Sunday, February 19
Wednesday, February 15
"I know that!" she exclaims
looking over my arm and there was it. she pinched it for who knows what kind of reason, however it is my temporal photo album for now.
I just came back from a tim sum session with another aussie friend that stays near to the melbourne university. Oh how i wish I could just go over to Aussie and study there on a Shell-NAC scholarship, but I choose to stay and see what God has for me because if I go and venture I might not have what I have right now. There have been so many opportunities given to me this period that threw me off course in my journey and made me think what I really want and what He really want is totally different. God's plan is always higher than men's plan, He has a purpose for me and I am beginning to have a glimpse of it.
A blessing named rox was included and my life really became more blissful and understood how completeness can be in moments here and there. I know she is a few thousand miles away and I know things might "happen" but I don't wish to give up , instead I commit. I wish to have faith and want it to happen cause many others have given up on hope and perfection.
I choose this way because my God's character has duplicated on me. Unconditionally...I chose it :) what is impossible with man is possible with God. Things of the world will pass but He stands forever and so are the words and pillar of faith that stands within His children. If we grasp the concept of Him, hearts will see a tad clearer. There is a confidence in a future. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth if we don't have the confidence, who will?
Just prayed for you :)
tomorrow leading worship in TCA. I need to stop being in debts with my homework and start handing it up on time. By this weekend all debts will be cleared. I need to master this human experience and understand that I need to live in a excellence to be able to be a greater blessing to other people. I will start anew in my vision that He has given me. And see where the HS will bring me to...in a few months I believe He will bring me to a whole new level of perspective and prosperity in my life. It is coming for I am already blessed by a half "You know that right?"
Cheerios...next entry will be "Killing Spree" stay tuned for it wouldn't be so lovey dovey...VALENTINE's DAY is OVER muhahahaha...
looking over my arm and there was it. she pinched it for who knows what kind of reason, however it is my temporal photo album for now.
I just came back from a tim sum session with another aussie friend that stays near to the melbourne university. Oh how i wish I could just go over to Aussie and study there on a Shell-NAC scholarship, but I choose to stay and see what God has for me because if I go and venture I might not have what I have right now. There have been so many opportunities given to me this period that threw me off course in my journey and made me think what I really want and what He really want is totally different. God's plan is always higher than men's plan, He has a purpose for me and I am beginning to have a glimpse of it.
A blessing named rox was included and my life really became more blissful and understood how completeness can be in moments here and there. I know she is a few thousand miles away and I know things might "happen" but I don't wish to give up , instead I commit. I wish to have faith and want it to happen cause many others have given up on hope and perfection.
I choose this way because my God's character has duplicated on me. Unconditionally...I chose it :) what is impossible with man is possible with God. Things of the world will pass but He stands forever and so are the words and pillar of faith that stands within His children. If we grasp the concept of Him, hearts will see a tad clearer. There is a confidence in a future. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth if we don't have the confidence, who will?
Just prayed for you :)
tomorrow leading worship in TCA. I need to stop being in debts with my homework and start handing it up on time. By this weekend all debts will be cleared. I need to master this human experience and understand that I need to live in a excellence to be able to be a greater blessing to other people. I will start anew in my vision that He has given me. And see where the HS will bring me to...in a few months I believe He will bring me to a whole new level of perspective and prosperity in my life. It is coming for I am already blessed by a half "You know that right?"
Cheerios...next entry will be "Killing Spree" stay tuned for it wouldn't be so lovey dovey...VALENTINE's DAY is OVER muhahahaha...
the tale of two grannies Pt2 - the hainan princess *a sort of*
a story i hear from my aunt june, the youngest daughter of my grandma. She told me that my grandma when she was really young like in her teens, she was an heiress to many lands in hainan island. Wherever she wishes to go, she will be brought around by a sedan chair with servants attending to her every need. A kinda Paris Hilton I thought...but my grandma is one filled with rich morals and values not like the celebrity mentioned. Hence how did she end up here in Singapore with my Sailor cum Chef grandpa?
probably the war or the civil outbreak that was earlier. My grandma was then married to the hainanese clan of "Loy" probably in association with the many surnamed "Loy" in Singapore. It was a fall from riches, my granny really had to eat the humblest pie offered by the circumstances that was inevitable. But my late grandpa was the finest chef then in Singapore! Made a name for himself on ships that sailed throughout the pacific and finally settle in Singapore with my granny and started doing business in hotels. Boy, he can cook up a storm that will wet any appetite. My granny now is 85+ years old, a tad like a faded jade, however could still see the former glory of her youthful past brought forward by the enthusiaism of her telling her stories to me. Like for example how during the jap occupation, she was a servant to a japanese couple or something like that and how she was also a servant to a british couple after the surrender of the jappos.
now there is a ticking time stopper in her brain. a blood clot within her head that just might forbid her to see her grand children getting married and be happy altogether. Can tell she wants to see that...keep telling me which girl was good and which girl is not for me...i didn't heed it hence i did suffer big time, but she tell me this once again that i cannot ever procrastinate on the one that that she held her hands for long time and smiled the brightest at. I know what she meant and I agree with her because I really do love that girl as well. That lovely blessing of a girl is willing to be with me and that was it, though the trials has just started. I know granny...and I thank you for being there for me always. Love you Ma, *nong dai lu ai nong, nong bang lu tim ha lai gai ye du nong gai tim ah lai*
a story i hear from my aunt june, the youngest daughter of my grandma. She told me that my grandma when she was really young like in her teens, she was an heiress to many lands in hainan island. Wherever she wishes to go, she will be brought around by a sedan chair with servants attending to her every need. A kinda Paris Hilton I thought...but my grandma is one filled with rich morals and values not like the celebrity mentioned. Hence how did she end up here in Singapore with my Sailor cum Chef grandpa?
probably the war or the civil outbreak that was earlier. My grandma was then married to the hainanese clan of "Loy" probably in association with the many surnamed "Loy" in Singapore. It was a fall from riches, my granny really had to eat the humblest pie offered by the circumstances that was inevitable. But my late grandpa was the finest chef then in Singapore! Made a name for himself on ships that sailed throughout the pacific and finally settle in Singapore with my granny and started doing business in hotels. Boy, he can cook up a storm that will wet any appetite. My granny now is 85+ years old, a tad like a faded jade, however could still see the former glory of her youthful past brought forward by the enthusiaism of her telling her stories to me. Like for example how during the jap occupation, she was a servant to a japanese couple or something like that and how she was also a servant to a british couple after the surrender of the jappos.
now there is a ticking time stopper in her brain. a blood clot within her head that just might forbid her to see her grand children getting married and be happy altogether. Can tell she wants to see that...keep telling me which girl was good and which girl is not for me...i didn't heed it hence i did suffer big time, but she tell me this once again that i cannot ever procrastinate on the one that that she held her hands for long time and smiled the brightest at. I know what she meant and I agree with her because I really do love that girl as well. That lovely blessing of a girl is willing to be with me and that was it, though the trials has just started. I know granny...and I thank you for being there for me always. Love you Ma, *nong dai lu ai nong, nong bang lu tim ha lai gai ye du nong gai tim ah lai*
Sunday, February 12
the tale of two grannies Pt1 - Papaya Ah Ma
i have a hainanese grandma and a teochew one who just celebrated her birthday just today and i can't even remember how old she is. Let's just say she is relatively "ancient" but she still as the age old kinda concern she still showers upon me when i was still in my huggies. I love my grannies a lot, hence i decided to dedicate part of my blog entry to just talk and converse about them.
[even as I am writing this I am pondering about her ; roxanne is aussie bound] :'(
my teochew granny came into my life when i was of a very young age. I came into first contact with her [when i actually had memories] way back when i was 3-4yrs old, where my mum will let me have occasional stayovers at teochew granny's house. My teochew granny's occupation was a fruit seller at the old owen rd food market and the business was bustling. All her children was helping out including myself...eating all the leftovers muahahaha! I always see her eating papaya hence the nickname that i have tagged her till today "Papaya Ah Ma" The variety of fruits that was exposed to me was overwhelming because i never see so many colorful edibles in my life as 4yr old. My Papaya Ah Ma's house is also known to me as a place of refuge cause you know...sometimes mom and dad have silly disagreements and harsh conversations which results my mum in tears. So we then will scoot down to my teochew granny place and take cover for a few days. Still can remember the nights of stayovers where the rattling celing fan hovers above me as i lay on a soft cushion foam mattress while i get to La La Land. Those are good memories and new ones begin to create itself as years passes by. Wrinkles began collection on her face, body starts to deplete in its health, walking seem to be a torture for her and everything else that spells aged is dawning upon her. But whatever she become, she is still my "Papaya Ah Ma" today at her birthday bash, I was super duper late. However I think i did rescue the situation by going straight to her and gave her a super BIG PECK on her cheek and everyone WOWED. Good one ian...I am sure she knows that you love her ya.
Stay tuned to my hainanese granny who is my late father's mum! She sits on a sedan chair when she was ten yrs old whenever she needs to go anywhere on hainan island...to be continued
i have a hainanese grandma and a teochew one who just celebrated her birthday just today and i can't even remember how old she is. Let's just say she is relatively "ancient" but she still as the age old kinda concern she still showers upon me when i was still in my huggies. I love my grannies a lot, hence i decided to dedicate part of my blog entry to just talk and converse about them.
[even as I am writing this I am pondering about her ; roxanne is aussie bound] :'(
my teochew granny came into my life when i was of a very young age. I came into first contact with her [when i actually had memories] way back when i was 3-4yrs old, where my mum will let me have occasional stayovers at teochew granny's house. My teochew granny's occupation was a fruit seller at the old owen rd food market and the business was bustling. All her children was helping out including myself...eating all the leftovers muahahaha! I always see her eating papaya hence the nickname that i have tagged her till today "Papaya Ah Ma" The variety of fruits that was exposed to me was overwhelming because i never see so many colorful edibles in my life as 4yr old. My Papaya Ah Ma's house is also known to me as a place of refuge cause you know...sometimes mom and dad have silly disagreements and harsh conversations which results my mum in tears. So we then will scoot down to my teochew granny place and take cover for a few days. Still can remember the nights of stayovers where the rattling celing fan hovers above me as i lay on a soft cushion foam mattress while i get to La La Land. Those are good memories and new ones begin to create itself as years passes by. Wrinkles began collection on her face, body starts to deplete in its health, walking seem to be a torture for her and everything else that spells aged is dawning upon her. But whatever she become, she is still my "Papaya Ah Ma" today at her birthday bash, I was super duper late. However I think i did rescue the situation by going straight to her and gave her a super BIG PECK on her cheek and everyone WOWED. Good one ian...I am sure she knows that you love her ya.
Stay tuned to my hainanese granny who is my late father's mum! She sits on a sedan chair when she was ten yrs old whenever she needs to go anywhere on hainan island...to be continued
Monday, February 6
the fear of a shrinking youth ministry
today's turn out was "pathetic" probably lesser than the past two weeks of attendance. I can't put a finger to the exact problem but all I am getting now is still the same rantings of bringing friends and bringing friends. If now is the gauge of what our youth ministry will be known for...I guess it will be just "Cool" worship and the rest are bonuses, though the preaching of our Senior Pastor is indeed a "WOW" factor, however have the people cultivated a taste or an appetite for the Word that is tailored by the preaching to be spoken into their lives? It is a deadly poison waiting to strike our youth ministry hah...causing our youths to lose the appetite of the Word. What are we doing then? Well at least now we have the materials to teach the "Parables of Jesus" *Jesus to the rescue*
My fear is that we have not shaped or cultivated a generation of youths that hungers for the word. Evangelism is important...YES! Making disciples out of the nation...possible of course but what disciples are we making with the little values and morals that young people get with just a "cool" worship and "good" sermon. Discipleship has to happen within the cell and the platform is not set up efficiently yet. I suspect that we need to move into discipleship that anchors the spiritual man within our members soon with what is coming up. Come to think of it...we have actually gave spiritual sweets to our youths the past one month, it is just not enough. People are attracted to sincerity and the reality. And if our reality is to have the ordinary into an extraordinary, we should be doing well what? But why? Why is our youth group gradually shrinking since two weeks ago? From our history of conquest in Brighton all the way from the year of Reckless Faith to Year of Unprecedented Growth, it should be that we could only be better. Our confidence and barns should be overflowing [Proverbs 3:9-10] but it isn't working. "Oh we have to wait upon the Lord, it'll happen in His timing" but are we doing anything within our faith to support that? Are building altars for Him within our lives and others allowing Him to have the platform to do that? Are we the leaders creating spiritual opportunites for our youths to flex their spiritual muscles? Or the only spiritual muscles they flexing is the mouth as they speak in Godly conversations in tongues?
I want their most important muscle to be flexed. "Heart" the main cultivation area. That will be the sowing field. God likens us to "fallow ground" [uncultivated ground] so if the ground is uncultivated, how on earth are we to bear fruits, even if the fruits are presented, it'll be weak and sickly, and there we depend on the miracles of God to have them be discipled? Have them be strengthen on the spot? And then scold them as they do wrong when fault is on us not having the word put across properly to them through the word? Key thing is "Education of His Word" What are our platforms? What will people think when Brighton is thought about? What will we be known for?
...shrinking spiritual man?
...shrinking youth culture in Brighton?
...shrinking view of Jesus's discipleship in the gospels?
...shrinking passion?
...shrinking appetite for rheama?
...shrinking reality of Jesus that is put in our Generation?
...shrinking responsiblities of us the leadership?
if it is so then we need to do something. I will need to do something within the little platforms that are given to me in the ministry. I will not let my younglings die a spiritual death. I will pray and I will sought the Lord cause with every step I take He will lead me and with Him I will walk the raging seas within the mundane frame of this time. I will still urge evangelism but will lay the foundations of it before they understand the essence of why they got to do it. It all comes back to education of the Word into their "Uncultivated" hearts. Anyway this is just my opinions. In our flaws...God is made perfect, what opportunity to see Him in action within our clearing of spiritual mess (*____*)^ I am the Light of the world and the Salt of the earth! I am the head and not the tail...above and not beneath! I can succeed in His glory...Lord use me now, prepare my vessel.
today's turn out was "pathetic" probably lesser than the past two weeks of attendance. I can't put a finger to the exact problem but all I am getting now is still the same rantings of bringing friends and bringing friends. If now is the gauge of what our youth ministry will be known for...I guess it will be just "Cool" worship and the rest are bonuses, though the preaching of our Senior Pastor is indeed a "WOW" factor, however have the people cultivated a taste or an appetite for the Word that is tailored by the preaching to be spoken into their lives? It is a deadly poison waiting to strike our youth ministry hah...causing our youths to lose the appetite of the Word. What are we doing then? Well at least now we have the materials to teach the "Parables of Jesus" *Jesus to the rescue*
My fear is that we have not shaped or cultivated a generation of youths that hungers for the word. Evangelism is important...YES! Making disciples out of the nation...possible of course but what disciples are we making with the little values and morals that young people get with just a "cool" worship and "good" sermon. Discipleship has to happen within the cell and the platform is not set up efficiently yet. I suspect that we need to move into discipleship that anchors the spiritual man within our members soon with what is coming up. Come to think of it...we have actually gave spiritual sweets to our youths the past one month, it is just not enough. People are attracted to sincerity and the reality. And if our reality is to have the ordinary into an extraordinary, we should be doing well what? But why? Why is our youth group gradually shrinking since two weeks ago? From our history of conquest in Brighton all the way from the year of Reckless Faith to Year of Unprecedented Growth, it should be that we could only be better. Our confidence and barns should be overflowing [Proverbs 3:9-10] but it isn't working. "Oh we have to wait upon the Lord, it'll happen in His timing" but are we doing anything within our faith to support that? Are building altars for Him within our lives and others allowing Him to have the platform to do that? Are we the leaders creating spiritual opportunites for our youths to flex their spiritual muscles? Or the only spiritual muscles they flexing is the mouth as they speak in Godly conversations in tongues?
I want their most important muscle to be flexed. "Heart" the main cultivation area. That will be the sowing field. God likens us to "fallow ground" [uncultivated ground] so if the ground is uncultivated, how on earth are we to bear fruits, even if the fruits are presented, it'll be weak and sickly, and there we depend on the miracles of God to have them be discipled? Have them be strengthen on the spot? And then scold them as they do wrong when fault is on us not having the word put across properly to them through the word? Key thing is "Education of His Word" What are our platforms? What will people think when Brighton is thought about? What will we be known for?
...shrinking spiritual man?
...shrinking youth culture in Brighton?
...shrinking view of Jesus's discipleship in the gospels?
...shrinking passion?
...shrinking appetite for rheama?
...shrinking reality of Jesus that is put in our Generation?
...shrinking responsiblities of us the leadership?
if it is so then we need to do something. I will need to do something within the little platforms that are given to me in the ministry. I will not let my younglings die a spiritual death. I will pray and I will sought the Lord cause with every step I take He will lead me and with Him I will walk the raging seas within the mundane frame of this time. I will still urge evangelism but will lay the foundations of it before they understand the essence of why they got to do it. It all comes back to education of the Word into their "Uncultivated" hearts. Anyway this is just my opinions. In our flaws...God is made perfect, what opportunity to see Him in action within our clearing of spiritual mess (*____*)^ I am the Light of the world and the Salt of the earth! I am the head and not the tail...above and not beneath! I can succeed in His glory...Lord use me now, prepare my vessel.
Saturday, February 4
I am going the ZOO! ZOO! ZOO!
How about YOU YOU YOU???
Primates, gigantic dumbos, slithering snakeys, jumpin baboons,standing tall giraffes,smelly hippos and mostly all animals who smell each others butts as their tradition. Yup...we seen them all today. Me and Rox...boy did we explore!
I mean the whole thing today was really good. It wasn't about the places or the things that we needed to do nor the food that we were about to eat. It was all about the company I am in. Wah Ian so worldly...tsk tsk...christian ah? Oei pls lah...God gave me a reason to live and that changed the way I walk,talk and live. Now there is someone else and of course it'll be another chapter in my life which will cause me to walk,talk and live differently because adam & eve kinda encounter is given. It is called love. Relationships are platforms to a long haul of commitment if it doesn't drive you to be excited and passionate about it...then forget about commitment or anything else from there.
Worldly love? Nooooo...worldly love derives something of the flesh and immediate demand or wanting of a certain something from one another. Here there is only enjoying one another's company and even in silence between us, we still can smile about it and be comfortable altogether. She makes me wanna love God more and thank Him even further.
Suddenly the thought of her leaving for Melbourne in 1 weeks time hits me...oh well...It'll be a testing of how much we want to make this work and be together for the end picture,right? Though the ends aren't really tied yet...I can only pray.
She told me "better keep my hands to myself!" jokingly as I mentioned to her about the abundance of young ppl in the MRT. And I told her that no worries for my hands are used for?...ummm... I didn't continue the conversational topic as I giggled it off. But I'll say it now:
How about YOU YOU YOU???
Primates, gigantic dumbos, slithering snakeys, jumpin baboons,standing tall giraffes,smelly hippos and mostly all animals who smell each others butts as their tradition. Yup...we seen them all today. Me and Rox...boy did we explore!
I mean the whole thing today was really good. It wasn't about the places or the things that we needed to do nor the food that we were about to eat. It was all about the company I am in. Wah Ian so worldly...tsk tsk...christian ah? Oei pls lah...God gave me a reason to live and that changed the way I walk,talk and live. Now there is someone else and of course it'll be another chapter in my life which will cause me to walk,talk and live differently because adam & eve kinda encounter is given. It is called love. Relationships are platforms to a long haul of commitment if it doesn't drive you to be excited and passionate about it...then forget about commitment or anything else from there.
Worldly love? Nooooo...worldly love derives something of the flesh and immediate demand or wanting of a certain something from one another. Here there is only enjoying one another's company and even in silence between us, we still can smile about it and be comfortable altogether. She makes me wanna love God more and thank Him even further.
Suddenly the thought of her leaving for Melbourne in 1 weeks time hits me...oh well...It'll be a testing of how much we want to make this work and be together for the end picture,right? Though the ends aren't really tied yet...I can only pray.
She told me "better keep my hands to myself!" jokingly as I mentioned to her about the abundance of young ppl in the MRT. And I told her that no worries for my hands are used for?...ummm... I didn't continue the conversational topic as I giggled it off. But I'll say it now:
My hands will be used to pray for you,
for I know hardships and unforseen situtions aren't few,
My hands will be the devoted promise I give to you
as sure as a morning dew,
My hands will be the God given comfort and embracing joy
whenever your life falls burden to the devil's evil ploy,
My hands will be an essence of a forlorn lover thinking about his half
as he types emails that all will know we aren't on an ordinary relational path,
My hands will be used to be the counting factor
whenever I count the number of days left till I see you in our next chapter,
My hands will be the rest that I place underneath my chin
when I want to steal a moment of time to cherish our little funny stints,
My hands I would place on my heart
to tell the rest..pls don't compromise my "rox" drawn art
My hands I will place in yours in the end
as we are both *dashingly* dressed up in God's beautiful plan.
for I know hardships and unforseen situtions aren't few,
My hands will be the devoted promise I give to you
as sure as a morning dew,
My hands will be the God given comfort and embracing joy
whenever your life falls burden to the devil's evil ploy,
My hands will be an essence of a forlorn lover thinking about his half
as he types emails that all will know we aren't on an ordinary relational path,
My hands will be used to be the counting factor
whenever I count the number of days left till I see you in our next chapter,
My hands will be the rest that I place underneath my chin
when I want to steal a moment of time to cherish our little funny stints,
My hands I would place on my heart
to tell the rest..pls don't compromise my "rox" drawn art
My hands I will place in yours in the end
as we are both *dashingly* dressed up in God's beautiful plan.
Aiyo...what an attempt at poetry...think a professional poet will say..."Got heart and passion but no skill in literacy" hah...but I am sincere :P ya you hear me? You who teach me word lingo "I know that"
Now the array of photos from the Zoological...enjoy :) and I will promise to talk about something else next time kekeke...
Now the array of photos from the Zoological...enjoy :) and I will promise to talk about something else next time kekeke...
Thursday, February 2
Wednesday, February 1
Tuesday, January 31
things that have to be fulfilled...
listening to a broken down radio playing annie lennox's song on FM95 while relishing the moments i have been through today. A smile that is right smacked into my face "why do you have that kind of smile on your face?" I cannot answer that...it just right to do that if you have been through what I have been through and thought through what I have thought through. I have decided what I have decided, prayed about it as well. Like if it is meant, it'll be right? Well how do we know that for sure unless something is placed in a commitment for that to happen. It is a decision for both to make be it toil or joy...it is to happen and both is responsible for it, going through it not alone but hand in hand, having the principalities of Biblical roots to pave our ways right, it is the pillar.
All is passing but this pillar is still and eternally strong. I am looking to you Lord, for you hold my life book, may this beautiful "foreword" be the very essence of the story that is waiting to be unfolded. It took too long for it to be written, but never late if the author is You. I am looking to You. Help answer some of these questions pls for what is meant to be, is placed by You.
Nice weather...cool and spriteful feeling, just couldn't sleep. This CNY has just took a turn for a better. 2006 is really going to be different for me. I am living the new life since :) woohoo!
Peter did walk on water...the only disciple that did that. When he sink and called for help, Jesus answered in faithfulness. Although unfaithfulness is man's bane to commitment. My commitment is having my faithfulness as my cornerstone. There my commitment will be substantial to all trials and tribulations, there joy is reached. hello...You who ate the bagel :P
listening to a broken down radio playing annie lennox's song on FM95 while relishing the moments i have been through today. A smile that is right smacked into my face "why do you have that kind of smile on your face?" I cannot answer that...it just right to do that if you have been through what I have been through and thought through what I have thought through. I have decided what I have decided, prayed about it as well. Like if it is meant, it'll be right? Well how do we know that for sure unless something is placed in a commitment for that to happen. It is a decision for both to make be it toil or joy...it is to happen and both is responsible for it, going through it not alone but hand in hand, having the principalities of Biblical roots to pave our ways right, it is the pillar.
All is passing but this pillar is still and eternally strong. I am looking to you Lord, for you hold my life book, may this beautiful "foreword" be the very essence of the story that is waiting to be unfolded. It took too long for it to be written, but never late if the author is You. I am looking to You. Help answer some of these questions pls for what is meant to be, is placed by You.
Nice weather...cool and spriteful feeling, just couldn't sleep. This CNY has just took a turn for a better. 2006 is really going to be different for me. I am living the new life since :) woohoo!
28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,[a] he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,[a] he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
Peter did walk on water...the only disciple that did that. When he sink and called for help, Jesus answered in faithfulness. Although unfaithfulness is man's bane to commitment. My commitment is having my faithfulness as my cornerstone. There my commitment will be substantial to all trials and tribulations, there joy is reached. hello...You who ate the bagel :P
Monday, January 30
this is ian in 2006...it is going to be his year and
it is all going to be good for the source of goodness comes from Yahweh! Just hanging out with fellow leaders then chomping on yucky noodles introduced by ruan mian mian. Oh gosh, I am never going back to that place...they don't even serve UNAGI but they serve weird collagen noodles. It is okay, look at me. HS made it all better for me, He paved the way for me till I am able to place such joy on my expression :)
it is all going to be good for the source of goodness comes from Yahweh! Just hanging out with fellow leaders then chomping on yucky noodles introduced by ruan mian mian. Oh gosh, I am never going back to that place...they don't even serve UNAGI but they serve weird collagen noodles. It is okay, look at me. HS made it all better for me, He paved the way for me till I am able to place such joy on my expression :)Sunday, January 29
strengthening my "secret place"
this chinese new year (cny) eve have been the most boring. Especially the wait between the afternoon to the reunion dinner, argh excruciating i tell you. Then some of my readers will say wah ian, so unspiritual, go pray lah. But of course, but all in it's due time! I don't want to go to Him only when I am bored??? NUts...in my joy i wanna go huggy my Father Yahweh...ooh the intimacy can be felt by writing His almighty name on this forgettable blog.
now come to the first day of cny and i will need to prepare for church cause this is like sometime since a public holiday of cny tradition hit Sunday...or i wonder
You know actually today is the one day I could see the flexin of the spiritual backbones of my peers in church and see how sacrificial can they be in giving up the important hours of the first half of the day to come give worship to the almighty which we ought to be in one union always. Heh...who will I see? Will you be there reader? or were you there?
Met up with my church mates at Ben & Jerry's after a long haul of food intake... seafood to be exact, into the mouth WAH i tell you super duper full...i know that this is not one of the things I am called to be the head and not the tail in and that is eating. Felt like puking man. BUT "chunky monkey" was delightful at Ben & Jerry's. What is more special about that place is that we found to gems God hid from us and was reveal on an instance...Yan Ping and Eileen...wah this two such friendly and hospitable people, what i can say I enjoy the company of these two charming and chirpy young personalites. Hope to know them more, though it seem and felt as if I knew them forever. Of course it felt that way...we live in an eternal time and come from the same eternal God, this sort of feeling should be around! "Deja Vu" Like Rev Kong Hee said " We are spiritual beings mastering a human experience"
i will need to find out more things from what mere believers thought it is not important and hard to do which is to go to the secret place and worship Him. Prayer is like a heavenly conversation putting much of Him to you and you to Him...it compliments and it rubs off. Be holy for He is holy, how you do that? Know Him...communication is key, communication is a calling and what carries you there is the faithfulness. This word faithfulness keep ringing in my head during my secret place encounters with the one true God. Faithfulness...
this chinese new year (cny) eve have been the most boring. Especially the wait between the afternoon to the reunion dinner, argh excruciating i tell you. Then some of my readers will say wah ian, so unspiritual, go pray lah. But of course, but all in it's due time! I don't want to go to Him only when I am bored??? NUts...in my joy i wanna go huggy my Father Yahweh...ooh the intimacy can be felt by writing His almighty name on this forgettable blog.
now come to the first day of cny and i will need to prepare for church cause this is like sometime since a public holiday of cny tradition hit Sunday...or i wonder
You know actually today is the one day I could see the flexin of the spiritual backbones of my peers in church and see how sacrificial can they be in giving up the important hours of the first half of the day to come give worship to the almighty which we ought to be in one union always. Heh...who will I see? Will you be there reader? or were you there?
Met up with my church mates at Ben & Jerry's after a long haul of food intake... seafood to be exact, into the mouth WAH i tell you super duper full...i know that this is not one of the things I am called to be the head and not the tail in and that is eating. Felt like puking man. BUT "chunky monkey" was delightful at Ben & Jerry's. What is more special about that place is that we found to gems God hid from us and was reveal on an instance...Yan Ping and Eileen...wah this two such friendly and hospitable people, what i can say I enjoy the company of these two charming and chirpy young personalites. Hope to know them more, though it seem and felt as if I knew them forever. Of course it felt that way...we live in an eternal time and come from the same eternal God, this sort of feeling should be around! "Deja Vu" Like Rev Kong Hee said " We are spiritual beings mastering a human experience"
i will need to find out more things from what mere believers thought it is not important and hard to do which is to go to the secret place and worship Him. Prayer is like a heavenly conversation putting much of Him to you and you to Him...it compliments and it rubs off. Be holy for He is holy, how you do that? Know Him...communication is key, communication is a calling and what carries you there is the faithfulness. This word faithfulness keep ringing in my head during my secret place encounters with the one true God. Faithfulness...
God does not commit to "Talent"
God commits to "Character"
And the cornerstone of "Character" is "Faithfulness"
God commits to "Character"
And the cornerstone of "Character" is "Faithfulness"
i have a faithful God...always You are there...always (^_______^)^
Saturday, January 28
Thursday, January 26
the God that birth the arts within me...where i found the word passion for the first time
yesterday i went to Lasalle-SIA with Winston for he had an interview waiting for him likened to a final hurdle that he needs to go through before admitting into his lustre of dreams waiting to be cultivated within the vessel of a God moulded clay called "Winston"
there he was walking into the interview room and I? I was having a conversation with the school administrator about a possible degree course that they could offer me on scholarship for a year starting in July06. This information got me thinking and God given wisdom churning...what is next for me. In three years if i continue to do my TCA studies, I'll get a degree, howeverin another scenario if I continue my studies as part time in TCA and do a degree in Theatre ARts then upgrading to a masters for my theological studies, all this can be done in three years as well.
yesterday i went to Lasalle-SIA with Winston for he had an interview waiting for him likened to a final hurdle that he needs to go through before admitting into his lustre of dreams waiting to be cultivated within the vessel of a God moulded clay called "Winston"
there he was walking into the interview room and I? I was having a conversation with the school administrator about a possible degree course that they could offer me on scholarship for a year starting in July06. This information got me thinking and God given wisdom churning...what is next for me. In three years if i continue to do my TCA studies, I'll get a degree, howeverin another scenario if I continue my studies as part time in TCA and do a degree in Theatre ARts then upgrading to a masters for my theological studies, all this can be done in three years as well.
1) 3 years = degree in Theology
2) 3 years = degree in Theatre Arts (On scholarship) + Masters in Divinity
2) 3 years = degree in Theatre Arts (On scholarship) + Masters in Divinity
i am in a fix...what i ave been praying for finally came in this sort of an answer. I hear from people saying that this is not God's answer and I should shut it up immediately or I hear should focus and not go by the wayside to be distracted by such. But do they know my prayer life? Or are they putting their advises on me based on the "ian" they know that backslid 3 years ago? Then what happened to Jesus advise to Peter in Luke 22?
31 And the Lord said,[a] “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
what this passage is saying that the Lord Jesus heard of the plans of Satan to destroy Peter's life and here Jesus is explaining to Simon Peter that he(the devil) is coming for you, but hey no worries for I have prayed for you. It really seem like his calling was all lost in his denial and back to fishing days [by the way he didn't give up totally on fishing business quoted from historian who studied the gospels closely, cos they can't be just receiving alms from the multitudes, if so they would have much uproar of financial questioning from the Romans and spiritual leaders] I remember Jesus say to him before in Matthew
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed[a] in heaven.”
God Jesus knows that Peter is to be the head and not the tail, the above and not beneath, He meant success for Peter. So which ever turn that Peter took, it will lead him to where God wants him to be. Can a calling be lost? I think of calling as a view of perhaps a sunrise and you are overlooking it over a fence and you have to tiptoe over to see its beautiful arising, however the the tiptoeing is the part that have to be going on...tiptoeing will be the faith that carries you to do the work to see the beautiful part. "Calling" will always be as sure as the Sun, it matters of whether the faithfulness will be there to capture it.
I said it before and I'll say it again that God does not commit to talent, He commits to character and the cornerstone of character is faithfulness. I am faithful to Him all this while and I am not about to give up. I have been praying about my uncertain future and this comes, i need to think about it seriously and pronto. I am meant for success, the Word says it, I am it. If I am doing whatever that I do in His glory, His glory will carry me there...my calling to Youth Pastorship...there will be reasonings, there will be many eyes and opinions that wil pave my option if i choose this path,
how many will believe in me?
how many will stop placing the shadows of the past and God perspective on me?
how many will see that this will go through as a blessing?
Why they place opinions of a mistake I did when I was a spiritual babe?
I can't do it? Seriously what should I do?
I am praying and the door is shown, if the door is shown, should I pray even more and wait upon Him?
The door is given as my prayer is answered and people ask me to wait and be patient to see what God says? I am dumbfounded. Does God work that way? I don't see that happening in Peter's life...sigh I am meant for success and He will carry me through.
I am called to be the head and not the tail, He'll make me the above and not beneath. The next thing I need to do is to seek out my mentor's advise. My past may be rubbles but i understand in God's way that rubbles are gems for His glory to shine...Lord?
I said it before and I'll say it again that God does not commit to talent, He commits to character and the cornerstone of character is faithfulness. I am faithful to Him all this while and I am not about to give up. I have been praying about my uncertain future and this comes, i need to think about it seriously and pronto. I am meant for success, the Word says it, I am it. If I am doing whatever that I do in His glory, His glory will carry me there...my calling to Youth Pastorship...there will be reasonings, there will be many eyes and opinions that wil pave my option if i choose this path,
how many will believe in me?
how many will stop placing the shadows of the past and God perspective on me?
how many will see that this will go through as a blessing?
Why they place opinions of a mistake I did when I was a spiritual babe?
I can't do it? Seriously what should I do?
I am praying and the door is shown, if the door is shown, should I pray even more and wait upon Him?
The door is given as my prayer is answered and people ask me to wait and be patient to see what God says? I am dumbfounded. Does God work that way? I don't see that happening in Peter's life...sigh I am meant for success and He will carry me through.
I am called to be the head and not the tail, He'll make me the above and not beneath. The next thing I need to do is to seek out my mentor's advise. My past may be rubbles but i understand in God's way that rubbles are gems for His glory to shine...Lord?
Tuesday, January 17
the joys of being misunderstood
a comment from a fellow worker, a call from a relatively good friend questions from youths from other areas were the factors of how ppl like myself can be misunderstood if no proper explanation is given to them. And when there is no proper explanation given, they gossip and the problem worsens...victim? Myself and my principalities laid by God.
All they have is shallow information, they didn't even bother to check why I am doing what I am doing...well fair enough...I really don't care what people think for believe this is the way I can train my young folks to be better leaders of the generation to come. From today onwards I will not explain unless there is a need to, and I will pray that even in my misunderstood situation...joy can still be found, things that are done in the secrecy of Him and me, He honors me and it is evident that it has been this way all this while as my leaders and my interns have given me the trust that I need to move on. Satan now has to grow bigger to take on us but no matter how he just can't the better of the conviction given by HS.
I thank God for allowing me to understand and see the point beyond this sort of a storm. For the next thing I will look out for will be a deliverance of our people and many will know Him. Gossip mongers, watch out! For our tongues are made to praise Him, something positive...if you have something negative that beats others down...try repenting?
Cheerios
a comment from a fellow worker, a call from a relatively good friend questions from youths from other areas were the factors of how ppl like myself can be misunderstood if no proper explanation is given to them. And when there is no proper explanation given, they gossip and the problem worsens...victim? Myself and my principalities laid by God.
All they have is shallow information, they didn't even bother to check why I am doing what I am doing...well fair enough...I really don't care what people think for believe this is the way I can train my young folks to be better leaders of the generation to come. From today onwards I will not explain unless there is a need to, and I will pray that even in my misunderstood situation...joy can still be found, things that are done in the secrecy of Him and me, He honors me and it is evident that it has been this way all this while as my leaders and my interns have given me the trust that I need to move on. Satan now has to grow bigger to take on us but no matter how he just can't the better of the conviction given by HS.
I thank God for allowing me to understand and see the point beyond this sort of a storm. For the next thing I will look out for will be a deliverance of our people and many will know Him. Gossip mongers, watch out! For our tongues are made to praise Him, something positive...if you have something negative that beats others down...try repenting?
Cheerios
Friday, January 6
year 2006...my year...In God's allowance
I am back in TCA with still much of last terms work yet to be done. Hmm...I am really bad at academics but I must try my best, I must. I pray to Him who called me and He really wants to kick my A**!!! I really need to buck up on my studies and get on the track and discipline that will shape and discipline my spiritual man within. Thank you Lord, for I will look forward to the spanking sessions in the secret place :)
this year I have four main resolutions, the rest i will not reveal to my blogger fans [like i have bleah :P]
I am back in TCA with still much of last terms work yet to be done. Hmm...I am really bad at academics but I must try my best, I must. I pray to Him who called me and He really wants to kick my A**!!! I really need to buck up on my studies and get on the track and discipline that will shape and discipline my spiritual man within. Thank you Lord, for I will look forward to the spanking sessions in the secret place :)
this year I have four main resolutions, the rest i will not reveal to my blogger fans [like i have bleah :P]
1) to finish all my papers by due date for this term
2) to live a even more organised life with daily ritual with my calendar
3) to read five books daily to improve my depth of knowledge
4) find a good wife :)
Yuppers and this is my resolution for this year. If some bloke ask "why aren't your resolution like make you closer to God one?" Then let me tell you that God's relationship with me is very intimate, what He has for me, I cannot anyhow tell otherwise you might be implicated and I don't know what will happen. Furthermore, usually what He has for me is usually commands and not invitations, so you realise the severity of the situation? Kekeke...
Looking at my blog there are loads of things I have yet to update...perhaps I'll shower it with photos first. Ya, I'll just do that. Cheerios...this is a whole new year of fresh beginnings.
2) to live a even more organised life with daily ritual with my calendar
3) to read five books daily to improve my depth of knowledge
4) find a good wife :)
Yuppers and this is my resolution for this year. If some bloke ask "why aren't your resolution like make you closer to God one?" Then let me tell you that God's relationship with me is very intimate, what He has for me, I cannot anyhow tell otherwise you might be implicated and I don't know what will happen. Furthermore, usually what He has for me is usually commands and not invitations, so you realise the severity of the situation? Kekeke...
Looking at my blog there are loads of things I have yet to update...perhaps I'll shower it with photos first. Ya, I'll just do that. Cheerios...this is a whole new year of fresh beginnings.
Friday, October 28
blacklisted yet again
i am really getting the reputation of skipping chapels in TCA. I am not being proud of it but i really want to attend however i need those time to meet out my young ppl or even to rest. Though those times are really good...all of us gathering and stuff, however there just not enough time. I need time! To do my assignments, to check out my granny, meet my young ppl and even time alone to reflect. Today my good friend from bangladesh sms me that Regina [administrator of TCA] wants to make an appointment with me with the dean of students. Hmmm...bad news...never had this problem before. If God sustains me till here, I am sure He'll follow me thru till the end. There is a need of a good student to emerge within me at this dire times of mischieviousness...hehehe...i think (^0^)
Assignment deadlines are approaching! Owe my lecturer a outline of Acts paper. I would need to check out my biblio tom morning at the library.
Ian, you would need to wake up *KOK* alright wakey wakey!There are things to be done tom!
i am really getting the reputation of skipping chapels in TCA. I am not being proud of it but i really want to attend however i need those time to meet out my young ppl or even to rest. Though those times are really good...all of us gathering and stuff, however there just not enough time. I need time! To do my assignments, to check out my granny, meet my young ppl and even time alone to reflect. Today my good friend from bangladesh sms me that Regina [administrator of TCA] wants to make an appointment with me with the dean of students. Hmmm...bad news...never had this problem before. If God sustains me till here, I am sure He'll follow me thru till the end. There is a need of a good student to emerge within me at this dire times of mischieviousness...hehehe...i think (^0^)
Assignment deadlines are approaching! Owe my lecturer a outline of Acts paper. I would need to check out my biblio tom morning at the library.
Ian, you would need to wake up *KOK* alright wakey wakey!There are things to be done tom!
1) Borrow lots books for your two reserch assignments
2) Alter your "COOL" brown pants from Thailand
3) Spend sometime to read the books for your book review
4) Spend closet prayer time
2) Alter your "COOL" brown pants from Thailand
3) Spend sometime to read the books for your book review
4) Spend closet prayer time
an 85 year old gem losing her shine
my grandma is located at 9C Bed 83. When i first rushed to TTSH and into the emergency department, there I laid my eyes on a very frail lady with whimpering groans setting the atmosphere of lost between me and my gradma. It is almost a total contrast of her the night before she got admitted to the emergency dept. I even had a conversation with her before she took a dump in the toilet about 3am in the morning and now...she is just listless and vexed with this silly headache.
i have decided to get someone who can share with her the gospel in hainanese...perhaps she needs to hear from someone else besides me...she just don't believe the good news when i put it to her or am i just annoying to her *sigh* please HS, speak hainanese to her so that salvation might just go into her and breathe life into those problems old age has! Argh! death...whereas the bible says the kingdom of God is within grasp...she needs to know that...we are living the shadows of Kingdom now. Buddha has no answers to death or dieseases besides the whole thing about past sins, past doings, past this past that...and then next life a mouse, a cow, a horse? What meaning is there? Then in this life...do much good then how much good is enough...i need a miracle...i need HS to make it right for her in this life for He is coming.
the vacant room of hers resonates love, concern and years of gratitude when she tries to replace the much care we needed from our late father with hers by bringing us up together with mom.
a feeling of loneliness suddenly...thought about the blood clot in her brain...it is quite impossible to have surgery on that at her age. I look to You, for You to look into this. Pls I emplore you my Father...do as you please, for You love us first.
[i will give three reports on thailand soon, it was a eventful and fruitful trip...stay tuned]
my grandma is located at 9C Bed 83. When i first rushed to TTSH and into the emergency department, there I laid my eyes on a very frail lady with whimpering groans setting the atmosphere of lost between me and my gradma. It is almost a total contrast of her the night before she got admitted to the emergency dept. I even had a conversation with her before she took a dump in the toilet about 3am in the morning and now...she is just listless and vexed with this silly headache.
i have decided to get someone who can share with her the gospel in hainanese...perhaps she needs to hear from someone else besides me...she just don't believe the good news when i put it to her or am i just annoying to her *sigh* please HS, speak hainanese to her so that salvation might just go into her and breathe life into those problems old age has! Argh! death...whereas the bible says the kingdom of God is within grasp...she needs to know that...we are living the shadows of Kingdom now. Buddha has no answers to death or dieseases besides the whole thing about past sins, past doings, past this past that...and then next life a mouse, a cow, a horse? What meaning is there? Then in this life...do much good then how much good is enough...i need a miracle...i need HS to make it right for her in this life for He is coming.
the vacant room of hers resonates love, concern and years of gratitude when she tries to replace the much care we needed from our late father with hers by bringing us up together with mom.
a feeling of loneliness suddenly...thought about the blood clot in her brain...it is quite impossible to have surgery on that at her age. I look to You, for You to look into this. Pls I emplore you my Father...do as you please, for You love us first.
[i will give three reports on thailand soon, it was a eventful and fruitful trip...stay tuned]
Saturday, October 8
this is one of the people God has made that I look up to very much and I pray to be better than him by grace of His. He is Pastor Judah Smith of Generation Church, from a lineage of seven generations in Christian ministry.Me? First generation...yikes...odds are against perhaps or so it seems but hey... that puts me in God's plan as good situation for He makes nothing into something for His mandate. 
Wednesday, October 5
25 years of dust...
had a great birthday gift from my lecturer Prof John K. I was topped in class with six other people in leadership of the new millenium module. It came as a surprise..."jawdropping" reaction pronto! However it was kinda uplifting as I was quite down lately with stress from school assignments and church ministry.
Just after the class has ended for the day, Brother Paul raved the crowd and everyone in my class bout 30 of them rallied to sing the birthday song for me :) it was the most heart warming experience since the Indonesian mission trip. It remembered me of the days back in Bartley where birthdays are a must to be celebrated. Today however is suggestive of the watered down kinda care we might have in ministry, hope this will not prevail towards the future generation. Birthdays are important. Tsk tsk...ian ian...how many birthdays of others have you forgotten :P shame on you!
Skipped class today as my good evangelist friend Saion decides for me that my birthday should not be spent in class till like 10pm. Hence we journey out to paint the town RED and we really had fun with a hilarious movie titled "DUKES OF THE HAZZARD" though I really wanted to watch something korean however none was up, too bad. AFter the movie thing we journey to Swensens for some chow down on ice cream, had a free one also due to their all year long birthday promos, how blessed it is *Yum Yum* strawberry ice cream are still oozing out of my mind tantalizing the senses of myself to go get somemore argh...
Okay my birthday is practically that. Sounded boring? Heh...can't be like last time where got gf to celebrate for you or a bunch of crazy young cell members to throw a party for you. Have to be contented, besides for a number of years, my birthday was always left uncelebrated due to my dad's death anniversary a week before my birthday.
Last hour of my birthday, at 11pm. I was with James Pang and Chin Hao. I didn't really expect to call me out but the outing to Popeye's Chicken at the Airport was fantastic. Always loved the airport as it gives my a leaving away for somewhere better kinda feeling, almost a replica of what I feel during worship session but of course worship is much much better...cause Heaven is revealed and I know where I stand.
I am thinking about future now. Perhaps next term, I will not do any project with church besides ministry work and getting my stuff together in biblical pursue. I need focus. Still this term, too many focuses. By grace of God I am getting grounded, day by day...tired though...need to replenish with fresh oil each day, that's why when I topped the class, I knew it wasn't me but by the power of the HS. Thank you for your ever touch in my destiny Lord Jesus.
Nongkhai here I come...leaving for Udon Thani next Tue, so blog readers, stay tuned for more impressions of HS and me.
had a great birthday gift from my lecturer Prof John K. I was topped in class with six other people in leadership of the new millenium module. It came as a surprise..."jawdropping" reaction pronto! However it was kinda uplifting as I was quite down lately with stress from school assignments and church ministry.
Just after the class has ended for the day, Brother Paul raved the crowd and everyone in my class bout 30 of them rallied to sing the birthday song for me :) it was the most heart warming experience since the Indonesian mission trip. It remembered me of the days back in Bartley where birthdays are a must to be celebrated. Today however is suggestive of the watered down kinda care we might have in ministry, hope this will not prevail towards the future generation. Birthdays are important. Tsk tsk...ian ian...how many birthdays of others have you forgotten :P shame on you!
Skipped class today as my good evangelist friend Saion decides for me that my birthday should not be spent in class till like 10pm. Hence we journey out to paint the town RED and we really had fun with a hilarious movie titled "DUKES OF THE HAZZARD" though I really wanted to watch something korean however none was up, too bad. AFter the movie thing we journey to Swensens for some chow down on ice cream, had a free one also due to their all year long birthday promos, how blessed it is *Yum Yum* strawberry ice cream are still oozing out of my mind tantalizing the senses of myself to go get somemore argh...
Okay my birthday is practically that. Sounded boring? Heh...can't be like last time where got gf to celebrate for you or a bunch of crazy young cell members to throw a party for you. Have to be contented, besides for a number of years, my birthday was always left uncelebrated due to my dad's death anniversary a week before my birthday.
Last hour of my birthday, at 11pm. I was with James Pang and Chin Hao. I didn't really expect to call me out but the outing to Popeye's Chicken at the Airport was fantastic. Always loved the airport as it gives my a leaving away for somewhere better kinda feeling, almost a replica of what I feel during worship session but of course worship is much much better...cause Heaven is revealed and I know where I stand.
I am thinking about future now. Perhaps next term, I will not do any project with church besides ministry work and getting my stuff together in biblical pursue. I need focus. Still this term, too many focuses. By grace of God I am getting grounded, day by day...tired though...need to replenish with fresh oil each day, that's why when I topped the class, I knew it wasn't me but by the power of the HS. Thank you for your ever touch in my destiny Lord Jesus.
Nongkhai here I come...leaving for Udon Thani next Tue, so blog readers, stay tuned for more impressions of HS and me.
Monday, October 3
Sunday, October 2
The Point Beyond The Storm
Luke 8
Jesus Calms the Storm
22One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
24The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man
26They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,[b] which is across the lake from
30Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.
32A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
34When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
38The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39"Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
[Base of current issue and today’s report]
Though the latest happening of a storm is a few thousand miles away from us in the costal states of
We thank God for the relief efforts that are reaching out to these people then and right now. However the need is great. The need of a home, mass rebuilding efforts and restoring of what was swept away from that disaster is of massive size.
Right here in
Our young popular culture today has a way to tell us how to get a life. Where do they find it? In LAN gaming shops, having a gang identity, running away from home, giving birth at the age 17, BGR at age of 12, taking drugs fulfilling the high for those moments. That’s not all, they come in sort of forms, I need to get a straight A otherwise I am jumping off the building, I am not well liked in school, family hates me and I’m receiving no attention, my half brother is bullying me…I am cutting my wrist, my parents are separating, hence I don’t believe in love anymore, might as well be a homo sexual.
[Main Issue]
That’s the popular culture that young people buy in today that result to a destruction that likens to what a storm can do.
Today I am going to introduce an unpopular culture that might seem simple but not many can grasp it. But we have the HS to help us with that.
The gospel that we have read, Jesus crossing the lake to the other side, similarly to the kind of storm that is hitting and paralyzing the destinies of many youths this generation in
Most of us think that the urgent focus is the storm. But I want to tell you today that it isn’t the storm that the disciples went through although the bible suggests that it was their main issue. The storm was not the issue. It was the persons on the other side of the storm that needs to be delivered. That is the real issue and that is the focus.
[God’s salvation]
If we have any sense of how God works, thinks, how he operates and we been reading the bible, getting the truths into our lives. We can understand that our God will take whatever evil the enemy means for our lives, something that is so destructive which puts us in some tragic circumstances and He will turn all those things around and make it work for good and even in the process rescue people’s lives.
Before we go any further, we need to picture this. That the life we are in are somewhat our earthly homes, but there is a spiritual home that exist within yourself that enthrones the living God or yourself that governs your every thoughts, principals and your given destiny. Paul explains this rather concisely in 1Cor 3. Then we ask which is more important, someone’s earthly home or someone’s heavenly or rather spiritual home? It is obvious what the answer is.
There are 3 things that we need to understand about what God is up to and what is happening in the passage that we have read, to understand the point beyond the storm.
1) Realize – that He didn’t cause the storm, but He can stop it
· We need to realize that He isn’t to blame for storm and natural disasters. Many times I here people saying why God is allowing this to happen, where’s God in all this, why God didn’t stop this.
· Is the same reason why God didn’t stop you from sinning? You can choose, you can sin all you want to, you can choose to go your own way. People say where was God when all these disasters and storms are happening? Now where was God when you were you sinning? When you were doing something stupid, why didn’t God stop you from ruining your own life?
· It is the fallen nature of man that sin as embedded itself in the DNA of our living being today that throws the whole system of creation into a chaotic situation. Then sin and demonic forces go hand in hand, with no other particular reason but to destroy human lives, particularly before those people can call on the name of the Lord.
· But hey! Our God is so good that He takes whatever the enemy meant for evil, turn it around and make it for good. Our God is the God that in the midst of the storm kicked up by the devil can save those who call on His Name. You know from the tsunami that happened last year, Hurricane Katrina this year,
· Do you know why Jesus is asleep during the storm, because it didn’t bother Him. He knows that He needs to go to the other side of the lake, I am not sure if He knows that a storm is brewing, I am not sure if He knows that there is a demonic force working in a man over at the other side! What I do know is Jesus knew He has to go there. When the storm came up, Jesus is asleep, He is asleep because He is at peace, He is in the will of God, He is in the middle of it, in the middle lake, in the middle of the storm. The boat got flooded still it didn’t bother Him. He was like sleeping in the bath tub and is disciples have to wake Him up. He wakes up, see what is happening and He talks to the storm “Shhh…be quiet, that’s enough” and all was calm.
· Now you know He didn’t cause that storm and am going to tell you who did it. Storms or disasters always stop or hinders the work of breakthroughs and revivals.
· There is somebody on the other side of that storm that is waiting to be delivered. Help is on the way. And there is a legion of demons working in the body of that man, owning that territory, wrecking havoc, causing distress among the people of that region. And perhaps these demons receive word that the Son of God is coming and they throw a demonic tantrum over that lake. We need to stop Him, kick up the storm, but it was the ultimate fulfillment of God’s will [Jesus] and the epitome of Faith [Jesus] that in that boat, the demons are powerless. He is coming and He is landing on that beach, the shores of hearts that are crying out to Him. If you are crying out today, help is coming.
· Start realizing.
2) Recognize – the Jesus in your boat
· Storms bring out the best and worst in people. For this instance, it brought out the worst in the disciples. Jesus was planning to build His church on these disciples and plus He is going to leave soon. Leaving the purposed jobs in their hands.
· Not only He rebuked the storm, He rebuke His disciples “Where is your faith?”
· The crazy thing is that they forgot that Jesus was in that boat. You know, generally Messiah don’t sink! Do you think I am going to sink or the whole thing with Peter back in Matthew 16, walking on water, you didn’t believe that? I mean they didn’t have that scripture yet but you know. You don’t believe I am who I am, where is your faith? Come on guys I am leaving soon and we have to start a church and you are all I got. I need a little more faith from you.
· Storm brings out the best and worst. This case the worst in the disciples and when Jesus steps foot on that shore, it brought out the worst in the region. Demons came greeted Him. “What have I to do with you? Don’t torment me?”
· You will find out who you really are in the face of obstacles, tragedies, adversities and confused situation.
· Testimony – Blind who saw [Thai
· When the worst comes upon you, you will know what kind of person you are. Prov 24:18 If you faint on the day of adversity your strength is small. It will expose you and leave you for whom you really are, for everyone to see, no way of hiding, no way because storms will come, adversities will come. That’s why God is telling His disciples always to keep their faith.
· Luke22:31 31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you[a] as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
· And Paul too explains to young timothy 1Tim1:18 18Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.
· And our God given youth ministry verse Heb11 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
· There is strength to be found in the faith and I am telling you to keep your faith because help will come in your worst times. How?
· You need to trust and recognize in the God that works everything for your good. He wants to set your feet on the rock, He wants to rescue you and He definitely don’t mean for your destruction. Help is coming.
· Realize and Recognize Young People! Cause if you grasp those two elements…restoration is on the way.
3) Restoration – is coming and somebody is waiting
· As we are sitting here, world organization leaders, youth seminars and conferences held by self help, help agencies are discussing about you. Coming up with good programs, character studies, trying to guess and gauge what is the best for young people today.
· They are discussing, organization representatives are coming up with programs after programs, but I tell you those good looking man made programs will never be answers to the problems of the human heart.
· Why? Because most people think that man is inherently good, hence the programs made by them will be good. But I am your leader, some sort of a pastor and representative of God so I am going to tell you the truth!
· And I am lifting up this book because this book says in Rom3 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
· There is none good, not even one.
· Man made programs and discussion have no answers to the sinful nature of today. Hence sinful nature will manifest itself in a snowballing action to self destruction.
· Alike with the demon possessed man, his people do not know what to do with him, they chain him up, manhandled him for he goes into seizures. They have no clue what so ever? The demon got him.
· But there is an answer to all this confusion and distress. You see the main issue is not the storm that you or the disciples are facing.
· But the focus is that they are getting to somewhere that has got people waiting to be delivered. The main issue is that we have youths in
· The organizations are giving their best, setting up youth centers, giving the space they need, give out talks about youth issues, soccer clinics, career opportunities, study funds for those who can’t afford, those are good. It gives them the immediate attention that helps them in their desperate needs. We are believers of good will and doing things in good faith.
· But I am going to tell you what is more significant; I am not trying to say that one thing is more important than the other. But it is something that’s significant because it is eternal!
· It is more important for the people who gone through the storm, the people who are at the other side of the lake, people who are involve in those dire circumstances, it is more important for them to call upon the name of the Lord.
· [Talk bout news paper clippings, students running from home, turning homo for solutions, suicides eg] there are people crying out loud that if God almighty is out there, please come and rescue them, out of their circumstances, get them out of their darkness, out of their plights, problems, they are asking for a deliverer and I am telling you that help is on the way.
· Prophet Isaiah says out from the darkness comes a bright light. Book of James confirms that Jesus is that Light. He is our deliverer. The devil comes to destroy but He is here to do good and restore His people. He is the rescuer and He is the one that chose Brighton Youth Ministry to be the leading young men and women to bring deliverance to this generation.
· And you know what is going to happen? That deliverance is going to bring about faith and people are going to stream in, they will come to this ministry. Some might stay, some might not, but for those stay it will be like a prison door opened for them and they are free. Help is here. Restoration is coming and somebody is waiting to be delivered.
[End-Youth Praise Msg 01/10/05]
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