Saturday, January 27, 2007

We Were Made to Fellowship

Stu Clark belongs to what is believed to be the smallest group in America: himself. "I meet at my house every week in the living room," he says. "I bring snacks and my Bible, and after some chitchat I get down to discussing that week's reading, sharing my burdens, my praise reports. Then I pray for myself."

He enjoys the intimacy he has gained with himself over the weeks. "There was a lot about me I didn't know," he says. "The small-group setting brings out those personal details you might not otherwise share." He has tried larger groups but doesn't get as much from them.

"When you have to be social, it detracts you from your real heart issues," he says. "Having other people in the picture complicates things. But I can deepen my relationship with myself much better if it's only me. There's a level of closeness you have when it's just one of you."

Stu's pastor has seen a marked difference in the man. "He has definitely matured in his faith since starting the group," the pastor says. "I guess it's not the group size that matters, but the quality of the people in it."

- Joel Kilpatrick, Larknews.com

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10:37 PM

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Thou Shall Not

steal.

the kids went for some 'free shopping' again yesterday at hougang mall. after taking about a hundred dollars' worth of goods, they were caught.. but begged the security guards not to call the police.

they were also smart not to call their parents. they came looking for us, crying on the phone while yokes was having her haircut.

we rushed down at short notice, and picked them up at the security room where they sat waiting. jasmine paid whatever remaining amount they could not cough out themselves. we cabbed them back to the office in two cabs - $7 a ride.

there in our office they lied to us. and lie after lie we tolerated.

-----

"did you steal from anywhere else besides comics connection?"

"no."

jasmine throws a stack of Mr. Midnight and Sudoku books in front of her. And a pair of scissors they used to cut tags and packaging off.

"this shows me how honest you are with me."

-----

if i were to be honest with myself, despite my love for them, i was DISGUSTED.
utterly and absolutely DISGUSTED.

it wasn't because they stole so much stuff, or that they learned the ropes of shoplifting well, or that they weren't caught when they took the books from Popular..

i was disgusted that you can look them in the eye and see no trace of regret for their misdeeds, and to hear them lie through their teeth - without even a blink of an eye. the way they look away as if saying "are you done lecturing yet? i wanna get out of here."

i felt so used. used by them to get out of the situation. used by them just so they won't end up with a police record. used by them because after all that we've done for them, this was how they thanked us.

although it pains me now that some of them aren't even the slightest bit remorseful for what they've done, i can only hope that one day they will learn to live a life that glorifies the One who made them and loves them most.

and although it may seem as though the time, love, money and effort we've invested in their lives are not bearing fruit, i can only pray that all of us learn to persevere, deal with our emotions wisely, and continue to labour in faith. God's work was made for success, and there are no losers in His economy. He's not done with them, we therefore aren't either.

They need Him more than anything else, and we have been called to stand in the gap.

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
- 1 Corinthians 15:58

8:28 PM

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Some Birthday Photos

the rest of which haven't been received for reasons too tedious to think about.

The girls and I.. and a small cake.

Long time no see, but I was SO glad they came.

All of us with my small cake.

Caili's "doraemon food"....... shrunk one too many times.

After milkshake and cheese fries at Billy Bombers.

Wenshan trying to stop me from rubbing my eyes. Zhehao in a (perpetual) state of starvation. Brother, it's comforting to know you're just as hungry for the Word.

My very dear Yokes and I.

A crazy 3 hours spent at New York New York. The deck of Aladdin cards went a long way.

Again i'm just so thankful for all of you who celebrated my birthday with me.. early or late, sms or by being there.. it meant a lot a lot to me, really.

I know it took me such a long time to realize why I can be truly happy.. all that was needed was a thankful heart. I've finally realized it after so long, so long of lamenting over things that were not given to me. All God wanted was a heart that could be thankful for all that He has given, especially His gift of salvation. I must never doubt that He won't be able to provide for a much, much lesser need.

Although it's been a while since I thanked Him like I meant it, when I did it today, I experienced a sense of liberation I cannot describe. Months of pent up frustrations just disappeared, and I could smile once again. An honest, heartfelt smile that no one else saw. Somehow.... I know things are going to be okay.

11:23 PM

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Thank ewe.

thanks for all the well wishes.. even from the most unexpected friends.. :)

appreciate all the presents, but more so, the handwritten cards.. and most of all.. your presence to share this special day with me! (need not be on this actual day)

photos will be up soon. :)

11:50 PM

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Nice pictures.

10:37 PM

Monday, January 01, 2007

GASP! You mean 2006 is over?

as is new year customs, i looked through the 2006 archives to see what highlights i've had through the year..

i can only say that it hasn't been a very accurate representation of my life last year. there were many things i chose not to blog about, but were still such a big part of my life, my struggles, my growth. it wasn't that i was unwilling to share these facets of life with everyone, but just that the most intense periods of my life do not drive me to the keyboard, but to a private handwritten journal purely comprised of my prayers to Him.

the last part of the year had been a hard one.. and despite the lack of entries for the last few months of 2006, it was when i was thinking the hardest about my life and how it looked like to others, and to Him. 2006 was not one of those years that just passed me by.. unlike in the past. it was the hardest to live through by far, but yet one that was most fruitful.

2006 was the first complete year i lived through as a full-fledged Christian, and it has already been such an amazing journey! i have come a long way since i pointed at Jesus' portrait hung in the school hall of Paya Lebar Methodist Girls School in 1993, asking "who is that ang mor guy?", not knowing then that He was the Servant King who became flesh and died for me.

i'm glad that when i see a portrait of Jesus now i no longer point at it and ask the same question. i know what He did, who He is, why He came and what amazing things He will continue to do.

and so the question many ask as we bid 2006 goodbye:

How has your year been?

A year when God had shown Himself faithful and patient to a rebel like me.

11:59 PM

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Monday, January 01, 2007

Descant

Social Butterfly

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