White Christmas

Gerald took me to Hokkaido for a White Christmas... It was such a beautiful time... We flew into Hokkaido from Taiwan. Everything was powder snowy white. Romantic was the theme of the day. With falling snow, Christmas music playing along the streets and Christmas lightings and decorations.

This is one holiday I will remember for a long time...

Thank you, baby.

Bliss..

Bliss is sitting at Starbucks with great music that sing of God and all He is, reading His Word intermittently and writing intermittently..
Bliss is just sitting here in such cool and nice December weather in Singapore, spending time with myself and God without any agenda...
Bliss is recalling the blessings that He has so generously bestowed to me and my family..
Bliss is knowing that I've walked through the valley of shadow of death and survived- not just survived but thriving in the richness of knowing Him..
Bliss is looking forward to a white Christmas in Hokkaido with my most loved one..
Bliss is awaiting the kids to come to hear them call me in excitement and joining our children's church..
Bliss is relishing in the job that He has so lavishly given me and blessing the socks out of me...
Bliss is having a boss who desires to follow God wholeheartedly, and having the privilege to partner with her for His kingdom...
Bliss is knowing God and being under the shadow of His wings- safe and secured no matter what the circumstance and environment is, and knowing Him in a way my heart wanna jump out with unspeakable joy, love and ..... BLISS

Thank You Lord for our relationship...

Stress during this time of the year

It's been a stressful time... but it's beginning to look like Christmas.... They DO NOT jive... I've been working hard on a big case at work; "Praise God", one part of me rejoices; "but it's so hard... I feel like just walking away", the other part of me laments. Thankfully these few nights after work are just time to chill... Hubby & I have just been spending time walking, talking to God, and just not doing something after wor. Hubs have been stressed out too... I make myself sane by listening to Michael Buble's Christmas songs, haha.
I can't put a finger to what and how I am really feeling, but I'd been feeling tired-physically and emotionally. In my heart and mind, I entertain thoughts of running away, hiding somewhere and all. My head is tensed up so I have tension headaches. I think I am stressed.
It also doesn't help that my b*** is at my back a lot cos' of this big case. I can't complain cos' I am learning so much and all that is helping me. I don't want to let all these affect me; I don't like to be a tensed-up, sour-faced. I love to be free, love to be at ease, etc. I want God, I need Him, I really need Him so so much. Only He can help me.
At this note, I want to thank God He is in my life and that I belong to Him. I have Him to turn to, I can lament to Him, I can cast my anxieties to Him, I can cry to Him and sing to Him. And when I am in Him, when I think how wonderful He is, or how He just loves and cares for me, I cannot help but feel loved and the things of this earth will grow strangely dim.
[Just heard on podcast: Anxiety is a sin to be repented of. We don't manage anxiety, we put it to death, cos Jesus crucified our sins on the cross -Mars Hill Church]

Lord Jesus, pls help me, pls help me to not be anxious, but as I pray and give thanks, your peace which surpasses all understanding will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.

I'm going home tonight to listen to Christmas carols again... that transports me to winter, snow-falling windows - bliss... (of cos, with Christ in my heart)

I want it to begin to look like Christmas...

Merry Christmas

P.S: I know I don't make much sense, but I am just ranting and thinking aloud.

Biblical Interpretation Course (July - Oct 2011)

It's been over a year since I last wrote and updated my blog. Thanks to Bro Casey (*curtsies*) from my Biblical Interpretation course, that I am now finally writing SOMETHING on my blog. Under the good influence and encouragement of our dear friend, D, Gerald and I decided to take the step of faith to sign up for a course in AGBC (Assemblies of God Bible College) - BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION. We thought it was good and necessary for us to learn how to interpret the bible correctly, as we desire to serve God more effectively in His Kingdom and leading His people. I remember Gerald & I had this conversation when we were on holiday in Perth in May this year and we discussed about taking up this course. We felt that in this day and age it is not the most straightforward thing in understanding the bible holistically; more so, to apply it correctly in our lives and in helping others walk closer to God. Despite the challenge of having to commit one night per week to attend class (and not forgetting doing homework), we decided to take the leap. It helped that 6 of us friends signed up together, and that was the beginning of a fun course.

This blog entry is our final homework to blog about our learning experience. This entry is a reflection of 5 interesting ideas/concepts/practices that I have gleaned through this class-every aspect of it.

1. Interpreting the bible is tough work! With all the different tools to help us to interpret God's Word, it is really not how we thought it was done before attending this class. There are so many factors that can affect the way we interpret God's Word! There is the Historical context, the Literary Context, questions of content, the World of the text, the World of the reader, Biblical Narratives, the Genres, etc. It seemed to me that to interpret correctly, we need to employ all these tools to get a clearer and more accurate interpretation of the particular passage we are studying.

Having gone through this course, my challenge is really to put in hard work (though I must qualify that it is easier said than done) to read God's Word in its rightful manner, and not just read it at face value. (Then again, we also learnt that sometimes, we have to take the word at its face-value). Applying the different tools of interpretation will help me to expound on a passage better for better understanding, and to teach and share better with others.

2. Diagramming. I love diagramming! I felt it was a practical and one of the more comprehensive way of de-constructing a passage, and it was a good way to see the overview and thrust of the passage. Of course, not forgetting "fanboys"- Conjunctions.

After doing diagramming, the main thrust of a passage can be so different from what we thought it to be in the beginning, and this may totally swing the main message from what it is actually supposed to be. I remember of an example shown, of the points of a sermon from a passage which was so different from what it was supposed to be, after diagramming. It affirmed that as leaders or teachers, God will hold us accountable for what we teach, so we have to do our best in presenting the whole and proper truth of God's word.

3. Many people are misled and misinterpreting the bible. From the many examples shared by Bro Casey, for example, Phil 4:13, 2 Kings 2:9, I learnt that it is so important to know the context and the world of the text. I learnt also, how to look at a passage to see if the principle has to do with moral absolutes and cultural relevance. Many people, even myself, are reading God's Word and applying it incorrectly, knowingly or unknowingly. It's scary that many times, we read God's Word according to what we want to hear and interpret. I feel the challenge is to apply what we have learnt in Biblical Interpretation to our reading of the Word, and to keep practising so it becomes a filter in us to interpret the Word as best as we know how. I remember Bro Casey shared an example of the song that he used to sing about "Cover me, Lord"or something, and how we sing songs that are even incorrectly interpreted. It's very subtle (and this is the scariest part), that wrong interpretations and applications of the Word may cause us to have wrong concepts and teach wrong things to God's people.

I want to be someone who learns and understands as whole a truth of the bible as possible, so I can know God better and to teach others better. I also want to apply God's truth correctly and appropriately so that I do not digress from the truth, even that 1 degree.

4. 1 Thess 4:3-8. This passage is quite hard to forget. Our homework was all on this passage. But what struck me, what our final CGP, which required us to think of how we can contextualize this passage to our world and culture today, and I learnt that the world then, is somewhat similar to our world today.

I am even more convinced that God's principles, though sometimes deemed old-fashioned, prudish, simple, even idealistic, is still applicable and works in our world today. Our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow indeed. Through the different homework exploring different aspects of this passage, it helped to really see this passage as what was important rather than what we thought, or seemed important. It is indeed God's will that we be sanctified, to live a life of holiness, by not indulging in sexual immorality but to lead pure lives.

5. Last but not least, the fellowship among the saints was unforgettable. Thank you, Bro Casey for making us work in groups. We had good times sharing our lives and testimonies with one another. It was heartwarming to see my group being so willing to help one another, and putting in their best efforts to help get the work done. What touched me was the willingness to cover one of our group mates, J, when she was going through a difficult time in her family. Everyone was so understanding, and everyone chipped in to relief her work. But J was also amazing, as we saw her heart of wanting to contribute in any way she could, even in the midst of her family situation. Thanks, Fiery Five. You guys made the course great fun!

God indeed put us in communities for us to learn, grow and love. I learnt to get to know people for who they are, as every face tells a story indeed.

This course has been very beneficial. Though it was challenging doing the homework and all, it was worth it, as we learnt more through our homework. Thank God for Bro Casey who taught with passion and with great wisdom. Kudos to you, teacher!

My personal conclusion after going through this class, is that, we can never fully and completely interpret the bible, because we only know in part. I guess that is why Jesus is the Author and Perfector of our faith, and we live out our faith as best as we know how. I know God is most pleased when we live out our faith and live out His Word. Learning the Word in a deeper way helps me then, to live out my life as a pleasing sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him. I know this is Eternal Life and this is what pleases Him.

(Of course, I do feel a bit smarter after this class, haha!)

Some happenings lately

Taiwan

I was in Taiwan for part-work-part-play last week. Incidentally, some other people were there too... Gerald, Yam, Claudia, Shirls, Collin. They brought out the beauty of Taiwan, and I realized Taiwan is indeed a fun place to be in. I feel very blessed that God has given me the opportunity to have such enriching exoerience - to work, travel and know another place like 2nd home after Singapore. We watched Monga which was a great movie! We went to Shi Lin Night market, made new spectacles, shopped, ate, enjoyed the wonderful weather.

Mon-Tue
The Mon and Tue that just passed were very very challenging at work for me.. I nearly could not take it.. this seldom happens. The Lord reminded me of His Promise for me in Psalms 16:5-11:

5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let
your Holy One see decay.
11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

You delivered me on Tuesday, thanks to my boss, and I saw Your plan unfold that bit more, and I saw Your promise coming to light a bit more. Thank You, Lord!

Currently

I watched Twilight and Twilight New Moon on the plane, and I was hooked. It was such a beautiful show - fantasy, dreamy, romantic. Yes, it's a teeny-bob kind of show, but I found myself having flashbacks of the movie, of the romance between the ever-cool-and-extremely-handsom Edward Cullens and the girl. (it's obvious the girl is not as significant as the vampire). But their love is so intense, so deep, so unreal, so beautiful...

I then learnt that Part 3 is called Eclipse and Part 4 is called Breaking Dawn. And the books are out already. After much contemplation, I went to buy Eclipse and I have been glued to it since Wednesday. Man, it was like reading one of those "Sweet Dreams" or "Sweet Valley High" romance novels when I was young. Even Gerald said he has never seen me like that... (with hints of jealousy for Edward Cullens I think, haha). Anyway, I assured him that his love for me was like Edward Cullens'. *winks*

Anyway, I hope to be able to finish the book by this weekend, and am not sure if I can resist buying part 4. Anyway, I am surpirsed at myself, for being so obsessed over this crappy, teeny-bopper kind of book. (I was even slightly embarrased when I brought the book to the cashier in the bookshop, haha). So, for once, I am very happy when people tell me they will be late for appointments with me, cos then I'll have that pocket to sneak at my book, haha.

Till Breaking Dawn (finishes), I'll be off for a while... ;)

2010....

We're in 2010! Seemed so faraway when we were in our 1996... Yr 2000 was a big millennium, and in a flash, we have passed a decade in the new millennium..... big thing...

Well, 2009 closed on quite a painful note... we lost it again... this time it was more painful than the previous two, cos we had higher hopes. There wasn't any heartbeat. The loss and the disappointment were heart wrenching. The feelings were deja vu too... We just had to deal with it. We were looking forward very much to 2010 cos' we were expecting a bundle of joy, but the turn of events sent us into a whirl of loss and confusion.

I asked Him why, even though I know for a fact and with deep conviction that He IS good and has the best plan for my life. I cried everytime I thought of what I lost (again). It was quite a dazed week whilst I recuperated at my mum's place... then we went to visit a couple who has had the same experiences before. I thought I'd be sobbing the whole time during the visit, but amazingly, I was soooo encouraged in my heart and lifted in my spirit! Indeed, we overcome with the testimony of the saints! I concluded after the visit, that I may never know why it happened, and why my Ever-Loving Father allowed it. But I know that He will never 'waste" ANYTHING that happens in our lives, and I know that I have the opportunity to know Him more. It's really not about knowing the whys to all of life's happenings, but it's really about Knowing Him. I look forward to knowing Him for Who He is, not what He gives/bestows/blesses.

We went away for a short trip to Phuket on a last-minute decision, and had a great rest there. The villa was v v lovely, surrounded with lush greenery and foilage. We just spent the morning reading on the day bed with the rain falling outside... It was a wonderful feeling of freshness and rest...

We thank God for all the good things He has given us... I thank God even more for my dear husband, the greater gift (than what i lost) whom He has blessed me with. I thank God for saving me from eternal death, and gave me eternal life. i thank God for giving me so so many good gifts in my lifetime - my family, my house, my church, my job and many more. How can I look at this (seemingly) bad thing and fault Him for not being good to me...? That, will be too petty and narrow-minded.

I am back at work this week already, sorted out what happened, dealt with the loss and emotions, and ready to start the new exciting year and being eager to know Him and what He's gonna do in my life.

My friends, if you are reading this, and feel bad for me, or even question about why God, if He is

good and loving, will allow such things to happen...? I can only say that things happen to everyone - christians, non-christians alike. The same sun shines on both, but the great thing is that, because He loves me and has saved me and for what he has done on the cross for me, I have hope amidst the valleys. And I have also learnt, that, it is in the valleys that He will carry me through... and.... morning ALWAYS comes...

I want to walk with You all the days of my life, for better or for worse, till death do us meet....

Happy New Year!

The Lord delivers!!

PT said "You see that?"

I nearly teared.... because You delivered what He promised.
God, I rest in Your Promise & I am assured that You are with us.
Lord, I know everything works for the good of those who love You.
Your Promises are good and You are not One who lies,
but who will bring about Your Promises.
I declare Your perfect plan in my life.
I know 2010 will be different, cos this is the time You planned for the big change.
I pray I will only grow close to You, know You more.
It's not about the gift, but You, The Giver.
I praise You because You are so so good!

Merry Christmas!