hello friend :)

Love Song

2011-05-12T00:56:00.004+08:00

First Love, You are number one in terms of position
Of all the attractions and ambitions I have
First Love, You are my motivation and start of each morning
And conclusion at the end of every day

You gave me breath and You're still giving breaths in our present day
How sweet and wonderful it is to finally put a finger on
The fact that You were the One
Who imagined and spoke me into being

Sweet Love, heavenly joy is mine on earth
Because You pursued me, and I found You
Sweet Love, there's none other of Your worth to me

My will in Yours and Yours mine
That's all that matters to me now
Hearts awakened and lives returning to
Where they belong
You, First Love, are theirs too
Till 'Sweet Love' they know and call You too

Precious Love, may I never take You for granted
May I only learn to love You more
As I grow to have the full measure of the knowledge of You
As I become more and more
Like You

Jesus I love You

2011-04-22T02:58:00.002+08:00

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

None else can take Your place. There is no equal. I revisited the cross and the tomb as though I was ever there before and understood again what I was responsible for. Lord, thank You. I'll never know what it was like, to what lengths You went for me. It's beyond me, and I'll never know. But with what I have that You've given me, I give it back to You as a tribute. Yes, my life as a tribute to You, how absurd it even sounds.

Thank You for loving me.

I look up to you

2011-04-17T01:08:00.005+08:00

She's like a mother to me when she tells me stories of her own experiences. I learn about the values she holds dear through the things she says and I appreciate the person that she is. She's a woman of beauty.

I pray this child will find her Father's arms. Open and guide the eyes of her heart to Him, until she knows that she's unfathomably loved, wanted and treasured by Him from the very beginning to eternity. In the almighty name of Jesus, amen.

2011-04-15T01:25:00.003+08:00

For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath
So we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live
I was made to love
I was made to know You
--- C.S Lewis Song, Brooke Fraser

My mind's a mass of thoughts, an open sea. What's prevailing amongst them all though?
I'm thinking of how I could read, inquire and meditate more and subsequently know and understand more about the times I live in. More. I feel gently nudged towards more. I feel an internal desire gently brewing, urging me, making me want more.
Maybe the lion in me is at long last awakening. I don't care for much anymore when compared to being all I can be for You, to seeing what You see, grasping a little more of what You think and feel and who exactly You are, to declaring and seeing Your total rule enforced on earth as it is in heaven.
I wanna see You
Wanna know You for You
Wanna burn, burn
Blaze for You

Paths

2011-04-12T00:52:00.005+08:00

Running alongside each other...
I don't see that anymore. I tried to see it before, tried to make out where we were each running, the paths that we were taking. But what could be seen was a blurred vision, something somewhat impossible to decipher by a mere individual - human, too.
I then concluded that what God had already shown and spoken to me was enough. And faith was required for the walk. So I walked, and I became free, freer, from the expectations of others and having my own expectations.
Now all I see, Daddy... is none other than just You.
Everything literally fades out when my eyes are on You.
I believe, even if I don't see. I believe, without a doubt, that You have given me the best.
I believe we're going to fully glorify You in the grandest, highest, and most intimate of ways. You are my only path. And I rest in that You are his too.

I just pray that many more will walk this way for You are our destination.

Come now where no eye has seen
No ear has heard
No mind can conceive
Your Kingdom come
And forever reign

2011-03-22T01:25:00.002+08:00

Dreams. They speak to me and give me perspective, insight and assurance as to what I am going through, what is still undealt with in me, or what I'm heading towards.

Take nothing for granted. We are being pursued by our Maker. He speaks to us in everything we experience. We are being divinely led and guided into a safe, glorious and perfect place. Every single time.

Conflict

2011-03-05T12:15:00.003+08:00

Sometimes I wonder if I'm abnormal - I ask all the introspective questions that sound really self-centred, self-absorbed, self-pitying, so, so, so very... small. But I genuinely feel like all the arrows are pointed at me. I feel stifled, and insignificant because I can't measure up.
And why do others measure up? Did they ever crumble like me? Why didn't they just crumble and stop the chase? Why did they eventually achieve what they thought they couldn't and didn't want in the first place?
Could I just be myself? Could I have my way? Could my way really be that far from God's way? Then why is your way nearer to God's way?
Help me understand and see, once again. Why am I in this race? Wait, which race am I in? Help me see... Father. Is this race the same race You told me to run?

Pondering you

2011-02-18T23:28:00.003+08:00

I wouldn't be the same without you
I wouldn't be the same without you
I couldn't replicate your touch or
Love anyone again this much
I wouldn't be the same
Without you...

Arise!

2010-05-16T22:23:00.006+08:00

Have you ever felt that when expectations are placed on you by a few good people, especially the closer ones, the ones you love or those you respect and look up to, the more you'd shun from and reject rising to and fulfilling them?
I'm keenly acquainted to that.
They said that they regarded me as someone examplary of this and that virtue, such and such of a godly sister, woman, and I just somehow tried my best to believe, and I couldn't. I thought I did because I agreed with them that that was what I want to be. They were all stemmed from good intentions, godly intentions, and I know it is God's will for me - well 'cos God wants me to take after Him of course. But the years went on, I doubted myself, doubted their hearts, doubted if I was not someone they wanted me to become that they'd love me less. Deep inside, I doubted God. Didn't I? That He could not change me 'cos I am too much for Him, I'm too stubborn and self-centred, I take too long, too troublesome.
A little by little, I understood myself, what I was actually doing beneath it all. Take away so-called struggle with others' expectations and struggle with believing in myself, fool. This had to do with godliness, spiritual maturity, being a giant in the land: all God's speaking into my life through others.
So although it seems peculiarly artistic and romantic in that self-absorption of understanding myself and protecting my individualism such that expectations of those I hold dear and revere upset and repulsed me, it is foolishness. Plain crass! To trade your birthright for a bowl of lentil soup? Bleah!
Now, now, God, the ever patient God, wonderful amazing awesome God! For all that time, He has waited to say, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with Me..."
I want His plan. I want my life written by Him. I want Him to smile and I want Him to dance, just at the thought of me, and when He writes my life story. Because He knows I am His whole-heartedly.
So, expectations, what's your deal? I'll recognise if you're black or white, and even if you were grey. I'll channel my emotions right, 'cos I'm the boss of them, and it won't go devil's way.

2010-05-03T01:56:00.006+08:00

I like to close my eyes all throughout times of singing worship to God. He's so captivating.
Then when I started leading worship, I realised I needed to open my eyes at intervals to see what is happening with the rest of the worshippers. Not so that I can boost my ego like I used to think its purpose was (how naive younger Sharon was it tickles me), but because I am in some way in between as I minister to God as well as beckoning others to do likewise.
Through the years, I have seen weariness, emptiness, lostness, sadness, absent-ness, cynicism, unbelief etc., in many people, whether it was shown through body language, on their faces or in their eyes. I'd try to surmise and figure out why they looked this or that way when they worshipped Daddy. I'd assess myself: Did I lead well? Did I not follow You? Did I exalt myself instead?
Then if I had peace and He smiles, nothing else mattered. Answers would come streaming in, and I would have compassion on those I saw that was not my own.
Those answers opened up a new world for me to understand, like an extension to my spectrum of emotions. I went through stuff and I know what it's like to not be able to connect with a song when my heart is doubtful of God. I know what it's like to stare blankly at the worship leader and wonder what I was supposed to do, where he/ she was leading us to and if I wanted to follow.
Agonising, that's all I can describe of such times.
I thought, hey, I finally know what it feels like and to be one of those who just stand and stare and sing short of 'whole-heartedness'. It felt good to be able to then fully empathise, and it felt momentarily powerful to allow myself to lag behind and decide that I was not gonna follow the full way. Sorry, 'trap', it says. It was stupidly self-inflicting. Stupidly stupid.
And maybe some people have to go through that in order to find that out. But maybe some are still caught in that trap.
The truth is this: I am His handiwork, His workmanship; simply put, I am created by Him. I am His child. I am royalty; He is King, I am His daughter. I am made for eternity with Him. I am made to be holy as He is holy. I am made to enjoy Him for He is perfection. He is not narcissistic, only honest, and supremely kind, that He would lead us to Himself, beauty Himself. Therefore I worship Him because that is being the truest to myself, agreeing with all of heaven that I am His created, He is my Creator; that I am His beloved and He is mine; I am His daughter, His beauty reflected. I AM WHO HE SAYS I AM.
What right does the clay have to think and formulate doubts and contest the Potter? Say to the Potter that it is meant to collect dust in the backyard when the Potter has made it for containment of premium soil to grow flowers? C'mon, clay. You're clay. Potter knows best.
Let doubts lead us to finding out the truth. Let doubts be answered by His sacrifice. Let doubts be replaced by faith. And check out what faith really means. "Seeing is believing" is what frail men settle for as an excuse for inadequacy. Same goes for 'feeling' if I replace it with 'seeing'. Strong men acknowledge their inadequacy and choose faith in the One greater than them.

May worship of You permeate our hearts and become our lifestyle.
May all that is in me worship You! We are only ourselves then. :)

God: infallible

2010-04-03T01:38:00.003+08:00

We were made to desire perfection. I see glimpses of it every day in the strangers I pass by and in the pretty things we create. These glimpses make us step in their direction. We pursue them in thought, first, second, and third. Sometimes with a long gaze too.
You, God, do not have mere glimpses of perfection, You are perfection. To have and to hold You is all every soul wishes for, whether we know it or not.
Count me blessed, that I know, and I pursue in kind manner that You have, You above all that I have come to love and know. We fit like jigsaw pieces with edge touching edge, uncontrived, with spaces none to overcome. There is no space. Nothing is in between, and it is what frees me.

thought on relationships

2010-03-02T23:05:00.004+08:00

A girl should not manipulate a boy by displaying emotional breakdowns, expressing petty disapprovals, threatening with break-ups or issuing ultimatums, whining with charm and wearing too little, to an end of getting what she wants.
A boy should not manipulate a girl by sweet-talking, splurging on gifts, making demands in the name of love, and making empty promises, to an end of getting what he wants.
Because more often than not, our wants are selfish. They are only centred on a single person on the planet called I. They don't take into account the big picture. They have varying power to take away happiness from one or more people. They could cause irreversible damage.
A girl desires love and the intimacy that comes with love. She thinks she loves, because she loves passionately and regardless of flaw. But in loving passionately, she may fail to respect. She disrespects the boy when she does what she should not, when she disregards his feelings often a world of difference from hers. She must know, surely she must know, that love is finely girded with respect. Love falls headlong into nothing, falls apart to a disarray, when respect is frail or even absent.
She must consider the boy's situation, his person, his reputation, his heart, his life. If she does, she should further consider others who are linked to the relationship. She should think and act towards their best interests. She should seek wisdom, possess and wield it, for the goodness of all. She should have heart and believe the best in him. She should believe, not fear.

Today, I'll just talk about the girl. She needs to learn, or she'll never bloom.
I'll leave the boy alone for now.

You Never Walk Alone

2010-01-23T01:21:00.001+08:00

It's a family club. :D

2010-01-16T23:19:00.002+08:00

"There is a spiritual diet without which no Christian can be strong and healthy and fruitful. And that is a diet of the word of God."
John Piper

How much wisdom is in that statement. Though I don't know this man personally. He's an anointed servant of God whom I very much look up to and am mentored by through his books and teachings. There is such a reverence for God in him that I'd only learn to have.

Thank you Pastor John. You have taught me the one thing that's truly needed.

2010-01-14T01:29:00.002+08:00

"Teach [me] to make the most of [my] time, so that [I] may grow in wisdom."
My prayer, quite often, is this. I'm just passing by, so I hope to make the most out of my time here loving people and letting them know that. Eventually so that they may know the love of our heavenly Father, whose love is an anchor through whatever difficulty of any magnitude. To have that in perspective, it's grave. But it's good.

the lion city

2010-01-06T00:12:00.002+08:00

Cambodia teaches me to love my own country. It's funny how the affections for a foreign place could ignite a deeper wealth of emotions for where I was born and raised. There's a kind of pride that everyone possesses for their nation. It commends and honours the people, culture, government, laws and so on. And it gives honour to people of other nationalities as well. I believe that if we don't love our country, criticise and loathe our fellow countrymen, we can't begin to love people of other origins.
Loving Cambodia by praying for them, ministering to the locals and embracing the physical conditions, I questioned myself if I do that for Singapore. I should be doing the same, if not doubly so. Over the years, God made me see how essential Singapore is to me simply because I am Singaporean; my destiny is linked with hers. She is a beautiful city, and a representation of His power. I wanna love my country even more this year.

my bread

2009-11-21T00:41:00.002+08:00

It was easier to have longer, isolated time with God when I was younger. I could go for extended afternoon runs and I'd worship, talk and pray. It became a very regular thing to the point when I'd run everyday. Running was my rendezvous with Him.
It still is. The regularity and quality of it however has taken a dip and I've known it for a while. Times when I'd reminisce, I'd cry. I think I've romanticised God to some extent, but all I can say is romance with God is as real a romance as any can get. I love Daddy, my Father.
I can either love Him only as much as I did, or more and more and more. This is my reminder from Pastor John Piper: He is my daily bread. I cannot go on without Him entering and surrounding my every morning, every night. Now that I'm older with possibly more to think of and accomplish, I want to strengthen this bond at all cost, not let it weaken.

Do not labour for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." -------- John 6:27-29

to you with love

2009-09-08T21:48:00.001+08:00

Remember how you used to dedicate your blog segments to certain people especially on their birthdays? Here's one from me :)

Firstly, thank God for you! Getting to know you and who you are deep down has been such a blessing to me 'cos you're so beautiful as a person, strengths and flaws. You exude a warmth that comforts me and tells me your heart is open to know and there are no barriers up to restrict and wear me out from pursuing this friendship- thank you. You're a raw example of someone who's kept her heart tender and childlike, something I admire a lot, and we both know how important that is, how often it is threatened. So on this birthday, I especially celebrate that with you. You're definitely someone I wanna be standing beside with when He comes. :) Praise God for His abounding love and grace in your life, so evident. Love you dearly..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAREST JOETTE *hugs*

2009-09-07T17:30:00.000+08:00

"Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be in the will of God." - Jim Elliot

2009-08-13T16:38:00.001+08:00

He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realise just how beautiful You are and how great Your affections are for me
Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so.

My April

2009-04-30T12:06:00.005+08:00

"Let now Your church shine as Your bride
That You saw in Your heart
As You offered up Your life"

All my righteous acts are like filthy rags.

I was thinking how human righteousness fares in comparison to the righteousness God has. That phrase stuck in my mind, how it is filthy rags to Him. But is there no relation between His and mine? If You live in me, and I live in You, what does righteousness look like? Are my thoughts right in Your eyes?

You smiled and told me so tenderly that what I see is from experience and what You have tutored me. You told me not to judge, but simply live as I've been taught.

"God, what is Your righteousness?" I asked.

In a moment, I was moved for those neglected, those without a voice in our rat-race society. The poor. Psalm 72 is like a prayer. Solomon may be talking about Jesus from the mid-portion onwards but he prays for himself before that. And if all the capital Hs were made lower-case letters to represent us, as we are called to rule and reign with Him, it becomes a very personal prayer.

How may the church shine as His bride?
I think it is largely elaborated in that prayer of Solomon. His righteousness is to fend for and save those in need. But he was a king. I don't seem of much help...

It was probably easy for Solomon 'cos he had such a great Dad. That was important but so what... I'm not disqualified. God only sees one thing, my heart. So imperfect, so frail.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Let me not worry about how to make it big in terms of wealth and position, because that is His to bestow if I pursue His will and live to make it done here on earth. And that would be without meaning if I don't love Him.

I don't think I'll ever know the full essence of what this means though I will keep me this way. God, Yahweh, Father, I will live to love You...
As a generation, may we love You, truly love You.

And teach us to love You more and more.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Reading Isaiah

2009-03-05T11:39:00.005+08:00

I was deeply encouraged by this passage from Isaiah 50, for myself and for some of my precious friends. Right now, Miao and I are reading this portion of the Bible, and though I'm not supposed to jump chapters, here I am when I read Isaiah's experience and knowledge of God, wanting more of God in the way he knew Him, agreeing with his instructions:

The Sovereign Lord has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know what to say to all these weary ones. Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I do not rebel or turn away...

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do His will. And I know that I will triumph. He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to oppose me now? Where are my enemies? Let them appear! See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side! Who will declare me guilty? All my enemies will be destroyed like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys His servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from Me: You will soon lie down in great torment.
--------

The last few lines serve as a punch. We need to foremostly seek His counsel and that must firmly be our foundation. That is the light in which we must live and be guided by. Trust and rely on Him, what simple words! That by reading them already draws me to do that, when uncertainties mount and there's no clear indication where we're going. Then there's that warning that if we rely on our judgement, natural wisdom and intellect, all our clever opinions, boo, the opposite of prospering happens. I've to be so careful with that because people often measure each other by their opinions. I've many opinions but I've learnt failure after failure that they should never get the better of me, unless they are approved by God and charged by His wisdom as in the beginning of the passage when Isaiah then had words to say. I mean, there's no use of people thinking much of me when God winces at my pride.

Another part that I totally identified with was his exclamation of God being on his side. I'm happy knowing that and take pride and comfort in His reliability, yet I haven't until recently felt the elation that when upon embracing that fact comes. The blessing of feeling approval from Him, of feeling big because He is, is amazing. It overcomes expectations of others and of self, to be better or to be more which produces stress. It frees me to be more because I am, transformed, and still being so.

Day by day now, awaken me to revelation, sensitise me to Your movements, dictate me to Your wishes, stretch me to discern times, sharpen me for Your purpose. This I pray for you too.

"Oh when You said seek Your face
My heart says, 'Your face, I will seek' "

2008-09-20T22:46:00.002+08:00

All that I am is for You my Saviour
I live by Your word and surrender to You
Here where I stand in this moment
Father, my spirit has been renewed
I surrender to You

I'm grateful for Father. That song says it all for me now where I am. A road of prideful reason leads me nowhere. Spirit-led, that's where I must go.

I surrender to You
To YOU!

“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
- Jesus

love note

2008-09-09T23:44:00.004+08:00

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. ------- Proverbs 4:23

As already claimed as the highest discipline that we should have and practise, I find myself reminding myself and others to do this.

Why do I, in the first place, get upset over something by only what I perceive it to be? Feeling upset leads to sadness, feelings of disappointment and destitution, to anger, to bitterness, and so and so forth.

Why do we fall into sin by wanting our own way?

Why do we allow ourselves to be in situations where temptations lurk at every turn?

Because we don't do what the above says!

Guarding the heart means starting right from the innermost parts of your soul, your emotions. Seek and let godly counsel guide you through, with the peace of God if you know it. If not, ask for it to be given to you when you do the right thing, you'll recognise it soon.
When you guard inwardly, you guard outwardly as well. Both are in tandem with each other. Do the opposite of what you'd do. Don't put yourself in situations you cannot handle.

I'm writing this in hope that it'll apply to all situations, whatever you might be in, and to remind myself as well. Guard your heart for what? You might ask. Besides, isn't being true to yourself the best thing to do for you and others? You're right, but is your true self pleasing to God, the one who loves you unconditionally, who made you and holds your destiny? And therefore will it help you or others if it ain't right to the King?

Those are questions I ask myself when I'm in there, just something to keep us all in check, like I told someone today. And all I want is for us His bride and army to live right, start living right, learn to live right.

Rebellion ain't cool. It's plain crass. So let's live it up guys! I really mean this!

I Believe

2008-07-11T15:05:00.003+08:00

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

And I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

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

I don't want to have unbelief in my heart. That was the very thing that hindered the Jews from coming to Jesus. There may still be unbelief lurking in us today. Why? Because there is still hesitation in obeying Him. There is still fear of disappointment, of dying, of the devil. I personally have areas where I have to fall upon trust in Him. When I'm sick, I trust in sleep and water more than His hand. Why is my first reaction to sleep more? Why don't I arise in worship of Him? Why don't I declare His healing first and move on from there? I wait for the sickness to begin challenging me to a level that I think I may need help soon then I ask for healing.

Jesus, help my unbelief!

Jesus loved to be among those who believed. He would exclaim when affirming them that they have great faith. He would go in to their houses. And then there were some who did not enter His rest due to their unbelief, so after 40 years in the wilderness, they still did not enter the Promised Land. This 40-day fast is still ongoing. When this period ends, may I emerge with a glorious new and changed faith in God, believing in Him and walking steadfast in the Spirit. I believe you will too.

2008-07-02T12:03:00.004+08:00

Fasting time!!! I've never been excited about fasting like that before. These days, instead of having my mind process information then proceeding to understanding in my heart, it's been the other way round. A different feel, yes, and i like it. What i know is the Holy Spirit is relaying things to my spirit and in this way, i agree with God much faster than the opposite. And truth transforms so it flows out of my behaviour. Fasting is a key discipline in making myself more spiritually aware. It starts here at least for me, and the shout will grow louder!

One thing i've been telling my JYC small group members is we have to know who we worship. Once we know Him by seeing even but a glimpse of His majesty, we are forever spoiled for the world. And then we'll never stop pursuing Him. I hope, and this is my prayer too for us all, that none of us will ever stop our pursuit of Him, Yahweh, our God.

Mr Faun as promised!

2008-06-10T19:31:00.002+08:00

the "cast"
mr faun and dear little lucy

mr faun's biggest fan

"excuse me..."

the icy white witch and friends

Narnia was great. Watching it was such an enjoyment and i'd rather watch it 1000 times than Sex & the City. We have to be clear about what we watch because our minds retain images more ably and learn and remember faster than we think. Someone told me before that Sex & the City is actually pretty intellectual and relevant to society so i allowed myself to watch an episode one day. 5 minutes into the show and i was out. I told whoever i was watching with that it was rubbish. Choices really determine our character. No offence to people who like the series but you should seriously think twice before just going with the flow. Watch Narnia! War and courage and faith in the face of death, treachery and betrayal. My 2 cents. :)

Recent Highlights (and happy birthday May!)

2008-05-20T20:22:00.017+08:00

May's birthday celebration at the Lau's place.
gracious of them to open their home to us.

the long walk to the Lau's was actually fun

Ruth's best attempt to look cool

Sunday School!

Ivan the Principal

i love this shot of Char

during my class when DM came to inspect.. haha.
super cute, look at Iggy's face. everyone looked the part!

At Cold Storage...
#1

#5!

complete match of colours :)

mama's birthday 8th may

this little punk is my nephew

with jyc small group

haha Sam...

looking good eh

dance by Teens at YC Anniversary

way to go lynn, miao, bianca, may!

i was projectionist so that explains the view.
grabbed my cam for opportune shots

2008-05-08T00:06:00.002+08:00

The thoughtfulness of a friend who's never quite that far,

though such sweet things ain't that hard for thinking up

and doing up from that certain kind nature - that heart

that always seeks to care an extra mile just to make you smile

and surely i did smile (and jumped! and somersaulted! right).

Thank you jo... :)

miss you too. and i shall stop being mushy.

2008-05-06T01:07:00.004+08:00

You're... not good enough, not well-learned enough, not ready enough, not loving enough, not whole enough, not good-looking enough, not slim enough, not wise enough, not stable enough, not strong enough, not cool enough-
AH ENOUGH LA.

Don't fall for the silly old tricks.

But even if you do, keep standing up again.

An Invitation

2008-04-08T19:43:00.002+08:00

Here's the deal: Who wants to conquer MacRitchie with me?

I'm itching for a 4km+ there. It's been a while since i ran in and around that forested area. That place holds special memories for me since my sec school days.

I'm a slow coach but I run with a consistent speed and sometimes sprint the last stretch just for a kick.

I won't give up unless under unforeseen circumstances such as major stomachache, cramps, etc., or unless you're suffering from boredom of RMM, Repetitive Muscular Motion.

I'd love your company if you'd choose me. *blink blink*

Am I your perfect date?

hahhaahha... can pass or not? I think i'm not too bad an advertiser. Practising to use persuasive language in one of my courses now. But really i mean it... haha, MacRitchie anyone?

Endlessly

2008-03-27T13:05:00.010+08:00

Saviour of my soul
Lover of my life
I love You endlessly
Passion of my heart
Everything You are
I love You endlessly

With Your majesty here
I fall to my knees
I love You endlessly

With the beauty of Your son
I find myself undone
I love You endlessly

Just the verse and the chorus here. It's a simple pledge of love, don't you think? It's got a nice beat to it too, makes you wanna fling your hands up wide and skip a bit. He deserves our pure worship from the barest of our hearts!

Now i'd like to share something from His word that really watered my soul garden (hehe sounds like something else right?) this week. Hope it'll bless you too..

I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should,
how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 4:16-19

Though Paul was praying for the people of Ephesus, i included myself as i read it and received it. His prayer is still being answered by God today. So this is for all of us too. Paul is like a spiritual father to us. May you receive this prayer in your spirit. I want to sink in His love for there i will know Him. We shall know Him!

2008-03-24T22:57:00.003+08:00

"Baby let's cruise away from here..."

You know that song? Gwyneth Paltrow sang it with some guy in the movie Duets. Don't remember much of the movie except this scene when she sang this song and sounded so good. Anyway that's not the point. I wanna tell you about my 2 nights on board SuperStar Virgo! Nothing exceptional about the ship or service there, not even the food, but my eyes were opened to how personal God is. Not to mention how beautiful and breathtaking He could be. Haha, He is.

The last time i went on board with my girlfriends, i took the time in the day and was awed by the sunlight creating flecks of silver on the waves and how fascinating to be running like you're running on water! This time i did that too but it was distracting as some people kept watching and someone even asked to run with me! Yikes. Too bad i had to reject 'cos i love my solitude too much. And so i did that at every interval i could and went as if to stealth mode when i went off to do some sun-tanning and jacuzzi, gym and free running and movie at night and night time in the room. OOOH at night the waters may look threatening when i look down from the 9th level, but it hides mystery beneath that i got so drawn to i had to remind myself not to think about "what if i suddenly fall into the water". And the sky was beautiful. All you could hear was the gentle slushing of waves and a pleasant silence. That's how God took my breath away in the night like never before.

I totally enjoyed myself with my mom and sis, totally. I was reluctant in the beginning to sit in for some entertainment performance by the crew on the first night but eventually i'm glad i joined in. And for all the meals we had and the Bingos we played (and won some) together, i secretly rejoice. hehe. It brought change to our relationship with one another. No stress, just relax and unafraid to laugh. I really wanted to laugh with them, and yes i did.

Thank God for everything. He's mending things. :)

capturing moments

2008-03-17T17:59:00.017+08:00

here you go Miao, you asked for it *grin*

still one of our best sports. nice one ian!

courtesy of Miao.

gotcha Maymay :)

our modern Phantom of the Opera

Some classics...

enjoying it..

2008-03-03T19:06:00.003+08:00

Have you heard God's voice recently? Have you heard Him say "I'm pleased with you"? When you make a right choice when you knew the contrary would displease Him, it makes all that difference in a day. When you make the wrong choice and trip over one of those devil traps, but go back to Him as soon as you're conscious of the mistake, He covers you with forgiveness and washes you guiltless. Have you heard Him whisper "I love you, child" lately?

When you don't hear Him, you don't feel a thing, not a trace of His presence or His grace, pause and search your heart, is He number one? Has something come in between? When you've experienced romance with Him, when all is well and you've been chasing Him, but He disappears for a while. Don't give up, He's watching if you'd come closer still. Till you're desperate.

We can spend all day at our computers, in our books, in bed, before the TV, with our close ones, but remember the One who gives and allows us all those, and love yourself, really love yourself, by spending time with Him.

He's saying...

2008-02-02T11:38:00.000+08:00

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:23

2008-01-07T12:26:00.000+08:00

YIKES! It's been so long huh. GOOD NEWS: I have internet connection in the shop again!!!!!!!!!!!! YESH!! All thanks to GOD and Subway. Hahaha. I was just having a passing thought in my mind this morning: "I need to go online and check if i got my course".... "I wished i still had internet at work".
When i switched on my lappy just now, i was flipping through the shop's daily reports and a "dingdung" sound gave me a pleasant surprise. Oh my i was like "are you sure!!?" and started thanking God! Hahha yaaayyy... *beams*
I must say I had a really good 2007. All the ups and downs and plateaus made the year a continual lesson (plus practicals) for me. Passed some, failed some too. I think God is so gracious. There's no one who's able to give grace like this.
Thank you all for being such wonderful friends. Your acceptance, wackiness, willingness to give, smiles, hugs, little gifts, time, love and patience all roll into one mammoth blessing to me. Love you all! *starts playing the song "We Are Family"*
Have a great year ahead. :) We've had an amazing start but let's keep being humble and grow through the bulk of the year okay!

XING JIONG GU SHUO looks of the season

2007-11-18T23:39:00.001+08:00

#1. Miao a.k.a Margaret

#2. Ian a.k.a Frankie Chan

2007-11-14T23:23:00.000+08:00

News Alert!
JYC Camp I.D. is just round the corner and it's gonna be the most exciting yet! But then again every camp has been the most exciting yet. Just goes to show that it only gets better! Haha so if any one of you are free on 3-6 Dec, do join in! 4-6th is the official camp duration, 3rd is for the leaders (woohoo!). Camp camp camp! Would you still be excited about camp when you're in your twenties?
Sure thing!

Exam's on this friday night for me. See you all soon over the weekend! *big smile*
Miao, please get well soon. :)
Everyone else, make sure she doesn't eat junk food and drink cold drinks.
Team effort.

Ooh and it's Astrid's birthday today. She doesn't know about the blog so i won't post anything special for her, but if you're reading this and just realised that you forgot or didn't know, do wish her a belated or something! She'll be delighted. Bless her!

2007-11-03T00:33:00.000+08:00

Exactly ONE month to marathon---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you feel the tension?

hehe. can be an adidas ad eh? or at least something Standard Chartered could use other than all those motivating ones they have which almost always leave a sigh to the one who has not trained enough and lacks confidence in her physical ability let alone capability. sniff. God, help me.
and YES, HE WILL. many people may think i'm stubborn but it's a choice made with His affirmation, His thumbs-up. my elder brother Simon smsed me one day and asked if i signed up which i hadn't then, and he sounded worried after i replied "maybe not". I gave thought to it and finally i came to a point in my heart where i really wanted to be there for my brother, even though he'll definitely finish before me and we may not run together (well, maybe the start when we'll say all the best to each other and then he'll trail off 'cos he's much faster), and that made me more inclined to join. But the deciding factor was God's go-ahead.

So i trust, YES, that i'll do fine. so cheer me on ok! no worried looks! everyone has different journeys, this is just part of mine and glad i can share it with you.
"my confidence since my youth" - the Living, Almighty GOD.

2007-10-29T21:27:00.000+08:00

I love Jesus. He's so wonderful. I've learned joy, guarding joy, fighting for joy, and right now in my life there is joy. There were moments when joy faded and i had let it be stolen by the devil. It's a struggle alright, but God fights for me and He's won the battle for eternity, so i know this inheritance is forever mine. I wish for all to know and possess Jesus as your first love, for joy is the fruit that comes only from relationship with Him. Just sharing this as it's one of my best finds, one of my greatest treasures found in Jesus who's the truest treasure. T is like the shape of a cross; T for Treasure.

2007-10-11T13:09:00.000+08:00

Yay i've internet connection!!! At Starbucks. hahaha better than nothing yea. I miss miss chatting online with yous. It used to be something i don't do often which became something i put effort in doing to something that accompanies me while at work. Now i've no idea why Subway restricted their wireless... i've to speak with the manager! haha. No kidding, he gives me discount and acknowledges me but he ain't around these days.. oh well.

Anyway! I fell sick over the weekend but i'm mostly fine now (get headaches like there's a huge block in it, really), still on medication, have been working more then normal and happy about it, and here's some pictures of a special treat of the week. Hehe smile, God is good!

Bea's "victory pose"

it was Bea's birthday :)

Only You

2007-09-29T01:23:00.000+08:00

I spent a couple of hours watching a korean drama with ian this afternoon. hahaha yes, we're kinda hooked. Or rather, he's kinda hooked. Something that's so unlike him. I never thought he'd watch a korean drama. Makes a difference when the female lead's pretty. Exceptionally pretty out of all i've seen in korean dramas, i'd say. You've got good taste dear. hahaha. Thanks for spending the afternoon with me. I've something more in common with you now, at least for Only You huh? If you start getting excited about them then i'll probably get worried. haha.
Nah, you're cool. :)

Netballers' Night: Joycelin's not-so-farewell dinner

2007-09-28T00:57:00.000+08:00

like a passover meal

this is funny 'cos it looks as though i'm digging Aletheia's nose.

Before you press play, i want you to know that this was ALL started by Joycelin. And guess who she decided to play it on? Harmless and innocent Sharon... who became her accomplice! *wink* So let's present Dawn, fastest fingers' reaction!

Netball rocks and you girls rock. Yeaaaaa! I'm still a little high from all that laughter. Is the noun of hilarious hilary? hehehehe is it? I just thought of it. Must have been all that essaying i've been doing these few days.
Anyway, I really enjoyed myself tonight. Thanks to Jing for the sparklers! Thanks to Jing again for bringing Joy and Ale to our weekly netball rendezvous! They've added so much to the gang. They're nuts. Thanks to everyone who made it for dinner. It was fantastico. Thanks babes.

Worship Him

2007-09-24T20:26:00.000+08:00

It's always wonderful to see people worship God, singing their lungs out and raising their hands, forgetting who's beside, behind or in front of them, putting themselves in a position of vulnerability that only God deserves, giving Him all they have right there and then.

God is so worthy of that. SOo so worthy. I thought oh my i gotta capture this! Usually God would in His wisdom tell me it's not appropriate, but yesterday was one of the few exceptions!

Then during "This Is How We Overcome", Miao appeared beside me after going to the loo or something. I tried to make her dance but i could not! Maybe if she danced, her stomach would feel sick. I think that was the reason, can't really remember. But dear girl, i know you wanted to! hahahaha. I used to be shy and not wanna dance or jump or do anything noticeable but inside i really wanted to. It wasn't so much oh God i'll do it for You! That happened before and that was my personal worship to Him. But there was something that couldn't break and it needed my spirit, soul and body to take me across. I longed for that freedom. I wondered why i couldn't express my worship to Him exuberantly when that's who i am at home and when i'm alone!

But God took me on board a journey to break free, literally, not to be cheesy here, but from the inside out. My fears began to be revealed to me and i had the strength i didn't have before to face them. It's AWESOME. GOD IS AWESOME. The day i jumped and praised Him like crazy at a Planet Shakers conference in 2004, i knew whatever it was that held me down broke. Wheeeeeeeeee!!!!!

So that's a little story for you. And i hope you'll have that freedom too, if you want it!!

And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. Then David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. -----------2 Samuel 6:13-15

2007-09-22T18:14:00.000+08:00

Morning date with ian at big M. He had to wait about 15min for me and that's patient and nice of him 'cos even though he knew i would most likely be late, he still came on time. Hee *grin*. I'm trying to kick this being late habit for years, and frankly, i believe it's do-able. Sorry for making anyone wait for precious minutes before alright? Hehe i'll continue trying yea. Soon, I will kick it!

Ooh and hey girls, thanks for your lovely company for swimming on fri! hehe, i love. I'm sure i'm darker now. *dances the chicken dance*

and Sam! I kinda miss you and your random comments. And your blur-ness. Glad to hear that you're having fun at work... hehe and we all know what you do. Like what nuo said, it's a calling man!

A day off

2007-09-20T17:20:00.000+08:00

Woke up thinking should i go terrorise that girl at Raffles Place or should i just sleep and nua at home. I decided not to waste time and went for some purposeful meet-ups. After that, Jackie and Wenhua were free so we jalan-ed at Bugis and ended up at the arcade. Not an arcade person but it was a good workout for my fingers! King of Fighters, heh. And i was gonna beat Jackie at daytona but i wanted to make him happy. hahahahaha. So if you're reading this Jackie, how about a re-match soon?

You know Pizza Hut had a motto (or whatever you call it)? It's "Good Friends, Great Pizza". So here's to you all for today, though we didn't have pizza. Heh. Ta!

2007-09-19T17:07:00.000+08:00

Welcome to my blog, MIAO! hahahaha. And everybody else in the future, um for as long as this lasts. Dedicated to people i know and love as you can tell by the blog's title. Whatever information shared here will not be for the defamation of anyone, only for the building up of each other and laughter for the good of the heart, hehe. Ok so this post is firstly and specially dedicated to Miao since she's been my faithful company these days at work! You rock girl! Not a loner la, just more of an introvert. :)