Friday, September 04, 2009

Perspectives ....

How we handle life has to do with where we put our perspectives .....

Thursday, September 03, 2009

It's a season of Faith.

It feels weird. The path I took, the path I'm taking. Is it blind faith? Is there such a thing as "calculated faith"?

It's now my last month in my current job in Bethany Presbyterian Church and I still have no idea what I'm going to be doing next month.

Getting married in December, jobless in October - never thought this would be the path I'd take.

Taking the path I'm sure I would advice others against, and now I'm the one walking down this road of total uncertainty.

Thank God for a very understanding Fiancee in Salome, always assuring me that our God is in control, telling me she is sure of the value in me.

Some might be wondering why I chose this path - Was it a rash decision to quit? Am I sure of what I am doing?

Well, I can only say that I am very confident that God has arranged the best path for me and the only way I will be able to fully embark on that journey of faith is to leave my current path of comfort and walk the road God is leading me to.

The more uncertainties there are in my life, the more I have to depend on my Father God to provide for me and lead me in the right path.

Not everyone can walk this road - I thank God for giving me the willingness to take risks and live totally trusting Him, but sometimes I wonder how nice it would be to be like most of my other peers - get a stable job, decent or good monthly income, yearly career progression, bonus & increment.

That kind of stability is good, but I don't think I can live that kind of life - I need to be challenged, to go from Glory to Glory, to start new things, to explore new possibilities.

Interestingly I took a personality test the other day, I'm an "ENTP" - here's an excerpt that I thought was quite accurate:

"ENTPs contribute an innovative, versatile, and enterprising approach to work. They view limitations as challenges to be overcome and look for new ways to do things. They need to find a niche for themselves in order to be free to maneuver. They prefer the start-up phase of a project rather than the followthrough or maintenance phase. Once the project is designed, they prefer to turn it over to someone else."

I think I have done quite a good job starting new things and overcoming barriers in my current job - now that things have settled down, it's time to move on and start other projects in other organisations.

Some of my current bosses see that as a weakness, of not "following through", but I don't think that's necessarily so - looking on the flipside, not everyone can start projects and introduce new systems like I can.

Is this pride? Well, I can only say that humility is not the denial of strengths, it is the acceptance of your weaknesses.

Oh well, I just hope to end this last month in my current job well. I have not done everything perfectly, or up to everyone's standard/expectations, but I can truly say that I have completed to do what I set out to do and I have met my personal expectations.

Looking at the current state of the technical equipment, the praise & worship, the presentation during services, I sometimes watch our service DVDs and cry. Why would God use some one like me to bring positive change to a church? Who am I? That God would use me, and leave my footprint in Bethany Presbyterian Church?

Yes it's tough, I think only God, Salome & I see the positive things contributed in the church in the earlier days of my involvement and see the value in those. Now, all I get are calls about the little things which are left outstanding, but hey, don't hire an elephant to run a marathon.

I'm really sorry for letting some of my bosses & leaders down. I really don't know how they feel about my last 6 mths on the job. I think I've done my best, it's just a pity I couldn't end it on a better note.

But you know what, God is tell me, they all don't see the times & effort you put in, but I know your heart and i see your work. You have been a faithful servant. Your job here is done, it's time to move on, explore new possibilities, and build your character further. I have greater plans for you!!


Thank you God for your faithfulness.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

A new season ...

Moving into a new phase in life ... putting action into a vision I was given; fulfilling a dream I always had. It's exciting but scary at the same time. I know I will have to put in a lot of effort to make it work, but I know that God gave me the vision and He will give me the provision ... Thank you God!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Yet another trip to Sabah

I'm in the airport now waiting for the gate to open. It's my 4th trip to Kota Kinabalu since last CNY and I'm scheduled for another trip in March.

I do love that place, but now I'm wondering whether I'm going back too much.

Hope to have a great break there and seek God for His continued direction through this coming season.

Guess I'm gonna be spending lots of time at Starbucks putting plans & ideas to paper ... :)

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Saving Christmas

To all who know my passion about media and religion, here's another great production that's worthy to be mentioned. :)

Buckhead Church, one of a number of churches under the covering of Andy Stanley from North Point Ministries, put together this short film called "Saving Christmas" that was screened during their Christmas services. It was divided into two parts, with the first part acting as a cliffhanger before the pastor of this church, Jeff Henderson comes on to give the Christmas message. Then after he finishes his message, the second part is then shown to conclude the film.

Interesting angle. Leveraging a pop culture medium to present a Christmas story that is relevant but yet retaining the traditional roots.


Saving Christmas from buckheadchurch on Vimeo.

My first prayer in 2009 for the ministry

Dear God, thank you for the worship team in Bethany. Whether we call it 创艺事工, 崇拜部 or 敬拜赞美团, God our purpose is the same - and that is to worship you and to bring in your presence through worship.

Father, you see the effort, commitment and sacrifices all of us make in the ministry. Lord, we love you and we want to serve you with all we have, but sometimes it's just so difficult. Some of us lose our focus along the way, others are growing tired, and still others are not seeing the vision and destiny you have given us.

Father, I sincerely ask, please pour out a new passion into the team. Please give us a booster. Send more people into the team Lord, to ease the burden of your tired servants; give us a drink to refresh our souls.

Lord, please build a strong and anointed team of passionate and creative worshippers with great attitudes of service. Let our leaders be greater. Give them boldness, courage and leadership from above. Most of all Lord, show them your revelation - we want to be a ministry and a church that moves in revelation to make a difference in peoples lives and in society around us.

Father, we proclaim that 2009 will be the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19)- that we will preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, so that we can proclaim the year of Your favor.

Lord we also claim your promise that you will give us a double blessing in 2009. God, you said in Isaiah 61:7 that "because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever."

God, different ones of us in the team have had our share of problems and troubles - we declare that we will inherit your promises and our inheritance will be doubled and our joy eternal!!

Dear God, you also see that there are signs of disunity in the ministry. Father, we renounce every misunderstanding, every hatred and every disunity right now. We want to build a strong ministry and the only way to do that is by unity in the team. The place of agreement is the place of power. A cord of three is not easily broken. Lord, please heal the broken relationships in the ministry.

Thank you Jesus, because you have come that all things would be possible. That all curses would be broken and no weapon formed against us shall prosper. We are looking forward to 2009 because you are able to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond what we can think or imagine.

Oh Lord!! We are excited to see what you have in store for us in this brand new year!!

Thank you and praise your for your goodness and mercy that are new every morning!!

In Christ most precious name we pray,
Amen!!!