Corrinne May - The Answer

Beautiful song...hope it encourages you.

SUFFERING

It's the last day of the year 2007...and God has spoken about "Suffering".

I am beginning to appreciate my anchor verse even more, Romans 8:18:-

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

I told WG yesterday that I want to be Jonah...I want to runaway...(but I made a joke: "But there is no whale to eat me up!")

What is ahead is not going to be easy at all...so I pray...God, help me to pray as Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39) At the present moment, I can only pray.."If it's possible, please take this cup away from me."

Ah well, it's a long long journey...need lots of strength, hope and faith!

A dear friend gave me Corrinne May's CD titled "The Gift"...(Dear, thank you so much) I am so encouraged by song No.5 "THE ANSWER".

I believe you are the answer to every tear I've cried
I believe that you are with me, my rising and my light.
Give me strength when I am weary, give me hope when I can't see
Through the crosses I must carry, Lord, bind my heart to thee.
That when all my days are over and all my chores are done.
I may see your risen Glory forever where You are.

Thanksgiving for the year 2007

I want to thank God for:

1. Deepening my experience of His love through the ups and downs this year - the power of the Cross

2. Strengthening my faith in Him as I grow in the knowledge of how great and wonderful is He

3. Leading me into a new phase of life - MARRIAGE - where I experience the most intimate relationship ever. I am married to a man who loves me deeply and who has been God's conduit of unconditional love and acceptance. This relationship has truly healed me.

Hubby, thank you for standing by me...for loving me with commitment and perseverance...for making this journey of life less difficult and more enjoyable.

4. Leading me to a new firm which fits me better

5. Bringing my family closer together

6. Deepening my love for the adorable JYFers

7. Causing each youth to grow

8. People who have come to know Christ over the year

9. Fruitful ministry together with brothers and sisters in S-Word through EOs etc.

10. A growing caregroup

11. Friendships which have deepened through ups and downs and a deeper understanding of the importance of healthy relationships

I am sure there are lots more that I can thank Him for. All in all, it's been a good year, despite difficult times. God will never stop building up my faith in Him, a faith that is strong, a faith that will withstand all difficulties, a faith that lasts through eternity.

Thank you Lord for everything.

The Relational Word

Currently reading this book "The Relational Word". It's a good book! God has sent this book to me at the right time.

During this Christmas, a strong message rings in my heart (to a point where I spoke about it in my sleep apparently =) hahaha)...RELATIONSHIP.

Jesus came - God became Man - to dwell among us unworthy and sinful humans - to reveal His GRACE and TRUTH. Grace and truth was embodied in the person of Christ.

After Jesus resurrected, the Holy Spirit came to live in each and every child of God, to empower us to live out that Grace and Truth in our lives so that others might come to see Christ in us!

People come to know Jesus through Christians who model for them Grace and Truth... RELATIONSHIPS.

Sadly, we are often distracted by many other things in life, such that we lose the ability to walk into the lives of people who need to know Jesus personally.

Are we ourselves enjoying a deep and personal relationship with Christ? Are we knowing Him more and more through the bible, through faith and obedience? Or is He far far away?

As I realise the power of relationships, I realise my own need to build a deep and personal relationship with God. He is not far away...in fact He is close to every child of His

Blessed Christmas!

Back from church camp 2007!

The sermons were SUPERB! FANTASTIC! If anyone wants a summary of the 3 sermons let me know hahaha, I can repeat them for you!

Was feeling rather tired emotionally during the camp, so I prayed to God and asked Him to lead me to those whom He wanted me to speak to. Amazingly, there were a number of divine appointments throughout the camp =)

(Kai, thanks for being around on that critical night...)

Lots of thoughts went through my mind during the camp...hard to share them on the blog...but all in all, I believe that God is bringing us into yet another exciting year of growth as each of us play our own parts.

Went to get more books from Tecman yesterday! hahaha..hope I finish reading them.

Heard some good news from a very good friend of mine on the way back to Singapore! (Congrats my dear! Happy for you! =p)

Spent some time with a youth yesterday...My heart has been very burdened for those who spent their childhoods in dysfunctional families. I went through my own bulk of issues and baggages, it was tough...but God led me through them all.

GODLY RELATIONSHIPS HEAL..that's my strong belief and conviction. It's my prayer that I will see God heal more and more broken souls with His love. Rather heavy hearted lately because of this...and its time to hope in God for those who need His comfort.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Thank You Jesus!

A little gloomy... =(

Was a little down again over the past weekend..

Nothing BIG happened...just FELT a little depressed...

The little depression affected one of my brothers in CG (I think)...I felt rather sorry for that.

Was a little upset that some people din turn up at the CG dinner on sat...

Had to rely on God for ministry on Sunday...wasn't easy...

Shared a little bit with Kai and Kel about how I was feeling...told them I felt like "disappearing" for a while to be on my own =)

Had a super long day on sunday..Service - lunch - prac - JYF leaders' camp...

Slightly refreshed by the time with JYF leaders...touched by Kel's call to find out how I was doing..

Still lots of activities going on this week...

Feeling tired...but I am looking forward to the break in Genting.

Ah well... ups & downs

So encouraged...=)

Feeling so encouraged today. =)

Encouraged by my lovely youths (1) who did such a great job at the camp (2) who are growing in their knowledge of God day by day...and most importantly, (3) who are experiencing the love of God at the foot of the Cross...

Encouraged by the conversation with a transformed youth at the camp...

Encouraged by God who injects so much hope in me, in preparation of an exciting year 2008...

Encouraged by an enjoyable conversation with a very very dear friend of mine...=p (Girl, press on and put your hope in His unfailing love ya!)

Encouraged by a book I am now reading.. "Know What You Believe, Know Why You Believe"...

Encouraged by the fact that I located by wallet...

What a wonderful day!

Just You and me

Hmm...been having many many thoughts lately..good ones.. abt ministry, abt friends, abt everything, abt what I want to do for Him in 2008 etc.

But...I think I want to stop thinking of all that and just think about Him.

Just like in a marriage, a couple can be talking about many good things, about good friends, about the children etc but just not about themselves. (Once in a while it happens to my marriage =p)

Guess it's the same with my relationship with Him...time to just seek Him and enjoy being in Him.

Energetic youths...those were the days =)

Just came back from JYF camp's Night Trail.

The leaders did a good job in deciding to go for Night Trail instead of a campfire due to the rain. =)

I enjoyed myself very much...it's always wonderful to be around the youths. But I really could not run around very much with them. I really respect MK, SY and RN who could run around with them...from esplanade to suntec back to esplanade then to marina then back to esplanade again then to city hall...crazy eh..hahaha

Thank God for many new friends at the camp. It's always encouraging to see new faces. I know the leaders are doing a good job too! Thank God!

I had a lot of fun..a pity I can't be there throughout due to work commitments. But thank God I can visit again tomorrow evening! =p

Okie..time to zzzz...

Prayer: Dear God, please help all the campers sleep well tonight, that they would not find the floor to hard and would find their sleeping bags really comfortable. Please also protect them from mosquito bites. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen =)

Busy weekend =) but thankful...

Time flies...it's the start of a brand new week.

Was physically really realy really tired yesterday..dunno why =) But thank God.. I managed to sleep close to 9 hours last night.

Happy for I&F who got married on saturday..=) Pr J's sharing at their wedding reminded me of my own marriage...was reflecting quite a bit over the weekend about my own marriage (although it's just been 4 months)...and concluded that the both of us have got lots to learn. =p

The initial months of married life is somewhat the "honeymoon period"... =) once we start to settle down, get used to each other's presence at home etc...the real test begins! haha~~ It's exciting and at the same time humbling to know that we have got lots to learn. It's assuring to know that God is with us and will guide us through every little step.

Had a terrible headache after the wedding.. so I missed JYF's pre-camp prog. Their camp starts today! So exciting..but sob =(..can't be there most of the time. ("Dear God, please grant the youths a great time learning and having fun at the camp. =)")

Had a great time with CG on saturday evening. We studied the bible together, sang songs together. I was once again encouraged by the growth in our group.

Had a good time sharing with WG yesterday..haha..he was and is still my best co-worker in ministry!! We are looking foward to an exciting and focused year 2008.

I have a tendency to wanna make changes to all the problems and imperfections that I see around me, but that's rather impossible because there is just so much that I can do. I thank God for reminding me to persevere in prayer, to be faithful in my little area of influence and to trust that He will make all things beautiful in His time.

All in all...I am grateful to God...He makes all things beautiful in His time...

Czardas (Valerie Kim, 8 years old) ...memories =p

hehe...little HN's love for her instrument and passion for it reminded me of my past. =)

My last piece on the violin was Czardas at the age of 12. It's a nice piece...

But I stopped due to personal reasons. Have always wanted to pick the instrument up again but NO TIME haha!

If I do have the time, I believe I will pick up again..just that I probably have to start from Grade 1 all over hahaha =)

Thank God anyway for classical music..that nourishes the soul.

Aiyo..Insomnia again but for a diff reason

Aiyo...managed to sleep only after 1am last night leh...

Why? Not because of the cold..but because I had too many exciting thoughts going on in my head after praying with WG.

Had lots of exciting ideas regarding ministry next year...but I think the ideas came at a wrong time in the night lah. =)

There are times when I just wish to stop thinking...even if the thinking pertains to good stuff haha..cos I WANT MY SLEEP!

So I ended up reading a book in the living room...only after 1.5 chapters did I start to doze off...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I just envy WG leh.. he can fall asleep within SECONDS! Argh!!!! Always tempted to disturb him..but thought that would be too mean lah =) =) =p

PRAYER: God, I want to be like WG, who can knock out anywhere, anytime hahaha

Out of darkness into light

I am grateful to God that I am feeling slightly better..and I finally could sleep without much difficulty last night.

This period of sickness hasn't been easy because there are times when I battle with negative thoughts about myself, circumstances and God.

Now that I am feeling better and more able to reflect, I realise how much I need the Lord's forgiveness for all that unnecessary negativity.

Read this prayer from a card on my office table, think its a timely prayer for me:

"Lord, I believe in You and know that You have lifted me out of the darkness of hopelessness, futility, and fear. I confess any time I have chosen to walk in the darkness of doubt, disobedience, or blaming You for my circumstances. Forgive me."

I want to rest in the goodness of God and trust Him wholeheartedly.

It's a brand new week and I want to learn to trust again.

I am grateful for WG's presence in my life.. he will always tell me what's right and where I should go. =) He told me yesterday that I just got to TRUST, and I agree.

Trouble sleeping... =(..but found a remedy =p

Been having trouble sleeping..

cos of the flu..

Now trying Pr JV's
2 nights ago, I decided to give up trying torecommendation...3 lemons - 2 litres of juice - with honey - super a lot of vit C (9grams) to be exact. Hopefully that will boost my immunity system. Not really taking that much vit C though. Oopps!

I don't like to have trouble sleeping. So that's been a cause of frustration for me. haha..but I sort of found a remedy.

I gave up trying to sleep. Since I had nothing constructive to do, I memorised the front part of Psalm 103..guess what? I fell asleep shortly.

Haha then I tried that again last night. Continued to memorise another 2 verses of Psalm 103..

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him..."

Guess what? I fell asleep in a few minutes again =)

Think I will do that again tonight..and finish up the whole Psalm hahaha =p

Thank God!