Well, I've been down with a terrible flu the last couple of days - whole body aching, waking up with GREEN stuff coming out my nose etc.
Going through all that, I had to force myself to plan my teaching, plan the ministry, go and teach etc.
All of a sudden, I realised THIS IS WHAT IT"S LIKE TO BE SELF-EMPLOYED!!
When I was working for a company or an organisation, anytime I was sick, I could just get an MC. Now, the "company" I'm working for is my own, and whether I'm sick or not, I still have to carry on .
Wow!! It's scary! I realise that from now, it's no longer fixed income whether I work or not, no more medical benefits, no more annual leave .... HAHA
So this is what being self-employed means!!
One thing I know though - I'm gonna be honest with my taxes and God will bless .. HAHA .. :)
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Wait on the Promises of God
This week has been tough. Really tough. Been spending lots of time in prayer and planning for the Creative Arts Ministry in my church and seeking direction for what to do in my future.
In everything I do, I believe it's 100% God AND 100% man .. we gotta put in our full effort so that God can release our full potential. Never could understand how some people can just sit around and pray while not doing 100% of what they can for God to use their effort.
I've recently been involved in a few discussions and conversations and I realized a common thread - people tend to look forward more to the rest than the work. :) To these people, the work; whether it is a job, ministry or social event, is more of a chore than a joy.
These people will do the job out of responsibility, but not enjoy the completeness of joy and satisfaction it brings because they are looking not for the completion of the work but the rest after the work. :)
One thing I got from Ps Kong Hee during Emerge 2007 is this - Successful people work 16 hours a day!
I'm not saying we should all go out a work 16 hours today, but think about it, if we maximise the 4, 6 or 8 hours of work we have today, God will increase our capacities in our jobs, our ministries and our social life so that we will NEED to work 16 hours a day gradually. If you think about it, if you NEED to work 16 hours a day, it just means you've got great responsibilities at work, you've got a big and growing ministry and you've got lots of friends. :)
So why is this entry called "Waiting on the Promises of God?"
In the athletic world, the word REST does not mean staying at home and not doing anything. It MIGHT mean that, but more often than not, when athletes say rest, they mean an active rest. Probably running half the distance they normally do or training at a lower intensity. Why do they do that? Cos if they completely stop training for just 3 days, their capacity will drop. :)
In the same way as Christians, when we WAIT on the promises of God, we don't just sit there and wait, mumbling prayers to God. We have to fulfill our responsibilities in EXPECTANCY of God's promises to be fulfilled. We have to prepare the platform to be ready when His promises are fulfilled and not be caught surprised and unprepared when the big gift arrives.
Anyway, I just wanna share that this has been a period of waiting in my life, but at the same time capturing God's promises and making sure I fulfill my potential in His promises. :)
In everything I do, I believe it's 100% God AND 100% man .. we gotta put in our full effort so that God can release our full potential. Never could understand how some people can just sit around and pray while not doing 100% of what they can for God to use their effort.
I've recently been involved in a few discussions and conversations and I realized a common thread - people tend to look forward more to the rest than the work. :) To these people, the work; whether it is a job, ministry or social event, is more of a chore than a joy.
These people will do the job out of responsibility, but not enjoy the completeness of joy and satisfaction it brings because they are looking not for the completion of the work but the rest after the work. :)
One thing I got from Ps Kong Hee during Emerge 2007 is this - Successful people work 16 hours a day!
I'm not saying we should all go out a work 16 hours today, but think about it, if we maximise the 4, 6 or 8 hours of work we have today, God will increase our capacities in our jobs, our ministries and our social life so that we will NEED to work 16 hours a day gradually. If you think about it, if you NEED to work 16 hours a day, it just means you've got great responsibilities at work, you've got a big and growing ministry and you've got lots of friends. :)
So why is this entry called "Waiting on the Promises of God?"
In the athletic world, the word REST does not mean staying at home and not doing anything. It MIGHT mean that, but more often than not, when athletes say rest, they mean an active rest. Probably running half the distance they normally do or training at a lower intensity. Why do they do that? Cos if they completely stop training for just 3 days, their capacity will drop. :)
In the same way as Christians, when we WAIT on the promises of God, we don't just sit there and wait, mumbling prayers to God. We have to fulfill our responsibilities in EXPECTANCY of God's promises to be fulfilled. We have to prepare the platform to be ready when His promises are fulfilled and not be caught surprised and unprepared when the big gift arrives.
Anyway, I just wanna share that this has been a period of waiting in my life, but at the same time capturing God's promises and making sure I fulfill my potential in His promises. :)
Monday, June 25, 2007
Hillsong Conference??
Wow! I just got a msg from my good friend David in Australia saying he has an extra Hillsong conference ticket and he asks me if I wanna go. :)
I REALLY wanna attend this conference and seek the Lord for what He has installed for the creative arts ministries and how the Holy Spirit is flowing in that direction.
So, not having enough money to buy the air tickets, I decided to sell my precious telescope. I'm trusting the Lord that He will provide and He will honour the sacrifice.
If you're reading this, please pray along with me. I've got about 2 days to raise ~$1000 for air tickets, food and accommodation etc.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
I'm ARAGORN!!!
Putting your appointed path ahead of any inner conflicts, you make your own rules for the benefit of all.
If my life or death I can protect you, I will.
Aragorn is a character in the Middle-Earth universe. There is a description of him at TheOneRing.net.
Is this the REAL ME??
I don't even know if this is the REAL me!! HAHA .. I thought it was accurate at first .. but after that .. hmmmm .... :)
Utmost in your mind is success. You are constantly seeking stimulation and a life full of experience. You are trying to 'grow' and above all you need to develop freely and to shake off the shackles of self-doubt. You are an enthusiastic individual, full of life with the desire to live intensely. You like contact with others and are enthusiastic by nature. You are receptive to anything new, modern or intriguing. Your interests are many and you are likely to expand your fields of activities. You are optimistic about the future and you deserve every success because deep down you are a 'winner'.
You are not feeling so good at this time. Everything seems to be getting on top of you. What you need is a rest from all of the the present trials and tribulations in peaceful surroundings and with someone - male or female, it doesn't really matter - who can really understand you and appreciates your needs.
You feel truly deprived - not getting your fair share, but you have accepted the fact that that is the way things are at this time and that it is prudent to let matters slide and not hit your head against the wall -so conform and agree for a while. Accept the situation - nothing can last forever.
You are an emotional, sincere and impressionable individual experiencing frustration and unnecessary stress. You are carried away by other people's enthusiasm and looking for that idealised relationship, be it in a business or personal situation, which you are able to share with a mutual depth of understanding. You have lowered your defences in the past and you have been hurt, so you are now extremely wary of being exploited. You are still ready to trust people on the condition that they are prepared to offer you proof of their sincerity.
You really would like to be completely uninhibited - to let your hair down - but you are held back by your sense of logic and rationalilty, since you realise that by simple stupidity you could lose everything - whatever that may be.
Utmost in your mind is success. You are constantly seeking stimulation and a life full of experience. You are trying to 'grow' and above all you need to develop freely and to shake off the shackles of self-doubt. You are an enthusiastic individual, full of life with the desire to live intensely. You like contact with others and are enthusiastic by nature. You are receptive to anything new, modern or intriguing. Your interests are many and you are likely to expand your fields of activities. You are optimistic about the future and you deserve every success because deep down you are a 'winner'.
You are not feeling so good at this time. Everything seems to be getting on top of you. What you need is a rest from all of the the present trials and tribulations in peaceful surroundings and with someone - male or female, it doesn't really matter - who can really understand you and appreciates your needs.
You feel truly deprived - not getting your fair share, but you have accepted the fact that that is the way things are at this time and that it is prudent to let matters slide and not hit your head against the wall -so conform and agree for a while. Accept the situation - nothing can last forever.
You are an emotional, sincere and impressionable individual experiencing frustration and unnecessary stress. You are carried away by other people's enthusiasm and looking for that idealised relationship, be it in a business or personal situation, which you are able to share with a mutual depth of understanding. You have lowered your defences in the past and you have been hurt, so you are now extremely wary of being exploited. You are still ready to trust people on the condition that they are prepared to offer you proof of their sincerity.
You really would like to be completely uninhibited - to let your hair down - but you are held back by your sense of logic and rationalilty, since you realise that by simple stupidity you could lose everything - whatever that may be.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Best Camp 07
Just got back from Youth Camp 07 .. it was fun - physically, spiritually and guess what ... musically too .. HAHA
God's presence was in the camp and I'm praying hard for the fire to continually burn stronger in the youths!
Lot's of fun was to be had - HipHop, Ubin Adventure, TalentTime, Best dressed competition ...
Anyway, here are some pics - taken with my cam, will try to post more from other cameras soon .. :)
God's presence was in the camp and I'm praying hard for the fire to continually burn stronger in the youths!
Lot's of fun was to be had - HipHop, Ubin Adventure, TalentTime, Best dressed competition ...
Anyway, here are some pics - taken with my cam, will try to post more from other cameras soon .. :)
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Outdoors, friends, youth ...
Been a busy week, realigning my life with God's purpose and doing what I can for my ministry, my youths etc. Was actually quite a fulfilling week, got quite a bit done and I learnt a very good lesson - that if a team of people is composed of the right mix of people, the team will go VERY FAR. Learnt this from the camp committee for next week's youth camp. There are leaders, there are workers; there are the creative people and there are the logical people; there are the not so detailed, and there are the detailed. :)
A great team! :)
One other thing I realized - I saw a photo of me exactly one day before I started exercising 1.5 months ago, and one taken today ... you see for yourself ..
Before ...
After ...
I'm pretty encouraged! I mean .. it's only 6 weeks!!
A great team! :)
One other thing I realized - I saw a photo of me exactly one day before I started exercising 1.5 months ago, and one taken today ... you see for yourself ..
Before ...
After ...
I'm pretty encouraged! I mean .. it's only 6 weeks!!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
New Friends, New Insights, New Opportunities
Went to the airport on Monday to send off some guys at the airport. They're from Taiwan but came to Singapore for 3 days just to attend drum fest 2007.
It's always nice to meet people who have the same passion for music. Had a very enjoyable one hour with them just talking bout music, church and stuff.
One of the guys, Nick, owns a studio and we talked about studios and even working together between the 2 of us on some projects. Sounds like FUN!!
It's always nice to meet people who have the same passion for music. Had a very enjoyable one hour with them just talking bout music, church and stuff.
One of the guys, Nick, owns a studio and we talked about studios and even working together between the 2 of us on some projects. Sounds like FUN!!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Birthday of Shoes!!
This birthday is kinda special .. I got 3THREE3 pairs of shoes for my Birthday!!!
From left: Teva Sandals to replace an old pair that lasted me 4 years!! You pay for what you get, and quality is always worth paying for. :)
In the middle is a pair of funky Timberland leather boots to replace my old crummy pair of Timberlands which lasted me 6 years! :) Once again, paid for quality 6 years ago and it's all worth it. These boots look good with anything! Perfectly comfortable too!!
On the left is my new pair of Asics running shoes to kick start my running! :) Fits well, makes me run faster too .... I think .. haha .. :) I'm going for a Marathon!!
Other than my shoes, I got a Wheel Exerciser too. A few of the guys at church had a go at doing it the "manly" way, in the end, only Esmond and myself succeeded in doing it the proper way. The other guys couldn't even do one rep. HAHAHA .. we really had a good laugh.
I'm so encouraged, at least exercising paid off, I'm quite sure I couldn't have done that one rep 4 weeks ago.
If you're wondering what a Wheel Exerciser looks like, here it is:
In the picture on the box, the lady is doing it the "girly" way, according to Alex and Joel. The "manly" way is when you put your feet on the ground and straighten your body (almost parallel to the floor) and bring yourself up. It's TOUGH!!
From left: Teva Sandals to replace an old pair that lasted me 4 years!! You pay for what you get, and quality is always worth paying for. :)
In the middle is a pair of funky Timberland leather boots to replace my old crummy pair of Timberlands which lasted me 6 years! :) Once again, paid for quality 6 years ago and it's all worth it. These boots look good with anything! Perfectly comfortable too!!
On the left is my new pair of Asics running shoes to kick start my running! :) Fits well, makes me run faster too .... I think .. haha .. :) I'm going for a Marathon!!
Other than my shoes, I got a Wheel Exerciser too. A few of the guys at church had a go at doing it the "manly" way, in the end, only Esmond and myself succeeded in doing it the proper way. The other guys couldn't even do one rep. HAHAHA .. we really had a good laugh.
I'm so encouraged, at least exercising paid off, I'm quite sure I couldn't have done that one rep 4 weeks ago.
If you're wondering what a Wheel Exerciser looks like, here it is:
In the picture on the box, the lady is doing it the "girly" way, according to Alex and Joel. The "manly" way is when you put your feet on the ground and straighten your body (almost parallel to the floor) and bring yourself up. It's TOUGH!!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
One Life, One Love
Heard this very very powerful song during Emerge 2007 and I was instantly touched. Song was written by one of the most talented Christian songwriters in this generation, Brother KC Gan from CHC. He is one the role models in my life - just reading his blog and listening to his songs has made me grown so much.
Furthermore, he's a bass player too! :) Everytime I hear a new song from him, I'm encouraged that I too can write songs like that for my church. Oh Lord, I need your ANOINTING! :)
When I heard this song, it so encouraged me so much - like a reaffirmation that God knew me from the start and had my destiny plotted for me right from the beginning. It was a also a call for me to REALLY lay my life at the altar, to love Him with everything I had, to follow His word and to have a broken heart before Him.
Oh man, you really have to hear this song! :)
One Life, One Love
Words and music by Brendon Seetoh & KC Gan
2007 City Harvest Church
Who am I, that you would know me from the start
Set me apart.
Who am I, that you would place eternity into my heart
You have given to me more than this world could give
My purpose is found in you
One life, I lay at your altar
One love, I have with you
Touch me again, fill me as you hold my outstretched hands
One word, you know I will follow
One heart, broken to you
Use me again, your mercies follow me,
for all my days
In your presence, in your power,
Holy Spirit I surrender
Furthermore, he's a bass player too! :) Everytime I hear a new song from him, I'm encouraged that I too can write songs like that for my church. Oh Lord, I need your ANOINTING! :)
When I heard this song, it so encouraged me so much - like a reaffirmation that God knew me from the start and had my destiny plotted for me right from the beginning. It was a also a call for me to REALLY lay my life at the altar, to love Him with everything I had, to follow His word and to have a broken heart before Him.
Oh man, you really have to hear this song! :)
One Life, One Love
Words and music by Brendon Seetoh & KC Gan
2007 City Harvest Church
Who am I, that you would know me from the start
Set me apart.
Who am I, that you would place eternity into my heart
You have given to me more than this world could give
My purpose is found in you
One life, I lay at your altar
One love, I have with you
Touch me again, fill me as you hold my outstretched hands
One word, you know I will follow
One heart, broken to you
Use me again, your mercies follow me,
for all my days
In your presence, in your power,
Holy Spirit I surrender
Emerge 2007!!
Emerge 2007 really touched me. I think it'll take a few entries to finish my thoughts and how this powerful conference impacted me! :)
Anyway, the first thing that will impress anyone attending City Harvest Church services, is how the youths are willing to come 3 hours before service starts just to queue to get in to the service and to get good seats.
That is a physical act of spiritual thirst and hunger that is just so exciting to see in today's youths!
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Just look at the queue and the number of people!! :)
You know the other thing that impressed me? The organisers had ample bottled water prepared to people queuing and they even moved the queue into an air-conditioned hall on the third day. These are things they didn't have to do, but it just goes to show the amount of detail and love the organisers have. :)
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Ushers distributing waterOk, those are just initial thoughts. :) I shall go more "in-depth" in my next entry. Stay Tuned!
Monday, June 04, 2007
It's my Birthday!!
Wow, it seems so quick. It's June 4th again - just got back from a physically tiring but spiritually fulfilling 4 days of Emerge 2007. The temptation to sleep through my birthday is just so strong, but I wanted to make this birthday slightly different, so guess what I did .... I woke up early in the morning for a nice swim and a long run. :)
Whew! After the swim it felt like I could barely walk, let alone run ... but endurance paid off and I'm now so satisfied. :)
On the other side of today's coin, I told the Lord this morning that whatever happened in past 24 years I lay at His feet. You wouldn't believe the number of things that have happened - good or bad that I can only thank God He carried me through. However, from there, I want to go forward into a new season in my life, especially on my 24th Birthday and less than 2 weeks before I finish serving National Service.
At this point, I'm really trusting God for my future! :)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:11-12
Whew! After the swim it felt like I could barely walk, let alone run ... but endurance paid off and I'm now so satisfied. :)
On the other side of today's coin, I told the Lord this morning that whatever happened in past 24 years I lay at His feet. You wouldn't believe the number of things that have happened - good or bad that I can only thank God He carried me through. However, from there, I want to go forward into a new season in my life, especially on my 24th Birthday and less than 2 weeks before I finish serving National Service.
At this point, I'm really trusting God for my future! :)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:11-12
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