one of the best locally produced songs I have heard

NCC

http://www.imeem.com/whitelionat2003/music/JCKUB0YM/new_creation_church_live_worship_im_held_by_your_love_sea/

I'm held by Your love,
I'm held by Your strength
on Your shoulders You bore me
by Your faith I stand

Bridge
Cherished by You, Lord,
Treasured in Your sight
So close to Your heart
Held firm in Your hands

Chorus
So awesome is Your love
So mighty is Your hand
On eagles' wings You carried me,
Your grace shall be my strength

So perfect is Your love
You sacrificed Your Son
Amazing love, reached out to me,
With joy to You I come

Not by my wisdom,
Not by my strength,
Gently You guide me,
Lead me by hand

Bridge
Total surrender
Jesus I am Yours
Now and forever
In Christ I now stand
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If only..

These two words sort of lifted up my mood in the afternoon. I lolled around in bed for a full half an hour feeling a sian-ness at 6a.m. in the morning!

After I read someone's blog about how she just dates without feeling very much for her date, I thought about how people might get jaded after failed relationships so they go out, not willing to feel much until the other party shows that they are interested. It was then I realised that I am not jaded after all. It's a thin line to draw between having bad self-control and not being jaded. I was prepared to get burnt, just so I will feel alive. On normal days and occasions, I wouldn't go out on a Wednesday night and be willing to stay out late if I have a major event on Thursday morning.

The adrenalin keeps me going.

On another note, the event was a huge success for both the morning and the afternoon sessions. I am so thankful. I danced Bangra 4 times in half an hour. Phew. And I am glad it's finally over!

I thank God for prayer warriors. :)
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food for thought

Actually, after I made 12 sets of notes (X 6 pages) plus 6 pieces of worship slips at work, I felt a bit bad. How much of office stationary can we use for personal use before it is wrong? And how much of how I feel is legalism?

Duno leh. I have this uneasy feeling inside me, it's not so much head knowledge that it might not be right, but what I feel in my heart.

How do we draw the line between being legalistic and following the spirit? What is the right spirit? And how do we know when we have the right spirit?
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hmmm...

Something is not quite right when you pray for this girl you are hanging out with more than you pray for your parents.
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A Classic

This song ministered to me everytime I hear it. I remembered there was one time I was so broken this song really reminded me again who can truly restore, love, and make me feel complete. 

I guess one thing I learnt is that when a relationship ends, that devoted love that was promised ends too. That's when I realise that there is no other love that is as constant, as enduring, as consistent as God's amazing love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk7nfr8SSW8&feature=related

Complete - Parachute Band

Here I am, Oh God
I bring this sacrifice--my open heart.
I offer up my life.
I look to You, Lord
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you, Lord
In Your strength will I break through, Lord
Touch me now, let your love fall down on me
And I will be complete in You.

Here I am, Oh God
I bring this sacrifice--my open heart.
I offer up my life.
I look to You, Lord.
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you Lord
And by faith, I will walk on, Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day,
And I will be complete in..

I look to You, Lord
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you Lord
In your strength will I break through Lord
Touch me now, let your love fall down on me
I know your love dispels all my fears.

Through the storm I will hold on Lord
And I pray I will hold on, Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day
And I will be complete in
I will be complete in
I will be complete in You

what i gathered from Clarence's sermon last Sunday

I thought his sermon was really good. One of the best that I heard from FCC that I benefitted from.

Some takeaways:

1) God wants us to rest sometimes.

2) God is a god who is practical. He fulfills our practical needs. Look at fulfilling someone's practical needs.

3) Just listen, like in Job. They sat for 7 days and just listened. When they started talking, everything went downhill.

4) Our feelings might be real, but they might not be accurate.

5) We need a fresh new vision of God. He is a God who is alive, so He will give live experiences when we walk with Him daily. People who get burnt out are people who ran out of testimonies to share about that after a while, they lean on their own human strength for sustanance.

6) Fellowship is important. Everyone experiences God differently. He has many different facets. We learn more about the different facets of God from people sharing their own personal experiences with God.
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Aggressively Happy

At my Dad's 60th birthday, I wished I was more involved and proactive in planning a big birthday bash for him. :( Anywayz, I just learnt from my auntie that the whole family goes to NCC now. :) They weren't christians before. I am happy. I wished my parents and my sis are too, :( then I wouldn't be too worried about them.

Yesterday, SC said that NCCers are aggresively happy. I laughed so loud and it wasn't the martini at work. I really laughed! Because I know what she meant. She was talking about her sister. Anywayz, I just got to know one NCCer online, just chatting with her, and yes, she is mostly very happy, not yet sure if she's aggressively happy.

I made my stand before, that though I have a problem agreeing with some stuff that NCC preaches, I believe that the reason why people go to the church they choose is because they grow best there. Every church is imperfect because it is made up of imperfect humans, God will sort that out gradually, but every church has its purpose for God's kingdom. So no church/theology bashing, unless the non-negotiables differ.
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accountability

This is amazing. It is half funny, half mind-boggling.

Yesterday afternoon, SC asked me out for a drink, wanting to catch up. Though I was pretty tired after tuition at 9p.m., I decided to oblige, maybe because it was nearly the end of the week. She suggested Blackberry. So I met her there. She told me then, why she asked to meet up was because she was concerned about how I was doing this past month, because someone mentioned that I stayed at Blackberry till 3a.m. on Friday.

I was stunned because I felt spied on. haha.. She further explained that it was during Ezer's Bible Study that this girl J asked S if she was at Blackberry till 3a.m. on Friday, she said no, and they somehow narrowed it down to me, so the very concerned SC (she calls herself auntie) decided to make sure I was not drowning my sorrows at Blackberry. (I didn't go for Ezer this month because of the overwhelming workload)

The thing I am curious about, who in the world knows that I am from FCC? And who in the world stayed @ Blackberry till 3a.m., and of those who did (most of the remaining people were people I know, and we went for supper till 5a.m., so it was definitely not them who told J about the someone from FCC hanging out till 3a.m.), I did not even talk to them.

THis is mind boggling. And I can't wait to solve the mystery. In a way, it's nice to know that someone cares enough to call to find out. I guess that's accountability or kaypohness, but I appreciated that, and of course, I appreciate the talk we had too. And the lychee martini. Burp. Just one.
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I'm Yours - Jason Marz - on repeated mode.

My friend sent me this song. It's darn catchy. Puts me in the mood to love and be loved.

The best thing about being a single is that I can post this up without any hesitation. The worst thing about being a christian is that I got to exercise restrain in dedicating this to anyone.. I wish someone I like would dedicate this song to me! La la la la.. Ah well..when it comes, it will come. Lyrics are all joined together. Youtube video just below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eYP9z8cDZQ&feature=related

Well you done done me and you bet I felt itI tried to be chill but you're so hot that I meltedI fell right through the cracksAnd now I'm trying to get backBefore the cool done run outI'll be giving it my bestestNothing's going to stop me but divine interventionI reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn someI won't hesitate no more, no moreIt cannot wait, I'm yoursWell open up your mind and see like meOpen up your plans and damn you're freeLook into your heart and you'll find love love loveListen to the music of the moment maybe sing with meI like peaceful melodysIt's your God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loveSo I won't hesitate no more, no moreIt cannot wait I'm sureThere's no need to complicateOur time is shortThis is our fate, I'm yoursI've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirrorAnd bending over backwards just to try to see it clearerBut my breath fogged up the glassAnd so I drew a new face and laughedI guess what I'm saying is there ain't no better reasonTo rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasonsIt's what we aim to doOur name is our virtueI won't hesitate no more, no moreIt cannot wait I'm sureThere's no need to complicateOur time is shortThis is our fate, I'm yoursWell no no, well open up your mind and see like meOpen up your plans and damn you're freeLook into your heart and you'll find love love love loveListen to the music of the moment come and dance with meI like one big family (2nd time: I like happy family)It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love love loveI won't hesitate no moreOh no more no more no moreIt's your God-forsaken right to be loved, I'm sureThere's no need to complicateOur time is shortThis is our fate, I'm yoursNo I won't hesitate no more, no moreThis cannot wait I'm sureThere's no need to complicateOur time is shortThis is our fate, I'm yours, I'm yours
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Timing is everything

The perfect person may not be the perfect one for you. 

The perfect person for you may not be the person you marry.

Many years ago, I met this special guy. Even my first girlfriend, also my best friend then, said he was the perfect guy for me. I was 20, and he was 28. He was ready to settle down, I was not. Poof! Off he disappeared. If I was ready then, I would probably be married to him by now.

Then I had another r/s with a woman. It was really all about timing. If she was completely single when we had met, and she had given me more time to be ready to be with a woman for the rest of my life, and she had remained single while she waited for me, we might be spending the rest of our lives together by now.

On reflecting on my relationships, 3 failed ones, some potential ones, some lost ones, I realised that timing is everything. At one point in time, there could be this perfect person for you, but if you are not ready for this perfect person, then he/she is not the perfect one for you. And if that person is perfect for you, and you are not ready to be with that person, then that person will probably not be the one you be with at that point in time.

What is my point? You know it when you meet someone, and you know that someone is for you. Regardless of whether one party is ready or one party is not, if you are meant to be together, you will be together.

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that special touch only He can give

I nearly cried watching the Healer video on Youtube. God is so amazing, and He is able to reach into the very depths of our hearts, to touch us.

As I was reflecting on the indignation talk last night on The Science of Orientation, on how the speaker viewed religion as a sensitive topic, God reached into my heart and made me ask this question; What religion? There is no religion. There is just God, and a father-child relationship with Him. That is what He desires with us. There is just Jesus, our friend, who experienced all that we had experienced and more, all the negative emotions we experienced.. who loves us so much that he sacrificed himself on the cross for us, to finally give us the liberation and the privilege to be called children of God, enjoying everything there is in eternity.

There is so much anointing in the stadium as the people worship Him. He's awesome. In His presence, there is fullness of joy.

He just places everything in perspective for me once again.

Healer- Hillsong

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need.

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4xsWldmqAo&NR=1
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I am not seeing anyone at the moment

why do people think that when someone ends a relationship, they will quickly try to meet new people. I have a few people asking me about whether I am seeing anyone new, in both subtle and direct ways. 

No. I am not seeing anyone at the moment. I am not ready to start dating despite 2 dear friends asking me to do so. I am getting to know more friends from Fridae via email, and I am emailing 2 persons. That's all the update about my status. Grrr..

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still thanking God for His faithfulness

and good things still happens to those who knows that Jesus loves them. :)

1) I received a $50 voucher from Tangs from my friend tonight.  I think it was because I recommended my ex-colleague to her for tuition assignments. Unexpected! But thankful!

2) My dad is giving me a $200 voucher from Robinsons. Something to do with his retiring thingy. My mum gets $1000 and my sis and I get $200 each. I am not complaining at all!

3) I have been looking out for a glam dress and have put aside some moolah to buy one. I even went to my friend's place to see if I could help her garage sale off the dresses that she has not worn since she had given birth 2 years ago. Now, she is pregnant again. After a fruitless visit to her place last night, I thought I had to spend the time and money to shop for the dress afterall. It suddenly occured to me this afternoon that I bought a purplish long dress from Aussieland 2 years ago. Got it out, wore it and it looked perfect! I only paid 99 bucks for it. I remembered it was @ Victoria Market in Melbourne, where I had to try on the dress in this makeshift changing room. I am mighty pleased that I am saving a few hundred bucks by not needing to buy a new dress. The best thing is, I won't get to wear any of the Danial Yam's dresses that has become as common as Metro clothings. 

God is so good, though I have stopped lamenting.:)

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giving thanks for His faithfulness

sometime ago, the church board was sharing about the updates for the church building fund. They reported that with the remaining amount to go, all they require is for 1000 giving units to give 2500 each and the new church building will be fully paid for. You know how it is when you feel that God is speaking to you and you feel very excited to obey. That was how I felt. I felt that call to give. But decided to wait till July when the bonus comes in.

And as expected, the more we wait, the more we start to negotiate with God about the amount to give. Given that I spent quite a bit in June, I was thinking that perhaps I should just include July's tithing with the building fund  so I could give 500 less. 

The following week, during IDT, a DG mate shared an amazing testimony about how the Lord gave her 10 times of what she pledged and gave to the building fund (she's a full time campus crusade staff and the Lord prompted her to give the inheritance she got from her late Father.)

She shared how, like what I was feeling, that initially, she was very excited to give, but over time, she started to negotiate, but during the church camp in June, she heard the call very clearly again, so she decided to give, and then the Lord amazingly gave her back EXACTLY 10 times what she gave! She said one thing that made so much sense, something I have always known but couldn't quite register with my heart. She said that we can never outgive God, and that He will never shortchange us. There and then, I repented of my "negotiation" and gave what I pledged plus the usual monthly thith in July. I gave not because I was expecting anything from God, but really, I gave because I wanted to obey God. 

What happened after that was unexpected though. While I did not think about gaining anything, I started to "lose" money. 3 weeks ago, my school laptop became screwy and could only be used at work, my desktop had broken down and there wasn't any spare at work. So I had to seriously look into getting a new desktop or laptop. Last week, I spent an awful lot of money including a large amount on durians (not that it was not worth it), plus the 100 bucks wheel clamp fine (we seriously were ignorant about the fact that we were parking on private property but V was very kind to offer to pay half of it) Then 2 days later, i received a letter that fined me 160 bucks with 6 points for speeding. (justification aside, brickland road was really empty lor.) I truly felt very discouraged. 

Meanwhile,I have been going into Hardwarezone.com to look for second hand PCs or lappies, but still could not find any trusty and affordable. Today , I saw a church friend posting on Multiply that he has a Imac to loan out. I offered to buy it over from him so I don't have to pay the full amount to get a new piece or pay a low price to get something with poor quality, but he said he got it free from school (he's teaching ) and that I can keep it if i want. The only caveat is if his wife's Mac grows old and die, then he might ask for it back. so I collected it from him and dah dah. i am using it now. It's one of the newer models. And knowing him, I think the wife and him will prolly just let me keep it and buy a new one if the wife's IMAC dies. Still. I give thanks for this period of time where I get to use my own computer.

God is good, isn't He? He listens when I lament. :)

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I logged onto fridae early this morning @ 830a.m.and found that out of 40 profiles who were online, only 3 were female. And I am one of them. Ba Ba Black Sheep have you any wool..

Thanks to R for the perks. I have been quite entertained on Fridae.

Thanks to C for SATC Season 6. I just finished the last episode, over 3 days. So touching, sob sob.

Thanks to A for SATC Season 5, I will be quite entertained for the next few days.

I thank God for the off day, that I have time for these many things and more.
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following the ways and commands of the Lord

I truly realised that God's agenda for us is not to bind us to his commandments, his precepts, his ways for His own good. I really believe and know in my heart that it is for our own good that He says certain things He does, to protect us, to shield us from pain/harm.

This is further affirmed by Psalm 19 that spoke to me today, very clearly.
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7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;the testimony of the Lord is sure,making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord are right,rejoicing the heart;the commandment of the Lord is pure,enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the Lord is clean,enduring forever;the rules of the Lord are true,and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,even much fine gold;sweeter also than honeyand drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;let them not have dominion over me!Then I shall be blameless,and innocent of great transgression.

(Psalms 19: 7-13 )

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Recently, a dear old friend of mine S, got together with my ex-coll's friend G. G is a christian who attends NCC. S is somewhat of an anti-christ but has thankfully mellowed over the years. So, now, G has not been attending church because she spends late nights out with S or she stays over with S.

One fine example of the consequence of being unequally yoked.

Fellowship is really important. Some people said church is not important, and that you can read the bible and worship at home, and also listen to online sermons. But corporate worship with fellow believers is different from worshipping God alone.. and surely believers who have experienced that would know the difference. The bible also says that when two and more are present, there He is in their midst. God rejoices in having His people worship Him as one body. And I think it is really really important. I just pray that G can get S to go to church. I have been waiting for her salvation a long while, praying every now and then. Will just wait for God's perfect timing.
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IDT tonight

I was once again encouraged by the sharing component of IDT, the part where 8 of us get together after the plenary session and shared more personal issues in regards to our walk with God.

My DGL is really exemplary in her conduct as a christian leader. I take my hat off her. Not that her character is perfect, but she has the heart to will to God for Him to use her one life. Her goals in life to honour and serve Him, her resilence despite her problems.. all adds up to me as a good role model on how a mentor should be like.

I have more to write. But I am so sleepy now. laterzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
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Divine Appointment!

I smsed J and C in the afternoon to ask if they wanted to do supper. After 15 minutes, when they had not responded, I changed my mind and wanted to just come back to watch SATC. So I texted them just that.

One hour later, I received an sms from C telling me that she was sorry that she replied late because she was busy working. She asked me to take care. Even though that sounds nice, I still felt a bit alone.

After that, I was pondering in the car that not everyone can be there for me all the time and at that time when I needed them. I decided God is the best. He's there for me 24/7. And He's so cute. just at the moment when I am figuring out how to draw on Him and have Him fill my emptiness, I received a call from R and she asked if I wanted to do dinner! She is god sent because she seldom call me to ask me if I wanted to do dinner! I told her about IDT and decided to meet her and J for supper instead.

During supper, i was relating to them about c and J and what I thought of just having SATC as company when R said that it was J (whom I was not as close to), who asked about me, that's why R called me to ask if I wanted to do dinner! Ain't that divine??

His love is amazing!
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reposting

I agree with this to a certain extent ;) though I think they can come hand in hand, to some extent too.

Love Vs Desire

1) Love needs closeness and intimacy and familiarity to flourish. Desire does not. Desire needs distance, insecurity, novelty and surprise. Desire needs tension, breaches and repairs.

2) Love is not comfortable with fights, but desire needs fights. Fights generate energy, erotic energy - and this is not just desire for sex, but a general exuberance and vitality, an élan, an aliveness! We often judge couples on the amount they fight, like: “Oh, they have such a good relationship! They never fight!” And yes, I know of couples who never fight and do have a very good relationship - but they also have a sex life that is somewhat flat. Desire needs fights!

3) Intimacy - that is, emotional intimacy - inhibits erotic expression. Desire needs edge!

4) Love needs absence of sexual threat, but desire? Desire needs to know there are other options out there for your partner, that your partner moves out there in a sexual world when they are not with you, a world of other people who look at them, sexually.

5) Love needs talk. Desire needs not to talk. Eroticism thrives in the space between the self and the other. In order to maintain a sexual edge in our relationships, we must learn to tolerate this void, these uncertainties.
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THe Lord is good, all the time.

I guess this Psalm came at the right time. Every verse is so ministering. These few days, though there had been a feeling nagging at me to read the bible, spend time with God, fellowship with Him... I stubbornly did everything else but that. Other than church on Sunday and Cg on Tuesday, I had not touched the bible for about a week plus already.

While I was walking home from work today, it occured to me that it was just months ago when I ask myself why people stay away from God when they are miserable when they should be focusing on Him? My DGL put it rightly when she said that spending time with the Lord is a privilege, not a chore. Therefore, at the end of the day, why do we think that watching telly is more relaxing than reading the bible? In my case, why do I think being online will make me feel better than reading the bible. I have been feeling slightly rebellious in that way, just doing everything else but spend time with God.

I am glad He put the desire in my heart to start reading His word again, prolly thanks to the prayers of people. I am going to pick myself up and live life to the fullest again.



Psalm 16

You Will Not Abandon My Soul
A Miktam of David.

16:1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;their drink offerings of blood I will not pour outor take their names on my lips.
5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,or let your holy one see corruption.
11 You make known to me the path of life;in your presence there is fullness of joy;at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Amen.
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break up over email

although it's my preference to have a closure face to face, breaking up over email has to be done sometimes too.

A break up over email is necessary when

1) the party unwilling to break up will get emotional and distressed and tries to persuade the other to stay or give the relationship another try

a) if indoors, hold on to her and not let her go till she agrees to try again

b) if outdoors, either insist on sending her home and then something physical happens in the car/ reacting in a way that the conversation will have to be brought indoors where a) will happen again.

Intially, I had wanted to maintain the mindset that God sees all, and He knows all, and that is all that matters.

But I am irritated that people are telling me to meet up with her to talk things over, like they know better.

They obviously have not broken up this way before.

She thinks I am cruel and not very nice. I say good. Then grow up and move on.

Damned pissed.
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First service w Covenant @ Woodlands

as of last Sunday, we had an excess of $400 000 in our building fund kitty. More are still pouring in. WOnderful and encouraging testimony of the Lord's faithfulness. I also learnt that Covenant @ Woodlands is the first religious establishment in Admiralty. That's pretty cool because that means a pretty large paddy field waiting to be harvested.

I guess what keeps the pastoral team and church board trust that Senior Pastor Ed's leading is from God is because they believe that what Pastor hears is truly from the Lord, and he seeks no credit for that, He heard from the Lord, he confirms it with the Lord and then He chiongs all the way for the Lord, and the Lord has proven faithful in many circumstances.

For example, Pastor Ed was sharing about the divine appt with one of his friends last week. He finished an assignment 2 hours ahead of time and asked the Lord what to do with the 2 hours before his next appointment. He heard the Lord ask him to call this particular guy and meet up with him. Pastor Ed was pretty hesitant because to ask someone out for lunch at 11a.m. was not very sincere. SO he waited and prayed for the Lord's confirmation. 5 minutes after, Pastor received an sms from THAT friend, asking if he was free to talk. PAstor immediately called him and met up with him for lunch. That friend just needed to hear a message from God, that God loves him, and PAstor Ed's friend said he knows that, because God sent PAstor Ed to him. Amazing.

I pray for divine appointments too! And the obedience and faith to follow and act on the leading!
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Facebook is scary

This is quite scary. After one of my colleague found me on facebook through a common friend and added me, I had 9 other requests from 9 colleagues to be added on facebook in 2 days!! I don't talk about my personal life very much at work. Maybe they are kaypohing or they are competing in the Who has Most friends on Facebook Award. Thank God there are not too many PLUs on my friends list.

I won best dressed/most sexily dressed in this year's Pyjamas Party. One of my colleague tagged me. I didn't even know she had the photo. I think I look pregnant but not many people will see me in a lingerie in their lifetime. SO I guess I will leave it on facebook. :) THat colleague who took the photo with me is extremely pretty. She's a muslim. Modern muslim married with 2 kids.
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growth

I am tired of writing, yet there is so much inside of me that I had to release.

I can't seem to feel His intimate presence as often as before, I don't feel as close to Him as before, and my spirit feels down when I am alone, yet I know He is here, and that it is only a matter of time when things will be back to normal again.
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my 6th post for the day, and more to come.

talk about spiritual stuff in every post very boring hor. I don't think there are any prebelievers reading this blog, even then, it might still be boring. I guess I am setting down God's track record in my life. His footprints. I think He's quite the amazing God, that's all. I love hearing from Him. That's all.
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a few days ago, I wrote about this passage, and how God had spoken. He reminded me something about this passage and its commentary again. So I shall share again.

From Joshua 23:14-16

"Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. But just as every good promise of the Lord your God has come true, so the Lord will bring on you all the evil he has threatened, until he has destroyed you from this good land he has give you. If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord's anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given."

Commentary
Numerous stories in the book of Judges show what Israel had to suffer because of failure to follow God wholeheartedly. God was supremely loving and patient with Israel, just as he is today. But we must not confuse his patience with us as approval of indifference to our sin. Beware of demanding your own way because eventually you may get it - along with all its painful consequences.

My Own Experience

Before I got together with my first gf, I remembered that I liked her very much as a friend, and we were very close, yet I didn't know that gay relationships existed at that time, particularly for myself. I remembered during that period of time when we first got to know each other, I prayed to God to let us get together. I can't remember the exact words, but it was pretty clear that I wanted to be together with her. And so it happened. The next 5 years were the happiest years in my life, yet things had to end, and we took turns experiencing pain and all the negative emotions which came along with the break up. I guess that was what it meant, that God gives us choice, He gives us free will, and He won't stop us when we insist on our way. But there will be consequences to our choices.

Is the Lord then bad or disappointing as some who had been through failure would say? I think not. God is good, all the time. I am thankful He has sealed that revelation in my heart. That is how and why I try not to obsessive over the things I want. If they are not meant to be, they are not meant to be. It's such a thin line to draw between nonchalance and contentment. For now, I think I will just keep looking to Him.
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bubble tea

so my prayer buddy and I were semi catching up after prayer. I told her jokingly that I needed deliverance from Bubble tea. It wasn't the typically thing to be asked to be prayed for, so she jokingly prayed for me after she sensed that I was serious. She even offered to sms me to remind me to stay away from bubble tea, one day at a time.

And so she did. She texted me in the morning, and I responded that I did not have a craving at all. Thank God.

2 hours later, after the bangra training with the kids, I walked back to my table, only to find a cup of bubble milk tea on my table. My kind-hearted colleagues who went out for lunch, got a cup for me. So sweet... both my colleagues and the bubble tea. Of course I drank it. Sigh.

I found out that there is actually a bubble tea forum, but there is no Bubble Tea Anoymous.
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Cats in the Cradle Rocks

They are simply fabulous.

Excellent showsmanship.

Victoria Bitter

Familiar Australian taste

Indochine Wisma
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God's miraculous work in Covenant 2

By the end of the 2nd service last Sunday, Pastor announced in the 3rd service that the full sum of $25 million dollars for Covenant 2 has been fully paid for, without drawing on church reserves, without drawing on a bank loan, testifying once again about The Lord's goodness before we start the first service at Woodlands this Sunday.

Since the Lord called for Covenant 2 to be built to reach the Northern Corridors of Singapore 2 years ago, the Lord has provided graciously. How then, can a moderate sized church raise an average of 1 million a month despite of the fact that the average age of the congregation is in its mid-thirties. At that age, they are mostly young families with children to take care of.

While I was praying with my prayer buddy on Thursday, our zone pastor came over and shared his journey of faith in Covenant with us. He was the Pastor from a very rich church located in town until he was called to Covenant as a pastor. In his old church, their money was their greatest resource, not just for themselves, but for the neighbouring churches in town as well. They had a huge base of money to draw on due to their investments despite being in deficit for the thith and offerings every month. Therefore, it was a scary thing for him when he came to Covenant, because building Covenant 2 means starting from scratch with no church reserves to draw from. It was a journey of faith for Him, yet He learnt what it was to trust in God and His promises. Every week, whenever Covenant Pastors meet, he said that they were never worried, only prayerful. And God had proven Himself faithful once again.

I wished I could live with that kind of vision. Knowing clearly that God has called, and having the faith and the obedience to following that calling, not needing to worry for anything, but trusting that everything will be provided, simply because He has called.
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4th MC this year

I finally caved in, to all my tireness, my weariness in trying to keep myself busy so I would not think too much. I took medical leave on Wednesday giving myself the reason that I had menstrual cramps, which didn't come at full force till the next day. I slept off my tireness, I slept till I couldn't sleep anymore. Then I marked.

Just when I thought I was feeling better, I received the shock of my life later that night. I just feel so sad that I have to feel fear and distress towards someone I used to share my life with.

The one who initates the break normally gets the negative labels. I am just comforted that God sees everything, and He sees my heart, and He knows exactly what had been going on and how I have never deceived anyone during this whole journey, I had been honest with how I feel and made it known. I just need God, at this point in time, to clear up my rubbish from within me. All the accompanying fear, guilt, anger that has grown inside of me all these while. All unnecessary but the consequences from what had happened. He will make all things right in His time. I have to learn to let go and surrender my heart to Him.

Be strong and courageous. Be strong and courageous. Be strong and courageous.
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