Eliska

My niece, Eliska, came into the world on 9th Nov 2011. My brother, Edwin, and his wife, Soko, are proud parents of a beautiful girl. It is the first for many of us in the family. My parents became grandparents for the first time in their lives. My brother, Nicholas, is an uncle now. The birth of a new born brings much joy and celebration because of the gift of life. Eliska is so beautiful and adorable.

Undivided

The Lord made us all different; even no two persons have the same fingerprint. That alone is mind-blowing when you recall that there are now seven billion people roaming all over the earth. We may look different outwardly; but God has given us a kindred heart and spirit. We share the same privilege of calling God Abba Father. We are sons and daughters of the eternal God. We purpose in our hearts to learn to embrace people around us who come in shapes and sizes. Our inclusiveness bears witness to the loving presence of God because He set the example by loving with no reservation. We may be different but not divided and we often agree to disagree. That is love and our loving God holds all things together in His hands. He unites us in His divine love.

Undivided

We may worship different ways

We may praise Him and yet spend all of our days

Living life divided

But when we seek Him with open hearts

He removes the walls we built that keep us apart

We trust Him to unite us

In our hearts, we're undivided

Worshipping one Saviour, one Lord

In our hearts, we're undivided

Bound by His spirit forevermoreve

Undivided

It doesn't matter if we agree

All He asks is that we serve Him faithfully

And love as He first loved us

He made us in His image

And in His eyes, we are all the same

And though out methods they may be different

Jesus is the bond that will remain

Your Steadfast Love

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and His faithfulness reaches to the clouds. We want to bask in His presence and behold His loveliness. We marvel at the greatness and wonder of our sovereign King who never fails us. We will never exchange His presence for anything this world offers. He is the light at the end of the tunnel; He is the hope that leads us on to live each day victoriously and He is all we ever needed. As we embrace Him, we allow Him full access into every part of our being until we see His likeness in us.

Your Steadfast Love

Your steadfast love

Extends to the heavens

Your faithfulness

Reaches to the clouds

Your righteousness

Is like majestic mountains

And your wisdom

Like the depths of the sea

And you come to me

Filling my heart

With your loving kindness

I find my peace

In the shadow of your wings

I eat my fill from the abundance of your household

And I drink from the streams of rejoicing

You are my King

You are my King

You are my King (repeat)

Open Hearts

Last Sunday, we were glad and thankful to the Lord for allowing us to minister at Khush Khabri Fellowship. Monte preached on “Living Your Destiny as a His-story Maker.” (Eph1). We thank God for every open heart who had received the word which was spoken in weakness.

We are completely reliant on the Lord because we know that we can never achieve anything apart from the grace and providence of the Lord. As we sow the seed of His word, we are mindful that the Holy Spirit brings growth to us when we allow the full reign of His Spirit in every area of our life. We are partakers of His divine grace and we can only go as far as He leads us.

His Loving Purposes

God unfolds His loving purposes to us daily. As we journey with Him, we become fully aware of His goodness. There is nothing He cannot do. Our God is boundless, matchless and supreme. 

He sacrificed everything He has to enrich and empower us. We live in and through Him. He is the strength of our hearts.

His tender mercies and loving kindness overflow. We minister by the power of His Spirit.

God unfolds His loving purposes to us. He works in us magnificently and beautifully. He orchestrates the circumstances of our lives. He blesses the work of our hands.

The power of God flows through broken people. He moves mightily through our lives and ministries. He pours His rich anointing on us.

The temporal things of this attractive world have no hold on us. The priceless and precious presence of God keeps us in His love.

Our lives bear witness to the reality of Christ. We purpose in our hearts to seek Him alone. We abandon ourselves to His complete lordship and love. 

We Your redeemed people will not settle for anything less. We receive every good gift that You have freely lavished on us. We worship You almighty God.

The Dream Maker

God births His dreams in the hearts of His children. Dreams are birthed in the heart of God by the power of His spirit. No wonder many have gone out of their way relentlessly to pursue the dream that God has laid upon their hearts. They have stepped out in faith; they have taken risks and made sacrifices because they believed in the God of the dream. The dream maker is the one who will make our dreams come true. Not by power, not by might but by the Spirit of the Lord, the Lord longs to see His dream fulfilled in and through us. He manifests His glory through broken and contrite vessels as we allow His greatness to consume and empower us. The thought that God would birth His dream in us is mind blowing. The awesome God chooses to partner with us in such a tangible and supernatural manner.  We long to see His purposes and plans fulfilled in our lifetime.

Thankful

Monte and I are thankful for the Lord's providence. We have been residing in our present flat since 2001. As our flat is on the 17th floor, we are blessed with a spectacular view from our living room as well as our three bedrooms. We spend enormous amount of time to soak in the picturesque view.

Our Feline Friend

Two days ago, Monte and I spent a wonderful time at Changi Village. While we were on our way to have dinner, we saw a beautiful cat perched comfortably on a rock. We started snapping pictures of our feline friend. The strange thing is that the cat seemed to be posing for us. It was amazing.

Great is the Lord

The Lord is great beyond comparison. We marvel at His greatness and awesomeness. We are mere mortalbeings and yet the Lord chooses to reveal Himself to us. Being finite and limited, we might not fully comprehend the full extent of the Father’s love.  Nevertheless, we desire to see His hand of love every moment of the day. Our God is great and mighty, He knows each of us by name. He has engraved our names of His palm for we e are the apple of His eye. We are His prized possession. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. We respond with wholehearted devotion to our soon and coming King.

Great is the Lord

Great is the Lord

He is holy and just

By His power we trust

In His love

Great is the Lord

He is faithful and true

By His mercy He proves

He is love

Great is the Lord

And worthy of glory

Great is the Lord

And worthy of praise

Great is the Lord

Now lift up your voice

Now lift up your voice

Great is the Lord

Great is the Lord

Great is the Lord,

He is holy and just

By His power we trust

In His love

Great is the Lord

He is faithful, and true

By His mercy He proves

He is love

Great are you Lord

And worthy of glory

Great are you Lord

HSBC Tree Top Walk

Yesterday Monte and I went for a long walk. We entered the forest near Thomson Ridge, got through to the Tree Top Walk, went through the Golf Link and ended up at the visitors centre at MacRitchie Reservoir. It took us about three hours. The view was breathtaking. We were exhausted but the exercise surely helped. We often like to take nature walks all over Singapore. Our frequent haunts are Lower Pierce reservoir, MacRitchie Reservoir, Changi Board walk, the Botanic Garden, Pulau Ubin, East Coast Park and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. We just love the great outdoors.

Here is a link for the Tree Top Walk http://www.wildsingapore.com/places/ttw.htm

Uudam on China’s Got Talent

Uudam, a 12 year old orphan from inner Mongolia appeared on China Got Talent and touched millions of people all over the world. This innocent child is truly an inspiration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ28nmQ58iE&feature=related

Flow Through Us

Our Lord set us an example in life and ministry. He sought out people who were on the fringe, the outcast, the poor and the needy. 

The love of God compels us to go the extra mile. The love of God motivates us to serve with humility. Bringing hope and encouragement to people.

Lord, fill our hearts with passion and love to touch the lowest people in the land. We are the beacon of light to respond to the cry of the needy. We avail ourselves to be Your extended hand. We want to be a vessel for Your love to flow through. Love the broken world through each of us.

God is the Strength of our Heart

God is the strength of our hearts. He is our constant source of strength. His strength  grows in intensity. His strength brings us courage. 

He consumes us in His love. He bathes us in the river of His love.

David encouraged himself in the Lord. He was in great distress and he cried our to God. God reached out to David. He challenged David. He  spurred him on.

When the journey gets tough, we the redeemed shall rise up with strength and tenacity. We are not intimidated by the challenges and impossibilities. The Lord draws us to Himself and speaks life into us. 

He is why our hearts palpitate with undying hope and anticipation. He fills our hearts with strength and courage. 

He moves powerfully through us.  We persevere to reach the goal of knowing Christ and His suffering. With heads held high, we extol the  King of glory. We exalt His holy name.

Origami from the Heart

Last Thursday afternoon, I was conducting a debating programme to a primary four class at a school in Tampines. On my way out when training was through, two wonderful girls each passed me an origami they had made.

Looking at the origami, I cannot help but feel great appreciation and encouragement. They may look simple but what touched my heart most is the care and thoughtfulness of these little ones.

In life, there are people who touch others around them by their little acts, a kind thought, gifts or simple words encouragement. I have received much help, assistance, kindness and encouragement from people around me and I thank each one of them from the depth of my heart.

Joy

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Laughter is the best medicine. 

We giggle, guffaw and chuckle. At times, it is a hearty or a roaring laughter. 

Joy is priceless. The Lord first brought joy into our miserable lives. We were once laden with guilt and sin. The joy-giver brings us unspeakable joy.  

In the midst of trials and tribulations, joy is present. This is a great blessing. 

A quiet joy from deep within our belly, bubbles forth with strength and expectation. We know that however pressing and difficult the challenges may be, God is far bigger than that.

Our joy is not dependant on circumstances.

Joy is purely a gift from heaven above. Nothing in this world can replace this cherished and priceless gift. We can rest on our laurels as long as we fix our eyes on our maker, helper and redeemer.

Unending Mercy

Miracles are a part of the believer’s life. Our very existence is a miracle because our life hinges on the breath that God gives us. We will not live a minute longer without the sovereign Lord’s sustaining and life giving power.

Yesterday, I was so inspired to hear a testimony of a brother over the internet. Our gracious and loving Father set this man free out of His great love for him. For many years, he was addicted to drinking and smoking. At his worst state, he drank up to two bottles of brandy and smoked three packets of cigarettes in a day. He was deep in debt. His friends fled from him in his hour of need. He could not sleep in the dark due to demonic oppression. When he slept, the light would always be on. His life was in complete ruins and he was totally devastated. He could not lift himself out of the gruesome, dark and deep pit that he found himself in. He came to the end of himself.

The Lord had mercy on Him, saved and rescued him. Today, he is totally set free from drinking and smoking and his debts cleared. When he shared his testimony, he admitted that it was painful to revisit some of the most terrifying experiences he went through, but he will testify of the Lord’s goodness however difficult it can be because the love of Jesus has radically changed him. The Lord turned his sorrow, indescribable pain and anguish to unspeakable joy, hope and peace.

Every life that has the Lord touches and changes bears testimony of His unfailing love and unending mercy and grace that flow from His throne.

Food Fusion

Ours is a mixed marriage. Monte is Caucasian and I am Singaporean Chinese. We were married on 20 March 1999.

Being married is not just two different persons coming together to make a life together. Along with it, we have to contend with merging two different cultures and way of life. 

Food for instance is a salient point. Food fusion emerges. Western and Chinese cooking are not the mainstay. We also like other cuisine from other cultures. 

From time to time, we travel a little outside  of Singapore, we always miss certain kinds of food.

Before marriage, I was not quite into pasta. It all changed after marriage. Today, I can have pasta anytime.

Through the Wilderness

The children of Israel had first hand experience of the harsh wilderness. A place where water and food were scarce. A place where no vegetation can grow. What met ones eyes was mere desolation and bleakness.

God who leads us in green pastures is the one who will also lead us in the heart of the cruel desert. 

It is a time where the rubber meets the road, a litmus test for all who claim to be the followers of Christ. 

The “wilderness experience” brings out the reality of our limitations and vulnerabilities. This is where our weaknesses and dependence on God shines. By God's miraculous power, our courage does not melt. We declare that God is the strength of our hearts.

We rise above the occasion.

We purpose in our hearts to remain faithful. We cry out to God for help and deliverance. 

We remain strong in the face of insurmountable challenges. We emerge from the crisis stronger than before. We are victors in Christ. We rise with His banner of victory.

 

The power of God's Spirit is on His redeemed people. We live each day to declare His faithfulness from generation to generation.

His Consuming Love

We measure temperature with a thermometer, humidity with a hygrometer and wind speed with an anemometer. But no one can ever measure the love of God. The love of God can only be felt in our hearts.

His love is boundless, limitless, endless and immeasurable. God's love oozes out of us. It compels us to bring hope and healing to a dying world. 

His divine love surges from deep within our hearts. The Lord launches us out to every nook and corner of the earth. Carrying and saturating His presence and love everywhere. Love that is weaved in every smile, every kind and encouraging act, every word that is seasoned by grace. 

A love that cannot be counterfeited; it is genuine. A love so pure and rich. Love personified. Love that melts all harshness and hardness. This love is felt when the Holy Spirit envelops and embraces us in His comfort and warmth. His consuming love brings wholeness.

The Feet of Deer

The Lord pours His grace on us inceasingly. He strengthens our weary and drained bodies. He strengthens our wobbly and weak knees. The energising power of God comes on the weak.

The Lord sustains and empowers us to push on to the finishing line. Just like how God guides the deer on the treacherous and dangerous mountains. He guides us lovingly. He guides us with love.

He makes our feet as surefooted like the deer’s feet. We can never make it on our own in this threatening and death defying mountain. But the Lord reminds us that He is with us every step of the way.

God honours faith. As we step out in obedience, He anoints and blesses us. He leads us to conquer every mountain before us. There is nothing too difficult for Him.

We pur our trust in You. We will You up the high mountains. We depend on You. We need You desperately.

Five Loaves and Two Fishes

Monte and I are thankful for the Lord’s open door to minister at Mount Olives Church of God Power Pack Wednesday last week. Monte delivered the word and I led in a time of praise and worship. The Lord graced the service and blessed us with a good time of ministry.

We treasure every opportunity that God presents to us. We are mindful of our complete reliance on the Spirit of God who empowers us to do the work of the ministry. As we offer our five loaves and two fishes, the Lord has never failed to multiply them to meet the needs of the people. He pours out His grace to nourish and nurture us. He fills our hungry hearts and thirsty souls. We know that we are merely His channel, His vessels totally dependant on His sovereign hand.

Steamy Steamboat

From time to time, we invite friends over to our home for a meal or pastry with coffee. We thank God for the blessing of friends. A couple of days ago, we spent a wonderful afternoon with one of our friends over steamy steamboat. Food and fellowship always go hand in hand.

Splendid Istana

Monte and I spent a wonderful afternoon with a friend at the Istana on 1 May.

“The Istana is the official residence of the President of the Republic of Singapore. It occupies over 40 hectares of land along Orchard Road. It is a precious and important part of Singapore's history and heritage, and has borne witness to Singapore's many historical milestones.

The Istana building was built by the British Colonial government to house its governors. Completed in 1869, it was then known as the Government House. The building was handed over to the Singapore Government when Singapore attained self government in 1959, and renamed Istana (“Palace” in Malay).

The Istana building underwent extensive renovation between 1996 and 1998, to add more space and modern day conveniences. The building today has six function rooms used for ceremonies and to receive guests.”

http://www.istana.gov.sg/content/istana/index.html