Finally finished Genesis!

On to Mark!
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Questions for a free thinker

What kind of free thinker are you? A logical one or illogical one?

If you are a logical free thinker, what is the philosophical basis for your free thinking?
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expectations

they say that we shouldn't have expectations of our partners when in a relationship.

and so I have been managing my expectations.

But how wonderful it will be if expectations are exceeded from time to time.
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One common message

Perhaps it is good to listen to different pastors preaching from all denominations. Perhaps it is good to read books by different authors. Perhaps it is good to sing a variety of christian songs. We then will be able to fish out what is a Non-negotiable level 2* and a negotiable. And the common message.

*Non-negotiable level 2 consist of beliefs which are in between the Non-negotiable (the beliefs of the christian faith that would separate a cult and a church) and the Negotiables ( how often to take communion, styles of baptism, etc)
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Bleah

I can't believe Hillsong Brisbane webbie does not have information of their staff. When I click on Pastors, they only acknowledged Brian and Bobbie Houston. How can?

I was looking for the name of the guy who preached last Sunday. He's a wise guy. He's wise because he's able to use the word of God to reach into the hearts of the congregation. He has that balance between being grounded in the word and being empowered by the spirit.

This is from him:

A christian is not someone who reads the bible, but he/she reads the bible.
A christian is not someone who tithes, but he/she tithes.
A christian is not someone who lifts their hands in worship but they do.

This guy got it right.
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I shall attempt to sleep in tonight..

I had wanted to sleep in this morning! Then I had to pee. Grrrrr. I decided to get up at half past 8 to pee (half past 8 during the hols is insane!).

Read till Genesis 17. Read the papers. Checked my mail ( I have not checked my work mail for about a 2 weeks now), facebooked, chatted on msn, did some research on different stuff. Met S for lunch. Caught up with A over exercise. THen get to see the sayoni gals and the SH for tennis. Quite a productive day, won't you say? :)
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Back to exercising.

It's great being back in Singapore getting back to the routine of exercising. I weighed myself at the gym on Monday and realised I put on 1.5 kg! All the chocolate and fish and chips and the good life..

We went to the gym on Monday, then I took a walk with A to catch up this afternoon. The rather brisk walk took about an hour and a half. Then we had a tennis game. And now I am feeling sleepy. :)

I love the way I feel after exercise. Alert, lively and fit. Hiak hiak.
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my skin

I am using SK2. Hiak hiak. My skin has always been bad. I have had breakouts since I was 11 and my itchy hands then led to more than a few scars on my face. Since I found Nuskin's collagen (Celltrex), my skin has improved quite significantly. THe pores are considerably smaller and celltrex keeps my skin supple enough.

In the past few years, the price for the Celltrex seemed to have increased. What used to be about 40 dollars for a 50 ml bottle(1998) is now $82. After hearing K rave about SK2's miracle water, I decided to get a bottle from DFS to try when I got back from Aussieland. It's way cheaper than Celltrex and at DFS. If it really works well for my skin, I might very well be a faithful SK2 user, like I have been a faithful Nuskin user for the past 10 years.

All those who have great skin, count yourself blessed. :)
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ah...

orh.. everything and everyone before Noah is evil... So Noah is the first Jesus-like creation. :D
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reading genesis

the bible said that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. (Genesis 5)

I am just puzzled what man can do to deem him so evil. And when was the moment in time when man stopped becoming so evil. Maybe the comparison was made by the perfect God versus the imperfect man. We sin everyday, even now. There are sins of commision which would be fewer for christians who are walking closely with God, but there are also sins of omission; things we are supposed to do but we did not.

I need to get to the habit of coming to repentance daily.
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Renewed, Refreshed

my heart is touched when I see the gals in PLUSH rising up, taking the initiative to take on responsibilities as much as they can. Things are changing for the better. Gotta keep praying.

At Hillsong Brisbane, I teared. Out of no reason at all. I can only reckon that I was touched by the presence of God. He's all lovely, all worthy, all wonderful.
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Song of the week

Saving Grace - Hillsong


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCkfu4nzBtk

Night and day I seek Your face
Long for You in the secret place
All I want in this life
Is to truly know you more...

As the waters cover the sea,
So Your love covers me
Guiding me on,
Roads unkown
I trust in You alone

CHORUS
My Saving Grace
My endless love
Deeper and deeper I'm falling in love with You
My one desire
My only truth
Deeper and deeper I'm falling in love with you

BRIDGE
And I will rise on wings of eagles
Soaring high above all my fears
I rest in Your open arms of love
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haha..

I do the head-fake. Unconsciously.
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A thought

All your intelligence in the world means nothing if you have not the heart for the people in your life.
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still from The Last Lecture

Too many people go through life complaining about their problems. I've always believed that if you took one-tenth the energy you put into complaining and applied it to solving the problem, you'd be surprised by how well things can work out.

Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won't make us happier.
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During the stipulated hour of QT..

I am convinced that there are far too many voices in the world today. I really need to hear the voice of God myself.

I browsed through one book last night and one this morning. Both presented opposing points of view on how God is viewed. On one hand, one author says that God only gives us good things and anything bad is from the devil. An example he mentioned is that natural disasters, war, etc. are from the devil. (and of course, the author supplements his point of view with sufficient evidence from the bible).

Another author whose book I read this morning thinks that disasters and calamities are from God and he also has a few verses in the bible supporting his point of view, that both good and bad things are from God.

Based on the former's point of view, he would say that God ALLOWS us to be in situations and circumstances to help us grow. Based on the latter's point of view, he would say that God PUTS us in bad situations to help us grow. He calls that the discipline of adversity.

Take for example the verses below:

The Goal of Adversity

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:10-11


Both would agree with these verses from the bible, but it's the perspective which differs. Who is right? Maybe both of them are. Who is wrong? Maybe both of them are. To me, I am more prone to think that God only gives us good things and he allows us to be in certain circumstances that we would grow. Even if I am wrong, does that really matter? Afterall, the end result is the same. That we grow!

All these really convince me that our walk with God is really personal. Finding the peace of God and allowing the wisdom of God to guide my heart in the decisions that I make is perhaps most important for me right now.
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I think this is so beautiful..

" It is not the preaching of wrath, fiery indignation and judgement that will cause people's hearts to turn back to God. It is His goodness, grace and mercy. When you catch a glimpse of that, you cannot help but be overwhelmed by all that He is, and this will lead to true repentance.

Let people come to church to enjoy God's goodness because when they are impacted by His grace, repentance, holiness and godliness will surely follow. In the same way that you cannot be under the sun without getting a tan, you cannot be under grace without becoming holy."

Pastor Prince ( Destined to Reign)


Indeed indeed. That was and is my journey. I never was receptive when people preached hell to me . But of course, different people operate differently.

What does it mean to be God fearing then? I believe it is not about being afraid of facing the consequences for doing the wrong things. THe bible says that perfect love casts out fear. God fearing is perhaps knowing who God is, His attributes, that He is all knowing, all powerful, acknowledging His sovereignty and position. In regarding God correctly, we will realise how small we really are and how big He really is and hold a sense of respect and reverence for Him.
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Every relationship needs a third party

and that person is Jesus.
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I am counting down ...

to an Aussie Holiday with the SH! :)
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God is good..

I was sitting on the sofa having my breakfast and reading the papers when I was led to reflect on what God has been doing in my life.

I realised how my journey with Him had changed in the past 2 years. When I was learning and serving in Covenant, I learnt a lot about God from the preaching of His word, I learnt a lot about growing in depth in God, about service and the growth it can bring. I was encouraged and inspired. However, it was only when I had the chance to put that into practice when I was involved in FCC and Plush that true learning really took place.

I remembered my prayer very frequently then that He would transform me from inside and make me a better person, a better testimony, that He would deal with who I am inside and fix me up. And I had seen the process this morning, on how he has been doing just that through the circumstances that He had allowed me to be in. For once in my life, I had to struggle to do what is right. I learnt how to rely on Him to deal with my handicaps; my insecurities, my emotions, my heart. I learnt to look within and look for Him during the times when no one else could help.

I am so grateful for that. I am sure this journey has not ended and I am not sure where I am headed, but I am surely praying that I will keep my eyes fixed on Him and walk in step with Him because I am certain He will bring me to the place where He wants me to be.
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I would like to be that someone one day

Someone who listens well.
Someone who listens attentively.
Someone who does not take sides.
Someone who listens with empathy.
Someone who listens and not judge.
Someone who listens with compassion.
Someone who points to the right direction.
Someone who handles information in the right manner.
Someone who does not take offence on another's behalf.
Someone who knows when to be silent and when to offer counsel.
Someone who is strong enough not to be stumbled by what is said.

I pray that I would be all of that one day.
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funny

there is a reason for the safety distance between cars. But often, other cars take the opportunity to cut in. Bleah.

Actually, sometimes I do that too. :D
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