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.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
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.
Saturday, 27 October 2007
process
There are several things the Lord had been showing me to do in the past weeks... I've made up my mind to obey, but it's still a process of developing, following, getting into the habits, putting unwholesome thoughts and words aside, etc. But it is easy-er when I yield even as He speaks to me... I believe He is preparing me for things ahead.
There's so much i want to do, so much God has put in my heart to fulfill, in terms of my purpose in life, His plan for me. In other words, my destiny.
But i need to continue to be consecrated unto Him!
There's so much i want to do, so much God has put in my heart to fulfill, in terms of my purpose in life, His plan for me. In other words, my destiny.
But i need to continue to be consecrated unto Him!
just obey
Two days ago, during prayer school, again, the power of God ministered to me "powerfully" (hehe, for want of a better word) - well, in a very strong manner, then...
The instructor was talking about waves of anointing that came upon the students in a bible school he was teaching at in another country. They received healing, refreshing as the Lord's power just fell upon them. He stopped teaching and just allowed the Lord to minister to the students.
Whilst the instructor was still sharing, and then later ministering to the alumni at the prayer school, God's passion began to burn within me, firing me up. He showed me his very heart for the lost, the nations. Tears just ran down my face. I felt heavy with the anointing. Even as i'm writing this, the same anointing is upon me.
During this time, i received an impression (it came from within my spirit - not really visual; just a knowing) of me laying my hand on another lady. As i continued praying, the name of another lady came to me, and i knew i was supposed to pray for her.
Just after prayer school, i went to the first lady (by this time, i had also discovered on looking around that the second lady had left) and just laid my hand upon her. She thought i was saying hi, so she looked at me with a big smile. I think i told her something like: "just receive, the Lord told me to do this". With my hand upon her shoulder blade, and with her hand on my knee, we sat next to each other in silence - maybe sometimes speaking in tongues a little, and softly. The presence of the Lord was manifest again in and around us. Heavy. Sweet. I think it was just 5-7 minutes. We could have lingered longer, but it was enough. We went to lunch, with others, and we could still sense His presence. We said as much, towards the end of the lunch, when we stopped to reflect.
I met the second lady in school the next day, just after the first hour of lessons. Again, it took probably just 5 minutes to pray for her. 2 verses of scripture came for her. The presence of the Lord came and we drew refreshing and what we needed of the Lord - which is everything, but for that moment, it was just fresh manna for the day. She thanked me. I told her i was just being obedient to the Lord, what He showed me to do. She smsed me later to say that one of the 2 verses was something the Lord was showing her at present. I was reminded of a third verse which i smsed her back with.
Later that day (the day of the prayer school), i was chatting with someone over the msn regarding church, and the anointing again hit me when we were speaking about ministry stuff which she needed help with. When i agreed to do something in obedience to the Lord, and in submission to her leadership in that area, i told her i felt the anointing. initially, she thought i was joking, but just a while later, she said she felt it too. Wow! Amazing! His presence transcends internet connections.
But of course!! :D
The instructor was talking about waves of anointing that came upon the students in a bible school he was teaching at in another country. They received healing, refreshing as the Lord's power just fell upon them. He stopped teaching and just allowed the Lord to minister to the students.
Whilst the instructor was still sharing, and then later ministering to the alumni at the prayer school, God's passion began to burn within me, firing me up. He showed me his very heart for the lost, the nations. Tears just ran down my face. I felt heavy with the anointing. Even as i'm writing this, the same anointing is upon me.
During this time, i received an impression (it came from within my spirit - not really visual; just a knowing) of me laying my hand on another lady. As i continued praying, the name of another lady came to me, and i knew i was supposed to pray for her.
Just after prayer school, i went to the first lady (by this time, i had also discovered on looking around that the second lady had left) and just laid my hand upon her. She thought i was saying hi, so she looked at me with a big smile. I think i told her something like: "just receive, the Lord told me to do this". With my hand upon her shoulder blade, and with her hand on my knee, we sat next to each other in silence - maybe sometimes speaking in tongues a little, and softly. The presence of the Lord was manifest again in and around us. Heavy. Sweet. I think it was just 5-7 minutes. We could have lingered longer, but it was enough. We went to lunch, with others, and we could still sense His presence. We said as much, towards the end of the lunch, when we stopped to reflect.
I met the second lady in school the next day, just after the first hour of lessons. Again, it took probably just 5 minutes to pray for her. 2 verses of scripture came for her. The presence of the Lord came and we drew refreshing and what we needed of the Lord - which is everything, but for that moment, it was just fresh manna for the day. She thanked me. I told her i was just being obedient to the Lord, what He showed me to do. She smsed me later to say that one of the 2 verses was something the Lord was showing her at present. I was reminded of a third verse which i smsed her back with.
Later that day (the day of the prayer school), i was chatting with someone over the msn regarding church, and the anointing again hit me when we were speaking about ministry stuff which she needed help with. When i agreed to do something in obedience to the Lord, and in submission to her leadership in that area, i told her i felt the anointing. initially, she thought i was joking, but just a while later, she said she felt it too. Wow! Amazing! His presence transcends internet connections.
But of course!! :D
Saturday, 20 October 2007
shaken and stirred up
I've been shaken by the power of the Holy Spirit, and i'm stirred up for the things of God. The physical body can hardly contain the presence and the power of the Lord and yet, the Holy Spirit chooses to dwell in us. There is within me a renewed burning passion to accomplish the things of God. It's hard to describe in words what has taken place in my spirit during this week.
There's been an impartation during the meetings i attended earlier in the week, and it seems to me as though there is a step up in the spiritual realm.
Yesterday's prayer meeting was a powerful demonstration of God's power and love. God's presence was so strong, and the gifts of the spirit were in operation: Tongues and interpretation, and words of knowledge and wisdom were released. There was a burning in my heart, and i'm sure more than one of us felt the same thing. One fell under the power. Another was baptised in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
All glory to Him!
There's been an impartation during the meetings i attended earlier in the week, and it seems to me as though there is a step up in the spiritual realm.
Yesterday's prayer meeting was a powerful demonstration of God's power and love. God's presence was so strong, and the gifts of the spirit were in operation: Tongues and interpretation, and words of knowledge and wisdom were released. There was a burning in my heart, and i'm sure more than one of us felt the same thing. One fell under the power. Another was baptised in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
All glory to Him!
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
soaking
I've been soaking in Him, taking in all I can of His presence, experiencing His power, and drawing from His Life (ZOE) and nature.
I am enjoying the messages i heard for the last two days. Today is the final day! The speakers are down-to-earth, straightforward, tell-it-like-it-is people. They have nothing to prove, nothing to hide, and sincere with no hidden agenda. What-you-see/hear-is-what-you-get.
It's been so REFRESHING(!!) for my spirit, and, i believe, my soul too.
More today, Lord!
I am enjoying the messages i heard for the last two days. Today is the final day! The speakers are down-to-earth, straightforward, tell-it-like-it-is people. They have nothing to prove, nothing to hide, and sincere with no hidden agenda. What-you-see/hear-is-what-you-get.
It's been so REFRESHING(!!) for my spirit, and, i believe, my soul too.
More today, Lord!
Sunday, 14 October 2007
it is time
This trifle of a song came to me during service today as we were praying - i'm not too proud of the tune as it sounds like an old pop song (hehe - nothing against pop songs unless they contain suggestive lyrics...), and it's very raw. Yet there was an urgency about what i was singing, helped by the unique rhythm of the drums and music the band was playing.
i believe the words were inspired (mostly anyway) by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke to me...an answer to our earlier prayers just that morning (but birthed out of my concerns over the past few months) regarding the church leadership and ministries. My husband and I were praying for the church using the Epistle to the Ephesians (which contained Paul's concerns and desire for the church(es) in Ephesus:
1:16-23 -> knowing and understanding our calling, how God sees us, and what God has given us through Jesus;
3:14-20 -> being established and strengthened in and by the love of Christ, and knowing that His plans and purposes far exceed our expectations
4:7-16 -> how the church is given gifts and callings so the members can be equipped to help one another, and to preach the good news
The lyrics are as follows:
It is time. Is the church ready to move?? Does the church even want to move?
It is His desire to have the church complete and mature in Him, and to do the work of the ministry which is the ministry of reconciliation of man to GOD.
It is my desire to see the church move.
i believe the words were inspired (mostly anyway) by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke to me...an answer to our earlier prayers just that morning (but birthed out of my concerns over the past few months) regarding the church leadership and ministries. My husband and I were praying for the church using the Epistle to the Ephesians (which contained Paul's concerns and desire for the church(es) in Ephesus:
1:16-23 -> knowing and understanding our calling, how God sees us, and what God has given us through Jesus;
3:14-20 -> being established and strengthened in and by the love of Christ, and knowing that His plans and purposes far exceed our expectations
4:7-16 -> how the church is given gifts and callings so the members can be equipped to help one another, and to preach the good news
The lyrics are as follows:
It is time to move up higher
It is time to seek His Face
It is time to reflect His Glory
It is time to follow His Ways
It is time to rise up in Him
It is time to praise His Name
It is time to read and know His Word
It is time to proclaim His fame
It is time to seek His Face
It is time to reflect His Glory
It is time to follow His Ways
It is time to rise up in Him
It is time to praise His Name
It is time to read and know His Word
It is time to proclaim His fame
It is time. Is the church ready to move?? Does the church even want to move?
It is His desire to have the church complete and mature in Him, and to do the work of the ministry which is the ministry of reconciliation of man to GOD.
It is my desire to see the church move.
Thursday, 4 October 2007
the heating plant of the church
I managed to find the following excerpt about the power of prayer. When i read it again yesterday, my spirit leaped, burning with intense passion, and tears threatened to spill out of my eyes... really... i'm not being dramatic... thinking: "Yes, this is how it should be!"
I remembered reading it in April or May this year, and i was reminded by the Holy Spirit to share it in a class i was going to teach yesterday (this was just a few hours before the class). But i could not find it on the internet as i could not remember who it was, and kept on looking for the wrong person. The two other persons i searched were ALSO prayerful and powerful men of God!
Finally, just an hour before class, i asked my husband whether he remembered who it was that had 700 men praying in the basement before and during his meetings. It took him just 3 seconds before he replied (he's the one with the better memory): "Spurgeon".
I googled that and here it is...
"A group of seminary students decided to visit Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, to hear the "Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, and hopefully discover the secret of his spiritual power. An elderly man greeted them as they walked in and asked, "Would you like to see the church's heating plant?"
"Stacks of coal and dirty pipes in a dark basement were among the last things that the students wanted to see, but out of respect they followed him down into a large open room where they saw over 700 people in earnest prayer for the meetings of the day.
"This," said the wise old man (aka Spurgeon), "is what heats this church." Judging from the thousands who sought and found Christ at the church, God blessed where He was invited."
I remembered reading it in April or May this year, and i was reminded by the Holy Spirit to share it in a class i was going to teach yesterday (this was just a few hours before the class). But i could not find it on the internet as i could not remember who it was, and kept on looking for the wrong person. The two other persons i searched were ALSO prayerful and powerful men of God!
Finally, just an hour before class, i asked my husband whether he remembered who it was that had 700 men praying in the basement before and during his meetings. It took him just 3 seconds before he replied (he's the one with the better memory): "Spurgeon".
I googled that and here it is...
"A group of seminary students decided to visit Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, to hear the "Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, and hopefully discover the secret of his spiritual power. An elderly man greeted them as they walked in and asked, "Would you like to see the church's heating plant?"
"Stacks of coal and dirty pipes in a dark basement were among the last things that the students wanted to see, but out of respect they followed him down into a large open room where they saw over 700 people in earnest prayer for the meetings of the day.
"This," said the wise old man (aka Spurgeon), "is what heats this church." Judging from the thousands who sought and found Christ at the church, God blessed where He was invited."
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