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!!
Friday, June 22, 2007
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?
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