Recipe for a Miracle

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup Tension
2 cups Stress
1 ½ teaspoons of Guilt
2 heaping cups of Limited Time
3/4 tablespoon of Urgency
A dash of "No Other Choice"
3 heaping cups of Faith


STEPS:

1. Fold ingredients gently into a bowl.
2. Mix vigorously and add a few tears.
3. You'll sweat a little as you knead the dough.
4. Pack it firmly between your hopes and dreams and form into a perfect littleball.
5. Sprinkle it with a little faith (I recommend Hebrews 11),
6. rolling the ball in the flour until fully covered.
7. Place it under a veil of belief and allow it to rise.
8. Put it in an oven that has been pre-set at the perfect temperature for the heat of trials and tribulations.
9. Allow it to brown under the warmth of God's love.
10. Remove after due season and allow to cool in the confidence of His promise.
11. Garnish with your praises.
12. Arrange neatly on a platter of thankfulness and serve to friends, families and,
13. oh yes, strangers . . . invite them too!

p.s: Pass on the recipe to all who request it and let them know that with this recipe, they have the makings of a miracle!

Adapted from Inspirational Christian stories, poems and thoughts

The Implication : Wait

Most people know the story of Lazarus in the Bible (John Chapter 11) – the person who rose from the dead by Jesus.

How impossible yet remarkable true story:

There was a man who was very sick to an extend whereby he was at the verge of dying. So one of the sisters went and sent words to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” (John 11:3)

What Jesus reply simply was, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4)

Upon hearing was Jesus said, I believe no one know what He meant at that point of time, until the Work is being done in a few days later. The interesting thing what Jesus did is at verse 6: “Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for two more days.” (John 11:6)

We may ask why did Jesus want to stay for another 2 more days despite knowing that His beloved one was dying? We don’t understand. We would want to rush to the scene and be with our love ones if know our love ones is dying.

Not only we are amazed that Jesus stayed on 2 more days, we are also amazed that Jesus was willing to go back to the place where He was not welcomed where Lazarus was laid. There might be a possibility that Jesus and His disciples may be stoned to death if they went back to where Lazarus was. But it was of no concern of Him for He said, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.” (John11: 9-10)

When Jesus reached Bethany, He found out that Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. And Martha said to Jesus IF you had been there, her brother would not have died. (John 11:21 & 32) The word ‘IF’ implied Martha’s limitation on believing what Jesus can do to the impossible just like how we have difficulties in believing God will deliver us from all sufferings we are experiencing nowadays.

As the story goes by, Jesus wanted to see Lazarus who have been dead for 4 days and may had a bad odor already but He reminded all again just as He had said in John 11:4 – “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you would see that glory of God?”

The people agreed with Jesus and took away the stone where He released Lazarus from the dead by calling out to him, ““Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hand and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.” (John 11:43-44)




Moral: Are we willing to wait for God? The 2 days that Jesus delayed might not be our 2 days. It might be longer – weeks, months or even years..
But if we are willing to wait on Him, we’ll experience something that is beyond our imaginations. Something so great that we could never have thought that God will do for us – just like how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

An impossible possibility (Linked) I termed it. Impossible for us, and possible for God.

Impossible is nothing.

Believe.

Agape

eugene

Next Phase - Advance & Overcome

It not easy.

It's never meant to be easy in the first place.

The reason I am able to conquer such great heights is all because of Him.

All Praise and Glory be given to Him.
Rely on Him is not one of the options but the Only option.

For without Him, I am nothing.

Nothing at all.

Farewell to all. Although I know them for only a short period of 4 weeks, the relationship and the bonding was certainly a strong one.

Jokers, slackers, hard-workers, toilet cleaners, extras-takers we are..
But no doubt, we are all leaders of Singapore.

Infantry, Armour, Engineers, Logistics, Signallers - No matter where we go, I believe we'll remember the day we suffered together, joked together, scrubbed toilet together, knock-it-down together and certainly everything.

See you guys on June 10, 2009. SAFTI MI Parade Square. =)

Agape
eugene

Last Gathering, Tango Wing OCS

Eugene & Eugene
- The 1st person who talked to me when I first step in to Tango wing

Buddies
Karan & Eugene



Tango Platoon 3, Section 3
(L-R) Shimon, Benny, Yu Hui, Siang Yi, 2LT Ethan, Eugene , Zhong Xing, Karan, Nicholas, Eugene
(Not in photo: Timothy & Parthi )

Although I have only been in Tango Wing for only 4 weeks, the relationship developed with one another is more than I could imagine.

The hardships we went through is something that words cannot describe.

Everyday spent in Tango wing is a grace experienced from Him. If not for Him, I would not been there.

I thank God for every moment I gone through.

One more week to go

before promoting to senior cadet together

before seperating to various vocations

before we bid our farewells to one another

memories always..

Praise the LORD!

agape

eugene

Tango Wing

(73rd badge/08)

Life

Our life is a short time in expectation, a time in which sadness and joy kiss each other at every moment.

There is a quality of sadness that pervades all the moments of our life.

It seems that there is no such thing as a clear-cut pure joy, but that even in the most happy moments of our existence we sense a tinge of sadness.

In every satisfaction, there is an awareness of limitations.

In every success, there is a fear of jealousy.

Behind every smile, there is a tear.

In every embrace, there is loneliness.

In every friendship, distance.

And in all forms of light, there is the knowledge of surrounding darkness...

But this intimate experience in which every bit of life is touched by a bit of death can point us beyond the limits of our existence.

It can do so by making us look forward in expectation to the day when our hearts will be filled with perfect Joy, a Joy that no one shall take away from us.

By HENRI NOUWEN

(Adapted from 'Reaching for the Invisible God' by PHILIP YANCEY)

Agape

Spiritual Buddies

L to R - me, Yu qiang, Jing qiang (no, they're not brothers but bro-in-Christ)

Thank God for this relationship.
For they are the ones who are always there for me and encourage me.
We share almost everything under the sky -

- our life experiences,
- painful thoughts from the past and present,
- problems faces in school, work and army,
- family,
- spiritual reflections,
- relationships,
- prayer requests
- and such.

Age gaps doesn't matter.
For we are all spiritually mature.

Praise the Lord.


Agape
Eugene

Cadet course

Rush.Regimental.Stress.Tough.

3 more weeks to professional term.

6 more months to commission.
I give Thanks.

No matter what.

Servant Leadership

For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many
(Matthew 20:28 / Mark 10:45)

This verse implies of a servant-leader qualities. How can a servant not serve and yet called a servant? On the other hand, how can a Leader lead and yet not to be served but to serve at the same time? The world does not understand.

Just like Jesus – a leader who not only teach about the meaning of Life but also serve and tend to the needy. Can we be like Him? Yes, but hard. A life-time lesson perhaps.

Although all of us are natural leaders – we lead our financial, lead a team in a project, lead a child and in a family and such as, that does not mean we are leaders whom He pleases.

Let us humble ourselves and learn.

How to be a Servant in Christ and a Leader in men.

No doubt we’ll prosper in His name.

Agape
eugene

~ a Reflection blog

3 Types of Willingness

1. Unwilling and yet Willing

This type of willingness suggest of pressing towards someone to do things that are not desired – things that one dislike to do and yet out of obligation, perform it. An insincere act.
Are we unwilling to spread the good news and yet out of obligation, we do so just to compromise?
Are we spending a few minutes to read His word upon knowing that we have not been doing so for the past few weeks to keep ourselves away from the guilt?
Because of pride, are we unwillingly spending money to help those in need in front of your friends?

2. Willing and yet Unwilling

This type of willingness involves much of a chore or perhaps sacrifice to perform a task. Just like the parable that Jesus mentioned in the Bible: The rich man who wanted and was willing to follow Jesus and yet unwilling to give up his possession for the poor because he was very rich.
Are we willing to come for service or prayer meetings and such but unwilling to sacrifice the time?
Are we willing to help those in need but unwilling to help out financially or physically?
Are we willing to pray for someone but unwilling to do so due to forgetfulness and laziness?
Are we willing to tithe but unwilling to offer the 10% which might be a large sum of money?

3. Willing to be Willing

This is the Willingness that will prosper one who performs it. It is not easy as it requires one to Truly sacrifice – be it in terms of time, physical help, financial help or spiritual help etc. It involves full commitment to someone or something. Its goal is to complete a task that requires much of an effort which most will choose not to do it for it either physically, mentally or financially drained one out.

Therefore, when we are willing to be willing, we not only becomes a better person/Christian, our life will prosper too.

So let us learn not just willing to do things that we can do comfortably but also willing to sacrifice ourselves for others – just like how we have become a living sacrifice for God.

Invisible

Recently, I have been reading on a book by Philip Yancy- 'Reaching for the Invisible God'. In his book, he spoke about many issues and life experiences of both himself and others on how to come to know this 'so far yet so near' Being who have been constantly living within those who have accepted Christ.

"Somehow, somewhere, I know the He loves me, even though I do not feel that love as I can feel a human embrace, even though I do not hear a voice as I hear human words of consolation, even though I do not see a smile, as I can see in a human face. Still God speaks to me, looks at me, and embraces me there, where I am still unable to notice it" He said in one of the chapters.

Have you been complaining to God why there is no one to care for you during your downturns when you most needed someone to? I did. I have been asking for help when I most needed one. A worldly help. Instead of a Spiritual one. When I do so, I failed to get one most of the time. And sad to say, it also happens the vice versa way. (which I am terribly sorry for those who have ever asked for my help and I turned them down due to reasons).

Why not ask for the Spiritual help when we know that we ought to? I believe inside our sub-conscious mind, we have set it to a 'default' mode - that is to seek for a worldly help - a help we can see, hear and feel physically, therefore making us feel more of an 'assured' help that one might deem that a problem could be solved without consulting the One who allowed the problem to surface in the first place. That, alone can show our limited mindset which ultimately limit the power of the Almighty.

Do not limit Someone who is limitless. Although due to our fallen nature, we can't seem to help at times but if we always keep in mind the Verse - Mark 9:23 (read!) I believe we can 'awaken' our sub-conscious mind to a state whereby no obstacles, problems, trials, suffering or whatsoever can prevent us from journeying to the destinations we Ought to go.

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire* to please You does in fact please You." (Thomas Merton)


--Note the word 'desire' - this word implies that pleasing God is subjected to our choice.


Agape
Eugene

~ A reflection blog ~

Nice

Parents' Wisdom

Wisdom is knowledge, understanding, experience, discretion and intuitive understanding along with a capacity to apply these qualities well towards finding solutions to problems. -- (wikipedia)

We, as children tend to argue with parents with respect to matters which may seems trivial at times. We always thought that they do not understand what we are facing or what we need most at the moment and so to prevent them from giving instructions and advices, we often quarrels with parents.
We want to state our stand, we want more freedom from them but ultimately, we do not know what we are missing out.

To share a testimonial, I have been defying to my mum at times. Her way of doing things is always the opposite from mine and its frustrating when she tries to blend in her's into mine by making me do things her way. Only to realize that in the end, I have been wrong when the results surfaced.

Be humbe to learn from our parents for they have gone through life longer than us and therefore, more experienced. My mum always says," I have eaten more salt than you eat rice." (In chinese) which is true though if we are humble enough to accept it.

I (we) have been proud of myself - too proud to resist important advices and instructions.
Learn to be humble and wise and honour your parents by listening to them.

agape

Random photos

Possible Impossibilities VS Impossible Possibilities

We have always imagine about how wonderful we can be, what we will achieve, what we want in life and such. When we get down our feet and think of how to accomplish them, we were drawn aback by negative thoughts - thoughts that seems to limit us. Which ultimately limit our God.
I termed it as 'Possible Impossibilities'.

In this concept, I classified all thoughts and imaginations that came from 'Us' are only possible in our thoughts and imagination but impossible to accomplish in this real world when we come to think of it. Wonderful thoughts like - meeting your life partner, overcoming our weakness/temptations, be a leader who influence and changes life, have a wonderful family of your own and any other more beautiful dreams and hope u ever thought of.
This, in other words are the mindset of a limited being. No, it is not wrong being like this for we are of a fallen nature anyway. However, we can Choose to be better.

'Impossible Possibilities' concept refers to what God can perform in our life. Especially things we don't expect God will do. Or perhaps things we thought impossible. Whatever that is mentioned above seems impossible to us, but for the One who creates All things - Nothing is impossible and Nothing is too hard for Him. For it is already mentioned - All things are possible for the one who believe (mark 9:23).
Therefore, it shall be said: Impossible for us, Possible for Him.

To conclude, the 'gap' between Possible Impossibilities and Impossible Possibilities IS:
1.) The Faith to believe and expect.
2.) The willingness to do so.

So are you willing to believe and expects your wonderful thoughts that you thought impossible become otherwise?

I am.

Things are beginning to change now.

agape
eugene
(a POP-up blog)

Faith Hope Love

Faith is believing what cannot be seen or proven. Faith is committing to that of which we can never be sure of. A person who live in faith must proceed on incomplete evidence, trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse.
“Mystery is not the absence of meaning, but the presence of more meaning that we can comprehend.” (Dennis Covington)


Hope gives us the power to look beyond circumstances than otherwise appear hopeless. Hope keeps hostages alive when they have no rational proof that anyone cares about their plight; it entices farmers to plant seeds in spring after three straight years of drought. “Hope that is seen is no hope at all,” Paul told the Romans. He mentions some of the good things that might come out of difficulties: “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” He lists hope at the end, instead of where I would normally expect it, at the beginning, as the fuel that keeps a person going. No, hope emerges from the struggle, a byproduct of faithfulness.


Love involves caring about people most of us would prefer not to. In Paul’s words, love is patient, does not envy, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs; it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Such a program may seem reasonable on another planet run by different rules, but not on our planet where people act with injustice, meanness, and vengeance. By nature we keep records, right wrongs and demand our rights; love does not.

Adapted from ‘Reaching for the Invisible God’ by PHILIP YANCEY

agape

Believe in His Time

When God do things, it’s unique. We don’t understand why He does it this way and not the other which may seems to us the best possible way. The reason behind why God does things that might often be in contrast of what we does thing may beyond the reach of humanity understanding.

We question and ponder. And perhaps we termed it as ‘miraculous’ when we acknowledged it was from the work of God. Can someone ask to be Prosperous despite of many negative things going on? God can. Why during This particular period when we see it’s most impossible to fulfill things turn out to be possible? For He has His reason which is subjected to His perfect timing.

Divine providence is a mystery that only God understand at times. However, He revealed to us sometimes too so that it may become a testimony to others which ultimately, give glory to Him and thus caused others to develop a deeper faith in Him. It’s wonderful if you know the reasons that you could never thought of.

We may pray, seek, ask and knock but it’s all subjected to His timing. We may not receive in whatever we ask mainly due to 2 reasons. First, we are not ready for what we are asking for. Second, it might not be the best for us at this particular time. Our time is not equal to God’s time. And as mentioned earlier, His time is never made logical to our thinking and understanding. Despite of that, we are to be faithful no matter what.

And when its Time for God to perform His work, no forces of evil can stop, withstand, restrain and limit Him.

So, wait earnestly and patiently before the Lord's timing.

For in due time, we will receive.

No matter what.

Agape~

Willingness

This is all it takes to become a new you. A new beginning. Brand new.

Willingness, however is subjected to choices and decisions. “If you are willing..” implies that “If you choose to..” or “If you decides that..” and if you really put your heart to what you want for a change, it’ll be done. I emphasize of the word ‘really’.

Many people are just saying the words rather than putting their actions behind it conforming it to be done. “I am willing to trust God..” says one person and doubted almost immediately when trial sets in.

Am I (Are we) ‘surface Christians’? I asked myself that. Perhaps I am at times when my spiritual being seems fragile due to many unforeseen circumstances which caused my spiritual fall. Everyone does. “But shouldn’t ‘In-depth’ Christians don’t fall so easily?” one claimed.

Many times we thought we are ‘in-depth’ Christians because we attend services weekly, prayed fervently and share for prayer requests but we must also come to our attention that we can also be a ‘surface Christian’ which spread over a ‘large surface’ causing us to be so spiritual at times when all things are favorable to us. It is the ‘Depth’ that matters, not ‘surface areas’.

And when we realized that when we are actually a ‘surface Christian’ just like the Pharisees, we must be willing to acknowledge it and humbly come before the Lord and asks for forgiveness.

Some people are at times unwilling, which includes me, choose to rebel against God due to our fallen nature. “I trust and love God but I am not going for cellgroups because of…(many reasons)”

If you love and trust God, you should come even more knowing that God will provide.
We can’t seems to understand deep within us. Our problems are always bigger than God not knowing that God can ‘calm the storms’ and ‘fights the battle for you’.

Are we willing to let Him? No doubt the answer should be a yes. ‘Yes’ is a word. A word by itself is dead if it is not performed. So let us put actions behind and reinforced with our Faith in Him.

You might not know, the aftermath of putting your actions reinforced by your faith behind your words and rely completely on Him may take you.

Far greater than you can imagine.

Be willing to let Him.
Be willing to pray.
Be willing to believe.
Be willing to expect.

For you will receive.

“All things are possible for the one who believe.” Mark 9:23

Agape~

Oh God, I don't love You, I dont't even want to love You,

But I want to want to love You.

Teresa of Avila

Catwalk

This video is tested and proven on my personal pet cat.

It really worked.

However, please do not try too many times to prevent fur-loss.

agape

All I need to do is to be still?Teach me to be still.Still as a wise man.For the wise man listen and act according to You.Your Time for everything.Wait.Not yet.But getting nearer.And nearer.

Each day..........
Each hour.........
Each minute.......
Each second......

It's getting nearer.....

And nearer....

Press on...

Hang on..

Be still.

Smile

Develop a habit of smiling on purpose. We have to learn how to smile by faith. If we’ll smile by faith, soon the joy will follow.

Smiling sends a message to our whole body that everything is going to be okay. When we smile, chemicals are released throughout our physical system that make us feel better. Beyond that, when we smile we’ll have more of God’s favor.

Smiling will help us in dealing with people. Numerous studies show that people who smile are friendly, people who have a pleasant demeanor, get more breaks than other people who are solemn and unfriendly.

God is concerned about our countenance. Fifty-three times in the Scripture, He mentions it. when we smile, its not only good for yourself, but it’s a good witness to others. They will want the sort of happiness that we have. Its one thing to talk about our faith, but it’s a far better thing to live it out. One of the best witness we could ever have is simple to be happy, to have to smile, to be friendly and pleasant to be around.

Some people always seem to look as though they’ve lost their last friend. Even when they go to Church, they look as though they were attending God’s funeral! No, we’re not supposed to be merely holding on or dragging through life. Get your song back and quit allowing the burdens of life to weigh you down. Don’t allow your problems and circumstances to steal our joy.

And don’t allow someone else to rob you of God’s best. Too many people people are being dragged down because somebody in their life is negative. Somebody else won’t do right. Maybe we work around people who always complain. Or we live with somebody who seems perpetually discouraged and wants to wallow in self-pity. Don’t get into the pit with them. Keep your song.

No.1 – Get in a habit of smiling on purpose.
No.2 – Check our posture.

Our body language is communicating constantly, so make sure we are saying what we want to say..

Adapted from
Joel Osteen’s – Become a Better you.
(Chapter 29 - Keep Singing Your Song)

Agape

~a lesson I must learn. Truly..

Inspiration

Agape~

Gift from above

Inspired by Mun's anime DVD collection (casing).

agape

Yesterday

It was just another typical day in the camp while I march the company to the cookhouse for lunch. Queued up, wait for my turn and the aunty dished all the food on the plate before putting on my tray.

Looking at the food, I thanked God and find a seat while I was drooling. I was hungry. Took myself a drink and sat down. Gave thanks and before I plunged my spoon into the rice, I notice someone looking at me. I looked back and found that it was my company storeman – Yogen staring at me.

I felt uncomfortable obviously. “What are you looking at?” I said in a joking manner.

He replied in a polite tone, “Sergeant, you look like a killing machine..”

I stared at him for a while showing him a ‘question mark’ expression. But actually inside of me, I felt an ‘exclamation mark’. Although people have once said that I looked fierce and unfriendly, but I guess this time is the worst.

‘Killing machine’.. Oh man… I have got nothing to say. Perhaps I really look like one even when I am just not smiling. Do you people really think I look like a ‘killing machine’?

Lol. I kept thinking throughout the day and I came to a conclusion – perhaps I look like a ‘killing machine’… …only when I am in my uniform.

Have I not smile enough?
Have my smile not obvious enough?

Although it is a simple expression by just stretching your cheeks, it takes the heart to do it. Sometimes, it’s a challenge for me to do so but nevertheless, I prefer smiling from the bottom of my heart rather than just some plain smiles.

So next time when I smile, it’ll from the heart. =D

It was just a comment from someone and it somehow triggered me to think deeper, spiritually.

Life Victories

In life, there are victories and defeats. Victories are always forgotten very quickly while most like to dwell in defeats.

When we are faced with defeats in life, it can be academically like failing a subject or module, losing in a competition, someone may be walking out of your life, when you feel offended or got hurt emotionally etc, all the bad things you can think of happening to you at certain stages of your life. When such things happen, human’s normal reaction will usually feel sad, having self-pity on themselves and started to have more negative thoughts coming through the mind and eventually, be pessimistic about their life thinking that they are such a failures and such – dwelling in defeats.

Note that this is a matter of choice; you can choose to be happy or sad, to dwell on the negatives or positives, to stay in defeat or victory.

Whereas for victories, whenever we experiences victories like some event or situation happen in accordance to our favor etc, we’ll feel joyful. We forgot to thank God who is working behind the scene causing all the victories to happen. We seldom realize. Take note that things, situation and circumstances don’t happen coincidently or luckily. Anything and everything that happens – be it good or bad is from God. If we come to realize this constantly, we would thank God constantly even when things don’t happen in our favor because all things works together for Good for those to love God (Romans 8:28).

I want to challenge all of you who are reading this entry, take out a small or pocket notebook, write down all the victories that you have gone through – knowing and acknowledging that the victories you experienced come from God’s grace and love for you. Accumulate all the victories in your life from now onwards.

When facing any defeats, take out the notebook and read all the victories that you have gone through. You’ll feel happy. Because your faith will tell you that if God can change the impossible to possible and/or deliver you out from this situation, He will definitely do it again for you.

Why?

Because He loves you!

Agape
eugene

Spiritual Accounts

Everyone has a Spiritual account – A spiritual account for others to deposit and withdraw from it.
The account contains not money but Love, Faith and Hope. You and I can both withdraw and deposit into one’s spiritual account.
When you encourage someone who needs encouragement, you are depositing into his or her spiritual account. In other words, when you do something good to someone – be it in general or in specifics, you are depositing.
It’s the same for the opposite – When you blame, scold or do something that you shouldn’t be doing against someone else, you are withdrawing from their spiritual accounts. In the long term, that particular person will generate hatred and distrust towards you. If this happens, you have failed one of the general commandments and that is to love your neighbors.

Note that we all make mistakes in life and not all people love you. There’s bound to have someone in your life that doesn’t like you and sometimes, vice versa. Therefore you might somehow offend someone in your life that you didn’t mean to. This leads to the withdrawal from his or her spiritual account towards you. Maybe his or her impression and opinion of you is not as good as before.

To prevent one’s spiritual account from reaching zero or even a negative value, we should always deposit into everyone’s account. It doesn’t need money. All it needs is only some effort and time spends towards somebody – whether he or she is a stranger or not. It can be a smile, an encouragement, a praise etc.

So lets starts depositing into one anothers’ spiritual account now!


Agape
eugene

Painful feelings scattered from within as though it was physical
You thought if it was real
You thought if it was a dream
Then you found out it's not
Things dont just happen by chance
nor by coincidence
It's all thoroughly planned
with a message from the Lord
There are ways the Lord wants to get His message across
It might be in a cruel way
But it's all meant for Good
For it reflects all His glory in it
He always does things the unique way
Or the extraordinary way
No doubt it's a Good way

Praise the Lord

For God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.

Amen

Instant Messaging with God

God: Hello! Did you call me?
Me: Called you? No... who is this?

God: This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat with you.
Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something...

God: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.
Me: Don't know. But I can't find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

God: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.
Me: I understand. But I still can't figure it out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

God: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable
with.

Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?
God: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Me: Why are we then constantly unhappy?
God: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why
you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?
God: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty.
God: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?
God: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience
their life becomes better not bitter.

Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?
God: Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free from problems?
God: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not
when you are free from problems.

Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading.
God: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight.
Heart provides insight.

Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?
God: Success is a measure as decided by others.. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you
rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.

Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?
God: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Me: What surprises you about people?
God: when they suffer they ask, "Why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me?" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on
the side of the truth.

Me: How can I get the best out of life?
God: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.
God: There are no unanswered prayers.. At times the answer is NO.

Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start this day with a new sense of inspiration.
God: Well. Keep the faith and confidence and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem
to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

Funny videos. Enjoy!

Cut Scene from Shaolin Soccer



King of Fighter / Shaolin Soccer



Japan Dance Show

Comics

'The Stronghold'

(Comics inspired and based on 15/06/08 sermon by Rev. Hoon)







'Throw your mountains into e Sea'
(Comics based on 22/06/08 sermon by Rev. Hoon)






Click to enlarge picture. =D

Vacation @ Hkg

SP wushu IVP competition '07

The Champions

Happy Fathers' Day

X-ed

Thank God. Truly.


Your Glory - 100%
my effort - 0%

agape

Its all about HIM

Because of Love (Day 4)

Would you do what Jesus did? He swapped a spotless castle for a grimy stable. He exchanged the worship of angels for the company of killers. He could hold the universe in his palm but gave it up to float in the womb of a maiden.
He humbled himself. He went from commanding angels to sleeping in the straw. From holding stars to clutching Mary’s finger. The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier.
Why? Because that’s what Love does. It puts the beloved before self.
When he saw the size of the womb, he could have stopped.
When he saw how tiny his hand would be, how soft his voice would be, how hungry his tummy would be, he could have stopped.
But he didn’t.
He didn’t, because he is Love.


He saw the list (Day 30)

Between his hand and the wood, there was a list. A long list. A list of our mistakes: our lusts and lies and greedy moments and prodigal years. A list of our sins.
The bad decisions from last year. The bad attitudes from last week. There, in broad daylight for all of heaven to see, was a list of your mistakes.
He saw the list! He knew the price of those sins was death. He knew the source of those sins was you, and since he couldn’t bear the thought of eternity without you, he chose the nails.

It is Finished (Day 35)

Ask us how a God should redeem his world, and we will show you! White horses, flashing swords. Evil flat on his back. God on his throne.
But God on a cross? A split-lipped, puffy-eyed, blood-masked God on a cross? Sponge thrust in his face? Spear plunged in his side? Dice tossed at his feet?
No, we wouldn’t have written the drama of redemption this way. But, then again, we weren’t asked to. These players and props were heaven picked and God ordained. We were not asked to design the hour.
But we have been asked to respond to it.

Adapted from 3:16 THE NUMBERS OF HOPE by MAX LUCADO

Interviewed

Having been to the interview for crossing over selection board was all because of God’s grace and glory. It’s like a dream coming true and yet it’s hard to believe.

“Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” (John 14:1) The grace I was receiving from God was so immense that passive thoughts from the devil came in and tried to discourage me.

For the devil knows that having faith in Him will open a wider path for God’s grace and glory to flow through and immediately, the devil planted lots of negative thoughts in my mind telling me that everything I am going through were just sheer coincidence – an incident. “Perhaps I am not suppose to be here for the interview. Why not give up hope just as many said that it is impossible?” whispered the devil.

"Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." I used the exact same meaning from Mark 8:33 and denounced. The devil cannot control you for my life has been planned flawlessly by God.

I prayed for wisdom and knowledge in answering the questions they were going to ask. I prayed for the holy spirit to speak on my behalf. I prayed for not leaning on my own understanding but at all times, acknowledge Him and believed that He will make my path straight (Proverb3:5-6). It was a battle of the faith and I believe whatever I have spoke in the Leadership room was all word-for-word planned.

Results will be out in a weeks time.
Selected?
Not selected?
“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." (Luke 22:42)


Standing at the highest floor of the building that day was for a reason.
Going into the Leadership room was not at all a coincidence.
Sitting in front of all the colonels and majors was a scene that I have never dare dreamed of.
When a dream is becoming a reality, it is not luck or random chances; I can feel that Someone behind the scene is working at it.
And the ‘Someone’ is someone you can’t do without.

Hell's Supreme Surprise

Hell, like Heaven, is a location, not a state of mind, not a metaphysical dimension of floating spirits, but an actual place populated by physical beings.

Jesus describes the length of heaven and hell with the same adjective: eternal. “They will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matt. 25:46 RSV)

Hell is reserved, not for those souls who seek God yet struggle, but for those who defy God and rebel.

How could a loving God send sinners to hell? He doesn’t. They volunteer.

Here’s the story of the rich man and Lazarus: Remember the rich man in torment? He could see heaven but didn’t request a transfer. He wanted Lazarus to descend to him. Why not ask if he could join Lazarus? The rich man complained of thirst, not of injustice. He wanted water for the body, not water for the soul.

The supreme surprise of hell is this: Christ went there so you won’t have to. Yet hell could not contain him. He arose, not just from the dead, but from the depths. (See Hebrews 2:14)

“Whoever believes in him shall not perish …” God makes the offer. We make the choice.

Extracted from: 3:16 THE NUMBERS OF HOPE (Chapter 10) by MAX LUCADO

Exercise Bear

A re-creation

A house implies a builder
A painting suggests a painter
Dont stars suggest a star-maker?
Doesn't Creaton imply a Creator?

Think about it.

agape
eugene

Prayer

In order to have a Prayerful life, pray before you pray.

1st
Always ask for wisdom to pray for the things God reveal to you. For wisdom allow us to discern the priority of our prayer.

2nd
Pray for God’s kingdom. When we pray for His kingdom (e.g. Church, cellgroup, missionaries etc.) all other things we require will be added to us accordingly and automatically. Perhaps we should focus less on ourselves and more on God.


Since He has no need, you cannot tire Him.
Since He is without age, you cannot lose Him.
Since he has no sin, you cannot corrupt Him.
from MAX LUCADO – 3:16 The Numbers of Hope

Life Lessons

NO.1 – To put yourself in others’ shoes
This is the best way to feel how the other party you care about feels. If you would humble yourselves and bring yourself to the level of the person, you would feel how one feel. You can literally feel hurt, sad, happy, angry and such when you are in someone’s shoes.

NO. 2 – Have Faith for things that are unseen
It is said from the Bible that for all things that are unseen is eternal. And if it is eternal, it is perfect. And if it’s perfect, who doesn’t want? All the prayers we are asking for might be a want for most of the time and note that God wants to give it to you because He loves you. And because He love you so much, giving it to you just after a prayer is made might not be feasible as God might deem so. In the meantime, instead of complaining, why not have Faith that you are always one day closer to your prayer requests?

NO. 3 – Wait
God’s specialty, humans’ weakness. We are impatient most of the time. What we want, we want it now – which might not be the case that God would compromise with you for He can see the future. If He can see the future and we can’t, He will definitely give us the best of the best at the Right time where everything will fall in place nicely according to His wonderful plan.

NO. 4 – To reap a Harvest you want/need, sow the seed of it
If you want others to help you, help others. When you help others, a seed is sowed and God will see it. When a seed is sow healthily, it will grow and we will harvest the fruit of it. And in the future, when you needed help, God will send someone there to be waiting to help you.

NO. 5 – For every Trial, it hides a blessing
Never complain for the trials you are going through for you are going to be super-thankful to God when the blessings from the trials come. The blessing will be so great that is beyond your imagination to perceive!

NO. 6 – Always be thankful for ALL circumstances and situations
It’s never enough to thank God for everything He created, did and does for you. Even IF that is nothing to be thankful about, God still deserves our praise and thanks-giving. For He is the most high.

NO. 7 – Choose to be happy
If you are sad for a reason, don’t dwell in it. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring you out of the ‘sad zone’, lift you spirit and be happy. Being happy is not a mere emotion, it is a choice that you and I can make. Trust me, it’s a hard lesson and I am still trying hard to change my way of thinking in order to make a wise decision to be happy. Although it might seems awkward to be happy at a unhappy moment, just remember that God wants you to be happy always for Phil 4:4 says Rejoice in the Lord always!

And many more…

agape
eugene

Army Comics 5

Please click to enlarge picture =)

agape

Being Green

Perhaps the colour green has become part of my life unknowingly. It’s not my favourite colour but somehow it managed to blend in, gradually. Training recruits, doing duties, going for exercises and trainings programmes are all that is revolving around me. They keep me so busy that losing my tantrums seems so easy. My, my, I guess I really need the time to rejuvenate my spiritual, mental and physical senses asap.

________________________________________________________________ >> The 24 Hours

I felt that I have been missing a lot of things lately. And there’s an urge for me to want to catch up with the rest of the people that I used to spend time with. There’s still a lot of things I need to do. Rick warren, the author of the book ‘Purpose Driven Life’ once said something like this: The 24 hours God gave us daily is definitely enough for us to accomplish everything + all the time you need for God. If the day is not enough for you to spend, something is very wrong.
________________________________________________________________ >>WAIT!

When you ask God for anything, there will always be 3 types of answers God will give. That is – Yes, No and Wait. Apparently, my answers to all my prayers is always wait.
My blessings for all the trials I am going through is storing up gradually. God is stock-piling my blessings for my future, I can feel it. Just cant wait to experience it!

Agape

Rejoice is the Lord ALWAYS

Batman + Superman = ...

Click to enlarge picture.

Army Comics 4

Click on the picture to enlarge.

My Dreams

God isn’t limited to natural, human ways of doing things.

God will promote you at the right time, in your due season.

He will bring your dreams to pass.

You may be ready for what God has for you, but somebody else who is going to be involved is not ready yet.

One day, there’ll be a Sudden change.

God is putting all the pieces together, lined up and @ the appointed time, I will see the culmination of everything that God has been doing.


Adapted from YOUR BEST LIFE NOW by JOEL OSTEEN

Thank God!

Mission accomplished finally – as a trainee – so far.

My conversion will be one of your greatest testimonies in my life.

Looking forward to:

9 months of training

Epaulettes to be worn, not ranks to be sown again.

God’s favor is in me.

Everything will come to a pass. Soon.

Your favors open doors of Opportunities.

Let me declare Your favor. Always.

Thank you LORD!

With great Faith comes great Favors!

Pending favors...

Choose to be Happy

Being cheerful is a choice. We choose how we feel. We are depressed when certain things happen. Our morale dropped, appetite dropped, smiles faded and such.

No matter how things might turn out, remember that God loves you. Because He love you, He allowed all these ‘Bad’ things to happen. And because He is Perfect, He will perform the Right thing in your life, His way. Even if to us it seems all wrong.

I have an unfulfilling life. Sometimes I even pitied myself when I compared with others. I believe others might have the same mindset. But we must remind ourselves that everyone is created uniquely by God. Because of that, we shouldn’t compare with one another. God’s blessing at every individual life is different but all abundance. Everything happens for Good in God’s eye. Although it might seems bad in our eye.

We are not perfect, and that is why we don’t appreciate God’s way of doing things. Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, learn to be appreciative. Appreciate the trials in our lives. Accept the defeat in our lives. Thank God for it. Because of it, we learn what’s important in life and grow spiritually in terms or maturity.

Choose to be happy. Because God is preparing you for His Great work which is going to last for eternity. The work that only YOU can fulfill. Only you.


What you want ... is not always what you need.
Be sure that He will always give you what you need at the appropriate time.
Today’s caterpillar is Tomorrow’s butterfly.
Today’s Thorn is Tomorrow’s Flower.

Agape~

Quality VS / and Quantity?

Speaking of Quality and Quantity, we tend to ask one question : Which will you choose? To be frank, most will choose Quality. It is always an obvious answer.

But at times, having something with quality doesn’t mean that you have it all. There is still a lack. Note the question: Quality and Quantity, which will you choose? Note that this question asked is subjected to your choice. You can either choose one of the answer or you can choose both.

Sad to say, many people always chooses one out of the two choices they are given. That includes me. Choosing one from the two choices given shows how limited we are. We seldom think of abundance. In this case, the abundance is in the 2 choices. Quality needs Quantity and Quantity needs Quality.

Broaden your vision. See what God is seeing. And if you can see, God is seeing you having in abundance that He is going to give you if you would stop seeing yourself as limited, poor and every negative thoughts you can think of.

So why both Quality and Quantity is needed? Read the following:

>>We all want Quality time. How many Quality time you want? Just once? I am not sure about you but for me, I definitely more than once! Quality just like spending time with God in your quiet times and the time when you spent with your love ones. That implies Quality & Quantity!

>>When you are fishing, would you prefer getting a few big fishes or a lot of small fishes? Or, would you prefer getting a lot of big fishes? That implies both Quality & Quantity as well.

Don’t limit yourself to either Quality or Quantity. See yourself having both. It might seem as a blessing if you have experienced or perhaps it is if you would be ready to receive what our dearest Father has prepared for us. Its more than what we ever dare to ask and imagine.

Don’t see it as a coincidence. Things don’t happen by chances. Because God leaves nothing to chance. God don’t play dice. At all times, thank God.

Tell God that you want both Quality and Quantity in all the things that He is going to bless you with. Ask with the right attitude. You will receive.

Definately.

Agape~

2Ti 1:3
I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember
you constantly in my prayers night and day.

Phm 1:4
I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers...

Specialized Phase Countdown: Final week

Thank God. This week just flew by in an instant when I looked back how we suffered under the scotching sun. It was fun in the way that all the trainees managed to suffer together while training and we played and joked around till we got punished. Managed to get a valentine’s day nights out from our OC. (Ha Mun, u see! It was God who made this Valentine’s Day nights out possible!) Have lots of fun with my section mates together shooting cockroaches and zombies in the arcade@AMK hub. You knew it! Never had so much fun for quite some time with my section mates.

The final week. It’s going to be tougher than any other weeks we have sailed through as a platoon, and as a section. But I can boldly say that God will bring me and all the trainees through the last mission exercise smoothly. Please keep us in prayer to whom that reads this entry.

A 3 day 2 night stay in the vegetation should be fun especially with the company of one another. I pray that we may endure through the nights together with the ability to work as efficient throughout.

The last exercise. The last lap. Persevere!

Agape

I want a vision for my future.
It is coming to a past.
I am going to receive the overflowing joy.
So much.
So soon.
Let me receive it with tears of thankfulness.

In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen

My family, His Family!

They are the ones I love and the ones who bares Your testimony!

Puji Tuhan! (Praise the Lord)

Specialized Phase Countdown: Week 5

Perhaps this is the slackest week among all the weeks throughout the course. A 3 and a half day week is all that a trainee could ask for. A time to rest, relax and enjoy during this festive season.

Although it’s only 3.5 days, lectures have been intensive all the way because of the preparation for the following week’s training. Anyway who says army is just training muscles and stamina? Its all in the ‘mind’ I would say. That bring back my days in poly where jotting down notes while lecturers giving lectures seems quite boring yet fun. However, for that particular following week, both muscles and minds are going to be strained.

Prayer request: Please pray that I can do well in terms of physical and mental in all the challenges next week through spiritual means. That is, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

PS:
Thank God for giving us such a great fatherly-like figure as our officer commanding (OC). How generous for our OC to give all the trainees, instructors and stuffs red packets. Thank God not because of the money but of the attitude and sincerity he wrapped inside every single red packets – his sincerity as our OC and the care he has given us so far.
I want to be like him in terms of generosity and sincerity – giving not money but what’s more important than that which bares eternal values!

Dual Focus

Focus *
– A central point, as of attraction, attention or activity
– A condition in which something can be clearly apprehend or perceived
– To direct one’s attention to something
– Etc
* Adapted from dictionary.com

Focus is what all of us do when we are doing something. We can even consider to be focusing when we are thinking. We need to be focus in order to get things done. Without focus, we cannot complete a task. Just like oxygen, we cannot do without.

Take for example; solving a mathematics problem sum, we need to think of the steps in solving the problems or equations in order to find the answer. Step 1, 2, 3 and so on. In order to solve the equation, we need to focus on the steps before and ahead of it. in this way, we are not just focusing on one thing but multiples. I termed this as a Dual focus.

Playing chess shares the same concept. Thinking on several steps ahead in order to make a single move requires dual focus. You cannot just move your pieces in just one step without considering what the consequences you might face later.

Placing God in all the things you do is a dual focus. Christians should do things while focusing on God in such a way that we thank God, talk to God, praise God in the mist of doing something. In this way, when we successfully completed a task, we can bring all the glory that is in it to God for we do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

Just like the meaning of Focus stated above, we need to give God our attention or direct our attention to Him while performing a task. He deserves to be in our life at all times and so we ought to give our attention to Him in all things we do. We can use the verses to remind ourselves at all times that we need to be faithful, forgiving, loving, honest, etc and God’s promises to us. Therefore, we can do all things with joy.

Here are some of the verse we can think or remind ourselves when we are dual focusing:
(1.) The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13:6)
(2.) If you love me, you will obey what I command (John 14:15)
(3.) Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all the things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33)
(4.) God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
(5.) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
(6.) … all things are possible for one who believes (Mark 9:23)

and many more…

agape

--pop-up entry--

Specialized Phase Countdown: Week 4

Finally, some time to rest after going through weeks of intensive trainings. Thank God that having been able to stay on the tough trainings till the fourth week of my specialized course was not an easy thing to do. But I made it through so far. All because of the faith that I put in You, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Yes, all things.

I thank You for:
- All the theory tests I passed so far.
- The timing I got for my SOC test.
- The performance when I am holding appointments in leading the section / platoon.
- Being able to thank You all the time.
- Giving me great verses to encourage me in times of need.

It has never been so tough before. We all agreed, but if we work together, we can accomplish this mission. The last mission we have all been waiting for – The combination of all the missons we have gone through so far. The finishing line is getting nearer, press on!

1 more week to Chinese new year
2 more weeks to the last mission exercise

God will bring us through.
Have faith like that of a mustard seed.
Our path will be made straight.

With faith i believe.

Army Comics 3

Pls click to enlarge.

Adapted from PIONEER magazine (Nov'07 issue)

Army Comics 2

Pls click to enlarge

Adapted from PIONEER magazine (Oct'07 issue)

Army Comics 1

>> Please Click to enlarge.

ps: This comics is not done by me although the concept of this comics is also from the one who shares the same name as me. lol.

Too often, we may choose something good instead of waiting for God to reveal His Best.

Don't limit God with our own understanding for He is a God of the impossible.

在人不能，在神 凡是 都能。
信心 指得是我不能。

但， 祢能。

Spiritual Landmine Warfare

In a minefield, mines are planted. You do not know the exact location of each mine. The possibility of stepping on one is exceptionally high when a person just walks through it normally. Moreover, minefields are designed specifically to kill or at least injure.

However, there are ways to prevent from stepping one by using various methods to detect mines practically.

In today’s context, many Christians are walking on a minefield filled with spiritual mines designed to injure our faith, love for God and people and to cause us to fall. The spiritual mines are also designed in such a way that if it explodes, it might cause a Christian to backslide and if serious enough, the person might lose his relationship with Christ.

I have been stepping on many mines planted from the devil. They all caused my faith on God to drop tremendously and I would like to use this chance to warn all Christians to beware on the route you are taking, choosing or walking. For there might be spiritual mines that you might have missed a few inches from stepping on.

Just like how we can avoid real mines practically, we can also avoid spiritual mines spiritually. And that’s through the Word of God. The Words will lead us through the minefield safely for it is one of the greatest protections that we can have.

Despite God’s word can save us, we need obedience to execute the commands. It is as though God is saying, “I will take you across on one condition: whenever I tell you to do something, do it without question. It will mean life and death if you don’t.”

Many times we like to question: “why?” Especially when things don’t go the way you wanted them to. I have a lot of whys I always wanted to know. But all those whys are subjected to God’s timing. When you know and understands that everything happen is for your own good, questioning God would be reduced.

I have been stepping on a lot of spiritual mines lately, and they exploded without mercy. And I pray that I can be like the paralytic man who was lowered down on ropes through the roof where Jesus was, and instead of healing the sick man, Jesus forgave his sins. (Matthew 2:1-12).

Jesus offered more than what was being asked for. He offered forgiveness when they just asked for healing.

Immeasurable!

>> Concept from "The man God uses" by Henry and Tom Blackaby