Integrity for God

Integrity - An Uncompromised Life/Lifestyle In Christ

Vibrant Christianity demands us as youths, young adults and adults to live a life of no bargains, no excuses, no staggering in Him. As a young person, it is so important to establish these convictions and purpose in our hearts - to deliberately refuse the world and its influences. Because as an adult, you will be plaqued with the very same challenges and more.

Jim Berg defines worldliness succintly and perceptively:

Worldliness - Taking your cue from the world as to what is important in your life.

Interestingly, it takes on subtle permutations as one grows older. Young person, if you are still struggling with entertainment, internet, movies and music...it just gets more and more profound as you grow older. Running after the 'latest' = taking our cues from the world.

During this period of time in my life, I have come to know that we need an unwavering faith in God's word and a thorough understanding of Christ's sufficiency alone. Lest you be tossed to and fro like a ship in troubled waters. As an adult, worldliness should no longer be confined to entertainment, hopefully. But sadly, many families still struggle with it. It filters to your choice of mate, how you want to carry out your wedding, how you would start your family, your type of house, and the furniture you choose to place in your house as well as how to raise your family. But somehow, when adults venture into this area, they never see it as worldliness but ...oh, how much it is related.

Think about it, what determines your choices for:

• A soulmate- God or people who think you are suitable for each other, or some compatibility survey?
• Wedding - from the choice of gown, to music, to what is included in a service and dinner - God or tradition or looking cool?
• House - what is the focus of your Christian home- God or that huge plasma tv or the playstation?
• Pregnancy - God and His word or old wives superstitions?
• Child Rearing - God or Self Help books and courses?

'Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile God....' Living an uncompromising life in Christ deals with all aspects of our everyday life - whatever we eat, or drink or whatsoever we do. It is easy to focus on the fires and lions that Daniel faced. But it was his persistent commitment to honor the Lord in the everyday things that made him a vibrant and living hero in the faith. Every choice we make is a deliberate statement about our pledge of allegiance to God. As more and more of my peers move from teenagehood to adulthood, I pray that we do not forget or lose our youthful determined resolution to honor Christ and all aspects of our life.

Dear Christian, from whence do you take your cues from? God or the world?

A Weighing Burden - Youths & Youth Workers

So many thoughts are in my mind...since Sept. Lying on the couch and being 'confined' at home gave me much time to think and ponder about my life and the life God wants us as Christians to live. Though it's real tempting and exciting to relate all my experiences, I have to put my personal updates aside for a growing burden in my heart.

Is our Christian life full of vibrance? Or has it been dulled?

If so, what has caused our lives to be dull or mediocre?

There's so much to write that I can't even sort them out properly. Not in this entry. The more I study, think and observe, the more alarming and heartbreaking the revelation is - That a great majority of professing Christians are more than contented to live a mediocre Christian life, a life that does not call for sacrifice.

To Blog or Not To Blog

To blog or not to blog? That is the question. Yes, yes it has been a really long while. Everytime, I feel the impetus to blog, the backlog of events easily deters me. Let's see ok...from teacher's day, my 4th wedding anniversary, David and Chiao Chyi's wedding, Going to Hong Kong, Daniel's exams....and of course the reason for my blog hibernation. Many of the above mentioned events ...I did not get to witness or take part. It is great inertia on my part, I must admit. Well, but to testify of the Lord's goodness during this long while would be the reason for re-entering blogsphere. Stay tune to this space.

Out of Action

C.R.I.B

Complete. Rest. In. Bed

ok. Due to some interesting happening on teacher's day 1st Sept, that's what I am going to be for the next few weeks. In the meantime, yes, Salman, I want my waterbottle back. William, I have visited your blog and sorry HL for the disappointment.

S.S.S.S.S.S.

Held our 1st inaugural SSSSSS. It was indeed a 'full-'filling' time. Was so excited and hungry gobbling up the sandwiches that I did not take photos of our wonderfully made sandwiches, sigh.

Say hi to my older ger-gers.

Say hi to my not so older ger-gers

Say hi to my youngest ger-gers

Posing With Baby Irwin Tay

Spent an afternoon with former colleagues and a newborn baby, Irwin. One of the chubbiest and well-tempered baby I have come across. I think he is supercute.

Now he is asleep, now he is awake...

This has got to be my fave one...round like a ball! haha

Special Sunday School Sandwich - Sharing Session

Our 1st S.S.S.S.S.S meeting! Yeah! Ok....young gergers. Hope we would all come to Sunday School with our wonderful sandwich ingredients and be armed to share how God has worked in your life throughout the week!

One Nerve Wrecking Sat Afternoon

Darrell, my little-big BIL has never failed to add excitment or shall I say anxiety into my life.
Darrell, "Jie, are you free on Sat afternoon?"
Me reply warily, "Erm.., ya...why?"

Well, that was the start of an interesting afternoon cos Darrell, me and hubby were signed up for a Funan Mall Supermarket Sweep. Wah! I wanted to back out of it (yes, I admit, I am a cowardy custard)...it was nerve wrecking but I have got to admit, it was really fun. This is how the game goes. A team of 3 has to comb the mall in 33 mins and accumlate purchases of $3333.30 from ten different shops. The team that comes as close to it wins! It does sound simple but it was mind boggling. Thankfully, the brainwork was done by Hubby and rel and me did the calculating.

The time bomb! And let's welcome Team 2 - Darrell, Hubby and me *clap clap*

Guess wat, we won 1st prize! hahahaha. We were the only team to accumulate $3333.30 in 24 mins. But the second group came a close second by accumalating $3333.23 in 22 mins. And yes, that's me hubby and his ridiculous pose!

Bday Celebration of students

Was invited to join in the bday celebration of 2 students, Carmen & David (much to David's surprise).

Did I forget to mention that they are camera-shy? A ridiculously funny pic. hahaha.
David pleaded, "Mrs Tan, don't post on ur blog la!"
Mrs Tan reassuringly replies, "Don't worry David, this will definitely make it to my blog."

Their bday cake slices. Happy bday guys!

Happy 41st Bday Singapore!

Lunch with teachers at Cafe Brio [1 for 1] after National Day Celebrations. It was sure easy to spot us, teachers. The only bunch of red people who can afford time in the afternoon to eat. We spotted another group of teachers too.

Held a bday bash at our place & invited family and close friends to watch the last burst of fireworks at the national stadium. Check out the patriotic colors! Even the children are decked out it red.

Cheers Singapore!

All (almost) attention during pledge taking

Here it comes.....

Yeah! The fireworks!

After most of the crowd left, we spent a good quiet time hearing about the trip Lena made to China. Welcome back Lena and Jonathan back! Your presence has always been a cheer and a comfort to me!

A Morning with Uncle Amos & Family

Uncle Amos - He is the one who brought me and my sister to church when we were tiny [5 & 6 yrs old respectively]. I remembered the times when me and sis wanted to stay at home and watch cartoons instead of going to church...we would never fail to receive a phone call from him. We dreaded those phone calls...but we would trudge off to church the very next week. As a young adult, bringing 2 children to church can be a little burdensome, especially when he had to travel from the east (where he was staying) to the west (when we were staying then). On top of that, considering the amount of social activities that a young eligible man has, children can be trapping. But Uncle Amos was cool. He took us along with his dates and meeting up with friends after church. So we had our fair share of waffle ice-cream, Hans, Jack's place etc. Not to mention, cute children ;) are wonderful ice-breakers too. Till this day, me and sis can never forget the time, money he has invested in our lives, and more importantly for introducing us to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Meet my Uncle Amos, Auntie Maggie and me cousins at Halia.

A gamely pose before the forest trail.

More poses

Finally, up close and personal with the swans. Well, never knew Botanic Gardens can be so much fun!

Mystery Solved

Finally, the mystery of the missing cable is solved much to the relief of some impatient readers. But it has been so long, so many pictures, so many incidents have gone by...I need time to recover.

'BIL' is famous

He is famous (well...almost) - my Brother-In-Law, Henry that is. The article in Sunday Times was about Singaporeans who cycled to work. One thing I know is that Henry really loves cycling and he simply enjoys watching Tour de France. World Cup doesn't excite him...but the sounds of Tour De France, Lance Armstrong would be sure to perk him up. Well...as for my sister, she is trying to like cycling:) Check out the personal autograph! Haha

Belated Birthday Celebrations

My ole buddies, ole pals since Secondary school, Ally and Jeannette...I think they have been with me through much of my life. They were my bridesmaids during my wedding. While Dennis (church wedding coordinator) was frantically searching for my father as he had to walk me down the aisle, daddy, me, Ally and Jeannette were sitting snuggly in the bridal car waiting for the cue.

That's my Sunday school class with the annual birthday cake. On my right, Pui Shung whose birthday was on that Sunday.

Night's out with 3 students, their mummy and me. Well, it started off with 2 students wanting to treat me. A very thoughtful gesture...but so young, never work...how to treat? Anyway, it was a fun night out. I really like spending time with youths. And a special thanks to their mummy.

Finally, a long awaited father's day cum by birthday celebration. So much things have transpired since June...it seems like a year has gone by.

Calling all Youths

The gospel is never really about the gospel alone anymore. Most of the time, it comes along with Harry Potter, Da Vinci Code, Judas Gospel etc. Calling all youths - come and hear the simple story of Christ and the Cross - with nothing attached to it.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Educating For Character - A Spiritual Retreat (Well almost....)

Before going off for this workshop 'Educating For Character', I was deep in thought about the purpose of character education in public schools - questioning its effectiveness and its need. Well... events in school over the last week have been rather discouraging, particularly one incident involving the behaviour of a group of students that has generated some public outcry. I thought to myself - 'Character Education is fun and works only in primary schools...not for hardened teenagers in secondary school'...well, I am glad the myths I held were debunked.

Having said that, the past 3 days have been nothing short of wonderful blessing and retreat. Firstly, I had the opportunity to go with Hannah - a relatively new teacher but a likeminded Christian in the Lord. Haha...I think we virtually prayed together before every meal & breaktime. I enjoyed tremendously the fellowship we had in the Lord - got to know her much better. Knowing that we are on the same team with one common purpose is wonderfully liberating.

Secondly, it was the content of the course as well as the wisdom of the speaker, Dr Gary Smit that kept me riveted throughout the entire 3 days. Of all the courses that I have been since day 1 of my teaching career, I dare say that this is one of the most enriching courses that I have gone to. He reminded me of the writing of J Oswald Sanders - who could bring abstract and difficult concepts of leadership and servanthood into simple terms and codify it. Dr Smit brought the fuzzy wuzzy concepts of character education and reduced it to simple and very sound principles - and I could tell where his principles were based on. At the heart of a successful character program is a bunch of educators who have sound character and who consistently and confidently persist in getting the same message across. How often we as adults compromise our standards when no one is looking - at work, at home and even church. We need to be confident in refusing that 'foul word', to persist in tearing those tabs off the carpark coupons even though the carpark attendant may not come, to speak the truth in love, to point out wrong behaviour...It encourages me that there is someone like Dr Gary Smit who believes that doing right [in love] is the only way - not only in church but in our world around us. And he is determined to bring that message to as many educators in the world as possible. For educators, take time to explore www.charactercounts.org , many materials are downloadable and not copyrighted so that you can use it in your own classrooms and schools.

Well, knowing me and my little impulses, I could not help but run up to him during one break and ask him, "Dr Smit, are you a Christian?' To that, he nodded and I smiled. I appreciate too the precious time he gave me in providing me insights to the sticky situation in my school. At the end of the 3 days, I was refreshed, recharged,renewed and reaffirmed about why I am doing what I am doing.

Anyway, I felt like I was taking a picture with one of the evangelists who always visits us during June camp and with Hannah, who was attending camp with me:)

Do right till the stars fall

Do right till the last call

Do right when there's no one else to stand by you

Do right when you're all alone

Do right though it's never known

Do right since you love the Lord

Do right, do right.

Dr Gary Smit's final slides-

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Happy Birthday to Me!

Start the Calorie Counter....
I have made a resolution not to hide my age, (are you sure Joann? It can be especially difficult because you hit the big aunty '3' this year). Well, to explain my brave decision - as I had a 2 week rest at the start of Term 3, it had allowed me to reflect upon God's goodness and blessings in my life. From 'O' levels, to 'A' levels, to university, to MOE, to USSS , to marriage and to FTPSS...God has led me and guided my path for 30 years. But I am sure you can't tell, right? I look like 18, RIGHT?? My age is a reminder and a living testimony of the extent of God's work in my life. I thank God for His love through His grace, through my family, through church, through friends and through my work.

1st celebration - Joint Bday with SK & gals, Syl, Katoh, Shaz and Yaya at Seah Street Deli- her's 17th, mine is 18th.

The super rich indulgent chocolate cake.

Check out the yao lo [hungry savages]

2nd celebration - Sis and BIL [brother-in-law] interrupted my sleepy evening on the eve of my birthday with a durian cake.

Sis and me looking pretty squashed.

3rd celebration - Mom and Dad in-law and little brother in laws at [yawn ...1 am]

Me looking rather puffed up at 1 am...Darrell and me

A touching card and touching present. Darrell bought me the same thing last year, but I lost it (oops). So he bought me the same thing again this year....thank u rel.

I take my hat off the going-to-be married couple. In the midst of their busyness, they had time to search for a beautiful dust buster for their [da-sao-chu]. Haha...it was really very funny. But it is going to be funnier on 3rd Sept...hahahehehoho.

4th celebration - Thank you 4E4. I kept totally mum about my bday...but someone remembered. They hid it pretty well. HL tried asking me if I could give her tuition on Tues just to see if I would be in school or away on a course. Pretty sneaky, I didnt figure that out. But when I stepped out of the lift and headed to the class, things were pretty obvious. Their heads were popping out of the windows and trying to spot me from afar. Silly kids...don't they know that for the past 2 years, they have never been so excited to see me. I didnt want to spoil the party. Then almost too abruptly, the fans were switched off. When I looked up, about 3 students were missing. They have disappeared by the back door probably trying to light up the cake and all. But I enjoyed it anyway. I like this class photo very much. You can virtually see everyone's face. Everyone was present, except Lynn who was stuck in detention room because she was late for school (a pity). Sigh...I think I am going to miss this class when they leave.

They overdid themselves this year by buying 2 cakes. The chocolate one from Secret Recipe was especially yummy.

The gifts they bought me really impressed me cos I felt that they were really meaningful. You see, I walk around school carrying a 1 litre drinking jug and drink right out from it. During one of the oral practices, they looked appalled to see me drink directly out of the jug. This penguin water dispenser would ensure that you would drink 8 glasses of water a day. I really like it and the thought that went along. Quek En bought me this minnie mouse cup...hmm...I wonder if that was inspired by Hong Kong Disneyland. Thank you 4E4...I can't wait to use the gifts.

A box of gifts from teachers in the department...Thank u!

Finally, dinner at night with hubby.

Youth Retreat Part 2 - Girls Only

Continuing with what we have learnt during the retreat, we had a wonderful opportunity to meet again and continue the pattern of reading, sharing and edifiying one another - but of course, girls only. Let's hope there will be many of these sessions to come:) - we all trooped down to visit Rhoda after that.

Lunch at Han's Marine Parade

Our 'comforting' pack for Rhoda

Rhoda, her leg brace, her presents & her visitors