she was in uni. I was only a few years younger, but mid to late teens can be quite different from early to mid twenties, and we moved in entirely different church groups. However, I remembered finding her very pretty (she is still very pretty) and her wedding invitation, which had the phrase: "each for the other, together for the Lord" impacted me. I used it for my own wedding a few years later.
A new acquaintance of mine was instrumental in bringing my friend's husband into a discussion meeting we had regarding a particular project i was helping out in. I immediately replied in the email that i knew this man, but i only replied to the new acquaintance. Later i forwarded this same email to all involved in the discussion meeting to remind them regarding the date and time. The very next day, my friend wrote that she wanted to meet up.
It was strange because she had also been thinking of me every since her friend, which was the ex-colleague i mentioned in my previous entry, shared with her about how God had answered her prayer about contacting me. At that time however, she just thought it was strange how my friend had found someone with the same name as me, and who also was a teacher. She didn't realise it was just one and the same person. I quickly replied and said yes, i would love to meet up with her.
We had a good time when we met up. She hadn't changed much, really, though it's been probably 15 years since i had seen her in person.
Half an hour into our date. My ex-colleague appeared - she had a gift for me too!
It was like hitting double jackpot for me. Haha! God doubly answered my prayer for godly friends. I believe we were mutually encouraged. I certainly was strengthened in my walk with God as i heard their testimonies of faith and God's goodness in their lives.
I'm looking forward to more dates with my godly friends.
Saturday 22 August 2009
rekindling friendships
I had been thinking often about my ex-colleague in the past few months. We lost contact for about 10 years, and i was wondering how she was doing and how to contact her. She had been a great help to me when i first started teaching. She resigned shortly after her first child was born.
This desire, i believe, was born of the fact that I had also been praying for godly friends in the past year.
My ex-colleague had also been praying about how to get in touch with me.
It's amazing how the Holy Spirit speaks to us.
However, it had slipped both my mind and my ex-colleague's that we had mutual contacts (her 2 good friends from her sunday school days were my cousin and cousin-in-law.
Meanwhile, my cousin, who lives in Sydney, came for a visit, and we met in early july for a nice nonya buffet. It was wonderful fellowship with her, as the last time we had a tete-a-tete was before either of us were married, at the pool in my parents' condominium.
Two weeks later, she met my ex-colleague at a funeral wake of the latter's relative. They exchanged handphone numbers and decided to meet on the Friday before my cousin left for Sydney (actually on the very next day). In the meantime, my ex-colleague woke up with a start in the middle of the night, and called out my name (so drama, right? We were literature teachers...haha) and made the connection in an instant. It was the prompting of the Holy Spirit, an answer to our prayers. She smsed my cousin the very next morning and asked for my number. My cousin, not knowing we had not met for 10 years, said that she will give the number when they met on Friday.
I made an appointment with my cousin on the same day, but would meet her later after her date with my ex-colleague. My parents and i came to pick my cousin's husband and kids first. My ex-colleague was also supposed to pick up my cousin, but we did not meet because she had lost her way, but i heard their conversation over the handphone. Our car went off first, so we did not get to meet.
An hour later, my cousin smsed me that she was actually meeting my ex-colleague. I was dumbstruck, then started rejoicing as it was an answer to my prayerful desire. I called my cousin back immediately, and asked to speak to her. We both were almost speechless, almost tearing with emotion.
My cousin finally gave me her number when we met that afternoon. I smsed my ex-colleague immediately, and made an appointment the following week.
It was good meeting up with her. We hugged, with tears shining in our eyes. We talked like the good friends we were, as if ten years had not separated us. We ate well, shared memories of the past, caught up with 10 years of lost time, encouraging each other in the process. Her faith is as strong as ever. Though we had differences in some bible doctrines, but we were spurring each other to love and good works.
God is good to bring us together again. I believe our lives will be richer with each other present, just like they were more than a decade ago.
We met the second time, just this week, but that's material for another entry. :D
This desire, i believe, was born of the fact that I had also been praying for godly friends in the past year.
My ex-colleague had also been praying about how to get in touch with me.
It's amazing how the Holy Spirit speaks to us.
However, it had slipped both my mind and my ex-colleague's that we had mutual contacts (her 2 good friends from her sunday school days were my cousin and cousin-in-law.
Meanwhile, my cousin, who lives in Sydney, came for a visit, and we met in early july for a nice nonya buffet. It was wonderful fellowship with her, as the last time we had a tete-a-tete was before either of us were married, at the pool in my parents' condominium.
Two weeks later, she met my ex-colleague at a funeral wake of the latter's relative. They exchanged handphone numbers and decided to meet on the Friday before my cousin left for Sydney (actually on the very next day). In the meantime, my ex-colleague woke up with a start in the middle of the night, and called out my name (so drama, right? We were literature teachers...haha) and made the connection in an instant. It was the prompting of the Holy Spirit, an answer to our prayers. She smsed my cousin the very next morning and asked for my number. My cousin, not knowing we had not met for 10 years, said that she will give the number when they met on Friday.
I made an appointment with my cousin on the same day, but would meet her later after her date with my ex-colleague. My parents and i came to pick my cousin's husband and kids first. My ex-colleague was also supposed to pick up my cousin, but we did not meet because she had lost her way, but i heard their conversation over the handphone. Our car went off first, so we did not get to meet.
An hour later, my cousin smsed me that she was actually meeting my ex-colleague. I was dumbstruck, then started rejoicing as it was an answer to my prayerful desire. I called my cousin back immediately, and asked to speak to her. We both were almost speechless, almost tearing with emotion.
My cousin finally gave me her number when we met that afternoon. I smsed my ex-colleague immediately, and made an appointment the following week.
It was good meeting up with her. We hugged, with tears shining in our eyes. We talked like the good friends we were, as if ten years had not separated us. We ate well, shared memories of the past, caught up with 10 years of lost time, encouraging each other in the process. Her faith is as strong as ever. Though we had differences in some bible doctrines, but we were spurring each other to love and good works.
God is good to bring us together again. I believe our lives will be richer with each other present, just like they were more than a decade ago.
We met the second time, just this week, but that's material for another entry. :D
Monday 10 August 2009
power of prayer
I just watched a movie with Christian overtones. It was a pleasant surprise - good story, good acting, excellent focus on prayer, forgiveness, even spiritual warfare, but not overly or overtly moralistic.
There were two statements spoken by a missionary of 45 years (in the movie) that spoke powerfully, even unexpectedly to hubby and me:
There is one thing that God's children and His enemies have in common - they both underestimate the power of prayer.
When you know evil exists, you must fight it.
There were two statements spoken by a missionary of 45 years (in the movie) that spoke powerfully, even unexpectedly to hubby and me:
There is one thing that God's children and His enemies have in common - they both underestimate the power of prayer.
When you know evil exists, you must fight it.
Sunday 9 August 2009
Happy 44th Birthday to Singapore!
At 8.22pm today, the bells of a nearby church pealed out.
Hubby and i were wondering why the church bells rang when it was not noontime on the first day of the month. That is the usual monthly custom of the church.
Then with a start, i realised that it was time for the pledge. I recited our national pledge with at least couple of million Singapore citizens, and at the same time, prayed that many in my precious nation will know who Jesus is. That, i believe, will establish this country as a prosperous and happy nation, able to be a blessing to all other nations.
The pealing of the bells was a clarion call for all men to be saved!
Hubby and i were wondering why the church bells rang when it was not noontime on the first day of the month. That is the usual monthly custom of the church.
Then with a start, i realised that it was time for the pledge. I recited our national pledge with at least couple of million Singapore citizens, and at the same time, prayed that many in my precious nation will know who Jesus is. That, i believe, will establish this country as a prosperous and happy nation, able to be a blessing to all other nations.
The pealing of the bells was a clarion call for all men to be saved!
Saturday 1 August 2009
ambition
It was Salvation Army flag day yesterday, and when i contributed some money, i was given a magazine published by the Salvation Army aptly named "War Cry". It was their July 2009 issue highlighting their Founder's Day.
On the cover was William Booth's portrait, complete with long flowing white beard that almost reached his chest. He was reading his bible.
But what especially caught my eye was this quote written by William Booth in the autograph book of King Edward VII.
Some men's ambition is art.
Some men's ambition is fame.
Some men's ambition is gold.
My ambition is the souls of men!
I gave but a token sum, and was blessed by William Booth's desire, birthed of a divine source.
On the cover was William Booth's portrait, complete with long flowing white beard that almost reached his chest. He was reading his bible.
But what especially caught my eye was this quote written by William Booth in the autograph book of King Edward VII.
Some men's ambition is art.
Some men's ambition is fame.
Some men's ambition is gold.
My ambition is the souls of men!
I gave but a token sum, and was blessed by William Booth's desire, birthed of a divine source.
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