Dear friends,
I'd like to invite you to reflect deeply about ourselves while listening to this song by Casting Crowns. Are we loving like how Jesus did? Are we who we say we are? Or are we plastic people, as described in the song?
LYRICS
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Chorus:
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay
Chorus (x2)
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Purpose of Sisters CG
Last night we had a good sharing on the purpose we're establishing a cell group specifically for sisters only. Here are what we hope to provide in our CG:
Our next CG night will be on 19 January 2010, Tuesday, 8-10 pm. Location will be informed via SMS. Hope those who are interested can give me a buzz and leave a message to me. All ladies are invited, age 19 and above!
God bless! ^___^
- Encouragement to see and say. To have an ability to look within and examine our own heart.
- We provide a simple, prayerful atmosphere where a person will feel welcomed.
- Inner Healing - tears are a sign of inner healing. Healing from perpetuating the same sins over and over. We need healing from guilt, shame and inner condemnation. We need healing and restoration in our relationship with God in preparation for better and truthful Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- We provide a place of trust, support, encouragement, inspirtation, motivation and learning. We also provide non-judgemental, safe place where we can open ourselves fully. When we can share our innermost secrets and sins, we are letting in the light of God and moving forward. A process of freedom begins.
- Healing occurs. Issues are confronted. Forgiveness and mercy are received. Self-acceptance and knowledge of self begins.
- Practice of honesty, understanding our own human frailties and failings, opening door for grace to come in.
- Surrendering to God all our struggles. To have communion with God and one another.
Our next CG night will be on 19 January 2010, Tuesday, 8-10 pm. Location will be informed via SMS. Hope those who are interested can give me a buzz and leave a message to me. All ladies are invited, age 19 and above!
God bless! ^___^
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Portrait of a Godly Woman
Last night we had our second Sisters CG night and three of us made up the group - Josephine, Lydia and myself. Jesus Himself promised "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:20, NIV). I don't have my personal bible with me in school, so I'm refering to the school's NIV bible instead. I was so encouraged by Lydia's presence in our CG last night, knowing that God is exactly doing what He wants to do to us all. Praise the Lord for His presence in our lives!
Let's get going about Proverbs 31:10-31... You can click here (NAB version) and here (NIV verson) for the reading.
The woman who was described in this passage is an idealised woman, a composite of many capable woman. As we read this passage, we start to discover that the ancient biblical idea of womanhood does not consist of a stereotyped housewife occupied with dirty dishes and laundry, or her daily life wholly dictated by the unreasonable demands of her husband and children, nor did we see anything of a hardened, overly ambitious career woman who does not care for her family.
What we discovered from the material written by Sheila Graham according to the bible passage was a woman who is strong, dignified, multitalented and caring. She's also an individual in her own right, etc. Most importantly, her primary concern is God's will in her life. She is a woman after God's own heart... So let us go through the characteristics of this woman who is a role model for all Christian women today:
It is important that as a woman of God, we realise that regardless of our natural talents or acquired skills, or all our accomplishments, our strength comes from God. So, a virtuous woman is a woman who put God first. And this ideal woman should encourage all women everywhere.
Culture changes, but this woman's God-inspired character still shines brightly across the centuries.
Let's get going about Proverbs 31:10-31... You can click here (NAB version) and here (NIV verson) for the reading.
The woman who was described in this passage is an idealised woman, a composite of many capable woman. As we read this passage, we start to discover that the ancient biblical idea of womanhood does not consist of a stereotyped housewife occupied with dirty dishes and laundry, or her daily life wholly dictated by the unreasonable demands of her husband and children, nor did we see anything of a hardened, overly ambitious career woman who does not care for her family.
What we discovered from the material written by Sheila Graham according to the bible passage was a woman who is strong, dignified, multitalented and caring. She's also an individual in her own right, etc. Most importantly, her primary concern is God's will in her life. She is a woman after God's own heart... So let us go through the characteristics of this woman who is a role model for all Christian women today:
- Strong, capable woman with strong convictions. A woman who does not agree with those who associate feminity with weakness and passivity.
- Trusted by her husband to manage their resources, and her industriousness adds to family income.
- Her character is stead. She is reliable and dependable. She does not base her actions on how she is treated by others or by what others think.
- She plans ahead for what she needs in order to accomplish her responsibilities.
- She goes extra mile for quality items.
- She sets the pace of her household, taking responsibility to take care of those under their authority as one of her top priorities.
- She uses her mind, logically analyses a situation before making a decision. She envisions the long-range benefits of her decisions.
- She keeps herself healthy and strong by proper health practices - good diet, adequate rest and exercise.
- She knows that her merchandise is good and takes pride in doing a good job. No one ever worries that her responsibilities are not taken care of.
- She develops her talents and hones her skills through education and diligent application.
- She shows personal concern to people around her.
- She provides clothing for the family, taking it seriously and plans ahead. She does not practise crisis management.
- She has high standards and dresses properly for the occasion.
- Her man does not have to spend half his time trying to straighten out problems at home, and his success in the social world comes partly from her support, just as her success comes partly from his support. He trusted her to manage the estate efficiently.
- She runs a business from her home, where the efforts and industry add to the family income.
- This woman benefits each day from her wise and diligent actions. Long-term lifetime benefits and rewards lie in store for her.
- She is well-read and has the facts. She knows what she is talking about and she is able to express herself intelligently, tactfully and diplomatically. People come to her for good advice.
- She is an organised, energetic person who carries out her responsibilities.
- She is honoured in her home and her husband teaches their children to respect her and the virtues she personifies. She is not a doormat, slavishly trying to appease and please her family, no matter how unreasonable their demands.
- She is a role model for women of all time.
- Her priorities are determined by God's will, not her own. She is concerned about what God thinks, rather than with what other people think. If a woman's beauty and charm are the extent of her virtues, what happens when time and the trials of life take their toll? This woman depends not on beauty and charm for her success, BUT her need for God.
- This woman is actively doing, not merely talking. She does not boast about her plans for the future or her successes of the past. They are obvious.
It is important that as a woman of God, we realise that regardless of our natural talents or acquired skills, or all our accomplishments, our strength comes from God. So, a virtuous woman is a woman who put God first. And this ideal woman should encourage all women everywhere.
Culture changes, but this woman's God-inspired character still shines brightly across the centuries.
Sunday, 3 January 2010
CNY in KK
The last time I spent CNY in KK was year 2005. At that time I didn't have a car, nor friends from KK. I was still a university student back then.
In 2010, I am going to spend CNY in KK again. This time my reasoning is the price of air tickets is so expensive that my salary disables me from affording the tickets. Furthermore, I'm unsure if there would be extra holidays since first and second day of CNY would be Sunday and Monday.
It could be boring without friends and family members here, but I know I'll adapt and survive. It's a good time to rest and sleep off the stress of work.
There's always pros and cons of not going home for CNY. My dear friends in Kluang, thousands of apologies, high chances I couldn't make it for the gathering. My dear friends in KK, remember me when you plan outings, because I'm around. Thanks!
Okay, enough whining. Time to get back to the books. Hehehe!
God bless!
In 2010, I am going to spend CNY in KK again. This time my reasoning is the price of air tickets is so expensive that my salary disables me from affording the tickets. Furthermore, I'm unsure if there would be extra holidays since first and second day of CNY would be Sunday and Monday.
It could be boring without friends and family members here, but I know I'll adapt and survive. It's a good time to rest and sleep off the stress of work.
There's always pros and cons of not going home for CNY. My dear friends in Kluang, thousands of apologies, high chances I couldn't make it for the gathering. My dear friends in KK, remember me when you plan outings, because I'm around. Thanks!
Okay, enough whining. Time to get back to the books. Hehehe!
God bless!
Working Life Starts in Less Than 24 Hours...
Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock!
As the clock continues tick-tocking, my stress level is increasing. Tonight is the last night before my life goes back to normal life of a working young adult! Instead of attending the SHC Thanksgiving Dinner, I've decided to stay at home to get my mind and heart prepared for the battle which starts tomorrow. Yeah, battle I would say, because I'm teaching brand new subjects - Science for second and third forms - which means I have only 9 months instead of 11 months to prepare them for their public exam. I know I'm up to it, if not, my superior would not have given me the task of doing so.
I was so affirmed when a student of mine told me via FB chat that she heard that I was quite a good teacher. To be frank, I always thought my kids dislike me. I have to admit that besides being cranky and neurotic half the year as I was dealing with my dad's battle with cancer and his death in August 2009, I was practically "absent" in my mind. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to my Bio students for my lack of attention for them. Sorry eh! However, I was glad that most questions which I set for the school-based Bio exams helped them during SPM. Thank God for His divine intervention!! Oh gosh... I'm starting to miss the Form Five 2009 batch already! Well, these students were the one I started with. Be good, k?
I guess after this post I may take a while before I post another entry. I will only post entries when I'm truly unoccupied. However, this blog will never be abandoned (for now, at least!).
I have an idea of what is the ideal career for myself: a wedding planner. If there's anyone who requires my assistance to plan their wedding, just give me a buzz. Smiles... The whole point is to lift the "boulders" of planning the whole wedding of the bride and groom so that they can prepare themselves for marriage which will be a lifetime. Hehe!
As the clock continues tick-tocking, my stress level is increasing. Tonight is the last night before my life goes back to normal life of a working young adult! Instead of attending the SHC Thanksgiving Dinner, I've decided to stay at home to get my mind and heart prepared for the battle which starts tomorrow. Yeah, battle I would say, because I'm teaching brand new subjects - Science for second and third forms - which means I have only 9 months instead of 11 months to prepare them for their public exam. I know I'm up to it, if not, my superior would not have given me the task of doing so.
I was so affirmed when a student of mine told me via FB chat that she heard that I was quite a good teacher. To be frank, I always thought my kids dislike me. I have to admit that besides being cranky and neurotic half the year as I was dealing with my dad's battle with cancer and his death in August 2009, I was practically "absent" in my mind. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to my Bio students for my lack of attention for them. Sorry eh! However, I was glad that most questions which I set for the school-based Bio exams helped them during SPM. Thank God for His divine intervention!! Oh gosh... I'm starting to miss the Form Five 2009 batch already! Well, these students were the one I started with. Be good, k?
I guess after this post I may take a while before I post another entry. I will only post entries when I'm truly unoccupied. However, this blog will never be abandoned (for now, at least!).
I have an idea of what is the ideal career for myself: a wedding planner. If there's anyone who requires my assistance to plan their wedding, just give me a buzz. Smiles... The whole point is to lift the "boulders" of planning the whole wedding of the bride and groom so that they can prepare themselves for marriage which will be a lifetime. Hehe!
Saturday, 2 January 2010
When 2009 Bade Goodbye and 2010 Said Hi!
My testimonial is dated 31 December 2009, Thursday, 18:05 @ Secret Recipe, 1Borneo. I wrote on the only piece of paper that I could find since my journal was left at home.
"This is the last day of year 2009. To recount what had happened in my life, it'll be an exhausting task, and with the limitation of paper now, I wouldn't want to waste by recounting every single event. There were ups and downs, so much of sorrows and joys in the whole year, so much of realization and painful times. But indeed, it is the year of the Lord. Nothing but God could have brought me through the events that happened. Letting go of ministry leadership, realizing that God has a better task fo me, ending the whole "hoping" process of a friend, getting help from Life Coach to sort out my life, to learn to love again, to have met a really sweet person, my dad's death, starting the sisters CG finally...
Only God could have led me through the darkest nights of my soul. When I felt totally lost, abandoned and rejected, He brought me people who strengthened my innermost being. Not only that, He brought me angels who love me for who I am, never letting me go and keep on praying for me when things were harsh and I became neurotic, cranky and all. When I was broken, He came straight to me, held my hand and led me straight to the wooden bench under the tree where He would cradle me and loved me with His gaze and His Word. He will always tell me He loves me and will be with me when things are tough and I seem to be not able to go on. He never lets me down. I love Him so much not because of the gifts He has showered me or the things He has done for me. I love Him because He loves me. Yes, just because He loves me to the ends of the earth. And I'm secure in this love relationship that will last forever because He promised me that, and I know He never breaks His promise.
Again and again I was tested into unbelief and into the world of doubts which brought darkness into my life. But, again and again He made things real enough so that I can come out from the world of unbelief into the world of truth - sanctified truth. And because of this, I'm set free from my chains of lies and untruths. God really made all things possible and He's continuing this project to transform me to be the wonderful woman He wants me to be, whether I like it or not.
I cherish every moment of my life with Him in it, because that part of my life becomes unexceptionally special. That is really a magical moment when He leaves His footprints in that path of mine. More often than not, I could not understand and I was blinded by tough times that His grace was not the thing I saw. Yet, very often, in fact, every time, when I sit back and looked through my journals to see my struggles with life in life, He was there, so obviously present. And that's when I sobbed real hard because I could contain no more the grace He has poured out into my wretched life!
Who am I that He should move mountains and empty the ocean for me! I'm His beloved. In His eyes, I'm flawless. And I, in moments of gratitude for Him and love from Him, am softened and I know I'm glowing in love because I'm secure and I've finally found the One who makes me feel complete."
I'm just an ordinary girl who has an extraordinary God who loves her completely and unreservingly. And I hope you, who has found Him waiting for you and accepted His love, also finds hope in Him who loves you abundantly, even when things are difficult and many important decisions to be made. And you who are still searching for Him and finding that the burdens of the world are bringing you further and further into the swirling darkness, I pray you'll meet Him by first letting down your guards about Him.
Disclaimer: This is edited from the version I emailed to my friend.
"This is the last day of year 2009. To recount what had happened in my life, it'll be an exhausting task, and with the limitation of paper now, I wouldn't want to waste by recounting every single event. There were ups and downs, so much of sorrows and joys in the whole year, so much of realization and painful times. But indeed, it is the year of the Lord. Nothing but God could have brought me through the events that happened. Letting go of ministry leadership, realizing that God has a better task fo me, ending the whole "hoping" process of a friend, getting help from Life Coach to sort out my life, to learn to love again, to have met a really sweet person, my dad's death, starting the sisters CG finally...
Only God could have led me through the darkest nights of my soul. When I felt totally lost, abandoned and rejected, He brought me people who strengthened my innermost being. Not only that, He brought me angels who love me for who I am, never letting me go and keep on praying for me when things were harsh and I became neurotic, cranky and all. When I was broken, He came straight to me, held my hand and led me straight to the wooden bench under the tree where He would cradle me and loved me with His gaze and His Word. He will always tell me He loves me and will be with me when things are tough and I seem to be not able to go on. He never lets me down. I love Him so much not because of the gifts He has showered me or the things He has done for me. I love Him because He loves me. Yes, just because He loves me to the ends of the earth. And I'm secure in this love relationship that will last forever because He promised me that, and I know He never breaks His promise.
Again and again I was tested into unbelief and into the world of doubts which brought darkness into my life. But, again and again He made things real enough so that I can come out from the world of unbelief into the world of truth - sanctified truth. And because of this, I'm set free from my chains of lies and untruths. God really made all things possible and He's continuing this project to transform me to be the wonderful woman He wants me to be, whether I like it or not.
I cherish every moment of my life with Him in it, because that part of my life becomes unexceptionally special. That is really a magical moment when He leaves His footprints in that path of mine. More often than not, I could not understand and I was blinded by tough times that His grace was not the thing I saw. Yet, very often, in fact, every time, when I sit back and looked through my journals to see my struggles with life in life, He was there, so obviously present. And that's when I sobbed real hard because I could contain no more the grace He has poured out into my wretched life!
Who am I that He should move mountains and empty the ocean for me! I'm His beloved. In His eyes, I'm flawless. And I, in moments of gratitude for Him and love from Him, am softened and I know I'm glowing in love because I'm secure and I've finally found the One who makes me feel complete."
I'm just an ordinary girl who has an extraordinary God who loves her completely and unreservingly. And I hope you, who has found Him waiting for you and accepted His love, also finds hope in Him who loves you abundantly, even when things are difficult and many important decisions to be made. And you who are still searching for Him and finding that the burdens of the world are bringing you further and further into the swirling darkness, I pray you'll meet Him by first letting down your guards about Him.
Disclaimer: This is edited from the version I emailed to my friend.
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