Has been a long long week for me......work was alright in the beginning......towards the end....it got abit stressful.....but survived alright......praise God...... :):):)
Thursday went out with a friend to bubble tea.....and went to Koorong after that.....hmm.....they moved......but....spent quite a while there looking at books and was asking my friend to get a devotional bible where she can do her readings everyday......but we couldnt find a suitable one......but out of the blue....she told me....."shall we do bible study together?".....woohoo.....i was so happy to hear her saying that..... :):):) have been trying to get her to go cell....etc....but this is a good start!!!!! i also just found out that last time i was assigned to disciple her.....that was in 1999 i think.....haha....dun puke!!!!......she said we only had one session......and that's it......but...hmm.....i dun even remember that...but now i can recall a bit.......lisa was discipling me.....and lisa asked me to disciple her for me to grow...and for accountability as well......but anyway...history history.......so.....we are gonna start.....hopefully this week.......we are trying to get a few more people to do this bible study thingy......we'll see.....i also bought another book....."Believing God" by R.T Kendall....havent started reading yet....coz i just only finished the "Blessings and Curses" book.....gosh i am becoming a bookworm....but its alright....in the good way!!! anyway....i have always liked reading....heheh.....
Another thing is.....my friend was sharing with me about him currently reading the "The purpose driven life" by Rick Warren.....and i have been asking my galfriend to read it.....but she always said no no no......so when i shared with her that this friend is reading the book as well....and she can discuss the book with him.....she then said ok....she will read it.......so....i will be passing the book to her....since i have already finished......which is.....good isnt it??? i guess prayers really work wonders!!! would love to see her on fire again.....
the past few weeks...i have been talking alot of nonsense.....with people around me.....and i think everyone must be thinking i am abit off......as in one of my screws is loose....hahaha.....but am sure people who know me.....will know that my screw has never been tight....hehe *winks*.....but actually....the past few weeks have been kinda stressful for me.....have been keeping it inside for a while now.....and decided to share with you all.....please pray for me yah..... :(:(:( have been talking alot to mum lately......and found out that my parents are in their "cold war" mode AGAIN!!!!! and pretty serious....it has been nearly 2/3 months they havent been speaking to each other now......please pray for my parents......i think that is why i have been so emotional lately......*sigh*.....every little thing....tears will start collecting in my eyes.....HAMBAO/CRYBABY....hehehe....but.....please help pray for understanding....pray for peace.....pray for reconcilliation......pray for happiness.....pray for wisdom to handle disputes the way they should be handled......and most of all pray for love.....parents don't know that children are most affected when they dont get along.....and this has been going on since i was so so so so young......*sigh*
have been praying and thinking alot about staying here or going back.....and i think most likely i will be going back......coz i feel that probably there is not much reasons for me to stay here besides serving my PR......and of course growing in Christ here......maybe going back to spore/msia would be better off for me.....although my mum always tells me now....."don't come back.....you dont see anything, you wun feel any heartaches...." but they dont know deep down....how worried i am.....how depressed i feel when i hear of all those......so now.....have been just praying....for revelation....of where God wants me to be.....i seriously....dunno and will just leave it to God.....and the holy spirit for discernment......but from the bottom of my heart to the bottom of my toes......i prefer it here....hehe.....coz i feel that i can fully commit myself to the Lord here......spore.....its just work work work....weekends.....gotta spend time with family.......anyway...yeah...will just leave it to Him.....
Psalm 9:9-10
The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble; And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For you Lord have not forsaken those who seek You
Ok now...gotta get back to my happy mode.....coz i know that we choose to be happy or sad and how we want our day to be.....and must keep smiling....coz i think smiling moves alot of muscles on the face.....hehehe....and a smile takes all the worries away!!!! ......and i wanna choose to be happy..... :) i know the Lord will guide me....and be the light unto my path.....
Have a great weekend all!!!!!!
PS: In the photo...which of them look like me? I reckon the one in the middle....hehehe..... :) just thought i might put a photo....if not so boring......and a precious moments calendar i printed with lots of beautiful verses.....
Actually i've been following your journals since the day you first typed one in Perth, and its good to know you have been coping well so far both ministry & work in Australia. But as for your decision to whether to come back Singapore/Malaysia or stay-put in Perth, i would like to encourage you to seek the b/m 5 things (as previously preached both by Ps Patrick & many other Disciplers) for your direction in this matter (or any other matters in the future):
ReplyDelete1) Personal Conviction/Conscience via prayer
2) Godly counsel via godly/matured/trust-worthy christians/friends/circles
3) Circumstances/Situations
4) Visions/Dreams
5) Word of God
God speaks in all angles & realms. And if its God's will, all 5 aspects will point towards it. Of course its also important not to limit God but generally the a/m 5 things are ways God speak to us. If 3 to 4 out of the above 5 aligns, you can be pretty sure it is God's will for you.
Many people have asked me how do we know God's direction. I will always point them to the above 5, PLUS your own personal walk with God. Intimacy is key here.
But if you were to ask me, i can only say that you can grow in the LORD both in Perth & Singapore, equally well. In fact, you can even grow further in a cosmopolitan city like Singapore, as there'll be greater challenges & ministry opportunities. The whole thing actually lie with you & you alone. Only you have the power to make it work. Only you can determine how far you would allow God to move in your life. Only you can allow & cooperate with God to grow & achieve your destiny in life.
We, as your friends, will surely see to it that you grow well, really well if necessary. :)
As for your parents, take heart. Don't fret too much. We'll be praying alongside with you........
hey hens.....
ReplyDeletethanks for your encouragement and guidance......it's really good to have friends who care.....and bother......i feel that the more i share with everyone about the goodness of God....the more excited and more like Him I wanna become.....i think this website is really great.....maybe specially designed for me who don't really have many friends here to share.....about my growth....about my life......hehe....
ok......back to the point.....thanks for the 5 guidelines you included.....i will start praying about my direction....about where God wants me to be.....but seriously speaking....i have been having this conviction that God wants me to be here.....maybe i am wrong.....i dunno.....from the beginning since i came back this time round.....i felt that God has been telling me that he is very pleased with my decision....coming back here.......ending the rship.....getting involved with current church and cell.........thru the bible...when i do my QT, thru church friends here, sometimes thru sermon in church.....you know.....everytime i do my QT...or when i play the guitar for P&W at home.......the image of Jesus patting my head like a little girl keeps coming back to me......and the verses keep appearing to me.....for eg....i was praying one day....."Lord, if Perth is where you want me to be.....show me in any way you can while I do my QT today....." (something along those lines lah) and then this verse ministered to me...."Proverbs 4:12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble".....i dunno...maybe i am wrong......you know how we can see things in so many different angles.....but i chose to see it in a way where God is assuring me......that my choice of coming back here......is right.....and He will guide me.....no matter what.......anyway....do correct me if i am wrong.....that was the way i felt that day.....
i also dunno lah....not that i will be going back immediately now or what....but would be good if i had a life direction......i still have about 1 year to think about whether i will be here or going back.....i know you have been asking me to go back too......since ages ago...telling me that not necessarily spore i cant grow and blah blah......maybe i will......hopefully by then....i would be more matured spiritually to able to contribute to the church in spore.....maybe i will stay here.....i dunno...i really dunno.....will keep praying....kay? i know hens...you have been telling me that spore is good spore is good.....since donkey years ago.....not that i am saying you are influencing me to go back......but....hehehe....can feel that way since ages ago.......but at least it's good to know that there is a church community that will welcome you back with open arms....i dun even know what i can contribute to your cell if i really join your cell....with my nonsense???
*sigh*
anyway....thanks for your encouragement!!!!! thanks for the reply.....and most of all....thanks for being there.......as a friend, as a bro in Christ......appreciate heaps!!!!!
I didnt know there was a journal entry on deciding whether u want to come back or not ...okie for my 0.5 cents worth of contribution, i think that whether u come back or not depends on YOU. Period. Yes u can ask for guidance and the 5 principles stated by henry but whether you want to follow is up to u mah. . Like for instance, for me, i really want to work in aussie land and know its much better there in terms of lifestyle and working environment BUT i know for me spiritually, i would be quite "dead" there.. u know lah ang moh pple , most of them quite "slack" regarding spiritual matters. Its pubs, clubs, barbies and other temptations during the free time. I am quite easily influenced by these things i must admit so at least here, my group of frens are not tat type and also i got wider circle of christan frens.. So what im saying is whatever u do, dont just base on feelings or what u think is good.... i really felt that Perth would be good for me but thank God, so far eventhough Singapore is much more stressful and all that, at least im getting back to Him.. And i think that for you so far, Perth is much better place for you to grow spiritually cos i have seen you grow more in the Lord than all the 5 years combined i know you. Whether you should continue to stay in Perth.... well decide next year lah.. but dont move too often.... who knows by tat time you would be attached oredi?? Oops i mean you DEFINETELY would be attached rite??hahahahah...:).. the bet is still on man.. anyway you take care.. God Bless.. and u would know the answer by end of the year for sure... i gurantee u that..:)
ReplyDeletehey chand....thanks for your 0.5 cents worth of contribution....hehehe......appreciate heaps..... :) and i guess you are right about my growth......i believe i grow much more here than in spore/msia......i know its all in the mind......but when i am back....i guess my focus is more to my family.....i would wanna spend all the spare time i have with my family.....even when i was attached last time......i was always spending time with my family.......during the weekends....during the holidays.......etc etc.......not that spending time with my family is bad......but it's hard when you have already started the habit of spending time with them.....if you start changing it....they may think that you love them less.....or you dun like spending time with them anymore....you know what i mean? parents are kinda sensitive when it comes to things like these.......
ReplyDeleteand chand.....you are so wrong about pubs, clubs, bbqs, etc.......yah....most of the people here are into those.....but i guess it all boils down to the circle of friends you mix with.......and your own sheer determination.......like for me.....nearly every friday.....my colleagues would ask me to go for drinks......but......nah......i only join them once in a blue moon......although may seem anti social....but you know the topics during drinking session.....all unedifying.....and the physical reaction towards alcohol....although some people may be pretending......nah....not my cup of tea.......i will only go drinking with my gal friends....or some close guy friends......not with anyone.......and i believe close friends will know that i am not that type......so......when out.....we would do what all we like to do together rite??? woah...i am so long winded....hehehehe......so.....it all boils down to the group of friends you mix with......and i believe chand.....you will have good choice of friends too...rite???
chand......hehehe.....will always welcome you here....heheheehe....:) maybe if you are here......i would decide to stay here too??? hahaha...coz one more friend in perth....hehehe....*winks*
and getting attached....far away from that mann!!!! you are all (3 of you) gonna lose the bet....ohhhh...my poor stomach....gotta eat all the good food from you guys.......*sigh*.....gonna be fat again.....hehehehee......
and will keep praying.....about my destiny....hehehe......
thanks again.....
have a great day!!!! god bless too!!!!
and chand...correction....i know you guys 7 years already......hehehe...just had to correct that...!!!!
ReplyDeleteand you can also engage in healthy stuff here like sports..... :) bible studies.... :)
hey...me going diving during easter...if my friend not coming....come to perth during easter lah....we can go dive together...i think mike loke is also coming during easter..... :):):) you can start planning your holidays now.......okkies??? let me know if you're coming..... :) you can stay with mike chung..... :)....hahaha....or.....we'll see how..... :)
and chand.....admire your spirit of giving......by going for voluntary work....in srilanka issit??? saw the pics......keep it up!!! i am SO SO SO SO SO proud of you....!!!!!!
I can't help but to reply to my misunderstood-ed message. Hahahah.
ReplyDeleteWhen i stated the "5 principles", its meant merely for your own guidance & seeking of God's Will for your ownself. Yes, i do admit in the past i would LOVE (or should i say, we your friends here in Singapore), would LOVE for you to come back to Singapore; but knowing that you grow so much more in the LORD in Perth, makes my heart so much happier.
And of course, this decision is entirely up to you. I am not implying for you to come back Singapore lah.. juz that if you ever choose to head back (Singapore/Mysia) under God's direction, i said you can still grow in Singapore lor. And its a matter of priorities, principles & transparency. :) (ie. including a clear communication to ur family that u still love/care for them even when u're serving in a ministry in Spore/Mysia)
What i was actually trying to say is, you can grow BOTH in Perth & in Singapore. But the decision is entirely up to you my dear sister. In Perth, for me at least, there are lesser temptations & distractions.. like there aren't too many asian gals for me to pick from, lesser shopping centres to shop, lesser cinemas to queue to, etc, etc.. hence i also find living in Perth gives me a much better & spiritual environment to grow in. That was why i grew so much more in the Lord in Australia as well. But when it comes to a cosmopolitan (& can be relatively more materialistic) city like Singapore, our priorities will change. That is where discipline comes in. (which to me, might be a lot harder)
Another suggestion, if i might add is, perhaps you can even consider Perth as your transitional state? As in, use this time while u're in Australia to grow in the LORD further. Then when the time is ripe, you might consider coming back? (then, ur spiritual maturity/stature would've grown to a much fuller extent & hence being able to withstand the myraid temptations/distractions of Singapore/Mysia)
So all in all, its your own choice, decision & will. Period. ;-P
I cant help but to reply to both of ur journal entires ( ie Lean and Henry)...hahaha.. Firstly.to Lean.. waaah we knew each other for 7 years oredi meh?? Man arent we i mean by we as in Henry and myself getting old... how time flies.. I dont want to include Lean here cos she still looks the same after all this time...hahahaha.. also such a coincidence cos i was just going to ask mike loke when is he going to perth again... as i havnt been there for some time now... some more a lot of my classmates asking me to come back...:)..
ReplyDeleteI didnt know u can dive Lean.. wow u are amazing!!! i really struggled with the equipment the last time...and i sank like a stone when trying to dive.. and then nearly panicked cos didnt breathe thru my mouth ....hahah. but now okie... me thinking of doing the PADI course.. not sure yet.. as for the voluntary work. its no big deal really.. i think i learned a lot and saw a lot down there.. it was and will always be an eye opening experience...a lot of doctors/dentists over here do it... thats why i find pple here are more willing to give... the atmosphere is different whereas in ang moh land. most of them just think about themselves ,,,surfing and booziing... not all .. but most..:)
I cant help but quote from Henry's list of temptations " like there aren't too many asian gals for me to pick from..." waaah like here so many many girls to choose from untill u cant decide and hence forced to remain single??hahahahahahahaahhaahahah.. anyway i guess we all have our own weaknesees... but the Lord delievereth us from all... again Henry is still hoping that Lean would come back cos he is suggesting to make Perth a translational place and then when stronger spiritually, to minister in Singapore/Malaysia.. aiyah i think each place has its own temptations ... its how we handle that matters... maybe Lean should permanently settle in Perth?? hahahaha... anyway all up to Him ... just follow His direction is the best.. take care.. as Lean would say a have a great week ahead!!! Cheers!!!!!!!!!!
yo guys....thanks for the messages.....
ReplyDeletei am giggling in front of the computer now...and people think i am crazy....hahahaha
ok......for a start......chand.....i have dived before.....but officially havent sat for the diving license test........so.....am thinking of going for it this coming easter......but i dun really know the procedure here in aussie tho.....
and photos are deceiving my dear......i have aged so much mann.......that i feel i am an old lady.......
and correction chand....you have such a bad misconception about angmohs!!! do you know......with regards to the tsunami......how much donations aussie collected.....and how many volunteers they sent over?? you cant really judge this way....its bad.... :) "judge not and you will be judged"......so.....maybe you can kick aside all the misconceptions you have about angmohs......not only people there are willing to give.....its just that the environment you are in.....is smaller.....and hence you know what is going on everywhere....etc.....whereas here.....the place is big......so......anything that goes on here....you dun really know what is going on....i have been following with the news of the tsunami.,....and the aussie govt...and citizens....are equally doing a lot for the victims......that is what i can say.......you are right aobut surfing and boozing and blah blah...but you cant burn the whole forest down just because of an unproductive tree rite???
hey...i will continue later...gotta get to work now.......
yah...this time...shall change...HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!! cheers!
ok...continue....hens......dont worry...i know that it's only a guide.... :) and i really appreciate the guide......coz it makes sense......and am taking it as a reference too.......
ReplyDeletehehehehee....anyway....yeah.....god has awesome plans for me.....that is quoted from a friend here........and i truly believe that......really....i do....and at the moment....i will leave it to God.....coz.....even if i keep thinking about it....there is no end.....rite? will just pray and see how it goes.....still have a year to think anyway.... :):)
hmm.....there would be a bible study today.....and hens.......am learning guitar again..... :):):) remember you were the one who first taught me how to play....and the song we (serena and I) learnt was MY LIFE IS IN YOU....hehehehe......that i will never forget....and you so kiamsiap somemore......used your tissue papers.....and you asked for it from me...hahaha...and i returned you on my 21st bday.....i still have the photo too!!!!!
ok lah...shall not blabber too much....catch you guys soon....will be posting up a new journal entry soon...... :):):) stay tuned.....