I guess Daryl pretty much summarised this blog up: Optimism, almost idealistic at times.
It must get annoying reading Tim's blog. Especially when you're in a cynical or critical mood. What is this guy saying? He's just being dumb, that can't ever happen! Stop trying to be a saint! Does Tim ever get into an emo mood? Or is he always on the bright side of things.
Optimism does have its benefits, simplistic faith in God is always a virtue to have, it brings such comfort to a tearing soul when one knows that the greatest being on earth has everything under His control, and that being a child of God, we will always be safe in His arms. Much optimism has to be credited to God as a result. Without Him to depend on, most of us would have already sobbed ourselves dry. Experiences are important, once you've seen God work b4, you'll keep believing forever. Optimism comes from a simple faith.
sometimes smart people find it hardest to believe, in fact most of the time. Ironically i'm saying this. But it's perhaps because i'm not smart at all. Contrary to popular thought, to be honest, Tim is so simple minded he is often seen as an idealist, naive, and silly. Sometimes we just have to let go of questions and start believing. It's never easy though, like letting go of a ridge on a high mountain or jumping across a gaping hole, the leap of faith is so difficult to perform sometimes.
It's hard to explain faith. How can one possibly believe in something one cannot see. Many Atheists ask that, many Christians want that. We are so visually and results-oriented. Now. We want to see it happen now. And we reason, we use logical deduction. Human means. Faith is so beyond that, it is so simple, yet so complex. Something we'll never understand, and i'll never try to explain. I just simply believe.
And that's the key to optimism. Believe in God. Have faith and take the leap of faith. In times of trouble, keep focused on that ray from heaven, its always there....just open up your eyes and beyond the cloud of fear, anxiety, grief, you will see a ray of light break forth, and your hopes will be rejuvenated.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Too Busy for God?
Gradually, finding myself in the midst of an increasing amount of ministry, I start to get worried over becoming too busy for God.
Not that being busy for God is a bad thing. In fact God delights in seeing us work for Him and attributing to Him the glory that is He deserves. God has definitely blessed me with many outlets for ministry: Church worship, Church Youth, Boys' Brigade, and I am most grateful for these things. However, with ministry come commitments and stress, we may find ourselves getting tired sometimes, starting to loathe God's work, getting sick of carrying out duties, finding it a burden. When it comes to this. We'd better sit down and spend some time with God.
Fortunately i haven't arrived at that stage yet. However i fear that in all my business i might fall into such a state. It's ironic that Satan can use ministry to distract you from God, and this is something all more matured Christians should consider. Ministry is an excellent distraction, credits to the devil for picking it, making one feel that he is doing something for the Lord, yet slowly leading him away from the source of strength, letting him slowly rot inside, is a brilliant way of taking out a person committed to serving God. We must always be on guard.
That's right. Spending time with God is so important, even in the midsts of ministry. I'm constantly reminded by people around me to reconsider why i'm serving and who i'm serving. It's always good to sit back and think about such things, and talk to God about such things. Ask God to replenish you again. Remember that we are all but channels of blessing, and channels of blessing cannot retain, and become painfully empty when detached from the source of blessing. Service should always sprout from love, love for God and love for His creation - that is men. If we find it hard to love people, can we say that we love God? That would make us liars.
I really pray for all those, including myself, who are so busy with ministry or work, that sometimes we forget the person who has blessed us with ministry in the first place. God delights in us serving Him, but He delights more in us spending quality time with Him. Find back that first love, start to love God again, and He will fill us with strength and joy to continue serving Him for eternity.
If one gets too busy, then stop serving, or seek to decrease the amount of service. It is better not to serve than to serve with an empty heart. Return to worship, and get back to God. I say this not only to others, but as a reminder to myself. I tend to forget God sometimes, but remember that He never forgets us, and He's always waiting for us to return to him. Let's never forget our quiet time, our spiritual manna, and the reason why we serve Him and serve men!
Amen.
Not that being busy for God is a bad thing. In fact God delights in seeing us work for Him and attributing to Him the glory that is He deserves. God has definitely blessed me with many outlets for ministry: Church worship, Church Youth, Boys' Brigade, and I am most grateful for these things. However, with ministry come commitments and stress, we may find ourselves getting tired sometimes, starting to loathe God's work, getting sick of carrying out duties, finding it a burden. When it comes to this. We'd better sit down and spend some time with God.
Fortunately i haven't arrived at that stage yet. However i fear that in all my business i might fall into such a state. It's ironic that Satan can use ministry to distract you from God, and this is something all more matured Christians should consider. Ministry is an excellent distraction, credits to the devil for picking it, making one feel that he is doing something for the Lord, yet slowly leading him away from the source of strength, letting him slowly rot inside, is a brilliant way of taking out a person committed to serving God. We must always be on guard.
That's right. Spending time with God is so important, even in the midsts of ministry. I'm constantly reminded by people around me to reconsider why i'm serving and who i'm serving. It's always good to sit back and think about such things, and talk to God about such things. Ask God to replenish you again. Remember that we are all but channels of blessing, and channels of blessing cannot retain, and become painfully empty when detached from the source of blessing. Service should always sprout from love, love for God and love for His creation - that is men. If we find it hard to love people, can we say that we love God? That would make us liars.
I really pray for all those, including myself, who are so busy with ministry or work, that sometimes we forget the person who has blessed us with ministry in the first place. God delights in us serving Him, but He delights more in us spending quality time with Him. Find back that first love, start to love God again, and He will fill us with strength and joy to continue serving Him for eternity.
If one gets too busy, then stop serving, or seek to decrease the amount of service. It is better not to serve than to serve with an empty heart. Return to worship, and get back to God. I say this not only to others, but as a reminder to myself. I tend to forget God sometimes, but remember that He never forgets us, and He's always waiting for us to return to him. Let's never forget our quiet time, our spiritual manna, and the reason why we serve Him and serve men!
Amen.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
What Are Best Friends For?
So what are Best friends for? and what makes a best friend? Is there some sort of criteria? hmm...so many questions and so little time to blog.
It's funny how friendships are formed. Put a couple of ppl together, force them to be together for a week or so, and soon you get a chemical bonanza of cliques and friendships that are formed. Even a few days would suffice in fact (church camp was just 4 days). Of course, all friendships start on the basis of something superficial...similar interests, same class, same bus, soccer khakis, you name it. But all friendships start that way. No friendship is ever serious at first.
It's funny how loosely the word 'best friend' is used. I used to say that i had lots of 'best friends', without realising the singular nature of 'best'. Still, i made lots of best friends. Most notably Fab, following up from P1 till now. But lots of times i've felt that 'best friends' has become a label, something that we are obligated to keep....or perhaps there is something deeper than that.
It comes a moment when both parties attain a certain level of trust, with personal issues and problems and such, and with even secrets. The friendship grows beyond the superficiality of interests and idle talking. Take it a notch up and you get what you call 'best friends'...it's a long and painful process, but you get there, somehow, and somehow that obligation as 'best friends' keeps you going with a passion and love for one another. It's funny.
Best friends...expected to always be together, talking, chatting, helping one another, always there for one another. Expected, but surprisingly not true. Sometimes, Best friends don't appear as best friends. It's funny, but I've never been the one who talks most with Fab or with Ding, in class i'm staying real far from them, occasionally striking up a conversation. But that's mainly due to the fact that there are others around. And others to interact with.
When it comes down to the crux, that's where you know who your bestest friends are. Best friends are always there in sorrow, in loneliness...i'm sure you guys all know that already. Jesus was always there for me, for us, and He is surely are best friend no? But that aside, earthly best friends are also always sticking near to one another in adversity. When the rest of the world shows little concern, your best friends will always be there!
Best friends might not be the one who console you the most. They might just keep quiet, staying close to you, but not uttering a word. Who said love had to be expressed verbally, just your presence, just your gaze, is suffice to warm a cold heart :D Best friends accept one another's flaws, and are forever loving and forgiving.
Friends are important. The best of friendships are both joyful yet painful. And that's something for all of us to discover.
It's funny how friendships are formed. Put a couple of ppl together, force them to be together for a week or so, and soon you get a chemical bonanza of cliques and friendships that are formed. Even a few days would suffice in fact (church camp was just 4 days). Of course, all friendships start on the basis of something superficial...similar interests, same class, same bus, soccer khakis, you name it. But all friendships start that way. No friendship is ever serious at first.
It's funny how loosely the word 'best friend' is used. I used to say that i had lots of 'best friends', without realising the singular nature of 'best'. Still, i made lots of best friends. Most notably Fab, following up from P1 till now. But lots of times i've felt that 'best friends' has become a label, something that we are obligated to keep....or perhaps there is something deeper than that.
It comes a moment when both parties attain a certain level of trust, with personal issues and problems and such, and with even secrets. The friendship grows beyond the superficiality of interests and idle talking. Take it a notch up and you get what you call 'best friends'...it's a long and painful process, but you get there, somehow, and somehow that obligation as 'best friends' keeps you going with a passion and love for one another. It's funny.
Best friends...expected to always be together, talking, chatting, helping one another, always there for one another. Expected, but surprisingly not true. Sometimes, Best friends don't appear as best friends. It's funny, but I've never been the one who talks most with Fab or with Ding, in class i'm staying real far from them, occasionally striking up a conversation. But that's mainly due to the fact that there are others around. And others to interact with.
When it comes down to the crux, that's where you know who your bestest friends are. Best friends are always there in sorrow, in loneliness...i'm sure you guys all know that already. Jesus was always there for me, for us, and He is surely are best friend no? But that aside, earthly best friends are also always sticking near to one another in adversity. When the rest of the world shows little concern, your best friends will always be there!
Best friends might not be the one who console you the most. They might just keep quiet, staying close to you, but not uttering a word. Who said love had to be expressed verbally, just your presence, just your gaze, is suffice to warm a cold heart :D Best friends accept one another's flaws, and are forever loving and forgiving.
Friends are important. The best of friendships are both joyful yet painful. And that's something for all of us to discover.
What Are Best Friends For?
you know...i'll talk about this another day. But being inspired by Sean to blog about such a topic. I'll leave a reminder to myself lah :D
kk v.late liao. did a new skin today, but won't be using yet, lest ian says that i change my skins periodically like a snake :D
kk v.late liao. did a new skin today, but won't be using yet, lest ian says that i change my skins periodically like a snake :D
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Of Birthdays and Thieves
It was a lucky day after BB. There was something odd. People were missing stuff.
I rummaged through my stuff to check if everything was there. The front pocket was left open. Wait...did i open it in the first place. All around people were exclaiming that they had lost handphones...wallets...whole bags. Whilst still in the midst of denial and confusion...i guess i eventually realised that my wallet had been stolen. All that was left was a packet of tissue (Thank God i had the tissue at least :D). With the wallet disappeared 25 bucks, the House Card key (oh noes!), my EZ link with my soooo very cute p6 photo...and the Camp Temasek BB photo :(
Emil was almost on the brink of tears though...and no one could blame him...it was one spanking new handphone bought on the day before and a recently bought ipod...among the things in the stolen bag. We prayed over it. And hopefully God will bring everything to justice one day. We might never know who did it...or why. But not a single deed will be left unexposed on the day of judgement. On that note. We weren't filled with anger...rather just confused. And if that person were to own up...he would definitely be greeted with love...not hatred :D
Mr Sim's bdae party was a big big big big big joke. The moment we stepped into MacDonalds we knew something was really very wrong. Tiny knee high chairs and knee high tables, party hats with cheesy pictures printed on....we were in for a joke :D
But i must say it was fun...for the simple reason that everyone was there...and that we had a great time with one another in fellowship. Whether it was 'Passing the Parcel' to the tune of 'This Old Man', watching Yang Jian do like 50 pushups in under a minute, Ice-cream eating competition, Musical Chairs (where we cheated by putting the chairs that were taken back :D...and when they were taken out again from one side, we replaced another set on the other side...so the chairs never were taken :D) or limbo..seriously...how low (as in low) could we go? This was terrible :D terribly fun that is.
We had a pathetic dinner though. One cheeseburger, a regular milo and a tiny cup of strawberry youghurt simply wasn't enough. Not to mention it was chocolate cake. Doh. But anyway. People bought fries to supplement unsatisfied stomachs...and the fries were snatched up within a split second. Aiyoh. We were going to make Wesley pay for it...hmm maybe next week...his bdae :D
But anyway. Wesley was sick and couldn't make it. Much to his joy? nah..he said he was really quite sad he couldn't make it...poor thing lah.
Anyway we had fun. The MacDonald's Staff had fun. Alex kept saying he was a 5 year old girl..and that cracked everyone up. 'Auntie' Carol treated us as 2 year olds. she said we were a really tough crowd and that she was 'disappointed' but we knew she was having a splendid time.
We decided to pay Wes a visit after that. Wes's dad was really great to ferry us to his house. I must remark that Wesley's family was one of the most hospitable i've seen in a long while...so kind so friendly and we all felt so at home though me and fab were there for like the first time. We talked of many many things...so boliao. And Fab would vividly remember weird stuff that we (actually more of alex) did. The evidence is in the handphones...please don't put on Youtube :P!!!! But anyway. It was just really bad. Alex went overboard. Again. I decline to comment further. DELETE THE VIDEO!
rights. Got to go...
I rummaged through my stuff to check if everything was there. The front pocket was left open. Wait...did i open it in the first place. All around people were exclaiming that they had lost handphones...wallets...whole bags. Whilst still in the midst of denial and confusion...i guess i eventually realised that my wallet had been stolen. All that was left was a packet of tissue (Thank God i had the tissue at least :D). With the wallet disappeared 25 bucks, the House Card key (oh noes!), my EZ link with my soooo very cute p6 photo...and the Camp Temasek BB photo :(
Emil was almost on the brink of tears though...and no one could blame him...it was one spanking new handphone bought on the day before and a recently bought ipod...among the things in the stolen bag. We prayed over it. And hopefully God will bring everything to justice one day. We might never know who did it...or why. But not a single deed will be left unexposed on the day of judgement. On that note. We weren't filled with anger...rather just confused. And if that person were to own up...he would definitely be greeted with love...not hatred :D
Mr Sim's bdae party was a big big big big big joke. The moment we stepped into MacDonalds we knew something was really very wrong. Tiny knee high chairs and knee high tables, party hats with cheesy pictures printed on....we were in for a joke :D
But i must say it was fun...for the simple reason that everyone was there...and that we had a great time with one another in fellowship. Whether it was 'Passing the Parcel' to the tune of 'This Old Man', watching Yang Jian do like 50 pushups in under a minute, Ice-cream eating competition, Musical Chairs (where we cheated by putting the chairs that were taken back :D...and when they were taken out again from one side, we replaced another set on the other side...so the chairs never were taken :D) or limbo..seriously...how low (as in low) could we go? This was terrible :D terribly fun that is.
We had a pathetic dinner though. One cheeseburger, a regular milo and a tiny cup of strawberry youghurt simply wasn't enough. Not to mention it was chocolate cake. Doh. But anyway. People bought fries to supplement unsatisfied stomachs...and the fries were snatched up within a split second. Aiyoh. We were going to make Wesley pay for it...hmm maybe next week...his bdae :D
But anyway. Wesley was sick and couldn't make it. Much to his joy? nah..he said he was really quite sad he couldn't make it...poor thing lah.
Anyway we had fun. The MacDonald's Staff had fun. Alex kept saying he was a 5 year old girl..and that cracked everyone up. 'Auntie' Carol treated us as 2 year olds. she said we were a really tough crowd and that she was 'disappointed' but we knew she was having a splendid time.
We decided to pay Wes a visit after that. Wes's dad was really great to ferry us to his house. I must remark that Wesley's family was one of the most hospitable i've seen in a long while...so kind so friendly and we all felt so at home though me and fab were there for like the first time. We talked of many many things...so boliao. And Fab would vividly remember weird stuff that we (actually more of alex) did. The evidence is in the handphones...please don't put on Youtube :P!!!! But anyway. It was just really bad. Alex went overboard. Again. I decline to comment further. DELETE THE VIDEO!
rights. Got to go...
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
An Email to Ding....
(thought this would be a good summary of the past events anyway...and to show fab that yes...i've finally emailed Ding :D)
Hey Ding.
Heard you've been online quite a bit, perhaps it's just me who always seems to be on at the wrong time. Hope you'll come online to MSN soon, think we'll both have lots of stuff to tell one another. lol...been rather unfaithful with this weekly mail thing. sorry sorry, but the schedule disallows it sometimes. Finally got down to emailing you..don't want to lose touch with such an important friend huh? :D
Work's been piling up, not sure if you still want that post thing. Mrs Carol Low says she's sending you the chem stuff...maybe even Daniel Yew. Still trying to collect hwk for you, stuffing it into a certain locker 12 outside the class, just unsure of what to do with it. Some suggestion there perhaps? Hope you're coping fine with some self-study of your own and that Saturday school lesson thing.
hmm...just wondering...when school starts in Sept for you, what Grade will you be? Grade 11?
Oh that reminds me of that piano exam coming up...craps. Grade 8 exams, haven't been practicing or anything...so i'm like gonna fail or something..oh wait why am i telling you this.
What's worth telling about would probably be what's up at BB :). You'll be filled with joy to know that things are really starting to change around here...and so many great things are happening even as God begins to move within our midsts here. Moving from regimental to spiritual is a mammoth task, but hopefully you'll keep us in prayers and when you're back (hopefully in primers) we can see God work together...it'll be great.
Mr Charles is back, and he's added a new dimension to the spiritual aspect of BB. There's like weekly BS now and prayer meetings in the morning before parade. Looking for opportunities to touch the Sec1s lives. Even in the upcoming hike (yes you forgot there was a hike arh...btw it would be from Harborfront MRT back to school) the irony is we're trying to make it a spiritual experience...what would Jesus do if he were the hike leader? Love? Joy? Grace? how wonderful.
ROD's coming up (hope you still know what that is) but most of the IB ppl will definitely stay behind to help out in the BB. Live Praise will be on ROD...i'm leading...with emil..haha. Emil his usual self...bubbly and sometimes over excited...Mr Jonas Chow helping out a lot now..he's the worship officer. So we're trying to move to a more meaningful Live Praise...something beyond singing...some sort of testimony thing...to reach out to the sec1s...hey who knows? you might wanna send over a testimony of somekind and we'll read it on your behalf :D
Why am i telling all this to you? well...if you were here...you would be so filled with joy and renewed strength...it's just a refreshing experience to watch God work in our lives and in the BB. So i thought...since you can't witness...i'll tell ya all about it! Hopefully it's warmed your heart.
Been praying so hard for you everyday that you'll find your purpose in
SOCCER! Tien en, Ted Kin, Elliot, Eliel, Sloke, Justin....all in this new craze of soccer...yes they've all started playing...and they're really not that bad heh. Anyway, hopefully we can pull more over...so one day we'll all be late for class (oh yes..there was once we were super late for Shue's class...perspiring heavily, wet and soggy, and she asked us to stay out...because she scared we get sick...or maybe that was said sarcastically..but nevermind)
Soccer ball was punctured lol....sean was really really sad...so we've started using the Admin Room's ball...which we just coincidentally found lying around. :D We also always win soccer now...because apparently Daniel thinks that you're playing for us :D
Mdm Loo...keep her in your prayers k? Last week, Mdm Loo was hospitalized for an intestine surgery (removal of half the intestines...)...we visiited her at NUH...only to find her in a really weak state...he couldn't talk or move...was pale as a ghost..and from her sms looked like she was even ready to give up living. But by God's grace she's got better and should be back with us as soon as possible. Often we wonder why such crisis have to happen..but God has He's divine purpose. We prayed for Mdm Loo...and hope that she'll be touched by God in one way or another. (on a lighter note...we missed Chinese lessons for a week, even the uber long tuesday Chinese period...so CL ppl got jealous)
New LangArtsB teacher, a replacement for Maria Nathan...hmm Dr Singh...she's all the way from
Haha Ding you got 100 marks for Term 3 Core Math!! Because marks were taken from the investigation thingy :D happiness!
Romeo and Juliet in LangArts A. We've been watching various versions of it...including the very famous modernized version with Leonardo inside...and the weird weird Mercutio...and a version with Men in Tights...as most of the class like to call it. So ya..it's been weeks of sonnets and Shakepearean talk. I can't say i'm not enjoying it...but the IOC thingy is coming up and that's causing some concern...Of course Justin doesn't seem to mind at all.
IHS essay under way. Elaine Lee as lenient as before...she just took a glance at my Lit review and gave me full marks...saying that she wishes she could give me more than full marks...sigh.
Ok now for Physics...do read up on transformers (not the toys...) and for Chem...start on Organic Chem..more specifically the Alkanes and Alkenes first. You're smart enough so you'll do fine :D. Better than our class will..esp with half the class still treating Jason Chan like a clown..ok maybe Mr Chan is a clown in some way or another.
on a possibly comforting note to you...i haven't been doing much work as well...slacking a little here and there...playing neopets. (did i mention i quit SK :D) and just slacking typing messages like this to people..you know what i mean? World Cup's over but i'm still stuck to the tele (
OK Ding...hope to hear from ya soon...plz talk more leh....we're all starting to miss you liao...
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
A New Beginning
A new skin always signifies a new beginning. The end of sorrow and the beginning of joy.
Recently, there's been so much talk about revival and stuff pertaining to the second coming, and the rapture and the return of Christ. Lest we get too excited, let's always keep our focus on God, and He will make our paths straight. It's always good to remind ourselves of our higher calling, which is to shine in the darkness, to be the light of the world, salt of the earth, and to be a living testimony for God whereever we go, no matter how tough the circumstances.
An encouragement to Ding (if you are reading this...). America will bring it's challenges, it's temptations, but we all pray that you'll stay firmly rooted to the truth and to God, never forgetting your Christian values or forsaking your beliefs. Make you come out of this experience a changed person, changed for the better, and never for the worse. There's a chinese saying that goes, that a out of the muddy mire comes the white lillies. Stay pure and holy even in the midst of temptation Ding! On a side note...starting to miss Ding a little, will email him perhaps...
Youth Camp this year is incidentally being led along the path of Outreach, what an appropriate skin to complement this theme! Let's shine for Jesus and save as many as we can by God's grace so that when the day comes, as few as possible will have to suffer the pain of hell and eternal suffering. I'd hate to see people dying just because we were not doing our duty on earth. Of course, with this challenge comes the lack of courage to witness, which i firmly believe God will help us all to overcome. Let' s stay close to Him and draw strength and wisdom from Him!
BB, all this change and everything, most encouraging, and i truly truly thank God for seeing us through and showing us a little glimpse of His radiant glory. Hopefully our faces will also radiate, having seen His goodness. and let this be a testimony to all the world that our God is an awesome and great God.
Live Praise coming up. Gots to plan something. Gots to pray. And gots to rely on God for song choices and the inspiration for prayer.
So till Christ comes again. Keep shining for Him! Keep growing closer to Him! It'll all be worth it one day!
God, Christ smiling at us...saying 'Well done, good and faithful servant!' and we tumble into His soft and tender embrace. That's something to look forward to. :) (smile guys...smile!)
Recently, there's been so much talk about revival and stuff pertaining to the second coming, and the rapture and the return of Christ. Lest we get too excited, let's always keep our focus on God, and He will make our paths straight. It's always good to remind ourselves of our higher calling, which is to shine in the darkness, to be the light of the world, salt of the earth, and to be a living testimony for God whereever we go, no matter how tough the circumstances.
An encouragement to Ding (if you are reading this...). America will bring it's challenges, it's temptations, but we all pray that you'll stay firmly rooted to the truth and to God, never forgetting your Christian values or forsaking your beliefs. Make you come out of this experience a changed person, changed for the better, and never for the worse. There's a chinese saying that goes, that a out of the muddy mire comes the white lillies. Stay pure and holy even in the midst of temptation Ding! On a side note...starting to miss Ding a little, will email him perhaps...
Youth Camp this year is incidentally being led along the path of Outreach, what an appropriate skin to complement this theme! Let's shine for Jesus and save as many as we can by God's grace so that when the day comes, as few as possible will have to suffer the pain of hell and eternal suffering. I'd hate to see people dying just because we were not doing our duty on earth. Of course, with this challenge comes the lack of courage to witness, which i firmly believe God will help us all to overcome. Let' s stay close to Him and draw strength and wisdom from Him!
BB, all this change and everything, most encouraging, and i truly truly thank God for seeing us through and showing us a little glimpse of His radiant glory. Hopefully our faces will also radiate, having seen His goodness. and let this be a testimony to all the world that our God is an awesome and great God.
Live Praise coming up. Gots to plan something. Gots to pray. And gots to rely on God for song choices and the inspiration for prayer.
So till Christ comes again. Keep shining for Him! Keep growing closer to Him! It'll all be worth it one day!
God, Christ smiling at us...saying 'Well done, good and faithful servant!' and we tumble into His soft and tender embrace. That's something to look forward to. :) (smile guys...smile!)
Sunday, July 16, 2006
An Altar for Remembrance...(Part 1: Preaching Point)
It's all been about spiritual growth recently, refreshing, and new insights, new experiences, all coming up. Well it's exciting and we look forward with anticipation. Really have to thank God now and then for all the various ministries that He has so graciously involved me in....once in a while it's nice to post these serious posts...one day i'll look bad and check if i've grown any closer to God since this post....it's like leaving small little altars around, and looking back to the place to remember God's mercy and providence :)
3 years ago, God called my dad out of Fairfield Mother Church to a little Preaching Point in Woodlands. Every sunday, it was to Causeway Point for church, as we settled down in a cinema on the seventh story. Those were humble beginnings, a pioneer group of about six families from the Bible Study group in the steering committee, everything started simple, there was just an intergenerational service every week. At that time I was Secondary 1, and i grew in a church without a youth group or a children's ministry, it was the sermon every sunday.
I must say it was honestly quite boring, profound sermons and all, esp. those by Uncle Roland (when in his very peak...he is such a powerful preacher), but that was from a perspective of a 13 year old, never take my word for it. Gradually, and slowly, i guess God opened my heart to Him, and i started to enjoy the sermons, week after week there would be new lessons to learn, new applications and new stuff. It was a wonderful experience.
Singspiration or Praise and Thanksgiving was led by music groups from the Mother Church, they supported us back then, and very enthusiastically as well. I would occasionally go for some worship practices, in the mother church....Uncle King Hee, Eunice, 'Ah bei' Christopher, Uncle Joel, all people who had a great impact on me as i was moulded by God to be prepared for service in the Preaching Point...of course i was unaware of His plans at that time...
It was December 2003, the end of Sec1...my dad thought it was finally time to get involved. We led worship for the first time, i still remember, it was so simple, so simple. A piano and a guitar, The songs were 'Only By Grace' and 'Be Still'. It was so solemn, so gracious, so memorable a beginning. Subsequently, God could only get better and better. Thus was the reason for bringing me to the Preaching Point, the start of a very very fruitful music ministry.
However, things only got tougher, with the new preaching point in Causeway point came many new temptations after church, it was a tough battle with sin every week, and most of the time i fell, fell so hard, and begged for forgiveness, only to fall again the next week, it was most painful for God, i was just being selfish, and sometimes i hated myself for that. It was horrible serving in the PP on one hand yet living in the dark. It was hypocritical.
Eventually, God told me it was enough, and enough was enough, i stopped. And that took about 2 years, yet the scars of this sin are still present on me till this day. Only till i rise to be with my Father will they disappear i guess...Struggles persisted on...but God provided to grace to manage them every single time. Thanks be to God in heaven.
So begun a blossoming next few years. The Worship ministry grew. Huiyi slowly got involved on the second keyboard, even the lead keyboard. Occasionally we would have Uncle Joel join in on the drums. It was exciting as slowly God helped me to discover the true meaning of worship. More and more sermons supplemented my growth with the necessary spiritual milk.
Soon, a youth group was started. By a couple by the name of Uncle Wilson and Auntie Doris from the Mother Church. Hwee, Jun and Me were the first in that group, and we started small, uncomfortable with one another even. I was actually pretty much against that youth group idea...thought it was better to just stay in the adult service for sermon. But you know what...God provided, and slowly we were nurtured to God-fearing youths, and the youth ministry has grown since....how much? well...
Fast forward today, we have a strength approaching 20 youths. the 517 youths from Uncle Wilson's Youth Guidance Centre have started fitting in...the next year of youths have started to settle in as well...Tian, Daniel, My brother, Abel...all starting to grow slowly but surely. We've had 2 youth camps in the past 3 years, the next one being at the end of 2006. This sunday we're going to do some street evangelism....TRAC and stuff. And it's getting really really exciting. A bible study group with Michael has also started...and we're kicking off to great years ahead! By God's grace, direct our sail!
Other blessings of God on these Preaching Point...wow...Cell group has been formed, so many so many newcomers, expanding now to much more than the original six families, numbers of course don't matter, just pray that God unites us as one body of Christ in one purpose to serve Him! Like the church in Philidephia...small but mighty and tall for God and by God!
Now...the worship ministry...wow i just can't stop talking about God's grace and love! We've formed a full band...Uncle Kok Meng and Auntie Christine have become involved in leading the worship as well. The mother church has left us to be independent since about april...and thankfully we've been able to cope so far with God's help. He's provided Abel...new logistics person...KaiSiong...new comp personnel....Darrel and my bro...new and upcoming drummers....the two Rebeccas...with some help soon to be pianists as well! How great is our God!
My relationship with God has definitely grown more intimate...i can sincerely say i love Him now...because He loved me first, took me from darkness, Gave me strength, never gave up on a wretch like me...loved me the underserved...and took me and made me beautiful. If you haven't known God yet...what are you waiting for...it's so wonderful to be in His caring embrace!
As I type...i can't help but smile and smile again. Joy!! Joy and Strength!! It's always good to reflect on your life in the past few years...it brings such joy...and such refreshment! and it's just wonderful to know that God has helped me grow and draw closer to Him. How thankful i am. And that's just the Preaching Point....there's much more as well (next post)
I built this altar for You Lord. Thanks for the great work you are unfolding in our lives :)
3 years ago, God called my dad out of Fairfield Mother Church to a little Preaching Point in Woodlands. Every sunday, it was to Causeway Point for church, as we settled down in a cinema on the seventh story. Those were humble beginnings, a pioneer group of about six families from the Bible Study group in the steering committee, everything started simple, there was just an intergenerational service every week. At that time I was Secondary 1, and i grew in a church without a youth group or a children's ministry, it was the sermon every sunday.
I must say it was honestly quite boring, profound sermons and all, esp. those by Uncle Roland (when in his very peak...he is such a powerful preacher), but that was from a perspective of a 13 year old, never take my word for it. Gradually, and slowly, i guess God opened my heart to Him, and i started to enjoy the sermons, week after week there would be new lessons to learn, new applications and new stuff. It was a wonderful experience.
Singspiration or Praise and Thanksgiving was led by music groups from the Mother Church, they supported us back then, and very enthusiastically as well. I would occasionally go for some worship practices, in the mother church....Uncle King Hee, Eunice, 'Ah bei' Christopher, Uncle Joel, all people who had a great impact on me as i was moulded by God to be prepared for service in the Preaching Point...of course i was unaware of His plans at that time...
It was December 2003, the end of Sec1...my dad thought it was finally time to get involved. We led worship for the first time, i still remember, it was so simple, so simple. A piano and a guitar, The songs were 'Only By Grace' and 'Be Still'. It was so solemn, so gracious, so memorable a beginning. Subsequently, God could only get better and better. Thus was the reason for bringing me to the Preaching Point, the start of a very very fruitful music ministry.
However, things only got tougher, with the new preaching point in Causeway point came many new temptations after church, it was a tough battle with sin every week, and most of the time i fell, fell so hard, and begged for forgiveness, only to fall again the next week, it was most painful for God, i was just being selfish, and sometimes i hated myself for that. It was horrible serving in the PP on one hand yet living in the dark. It was hypocritical.
Eventually, God told me it was enough, and enough was enough, i stopped. And that took about 2 years, yet the scars of this sin are still present on me till this day. Only till i rise to be with my Father will they disappear i guess...Struggles persisted on...but God provided to grace to manage them every single time. Thanks be to God in heaven.
So begun a blossoming next few years. The Worship ministry grew. Huiyi slowly got involved on the second keyboard, even the lead keyboard. Occasionally we would have Uncle Joel join in on the drums. It was exciting as slowly God helped me to discover the true meaning of worship. More and more sermons supplemented my growth with the necessary spiritual milk.
Soon, a youth group was started. By a couple by the name of Uncle Wilson and Auntie Doris from the Mother Church. Hwee, Jun and Me were the first in that group, and we started small, uncomfortable with one another even. I was actually pretty much against that youth group idea...thought it was better to just stay in the adult service for sermon. But you know what...God provided, and slowly we were nurtured to God-fearing youths, and the youth ministry has grown since....how much? well...
Fast forward today, we have a strength approaching 20 youths. the 517 youths from Uncle Wilson's Youth Guidance Centre have started fitting in...the next year of youths have started to settle in as well...Tian, Daniel, My brother, Abel...all starting to grow slowly but surely. We've had 2 youth camps in the past 3 years, the next one being at the end of 2006. This sunday we're going to do some street evangelism....TRAC and stuff. And it's getting really really exciting. A bible study group with Michael has also started...and we're kicking off to great years ahead! By God's grace, direct our sail!
Other blessings of God on these Preaching Point...wow...Cell group has been formed, so many so many newcomers, expanding now to much more than the original six families, numbers of course don't matter, just pray that God unites us as one body of Christ in one purpose to serve Him! Like the church in Philidephia...small but mighty and tall for God and by God!
Now...the worship ministry...wow i just can't stop talking about God's grace and love! We've formed a full band...Uncle Kok Meng and Auntie Christine have become involved in leading the worship as well. The mother church has left us to be independent since about april...and thankfully we've been able to cope so far with God's help. He's provided Abel...new logistics person...KaiSiong...new comp personnel....Darrel and my bro...new and upcoming drummers....the two Rebeccas...with some help soon to be pianists as well! How great is our God!
My relationship with God has definitely grown more intimate...i can sincerely say i love Him now...because He loved me first, took me from darkness, Gave me strength, never gave up on a wretch like me...loved me the underserved...and took me and made me beautiful. If you haven't known God yet...what are you waiting for...it's so wonderful to be in His caring embrace!
As I type...i can't help but smile and smile again. Joy!! Joy and Strength!! It's always good to reflect on your life in the past few years...it brings such joy...and such refreshment! and it's just wonderful to know that God has helped me grow and draw closer to Him. How thankful i am. And that's just the Preaching Point....there's much more as well (next post)
I built this altar for You Lord. Thanks for the great work you are unfolding in our lives :)
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Speechless Love
NUH never did have a significance to many of us, not until today. Mdm Loo had to go for an operation yesterday, warded in a little room in NUH, grey-walled, tiny, lonely, the ray of light that managed to squeeze through the impersonal curtains did little to brighten the room....Ironically, whilst on one side there was suffering, worry and pain. In school, there was only celebration and joy. Students elated at the prospect of future free periods....
We visited Mdm Loo. In all honestly i expected her to be able to speak at least, maybe a little weak but able to speak, to express herself at least. But what awaited us shocked the daylights out of us. Across the curtains of Ward 88, she sat in a chair, legs propped, fed by tubes, uncountable tubes, with a rhythmic pumping of liquid and release of pressure in the gauge....hynoptical, time passed so slow as we waited for the rest to arrive. Whilst there, we could only look on, speechless at her condition as she struggled even to thank us for coming, writing her feelings out on Derek's notebook. This was a teacher who inspired us, truly truly loved us, she was so strong in our eyes, yet now, she was at the mercy of a terrible ailment. We could only watch on.
Prayer. It was the only way we could leave something with her. God's presence, oh may He just fill that place with warmth and with joy again...somehow. Even as we left, we were all visually affected, some more than others, words of comfort exchanged between one another, yet it was quiet, painfully quiet, solemn, and whilst i tried to smile a little here and there...it was perhaps inappropriate....and definitely futile. Everyone was in shock. And we stood there, sat there, reflecting and prayerful.
Mdm Loo, please get well soon. We're all waiting for you earnestly to return.
Joy in Adversity, i guess something we'll all get to learn this time. The joy of the Lord be her strength, and ours as well.
God will make a way
When there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With Love and Strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way
Indeed He will...somehow...let's not lose that faith in Him :D and learn to smile!!!
We visited Mdm Loo. In all honestly i expected her to be able to speak at least, maybe a little weak but able to speak, to express herself at least. But what awaited us shocked the daylights out of us. Across the curtains of Ward 88, she sat in a chair, legs propped, fed by tubes, uncountable tubes, with a rhythmic pumping of liquid and release of pressure in the gauge....hynoptical, time passed so slow as we waited for the rest to arrive. Whilst there, we could only look on, speechless at her condition as she struggled even to thank us for coming, writing her feelings out on Derek's notebook. This was a teacher who inspired us, truly truly loved us, she was so strong in our eyes, yet now, she was at the mercy of a terrible ailment. We could only watch on.
Prayer. It was the only way we could leave something with her. God's presence, oh may He just fill that place with warmth and with joy again...somehow. Even as we left, we were all visually affected, some more than others, words of comfort exchanged between one another, yet it was quiet, painfully quiet, solemn, and whilst i tried to smile a little here and there...it was perhaps inappropriate....and definitely futile. Everyone was in shock. And we stood there, sat there, reflecting and prayerful.
Mdm Loo, please get well soon. We're all waiting for you earnestly to return.
Joy in Adversity, i guess something we'll all get to learn this time. The joy of the Lord be her strength, and ours as well.
God will make a way
When there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With Love and Strength for each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way
Indeed He will...somehow...let's not lose that faith in Him :D and learn to smile!!!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
II-25 Lives on
I post this for fab...specially (don't forget to read below's post..)
It's about the II-25 crew, an unforgettable SK round...and the crew lives on...though we all have run out of that pink vodka fountain. Why pink? don't ask. Maybe we just like pink :D
Note this convo between me and an ex-sectormate (flames...oh no phil!)
[07:53:30 PM] Zidane whos : hehe
[07:53:46 PM] Zidane whos : guess what i started this round just for
fun and guess what sector i got
[07:54:29 PM] |||Lim ClaN : waht??
[07:54:32 PM] |||Lim ClaN : 2:24?
[07:54:34 PM] |||Lim ClaN : 2:25?
[07:54:35 PM] |||Lim ClaN : :D
[07:54:36 PM] Zidane whos : yup
[07:54:39 PM] Zidane whos : lol
[07:54:39 PM] |||Lim ClaN : no...
[07:54:41 PM] |||Lim ClaN : cool
[07:54:42 PM] Zidane whos : ironic
[07:54:49 PM] Zidane whos : and im sl too
[07:54:51 PM] Zidane whos : lol
[07:55:11 PM] Zidane whos : keep the flaming krew alive stil its in
name
[07:55:34 PM] |||Lim ClaN : really?
[07:55:35 PM] |||Lim ClaN : :D
[07:55:37 PM] |||Lim ClaN : nice job there
and so the crew lives on...
It's about the II-25 crew, an unforgettable SK round...and the crew lives on...though we all have run out of that pink vodka fountain. Why pink? don't ask. Maybe we just like pink :D
Note this convo between me and an ex-sectormate (flames...oh no phil!)
[07:53:30 PM] Zidane whos : hehe
[07:53:46 PM] Zidane whos : guess what i started this round just for
fun and guess what sector i got
[07:54:29 PM] |||Lim ClaN : waht??
[07:54:32 PM] |||Lim ClaN : 2:24?
[07:54:34 PM] |||Lim ClaN : 2:25?
[07:54:35 PM] |||Lim ClaN : :D
[07:54:36 PM] Zidane whos : yup
[07:54:39 PM] Zidane whos : lol
[07:54:39 PM] |||Lim ClaN : no...
[07:54:41 PM] |||Lim ClaN : cool
[07:54:42 PM] Zidane whos : ironic
[07:54:49 PM] Zidane whos : and im sl too
[07:54:51 PM] Zidane whos : lol
[07:55:11 PM] Zidane whos : keep the flaming krew alive stil its in
name
[07:55:34 PM] |||Lim ClaN : really?
[07:55:35 PM] |||Lim ClaN : :D
[07:55:37 PM] |||Lim ClaN : nice job there
and so the crew lives on...
IMPOSTERSSSS...but please still tag!!
Wow...another day...tiring...but i managed to slack. Guess what? :D
New LartsB teacher. whole time we were quietly and very tamely listening to her discourse on Things Fall Apart. Ok it wasn't that bad...was insightful at times...but she was extremely strict. Apparently in India, the teachers have a position comparable to gods, even higher than parents to some students! Omgosh. She was like 'i'm strict when it comes to work, but nice otherwise'....but frankly, she was quite an effective teacher. We got spelling from her though. And the whole time i was thinking like: "boy you haven't seen the worst of us yet....". Yes, she shushed at a teeny weeny murmur!
Romeo and Juliet...ahhhh....we're all getting in that lovey-dovey mood aren't we. The modern flick is realllllll funny at times, realllll boring at others, and mercutio is just gay in that adaptation. Of course, Juliet's pool soliquicy (how do you spell it!!??) was quite original. And they definitely definitely did Act 2 Scene 4 better than our pathetic attempt (cross reference to a post on 11 Apr 2005, use the archives)
Loo under some operation, keep her in prayers k? hope she comes back soon (much to the dismay or ppl who have not completed their homework! When to pop by and visit her?
Pokemon craze is going overboard. Even i'm getting sucked back into the fray. I'll get bored soon...hopefully. Stop bringing gameboys to school! :P
Ok now the plan is to send Ding via airmail his homework every month...hmmm the work is piling up in locker 12 now...:D But my dad prefers it scanned...so either way...Ding will get his work...don't wry there!! we'll support ya!
Anon. And Anon again. (for the uninitiated, refer to Romeo and Juliet)
New LartsB teacher. whole time we were quietly and very tamely listening to her discourse on Things Fall Apart. Ok it wasn't that bad...was insightful at times...but she was extremely strict. Apparently in India, the teachers have a position comparable to gods, even higher than parents to some students! Omgosh. She was like 'i'm strict when it comes to work, but nice otherwise'....but frankly, she was quite an effective teacher. We got spelling from her though. And the whole time i was thinking like: "boy you haven't seen the worst of us yet....". Yes, she shushed at a teeny weeny murmur!
Romeo and Juliet...ahhhh....we're all getting in that lovey-dovey mood aren't we. The modern flick is realllllll funny at times, realllll boring at others, and mercutio is just gay in that adaptation. Of course, Juliet's pool soliquicy (how do you spell it!!??) was quite original. And they definitely definitely did Act 2 Scene 4 better than our pathetic attempt (cross reference to a post on 11 Apr 2005, use the archives)
Loo under some operation, keep her in prayers k? hope she comes back soon (much to the dismay or ppl who have not completed their homework! When to pop by and visit her?
Pokemon craze is going overboard. Even i'm getting sucked back into the fray. I'll get bored soon...hopefully. Stop bringing gameboys to school! :P
Ok now the plan is to send Ding via airmail his homework every month...hmmm the work is piling up in locker 12 now...:D But my dad prefers it scanned...so either way...Ding will get his work...don't wry there!! we'll support ya!
Anon. And Anon again. (for the uninitiated, refer to Romeo and Juliet)
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Poverty Poverty...I'm Poor on Posts
Wow!! Tim is finally back. Ok ok guys i'm realllly sorry this time. But you know what, i've finally quite all online games and got back on the right track...yes it's about time...2 years late. Well well...why suddenly got so many of sean's frens tagging here?? strange leh. But HI anyway i guess. The only tags on my tagboard...simply encouraging and wonderful of all of ya.
Well the past week of school has been characterised by many many things....Poverty's been the theme so i guess i'll go along that line.
Poverty Symposium:
Ya so there was the symposium and all...sigh...but of all things we had to do the work security issues and stuff, and we HAD to go NTUC!!! well at least we got free milo, and we had lots of free time in school :D. Did up a montage with my newly found photoshop skills, ok, not so newly-found...but it was quite fun to see the SDP website and how they kinda contrasted the PAP's quotes with pictures on poverty. (Mrs Goh Chok Tong: $600 is peanuts!, Mr Goh: Your problems are ours, ya ya...)
Presentation was sad. Mrs Sim said i presented in a weird voice. Where got?? :(
So we might think that our government is bad and bad and bad. But Singaporeans...sigh...love to complain too much, too much for our own good...My uncle told me...he was with this taiwanese guy in a taxi b4, and someone in there was bickering about the govt, when the taiwanese guy says: You want to trade for Chen Shui Bian? Says alot...our govt is actually really really great in making for us a safe place to be in.
Sleep Poverty:
Yes. Many Reasons. Don't ask. But i will still list them :D
1) Prayer and Fellowship at Aunt's place:
Prayer was really meaningful experience...once again we commited to God the Preaching Point and all the various ministries as well as the activities going on in the church. Durian eating session again...and i'm still too weak to singlehandedly open a durian...so sad lor :(...but i still ate ...and ate alot k...i'm not anorexic!!
2) Hike Recce:
Sigh, that tiring Saturday. Out at 630, back at 1030 (in the nite lah..). Sian, whilst everyone else was resting for that third place playoff right? Well, it was like any other saturday i guess, the usual BB stuff, Guild Time and soccer with the whole of Galatia. But the special thing this time was BS with Mr Charles...wow. a jolly man full of the joy of the Lord, wish i could really experience that joy as well...it's so hard esp. when i'm always so hard on myself. Condemming and blaming myself and stuff...shouldn't be that way..we're forgiven and should be joyous!
So after BB was the tiring tiring Hike Recce. From Harborfront, a mad dash up to Mt. Faber's peak and down again and up to Telok Blangah Hill. Crazy stuff. Bashing through the jungles of Buona Vista, getting ourselves muddy in the land of Rocher road, and getting all sticky and uncomfortable in the rainforests of Dover. Was fun though. And we passed the time singing and singing. lol...still remember emerging from dense vegetation into this 'Little Bali' place, and we were all singing National Day songs patriotically! There was stares...who are these weird people? :D That's us. Well Jian yang got injured so we went back early.
Hike focus was then moved. The irony was that it would be a spiritual experience. Impacting the Sec 1s and touching their hearts...wow...big task ahead and i can only pray that God uses my unclean hands to do His holy work. Please Lord...renew my passion and first love for you...if it be Your will...so many times i feel so dry..so dry...so hypocritical...
KAP for lunch that night. For the uninitiated. KAP is King Albert Park. So by default i reach home late. Bathe. Lie on the bed and as my fingers caress the top of my homework. I fall alsleep. Interesting.
3) World Cup Mania
So Derek invited me for a much anticipated sleepover at his place to watch the final showdown between France and Italy :D It was a dark dark night as me and Fab searched high and low for his place, unsure of his address, up and down those nasty HDB flats...so confusing. But we found it...his nice lil cosy home. Derek and Kenny (affectionately known as Kelly) on the comp playing DOTA, which i'm a total newbie at...never played b4...even if i did, i was definitely button mashing :D
Other activities included playing cards, getting the Queen Spades four times in a row in Hearts, Derek shooting the moon twice and thus dealing me the kill shot, Taiti with no stripping involved (no ideas Derek...), Fiddling with Fab's Gameboy and trying to get corrupted catridges to work....eventually settling for pokemon...yes i know...pokemon. Soccer at 1 am in the morn...hopefully the neighbourhood didn't mind. Barebacked soccer....kenny's fault k? we were exposed.
Finally the match. I knew i couldn't survive. I didn't, i knocked off. Barthez clowned around with the corners....the usual. The most cringeworthy moment for me was probably the headbutt on materazzi...zidane was furious. Over what? i wouldn't know would i? but it was a depressing end to his world cup career. For the record: 1-1 and italy winning 4-3 on penalties. Poor Trezeguet...must have been wrecked after all that.
Slept at 6 in the morn. Woke up at 8. Had piano and school at 1. By the end of the day. I was half dead. Watching Bend it Like Beckham did not help one bit. Oh yea. Pirates as well...the previous nite. I think i needed the rum/coffee/whatever to stay awake. Therefore i was tired!
Art Club Poverty:
Aiyah...no art club this week...so sad. Lejon pon-tang again!
Last week was seriously fun. Sean made the prezzie for his church fren, of course i chipped in a little. After that we went mad making clay figurines of japanese cuisine (ahh! IHS!) Sashismi...variations of sushi...stuff like that. the egg sushi looked convincing. Madam's otah was even more convincing. And we all had fun....for the first time in many many sessions....
sigh..the old OM days...miss ya.
Time Poverty:
Speaks for itself. I've been sleeping more. No time for hwk. sigh. No time to practice for piano exam on 3 Aug...*gasp* that is like 3 weeks! i'm dead!!!!!
Blog Poverty:
no posts. no tags. no blog. :D *sobs* where are all of you?!?!!!
Well the past week of school has been characterised by many many things....Poverty's been the theme so i guess i'll go along that line.
Poverty Symposium:
Ya so there was the symposium and all...sigh...but of all things we had to do the work security issues and stuff, and we HAD to go NTUC!!! well at least we got free milo, and we had lots of free time in school :D. Did up a montage with my newly found photoshop skills, ok, not so newly-found...but it was quite fun to see the SDP website and how they kinda contrasted the PAP's quotes with pictures on poverty. (Mrs Goh Chok Tong: $600 is peanuts!, Mr Goh: Your problems are ours, ya ya...)
Presentation was sad. Mrs Sim said i presented in a weird voice. Where got?? :(
So we might think that our government is bad and bad and bad. But Singaporeans...sigh...love to complain too much, too much for our own good...My uncle told me...he was with this taiwanese guy in a taxi b4, and someone in there was bickering about the govt, when the taiwanese guy says: You want to trade for Chen Shui Bian? Says alot...our govt is actually really really great in making for us a safe place to be in.
Sleep Poverty:
Yes. Many Reasons. Don't ask. But i will still list them :D
1) Prayer and Fellowship at Aunt's place:
Prayer was really meaningful experience...once again we commited to God the Preaching Point and all the various ministries as well as the activities going on in the church. Durian eating session again...and i'm still too weak to singlehandedly open a durian...so sad lor :(...but i still ate ...and ate alot k...i'm not anorexic!!
2) Hike Recce:
Sigh, that tiring Saturday. Out at 630, back at 1030 (in the nite lah..). Sian, whilst everyone else was resting for that third place playoff right? Well, it was like any other saturday i guess, the usual BB stuff, Guild Time and soccer with the whole of Galatia. But the special thing this time was BS with Mr Charles...wow. a jolly man full of the joy of the Lord, wish i could really experience that joy as well...it's so hard esp. when i'm always so hard on myself. Condemming and blaming myself and stuff...shouldn't be that way..we're forgiven and should be joyous!
So after BB was the tiring tiring Hike Recce. From Harborfront, a mad dash up to Mt. Faber's peak and down again and up to Telok Blangah Hill. Crazy stuff. Bashing through the jungles of Buona Vista, getting ourselves muddy in the land of Rocher road, and getting all sticky and uncomfortable in the rainforests of Dover. Was fun though. And we passed the time singing and singing. lol...still remember emerging from dense vegetation into this 'Little Bali' place, and we were all singing National Day songs patriotically! There was stares...who are these weird people? :D That's us. Well Jian yang got injured so we went back early.
Hike focus was then moved. The irony was that it would be a spiritual experience. Impacting the Sec 1s and touching their hearts...wow...big task ahead and i can only pray that God uses my unclean hands to do His holy work. Please Lord...renew my passion and first love for you...if it be Your will...so many times i feel so dry..so dry...so hypocritical...
KAP for lunch that night. For the uninitiated. KAP is King Albert Park. So by default i reach home late. Bathe. Lie on the bed and as my fingers caress the top of my homework. I fall alsleep. Interesting.
3) World Cup Mania
So Derek invited me for a much anticipated sleepover at his place to watch the final showdown between France and Italy :D It was a dark dark night as me and Fab searched high and low for his place, unsure of his address, up and down those nasty HDB flats...so confusing. But we found it...his nice lil cosy home. Derek and Kenny (affectionately known as Kelly) on the comp playing DOTA, which i'm a total newbie at...never played b4...even if i did, i was definitely button mashing :D
Other activities included playing cards, getting the Queen Spades four times in a row in Hearts, Derek shooting the moon twice and thus dealing me the kill shot, Taiti with no stripping involved (no ideas Derek...), Fiddling with Fab's Gameboy and trying to get corrupted catridges to work....eventually settling for pokemon...yes i know...pokemon. Soccer at 1 am in the morn...hopefully the neighbourhood didn't mind. Barebacked soccer....kenny's fault k? we were exposed.
Finally the match. I knew i couldn't survive. I didn't, i knocked off. Barthez clowned around with the corners....the usual. The most cringeworthy moment for me was probably the headbutt on materazzi...zidane was furious. Over what? i wouldn't know would i? but it was a depressing end to his world cup career. For the record: 1-1 and italy winning 4-3 on penalties. Poor Trezeguet...must have been wrecked after all that.
Slept at 6 in the morn. Woke up at 8. Had piano and school at 1. By the end of the day. I was half dead. Watching Bend it Like Beckham did not help one bit. Oh yea. Pirates as well...the previous nite. I think i needed the rum/coffee/whatever to stay awake. Therefore i was tired!
Art Club Poverty:
Aiyah...no art club this week...so sad. Lejon pon-tang again!
Last week was seriously fun. Sean made the prezzie for his church fren, of course i chipped in a little. After that we went mad making clay figurines of japanese cuisine (ahh! IHS!) Sashismi...variations of sushi...stuff like that. the egg sushi looked convincing. Madam's otah was even more convincing. And we all had fun....for the first time in many many sessions....
sigh..the old OM days...miss ya.
Time Poverty:
Speaks for itself. I've been sleeping more. No time for hwk. sigh. No time to practice for piano exam on 3 Aug...*gasp* that is like 3 weeks! i'm dead!!!!!
Blog Poverty:
no posts. no tags. no blog. :D *sobs* where are all of you?!?!!!
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