Tuesday, April 29, 2008

E.N.J.O.Y

Been dying to blog in camp, but wells, due to obvious constrain, that had to wait and here I am back to blogging, wahaha.

Wells, things have been better in camp, rather I've learnt how to 'enjoy' camp. Wells, it's quite hard to explain, but was reminded about what Pastor How shared with us, that if our environment cannot change, then we got to. So since I can't change the fact that I'm still on shift work, then I just got to enjoy it till 8 - 5 opens then, ha.

I think one thing we all need to do, is that we need to enjoy our lives. Enjoy where we are at, of course not losing sight of the vision ahead, but yet, be happy at where you are at, at where God has placed you. Like Pastor How shared before, that we are happy with our progress, but never satisfied. Because there are always great things ahead for us! So as for me, it's the same, hahaha.

Was also talking to Darren that day back in camp and he said something that really made an impact to my perception about army. Is that maybe, just maybe, it's God's way to tell us to forget about ministry for this season, and focus on Him all over again. Thinking about that, sometimes it's so true, that we hold on to what is in our hands so tightly that God is unable to move for us.

So yep, I'm not holding on to ministry so tightly anymore, as in for this season. But I'm still holding on to my weekends! I need my weekends to be secured so that I can still be in church on the important days! God, open the 8 - 5! But regardless of what happens, my faith and trust in You will not waver.

Yeah, it's been a more 'enjoyable' time in camp, after my mentality has changed, ha. God's always good, in your valleys or in your mountain tops, God has always been there. It's just that we're so blind to not seeing it!

"Here I am, all over again. Do as You will to me, that I become who You want me to be. Thank You Lord, Amen"

Friday, April 25, 2008

Sometimes, it's just about being yourself....

Ha, been having many thoughts in camp.

Have you ever felt like you are with a group of people, but yet you feel like you're not there? Think everyone feels that way sometimes, and I realise that it's because you're not being yourself! Because you are not yourself, you got to put on 'yourself' when you are different groups of people. And when everyone is together, you got no idea which 'self' to put on.

I think one thing for us, it's just about being simple. Being who you really are, not who people expect you to be. I think sometimes when we keep thinking about people's expectations of us, instead of helping us, it rather pressures us. Not that pressure is bad, but don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself.

We just got to focus, focus on God and also what God has placed in our care. I think, it's really about having undivided attention, attention that will not be distracted from God. Looking at the leaders, they are people who are really focused, and also people of; 'what you see is what you get' that's really an important point to note too.

For myself, it's really another level to rise up to. Like Pastor How shared, we need to be real. Real people and not people who are just friendly. But friends to people. Don't know how to phrase my thoughts properly, but just felt that.

'You just got to be you, and not anyone else!'

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Wait... when was English present in..... ancient China?

Happy Birthday Pastor Lia! Today's the official birthday of Pastor Lia and there's still many more to come!

Wasn't feeling well yesterday, but still because it was a day off, still went out to spend time with some of the guys yesterday. Was firstly with Ivan and some of the B zone leaders and regulars. It was a super funny experience as we were just talking loudly in a public place, though there were people who told us to quiet down, but wells... it's a public place, ha.

Caught 'Forbidden Kingdom' and it was a funny movie, ha. Imagine this, you're transported to ancient China to deliver a magical staff to... The Monkey King. And everyone's supposedly speaking in mandarin and suddenly, you realise that they can speak English too! Yeah, it was super funny, ha.

Anyways, but it was just great to be around church people. I think other than just doing our quiet time to grow, sometimes it's also about the people we hang out with, ha. I'm not saying that quiet time is not important, but we've got to be wise in choosing our friends and the people we hang out with.

Like Pastor How shared, 'Your friends determine who you are.' that is so so true. So who do you like to hang out with? Ha.

Anyways after that went to spend time with Ernest, Ee Loo, Chew Theng, Sean, Nadine and other people too. It was good too, as spent most of the time talking to Ernest, ha. It's was a time where you hang out and just enjoy the company of people you're in.

Anyways, don't have much today, ha. Just thought about the people I hang out with, ha. Choose your friends.... See ya all, ha!

Monday, April 21, 2008

F.A.M.I.L.Y

Ha, read many people's blog and am really inspired to blog too! Ha.

Wells, couldn't attend Pastor Lia's birthday celebration due to 'work' but through the vibes that I got through reading blogs and talking to ernest and sean, it must have been awesome!

I think one special thing about HOGC is that we're more than just a church. I know that there are like 400+ churches around in Singapore alone, but what is it that makes us stay in this one? I think for that answer, it would have appeared in the celebration today. We are FAMILY.

Pastors are not just our leaders, but they are our spiritual parents, always looking out for us, spotting the potential in us and growing us to be the man and woman that we can be. The leaders also are not just people who lead us, but really look out for us, correcting us when we have made a mistake, teaching us what to do and what not to.

So for us, we can be honest with them. Because you are part of the family and a family cares for every individual, no matter what you do or have done. A family will always be willing to hear things out, and even correct you because it's not about the image/ face of the family, but it's for you alone. I think that there's a mindset that we have to change, and that is... discipleship is... good!

Speaking on family, I think that's why this year's building fund's theme is, 'building dreams' because dreams can only be built in a family. Whereareas in an organisation, it would be, building ambitions. Because ambitions is for self gain, pretty much like investments, but for dreams... they are for that individual's gain with no strings attached. Speaking of this, I remember an example that Pastor How shared about how Olympic atheletes are trained;

'They first invest in them by giving them the finances and resources, and the atheletes will train hard to make it into the team. But even if they don't make it, they don't demand that the 'failed' atheletes pay back.'

I think for us it's also the same. Pastors have sowed so much in us and have never expected anything in return. But why do we do so? Because we are grateful, knowing that without them, we will never be who we are today. So for you out there, let's be grateful people, to our Pastors and our leaders. They are our family and a family stands together. So join us, I know that you won't regret it!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Lights, camera and...... ACTION!!!!

Ha, been reading for most of the day at 'work' and was really impacted by somethings that I read.

Wells, the book that I was reading was the all famous book, 'The Unquenchable Worshipper' by Matt Redman. Here's what I got;

'And so, too out of what's stored up in our hearts we sing and serve and live.'

Thinking about that, isn't it true??? All our actions are subconciously affected by what's been stored in our hearts?

We contact those who... have a place in our hearts. We love those who have captivated our hearts. We live according to what's in our hearts. So yeah, if everyone worked on their heart, I think we would be able to do so much more!

Attended combined service and it was great, really felt the presence of God and was really refreshed by it. The touch of God was just simply... amazing. Pastor was sharing with us about generosity and speaking of that, it's really something from the heart.

It's about giving and having no expectancy of returns, not like the way investments work. It's about sowing, regardless whether you'd reap or not. So yeah, we got to be a generous generation. Not just with our finances, but with our love! Let's really all love at a God level this year, like what Pastor How shared!

Lastly, just a post to someone out there, keep going man. God never shortchanges His people. All things work for His plan, even stoppages or breaks. So keep hanging on friend, you can do it!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you (tomorrow)

Ha, was present during Phenomena's worship prac and heard them sing this song, 'Heart of Worship'. Anyways, before talking about it, decided to type out the lyrics of it:

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
It's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord
For the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
All about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

Just really love this song, because it's really just simply.. a heart's cry. A heart that is coming back to the simple basics of our Christian walk, just loving God. Know that we've been busy, doing the work, planning, meetings, etc.

And truly there is no better time to just come back to the start, the heart of worship. Where it's just all about God and myself all over again. Remember one thing Pastor Lia shared with us about this song, and that is when you sing it, it's really a time where you come back to the heart of worship again.

A time to re-focus, back on our true love, our first love. Remember Pastor always sharing with us, we need to always remember the Giver, not the gift. The Lord of the work and not the work of the Lord.

I am so so looking forward to service tomorrow, I can't wait to be there to experience God. Please please please, give me the time off! God I believe that You will open the way!!!!

Yeah, just wanted to write this out, ha. The song's really stuck in my head and my heart now, ha. Am listening to it while typing too, hope you can feel the excitement that I'm feeling as I just type this!

Tomorrow's a great day, it will happen!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Hmmmm..... think, think, think

Ha, blogging in church, am using Elgin's laptop since I don't have mine, ha.

Gotta be back at work tomorrow, meaning... I'm going to miss the weekend because of it. But thank goodness I managed to talk to my 'manager' about it and thus I'll be able to make it on saturday! But still... it's sad that I'm going to miss out on sunday... and the exciting stuff that's going to happen!!! Really want to be able to do something too! Not just see, but rather participate.

Anyways, that aside was again thinking about stuff while walking around in church, ha. Think I've got tendency to think too much, ha. That's why it's always good to hang out around with people, keeps your mind off thinking, you get what I mean?

Ha....Just felt that we really need to come up to the next level, ha. Like really really go up the next level, ha. Remember Pastor shared during vision weekend that the Church is moving to the next level of being HOGC 2.0. Wells, above that just being the Church's vision, I think we must also be people who take it and run with it. Like Pastor How shared, that it's not just for the church, but it's for very individual! Meaning that you, me and everyone else out there needs to come to 2.0 individually too!

Also that we need to know our strengths and work on it, but of course, we do something about our weaknesses. Not just focus on our strengths and cover-up our weaknesses! Also, was praying and thinking about God's vision for me personally back at 'work' after the service that Pastor Lia was sharing about vision and was really reminded about many past visions and dreams.

But through that saw an incredible big picture, ha. That everyone's individual dream and vision is not only for us, but combining it together it forms the big picture! The vision of church, impacting all levels of society and all walks of life! So yeah, truly no vision is too small in the eyes of God because it plays a part in the body of Christ!

So yeah, you, you and you are important! Don't think you aren't cause you've taken a place in our hearts! Hang on there!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Never fear to copy

Ha, just a short post on my thoughts. Was having dinner with Ivan and Elgin today and while traveling there was talking to Ivan about somethings, and some things he shared just reminded me about something.

We should never fear to copy our leaders. I think in our modern society, everyone and everywhere is promoting individualism and because of that, we really are in a me, myself and I society. We are uniquely made, no doubt. But I think we must also be humble enough to copy those before us. Because they must have done something right and have something right in their lives to be successful in their lives! So yeah, don't be afraid to copy!

Sometimes it's more than just asking questions and learning verbally, but I think the greatest lessons are those which are not taught, but learnt through simply observation. So next time, let's be people who observe our leaders, they are there not only to take care of us, but also to show us the way! They have walked further and longer than us, so let's be humble and learn!

Personally, I'm still learning though I've been in church for about 8 years, I'm still learning, so people... don't stop doing so! When we stop learning, we stop growing, so keep learning and you'll keep growing!

Love hanging out with Pastors and the Leaders, always treasure the times I get to spend with them. More than just seeing how they love people practically, I think they thing that you observe about them, is their essence, which is most important. There are things in life that just cannot be taught, it just needs to be imparted. So let me challenge you, always have an open heart and learn from Pastors and the leaders!!!

I can't seem to sleep....

Ha, was resting back at work and was supposed to sleep, but I just couldn't. Think it was due to the sufficient rest I had in the morning and had many thoughts just swirling in my mind, and was suddenly reminded of a something I wrote in my journal a while back;

'Just did a test for my course and through it, I realised the 'uniqueness' of people. We do things that we believe and are confident in, but when proved otherwise, we will change accordingly to ensure that we are politically correct.'

Looking at that it's so true, many of us change ourselves subconsciously to fit in. But I think for us, especially, though we might change our exterior to fit in, I think we must never change our values and morals just to 'fit in'. Think that's what really means to be the salt and the light of this world. That though we might look the same outwardly, but we live at a higher level. So let's really just stand, stand and hold on to the calling that God has on our lives.

Though I know that many of us do go through things, emotionally, mentally, etc. But I think when we focus on the call of God on our lives, it just suddenly gives us strength to go on, to press on just a little more. Because wouldn't it be a waste, when you realise after doing so much, though no results are showing, you just give up, only to realise that the breakthrough is just a short step away. If only you'd just push on a little more and then you would have experienced God at a whole new level!

Kept thinking about this at work, think even for myself, I really got to keep myself focused, though doing 'work' seriously gets boring and drains mentally... But I'm really hoping that I'd get more time and space to spend time with God. I'm looking forward to touch You once again God, let Your presence be with me!

Monday, April 14, 2008

This is a first....

Ha, haven't blogged in a long long time, thus, this is a first in a long long time, ha.

It's been quite a while at where I am, and I'm just looking forward to the day that I get out of it, where I get back the freedom to do what my heart so longs to do. Till then, I just got to persevere on till it comes. Like what Pastor Lia said, go through it week by week and by the time you know it, you're out of it, ha. Pastors really rock, ha.

Wells there are so many things that I would like to write, ha. But most of them are in my journal, and looking at it, I don't know what should I copy from it, ha. Think I seriously lost much of my writing skills due to a huge lack of writing, ha.

Anyways, that aside, I think things have been amazing. Everyone's really going to the next level whether it be on a individual basis, a CG, Zone, Church, etc. Church has really been going from glory to glory, from the days in Henderson, to FTMS to now presently Singpost. Looking back, God really has been with us, provided for us and really saw us through everything. I'm so looking forward to where else will God be taking us in the next few years!

Also, been really getting to know new people, ha. Though some of them have been in church for almost 2 years, it's only recently that I really got to know them and it's amazing seeing how the grew and also how they are rising up so quickly and strongly. A new generation is really rising, and with this we know that we're going to get to the thousands quickly.

We can smell it, feel it, think it, dream it. We've even come to the point to touch it, now we're going to go for it!

Many thoughts in my mind, can't really gather them together, ha. Maybe till the next time when I get everything together, ha. Till then, keep going people! I'll be back soon!