Milestone: Pray and don’t lose heart

I’m deliberately writing this post to remind myself of the faithfulness and mercy of God. I’m beginning to enjoy being 30 and learning many precious and new lessons of faith and life.

Easter 2010 is precious because I have repeatedly witnessed my prayers being answered and God reminding me of His presence. This post is a milestone that will remind me to trust in God:

1. On 27 December 2009, I prayed that I would somehow be able to participate in the Easter musicale. A conference was scheduled for the Easter weekend and conferences almost never get postponed 3 months prior to the planned date. Everyone in the committee (P. Mark & Mitch, Aileen, Daniel, Elsie and Chen Kee) prayed for me and God answered our prayers on 8 January 2010. This conference was postponed to the end of May! I remember being amazed and in awe of the power of prayer. Note to self: Faithful people were praying for me.
2. My version of stage fright – not trembling hands or cold sweat but *mind goes blank*. I had that moment on the first day of concert. I remember being afraid that it would happen and it did. Thank God for people who were praying – Ade and Adrian. Instead of the awkward silence of someone who has forgotten the lines, I managed to substitute the words. From “the stone has been rolled away, and night has turned into day” to “The stone that was in it’s place, it now has been rolled away“. Everyone was tickled/impressed by that… the truth is: God’s grace alone. Made me remember the importance of putting movements to each phrase so that in the event that this happens again, I’ll remember the key words aka Easter 2010.
3. I know many choir members were praying for me on the 2nd night of the concert. Through their prayers and by God’s grace, I remembered my lines. I was extremely nervous – repeating the phrases to myself many times. I had to trust that as God had answered so many prayers, He would answer my/our prayers again. And He did. Feedback was that 2nd night’s performance was better and the solo item on Easter Day at Shangri-La was the best of all 3 presentations.
   

   Daryl Chew managed to capture the classic 'stone' moment.

4. Prayer request dated 27 December 2009 that “story and script would touch the hearts of both believers and non-believers as we remember Christ”. Answered during rehearsals and actual night performances. Feedback has been good. My own heart was ministered to as I remembered Christ’s love for us… that He wants to restore us to Himself even when we disappoint Him (remember the story of Peter’s restoration).

My soul, trust in the Lord with all you heart. “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” Lk 18:1

A Framework of Faith

This “Framework of Faith” was introduced to me by Jewel who was taught by Pastor Chris. I thought I would try it as I read the Lord’s word today. I am astounded by the clarity and unity of Scripture. My QT was based on the 1st chapter of “The Fullness of Joy” by Charles Spurgeon. Here’s my attempt:

“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints of the light” Col 1:12

• We are qualified (made suitable, fit, worthy) of the inheritance only because of our adoption as sons of God.
• We were formerly slaves to sin. As sons of God, we are also heirs who may be qualified for the inheritance of the saints of the light. Gal 4:7
• Not just saints… but saints of the light. Saints who dwell in the light. God is the Father of lights. Every good and perfect gift is from above and comes from the Father of light in whom there is no variation and no shadow of turning. James 1
• God has given us His divine power, and everything we need pertaining to life and godliness. 2 Pet 1
• Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory. Eph 3

I give thanks to God because He has qualified me to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints of the light. He qualifies me. He makes me suitable. Not of works, lest I should boast. Looking forward to tapping into His divine power to live life as it was meant to be lived, and godliness.

Day 7/27: Christmas Thought – Freedom

This Christmas, I celebrate freedom from the eternal consequences of sin. Ecclesiastes says “Fear God and keep His commandments, for that is man’s all”. I know I have broken one of God’s commandments. With my nonexistent strength, I find myself falling short of the standard of holiness that God meant for me. I dare not go through a checklist of items that would qualify me as holy. I have sinned. I have fallen short of the glory of God.

My freedom? “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29

Day 6/27: Prayer

The best part my day was spending my time in the pool praying. I swam 24 laps and made about 24 prayers. It was an inspiring half hour. I prayed for people I knew who needed prayer support, for activities in church, for Christmas, for Adrian and I, mum & dad and myself. I am inspired to continue my swim routine because when else can I get 30 minutes of uninterrupted time? The peacefulness of the water cleared my head. The rhythm of each stroke gave tempo to my prayer. The completion of each lap made me think about who/what else needed praying over. I am inspired because I have prayed more tonight, than any other night.

For each one whom I prayed for tonight, I can genuinely say “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”. I thank God that I am privileged to be a part of your life story as it unfurls before me… which allows me to pray about something that I know you might be going through.

Day 3/27: Learning

My 3 days of leave have been wonderful.

I’ve been practicing Mozart’s Sonata in C K.545 and improving each day. “XX/XX/1994″ – 15 years have flown by since I was forced to practice classical arrangements by the great composers. I used to practice grudgingly once a week… and each practice was perfectly timed: just one-hour before piano lessons. Today, I’m practicing because I’m rebuked by what Lady Catherine said to Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice “… no excellence in music is to be acquired without constant practice… she will never play really well unless she practices more…” – Jane Austen.

One Hundred Years of Solitude… my impression so far? The Buendias are a messed up family. I’m soldiering on to read this book to the end… there must be something great about this book that I’m missing. It won the Nobel Prize for Literature, was featured in Oprah’s Book Club and PY’s friend wrote an entire thesis on this. Meanwhile, I’m learning new words in this book that was translated from Spanish to English. Effrontery. Intransigence. Punctilious. Emissary. Whoever you are who is reading this… please don’t laugh at my weak vocabulary. I may be out of school but I’m still learning. Or, as a certain Miss Low would say, I’m learning steel. 

Each night this week after washing the dishes at Youth Conference, it has been my joy to end the day with an adorable 2-year old who would hold a toy duck in his hand and say “waack waack”. Playing with him has been one of the highlights of my day. So far, my 2 year old friend has given me his kiss of approval and a voluntary “buh-bai”.

Day 1/27: Of Lizards and 2 year olds

Found a dead baby lizard while tidying my desk. Poor creature… crushed by the weight of months of uncleared/unwanted stationery. Spent more time sorting out foreign currency and coins (also in the unwanted stationery pile – no wonder the lizard was crushed!).. I’ve got $300 worth of HK dollars & $100 dollars worth of HK coins, $100 US dollars, $20 Thai Baht, $20 Malaysian Ringgit, $100 of Euros… So that’s where my money went… Perhaps it’s a reflection of my life. I hoard money. (Joking). I live in a mess (Not joking). 

Played with Jovan during the last 15 minutes of evening devotion. He’s such a joy! True to his name. We spent 15 minutes identifying animals… In Jovan-talk, he calls elephant “eh-fant”, camel “emma”. He pronounces car, cow, duck accurately. He calls me “There!”… because when they look at a picture and ask where Auntie Min is, he says “There!”. So cute… Elaine says I’d be a ‘chap’ mother (opposite of bo-chap). I’m looking forward to playing with him soon.

27 days of leave from work

I’m on leave till next year! That’s exactly 27 days before I officially start work again on 4th Jan 2010.  For now, I can wind down and enjoy… life.

It’s been 6 hours into the 1st day of my leave and I’m already wondering if every day for the next 26 days is going to be this boring. So far, I’ve practiced the piano for 2 hours, watched Oprah, read half of “The Little Prince” and I’m checking my work email while I type this entry. I need to pack my room… it’s a mess.  (spaghetti thought)

I had wonderful plans for this break from work. I said that I would read (check), practice the piano (check), bake, rot. I feel like I’ve slept for >12 hours and am wondering about the house in a state of blur. Perhaps what The Little Prince said is true…. I need to be precoccupied with something other than myself.

I plan to go to Church every night this week to help wash the dishes that are used during Youth Conference. YC is special to me… it’s the place where I learnt about Christ and had the opportunity to discover truths from the Bible. By helping to wash the dishes, it will free up time for campers to do what is important – respond to God’s word and discuss the lessons that they’ve learnt with the camp leaders. It’s been my joy washing dishes for the past two nights. 

27 days of free time. 27 opportunities to care for others.

In the face of adversity

“Bad is never good until worse happens” Danish Proverb

“Smooth seas do not make skillful soldiers” African Proverb

“It’s not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line” Ashleigh Brilliant

“May you get what you wish for” Old Chinese Curse…. eeeks!

“If the wind will not serve, take to the oars” Latin Proverb

All quotes from  The Quote Garden

Where are the successful Christian business people of our time?

Who are the famous Christians of our generation? How do successful Christian businessmen and women live to serve God and bring glory to him through their lives? My guess is that we won’t hear much about them because many things that they do are quiet and seen only by God. 

Who are they? What do they do for a living? How do they juggle both career and service? I think that many people serve God at the sacrifice of work. That’s probably a better option than working and sacrificing God. Can both co-exist? Man cannot serve 2 masters. For he either loves the one and hates the other or hates the one and loves the other. If that is the case, then there won’t be successful Christian businesspeople in this world. 

All I’ve found so far are examples of dead businessmen Christians at the Australian Christian Lobby website. Nice examples… but they belong to a different generation.  

Fuzzy Drinks!

MY: Hey, what are you drinking?

SM: Fuzzy drink… wanna try?

MY: Fuzzy drink? You mean fizzy drinks? *Laugh*

SM: Ya… I mean fizzy drink… *Blush*

MY: So does your throat feel ticklish? Ah-hahahahaha

3 days on…

Along the corridor…. MY: Hi fuzzy drink!

In front of her table, through some files…. MY: Fuzzy! (expressed in a “BOO!” way)

Randomly as part of some conversation….MY: Does your throat tickle?

I’m annoying. Bless her big heart… SM just laughs every time…. I know the joke is stale already….