Thanksgiving

Just a few days ago, I considered takin up one tuition assignment to help build some funds just in case there's a need of any. But the thought of the 50% commission taken away in the first month is deterring. I wasn't very active seeking too because time is so much more precious for me than money. 

When I met an old friend,  I casually suggested to him my intention and he revealed that he is actually running a tuition agency with another partner, he told me that I only need to pay 1/4 month commission to his partner, that I can keep the other quarter for myself. Sounds better than 50% so he started to source for students for me. Just yesterday, he told me that he found one at cck and told me to call the mum. I wasn't very excited at all because I don't fit the profile of the kid.  Today, he told me I don't have to call her anymore because the mum only wants to pay 50 an hour and is looking for someone who has experience teaching secondary 1 English and who can handle her autistic daughter. I was just telling him. Maybe God thinks I shouldn't take up any assignment. 

Just one hour later, I received a call from my ex-tuition student's mum asking me to teach her girl again. I stopped because I was starting my masters programme a year ago. She said the tutor after me couldn't really teach well though she was supposedly an experienced teacher. And her daughter actually hinted very strongly to get me back. Twice a week, an hour and a half each session sounds manageable. Also 50 an hour but with no commission charged. Plus the girl is really easy to teach. told her no promises after the June hols because of my schedule but she actually asked me to try once a week if possible. We will see how things are.  Thankful for just small signs like that (that immediate call after my friend said to forget about the secondary one kid).
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Random reflection 2

I realized that there is no one constant way in the way Jesus heals.

Sometimes he doesn't lay hands on the sick, sometimes people get healed when they merely touch Jesus or his clothes. Sometimes Jesus uses mud to rub on the eyes and ask them to wash themselves in the river.

The point? I think miraculous living is not doing what Jesus has done. People don't get healed one single way. It's the spirit of God in Jesus who heals using different modes of healing. So the anointing oil, the holy communion, being prayed on by people, prayer for ourselves, listening to healing sermons... All are modes of healing. It's the spirit of God who heals. Perhaps God knows that people are primitive and need to use physical objects to increase their faith. ;)

And I wonder if God is trying to tell me something, because within a span of one week, 3 different ones have recommended the holy communion, the anointing oil and healing sermons... in additional to the usual prayers.. Whatever works I guess.. According to the faith of the one being ministered to, and the minister.
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Random reflection

Just a random thought: I realised that I am more drawn to people who are not so perfect but spends time with God in word, prayer, ministry and have a reliant and dependent relationship with god rather than someone who's more perfect but depends more on themselves than God.  Having said that, I think people in the first group needs to be constant communion with God in order not to have the old self overwhelm the new self.
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Holiday reflection

My best friend at work is quite the worrier. Because she's an excellent worker, she regards all rules and regulations as necessary and follows them to the book.  Admirable. Since I don't see the rationale why certain things must be done a certain way.  And so, the latest piece of instruction that caused her some form of worry was the rule about teachers' dress code. The new P stipulated that the length of the dress or skirt must be slightly below the knee. All her skirts and dresses are either at knee length or slightly above the knee. Not much of an issue of concern in my point of view because she looks every bit of the professional teacher that she is. She was grouchy and kept complaining how she has to change her entire wardrobe. I told her that piece of instruction is not for her but for the majority who aren't quite dressing professionally. It only took her a visit to her reporting officer, the VP , who, more or less said what I said that she felt more assured. 

I was reading the book of John where Jesus healed on the Sabbath and the Pharisees found an issue with that because according to God's law, everyone's supposed to rest on the Sabbath. To that, Jesus replied," My Father is always working, and so am I."  I have always believed that God gives certain instructions for a reason. Everything that he tells us about what to do or what not to do in the bible is only for the reason that He loves us and desires an intimate relationship with us. In this case, I believe that He doesn't want us to work on a Sabbath because He knows that we need to be reminded to spend time with Him. On the other hand, Jesus could work on the Sabbath because he knows when to spend time with his Father. He needs not this reminder that majority of God's children needs.  What is to stop us from serving others on the Sabbath when we know when to spend time with our Father, right?
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Volunteering

Volunteering in terms of reaching out to old folks or unreached people groups has never been a strong calling in my life. I have often thought about what's wrong with my theology that I do not have that much of a desire and passion to go to orphanages and old folks' homes to serve. I don't think it's a lack of love. Neither is it a lack of compassion. I still have no idea why my heart is not passionate towards these groups of people. This time, the 2 main reasons why I went was because three dear friends took the time and effort to organise the event. Also, I felt that it's important that I go and serve in this area. Sometimes, I just need to be kicked in the butt.

At the end of it all, there was a feeling of peace, a certain sense of serenity, and I guess that's God's way of saying, you have done something right. I figured that it's not how we feel in doing God's work. Sometimes we may know that it's the right thing to do but we don't act on it because we do not feel like it. Because feelings are unreliable and of the flesh, sometimes, if possible, it is best that we just do what is right in God's eyes, because we will be ultimately blessed by it in the end. ANd maybe then, we will get an answer from God that would help us increase our understanding of how we ought to live.

ALl in all, I am thankful for the giving hearts of the three organisers. Way proud of them :)God bless their hearts.
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thanksgiving after thanksgiving

So.... as I was giving thanks that the car runs very powerfully at third and fourth gear, it couldn't start after CG. Turns out it was a battery problem. Thankful for Kyn, Junior and Space who stayed with me till the guy came.

Guess what? Another thanksgiving. The car is running powerfully at first and second gear too. So amazing. :) For those who were not present, I also shared that Jaime the real estate agent texted christa and I to ask if we wanted to take over the place when we officially take over the keys on June 15. For those who remembered, tenancy actually ends 15th July. Christa's current lease ends June 15th. So before, we could only start renovation works after 15th July, which was the reason why Christa was looking for a place to stay for about one month while renovation take...s place. Having the tenant vacate by 15th June voluntarily, it means that we can start renovation from 15th June! A month earlier! That means by the time CHrista comes back from Canada, she can move in immediately! Isn't God's timing impeccable?

Plus, since my pink Vaio is under warranty, they changed the motherboard for me. Then they scratched the top of my laptop while servicing so they also changed the top shell for me. Looks brand new now. I have been giving thanks a lot on material possessions these 3 weeks. Thing is, money has never been THAT important in my life, so to give thanks continually regarding God's material blessings on me is a bit uncomfortable for me. But I guess in all these that God has provided, I am touched by what He provides and how He has worked more so than the blessing itself. Still giving thanks for the blessing though. :) His love is bursting out of my tiny heart. :) .

Thanksgiving

And so, I collected the car and exercised my option to buy the condo yesterday. The events that have transpired in the last two weeks made me feel like an adult. Having to put my signature on sheets of paper that leads to binding contracts gave the apprehensive feel, given that I usually do not act spontanteously.I have never been someone who prays for material blessings because I don't regard money very highly. But God has been really gracious in the provision of the condo, the car, the laptop which is nearly brand new now that it has been fixed whilst under warranty, and hopefully this iPhone when I bring it for exchange because it hung on me 5 times since yesterday evening. I am continually thankful for God's blessings and pray that all these "acquisitions" will indirectly bless others too.
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