Spoke to WK last night.
Thank God for his counsel to point me back to His work on the cross…
Need to move on in life;not just physically but whole body, soul & mind.
Archive for Uncategorized
Journal 1009
Max Lucado – Come Thirsty
Pray more to worry less; look up in FAITH rather forward in fear.
We often hear that something “bad” has happened to someone who is good. Why does a good God allow such things to happen? We did not realise that this “bad” that happened is relative to our limited understanding and experience. To a teenager, perhaps a acne problem is bad but to his father who had been through, that is not “bad”. It is the same with us. God may allow some bad things to happen to us, be it consequential of our choices and actions or not. He loves us, He will discipline us. He loves us so He will train us for noble purpose. We also know that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.
It is analogous to going to a movie after you have read the book. When something bad happened to the hero in the show, we are not too concern because we read the book and know that he will be alright…We have a God wrote the book of your life! He knows how it will all turn out.
Trust in Him!
Journal 1008
Continue on COME THIRSTY…
Accept His power
Surrender to His plan
Keep at it
A.S.K. Him.
Jornal 1007
Reading Max Lucado’s COME THIRSTY.
Quote:
Think of prayer more as an awareness of God. Acknowledge His presence everywhere you go.
Jounal 1006
Lydia stood in for Wee Kiat on the piano these 2 weeks while he is away in Italy for holiday.
It was great especially last week when she helped me worked out the song “He Never Sleeps”.
It was also great to see Shu Hui stepping up more. She told us to try the song “Saviour of the Undeserving” which I will try to work out this week if time permits.
Going to be a long week this week as I will be helping out with WPL Intermediate class on Saturday from 10 am to 5pm.
Finally bought the German violin for Lucas with Heng Ee’s help.
Journal 1005
Lagging behind on my journal writing again… I really wish I could keep up a little better than I do now…
Just to share on some things I learnt. I finished reading The Psychology of Persuasion some time ago. I will need to read through the book again to practice the skills mentioned. I would like to mention a particular point in Chapter 12 about WIN/WIN. His grandmother gave him a piece of advice when he got married. She said, “Marriage is 90/10; not 50/50. You give 90% and expect 10%.” When I first read it, I thought it was true how couples view their marriage as a 50/50 contract; you do your part then I will do mine. Reflecting on the examples of Jesus; His model is 100/0! While we were yet sinners, He died for us! That is giving 100% and not expecting anything in return. Paul shared in Philippians 2:
3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Journal 1004
Received news on Friday that Susan’s dad has passed away. So we planned to attend the funeral service on Saturday night.
On Saturday, dropped Lydia off for Electone class then went to Mei Kam’s place to pick up the soil and pots. I need to re-pot the cactus this weekend before they die on me.
Had lunch with Lydia then accompanied her for Cello class. Rather hot Saturday… Hid in NTUC…
After class, we went to Singapore Casket for the Funeral service. Stayed till about 2230hrs…catching up with those who were there.
Woke up late on Sunday morning so cannot make it to the Singapore Casket…went directly to Mandai Crematorium instead. Everything ended at about 10am. Winna gave us a ride home. Since it was still early, I decided to join Winna to attend worship service in Bt Panjang CEFC.
Andy Lew shared about the makeover of our time; based on scripture in Mark 1: 35 – 38.
35In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
36Simon and his companions searched for Him;
37they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
38He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”
He shared about the need to keep our devotion time true as exampled by Jesus who went out early in the morning to seek to the Lord after a busy day of healing and casting demons.
His 2nd point is that we need to keep our calling clear. Jesus went away to pray amd aligned Himself to God. In verse 38, He said, “…so that I may preach there also; FOR THAT IS WHAT I CAME FOR.” Regardless of what is our occupation, there is a greater calling to tell the world about Jesus.
It reminded me that we will never be able to find time to do the things that we need to do; we need to MAKE TIME. How we often misplaced or even displaced our priorities.
Has been struggling what to decide what to do and where to go from now, this year 2010… there seemed to be a drive to pursue this teaching line. The first affirmation came from Adrian’s on Saturday night; the NIKE answer…”JUST DO IT!”
There is much apprehension on my part as my history of changing lanes had led to many trials since 1997… so I am weary of transitions. Will have to see how God lead from here.
Hopefully, God will not have to kick me off my chair like in 2005…
Journal 1003
Continue on my reading of Psychology of Persuasion…
The key thought that in this is book so far (page 162 of 278) is to achieve WIN/WIN in any persuasion process.
One quote I liked from Zig Ziglar that I read many years ago, is used in this book.
“You can get everything you want in life if you’ll just help enough other people get what they want”
Realise that yesterday is not tomorrow…good thought. I am easily paralysed by past failures. Yesterday is gone and we can only learn from it.
Journal 1002
Finished Ordering My Private World 2 days ago. Will be implementing some of the things recommended in the book. First of which is I am doing now… writing journal through blog.
Lydia was down last week with some viral infection; fluctuating fever and headaches. I was very worried of the unknown. Thank God it finally cleared up by Sunday.
Sunday after church, we went to Esplanade for a casual concert by SSO. Maestro Lim Yao and solo violinist YH Chan.
We got home about 9pm…long day… On our way back, Lydia shared that she was very encouraged by the songs we sang during worship. I was glad…
Adrian, Susan, Ezra & Kayla touched down yesterday. They will be here for the next 6 weeks. Lucas is looking forward to spending some time with Ezra.
Wang and family will be back on Feb 12th. We are looking forward to get some time to catch up.
Started reading The Psychology of Persuasion 2 days ago. Bought this book on Nov 2007. A customer (his name is Christian..I think)who was organising an event in SUNTEC introduced it to me. Some interesting & practical stuffs in it that I hope to master and practice it…
Journal 1001
Started reading Ordering your Private World by Gordon MacDonald late last year. For some reasons I am taking longer than usual to finish this 181 pages. One of the reasons is that I only do my reading in the MRT which is only during the weekends. It was interesting how this book “jumped out” at me when I was browsing the bookshelf in Church when the pest control company came to inspect the premise. God must have wanted my inner life to be organised for the 2010!
I read until page 126 yesterday afternoon on my way home. The author recommended some exercises that are important to order our inner lives.
1. Silence and Solitude
2. Listening to God
3.Reflection & Meditation
4.Prayer as Worship & Intercession
Last night, as usual, I went into my children’s room to pray before they sleep. Lydia had a query about our study of the Church in Smyrna in Revelation 2 yesterday morning. She was not clear about the conclusion we drew from the study.
Had the opportunity to clarify that we are to heed the Word of God in order not to be deceived by false teachings. False teachings were prevalent in the old times and as well current times. We have to develop sensitivity through our daily disciplines in order for the Holy Spirit to guide us. God will speak to us in ways that are unique if we develop a discipline to listen; it will not be generalised system to all.
Boon to All 