New! BFC Youth Devotional

To all those who came for the our 'Remember your Creator' meetings as well as our past youth camps or simple to you out there, as an effort to reach out to you on a personal and regular basis, the members of the youth com at BFC youths are posting their sharings on God's word every Mond, Wed and Friday of the week. Visit www.bfcyouths.com to be blessed by God's word.

A year older and a few kgs heavier

This year's birthday celebration was filled with family, friends and food. Well, I thank the Lord for all these years...almost 3 decades old (I guess when your age is splashed across the papers, there's no way to hide it). Much has happened over a span of these years - trials, difficulties and victories. But I am confident of this very thing, "that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ". It is really exciting to see the Lord work year after year and I look forward to where He leads in this coming year.

My birthday prayers:

• That my mother would come to know the Lord as her personal Lord and Savior
• In the strength of the Lord and to his glory alone, that I can be a testimony in school, to my students and colleagues
• That the Lord will continue to lead the DJ Family

Birthday Celebrations [For interest sake, you can start mentally computing the calories...]

15th July - A very short trip to Sofitel, JB [our favourite haunt]

yummy food at restaurant Kim Long. Over-the-moon Daniel and his sultan durian

Breakfast at Sofitel. Bread Galore

17th July - Hi-Tea at Intercontinental with Mommy and Daddy [camera shy]

18th July - Happy Birthday to me!

Midnight. Ready to sleep. Doorbell sang its embarassing tune. Door opened to present a happy family. Darrell popped the champagne [non-alcoholic] bottle. David held the cake and Mom-in-law and Dad-in-law were armed with fruits, cups and plates. What a sweet way to start my new year! I thank God for all of them. 1 st Cake

20th July - Birthday Celebration in School

2nd Cake - a gift from Dency and Chunghowe. 3rd/4th? Cake- Sharon bought me 2 little cakes

My pals from USSS and Logan.

23rd July - A birthday cake surprise from the Ice-Cream Making Sunday School Class

5th cake - Aren't these girls sweet?

25th July - A birthday treat from Naz (sob, sob) with her first pay (wail, wail...*shoulders shaking*)

Swensen's Baked salmon rice. Shah Jahan and the earthquake

That's Naz and Me.

The memorable 1st pay treat by my student [*howl, howl....sniffle*].

Rose plant, Oakleys and Calories.....except for the calories, I hope my presents can last more than a year.

A Whirlwind of Photo Updates from June till now....

Hang on to your seats...

our 1st Sunday School Outing at my house

We made our 1st homemade strawberry and grape ice-cream

Rare Sightings - Teenage girls washing plates!

A short trip to Sofitel, JB

A rare, undisturbed fishing hole Daniel found.

The 2 impt men in my life - trying to fish

Let's give a round of applause to the most competitive recreational table-tennis players at the resort [From left - Daniel, Dr Chua, Rel and Dabid]

You see what I mean?

Darrell and his Olympic Bid

The most exaggerated contingent of supporters! Yeah!

Keep the torch flying high!

A Short Escapade after School with my kaki

A little gourmet blackcurrent and banana ice-cream would be sure to bring back the smiles after a long day!

Dear Anon

Well, to you out there, I have not forgotten you.
Q: To be a Christian is to be politically incorrect? What do you think?

Definition: As defined by Merriam Webster, to be politically correct is to show an effort to make broad social and political changes to redress injustices caused by prejudice. It often involves changing or avoiding language that might offend anyone, especially with respect to gender, race, or ethnic background. To be politically incorrect is thus “not to be politically correct”.

Well, as Christians, God has written in His Word that we are not to be respecter of persons because He was not a respecter of person (Acts 10:34). We are to treat everyone the same – as all of us are God’s creation. We are not to offend others through our actions, words and thoughts. But with respect to the Word of God (Jesus Christ), He is a stumbling block and an offense to those who choose not to believe.

1 Peter 2: 7-8a
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone (referring to Christ) which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone," and "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense."

Christianity, which represents God and Jesus is definitely an offense to those who insist on Human Rights as well as those who want to be in control of their own destiny. It has been so since Jesus’s time and it will continue to be in our time. Christians have been called many names. Politically incorrect, narrow, un-informed etc. We are called to proclaim His word not to repackage His word. But Christian, count it a blessing to be called that.

Matthew 5:11

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”

To put all this into perspective, our recent disaster with the Tsunamis serves as a beautiful illustration for this. Imagine, thousands and millions of people frolicking and wonderful families having a good time at the beach. But You who happen to be on the highest tip of the island saw receding waters and a huge wave forming. In a few minutes time, you know that the waters would swallow and kill millions of people, including your family playing by the beach. With that information, would you stand on the tip and consider how best to inform all those on the beach so that they wont feel hurt? Would you plan how your approach would be so as not to offend anyone?
If not for the sake of the many lives, at least for my family - I would turn into a lunatic. I would forget about their feelings and emotions and perception. I would race down the beach, wave my arms frantically, yell and scream just to save them from the iminent killer waves. If they laugh at me and excuse my actions, I would drag them by the heels with me even if it means bruising them. Their rights, feelings, emotions will come to nought when you are aware that their eternity is at stake.

Dear anon, do you know what is the real problem?

1) The real problem is that people do not believe that their lives on earth will one day end and that there will come a time of judgment. Non Christians and even Christians do not live their lives in the light of this truth. Because if we did, we would be spending our time not worrying about being politically correct and rush to warn everyone of the impending wrath of God. We are more concern that we speak right and non-offensively.

2) The real problem is that for many, Christianity is an issue of the mind and not the heart. Christianity remains mainly as a discussion and debate, instead of a decision.

3) The real problem is that we need a greater burden and love for lost souls.

Conclusion: To be a Christian is to be politically incorrect?
Answer: The question should be,'Does it matter if we are called politically correct?’ Not at all. People can call us all the names they want. They have been doing it to our Lord, and they will continue doing to His disciples. We can’t stop them. But we must always remember to allow the gospel and the Word of God to offend, not our personality, our manner of speech, or our conduct.

I will end with this verse again,
1 Peter 2: 7-8a
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone (referring to Christ) which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone," and "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense."

OYEA 2005

Disclaimer: If I had a swollen knee, a 2 week holiday and no common tests... I would have kept my promise. haha - *innocent smile*hmmm, I wonder who that was directed at?*wink*

OYEA award 2005 and a bouquet of flowers by my Principal

I know the Lord has been sustaining me through this hectic week. Many times, I really felt like a floating log, driven by the uncontrollable ebbs of the sea of events. It started off with an interview on Monday morning. This was followed by preparation for Daniel's Thailand trip in the afternoon, and his flight in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. On Tuesday morning, there was the rehearsal for the award ceremony and the actual ceremony took place in the afternoon. That meant more interviews and photo taking. I had dinner that night at Tung Lok Arena Country Club with Daddy, Mummy, Sis and Darrell. On Wednesday morning, I had a brief radio interview with station 93.8. Lessons as usual for the rest of the day and Thursday. Friday - went to MOE EXCEL at Suntec, but it was so crowded, we were turned away. Spend the evening with Judi and John Robinett. Saturday - off to Taka to see Darrell and his olympic aspirations. Spent some time with Sis Judi Robinett.

I really thank and praise the Lord for His comfort, strength and encouragement throughout this period. I received many smses from church friends, colleagues of present and old and students as well. A few whom I have lost touch sent me emails. Those were indeed pleasant surprises. Thank you all.

Receiving OYEA and having people read out my citation caused me to realized how the Lord has blessed me in this vocation ever since I was posted to my first school. Throughout my 4 years as a teacher, I have been exposed to dramatic situations and experiences which are truly invaluable. Particularly, as a teacher counselor, you simply cannot guess how 'Indiana Jones' some of these experiences are. You can ask me and I would gladly spend a couple of hours relating some of these experiences to you. I thank God for the opportunities to reach out to the teenagers in USSS and FTP as well as the many skills and techniques I had to pick up along the way in dealing with these situations.

I thank God for the many people I met along the way, my colleagues and my students. The USSS bunch is really a unique bunch. Noisy, articulate, sweet, lovely...It was there I got to experience having Hearing Impaired students in my midst. A beautiful experience because that brought the 'heart' into our school.

In the midst of all the teaching, serving in the youth ministry was definitely a tough juggle but it was what I looked forward to every weekend and holiday break. Well, this award made it all the more special because it honored by my commitment to God and the youth ministry. Imagine, serving the Lord, thoroughly enjoying every moment of it and getting an award for it. What a bonus! God is good.

On this note, award or no award, I challenge those who are working or have just started working. Your vocation is first primarily a Christian, then a (fill in your occupation). When we get our priorities jumbled up, you realize that your struggles are always about your work. Your burdens and your prayer requests would be work related and you find little rest, reprieve or joy in what you do. You might find temporary satisfaction in a job well done or an exam well scored but you find yourself wanting more. You might even entertain thoughts of entering into full time out of frustration but still find no certainty and assurance in that thought.

Youths - let not your most burdened prayers be about how the Lord can help you just in your common tests and examinations. You are limiting the wonderful work of God in your life when you do that. There is more to your life as a Christian than that. Look to God and He will enable you to look beyond -to consider each opportunity as one to use for His glory and for the making of disciples. As I hear many young people lament about their work and school, I urge you to look beyond your 'income-generated' work and to consider it really as a mission field - a field where you are a full-time tent making disciple. God and my hubby have taught me a great deal, I hope you will learn these lessons too.

Try this litmus test - This is not fool-proof or Bible proof, but rather a conviction God has placeed in my personal heart. If the Lord were to call you to full-time mission, are you ready? Before you scream 'YES'! - it should not be in response because you find your work or school environment worldly or ungodly - it is not as a form of escapism because you hate what you are doing right now. Instead, your 'YES' is because wherever you are now, you are convinced that the Lord has prepared you sufficiently for greater work and battle in the mission field. That switch from your work to full-time mission should be an easy and almost natural transition and not one of struggle. Note - this is my personal take.

For me, it seems like the Lord might want me to remain in teaching for the next couple of years, at the least. But I testify to the glory of the Lord, that I am ready even if He wants me to leave all here and move to the regions beyond. He makes all things beautiful in His time. As my life is not mine alone but it includes Daniel. The Lord has also prepared likewise in Daniel's heart to lead our family in this direction. I feel that we are both waiting for God's approval to move us to the regions beyond...but as for now, the Lord's work for us in our vocations here is not done yet. Well if that be the case, then I look forward to see his plan unfold for us in Singapore. Do pray for us!

p/s - I miss my Daniel. He is out in the jungle till next Monday and will be flying back on Tuesday.