on a totally hilarious one-liner...

taken from http://www.reverendfun.com/index.php?date=20080222

For those of us just finished with our Chinese New Year feasting, it's time to shape up! :D

Desaru Retreat (22 - 24 Feb '08)

by the beach

WooT! Here are the pics from my Desaru retreat~ A quiet and relaxing place to go to, with some close friends from university VCF-er days.

on catching a great movie last night

ok, even though my friend caused me to miss seeing the first 10 minutes of this show, I'm still gonna give a 5-star rating for "Juno", period. And I'm gonna catch this show again in the big screen once I returned from my retreat over the weekend.

Juno (2007)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Comedy

Go watch it! Period :D

Official Website:
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/juno/

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467406/

Wiki entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juno_(film)

and for those hungry for the hilarious lines and one-liners:
http://www.junoquotes.com/

Juno: You shoulda gone to China. You know, 'cause I hear they give away babies like free iPods. You know they pretty much just put them in those t-shirt guns and shoot them out at sporting events.

:D

YouTube - Anyone Else But You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtBMF0BqDrU
Catchy song from Juno~
--------------------------------------------------------
You're a part time lover and a full time friend
The monkey on you're back is the latest trend
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

I kiss you on the brain in the shadow of a train
I kiss you all starry eyed, my body's swinging from side to side
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Here is the church and here is the steeple
We sure are cute for two ugly people
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

The pebbles forgive me, the trees forgive me
So why can't, you forgive me?
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

I will find my nitch in your car
With my mp3 DVD rumple-packed guitar
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Du du du du du du dudu
Du du du du du du dudu
Du du du du du du dudu du

Up up down down left right left right B A start
Just because we use cheats doesn't mean we're not smart
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

You are always trying to keep it real
I'm in love with how you feel
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

We both have shiny happy fits of rage
You want more fans, I want more stage
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Don Quixote was a steel driving man
My name is Adam I'm your biggest fan
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Squinched up your face and did a dance
You shook a little turd out of the bottom of your pants
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

Du du du du du du dudu
Du du du du du du dudu
Du du du du du du dudu du
But you

元宵 Office Celebration (21 Feb '08)

haha, some of my co-workers joked this looked almost like set-up for 拜拜

Today is the 15th day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. We threw a party to throw our overseas guests, as well as fellowship in a time of fun and festivity~

Fireworks from the Chinggay Rehearsal (15 Feb '08)

My friend was back from the States for a brief business trip. He was putting up at Swissôtel The Stamford, and was staying around 40 stories high. Managed to steal some of his time on Friday night, before he flew back the next time. Had a good time of chatting and praying with one another. It so happened that there was a rehearsal for the Chinggay parade that night, managed to snacp some pictures with my "lao pok" phone-camera~

on my friend's generous 'bah kwa' treat~ (11 Feb '08)

As you know, this year, the price of barberqued pork slice/ "ba kwa"/ 肉干 reached astronomical heights during the Chinese New Year period (almost hit $50+ a kilo). So this year, my household didn't buy any for CNY. But still, the good Lord sent people to bless us with 2 boxes of it :p

Then on Monday (11 Feb), when I went back to office, my co-worker decided to bless us with "ba kwa". Even though it ruined my fitness plan, I can never say "no" to her good-will and gesture, no? ROFL

Must cycle more liao...

Funny Ba Kwa Thread:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1857636

Library Outing 03 Feb '08

PLenty of interesting pictrues inside, that depicts the history of the "noble swordsman" in the land of the Rising Sun

Uploading some old photos. Went to library by myself to have a quiet time of dinner and reading. The Galilee Special (S4.90) was superbly delicious. Consists of spaghetti cooked in tomato-based sauce with about 5-6 big-bite-sized chunky fried chicken. Had a Cookies and cream drink thingie too. Browsed through several interesting titles. All in all, a restful time in the evening~

Boundless Love

haha, our friend led us in this old classic for staff devotions this morning. It's been a long time since I last sang this song~ My spirits are just uplifted by the joyous melody. May it blesses you day too!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

BOUNDLESS LOVE

We rejoice, we rejoice

In the name of the Lord

We rejoice in His love today

By His love we can conquer and do anything

We rejoice in His love today

 

Boundless love, boundless love

He has conquered all of death and the grave

Boundless love, boundless love

By His love our souls are saved

Image from http://www.mandyadendorff.com/gallery.htm

Attachment: BOUNDLESS LOVE.doc

on my friend's profound thought of the day

shit comes back to u , unless u flush it down the toilet

ha, was just msn-ing my friend, who's feeling grumpy, despite 5 mins away from going off work. Asked her what's the matter, and she said there's some unresolved issues at work. Then she can't settle them by today, so feeling a bit frustrated. Then out popped the above gem of wisdom from her...

May this be inspirational for you! :D

 

 

 

on the Five Solas

For those who don;t know what are the Five Solas, you can check out below Wiki link for a brief intro:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_solas

I never knew what the Five Solas are, except in passing. Decided to Wiki Sola Fide, after Pastor Ann used it in "This Week's Heartbeat" in last week's church bulletin. So it just blew me away, to read about the simplicity and beauty of these Five Solas,

Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone")

Sola fide ("by faith alone")

Sola gratia ("by grace alone")

Solus Christus ("Christ alone")

Soli Deo gloria ("glory to God alone")

haha, I asked my friend what are the possible ways you can arrange in random order*. He told me there can be a 5x4x3x2x1combination.

So take a piece of paper, jot down the five solas, and start arranging them in any random order. Here are two examples from me:

Sola scriptura, Sola fide, Sola gratia, Solus Christus, Soli Deo gloria

Through Scriptures, by faith alone, through God's grace, through His Son Jesus Christ only, glorifying God alone

Soli Deo gloria, Solus Christus, Sola gratia, Sola fide, Sola scriptura 

Glorifying God alone, through Jesus Christ, by His grace, through faith only, revealed in the scriptures

Haha, get the picture? OK, go find the rest of the 5x4x3x2x1 - 2 combinations. :D

I think after a while, you'll see 

Solus Christus = Soli Deo gloria = Sola scriptura = Sola fide =  Sola gratia 

Jesus Christ is the Glory of God, and He is the Word, and the Faithfulness of God and Grace Incarnate.

Have fun!~

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* actually that's not how I asked him initially. I go and ask him "I got 5 variables, how many ways can you permutate them?" :D Trying to sound cheemz, when my maths and maths terminology cannot make it :p

On takeaways from today's sermon

Date: 17 Feb 2008

Title: How to Live Through a Bad Day

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:6-11

Introduction

2 Corinthians - Power and strength of God in the face of human weakness

1. Bad Days in Life: "Tell me what to DO?" (vs. "How do I RESPOND?")

2. Five Keys for turning A TEST into A TRIUMPH:

A. THAT WHICH WE MUST FACE 

"...as you are sharers of our sufferings" (v6-7b)

Problems and sufferings are facts of life

What ACTUALLY Happens < How We PERCEIVE < How We RESPOND

PAIN is INEVITABLE, but MISERY is OPTIONAL

Read "I Once Was Blind, But Now I Squint"

 

B. THAT WHICH WE MUST KNOW

“also you are sharers of our comfort” (v7c) with reference to v3

Why God impresses upon us about His exceedingly merciful nature in our pains and sufferings?

Martin Luther: “Except for my tribulations, I would not have understood the scriptures.”

 

C. THAT WHICH WE MUST WANT

“… of our affliction which came to us in Asia…” (v8)

3 things that happened to Paul when he was in Asia under God’s will

(i) under great pressure

(ii) far beyond our ability to endure

(iii) so that we despaired even of life

 

D. THAT WHICH WE MUST DO

“… we would not trust in ourselves, but in God…” (v9) A Sleeping God?

“Why Me? Why Now?” vs. “Why Not Me? Why Not Now?”

Worship God

VICTIMS vs. VICTORS of circumstances – Hope in God

 

E. THAT WHICH WE MUST HOLD FAST TO – the promises of God

 “… who delivered us … and He will yet deliver us …” (v10-11)

            -> Track record            -> Promises

                Faithfulness of God

 

Draw us close, Set us free, Use us more or All of the Above

 

 

 

Conclusion

How To Live Through A Bad Day

 -----------------------------------------------------------------

Text in black is the sermon notes outline given by church. Text in green are the thoughts I jotted down from the sermon. In view of what my family is going through, I give thanks to God for using Pastor Ed to deliver these reminders. Soli Deo Gloria!

YouTube - "卧薪尝胆"-Go Round转弯

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rswQ05ibRV4
Hmm, channel 8 just started airing this series from the 3pm slot till 4pm yesterday. Looks quite interesting~ Will be following this with great interest~

YouTube - L'Arc~en~Ciel POP JAM (2007.03.17)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIGx0ohpAd4
For all L'Arc-En-Ciel fans :p

YouTube - The Truth (Vertigo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsPBVNecOMo
Our pastor showed this at the end of his sermon today. A powerful message. Hear the change in intonation and mood!

on Syncretism and Superstition

hmm, seems like my household is not the only household that "kenah" "exciting times" during the Chinese New Year period. My friends and colleagues around me have been sharing stories of accidents that happened to their loved ones and friends over the past 2 weeks. Not sure whether it's a "natural drawing/rallying point" or "conversation starter" because of my mom's accident, but somehow the vibes I get from these talks are "ya lor, ya lor, 'jin sway la' (真衰啦), this year of the rat"... :D

 

Anyway, as a Christian, dun think we should hang the word "luck" around our thoughts and speech too much. Here's what one of the pastors wrote in "This Week's Heartbeat" in the church bulletin last Sunday:

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

"by Pastor Ann Chan,

Associate PAstor, CG Pillar

 

Introduction

"Those born in the year of the rat are charming and intelligent but aggressive..." Sound familiar? This is part of a popular Chinese folk belief based on using twelve animal signs as yearly horoscopes, like the monthly horoscopes of the West. These horoscopes then generalise a profile to guide the individual's path to seek fortune, avoid pitfalls and shape his future and destiny.

 

Syncretism and Superstition

 

While most Christians do not subscribe to this belief system, there remains an insidious thread of subtle syncretism in our subconscious. Syncretism takes place when

 

elements of one religion are assimilated into another religion, resulting in a change in the fundamental tenets or nature of those religions. It is the union of two or more opposite beliefs...so that the synthesized form is a new thing. (John N. Todd III ) 

 

When Christ is embraced fully as Saviour and Lord of our lives, it means that we have transferred our trust entirely to Christ. When this is not the case however, the subtle taint of superstition, belief in horoscopes and the influence of "feng shui", as well as other forms of syncretism will seep into the life of the believer,  resulting in a life of fatalism or of manipulative attempts to control his or her destiny.

 

The doctrine of sola fide of "faith alone" contends that our lives should be based exclusively on faith in God's grace. Historically, the concepts of sola fide was the basis for Martin Luther's challenging of the Roman Catholic practice of indulgences for penance. Ultimately, we must believe that there is no other saviour, no other force which can control our destiny and no other allegiance - except Jesus!

 

What beliefs can we live by then to avoid syncretism and superstition?

 

1. Every day is a good day. The Bible says in Ps 118:24 "This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Every day is ordained by the Lord and is auspicious.

 

2. We live under grace and are not just "plain lucky". Luck speaks of an arbitrary God who chooses to bless only some.

 

3. We are not under the domain of darkness. Walk away from all thoughts of superstition,all actions of fear and all manner of doubt.

 

The "rat" year will come and go. Let us not be rattled by the smallness of folk religion but come back to embrace an awesome God fully!

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Lamb of God

Sang this song for the first time and was blessed by the lyrics. May it minister to you too~

          A       D        A

Your only Son, no sin to hide

             F#m      D            E

But you have sent him from your side

         D            A  F#m

To walk upon this guilty sod

         A          E     A

And to become the Lamb of God

             A         D    A

Your gift of love they crucified

                 F#m         D     E

They laughed and scorned Him as He died

           D            A     F#m

The humble King, they named a fraud

          A        E       A

And sacrificed the Lamb of God

          F#m        E       A

O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God

           F#m  D       E

I love the holy Lamb of God

          D      C#m      F#m

O wash me in His precious blood

         A           E       A

My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God

         A         D        A

I was so lost I should have died

             F#m        D          E

But you have brought me to your side

          D          A      F#m

To be led by your staff and rod

          A        E       A

And to be called a lamb of God

(Taken from http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics/yeshua/yeshua0131.html)

Twila Paris song version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6xvtdx33Eg&feature=related

Madarin version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtqGdUFLhu8&feature=related

on not worrying...

While I was speeding away on the cab ride down from work yesterday morning, I realised strangely I was devoid of the sense of fear or worry. Somehow I took the whole news of my mom's fall pretty calmly, and acted matter-of-fact-ly from start till end. Not to say I was "bo-chup", or nonchalant, I actually asked myself what will I do if something terrible did happened to my mom. As I didn't have the full information of the accident then, it was kinda "weird" having that sense of peace. I mean, others would probably have freaked out from the news.

Then I recalled the goodness of my Lord in all the things He has done in my lives, and of others. And again I was reminded of the passage in Matthew 6 on not worrying, and the story of Job, summarised in James 5:11. So I said to God," Lord, it's all in Your hands man." Then it made sense~ the peace I had was not of my own but of God's!

Thanks and Glory be to You who fulfilled all that You promised

on an exciting two day...

Eh, to cut the long story short, my mom had a fall yesterday. Here's the e-mail update I sent to the people in my CG:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi people. It's been a crazy two days, but am glad all things went well, by His grace. Here's what happened:
 
I received a call yesterday morning from my sister around 10.40am in the morning. My mom had a fall outside of home. She was taken to the A&E department at NUH in an ambulance. Details were sketchy, as my sis was not with my mom when she fell, and my sis had second-hand info from a kind samaritan. Thank God I was able to verify that my mom was indeed taken to A&E at 11.10am. Then I rushed down to join my sis at NUH to begin a 4 hour wait, while not really not knowing what happened to my mom. All we knew that she was not in a critical situation, and we're not allowed to see her.

At 3pm, the hospital warded my mom for observation. We got to see her and fish out the full story. My mom had too little breakfast, and she had a fainting spell. She's on medication*, and fainted because she didn't have enough food inside her body**. She fell, and landed so badly that she dislocated her right shoulder and have bumps/"bua du koos" the areas of 20-cents coin on the back of her head. The doctors managed to put her shoulder back in place (ouch), but they needed to ward her for observation. We were just thankful that my mom didn't break any bones, or have any more drastic consequences in the fall.
 
So thank you for praying for my mom! And sorry if you received multiple copies of my sms-es, or didn't received them at all. Think all the x-rays from all the sensors and equipment interfered with my texting of sms-es. Keep having the "msg failed sending" caption appearing on my phone, and got tired of seeing the same messages^.
 
Another good news is that she's able to be discharged this afternoon and able to come home to rest. So praise God for His taking care of my mom and my family, through-out this whole event. Thank Him also for the helpful and supportive doctors and nurses, and even my mom's ward-mates that took care of my mom. And thank you (again!) for praying!
 
Please continue to pray for my mom. She keeps saying she's feeling "全身痛", but doctors says that will pass. She also have to go back to follow-up with the physiotherapist (who will train her in exercises that will speed up the healing process of her right shoulder muscles); the orthopedic (who'll look at her bones); and the cardio-specialist (to determine that her fainting spell had nothing to do with cardio-diseases).
 
Ok, catch up more with you guys on Sunday. Night!
 
In His Time (^^ >) a-jack
 
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."- John 13:34-35 
  
 
* for diabetics, high blood tension and cholestrol-related problems. She had to take 10 different kinds of medicine daily for all above illnesses.
 
** in my mom's words, she had 2 bites of nasi lemak. Why only 2 bites? Because she wanted to "diet". My sis and I rolled our eyes at this part of the story...
 
^ Plus don't want to cause interference with the readings of the test on and ECG or x-ray machine. :P

On a well-put question...

(taken from http://www.reverendfun.com/index.php?date=20080204)

on takeaways from Sunday's sermon

Date: 10 Feb 2008

Title: When Our World Collapses

Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1-5

Introduction

Ministry, Giving, Leadership

1. Suffering in 2 Corinthians (Chapter 1, 4, 6, 11)

2. When our world collapses, respond in 3 ways:

A. EMBRACE the Comfort of God (v4a)

the word "comfort" appear 10 times in 7 verses.

from root word in  Koine Greek,  παράκλητος (Parakletos) - "one who comes along side"

"comfort" is used in the present tense - ongoing action! God always comforts us

"... in ALL our afflictions" Psalm 103:13-14

 
B. ENCOURAGE with the Comfort of God (v4b)

James 5:11 - Summary of story of Job, as well as revealing to us the nature of God in Job's story 

Empowering grace of God

(v4) "... so that ..." --> Purpose! God allows all things for a purpose.

C. EXALT the God of Comfort (v3)

"... we are ABLE (NASB)/ we CAN (NIV) 

stewardship of suffering

Wounded healers (Henri Nouwen)

Jewish blessing - Berakhah

"Blessed be the Father.." (context of suffering)

2 Corinthians, Ephesians and 1 Peter

Conclusion

Give Thanks! Let worship be our first act in suffering.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------

Text in black is the sermon notes outline given by church. Text in green are the thoughts I jotted down from the sermon. Thank God that Pastor David gave us so many learning point even from these short 5 verses. His stories of personal growth and sufferings are both moving and illuminating. Also give thanks for pastors who are not afraid to share their weaknesses from the past, and being real and authentic.

on a easy-going Chinese New Year's Eve

Went to office in high spirits~ Half day mah, get to leave office at 1pm. Busy morning though, as we rushed about with catching up with operations matters, a short department meeting as well as me facilitating the morning staff devotions. Talked about the "wicked having no rest"... :p But still enjoyable, even though we didn't get an "ang pow" from our boss~ :D No worries, we'll get it from him somehow during next week.

 

Normally we usually go for lunch at 11.30am, to beat the lunch crowd. So on wednesday, was really feeling drowsy and lethargic, from low blood sugar. Thank God the lunch at Holland Village Pho Hoa's Vietnamese Noodles shop more than made up for our long wait. There were only 3 of us, as the colleague who dropped us off had to rush home and prepare "shabu shabu" beef for her family's reunion dinner. :p

 Still it was enjoyable slow lunch, as we wolfed down the yummy beefstock soup. First time trying vietnamese fare, and found it refreshing and delicious!~ After that, we traded our drinking stories as al three of us were boozers. Nothing bonds drinkers more than sharing our stories of how drunk can we get. :D

Reached home around 4 plus. As my dad had to work till quite late, we decided to postpone our reunion meal to next day. Had a simple meal with the rest of my family sans daddy. Sister went out to party with her friends, leaving mom, myself and my bro at home. Was alternating between watching TV ion the living room and playing online game in my room. But this year didn't stayed up to 守岁 all the way. Knocked out by 2.30am. Man, I'm getting old liao... :D 

Pho Hoa Noodle Soup (Holland Village)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Restaurants
Cuisine:	Other
Location:	18 Lorong Mambong, (S) 277678.

oooooo, half day on Chinese New Year's eve, so had to have late lunch. Took a ride on one of our colleague's car to Holland Village. We were wondering what's for lunch, when we stumbled onto this delightful Vietnamese noodles shop. The soup stock is fantastic! And so's their version of "popiah". And the Vietnamese drip coffee... heavenly! Wanna go there soon...

How to get there:
http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_32668/travel_site_32194/

on that darned butterfly effect...

yeaps, the "flaps of a butterfly's wing in Brazil can indeed cause a tornado in China", metaphorically speaking. Remember I was saying how i went back to office after collecting my spectacles on the previous Saturday? I'm in the operations department, and sometimes emergencies and unforeseen circumstances cropped up.

 In this case, our work is affected because an undersea cable in Marseilles and/or Alexandre was cut by the anchors of passing ships. So what has a marine accident halfway across the globe got to do with sunny island Singapore?

Big time, if you're expecting information from India. The cable(s) that was cut affects internet connectivity between the Indian subcontinent and the rest of Asia. So we were expecting some files from India last week, but because of the outage, they arrived corrupted. As they were time-sensitive information, I had to go back to office and download from the primary site, do up the information before sending it to my counterparts in Guam. Thank God that the whole process was smooth.  

I remembered, even as I'm blogging this entry, that something along this nature also affected us last year, when an undersea earthquake disrupted some cables that were laid off the island of Taiwan. Argh, the boons and banes of being interdependent in a globalised world! 

Related news link:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/01/internet.outage/

http://sunnytalkstech.blogspot.com/2008/02/detailed-images-find-undersea-cable.html

 

Yong Tau Hoo Outing 05 Feb '08

Eh, belated celebration for our Dec babies, Mark and Eileen. Went to the nice nice "yong tau hoo" shop at Siglap area.

on 2 Many 2 Count - ERP Drift

hahahaha, Mr brown and his team deserves a big round of applause for coming up with this nice ditty. Think soon all drivers will soon be humming this~

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Many 2 Count - ERP Drift

I wonder if you know,
How they live in Ang Mo Kio
Go to city many gantry
Can’t afford your speed too low
Fast and furious! (Kena!) (beep! beep! beep!)
Slow is dangerous (Aiyah!) (beep! beep! beep!)

I wonder if you know,
How they live in Toa Payoh
Please lah tolong, only Lorong
Not Expressway also tio!
Fast and furious! (Kena!) (beep! beep! beep!)
Spread like virius! (Aiyah!) (beep! beep! beep!)

Many many taxes danglin
ERP now is randomin
Keep your speed ‘bove 45
Or everybody Cashcard won’t survive!
Suka suka ERP on
Happy happy gantry can born
16 new ways to gope your lui
See already want to pui!

Gahmen say take MRT
Cos car is only luxury
Build the road for Fellari
Normal car will up lorry
Ji Pa Ban (uh!), Ichiban (uh)
No million dollars you Lan Lan
CTE is the place to be
Singapore road for VIP

I wonder if you know,
How they live in Ang Mo Kio
Reach work early, at 5.30
Spend three hours drink teh-o
Can’t be seraious! (wah lau!) (beep! beep! beep!)
Live like vampires (ouch!) (beep! beep! beep!)

I wonder if you know,
Where the gantry never grow
Where the lorry Never worry
Travel freely where you go
Pulau Bukom! (Don’t have!) (beep! beep! beep!)
Pulau Tekong (Huat ah!) (beep! beep! beep!)

on moi new look~

Took this on the bus after I collected the new specs from Yishun last Saturday and on my way back to office* on bus number 25 from Ang Mo Kio. Wanted to show it to my sis, who didn't go with my brother and myself to get our new specs.

Took this this morning in the office, with my new hair-do.

Here's me in the old specs, my "old faithful" who saw through thick and thin with me for 4 years.

My new specs

My old Specs

Side by side

All commented I look better with my new specs. Some say more "see boon"; hmm, i wunder if the old pair made me look like a pervert... :D

* to deal with an emergency. Long story, deserving a thread by itself.

on walking by faith, not by sight...

haha, Pastor Ed gave us the overview for the book of 2 Corinthians in church yesterday. He said if we got to reduce the whole book right down to the "irreducible", the "bare minimal", it can be summed up in one of his favourite verses from this book:

We live by faith, not by sight.
- 2 Cor 5:7 (NIV)

He made us memorise this verse too... So it's kinda stuck in my brains now...

on God's amazing timing

Last Saturday, went for my first Men-In-Covenant (MIC) session in 2008. I try to make it a point to go for the 6.30am prayer session, cos it feels so good to be together with fellow men to worship and pray to our Heavenly Father with the first-fruits of our time in the day.

The facilitator, Kirk, was sharing his burden to pray for the men this year from the 2 ending verses in Psalm 62:

One thing God has spoken,
       two things have I heard:
       that you, O God, are strong,

 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
       Surely you will reward each person
       according to what he has done.

- Psalm 62:11-12 (NIV)


The burden was to pray that men might know that their God is strong, and has the strength to deliver; that our Lord is loving, and loves us for all that we were, are and going to be; and that He rewards/corrects all our deeds and thoughts.

Pastor K.K. also shared before we broke into smaller group for praying, that the men in MIC are coming to a cross-roads. Even on that morning as the Lord led him to the passage in Exodus (where Moses led the nation of Israel to cross the Red Sea), Pastor K.K. reminded us again the ministry is "crossing the Red Sea". And he jokingly reminded us, when the Israelites crossed, it was not straight into the promised land. Instead they wandered around the desert for 40 years. :p So "better pray hard for the men" ah!

The amazing thing was that I was reading psalm 62* just the day before. Am just marvelling at the timing. I took this as a sign that God is moving in this ministry, and prayed together with the brothers.

But the story didn't end there. For that Saturday, the psalms I was supposed to read through were Psalm 65 and 66. What joy springs forth in my heart, even as I read about my God "who hear prayer", and who "forgave us our transgressions", when "we were overwhelmed by sins"!^ In ending, consider this:

"Come and listen, all you who fear God;
       let me tell you what he has done for me.

I cried out to him with my mouth;
       his praise was on my tongue.

If I had cherished sin in my heart,
       the Lord would not have listened;

but God has surely listened
       and heard my voice in prayer.

Praise be to God,
       who has not rejected my prayer
       or withheld his love from me!"

- Psalm 66:16-20 (NIV)

-----------------------------------------------------

*As part of my "2 Psalm a day" reading planing, since the start of the year
^Granted, if it was Psalm 69 and 70m i'll probably be a bit** troubled. but hey hey, it's God's timing again...
** Nah, I think it will be more than "a little bit"

the mrbrown show: 2 Many 2 Count - ERP Drift

http://www.mrbrownshow.com/2008/02/04/the-mrbrown-show-2-many-2-count-erp-drift/
Hahhahahaha!!!

*Beep!! Beep!!*

P.S. Here's the lyrics, kudos to "meepoktah" who found that lyrics are embedded in the MP3, and can be viewed if you're using iTunes.

2 Many 2 Count - ERP Drift

I wonder if you know,
How they live in Ang Mo Kio
Go to city many gantry
Can’t afford your speed too low
Fast and furious! (Kena!) (beep! beep! beep!)
Slow is dangerous (Aiyah!) (beep! beep! beep!)

I wonder if you know,
How they live in Toa Payoh
Please lah tolong, only Lorong
Not Expressway also tio!
Fast and furious! (Kena!) (beep! beep! beep!)
Spread like virius! (Aiyah!) (beep! beep! beep!)

Many many taxes danglin
ERP now is randomin
Keep your speed ‘bove 45
Or everybody Cashcard won’t survive!
Suka suka ERP on
Happy happy gantry can born
16 new ways to gope your lui
See already want to pui!

Gahmen say take MRT
Cos car is only luxury
Build the road for Fellari
Normal car will up lorry
Ji Pa Ban (uh!), Ichiban (uh)
No million dollars you Lan Lan
CTE is the place to be
Singapore road for VIP

I wonder if you know,
How they live in Ang Mo Kio
Reach work early, at 5.30
Spend three hours drink teh-o
Can’t be seraious! (wah lau!) (beep! beep! beep!)
Live like vampires (ouch!) (beep! beep! beep!)

I wonder if you know,
Where the gantry never grow
Where the lorry Never worry
Travel freely where you go
Pulau Bukom! (Don’t have!) (beep! beep! beep!)
Pulau Tekong (Huat ah!) (beep! beep! beep!)

YouTube - Once again (Cantonese Praise and Worship)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYe9bSr-uLM
Eh, this posting was a bit WOLS. Just discovered the clip recently. Enjoy!~