Of Chapters and Choices

Plan the various forms of your life’s ministry in chapters.
Chapters are divided by various things - age, strength, singleness, marriage, employment, children at home, children in college, grandchildren, retirement, etc.
No chapter has all the joys.
Finite life is a series of tradeoffs.
Finding God’s will, and living for the glory of Christ to the full in every chapter is what makes it a success, not whether it reads like somebody else’s chapter or whether it has in it what only another chapter will bring.

Always develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day, that the love of money is spiritual suicide, that the goals of upward mobility (nicer clothes, cars, houses, vacations, food, hobbies) are a poor and dangerous substitute for the goals of living for Christ with all your might and maximizing your joy in ministry to people’s needs.

~ 'A Prayer for Women' by John Piper

A New Year

I am the new year.
I am unused, unspotted, without blemish.
I stretch before you three hundred and sixty-five days long.
I will present each day in its turn, a new leaf in the book of life for you to place upon it your imprint.
I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.
I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.
Each hour of every day, I will give you sixty minutes that have never known the use of man.
White and pure I present them; it remains for you to fill them.
With sixty jewelled seconds of love, hope, endeavour, patience and trust in God.
All that you sought and did not find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and did not achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but did not dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have -- these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."
I am the new year. I am here -- but once past, I can never be recalled.
Make me your best!

~ Author Unknown

I know that Your grace
can change
all of these things
and all that is
within me
my soul
and
my heart

Lord
I humbly ask
that
You in
Your greatness
and
Your glory
will
sweeten
outward pain
with
inward peace
overflowing from
the riches of
praise,
prayer
and power

Please
astound
me Lord
and
move me
inspire me
in life's
precious
moments
with
the remembrance
and the joy
that
You
are
my God.

True Power

For true power to prayer, hold nothing back.
Be surrendered to Christ.
Go all out for Him.
Forsake all to follow the Saviour.
The type of devotion that crowns Christ Lord of all is the kind that He loves to honour.

~ William Mcdonald

A Yuppie's Prayer

Dear Lord, day in and day out,
I'm in the daily grind,
Meetings here, desk work there,
Always on the go, You'd find.

I know somehow You've put me here,
In my work, to make a difference,
Help me stop and take stock,
Let me have the perspective that makes sense.

I lay my work and lifestyle at Your feet,
With heart willing in submission
To Your will and dream of my life,
For which You have the best plan and vision.

May what I earn not be for naught,
Never should I use these for selfish gain,
Rather, those in need, lend a helping hand.
With hope my faith will never wane.

May those I love in my life,
Never be neglected by me.
All my relationships good and strong,
As best as they can be.

And as I go along this life's journey,
Searching for my place,
Guide me along, protect my way,
Till I thank You face to face.

If the blind put their hand in God's, they find their way more surely than those who see but have not faith or purpose.

~ Helen Keller

Far away, there in the sunshine, are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they may lead.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Strength Bestowed

I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way. ~ Mark 2:11

That was surely a very strange command to give to a paralyzed man. He could not rise up. He could not lift up his bed. He could not walk a step. He was as helpless as a corpse. Why did Jesus require of him such an impossibility? But as we look on the helpless form we see that it at once starts up. The limbs move, the man rises, takes up his bed, and walks away in the presence of all the people. As we watch him going his way, we learn that when Christ gives any command which seems impossible, He always gives strength to perform it. As the man’s will began to obey Christ’s bidding, power came back into his long-paralyzed body, and he was able to rise up and walk.

It is the same in spiritual life. We have no power in ourselves to do Christ’s will, but as we begin to obey the needed grace is given. Young people often say that they are afraid to enter upon a Christian life because they cannot do what will be required. In their own strength they cannot. It would be as easy for them to climb to the stars as unaided to live a noble and lovely Christian life. Human strength in itself is inadequate to life’s sore needs. But the young Christian who sets out in obedience to Christ, depending upon Him to open the path of duty, will never fail of needed help at the moment of need. Older Christians also often shrink from duties because they have not the ability to perform them; but for them, and for all who attempt any work of service in obedience to Christ, it is true that the effort to obey will always bring with it the strength to obey. We should notice too that the strength will not come until we try to obey. If we will not attempt to do our duty, we shall remain for ever poor paralytics; but as we put forth the exertion the life will flow into our souls, and we shall be strong.

~ J.R. Miller

We live in an incredibly beautiful world and it is sad that we fail to realise this at times. It is definitely through witnessing perfect moments of soul-restoring beauty that we can testify that God has made His amazing imprint upon our lives by casting His shadow and power upon this universe.. =)

away alone

Hot tears
of frustration and pain
well up in her eyes
Stifled cries
Unanswered questions
locked
within
the deep recesses
of her heart
Never to be verbalised
heard
or known

Everything would have been so different
if you were
still here with me.
A completely different life
it would have been
for you
and
for me

But now
with
the many
what-could-have-beens
that plague
her heart
and
her mind

She makes
her journey through life

Alone

He thinks about you

When a tear is wept by you, don't think that your Father does not see it. Your sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah; your whisper can incline His ear to you; your prayer can stay His hands; your faith can move His arm. Do not think that God sits on high in eternal slumber, taking no account of you. Engraved on the Father's hand your name remains, and on His heart. He thought of you before the worlds were made. Before the channels of the sea were scooped or the mountains lifted their heads in the clouds, He thought of you.

He thinks about you still.

~ C.H. Spurgeon

Decisions

It has come to a point for me now to make a number of important decisions.

Decisions which will affect many things..decisions which are crucial and needful during this time.

I hope the Lord will help me refrain from magnifying the nitty-gritties but to always keep the big picture in focus.

I can never make a good and informed decision apart from You, Lord. Any choice made out of Your sovereign Will will set me on the wrong path. I know this for a fact but yet my flesh yells for me to take the easy way out all the time. I had resolved to do this and that but I want to know, Lord..I need to know whether this is the path You want me to take.

So lead me on, dear Lord. And never let me go.

In Step With You

Help me walk with You each day, dearest Lord..one step at a time.. :)

Prayer

With God’s saints in all ages: nights of prayer with God have been followed by days of power with men.

~ The Kneeling Christian

Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

You Know Better Than I

I thought I did what's right
I thought I had the answers
I thought I chose the surest road
But that road brought me here

So I put up a fight
And told You how to help me
Now just when I have given up
The truth is coming clear

You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
For You know better than I

If this has been a test
I cannot see the reason
But maybe knowing I don't know
Is part of getting through

I try to do what's best
And faith has made it easy
To see the best thing I can do
Is put my trust in You

For You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
For You know better than I

I saw one cloud and thought it was the sky
I saw a bird and thought that I could follow
But it was You who taught that bird to fly
If I let You reach me, will You teach me?

For You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
I'll take what answers You supply
For You know better than I

~ J. Williams

Faith

Faith is no irresponsible shot in the dark.
It is a responsible trust in God, who knows the desires of your heart, the dreams you are given, and the goals you have set.
He will guide your paths right.

~ Robert Schuller

God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

~ 2 Samuel 22:33

Abide With Me

Henry F. Lyte was sickly and unwell much of the time. Despite this weakness he was the pastor of a seashore church in England. Though some wondered at it, he lived and worked among rough sailors and uncultured village folk. But he loved them and the work among them, and they loved him.

His health eventually became so poor that his doctor advised him to go to the sunny warmth of southern Europe. Thus, he prepared to sail.

On his last Sunday among the poor people so dear to him, he had no strength to stand up and preach. But with the Lord's help, he was able to force himself to do so and thus, he ministered to the tearful people one last time. We can imagine the sorrow of these folks as they said "goodbye" to the faithful man who had humbled himself, and perhaps sacrificed his health, to do a small work among the people.

As the sun set that evening, he wrote by its light the words to this hymn. It is the cry of a loving and grieving heart that has no earthly help nor hope left.

Henry Lyte died within a year from when he left them, but God honoured him in allowing his poem to become a well-loved hymn.

Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide:
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away:
Change and decay in all around I see:
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!

I need Thy presence every passing hour:
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies:
Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee:
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

~ Philippians 1:21

..The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another..

~ Genesis 31:49b

On my way

The Author and Finisher of our faith has lovingly written my life story with His heart.
I can trust Him with my life.
I can trust His heart for He knows best.

The beginning of a new chapter
The start of a journey of faith.
Lord, I can never thank you enough
For all that You have done for me.
Because of You,
I am on my way.

Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
In life, in death, O Lord,
Abide with me..

I Will See You

Lord,
in my darkest moments
I wish
to see You
to experience You
to know You.
Continue to reveal
what You have
in store for me
I will hold on
and have the faith
that You will
show me so clearly
Your ways
Your plans,
Your purposes.
I trust
Your heart
and
I still
believe.

Lord,
in my darkest moments,
I will
see You.

We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.

~ Gloria Gaither

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting -- a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Please teach me to be thankful in every trying situation and grateful in every tough circumstance.

Lord, I need you so much.

Thank you for being right here with me.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.

~ Helen Keller

The springs of love are in God, not in us. It is absurd to look for the love of God in our hearts naturally; it is only there when it has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

~ Oswald Chambers

Suffering

Out of suffering comes holiness -- in these forms: comfort, consolation, the fellowship of Christ's suffering, salvation, strength, fortitude, endurance.

This is what is meant by redemptive suffering. The greater the measure allotted to us, the greater is our material for sacrifice. As we make it a joyful offering to God, our potential is enhanced for becoming "instruments of His peace" -- being "broken bread and poured-out wine", overflowing with consolation for the lonely and the suffering of the world.

~ Elisabeth Elliot

hope, choices, tragedy, grace, forgiveness..Love Above All

Seto, Favian, Nelly, Alina, Lishan, Terence, Eugene and myself attended 'Love Above All' (http://www.love-above-all.org/), a musical presentation by Mount Carmel Bible-Presbyterian Church last month. It was a really impressive musical based on the lives of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot and their ministry to the Auca Indians in Ecuador together with their 4 friends (Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, Nate Saint & Roger Youderian) and their wives.

Jim and his friends had made a decision to answer God's call to full-time missionary work. They plunged themselves into the great unknown with the simple faith that God will guide them each step of the way and provide for their every need.

The missionaries made preparations to make contact with the most fearsome and dangerous tribe in the Amazon which was entirely cut off from civilization - the violent Huaorani Indian tribe which were known as the Aucas. During the encounter, they were brutally speared to death by the people that they had sought to reach with the gospel. Elisabeth Elliot and the other missionary widows, not to be distracted by the public outpouring of sympathy or their personal loss, boldly ventured to the Ecuadorian jungles with their young children to face their husbands' murderers with the power of God’s love which eventually turned violence, fear and tragedy into triumphant hope. Their selfless act of love, forgiveness and reconciliation eventually changed the lives of the entire tribe when each of the Auca Indians finally came to the saving knowledge of God's grace and mercy many years later.

Such grace..such love. Such an astounding act of forgiveness could have only been made possible because of God's amazing love for the lost, which is truly love above all.

In October 28, 1949, Jim Eliot wrote a quote in his journal expressing his belief that living in the light and love of eternity for the glory of God was far more important than his earthly life:

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

It is only when one desires to surrender his or her will so that it is aligned to God's that one's life will count for eternity. Riches, earthly glory and achievements we cannot keep - an eternal and satisfying relationship with God and treasures stockpiled in heaven, we can never lose.

No greater love could claim our lives..

To give our all - would we gladly choose?

He Is No Fool

He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep
To gain what he cannot lose.
He is no fool, he is no fool,
Who gives what he can never keep.
He is no fool, he is no fool,
Who gains what he can never lose.

What if I gain the world and all that it’s worth,
And lose my soul in exchange?
I’d be a fool to lose it all,
For what will soon pass away.
I have one life, one life to live,
So help me, Lord, to wisely choose.

He was no fool, who gave His life on the cross,
Who died the world to redeem.
He paid my debt and set me free,
And now I am no more my own.
No greater love could claim my life,
To give my all I gladly choose.

For what shall it profit a man,
If he shall gain the whole world
And lose his own soul?
Though the cross seemed foolishness,
And its way the path of shame,

I’ll take my place with Christ
And proudly bear His name!
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
To gain what he cannot lose.
No greater love could claim my life,
To give my all I gladly choose.
No greater love could claim my life,
To give my all I gladly choose.

Love Above All..♥

Destination Cambodia

Thank God for opening the door for Pastor Vic, Deacon Colin, Bro Ivan, Eugene and myself to go on a short 4-day trip to Koh Kong. It was an amazing eye-opener of a trip and an experience of great joy coming face to face with the Lord's mighty working in the lives of the missionaries and the people at the ministries there. Everything went smoothly by God's grace during our journey - we boarded our Jetstar flight to Bangkok early Friday morning and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport safely within two and a half hours. After passing through customs smoothly, all of us got onto a van which took us through to the next leg of the journey.

Koh Kong is an island located southwest of Cambodia, near the border of Thailand. As shown in the map on the left (courtesy of Canby Publications), the distance between Bangkok to Ban Hat Lek (which is at the border of Thailand and Cambodia) is a total of 460km. That was the overall distance we travelled in approximately 6 hours by van from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Before we made our way to the Thai-Cambodia border via Trat from Bangkok, we made a short stopover at a Thai hawker place to have lunch. The variety of dishes at this mixed rice stall is absolutely fantastic - this hawker place is recommended by Pastor Vic and Deacon Colin, who often makan here en route to Koh Kong.

This is a provision shop selling Thai delicacies and snacks located just next to the hawker place. Its layout reminds me of those good ol' mamak provision shops we often see back in the olden days.

Dn Colin ordering food for us from the mixed rice stall

Packs of nuts, green mangoes and corn cobs for sale..cheap cheap! ;)

The delicious and succulent ter kar we had for lunch..yummadum

This is a stretch of provision shops located close to the border at Klong Yai. It is about 100km to the border crossing and the road winds along the narrow strip of land between the hills that form the border with Cambodia, and the sea. After passing a few kilometres through the village of Klong Yai, our van finally made it to the Thai border immigration post at Ban Hat Lek.

We made it!

Ivan and Eugene at the Thai-Cambodia border

After we made our way through the Ban Hat Lek border immigration check point, we met up with Pastor Noe, Roti (our most capable and skilful Cambodian driver) and Daniel and James, two 12-year-old Cambodian boys who stay with Marissa at the Koh Kong church building. It was a real blessing to meet them all and see them so joyful in the Lord. Daniel and James spoke to us in impeccable English and greeted us with brilliant smiles..The Lord used them to bless our hearts through their warm and hospitable welcome. We loaded our luggage onto Roti's minivan and made our way towards Koh Kong, crossing over the new bridge linking Thailand to southern Cambodia.

Upon reaching the church building, we were warmly welcomed by Marissa, Sister Grace Pulmones and little Darah. We also met the rest of the children who have been faithfully attending the children's Sunday School every week. After fellowshipping with them over a refreshing drink of coconut juice, we joined some of the children at the yard for a singspiration session.

Bro Ivan taught the children some action songs and they absolutely loved it! Sitting next to him is a gifted 12-year-old guitarist, Lendy, who picks up tunes in a jiffy and serves as a musician at the Sunday worship service.

Marissa, our dear sister and missionary servant of the Lord, with Pastor Noe's daughter, Darah, at the sing-along session.

Dn Colin is seated next to Daniel and Simon, a solid worship service pianist in the making.

The boys from left to right: Lendy, Daniel, Simon, Samuel and James. Thank God for their salvation and their spiritual growth in Christ. =)

Singing praises to the Lord together

The girls - each of them so sweet and surrendered to the Lord..praise God!

Bro Ivan, Pastor Vic, Pastor Noe, Deacon Colin and Eugene

These children are very fast learners..they learnt 2 English songs in 20 minutes!

It was a real blessing enjoying their lively and melodious singing and witnessing the love of the Lord that is shed abroad in their hearts.

After our mini worship song session, we took a short break before dinner and Ivan, having brought a soccer ball along with him on this trip, decided to organise a soccer match with the boys in the evening.

On the way to the school field, we saw someone coming our way..Lo and behold..it's Dn Colin having a go at Samuel's bicycle on the streets of Koh Kong..:D

Eugene and Samuel

Splitting into the two teams...Oh-yah-bay-yah-SOM!

Still at it..we're almost there - and finally it's Team Ivan with Samuel and Daniel v.s Team Eugene with Lendy and James..
Finding a nice spot to kick ball

Go show 'em uncles what you're made of, boys!

The friendly neighbourhood cows making their rounds and watching the teams as they fought it out on the field..

Go Samuel!

That's our Daniel..GOAL!!!

These boys may be young but they play the game like professional soccer players..simply amazing! Pastor Noe shared with Ivan and Eugene that he has plans of holding a soccer evangelism campaign in Koh Kong, a sports outreach where the gospel will be preached to participating teams. We might send over a Singapore team or two for the outreach – but our teams had better be prepared to be defeated by these skilful, soccer-loving juniors!

Koh Kong soccer champs unite! Great game guys..:D

After the match, all of us went out for dinner together with Pastor Noe, Sis Grace, Darah and Marissa. It was a brilliant time of catching up with them and knowing more about the ministries located at other parts of Cambodia. The Lord has been working in marvellous ways in this vast mission field. We retired early that night as we had to be up at 5am the next day to set off on our journey down south from Koh Kong to Prey Nob which is located near Sihanoukville.

It was an early and misty morning at our first river crossing. Peaceful and tranquil with not a soul in sight.

God's Cambodia - a beautiful and breathtaking place,

a small piece of heaven on earth

A cloud-covered sunrise in the horizon heralds the start of a brand new day

Our journey by van to Prey Nob took about 5 hours from Koh Kong. We travelled sometimes on paved roads which soon enough became dirt tracks especially when Roti decides to take a short cut. During the journey, we crossed 4 rivers by boarding barges which would load as many vehicles as they could fit on the deck in order to take people across the river. Road conditions towards the riverbanks can deteriorate dramatically during the wet season, lengthening travel time. Thank God for a smooth journey without any delays despite a challenging time making it across the 3rd river crossing due to a mudslide situation at one of the banks. I got into a sticky situation when my right foot plunged right into a deep and wet mud patch when I was alighting from the barge..thank God for Eugene who rescued me from my sorry plight..hoho :pConstruction of flyover bridges which will replace the 4 barge-facilitated river crossings is nearing completion - the pilings in the river are done and the piers have been erected with the siderails. In about a month's time, travelling across the rivers will be an absolute breeze for all vehicles.

The awesome view from one of the barges

Heading towards the opposite bank

The view from the bank upon alighting safely from the barge

A roadside stall at the river bank

After 4 hours by van, we reached Prey Nob and had the opportunity of viewing a future church campsite which is currently under construction. It is here that an 11 hectare piece of land owned by Pastor Noe's church is currently under construction to become a leadership-training campsite. Pastor Noe's vision is that this campsite will be used to hold leadership or evangelistic camps to train up future leaders in the church. It is his desire that God will mould and shape young lives for His glory here. Pastor Noe shared with us that the YEP team will most probably be working on a student dorm building project here this December.

A road connecting the place to the main road will be constructed to make it more accessible to others travelling towards the campsite

A building at the campsite

Pastor Noe showing us the vegetable patch behind the building

From left to right: A Prey Nob church sister, Pastor Vic chatting with Pastor Noe, Roti (our skilful van driver) and Sari

A view of Prey Nob's landscape

Bible studies and church services are held here every week at Prey Nob. Sari takes care of the ministry and serves here regularly.

A gaggle of geese at the pond

A little girl from the village washing her clothes by the river

The paved road of gravel and dust that our van travelled on
How now brown cow? We saw a few herds of cattle making their way towards their destination on the road. They caused quite a few jams along the way because they failed to mooove along and follow their herdboy.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. ~ Psalm 19:1

*simply awesome*

Vivid green paddy fields..a visible reminder that the harvest of souls here is plenteous, wipe and ready for the picking

A barge on its way to pick us up

Bro Ivan, Pastor Vic, Eugene, Shem (Pastor Noe's youngest son) and me

Vehicles backing into the deck of the barge

We made it through the river crossing!

Our van driving out of the barge and onto dry land
Lunch at Pastor Noe's place at Sihanoukville, lovingly prepared by Reshmey (a sister-in-Christ from Pastor Noe's church). We were very glad to be able to catch up with Sari, a dear brother who gave his testimony at GLCC when he visited Singapore this year as well as other church members from Pastor Noe’s church at Sihanoukville. All of them are now faithfully serving at the various church ministries and we pray that there will be more God-fearing servants like them reaching the vast harvest of souls in Cambodia for Christ.