A Life Well Lived

Auntie Devi went home to be with the Lord on 18 July 2009. She was 78 years of age. I remember spending time in her home as she opened her home for life group for many years. I recalled how Auntie Devi faithfully cooked for someone who went straight to the life group meeting from work. She gave and shared what she had freely. At her funeral, a former tenant shared with much tears on how Auntie Devi gave and blessed him and his family with what little she had. The Lord shone through this amazing woman’s life to touch people around her,

Auntie Devi loved the Lord dearly. She loved God and his people. It was heartwarming when her grand children spoke so fondly about her love and faith in God. A grand child also mentioned that she had left a great legacy. She was a broken and kind woman who spent many hours daily worshipping and praying because she loved the Lord with all her heart.

I am a life that has been blessed by Auntie Devi. She is a shining example of a live well lived; inspiring many of us to follow hard after our loving God.

Don't Grow Up too Fast

In January – October 2007, I was conducting weekly Speech and Drama training at a primary school in Bishan. One day, upon reaching the classroom, I received news that the class monitor was ‘sacked’. I did not want to dig deeper on the matter. All I saw was the embarrass look on the face of the little eight year old boy. If there was a hole in the ground, I reckon he would have hidden in it. I continued to allow him to assist me in some ways throughout my training there.

I am surprised by the use of terminology which usually surface in the adult working world. These are innocent children whom we want to shield and protect from the harsh realities of the world system. The disadvantage of exposing young children under our charge to overpowering demands and expectations can be detrimental to building confidence and growth. Don’t let them grow up too fast. They can make do with enjoying learning and managing reasonable expectations with the help and support we can provide.

How Great is Our God

In this photo, we see the contrast between majestic rice terraces and a tiny person overlooking the terraces. This photo mirrors God and us. Our great and majestic God towering over us. 

We are vulnerable and weak but God makes His strength perfect in us. We begin to see the bigness and greatness of almighty God. The Lord overpowers us by the power of His might. How great is our God!

God chooses work through us. The Lord does not focus on our smallness. He looks beyond the natural. He sees potential and strength in each of us.

The challenges we face fade away when we look to God. He is far bigger and greater than our human minds can ever fathom. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.

Apart from Him, we can do nothing. His love compels us to go the extra mile. Our sole desire is to bring glory to His matchless name.

The Chef at Home

From time to time, Monte and I invite friends over for a meal. The home is a wonderful place to mingle with people.

Both of us cook at home. We have our signature dishes that we gradually improve over time. Recently, we had some friends over for dinner. Monte prepared minced pork seashell pasta from scratch. It was so scrumptious that one of our friends e-mailed us to get a hold of the recipe.

So here is Monte's recipe:

Minced Pork Seashell Pasta

Ingredients: 

4 whole garlic smashed and chopped 

2 large onions chopped 

12 large ripe tomatoes chopped 2 cans of tomato paste on standby (if used, each can requires a cup of water) Olive oil 

1 stalk of celery finely sliced 

4 large red chillies sliced 

2 cubes of beef broth dissolved in 2 cups of boiled water 

1 cup of red wine 1000 grams of minced pork (Other meat option: Italian sausages or minced beef)

3 tablespoons of Italian seasoning 1 tablespoon of black pepper Half tablespoon of red chilli powder

Steps: 

1.  Fry garlic in olive oil until brown and fragrant. Set aside.

2.  Lightly fry celery in olive oil, use little oil as possible. The celery produce water, do not discard. You will use it for the sauce.

3.  Fry onions in olive oil. After onions are fried, add garlic and meat. Fry until meat is slightly browned and do not overcook as it will cook more during simmering. When you begin frying the meat, add Italian seasoning, pepper and chilli powder.

4.   After meat is lightly browned, throw in all the tomatoes and celery.

5.   After you have added in tomatoes, chillies and celery, immediately pour in beef broth and wine.

6.   Depending on variables such as: insufficient quantity or diluted appearance, add one or two cans of tomato paste. Each can requires about a cup of water.

7.   Simmering at lowest possible heat for about 30 minutes.

8.   Turn off heat. Spaghetti sauce should have the texture similar to curry. However, should you want a thicker texture, just add more tomato paste and season according to taste.

9.    Salt is not included because there is salt in the broth and cooking wine so you should taste before adding salt.

10.  There may be need for up to 6 more tomatoes because of using a whole stalk of celery.

Cooking Pasta: 

1.  Add a little salt and a little olive oil in the boiling water.

2.  Drain completely of water.

3.  Coat pasta in olive oil.

Now you know why Monte is the chef at home.

Captivating MacRitchie Reservoir

Monte and I took a stroll at MacRitchie reservoir last evening. It was enchanting and captivating. We enjoy nature and we are happy just to go on leisure walks and often times we would be prayer walking. Such times are mostly reflective moments that we cherish deeply. The cares of the world are put aside as we allow the Lord to lead us in times of contemplative prayer.

Members have Their Privileges

Belonging to the family of God also means that we shoulder our respective responsibilities as well as enjoy the benefits of being a part of the great household. As believers and members of the family of God, we are blessed with countless privileges. They are salvation, wholeness, restoration, liberty, peace, joy, hope, faith, strength, grace, contentment, courage, dignity and resilience. What God gives freely, money cannot buy. One of the greatest privileges is to be the recipients of His promises. We live each day full of hope in our eternal God. We enjoy this intimate relationship with our maker, our helper, our strengthener and our God and Father. As we fix our eyes on the Lord we are full of His hope and assurance. No fear or intimidation will overwhelm us because He keeps us safe in His loving embrace.

A Little Fighter

I learnt about the plight of little four year old Charmaine through a Mandarin radio station. She is struck with fourth stage cancer. You can learn more about her story at

http://www.ourfeistyprincess.com/about_charmaine_family.php

Charmaine’s mother, Cynthia, is doing all she can to raise money for her medical treatment. She is a strong lady, a single mother with two young children. She loves both the kids dearly .

Charnaine, though young, is a fighter in many ways. Her physical body is ravaged by cancer but she remained cheerful and happy. She cheers her mum up when she sees her in tears. Bear in mind that she is only four.

Donations are pouring in. The public, a radio station and various establishments are rendering their support and help to reach out to this amazing fiesty princess.

One of Those Days

Yesterday was one of those days that Mickey had his way. I brought him for a walk as usual and it was time to go home, he refused to move. He sure had his way.

Celebrate Jesus

Each day is a gift from our loving God. We are awakened by His unfailing love. We celebrate Jesus, we celebrate His goodness and grace. 

We enter the gates of praise. Our hearts are filled with His awesomeness. Who is like unto our God? The Lord strong and mighty! Mighty to save. Mighty to deliver. 

We have every reason to rejoice and to walk in full liberty. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Let His praises ring through all the earth as we behold the King of glory. The Rock of Ages radiates gloriously in His majesty. We worship You almighty God.

Love You Too Much

The Lord loves us too much to let us go. Especially people who have once tasted the goodness of the Lord but today their hearts are no longer with Him. His heart longs for them.

One day, I caught an audio interview of a elderly mother who was estranged from her son. She told the interviewer that she could not sleep at night because she missed her son so badly. My heart went out to this woman because I know what a mother’s love is like because I have been loved by my mother all these years. We give so much thought to human love but no greater love will surpass the love of God which He lavished on each of us. He went above and beyond Himself when He died on the cross for our sins. What more can He give. As we allow the amazing love of God to surround us, we can only bow down to Him and worship Him in praise and adoration.

Music Knows No Boundary

On May 30, Monte (my husband) and I were delighted to catch the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) at Ang Mo Kio Central Stage. The theme was Nanyang Elegance. It was so amazing, the orchestra was featured with a renowned Tablar (Indian drum) performer. A Malay dance accompanied by the SCO was another highlighted segment. Music knows no boundary. The fusion brought out the true essence of Nanyang Elegance. We had an awesome time that night.

Never Wasted

Recently, I had lunch with a friend. She related how her neighbour lost their three year old daughter a few years ago. Apparently, the child fell out of the grill less window of their condominium block. I believe the pain that the couple felt must be inexpressible. The best intended words said at that time could not soothe the agony and pain in the hearts of the young parents.

In our walk with the Lord; we may also walk through dark and challenging paths in our lifetime. Sometimes, when things get so bad; we begin to lose sight and fear begins to paralyse us. We grope aimlessly in pitch darkness and fell over again and again. We know the awful feeling of desertion and helplessness. We understand what lossness and hopelessness are.

The story does not end here because the Lord comes to our rescue when we call out to Him. He delivers and restores us. When we come through the fire and emerge with His strength, we are over comers triumphing in His victory. God uses our experiences and set-backs, some of which can be very painful. We can identify with people who share about their struggles, challenges and experiences with us because we were there. The Lord begins to work through us to extend His love to people who are crying for help. God puts people in our paths and we want to be sensitive to what is on His heart; to respond according to what He desires to do through us. All the experiences we have gone through are never wasted because God uses them and makes us His channel of love and blessing.

For the Love of Mickey

The following is the description of the personality and temperament of Shih Tzus at

http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/shih-tzus.html#temp

“One of the strongest characteristics of the Shih-Tzu is its personality. The Shih-Tzu is a friendly, non aggressive dog that is a good companion for children and other breeds of dogs. Shih-Tzus are known for their fun-loving play, romping around the apartment or in the country side.

The Shih-Tzu is a people oriented dog, they cherish no more than the love of people. They will sit patiently, remaining still with their eyes gazing intently on your face waiting for you to call them over to be patted. The Shih-Tzu is not a one person dog. Shih-Tzus are happy to entertain any stranger, once accepted by the family. This is one reason that they are becoming popular. They make friends where ever they go.

The Shih-Tzu has a lap dog personality. It is not high strung nor demanding. The pet Shih-Tzu is content during the day to lie in a corner with his legs stretched out behind him, snoring softly. If he has a choice he would prefer to be curled up in your lap.”

I will leave you the pictures of Mickey to tell you the rest of the story...

The Best Deal

Giving full control of our life to God brings freedom to us. If we do not surrender our all to Him, we will end up going around in circles because we have no focus and purpose without Him. As the saying goes ‘Let Go and Let God’. The more we want to hold on to all that seemingly belongs to us, we begin to lose them. Giving our all to the Lord is the only right thing to do because all that we call our own is not actually ours for we are merely God’s stewards. By letting go, we gain everything. We are not at the losing end because we get the best deal and nothing comes close; I am talking about knowing and embracing the Lord. He calls us to Himself and He pours His life into ours and calls us His very own. The presence of God is precious and priceless. We must do everything we can to guard this precious deposit jealously because if we lose Him, we lose everything.

The Touch of the Master

Yesterday, the Lord opened the door for Monte to preach at Teen Challenge. We continue to thank God for every door of ministry that the Lord so graciously opens. We do not take ministry opportunities for granted because we know deep down in our hearts what matters most is to allow Him work in and through us no matter what it takes.

We ministered to many of these lives that were battered with drug addiction, we know that God’s grace is poured out to each of those brothers who yearn for the touch of the master. None of us can write them off because the Lord will never do so. He patiently and lovingly nurses them back to health. He rescues and restores them because He love them too much to let them go.

God in His mercy set His people free from drug addiction and today many of these men are serving God powerfully. As some were battling with drug addiction for many years. What they are powerless to do; God sovereignly set them free by the power of His blood. Today, these servants of God are walking miracles that God is at work in the hearts and lives of people who desperately need of the merciful Saviour.

A Lesson from the Salmon

Salmon swim against the current to get to their breeding spot where they were born. In the quest to swim upstream, some are battered and bruised; some even die in the process. 

Their determination to get home is so strong that they will do everything they can to reach their destination.

The plight of the salmon holds a great lesson for us. We go through challenges and trials that overwhelm us. We become weak. We struggle to take another step. We hit rock bottom. Life spirals out of control. 

In our distress, we call out to the Lord and He comes to our rescue. He strengthens us and leads us on. He strengthens our feeble knees.

We may be battered and torn but we are not quitters. God infuses His strength into our inner being miraculously. He opens our eyes to see that with Him on our side, we will overcome.

Our courage will not melt away. He fortifies us. He empowers us. He pours His mercy and grace on us. We come back bouncing with strength and tenacity. His strength is made in our weakness.

Never Forsaken

One of greatest consolations we have is that the Lord promised never to forsake us. He holds us close to His bosom and showers His love and attention on us constantly. We stand safe and secure in Him with full assurance that He will not leave us in a lurch when we are in the midst of a raging storm.

The path that we have taken may be full of thorns and unseen dangers but we need not fear because He is with us. He goes before us and leads us on this amazing journey that we are privileged to embark on. Traveling with God takes on a new meaning because we need not worry where we are heading to; all we need to do is to allow Him to bring us to where He desires us to be.

I Offer My Life

This life that we live is not our own, we were bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Because of His great love for us, we can only bow down and declare that He alone is our Lord and master. He did not see our ugliness and filth, all He had in His heart is love that covers our sin. We would have been condemned to eternal ruin and destruction but He could not bear to let us go. As we offer our life to God, we are reminded that we are not our own. He is the rightful owner and we give Him full control so that we will be free.

I Offer My Life

All that I am all that I have

I lay them down before You O Lord

All my regrets all my acclaims

The joy and the pain I’m making them Yours

Lord I offer my life to You

Everything I’ve been through use it for

Your glory

Lord I offer my days to You

Lifting my praise to You as a pleasing sacrifice

Lord I offer You my life

Things in the past things yet unseen

Wishes and dreams that are yet to come true

All of my hopes all of my plans

My heart and my hands are lifted to You

What can we give that You have not given

And what do we have that is not already Yours

All we possess are these lives we’re living

And that’s what we give to You Lord

Sharpened Vision

As children of God, we are privileged to see God in all His glory, majesty and power. 

He reveals Himself to us and we stand in amazement and marvel at Him. We behold Him in the fullness of His might and glory.

The Lord sharpens our vision. When we purpose in our hearts to seek Him, He reveals more of Himself to us. 

Our blurred vision will come into focus. The Lord sharpens our vision. The Lord brings clarity. We see by the power of His Spirit. 

Show us Your glory. Show us Your wonders. Let us behold You in Your majesty and power.

Minutest Detail

It baffles me to think that God who spoke this world into existence knows each of us by name. He knows us so well that before we could even utter a word, He already knows what is in our hearts. He looks into the minutest detail of our life, nothing escapes His eyes. We are constantly under His loving care. He shelters us from the storms of life. We will still have to face the storms but we need not fear because our God is with us. He promised never to leave us nor forsake us. As we draw nearer to our maker, our hearts are overwhelmed by His peace that passes understanding. His abiding presence strengthens us from within.

Magnificent Sunset

A couple of days ago, Monte (my husband) and I caught a beautiful sunset at Changi Beach. Our hearts were enraptured by that glorious sight. In moments like that, we can just marvel at the greatness of God.

God set the sun, moon and starts in their places, He magnificent creation radiates with His glory. Just as light comes on at the break of dawn, every sunrise is accompanied by sunset. Great is His faithfulness to all who call on His name. There are no shifting shadows in Him. He is always constant and dependable and we rest secure in His loving embrace.

O the Glory of Your Presence

When God takes us into His presence, He shows us His heart and all that matters to Him. Peace, joy and wholeness flood our souls when we allow wave upon wave of His glory to sweep through us. His presence is so precious, so rich and so glorious. Nothing on earth come close to what He offers to us when we enter into His magnificent and awesome presence. We bow in reverence to our great King as we behold His lovely face.

O The Glory of Your Presence

Jesus all glorious create in us a temple

Called as living stones where You’re enthroned

As You rose from death in power

So rise within our worship

Rise upon our praise

And let the hand that saw Your raised

Clothe us in Your glory

Draw us by Your grace

O the glory of Your presence

We Your temple give You reverence

So arise to Your rest

And be blessed by our praise

As we glory in Your embrace

As Your presence now fills this place

Soaking in Good Music

Two Sundays ago, Monte (my husband) and I were out in the great outdoors again. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra played to hundreds of people spread all across the ground before the Symphony Lake.

It was so beautiful to see groups of people; families, friends picnicking and enjoying the beautiful music. One time, we were so happy to catch the performance of 100 guzhengs (Chinese instruments) right in that beautiful garden. So whenever the opportunity arises, we will head to the Singapore Botanic Gardens to soak in the music.

I am the God that Healeth Thee

Recently a pastor while preaching shared on the healing power of God. One day, he went to pray for a boy who had a tumour in his head which led to total loss of hearing in his ear. God touched this little child miraculously. He removed the tumour and the child regained his hearing. The doctor who was treating him was shocked. The healing of this precious boy is a testimony that God is our great physician. He is the balm of Gilead.

Our God is awesome. There is absolutely nothing He cannot do. Even in seemingly hopeless and dire situations, He is the light that brings hope to us. How great is our God.

I am the God that Healeth Thee

I am the God that

Healeth thee

I am the Lord

Your healer

I sent My word

And I healed your disease

I am the Lord

Your healer

You are the God that

Healeth me

You are the Lord

My healer

You sent Your word

And You healed my disease

You are the Lord

My healer

You sent Your word

And You healed

My disease

You are the Lord

My healer

You sent Your word

And You healed

My disease

You are the Lord

My healer

Partnering with Him

Monte (my husband) and I were ministering at His Sanctuary yesterday. Monte preached on The Five Jewels of transformation and I led worship. We thank God for the opportunity to minister there. We appreciate Pastor Luke Tan of His Sanctuary for his kind invitation.

I have enjoyed ministering together with Monte. At the end of the day, we are vessels that the Lord flows through. Partnering with God is one of the most amazing experiences we can have. He takes our five loaves and two fishes and multiplies them to feed His people. Our faith arises when we allow God to take over and see Him high and exalted in all the earth. At the end of the day, it is not our gifts and talents that surface but the glory of Jesus shining brilliantly and beautifully for all to behold.

Our Beating Heart

During times of praise and worship in the service, I often put one hand on my heart and the other hand raised towards our maker. My beating heart reminds me of God’s goodness, love and graciousness. He is the reason for my being.

Our hearts cannot contain all that God has given to us. It overflows with the tenderness of our loving God and Father. A beating heart speaks of the precious life that God gave.

In His goodness, He chooses to flow through us despite of our imperfections and flaws. His method down the centuries has always been through a man. Our minds can never fathom how God can reside in us.

Let our hearts beat stronger for Jesus, the lover of our soul. Nothing will stop us from

venturing deeper into this arduous journey with Him. We see a glimpse of the glory of the risen Lord as we persevere to pursue Him wholeheartedly.