Listen to what this writer has to say......one of my favourite writer who encompasses what one feels about singleness i such apt words!!!
The Song of God's Grace by Camerin CourtneyDecember 5, 2007
I never expected God to speak to me about my singleness while I was halfway around the world. But three weeks ago, in a small church situated on a dirt road in the middle of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, he did—even though I didn't quite realize it at the time.
I'd arrived in Cambodia the day prior to that church service, along with four other members of my church. We were there to work with one of our church's missionaries who'd launched a publishing company in Phnom Penh in 2004. Our team was to stage a four-day conference—one member would teach graphic design, two others would teach editing, one would consult with our missionary on business practices, and I'd teach writing.
I had 20 students in my class: 19 men and 1 woman. Many of them worked for missions agencies, including World Vision, TransWorld Radio, The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Though these writers had ministry in common, they varied in educational level—one 22-year-old was finishing high school, another 30something had a college degree in literature. As a class, they worked hard, asked good questions, and appeared eager to learn. I was eager to learn from these brothers and sister as well, and they didn't disappoint. Three of their stories in particular moved me and represented some of the other students' stories I heard.
Standing just to my left every day was Chhay, my translator for the conference. I was startled to learn that finding a Cambodian man Chhay's age, 54, was unusual, since most men his age had been killed during Pol Pot's genocidal reign in the early 1970s. While my students spent time writing in class one day, Chhay told me about that horrific season of his life. How he did hard labor 18 hours a day in a Khmer Rouge work camp and received only a spoonful of rice for each meal. How he was ordered to kill his mother, refused at peril to his own life, and was spared only because he was a hard worker. How years later he sensed God calling him to start a hostel for college students who had nowhere to stay, besides Buddhist temples, while studying in the city. How most of the 50 to 70 students housed at his facility become Christians during their second year there, drawn by the servant-love Chhay models.
Sitting directly to my right every day was Kimchoeurng, an orphan who'd never known his parents. He was a beggar on the streets of Phnom Penh from ages six to eight before he finally landed in an orphanage—not the kind of place that attracts adoring parents looking for a child to call their own, but the kind that offers better accommodations than life on the streets. Last year, at age 21, Kimchoeurng started his own orphanage. He now houses 31 children in his three-room, one-bathroom facility, teaching them about the Father who's love sustained him through a tumultuous childhood.
And straight ahead of me at the back of the room sat Sokha. The son of a high priest in a prestigious Buddhist temple, Sokha accepted a friend's invitation to attend a Christian church, and later told police about the underground congregation. His betrayal led to the arrest of several church members and haunted Sokha for years. The friend who'd invited him and the people he'd met at church had shown him only kindness, which he'd returned with cruelty. Sokha finally went back to that church, seeking forgiveness from those believers and from the God he then came to know as Savior. His conversion created great strife in his family. They burned his Christian materials, and his father even held a gun to Sokha's head. Years later Sokha led his family to Christ. His father and uncle, once Sokha's biggest persecutors, now serve as pastors in strong Christian churches, and Sokha works and ministers with World Vision.
What gripped me about these stories was the common theme of resilience and perseverance in the face of hardship. In fact, not just perseverance, but ministry. All three of these men created some sort of ministry out of their unthinkable circumstances. All three stories are testaments of God's penchant for creating beauty from ashes. All three stories are beautiful examples of God's amazing grace.
What also amazes me is that during the worship service the day before the conference, God gave me a peek at this theme that would emerge. The church service was unlike any other I'd attended in my 30-plus years as a believer. We sat on plastic chairs on a poured-concrete floor. A dog wandered in and found a nice place for a nap underneath a chair in the row in front of me. The church provided shelves for helmets, worn by several of the many attendees who arrived by moto—and Bibles, as not all the members had their own copy. Though I couldn't communicate with most of the 30 or so people there that day, I could sense their joy.
I've loved the few opportunities I've had over the years to attend churches in other countries. I listen intently to catch the sermon's meaning from friends' whispered translations, I recognize a few familiar hymns or worship songs and hum along, but mostly I take joy and comfort in realizing God understands all the prayers and praise so foreign to me. Knowing he's the God of the universe is one thing, but experiencing that truth in a foreign setting is another thing altogether.
Sitting there reveling in this truth, thanking God for our team's safe arrival, taking in the new sights and sounds, listening to an unfamiliar Cambodian-penned worship song, I was overcome with an unmistakable sense of God's grace. The kind of sense that comes with tears. Just as I was dabbing my eyes, Steve, the missionary we were assisting, leaned in and translated, "This is a song about God's grace." The kind of grace I saw so beautifully displayed in the following days.
At home a week later, telling a coworker about my students' three gripping stories, I explained, "These students seemed eager to share their story, to show us their hostel or orphanage, to read their testimony. They seemed to greatly value simply being seen."
Lying in bed that night, I reflected on this realization and on my personal resonance with this feeling. "You know, God," I whispered into the darkness, "I totally understand that feeling of wanting to be seen. I can feel invisible as a single person—in our churches that center on families and in a culture that preaches the religion of romance, to the men who don't give me the time of day and to you, who seem to keep withholding a big desire of my heart. I really long to be seen. And I really long to be seen by you."
After a few moments of silence, God seemed to remind me he'd already provided evidence of his seeing me—in that Cambodian church service. He heard my joy that morning—my individual, wordless joy—and joined in. He knew I was marveling in his ability to understand every uttered word, so foreign to me. He lovingly let me in on the secret of the song's subject matter: his grace. And suddenly the words of Zephaniah 3:17 came to mind: "He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
On that trip, many miles from home, I learned that the song God's singing over his children in Cambodia is a song of his grace. And I learned that though we might not always understand the words and the tune, the details and the timing of his grace, most of the time it's enough to simply know his grace is there.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
LIFE...as it is....
Hmm...it's been AGES since i last had an entry here.....been so caught up with work and exams and what- nots......and I've had my fair share of ups and downs throughout the last 2 months!!!
First of all...work was just picking up and super duper busy...with a list of patients running into the 50s.....life was just a flurry of activities.....from arranging urgent scans to speaking to relatives who are so demanding in the ward.......
Then, there came heart warming knowledge that I have grown very close with this batch of colleagues....granted- we spend so much time together in the wards and all that it is hard not to.....having lunch and dinner most days of the week, plus seeing them on the weekends too.....it's just amazing!!!
This was then followed by me being AS leading up to my exams on Sept 11 (yes, what a horrible date for an exam!!)......which i subsequently failed anyway....sigh.......what can be worst?!?
Life as it is always brings a surprise....and with it, God's blessing too....am so thankful that Joanne has come over from TTSH for 2 months to work with us.....indeed a gift of God.....her encouraging SMS on the day i told my colleagues of my exam results was just what I needed....Thanks girl!! really appreciated a sister in Christ who could actually identify with what I felt.....;) so you see....all is not lost even in the depths of what seemed like despair!
so yea...guess there is no room nor time for me to lament about anything in life.....I have indeed learnt to put my full trust in Him and Him alone!
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." - Psalm 20:7
First of all...work was just picking up and super duper busy...with a list of patients running into the 50s.....life was just a flurry of activities.....from arranging urgent scans to speaking to relatives who are so demanding in the ward.......
Then, there came heart warming knowledge that I have grown very close with this batch of colleagues....granted- we spend so much time together in the wards and all that it is hard not to.....having lunch and dinner most days of the week, plus seeing them on the weekends too.....it's just amazing!!!
This was then followed by me being AS leading up to my exams on Sept 11 (yes, what a horrible date for an exam!!)......which i subsequently failed anyway....sigh.......what can be worst?!?
Life as it is always brings a surprise....and with it, God's blessing too....am so thankful that Joanne has come over from TTSH for 2 months to work with us.....indeed a gift of God.....her encouraging SMS on the day i told my colleagues of my exam results was just what I needed....Thanks girl!! really appreciated a sister in Christ who could actually identify with what I felt.....;) so you see....all is not lost even in the depths of what seemed like despair!
so yea...guess there is no room nor time for me to lament about anything in life.....I have indeed learnt to put my full trust in Him and Him alone!
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." - Psalm 20:7
Saturday, August 11, 2007
10/40 and 10-30 window...
After much grumbling and angst yesterday...I was pleasantly surprised by the speaker at church today...Ps. Irvin Rutherford frm USA was really dynamic in his sermon...and gave a good reminder to me of my student days when I was so active in CF....
Coming from a missionary background, he shocked me with his perfect enunciation of Bahasa Indonesia- even elucidating to the fact that he can ' makan durian sampai mabuk!" ...hahaha.....
Speaking from Luke 15 - parables of the Lost sheep/coin/ son......he reminded me that we all as Christians need to have a desire to reach the lost......where he spoke about the 10/40 windows of the unreached world.....then he talked about the 10-30 window that he was concerned about.....those aged from 10 -30 years...who need guidance and mentoring to be effective witnesses for the Kingdom ....to continue the work of previous missionaries....and to finish the 'race' well......WOW!! Echoed my heartbeat as the missionary secretary in CF days....;) What a timely reminder!!!
Back to the sermon...he reminded us of the 3 joys :
a) Joy of the shepherd (John 10)- the joy of serving...
b) Joy of friends and neighbours (the joy of inclusion and community)
c) Joy of Heaven - over the repentance of even one sinner...
Timely reminder...esp of the need of the Body of Christ....despite the hurts we sustain from either toxic churches/ faulty thinking on our own part....God can heal those wounds through fellowship with His family......something that I am slowly learning........;)
Guess God does really know my heart....and I close with this song for the week:
STILL
Verse 1:
Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within You mighty hand
Verse 2:
Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust
Chorus:
When the ocean rise and thunder roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are King over the flood
I will be still know You are God
I will be still know You are God
Coming from a missionary background, he shocked me with his perfect enunciation of Bahasa Indonesia- even elucidating to the fact that he can ' makan durian sampai mabuk!" ...hahaha.....
Speaking from Luke 15 - parables of the Lost sheep/coin/ son......he reminded me that we all as Christians need to have a desire to reach the lost......where he spoke about the 10/40 windows of the unreached world.....then he talked about the 10-30 window that he was concerned about.....those aged from 10 -30 years...who need guidance and mentoring to be effective witnesses for the Kingdom ....to continue the work of previous missionaries....and to finish the 'race' well......WOW!! Echoed my heartbeat as the missionary secretary in CF days....;) What a timely reminder!!!
Back to the sermon...he reminded us of the 3 joys :
a) Joy of the shepherd (John 10)- the joy of serving...
b) Joy of friends and neighbours (the joy of inclusion and community)
c) Joy of Heaven - over the repentance of even one sinner...
Timely reminder...esp of the need of the Body of Christ....despite the hurts we sustain from either toxic churches/ faulty thinking on our own part....God can heal those wounds through fellowship with His family......something that I am slowly learning........;)
Guess God does really know my heart....and I close with this song for the week:
STILL
Verse 1:
Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within You mighty hand
Verse 2:
Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust
Chorus:
When the ocean rise and thunder roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are King over the flood
I will be still know You are God
I will be still know You are God
Finding a soulmate....
Was feeling rather left out during a colleague's wedding recently....everyone either turned up with their partners/bf/gf/spouse....or came with friends that they have known throughout their lives......dun be mistaken, it was a lovely wedding and I truly am very happy for the couple....but I guess it just made me contemplate the state of singlehood that I am in right now........
This is not something new to me...I have struggled with this for a long long time...and many times I questioned God-" Have You forgotten me?!?".........which is always then followed by a disclaimer-" I have served You faithfully and sacrificially over the many years since I gave my life to You, is this too difficult a request that You will not even grant me?!?"........
How silly we human beings can be at times....who are we that we should question Him? And how is it that we always doubt His wisdom and faithfulness to us? And how often do we forget that He has given us so much more in comparison to what we have sacrificed!!!
Was duly reminded of passages of Scriptures which have held me steadfast in my faith through these times of testing....
" Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there, do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper........For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.... (Jeremiah 29, 5-7, 10-11)
Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you (Deut 31:6)
Indeed....He is faithful....and I know that He is faithful even in this area of finding a soulmate for me.....;) and yes....even in the times of 'exile' here...He remains faithful to me!
This is not something new to me...I have struggled with this for a long long time...and many times I questioned God-" Have You forgotten me?!?".........which is always then followed by a disclaimer-" I have served You faithfully and sacrificially over the many years since I gave my life to You, is this too difficult a request that You will not even grant me?!?"........
How silly we human beings can be at times....who are we that we should question Him? And how is it that we always doubt His wisdom and faithfulness to us? And how often do we forget that He has given us so much more in comparison to what we have sacrificed!!!
Was duly reminded of passages of Scriptures which have held me steadfast in my faith through these times of testing....
" Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there, do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper........For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.... (Jeremiah 29, 5-7, 10-11)
Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you (Deut 31:6)
Indeed....He is faithful....and I know that He is faithful even in this area of finding a soulmate for me.....;) and yes....even in the times of 'exile' here...He remains faithful to me!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Ficklemindedness...
Was just reading through my last entry in this blog....and felt truly ashamed of myself......how we oscillate as humans! how inconsistent we can be?!?
Whilst I wanted to be Christ-like last week....this week I just felt the opposite.....could feel the mean streak coming out.....the same friend that I wanted to share the Gospel with just kept irritating me...not just with her whinings...but her complains and judgment of others........to the point that she asked some colleagues who were away on a course to come back in the evening to help her out! I was shocked...to say the least.....
Questions that kept popping into my mind were:
a) Why did she not approach me if she needed help? Was I so unapproachable?
b) Why did the others agree to it? - granted, those colleagues were Christians too....
c) What's wrong with this person?!?
The list goes on....and slowly the thoughts became ' why should I help her? she didn't help me when I needed help?!?"......and as you can see...they slowly degenerated to selfish and self-justifying thoughts.....appalling!!
Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness. When i choose to rebel and walk against Your principles. When I choose to live according to my own terms. When i choose to disobey Your commands. I am sorry Lord and I repent of my hard-heartedness and disobedience.
Whilst I wanted to be Christ-like last week....this week I just felt the opposite.....could feel the mean streak coming out.....the same friend that I wanted to share the Gospel with just kept irritating me...not just with her whinings...but her complains and judgment of others........to the point that she asked some colleagues who were away on a course to come back in the evening to help her out! I was shocked...to say the least.....
Questions that kept popping into my mind were:
a) Why did she not approach me if she needed help? Was I so unapproachable?
b) Why did the others agree to it? - granted, those colleagues were Christians too....
c) What's wrong with this person?!?
The list goes on....and slowly the thoughts became ' why should I help her? she didn't help me when I needed help?!?"......and as you can see...they slowly degenerated to selfish and self-justifying thoughts.....appalling!!
Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness. When i choose to rebel and walk against Your principles. When I choose to live according to my own terms. When i choose to disobey Your commands. I am sorry Lord and I repent of my hard-heartedness and disobedience.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
What do u in the face of adversity?
That was the sermon in church this week - what do you do in the face of adversity?
Made me wonder...especially since that seems to encapsulate what work is like...on a daily basis!!
The past week has been pretty breezy for me...however, my colleagues have all been going through a really really tough time....some of them have exploded in exasperation and frustration...some have broken down....others just suffer quietly with exhaustion......
it was really sad seeing what used to be kinda cheerful people grumbling and complaining.....and i thought of what Jesus would have said at our attitude?!? and for me....i just get sucked into the vortex of complaining as well.....till God convicted me a few days ago....
really struck me that I am there for a reason...to be an encourager and a supporter......to help and to share His word......and its amazing how He gives opportunity to share our faith....like having coffee with a non Christian colleague on a saturday afternoon talking about life and death and what our religious belief were....
take home pointers from the sermon?!?
1) Patience
2) Perseverance
3) Perception
Above it all.....we need to have a spirit of thanksgiving in every circumstance we are in...good or bad! ;)
" Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged." James 5: 7 - 9
Made me wonder...especially since that seems to encapsulate what work is like...on a daily basis!!
The past week has been pretty breezy for me...however, my colleagues have all been going through a really really tough time....some of them have exploded in exasperation and frustration...some have broken down....others just suffer quietly with exhaustion......
it was really sad seeing what used to be kinda cheerful people grumbling and complaining.....and i thought of what Jesus would have said at our attitude?!? and for me....i just get sucked into the vortex of complaining as well.....till God convicted me a few days ago....
really struck me that I am there for a reason...to be an encourager and a supporter......to help and to share His word......and its amazing how He gives opportunity to share our faith....like having coffee with a non Christian colleague on a saturday afternoon talking about life and death and what our religious belief were....
take home pointers from the sermon?!?
1) Patience
2) Perseverance
3) Perception
Above it all.....we need to have a spirit of thanksgiving in every circumstance we are in...good or bad! ;)
" Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged." James 5: 7 - 9
Friday, June 22, 2007
Cell group- what it really really means...
Sigh...yet another cell group outing on Sunday morning which I am unable to attend.....
And then, we get a mail from a dear sister exhorting us to meet up to share and pray....how wonderful! Someone with spiritual insight - finally!!
Been thinking about this cell group that i have been in for the past 1 year ... it has been very different from my Uni cell group....guess as one starts working, different things take priority, eg. family, children, work, etc.... I know, i know...it's part of growing up......
But, cell group is not just about us meeting up to study the Word of God....as far as I can understand, most of my CG members are really grounded in the Word....and hence, we start nit picking at all the Scriptures, coz we think that that is what we are supposed to do in the CG instruction manual!
Food for thought - why is a CG called a CELL group? not care group or some other name? Coz it's supposed to be a dynamic structure which grows and multiplies.....and that can only happen if the cell is healthy.... but when a cell is only concerned for itself, it fails to grow and achieve what it was intended to be....and hence, the whole body suffers........
well, as far as i can understand - it says in the Bible that we are blessed so that we can go and bless others....not so that we can be comfortable and grow fat and lazy?!? God blessed Abraham so that he could be a blessing to the nations!!
And then, we get a mail from a dear sister exhorting us to meet up to share and pray....how wonderful! Someone with spiritual insight - finally!!
Been thinking about this cell group that i have been in for the past 1 year ... it has been very different from my Uni cell group....guess as one starts working, different things take priority, eg. family, children, work, etc.... I know, i know...it's part of growing up......
But, cell group is not just about us meeting up to study the Word of God....as far as I can understand, most of my CG members are really grounded in the Word....and hence, we start nit picking at all the Scriptures, coz we think that that is what we are supposed to do in the CG instruction manual!
Food for thought - why is a CG called a CELL group? not care group or some other name? Coz it's supposed to be a dynamic structure which grows and multiplies.....and that can only happen if the cell is healthy.... but when a cell is only concerned for itself, it fails to grow and achieve what it was intended to be....and hence, the whole body suffers........
well, as far as i can understand - it says in the Bible that we are blessed so that we can go and bless others....not so that we can be comfortable and grow fat and lazy?!? God blessed Abraham so that he could be a blessing to the nations!!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Siblings....and family...
It's been great being on holiday...ok, mebbe not the studying for exams bit! But the thought of not having to worry about work and what the events of the days will bring is just great....no thoughts of ' will any patient die on me today?" , 'will i have to resus any one today?" or even the ' i hope i dun screw up today' ...... sigh...
But better than that is the fact that my sis is in town... ;) hehehe....
Been soooo long that I have spent any time with her under one roof...come to think about it, I have been staying away from my family since the age of 18...gasp...that's like almost 9 years now!! Argh...
Always amazes me how similar we are in some ways...yet so different in others....
Like the time when i bought my 1st mobile phone in Australia....still remember it vividly, the turquoise coloured ericsson phone (T10)...and to my surprise, my sis had the exact same model and colour in UK! Talk about telepathy! Over the years, we've developed similar taste in movies, books, music, clothes....( as for clothes, no thanks to our dear mum - all 3 of us always pick the same stuff off the clothes rack during shopping!!)....it is uncanny....yet fun to know that there is a part of us that will remain the same no matter what life brings!
Well...though we have taken different paths in life.....and entering different phases of our lives, it is comforting to know that some things don't change - for better or worse. ;)
Here's to family kinship!
Monday, June 4, 2007
AMAZING GRACE
Watched this over the weekend with my mum and sister....was a pretty good show....despite the misconceptions that I had about it....we (i.e my sister and I) thought that it was the story behind the famous hymn 'Amazing Grace' - which would likely be the story of John Newton....
Well, we were pleasantly surprised at the story line.. which featured the life and contributions of William Wilberforce in the abolition of slavery in the United Kingdom.
Excellent acting from the cast....and yes, John Newton was featured in this movie too - played by Albert Finney.
How humbling and amazing it was to find out how difficult the struggle for the abolition of slavery was in those days.
Another word of praise- excellent use of makeup in this movie. You must watch it to believe in the utilisation of make-up to depict the various possible looks of one person at different stages of life - youth, sickness, old age.....
and here are the words of the great hymn we know so well...
The Lyrics of the Song
Amazing Grace (How sweet the sound) That sav'd a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.'
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears reliev'd; How precious did that grace appear, The hour I first believ'd!
Thro' many dangers, toils and snare, I have already come; 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease; I shall profess, within the vail, A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who call'd me here below, Will be for ever mine.
Wow!
John Newton - played by Albert Finney
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Dreamcars..
Check these outs!
These were at Vivocity for the Italian festival.....
Yummy!!!!
Still vote the red alfa SPIDER as my best! ;)
Saturday, May 26, 2007
GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER
It's truly amazing to see what is God doing in the hearts of men throughout the world...I have heard of this Global Day of Prayer since my Uni days......and was truly amazed at the prayers covered whilst compiling a prayer guide for my campus Christian fellowship that I was serving at that time.....
Read this prayer that will be prayed all over the world today on Pentecost Sunday...truly inspiring and humbling!
A Prayer for the World
Almighty God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Together with believers all over the world,
we gather today to honour and glorify Your Name.
We bow before Your throne and acknowledge that You are the Creator of heaven and earth.
There is no one like You, holy and righteous in all Your ways.
We submit to Your authority as the King of the universe.
We pray with one voice to enthrone You in our hearts and to honour You before the world.
Congregation: Lord God, You alone are worthy of our praise and adoration.
We worship You.
Our Father in heaven,
Thank You for loving the world so greatly
that You gave Your only Son, Jesus Christ ,
to die on the cross for our sins,
so that we could be reconciled to You.
We are grateful to call You Father and to be called Your children
because of our faith in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Nothing can separate us from Your love.
Congregation: Thank You Father for adopting us into Your family.
We now cry, Abba Father!
Lord Jesus Christ,
You alone are worthy to open the scrolls of history,
for You were slain and have redeemed us to the Father by Your blood,
We confess that You are Head of the Church
and Lord of all heaven and earth.
May people from every tribe and language become Your followers.
Let Your kingdom be established in every nation of the world,
so that govenments will rule with righteousness and justice.
May Your gospel be made known to every person.
May Your blessing bring transformation among every people.
And may Your Name be great, form the rising of the sun to its setting.
Congregation: Jesus Christ, You are the Saviour of the world and the Lord of all.
Father of mercy and grace,
We acknowledge that we have sinned
and that our world is gripped by the power of sin.
Our hearts are grieved by injustice, hatred, anger and violence.
We are shamed by oppression, racism and bloodshed in our land.
we mourn the loss of innocent life
in abortion, war and terrorism, persecution and senseless murders.
Our homes are broken by selfishness and immorality.
Our lives are polluted by greed, idolatry and sexual sin.
Our churches are divided by rebellious pride.
All the sins that we may find in our world, You have found among Your people.
We have grieved Your heart and brought shame to Your Name.
We approach Your throne of grace in this hour of need.
we ask for Your mercy and Your help to repent with all our hearts.
Congregation: God of mercy, pour out Your grace. Forgive our sins. Heal our land.
Spirit of the Living God.
We confess that we can do nothing apart from You.
Be poured out upon all flesh.
Tansform the Church into the image of Jesus Christ.
Release Your power to bring healing to the sick,
freedom to the possessed, comfort to those who mourn
and release for those who are oppressed.
Come and melt the hearts of people to love again.
Answer the call of the homeless, the hungry, the helpless and the dying,
Enfold orphans, widows and the elderly in Your arms.
Display Your mercy and provide for our needs.
Give us wisdom and insight for the complex problems we face today.
Help us to use the resource of the earth for the well-being of all.
Pour Your love into our hearts and fill us with compassion.
Congregation: Holy Spirit, we need Your comfort and guidance. Come and transform our hearts.
Lord Jesus Christ,
Because You were dead , but now are risen;
and because the Father has given You a name above all names,
You will defeat all powers of evil.
We pray for the tearing down of strongholds and ideologies
that hinder and resist the spreading of the knowledge of God.
We resist the plan of the enemy to keep nations in darkness.
Remove the veil that covers the peoples.
Restrain the evil that promotes violence and death.
Bring deliverance from demonic oppression.
Break the hold of slavery, tyranny and disease.
Fill us with courage to preach Your Word fearlessly;
and give us a spirit of intercession to pray for the lost faithfully.
Congregation: Almighty God, deliver us from evil and the Evil One.
King of Glory,
Come to the nations of the world,
we welcome You to finish Your work in our cities,
our peoples and our nations.
We now lift our voices in unison with believers from Africa and Asia,
from the Middle East and Europe, from North and South America,
and from Australia and the Pacific Islands - together we cry:
Congregation: Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Be lifted up ancient doors
So that the King of glory may come in!
As Your deeds increase throughout the earth,
and as Your blessings abound to all the nations,
they will seek You, asking, "Who is this King of glory?"
Together we will answer:
Congregation: He is the Lord Almighty!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Come fill the earth with Your glory as the waters cover the sea.
The Spirit and Bride say:
Congregation: Amen! Come Lord Jesus!
(Taken from the Singaporean version of the GDDP Prayer booklet 2007)
Wow!! What a prayer!
Read this prayer that will be prayed all over the world today on Pentecost Sunday...truly inspiring and humbling!
A Prayer for the World
Almighty God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Together with believers all over the world,
we gather today to honour and glorify Your Name.
We bow before Your throne and acknowledge that You are the Creator of heaven and earth.
There is no one like You, holy and righteous in all Your ways.
We submit to Your authority as the King of the universe.
We pray with one voice to enthrone You in our hearts and to honour You before the world.
Congregation: Lord God, You alone are worthy of our praise and adoration.
We worship You.
Our Father in heaven,
Thank You for loving the world so greatly
that You gave Your only Son, Jesus Christ ,
to die on the cross for our sins,
so that we could be reconciled to You.
We are grateful to call You Father and to be called Your children
because of our faith in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Nothing can separate us from Your love.
Congregation: Thank You Father for adopting us into Your family.
We now cry, Abba Father!
Lord Jesus Christ,
You alone are worthy to open the scrolls of history,
for You were slain and have redeemed us to the Father by Your blood,
We confess that You are Head of the Church
and Lord of all heaven and earth.
May people from every tribe and language become Your followers.
Let Your kingdom be established in every nation of the world,
so that govenments will rule with righteousness and justice.
May Your gospel be made known to every person.
May Your blessing bring transformation among every people.
And may Your Name be great, form the rising of the sun to its setting.
Congregation: Jesus Christ, You are the Saviour of the world and the Lord of all.
Father of mercy and grace,
We acknowledge that we have sinned
and that our world is gripped by the power of sin.
Our hearts are grieved by injustice, hatred, anger and violence.
We are shamed by oppression, racism and bloodshed in our land.
we mourn the loss of innocent life
in abortion, war and terrorism, persecution and senseless murders.
Our homes are broken by selfishness and immorality.
Our lives are polluted by greed, idolatry and sexual sin.
Our churches are divided by rebellious pride.
All the sins that we may find in our world, You have found among Your people.
We have grieved Your heart and brought shame to Your Name.
We approach Your throne of grace in this hour of need.
we ask for Your mercy and Your help to repent with all our hearts.
Congregation: God of mercy, pour out Your grace. Forgive our sins. Heal our land.
Spirit of the Living God.
We confess that we can do nothing apart from You.
Be poured out upon all flesh.
Tansform the Church into the image of Jesus Christ.
Release Your power to bring healing to the sick,
freedom to the possessed, comfort to those who mourn
and release for those who are oppressed.
Come and melt the hearts of people to love again.
Answer the call of the homeless, the hungry, the helpless and the dying,
Enfold orphans, widows and the elderly in Your arms.
Display Your mercy and provide for our needs.
Give us wisdom and insight for the complex problems we face today.
Help us to use the resource of the earth for the well-being of all.
Pour Your love into our hearts and fill us with compassion.
Congregation: Holy Spirit, we need Your comfort and guidance. Come and transform our hearts.
Lord Jesus Christ,
Because You were dead , but now are risen;
and because the Father has given You a name above all names,
You will defeat all powers of evil.
We pray for the tearing down of strongholds and ideologies
that hinder and resist the spreading of the knowledge of God.
We resist the plan of the enemy to keep nations in darkness.
Remove the veil that covers the peoples.
Restrain the evil that promotes violence and death.
Bring deliverance from demonic oppression.
Break the hold of slavery, tyranny and disease.
Fill us with courage to preach Your Word fearlessly;
and give us a spirit of intercession to pray for the lost faithfully.
Congregation: Almighty God, deliver us from evil and the Evil One.
King of Glory,
Come to the nations of the world,
we welcome You to finish Your work in our cities,
our peoples and our nations.
We now lift our voices in unison with believers from Africa and Asia,
from the Middle East and Europe, from North and South America,
and from Australia and the Pacific Islands - together we cry:
Congregation: Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Be lifted up ancient doors
So that the King of glory may come in!
As Your deeds increase throughout the earth,
and as Your blessings abound to all the nations,
they will seek You, asking, "Who is this King of glory?"
Together we will answer:
Congregation: He is the Lord Almighty!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Come fill the earth with Your glory as the waters cover the sea.
The Spirit and Bride say:
Congregation: Amen! Come Lord Jesus!
(Taken from the Singaporean version of the GDDP Prayer booklet 2007)
Wow!! What a prayer!
Friday, May 25, 2007
DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING?
The past few days at work has been challenging.....i see death all around me....yes, it is not something new. It is the experience of working in a setting where people are terminally ill....even those who are considered young....and it hits me between the eyes..... the way people deal with death.
Those who are sick and yet supposed in the prime of their lives...struggle with the meaning of disease...and their mortality.......those who are unfortunate enough to land in the terminal stages where everything in their body falls apart, are unable to comprehend nor accept the final days of their lives.......whilst those who are octogenarians accept their mortality but feel guilty for being a burden to their families - in terms of time and finances spent.
Then, there are those, who are left behind by family members who have passed on....the guilt in them for not doing more, or not being with them at the point of death......for others, it is anger that is expressed that the deceased was not given a second chance at life....and they implore the doctors to do their best at prolonging the life of loved ones, despite the knowledge that their existence in that state which they are in would not have any meaning. Besides, who are we (ie doctors) to play God?!?
Am i a pessimist?
It's hard not to be in an environment like this.
Yet, the one thing that stands out the most for me is the fact that these people do not know Jesus - the lover and redeemer of my soul. How sad.
I pray everyday...as I past by these patients and their family - that they will find Christ, and the hope that we have in Him. That death is not the end because we who believe in Him will have everlasting life. And those that we leave behind have the comfort and assurance that we will meet again - in heaven!
What hope! What joy! What peace!
Only in Christ Jesus can we say - death, where is thy sting?
Those who are sick and yet supposed in the prime of their lives...struggle with the meaning of disease...and their mortality.......those who are unfortunate enough to land in the terminal stages where everything in their body falls apart, are unable to comprehend nor accept the final days of their lives.......whilst those who are octogenarians accept their mortality but feel guilty for being a burden to their families - in terms of time and finances spent.
Then, there are those, who are left behind by family members who have passed on....the guilt in them for not doing more, or not being with them at the point of death......for others, it is anger that is expressed that the deceased was not given a second chance at life....and they implore the doctors to do their best at prolonging the life of loved ones, despite the knowledge that their existence in that state which they are in would not have any meaning. Besides, who are we (ie doctors) to play God?!?
Am i a pessimist?
It's hard not to be in an environment like this.
Yet, the one thing that stands out the most for me is the fact that these people do not know Jesus - the lover and redeemer of my soul. How sad.
I pray everyday...as I past by these patients and their family - that they will find Christ, and the hope that we have in Him. That death is not the end because we who believe in Him will have everlasting life. And those that we leave behind have the comfort and assurance that we will meet again - in heaven!
What hope! What joy! What peace!
Only in Christ Jesus can we say - death, where is thy sting?
Saturday, May 19, 2007
THE DANCE OF FEAR...
It's amazing how God knows just what sermon I needed this week.......
It's about FEAR.....
Didn't realise till sitting at the sermon that I have been gripped by fear at work for the past 2 weeks...fear of doing smthg/ not doing smthg that may have caused my patients to die....the fear of doing something wrong.......the plain fear of offending either a patient/ a senior at work.....the list goes on....and this translates to sleeplessness (which never existed in my vocabulary!), lethargy, anorexia, acne break-outs...arggh!!
Was reminded promptly by the Spirit that this was not the way to live....and that I had forgotten all His promises to me.....see what it says in His Word:
" Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit" says the Lord. - Zechariah 4: 6
" For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" - 2 Timothy 1: 7
" God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. " - 1 John 4: 16 - 18
I could quote more scriptures....but i know now where my problem lies....the sin of unbelief in the sovereignty of God....the inability to trust in His wisdom, love, power.....
Forgive me Lord!
Help me to trust in You with my whole heart, mind , body and soul!
It's about FEAR.....
Didn't realise till sitting at the sermon that I have been gripped by fear at work for the past 2 weeks...fear of doing smthg/ not doing smthg that may have caused my patients to die....the fear of doing something wrong.......the plain fear of offending either a patient/ a senior at work.....the list goes on....and this translates to sleeplessness (which never existed in my vocabulary!), lethargy, anorexia, acne break-outs...arggh!!
Was reminded promptly by the Spirit that this was not the way to live....and that I had forgotten all His promises to me.....see what it says in His Word:
" Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit" says the Lord. - Zechariah 4: 6
" For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" - 2 Timothy 1: 7
" God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. " - 1 John 4: 16 - 18
I could quote more scriptures....but i know now where my problem lies....the sin of unbelief in the sovereignty of God....the inability to trust in His wisdom, love, power.....
Forgive me Lord!
Help me to trust in You with my whole heart, mind , body and soul!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
WORK, WORK, WORK
Seems like I haven't had the breather to sit down and type much here...work has been horrendous.....apart from being deconditioned after bumming around for 2 months! Sigh.
What a rude awakening it was to be jolted back into reality!?!
For every good intention that I had at work, everything started crumbling around and within me when the pressure was turned up and I had to work alone, with the speed of a fighter jet. Crazy- would be the only word that suffice for now.
Imagine going home at 10pm every night, and still not knowing your work well...despite coming in early in the morning , before 7 am! How futile!
Reminds me of the words in Ecclesiastes - meaningless, meaningless, meaning less...... How apt!
BUT....the only saving grace is the knowledge that this all shall pass.....knowing that Jesus is my all .... that this , is just a temporary phase.......
Things have settled down a bit and I am comforted for now......SIGH.....Life goes on....
What a rude awakening it was to be jolted back into reality!?!
For every good intention that I had at work, everything started crumbling around and within me when the pressure was turned up and I had to work alone, with the speed of a fighter jet. Crazy- would be the only word that suffice for now.
Imagine going home at 10pm every night, and still not knowing your work well...despite coming in early in the morning , before 7 am! How futile!
Reminds me of the words in Ecclesiastes - meaningless, meaningless, meaning less...... How apt!
BUT....the only saving grace is the knowledge that this all shall pass.....knowing that Jesus is my all .... that this , is just a temporary phase.......
Things have settled down a bit and I am comforted for now......SIGH.....Life goes on....
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
It's a long, long journey
Have been really addicted to this chinese drama serial entitled 'Love at Dolphin Bay' which is essentially a really sad, romantic love story......and I happened to find the lyrics to one of the main songs in this show.....it is very heart-warming.....
JOURNEY
( Angela Zhang / Jill Hsu )
It's a long long journey
Till I know where I'm supposed to be
It's a long long journey
And I don't know if I can believe
When shadows fall and block my eyes
I am lost and know that I must hide
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you
Many days I've spent
Drifting on through empty shores
Wondering what's my purpose
Wondering how to make me strong
I know I will falter I know I will cry
I know you'll be standing by my side
It's a long long journey
And I need to be close to you
Sometimes it feels no one understands
I don't even know why I do the things I do
When pride builds me up till I can't see my soul
Will you break down these walls and pull me through
Cause It's a long long journey
Till I feel that I am worth the price
You paid for me on calvary
Beneath those stormy skies
When Satan mocks and friends turn to foes
It feel like everything is out to make me lose control
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you...to you
well...you can find the synopsis of this show at: http://www.spcnet.tv/reviews/review.php?rID=610
and listen to the soundtrack on: http://dolphinbay2004.tripod.com/
enjoy!!!
JOURNEY
( Angela Zhang / Jill Hsu )
It's a long long journey
Till I know where I'm supposed to be
It's a long long journey
And I don't know if I can believe
When shadows fall and block my eyes
I am lost and know that I must hide
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you
Many days I've spent
Drifting on through empty shores
Wondering what's my purpose
Wondering how to make me strong
I know I will falter I know I will cry
I know you'll be standing by my side
It's a long long journey
And I need to be close to you
Sometimes it feels no one understands
I don't even know why I do the things I do
When pride builds me up till I can't see my soul
Will you break down these walls and pull me through
Cause It's a long long journey
Till I feel that I am worth the price
You paid for me on calvary
Beneath those stormy skies
When Satan mocks and friends turn to foes
It feel like everything is out to make me lose control
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you...to you
well...you can find the synopsis of this show at: http://www.spcnet.tv/reviews/review.php?rID=610
and listen to the soundtrack on: http://dolphinbay2004.tripod.com/
enjoy!!!
Monday, April 30, 2007
New Beginnings
1st of May, 2007 - marks a new beginning for me. It marks the birth of this new blog of mine.
Have been contemplating whether to blog here, after having a blog on friendster for at least a year now....decided today to do so, after my dear sister and brother -in- law took the plunge! ha!
Well, it is my desire that this blog will bring a little sunshine into my reader's life, albeit in this dreary world that we live in. It is also a little breathing space where I can be myself, reflecting on my life with it's ups and downs - trying to make sense of it all. In the midst of this contemplation, i find gems of revelation through the Word of God and prayer....which i hope will bring a smile to your face, a tear in your eyes and a little warmth in this cold society that we live in.
Have been contemplating whether to blog here, after having a blog on friendster for at least a year now....decided today to do so, after my dear sister and brother -in- law took the plunge! ha!
Well, it is my desire that this blog will bring a little sunshine into my reader's life, albeit in this dreary world that we live in. It is also a little breathing space where I can be myself, reflecting on my life with it's ups and downs - trying to make sense of it all. In the midst of this contemplation, i find gems of revelation through the Word of God and prayer....which i hope will bring a smile to your face, a tear in your eyes and a little warmth in this cold society that we live in.
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