Thus says the Lord

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus...

Just to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

This year opened with a really busy 3 weeks. But it has been a good busy 3 weeks. Embarking upon my new roles and tasks, I am so very glad that 'All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.'

In my course of work in the PCCG department, in my dealings with colleagues and students, many different and unpredictable situations will occur. The only assurance and confidence we have about the things we do and the decisions that we make, is to base it upon the 'Thus says the Lord' from the Bible.

Thus says the Lord - 'Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.' Proverbs 3: 27

When the Lord places us in positions of leadership, it also means that there will be people who will be subjected to our leadership. May our leadership be biblical and steadfast - to bestow honor where honor is due. Beyond leadership, the authority could come in the form of monetary superiority or any other form of superiority. When that happens, let's not withhold the good we can do for others. If every leader lived according to this biblical principle.....

Missing Daniel

This time, I really miss Daniel...it's not the moping around, invalid sort of missing. On the contrary, things are busy in school, friends are great, classes are really fine this year, family is loving....but still miss him very much. But just to know that God is watching over him across the oceans is good enough...Can't wait for him to be back ...to a super clean house!haha

The Raffles Experience: Singapore

Returning back to Singapore, I thought, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to relive Raffles with Dad and Mom?" Headed to Tiffins for Tea.

Well, would I do it again? Not really, wonderful ambience but really really average food for sky high prices.

A rare shot of my dad and mom. by the way, everyone says I am a 'print' off my mom

The Raffles Experience: Cambodia

back to Cambodia. Cambodia was a truly good experience - relaxing, sobering, reflective and focussed experience. Well, the icing on the cake was being able to stay at the Raffles at Siem Reap and Phnom Phenh. I gladly accept these luxuries as God's way of pampering me. What a blessing!

That's Esther (friend from teacher's network) and me. We were greeted with butlers who drapped a silk krama (a very cambodia clothing) around us and of course, the typical welcome drink. They clean our room every time we leave the hotel. At the end of our day, we are greeted with a basket of fruits and some snacks. This is first class Raffles service!

Raffles all decked out for Christmas! And we are all decked out for our first Camobodia meal!

Breakfast with my room mate: Siew Gek ( a very bemedalled teacher)

I spend my mornings by this very very quiet pool...

Blog Avalanche

The beginning of the year came all too soon, Daniel was whizzed off to New Zealand on the 8th. 8 more days to go till the end of all this going away! Hooray! Finally! Well missing him was a good time of remembering all the fun we had during the holidays. Praise God for all the time we had amidst all the busy-ness of the season. "Rumble Rumble Rumble...(sound of a snowball of photos:))

Christmas Family Dinner (Joann's side) - yum yum

Malcolm, all game for a photo! (me youngest cousin)

New Year's breakfast at Halia Restaurant with Sis, Henry and my in-laws

Took a spin up Kent Ridge Park after breakfast with 'Alfalfa'

Daniel and Alfalfa

My Verses and Song for the Year 2006

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

Just to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

O for grace to trust Him more!

[notice that I changed the words of the song for 'just' to pervade, forgive me, dear hymn writer].

'Just' is an interesting word. It means 'only', 'simply', 'period'. Nothing else matters - not excitment, not anxiety, not worries, not successes, not failures, not even victories matters - safe Christ and His Word alone. 'Proved' - another interesting word. Christ, being God need not prove Himself anymore to mankind. But how often, we crucifiy Christ anew with our doubts and worries. We are the ones who need constant assurance that God is truly in charge of our lives, we are the ones who need to prove Him over and over.

Prayer: That my life would not be tossed high or low with the events of the year ahead but rested and anchored upon Your promises and to be easily, completely satisfied by 'Thus says the Lord'. In all this, I am so thankful that you have given us grace to trust you even more each day!

Grace - Divine Enablement to Desire His will and to Do His Will

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. " 2 Corinthians 9:8

The Cambodia Experience

Welcome to my pennings of Cambodia which will be written over several entries. This is the team of teachers I went with - a wacky bunch. Some are President Award Teachers 2005, Outstanding Youth in Education Award Teachers 2005, Senior Teachers, a Master Teacher (the wackiest ever) and staff from Teachers Network.

The Cambodian Temple Experience

Temples, temples and more temples. Angkor Wat, one of the 7 man-made wonders of the world is truly an awesome sight, and even more awesome if you think of the splendor it used to enjoy before age, time and destruction took over. Cambodia is a country steep in Buddhism and Hinduism. Very often, both religions are merged and manifested in their folklore and architecture. There is great tolerance and emphasis given to them. I have seen how monks would travel from shop to shop and people would give them alms and bow before them. The monks would reciprocate with chants and they move on. Cambodians are very religious people and that seems to be true for most South East Asian Countries. They willing embrace any form of religion that first came to their land.

Ok, some 'cheeky' shots

Be Sober and Vigilant dear Christians!

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" 1 Peter 5:8

The Lord is indeed merciful in bestowing His church with gifts and talents to serve Him. My heart is blessed each time I serve Him. With 3 hectic weeks of active service, it seems like a good time to let loose and relax. Looking at all the happiness and merry making going on after these events, it is indeed a joy. However, my heart is burdened amidst the merry making.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, take great caution even in the name of 'rejoicing' and 'thanksgiving'. Be sober in all speech, in all manner, in all conduct, in all our thoughts - for our adversary is preying at large for any glorification of self, talents and gifts. Take caution in even settling our confidence in a church united for service. Let our fellowship, our rejoicing be in and of our Lord, alone.

How tempted we are to explore greater dreams, bigger venue and larger crowd. Let's walk by faith and not by sight. Let's not get too carried away with what we intend to do for the Lord next year after apparent 'successes'. Plans made for the kingdom of God needs much prayer, reading of His word, silence and solitude and worship. This calls for a time of practical application of what I believe was taught in youth camp - Discipline our hearts to rest, to be still, to wait. When we have what it (talent, gifts etc) takes to make things work, all the more, let's take a step back and take greater pains to remove self from it and consecrate our plans entirely to the Lord.

Let's us worry and fight to see if we have enough time to take the rest of the year (not much days left) to wait and rest on Him through His Word, through prayer in solitude with Him - especially if you have wonderful plans for the Lord next year.

"Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5

It's never about us or Baptist Fellowship Church...but our Beautiful and Faithful Creator [BFC]

4E3 and Naz (Class of 2004)

Thanks for coming guys. Besides this being a nice, touching play, the emotions portrayed are very real particularly when we take life and God for granted. I pray that you will know the real meaning in life - A Life in our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Life is all about my Savior

Jesus Christ who died for me

Now I feel the peace within me

His love has set me free

This is life that He gives so freely,

I will embrace it for the truth has set me free

See what Christ as done for me, on that day on Calvary

Over death he had the victory!

Tis His blood, that He shed so freely

I will embrace it, from my sin He set me free!

Oh, what love He gave to me on that cross at Calvary

Over sin I have the victory!

THE VICTORY!

'What Is Life About' Snapshots

The Chin (or rather the 'Mole') Family in all our garb

The Chin Family 'unplugged'

'Abel' and irritating 'Max'

The rest of the cast