GNK Trekking 2011

Early Saturday Morning

Alternative to walking on water

Nice and breezy

Left or right?

Would never discovered this view in SG if not for the event

Awe-Wait for it......Some

Yeap, Zeph totally got disgusted =D

B & W

Crossing Over

The narrow road

Pretty flowers

The time I got bored...a little

Empty

Photo...in a photo

Where's my date?

Row row row your boat

Thought this looked really nice

Gathering point

Breathless...cause the view was just breath-taking

Just say YES

And just hours ago, one of my closest and best pal(s) got together to take a step forward in their relationship.

Despite the fact that much hours and effort have been put in by close friends and loved ones, the long awaited for moment did finally came.

Now a YES has been given, things have moved up to a whole new level.

Enjoy =)

Digging the Ditches

Today attended the Global Leadership Summit 2011 at Riverlife Church. Though I got up late and 'missed the boat' , thank God I made it on time for the conference.

The GLS is an annual leadership conference usually lasting 2 days, this GLS happens to be my first time in attendance. For more info, you may visit http://www.glssingapore.org/

I honestly did not attend GLS with any expectations to begin with. All I could do was utter a sincere prayer before making my way down, telling God that since I'm already going for the conference, He might as well make use of it to speak to me. Well and He sure did, not just to me but I believe the rest of us who attended.

There were various sessions, interwoven with recesses and meal times. The timely breaks were just long enough for fellowships between the many groups attending the conference. As true blue WRPF people, we sure did make full use of the breaks through our 15 minutes of quick (and I really mean quick) sharing of the first half of the day's sessions. We barely had 30 seconds (There was a countdown timer projected on the main screen!) and we managed to wrap up and close in prayer just 3 seconds before the worship leaders came on stage.

One session after another, the speakers (through broadcasting of the video recordings) never failed to inspire (me) in faith-building and trusting God for greater things. The first 4 sessions today seemed almost like a walk up a flight of stairs, each session building up on the previous one. I thought today in particular I was intrigued by the 4th speaker in session 3, Patrick Lencioni. Visit his profile at http://www.tablegroup.com/pat/

I thought this was it. The most engaging speaker for Day 1 of GLS. But no, I was wrong. When session 4 came on after tea-break, I was glued to the video on Steven Furtick. This was a 31 year old (yes 31!) pastor who hails from America and having grown a church from 4 members to the 8000+ congegation it is in Elevation Church (click to visit them).

Pastor Steven is not to be viewed as some "young punk" who happened to hear God speak and followed whatever God said. Hear it for yourself, his life and journey with the Lord and how the church he started grew (exploded may be a better description here). This dude is now my fav! And I thought Ethel was just going ga-ga over him before he spoke, but I was wrong!!! And now I can't wait to hear him speak at Hillsong Conference 2012! Sydney here I come!

So I share stop sharing about GLS here but just like to post 3 photos that describes what I think YAY! Ministry is going through:

Then after GLS, I went to a wake with several church members. This wake was in memorial of a lady, at a young age of 25, not much older than myself.The father, Mr James Chan commonly known as National Director of YWAM greeted us and thanked us for coming jsust after we paid our respects.

I did not personally know the family, even Mr. Chan. But one thing for sure, I wanted to make this trip because Joanne's life story inspired me in a way when she was alive. I could identify with her since we were quite close of age though I have never met her in my life. Reading all the prayer updates of Joanne's condition going up and down over the past days have caught my attention and thinking to consider my own life.

And I owe it to Joanne that I concluded that I shall not live my whole life pursuing personal desires of earthly things but to cherish the things of eternal value such as souls and salvation. It also got me realizing that if I want something (major in life), prayerfully do it and stop hesitating because life (and time) isn't going to wait around!

And summing up today, is really a bombardment of emotions (quote Aunt Agnes). And I thank God for giving me this experience. Because in any and every circumstance, give thanks to God knowing that He allows all things to happen for good. Greater good.

YAY! Leaders

More YAY! Leaders

And more YAY! Leaders

Still some more YAY! Leaders

"I want to hear from you now"

With every ship, comes the captain (and his wife)

GLS 2011

Are you ready to step up?

Crossroads

How I feel after 48 hours of this weekend.

God has placed 2 unique and independent events in my life.

Is this His sign?

Alpha the Awesome Cell

God, these are Your people. Each and everyone of them, belongs to You.

Alpha Cell (23 members at Sarah's 23rd birthday!)

Alpha Cell Leaders - Marcus Ethel Sarah Elaine

Alpha Army Dudes

Alpha Poly People

I was wrong

If you had followed my previous post, God really proved me wrong, in a good way.

Sat's turnout was way better than I expected, and really heartwarming.
Often I wonder who still reads my writings (except those who tag), oh well here goes:

1. Shawn Ng - It is great to see you after such a long time and glad to hear that you're into your final phase of poly life. Hope you encounter God wherever you are and regardless of which service you go to, that you seek God with all your heart!

2. Peng Chen - Now that you're in BMT. Wait, I didn't even know you enlisted!!! Anyway it was nice seeing you at the party too and knowing that NS ain't exactly a fun thing, do keep in touch more often? So we can keep praying for you too!

3. Joseph Chang - Thank God for always keep you safe thus far especially with all that airborne jumps! You are a a blessing to those around you in case you don't already know! Just learn to discover how you can greater glorify Him as you tune in to God!

4. Dione - Always giggling and chirpy! You're like the bubbliest girl in cell! Really hope to see you in cell more often! And yes, you can always learn canto other than from TV shows!!

5. Timothy Andrew - Know that NS has probably been occupying a lot of your time but it has been wonderful hanging out with you over the party and Sunday afternoon! REAL STEEL huh! haha...You have great gifts of God in you and God can still use you though you don't have a desire for full time! God loves you all the same brother!

6. Marshall - You've been coming to cell more often and yes, it heartens the leaders to see you around! Remember God's opinion of you is the most important! Jia you for your school work and believe God is more than able to help you!

7. Pavit - Thanks for coming even though you only had like 3-4 hours of bookout time! It's really encouraging to see you journey in your faith and Pavit, I pray you'll rise up to the occasion in faith and watch what amazing things God can do in your life!

For the longest time ever, there were close to 20 people in the Alpha Cell photo! To me, that was an encouragement from God. But I pray we'll not just meet up because it's a special event like someone's birthday but we desire to fellowship because we can then sharpen one another in Christ!

Lord, help our cell. Only you can work things out. Amen.

Ways and Means

Yes God, it can get really tiring and demoralizing.

I always wondered in awe how you went through all that for those who don't even care.

I don't think I have that kind of capacity, I just don't think so =(

I can only pray you'll intervene.

Rest & Reflect

Today marks the 3rd YAY retreat that we have had so far.

All of us agree that having come so far, the R&R has seem to become a part of our schedule that without it would just seem so weird!
Nevertheless, it was a short and good session today.

Meeting up somewhere in Commonwealth for private dining, the place was surprisingly good and served great food alongside the generosity of the owner. Gerald was also a strong believer and I believe today, both parties benefited mutually.

We came together basically to slow down from our daily routines and also to regroup and reflect on the past 3 months of God's faithfulness.

And yes indeed, it was a great time and to know that the few of are all in this together! =)

Lord of My Life

Continuing from yesterday's entry, it saddens my heart lately to come to know of younger ones proudly declaring to one another the deeds through the week.

Regrettably, they are neither testimonies nor thanksgivings of what God is doing but rather how enjoyable the places they've been to or the activities they have accomplished through the days.

So what's the big deal about it? I will try my best to pen my thoughts here,
bearing in mind of the context that we have given our lives to Christ.

Influence to those around us. Here's the thing that is probably a stumbling block to many churches/fellowships today especially those that deals with youth. Is drinking or going to clubs wrong/sinful?

This argument in itself can actually be non-exhaustive and should be seen from a different perspective.

Nevertheless, I shall not go into the argument but my stand (currently) is no to drinking/clubbing.
I'm not advocating that I'm a clean nice guy and not been to a club or drank but the matter of fact is that when one (I) comes to realization that God created Man in His image can easily be said that our bodies are created for reasons far more than drinking and abusing. The other way I see it, is Christ Himself the Son of God dying for our sins when He came down to earth. My physical body is far too precious to be abused with alcohol with the price that Christ has paid.

Having said this, I'm not in a position of judging but rather, my prayers goes out to those of us who disagrees.

Think about this:
We all have choices in life.
Every morning of our lives, we can choose to go back to sleep or wake up when we open our eyes!
Every meal we partake, we can choose to first give thanks for the food or simply consume it happily.
Every time we come home, we can choose to sit by the TV all night long or do something else?
Every day we can choose to be entangled by the world's busyness or choose to come to God in rest.

The real test in a Christian's faith is  not exactly the one that takes place when Christ returns!
I choose to believe that the test is every moment in our lives if we choose to please God or to please ourselves.

Seriously in any decisions or choices to make, we either please God or ourselves. Think about it!

I pray the day will come, least in my church fellowship, that we are like iron  sharpening iron and mutually encouraging one another to press on in our faith rather than be in Church but in the WORLD.

Then again, how am I living my own life?

The Calling

Since my last entry, much has been happening in my life though it ain't an excuse not to be blogging (or spending time with God!)

Anyway one of the biggest highlights of my life is this:

Charles weds Winnie

YAY!

Awesome table of people! (some missing)

Hansum Charles and Pwetti Winnie

U Abe Sim and my plan to tease the couple during the table phototaking!

*Credits to Aunt Tiffany Tan for some of the photos here.

One of the God moment for me during the wedding was probably hearing Charles declaring to Winnie in front of everyone at dinner: Let’s think about our calling together.

And that, happened to be on my mind as I prepared myself to help out during the day ceremony. Would my wedding be one that is dedicated to Jesus, with many as witnesses. I was envisioning my wedding to be something along the lines with a dedication to Jesus and yes Charles, you did it!

YOU ARE FINALLY GETTING MARRIED WITH WINNIE! =D

It was a very heartwarming occasion and perhaps for very fact that it is a joy to witness a brother/sister in Christ getting married, I always make it a point NEVER to miss a wedding! And no, it is not about the food! 

Then again, where would I be 5 years down the road? Would a grand wedding really be so important? 

Yet the million (billion?) dollar question: Who will be the other person standing next to me on the very day? 

*Watching and praying*

Change is Coming

Somehow tonight has opened my eyes.

It was definitely a regret not to be around last week.
But still, thank God i managed to come by tonight.

Power of God is still evident today and the God in the Bible is the same God we worship.
He is always around and He never slumbers.

and tonight I have seen enough with my own eyes.
God is amazing.