Revival.

It's been a million years since I last blogged. My life has taken a U-turn. Many things have changed, for the better it seems. Well, I've decided to start blogging again as its one avenue for me to straighten out my thoughts and let off some steam.

I'm single now. Its been a real rollercoaster ride, but I'm starting to settle down. I believe that God has a plan for me and that maybe he has someone better out there for me. Initially it was difficult adjusting to being single. I felt lonely very often. There wasn't a buddy there for me to call and chat with every night. There was no longer a buddy to go out with me every weekend. My hands tend to itch to dial her numbers every time I'm free. After sometime, it started to set in and I took it more optimistically. I'm doing pretty much fine now. Keeping my options open. I guess I'm not as idealistic when it comes to relationships any longer. In fact I think I'm more pessimistic now. Well, maybe its just me being more careful. I'm keeping my eyes open and praying for someone to come along. Perhaps a potential life partner.

Anyway, the last time I blogged, I was an Officer Cadet. Now, I'm an 'OCCIFER'! My posting completely shocked me. But I'm not going to discuss about it here due to security reasons. My workload has definitely increased many folds. I've had some really down times. Its been a tough 3 months so far. But I'm learning to adjust. I'm someone who adapts slowly but surely. Having men under my command has really changed things altogether. I've to really watch the things I say. People do take everything I say seriously, and they lose trust in me when that things I say do not materialise. Its tough but its fulfilling. I'm happy being where I am.

I've decided that I will stay in FASS. I've been praying about it. I've been wondering if its really where I should go. I've been asking God if its really the best place for me. But recently, it seems that God has pointed me in the direction of Psychology. He does it through really subtle means that I find hard to describe. But nevertheless, I will continue praying about it and meditating over it. I want to be a psychologist. Reading the books 'Outliers' and 'Tipping Point' by Malcomm Gladwell has really raised my interest in the subject. I think my personality kind of fits the picture too.



Anyway, I've just came back from the Pulse Retreat at People's Association Holiday Flats. It was from the 12 to the 14 of March. The theme of the retreat was really about knowing ourselves better. It was about discovering out Values, interest, personality and skills. We got a chance to visit River Life Church's Youth service. They call the youths MEGALIFERS. Like the name suggests, they were hyper in character and attitude. What struck me the most was that everything about their service was done in a really excellent way. Excellent meaning that in whatever ministry they were in, they invested heavily in it and did it to the best of their abilities.

When it came to Mission Trips, they didn't just have one or two per year, they had like 10. Their Stewards were just standing at the door giving out fliers and passing round the offering bags. They were stage crews. They each had a walkie talkie. They wore a common orange polo T-shirt. They reminded people to not use their handphones when they spotted them using it. They coordinated the whole service. When it came to worship, the band was really cohesive. They complemented one another and really created an engaging atmosphere of worship.

The key take away was not that their youths were more enthusiatic than ours but really that in everything they did, they did it with excellence for God. They were serious about everything. It wasn't done for the sake of doing but to please God. Now if only we could take the same attitude and apply it to the Pulse Minstery, what change could we make?

Pulse is now 7 years from now. There is no doubt that we've grown considerably since the start of the ministry. We've developed systems, groomed leaders. Started numerous cell groups. It is all good. But it could be better. Better for God. What we could do is to really sit down, pray and meditate, and really look deeper into developing each ministry. Its time to be serious and think about how we can grow and serve with excellence.

Imagine PULSE 7 years from now. What is it like? Will there be a revival. I'm praying for one. I'm praying that 7 years from now, our church population will grow 10 folds or even more. Just like the in the book of ACTS. We cannot start a revival, but God can. If He does, how can we prepare ourselves for that revival? We need a bigger church. Hence, we need to invest time into raising funds for the Church building. We need more leaders. Hence, we need to continue grooming leaders. At the same time, leaders have to be role models and lead from the front. We need prayer. We need people who encourage others to pray. We need people who pray. Prayer should become a lifestyle in the church.

Dream big. Have faith in God. Do things with excellence for God. Be prepared for a revival.

Home

On the last day of 2008, the last hour, the last second, where was I?
I was on the 2nd deck of a 154 bus.
I was with Mely.
We were talking to God.

Anyway, I'm really glad that I didn't work for the countdown event at Marina. Thank you Mely for reminding me that money is not worth more than spending time with God. I'm really glad that we were at the watch night service in my church. I could not ask to be in a better place.

I just came back. After sending Mely home, I took the night rider to Somerset. There I realise that my card had no more money to take another night rider home. Thinking I had two 1 dollar coins in my wallet, I went to seven eleven to buy something to get more coins. I needed $3.50. I happily bought a bottle of pomegrenade tea and then paid with my $10 note. I got back two notes and 90 cents in coins. I then asked the cashier to change my two dollar note to two one dollar coins. She then had to open the cash register all over again so she could change them.

Yep so I happily went away, wanted to walk to the bus stop behind Ngee Ann City. Then on the way I looked into my wallet and realised that I had no coins in my wallet. And now I only have $2.90. I then decided to go to the 7-11 outside Taka to get something. I figured it was no point asking to change my 5 dollar note since they cant open the cash register unless I buy something. Thus, I bought a mentos. I got back a 1 dollar coin plus a few more coins and a 2 dollar note. I was elated and happily skipped to opposite Far East to take the night rider as Taka was closed and I had to walk a huge round to get to the bus stop at the back.

I waited for about 5 minutes before the first night rider came. It stopped quite a distance from the front of the bus stop and allowed some people to alight. It then droved off without allowing anyone to board cause it was extremely packed (the back of the bus was pretty unfilled as usual, sigh). I then thought that it would be hopeless to wait at that bus stop. I decided to back track and walk to the bus stop behind Taka. It was a super long walk but I saw some interesting things. The first thing I saw was an NR3(2nd bus I missed)! After that, I saw another thing that made my heart race too. A street race! What are the odds. There was like 6 or 7 cars. Each taking one lane on the road behind Wheelock. They were speeding like mad from one traffic light to the next. It was amazing how they managed to stop in time. Imagine a guy trying to cross the traffic light and turns and see 6 cars going at 100km per hour just 20 meters from him.

At 3.30am I finally boarded an NR3. Mely accompanied me through the entired bus ride until I reached safely home. Thank you so much :).

It was a real good experience. Throughout the walk, I remembered in Psalms 3:3, it says that the Lord is our shield. And that really comforted me. It assured me that I will be protected. Not to mention there were many groups of policemen patrolling. Sometimes I wonder if they will find my suspicious walking alone in town and stop me. I think the God was with me through out the experience. Reminding me of His constant presence.

Psalms 3:5 also says that when we lie down, we are able to sleep and wake up cause the Lord sustains us. Time for me to sleep and wake up. I've to attend Sam Tan's wedding tomorrow. I'm really excited.

Kids Camp 2008

I'm back from kids camp.

I was the leader of Othniel.
Its members are:
Cecilia (Chicken Dance girl, the most adorable and friendliest)
Petrina (Shy girl who didn't want to take part in the skit cause she had to say a few words)
Song Yi (Smart girl)
Matthias (Mervyn's bro)
Wai Jian (Hand holder no 1, Hugger and kisser)
Marcus (Hand holder no 2, called me Lao puo[Grr...])
Sherwyn (pretended to be marcus)
Daniel (Potential best camper, goody good boy)
Shane (Home-sick boy)
Nathaniel (Evil looking kid who teased me for 3 days for having a girlfriend)

Not forgetting... Ligory (THE group crasher, problematic kid, big bully, public meanace)

Yep so that was the whole group, all P1 to P3 except Ligory, I've no idea hold old he is caused he crashed our group and I didn't want to ask.

So the whole weekend was spent chasing kids, shouting at them, losing my voice, planning a skit, more shouting, more chasing, doing morning devotion, serving food, late night suppers, playing Handy-Plas (a game where you wack your friends tighs really hard till it leaves marks) and walking great distances around the church and in Hort Park. I think I walked more than 10 km during the stay.

10km seems like a short distance until you realised you have to chase after kids, make sure that the problem kid doesn't go missing, the kids dont get bang down by cars or people, make sure they stick to the group, not be irritants to the public, drink enough water, etc..

Well, the point is that I'm dead tired from all these 3 days.

But, the purpose of the camp was met.
4 of the kids gave their lifes to God.
Cecilia, Shane, Marcus and Sherwyn.
Yep, it was really encouraging.

Its really nice to have kids just trusting you so easily and bonding with them so quickly.

Anyway, its time for me to adjust back to the real world where kids dont traumatise you.

Oh, I received a letter congradulating me for being the top 25% in my school(CJC) and offering me an edusave merit bursary if my family has an income of less than $4000, which we do not qualify.

Examinations.

Well after all that hard work and sleepless nights.
All the worry and anxiety, all the crazy memorisation.
All the crankiness and moodiness.

I'm only left with my final physics MCQ paper.
I'm so relieved.
No more Geography!
Hurray!
No more econs, no more maths, no more GP.

I'm going to sleep and not wake up till tomorrow afternoon.
I'm going to have a long tiring weekend in church though.
I've STOMP practice on Saturday from 2-5 Pm and Kids Camp meeting from 1.30 - 6pm.
I need rest!

Oh yes, I cannot neglect my Physics MCQ.
If I do well for it, I might possibly get an A.
But well I'll leave my results to God.

Oh yes, today is our 7th month together :)
I went to pick mel up after her school and went over to her house.
She wrote my this really sweet letter that really cheered me up.
Hello you, thanks for always encouraging me everytime I complain that I'm so stressed and feel like giving up.
Thanks for enduring all my crankiness.
Thanks for all your sweet surprises.
Thanks for reminding me that God is always watching over me and carrying me through.
Thanks for being there always :)

The A levels would have been a lot tougher if I didn't have her cheering me on all the way.

Tired

I just went for a run and did some pull ups and sit ups.
I went down to clear my mind from exams and sort out my thoughts.
The exam stress is really getting into me.
I can't think about anything else other than my exams and its really tiring.

I almost couldnt come home.
After all the running, both thighs felt like they were going to cramp with each step.
I could barely walk home.
I had to keep stretching alone the way and limp home.
It was quite a scary experience.
It was midnight and I doubt anyone will be there to help me up if I do get a serious cramp.

Anyway, I felt much better after the workout.
I'm tired but my mind feels more active now.

Yesterday,
I went to pick Mel up from school cause she ended at 7pm.
I managed to surprise her but I wasn't in time cause I was helping Fengheng understand demand and supply.
We cheated but I'm glad I got to see her :)

Anyway about my enlistment,
People have been saying that those that go in in January would stand a higher chance of getting into OCS.
Thats what I'm hoping for.
Oh and I heard people who go in January are the scholars and I'll be seeing a lot of people from Hwachong and RJ.
Hmm hope I don't feel inferior there.

Sadly we may not get to spend our first year anniversary together cause I may be in camp :(
We'll theres always a possibility that we might get to, and I'll hope dearly for that.

I can't wait for A levels to me over. I really can't.
I can say this over and over cause its the only thing on my mind.

I'm looking forward to serving God, spend time with my family and mel, catch up with friends.

Oh, I'm a leader and guitarist and maybe worship leader for the up coming Kids Camp in my church.
And I'm part of the 'Stomp' team for my church's evangelical concert.

Oh yes, and my mum says she'll get me the multi-effects pedal that I've been longing for so I can serve the Lord better :)

And I'll get to Jam with Mel!

I'll come up with my TO-DO list for my short holiday soon.

Exhaustion

2T24 are the first runner-ups for Interclass Basketball 2008.
We beat 2T05 22-20,
But lost to 2T34 18-28.
Oh well, guess height is important.
We're surprised we even made it this far.
Lihui and Yanthing did a good job, especially Lihui who played with bleeding knees.
All the other guys played well too.

I'm really tired.
Rushed straight to church after the matches.
Worship practice ended 45 minutes late.
We couldn't come up with a nice transition for a particular song.
I was too tired to focus on worshipping God.
I feel kind of bad, neglecting him.
Anyway, I thought the music was kind of messy.
There was no proper arrangement.
I felt so discouraged, didn't feel like playing anymore.
But its all for God.
I should give me best.

I've violin lesson tomorrow.
I really don't feel like going.
I think the time can be better used studying.

Wanted.

Yesterday was the day.
I served in Mel's church as her guitarist.
I must say it was quite an experience.
It was the first time I'm attending the church service and I'm playing the guitar.

Strangely, I did not feel like a stranger.
Maybe cause I've already met most of the youths.
Anyway, the service started even before I had time to worry.
I was giving quite a lot of pressure cause the two pianist were quite inexperience.
Things went very well and everything went according to plan.

After a few songs of worship,
The youths gave a presentation of the song 'The Power of His Love'.
It was accompanied by a short skit in front.
I was part of the whole thing.
There were some bloopers but I managed not to laugh.
The first was that I kicked the soccer ball and it hit the mic stand.
There was a loud boom but thankfully it didn't fall.
Then, I forgot that I still had a paper heart stuck to me even as the song began.
It fell off half way during the song, quite embarrassing.

Then a blind pastor from a church in Bedok shared his testimony.
It was really quite encouraging.
It really reminds bad circumstances really enable God to use us more greatly.
I could relate to him cause of my cases of spontaneous pneumothorax.
Just like him, I wanted to be a pilot too but I don't think its possible anymore.
Anyway, one of the guys from his church played the guitar while he sang a song.
He plugged out the guitar that I was using and then plugged in his.

When it was time for the worship team to lead again,
I went up to plug in the guitar.
The church did not use D.I. (direct injection) boxes.
The PA couldn't turn off the Phantom power and there was a loud boom.
Then, unknowiningly, someone had turned down the gain.
I had no time to check and had to start playing.
Then I realised that the guitar was really soft.
James then came over and tried to help me adjust the gain.
But when he touched it, there was a loud boom again.
The worst was that, James mistakenly turn the gain down to zero instead of up.
I couldn't adjust the gain cause I was afraid of another boom.
I kept signaling to Mel's father to mute the guitar for a while so I could turn up the gain.
He insisted that I carried on playing.
I had no way of telling him what was happening.
Thankfully, Caleb came up to play the other guitar.
We switched guitars after the song and everything was fine once again.

After the service ended,
We were all really relieved, the entire youth team.
It was a job well done other than the problems with the PA.

Honeybee then came over to watch Hairspray with me.
We watched the movie halfway then fell asleep.
We woke up only towards the end of the movie.
I didn't get a chance to watch it again after that.

I had a really good experience that day.
I'm really thankful for the opportunity to serve in another church.
I got to know so many new people.
It was not a bad way to visit a church for the first time.

Today,
I met mervyn in the morning to collect the Lord of the Rings Trilogy that Alexis had passed to him.
We then had curry rice with chicken and bubble tea at Toa Payoh Entertainment Centre.
It was quite a big portion for only $5.90.
We then went to Swensens to have Ice cream and Fries.
Thanks Mervyn.

I then went home and met Honeybee at Ang Mo Kio.
I was so happy to see her sitting there.
We then watched the movie 'Wanted'.
We had wanted to watch 'Wanted' for quite a while.
It was quite an unrealistic movie with its concept of faith based on a weaving machine and bending of bullets after being fired.
It had quite a good plot though, with nice twists here and there.
However, I disliked the frequent use of vulgarities.
The F word was used more than 100 times during the show, literally.
Anyone thinking about watching that, be prepared, its NC16 for a reason.

We then had Braised pork Beehoon for dinner and our favourite Honey Chicken!
We then headed home.
This weekend was really one with lots of ups and downs.
But I'm glad for all thats happened :)

This is the Day

that the Lord has made.

In 3 hours, I'll be serving in Christian Grace.
The importance of the whole thing hasn't set it yet.
I sure hope I don't get so nervous my hands start to shake and I forget what to play.
I've to remember I'm playing for God and not man.

I'm going to meet so many more strangers from the Church.
I'll have a hard time explaining my identity.

Anyway, I watched 21 with Honeybee yesterday.
21 was quite an interesting show.
It gives you a new perspective of MIT students.
People can be good looking and smart at the same time.
Blackjack can be beaten.
Casinos need... LOSS PREVENTION.
I wonder if they have such post available in Singapore's Casinos in future.
Its not a bad job tob to consider.

Its time for breakfast.

My Grand Opening

Heres a list of McDonals I went to find Mr Kungfu Panda a.k.a. Po:
1. Yewtee McDonalds
2. Beauty World McDonalds
3. King Albert Park McDonalds
4. McDonalds outside Lido
5. McDonalds in first floor of Lido
6. McDonalds in top floor of Lido (I found the first Kunfu Panda)
7. Lucky Plaza McDonalds
8. Takashimaya McDonalds
9. Yishun McDonals
10. McDonals beside mel's church office (I fount the 2nd Kungfu Panda for Lydia)

Honeybee, thanks for coming along to hunt the Kungfu pandas with me even though you were tired after school.

Oh yes, we ate 3 Happy Meals in all.
We got 2 Kungfu Pandas, one for me and one for Lydia, and one Tailung.
We then had to go for Worship practice.
It was an eventful day.

Heres the grand opening of Kungfu Panda:

Yawn.

I just finished studying economics at McDonals.
My economics paper is in 7 hours, actually less.
I'm still feeling quite awake for some reason.
Today's study at Macs was really productive.

I had my Geog paper in the afternoon.
I was quite silly for not checking what topics would be coming out for which section.
I ended up focusing on topics that come out for DRQ instead of the Essays.
There was a Physical Geog DRQ that I completely did not know how to do.
Mrs Leong is going to scold me.

Anyway, last Saturday,
I went to Mel's church office for worship practice.
I'm going to be her guitarist when she leads worship for youth service on the 29th of June.
I can't wait but at the same time I'm quite anxious about it.
I'm going to play in front of so many strangers.
Then again, God is my intended audience.
I shouldn't be afraid.
I'm really glad I get to serve with her.
Worship practice was quite fun, but I didn't expect that I would be given such a huge role.
I'm looking forward to that day.

I'm off to bed, to dream about the Tailung and Kungfu Panda happy meal toys.
A special someone is going to get them for me :)

Father's Day

I had no idea today was father's day until I heard today's sermon.
I felt quite bad cause I didn't wish my dad a Happy Father's Day earlier.
Anyway the sermon talked about how we should encourage our fathers to be like Jarius, someone who seeks after Jesus.
The sermon was based on Luke 12:41-42, 48-56 if I'm not wrong.
It made me wonder what kind of father I would become.
I really hope to be one that is like Jarius.

Anyway, today was also Pulse Games Day.
The Evangelical Commitee planned the entire thing.
My group was quite a quiet one but we still managed to win a $10 BangawanSolo voucher.
We had our laughs.

I then watched "You've Got Served" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with Honeybee.
They were interesting movies in their own ways.
I like the battles in You've Got Served, they are just captivating.
I almost fell asleep during Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
It was interesting to watch the movie after reading the book.
I really enjoy just spending the time watching movies with her :)

Honeybee and I cooked pasta for my dad today.
It wasn't the best of pastas but I hope he liked it.
I am really blessed to have a dad that faithfully follows after God.
My dad has really gave up a lot for my sister and I.
I'm really grateful and thank God for him.