Sunday, 24 February 2008

My Favourite CNY Photo

I don't have the habit of taking photos during Chinese New Year (CNY). This year is no different.

However, the church staff family went to have a CNY lunch at a Thai restaurant in Parkway Parade last friday. During the lunch Yin San went around happily taking photos. Below is one of the them. This would be my favourite CNY 2008 photo. I think I do look like a super slim bull. :)


Tuesday, 19 February 2008

Starting a Journey of Reading, Reflecting & Retelling

I am currently starting a journey of reading, reflecting and retelling (sharing my reflection). This is as the group I am part of (AG1 of Hope Singapore) is starting a 40-day (or more) YA discipleship campaign. My material for this discipleship campaign is "Devotions for Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life" by Charles R Swindoll.

I actually started my reading last week. But let me just consider yesterday as day 1. Yesterday, from the book, I read a chapter on the topic of patience. The title of the reading is "Impatience". Below is my reflection for the reading.

The chapter talks about how impatient we can be in our daily life (e.g. facing long queue, traffic jam, flight delay, etc) In short, we don't like delay. We want what we want when we want it.

Swindoll points out that the pre-believing people around us (in our daily life) do not care or impressed by our Bible knowledge. But they do take note of our attitude that includes patience or impatience.

Am I gracious when I have to face some delay? Or am I as impatient as everybody else who hasn't got the love of Christ in their heart?

Two seemingly unrelated thoughts came to me on the topic of impatience and patience.

First, delay can be a gift. It came to me that delay can be a gift from God to us. It is a gift because it is an opportunity for some character development. It is a gift because we are reminded once again that we are not in control, God is. It is a gift because God may throw in some surprises during those times if we maintain our cool and be sensitive to what God wants to do and say to us.

Second, be patient with ourselves. Sometimes, we get frustrated with ourselves because we do not change or grow as fast as we want it to be. But self-beating seldom helps. Self-condemnation is not biblical. If the sincere desire to change and grow is there. If we have taken steps towards change and growth. If we are depending on God for empowerment. Then we have to exercise patience with ourselves. We have to avoid the danger of perfectionism. (There is a thin line between excellence and perfectionism) We give our best. But we must be patient when our best is not perfect.

I want to take this opportunity to encourage my brothers and sisters from AG1 group. Let's have a wonderful discipleship journey together from today (or yesterday) till the end of March. If you have not started, don't condemn yourself, just start as soon as you can. If you miss one or two days, don't beat yourself, just come back to it again. This journey is not a journey of perfection. It is a journey for those who are imperfect. It is a journey of growing our character and spiritual maturity. It is a journey with Jesus.

And in case any of you needs the steps of the discipleship campaign again, here they are:

Step 1 – Buy, borrow or pick from your bookshelf a good material (once only)
(enough to last you for 40 days & more)

Step 2 – Read a portion of the material (each day)
Step 3 – Reflect upon what you have read (each day)
Step 4 – Journal your reflection (each day)
Step 5 – Share it with others (e.g. shepherding, cg meeting, dmm meeting, blog it, etc) (at least once a week)

Enjoy your journey! :)

Wednesday, 6 February 2008

Blessed Lunar New Year to You!

Lean Choo and I are currently in Segamat, her hometown, for CNY. I think this is either my 7the or 8th time spending CNY in Segamat. Segamat is a town in Johor State, around 2-3 hours by car from Johor Bahru.

We arrived yesterday following Christie's car. This was so convenient. We didn't have to buy bus or train tickets. Actually, we tried to buy train tickets but they were completely sold out.

When we arrived in Lean Choo's house, another pleasant surprise was waiting for us. The house is now equipped with broadband wireless connection. I am so happy to have easy internet connection. I am sure utilising my laptop and internet connection to the full, even right now. Thank God.

Anyway, Lean Choo and I just want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Blessed Lunar New Year wherever you are. And to those who are not celebrating CNY we wish you a Happy Holiday.

May you all have a fruitful and enriching time with family members, relatives & friends and may God give you some pleasant surprises during this festive occassion!