our forerunner

met a friend on my way home today, and we were talking and sharing.

she asked me, is it tough being a cell group leader…

i told her, yes and no.

i said, honestly, when God calls us, He never promised us it will be easy. it is not just about being a CGL. the fact is, to do anything for God, it is difficult.

but i told her, one of my greatest satisfaction and fulfilment, is to see people live out God’s best for their lives. I wish that they would see, how I live my life, they can follow after my footsteps and see that they can have this too.

I shared with her… the way our pastors and leaders live their lives… we follow after them…. just like Jesus is our forerunner… that is why Paul says, imitate me as I imitate Christ.

but one of the toughest thing honestly? is not to give up.

how… when people make mistakes, you just keep showing grace… keep showing grace… keep showing grace…

when you feel that you have already come to the end of yourself, you just keep showing grace, keep loving, keep believing, keep sowing, keep praying… and never give up.

#keeponkeepingon

rantings

sometimes you feel like what you say don’t matter.

sometimes you feel like giving up.

sometimes you feel like it’s pointless.

but you just got to keep on believing, keep on fighting, keep on keeping on.

Thoughts this Christmas

So many thoughts running through my head as i wake this morning.

Frustrations and restlessness in my soul.

The kind of  frustration, wishing things will turn out your way, but you know life is never perfect.

you deal with imperfect people, imperfect situations, imperfect world, and an imperfect life.

but sometimes, you honestly wish, things can change for the better. Honestly.

That one will make a right decision.

That one will live worthy of his/her calling in life.

That one will not take what he/she has for granted.

That one will live out God’s fullest for their life.

That one will meet Jesus and their lives be changed.

Oh God, just living out your perfect will for us.

That will be awesome.

Amen.

勇氣

昨天，在回家的路上，就在Paya Lebar 地鐵站遇到一個人。

這個人看起來很年輕，可能才20幾歲，他拿著一把吉他，在地鐵站外彈著。

第一個印象，這個人很窮嗎？為什麼需要這麼做？

他看起來很平凡，彈著吉他，我也打算就這樣走過了，但走過的時候，他一開口唱歌，我嚇到了，因為他的聲音實在很好聽！

他的聲音很有磁性，很感人，很醇厚的一把嗓子，令我留下深刻的印象。

我立即轉過頭，放兩塊錢放在他的吉他包裡，才看到一張Letter of Busking的信件在裡頭。

原來he is a busker!

新加坡很少有busking的概念，每一次看到這些人，我們有時候甚至會用可憐的眼光看他們，但我卻發現，他是特別在這裡表演的。當下，我的想法完全改變了，自己也覺得有點不好意思，我怎麼會有這種可憐他和瞧不起他的想法。

離開之後，突然很想鼓勵他，就回頭，跟他要了聯絡號碼，還對他說，你的聲音很好聽。他眼中的感激，讓我好感動。

他的勇氣，給我很大的鼓勵，他還在當兵，但卻選擇用這樣的方式追求他的夢想，好勇敢啊！

Dreams are worth the chase, 不是嗎？

the journey thus far

it has been suchhhhh a long time since i really blogged something decent. Life has this ability of just zooming past you, and sometimes, i really do treasure that little time i have to stop, think and reflect. Or “inflect”, the latest word we learnt in service recently.

I was just reading some other blogs, and many were blogging about their motherhood journeys, and I was thinking about my own marriage journey.

Tomorrow marks the 5th month into the marriage, and I know we both have such a long way to go.

The wedding is over, the honeymoon is over, even the weight is gained back, but what we are now left with, is each other.

We are not perfect, and there are moments we quarrel, we argue, we fight, we have conflicts, and at the end of the day, it’s commitment that keeps us going. After interpreting for n weddings, everytime we end up with a conflict, the words of all the pastors will come back to my mind, especially the words of Pst Aries that say, we always need to forgive and forget.

There are even days that I miss my singlehood, and miss my old room, which is not my room really anymore. Good on my dad, haha, who gives me no way to turn back. It has semi-evolved into a room filled with the smell of books and paintings.

But it is a way of no turning back. Once you have stepped into it, we never turn back really, and like what Pst Zhuang says, welcome to marriage, we share only one space.

And no matter what happens, it is for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish and to obey….

in spite of all our imperfections. I still really, do love you.

狗抓耗子

这样的时刻，心情很沉重。。。

我在想。。。

是不是因为自己多管闲事招惹出来的？

是不是自己太苛刻，把我的标准强加在别人身上？

是不是我太judgemental所造成的。。。

is it in the flesh or in the spirit?

…

认为发表了自己的看法之后，结果却。。。

*叹气。。。*

爱是。。。

林前13：4-8

爱是恒久忍耐，又有恩慈；爱是不嫉妒；爱是不自夸，不张狂，
不做害羞的事，不求自己的益处，不轻易发怒，不计算人的恶，
不喜欢不义，只喜欢真理；
凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐。 
爱是永不止息。

昨天在看这处经文，想起牧师说的话。

这段话真的不是写给夫妻，而是写给教会里的弟兄姐妹。

这么多时候，在教会里，或婚礼上都会读这处经文，但昨天，它才真正在我心中沉淀了。

要爱人爱到这种境界，很难吧。

难怪我们爱，因为祂先爱我们。

因为只有借着基督的爱，我们才能够这样去爱人。

看了看，这个标准好高啊。哈哈。

清净，安静

最近很渴望有些清净、安静的时间。

很希望在忙碌的生活中，可以找到属于自已的一片天地和空间。

目前还在寻找着。。。

结婚之前，回到家就会累到不行。

结婚之后，时间流逝的速度，快得惊人。

我必须追着时间跑，找回属于自己的那么一个小天地。

最近很想很想回到看书的习惯，但专注力却大大减少。

有好书请介绍！特别是中文书。。。

有一点这种感觉。这个地方让我想念那些在垦丁的日子。哈哈。

好想花上一天的时间，泡在书店。。。

好想去度假。。。

好想。好想。

it’s all about our attitude

i have learnt a lot in this season, and learnt, that every time something happens, God is teaching me to become a better person, and become better in my attitude.

Saw an amazing verse on Mon night.

1 Thess 3:12-13

¹² And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, ¹³ so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Our hearts are blameless in holiness, when we increase and abound in love to one another and to all.

We always thought,to be blameless and holy is simply to walk right, but God says, when we increase and abound in love, our hearts will be blameless in holiness.

It’s all about Love.

Self-doubt

自我疑惑。

Self-doubt is prevalent, in my life.

很久沒有這樣的感覺。記不起，上一次懷疑自己是什麼時候。

奇怪的是，有人說，我有很多要向你學習的。

我看著自己，想說，我真的沒有什麼值得你學習的。

最近，不停的懷疑自己，感覺自己一無是處。

我總是需要，再一次通過這個考驗，提醒自己，我的價值在耶穌基督裡。

這個比賽，沒有其他的競爭者，只有你自己。

你是你最大的敵人。

我們活著，不是為了討好任何人。

昨天，聖靈提醒我，we live for the audience of one.

我們的觀眾只有一位。

我們為祂而活。

Do not look to the left or the right, 當跑你該跑的路，當做你該做的事。

We don’t live to please men, we only live for the approval of God.

But we live, to serve men and to serve God.

The heart of a servant.

Lord, lead me in this season, and I pray, I will pass this test with flying colors.

Joshua my hero.

22nd anniversary

our 22nd anniversary has come, and has gone.

it went past so fast, even before i really realised it.

but somehow, it left a deep mark in me.

was just wondering in my heart, what a privilege.

what a privilege to hear from the pastor of the world largest church, and to hear him say, i am back in my own church.

what a man of faith he is.

no wonder he built the world largest church.

it’s time, to dream n have visions again.

and your vision will guide you, and change you.

on my list of fave people in the world – e357.

happy 22nd!

reminder to self

I kept on reminding myself.

we all have this unique path to walk.

that is why God always tells us.

do not look to the left, nor to the right.

walk the walk that He has ordained you to walk.

Musings

上一週，因為育強牧師的關係，會機會遇到一些大人物。

和他們團契，聆聽他們的故事，為他們做翻譯。

結果？

累到不行，但同時間，也開心到不行。

很久沒有服事得這麼開心了。那一種喜樂，是筆墨無法形容的。

JOY.

回來之後，疲累的身軀躺在床上，感覺神對我說。

服事我應該是這樣的。雖然疲累，但不是拖累。

負擔，不是重擔。

那種滿足感和喜樂，是我好像好久都沒有感受到的。

真正服事祂的喜樂。應當是如此。

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Show me Your glory.

週間祂給了我這個經文。

週末牧師講到這篇經文。

讓我感動到不行。

求你顯出你的榮耀。

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

人與人之間的關係，是如此的脆弱。

需要呵護、栽培。

不能當作理所當然。

需要精心培養。

人不能疏離、不能孤立。

Error increases with distance.

距離越遠，錯誤越大。

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Some thoughts for this week.

1 Sam 1:19

¹⁹ Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.

²⁰ So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

Samuel – This name means “heard by God”. 

婚姻生活的点点滴滴

上一次真正的坐下来写点东西，感觉像是好久好久以前的事。

我们结婚，已经有6个星期了吧。除掉蜜月的两个星期，回到新加坡，适应婚姻生活也只有一个月。这一个月里，几乎是酸甜苦辣都经历过。

一回到新加坡，不同的事情就接踵而来。我当时还在想，有时候，生活是否就能稍停片刻，等一等我呢？我都快喘不过气来了。奇怪的是，结了婚之后，真的发生了很多事情。不管是在家里、事工、工作等等，事情就像浪潮一样，不停的冲向我。

现在终于稍微站稳了点。

想说的东西或许太多。。。我们就一点一点来吧 :)

尽管生活充满了起起落落，但婚姻生活真的还是很幸福的。

牧师昨天说到，当我们得到改变，外在也会跟着改变。很妙的是，许多人遇见了我后，都说我变了。看到了幸福、看到了美丽等等等（哎呦，听起来像在自夸，哈哈）可是我真的感觉幸福。记得我曾经这么祷告过，神啊，不管你让我经历什么，只要有他，有你，我什么都不怕，我什么都能度过。现在，真有点这样的感觉。

想想，我应该写开心的事，还是内心最近在琢磨的事呢？

最近，有些事情发生，让我不停的在思考，人与人之间的关系。

其实，人类是如此复杂的动物，而也因此，人与人之间的关系真是复杂到不行。有时候，你多么希望人和人之间可以那么直接的去分享你们的感受。多么希望会有少些猜忌、少些误会、少些妒忌，而是人与人之间，以最坦诚、最真实、最客观的一面去面对彼此，那么人与人之间，或许就少了很多问题吧？

因此我发现，我非常珍惜的朋友和导师，是那些真的能够坦诚相对的人。

人际关系是如此的脆弱，即使十年、二十年的感情和关系，也能在一夕间摧毁。

感觉好像越来越沉重了。

提点别的。这次的蜜月，我们到了台湾。

当时决定去台湾时真的很挣扎。人家都到欧洲、澳洲、日本看似浪漫的地方，我干嘛这么特别，就要选一个人家不会去的地方嘛。

但心中的那一股冲动，是一定要听的。

所以我进行了一系列的计划，而我们抵达台北，再到宜兰，再到花莲，再到垦丁，再回到台北，快乐到不行。哈哈哈哈。

真的很开心可以这样来游台湾。

蜜月里一切，再找个机会诉说吧。:)

This is the sunrise we saw at hualien at our hotel during honeymoon. breathtaking, isn’t it?

24 hrs to go

counting down 24 hrs. to the BIG DAY.

many asked me, so how is it, are you ready… etc etc.

the feeling is… i don’t know what to feel.

we were busy tying down the details, and it is only during moments like this, that reality hits me, and i feel, i am really getting married.

it’s apprehension, nervousness, fear, and excitement all mixed together.

i think the strongest feeling that I am feeling, is unbelief.

can’t believe i m getting married. the second last day lying on my bed.

surreal.

side track, i love listening to Danny Yeo on City Radio Online. (:

so near yet so far

it is so scary that the big day is coming up in just a few hours.

i don’t really dare to count even, because the next few days look like climbing Mount Everest to me.

there r just so many tasks ahead, and so many decisions  to make, and it looks insurmountable.

JIA YOU BABE. YOU CAN DO IT.

it is so hard

was brooding over the wedding for quite a while, until i decided that it’s time to snap out of it, and i did.

began to thank Him, praise Him, and started to see amazing miracles happen.

sowed a seed 3 wks ago, and received a blessing yest that is beyond my wildest imagination.

Phil 4:19 is true.

whatever you sow, you shall surely reap, that is true too.

yet the wedding is also taking a toll in many areas.

challenges that we face in this whole process… and sometimes when i hear about others, i just wish that it will all be a little simpler and smoother.

but it’s ok. (: He allows me to go through becos He knows we can. and we will.

Today Sun tweeted.

“slowly but surely, inch by inch, prayer by prayer… u win! to you that’s out there, pls don’t give up!”

Thank u for the encouragement. We can do this. (:

inadequacy

one of the things that could possibly plague our lives and paralyse us the most, is the thoughts and feelings of inadequacy.

more often than not, the thoughts of  “can i do it”, “i don’t think I am good enough” floods our minds… and deters us from doing what God wants us to do.

But my Bible says,

Phil 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I will stand on that. (:

38 days to the BIG DAY!

the STRESS of getting married

i have to admit. i am stressed. with a capital S.

i never thought i will be this stressed, but of course i am still holding up and handling well.

no wonder they have this term called bride-zillas.

people asked me, what am i stressed with and why i am stressed.

i told them, actually to me, i really don’t need a perfect wedding.

a wedding is a one-day event, but marriage is for life.

yet in the midst of it all, there are still the struggles and challenges that you will go through.

how to communicate with people, how to work with people, how to get things done, how to plan things from scratch (like itinerary, places to visit and stay), how to reno a house (choose paint colors, furniture, cabinet colors, type of door, where u want your electrical points to be, what kinds of tiles u want for ur bathroom and kitchen and the list goes on)

now you know why I am stressed.

Stressed not because it affects my one-day wedding, but stressed because it affects my life after that.

my cousin said, the 2 most stressful things – wedding and house.

and i am in the midst of it both.

but i was very encouraged by Pst Phil’s word on Sun.

In everything and for everything, thank God.

I will. I figured that it is not going to be a smooth process (looking at how things are going), therefore I conclude, that no matter that comes my way, I am going to give thanks.

and that has already started to revolutionise my world.

I purposed that no matter what happens, i will not grumble or complain. I choose to give thanks.

Thank You Jesus for a great husband-to-be.

Thank You Jesus for great-in-laws and family.

Thank You Jesus for a house we can move into.

Thank You Jesus for provision every step of the way.

Thank You Jesus for the angels that are for us.

Thank You Jesus i found the right gowns and shoes.

Thank You Jesus for my beautiful photos.

Thank You Jesus for a great wedding venue and wedding date.

Thank You Jesus for great friends.

Thank You Jesus for nice bathroom tiles. (haha)

Thank You Jesus that my pastors can make it for the wedding.

Thank You Jesus for the many friends who are so willing to lend their helping hand.

I am blessed. and I thank YOU!!!!

Phil 4:6-7

Rom 8:28

SNEAK PEAK TO DA BIG DAY!

as i promised.

we supposed to reserve the best for the last… so this is just a sneak peek to some of the photos. hurhur.

SNEAK PEEK! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

this made me smile

thank you my fren. (:

2 MONTHS AWAY!

WOOHOO~

i am officially 2 months away from May 15!!!!

As compared to a little depressed me a few days ago, I am now feeling much better, cheerful, thankful and really excited.

Yes there r many things waiting for me to do… yet God is so good.

In the midst of it all He brought us people, favours, finances, and I am believing, that all things work together for the good of those who love Him! (:

So now… i am down to confirming my wedding decoration, my caterer (food is very impt!) and I have already chosen my gowns!

I am one excited girl, because it is very exciting to put on THAT GOWN. u know u know!? Haha. I can’t wait to put up sneak peeeeekkkksssss so be patient!

Btw THE BIG DAY IS MAY 15 SO KEEP URSELF FREE!!!

OH before we go on to DA BIG DAY, we first must go through A NEW DAY!

hahahahhaa. We are going to suntec this weekend! YIPPIEEEEE!

and one more thing, i have been gaining weight after i entered phase 3…. SCREAMSSSSSSSSS. but its ok. i m praying, believing by faith, that SOMEHOW, i don’t know how, my body will listen to me, stop gaining weight, and start losing weight! AMEN.

2 more kg to go babe… YOU CAN DO IT!

Wedding preparations

People have been asking me… how are my preparations going???

After all, I am like counting down 2 months to DA BIG DAY!

Honestly, i cannot believe it. It’s a little too surreal. Haha.

That day, as I was praying for our big day, God gave me a verse.

Prov 16:9

A man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps.

人心筹算他的道路，惟有耶和华指引他的脚步。

That brought me tremendous encouragement, knowing that as we plan our way, my Lord will direct our steps. Every step of the way.

Till may 15 and beyond.

I wish I can post up pretty pictures for you… but not yetttt. Hurhur.

Soonnnnnnn. (:

Oh btw, as of today, I have lost about 4.5 kg for my wedding.

I am thinking if it is enough. Obviously one can never lose enough. Haha.

Spot the difference.

my last valentine’s day as miss chiong

it was an extremely memorable valentine’s day.

for good and bad reasons.

兩人之間的感情是需要栽培的。

on a separate note, 大世界is really a pretty nice show!

on friendships, social networking and more.

something that keeps me connected to my friends is really social networking, especially when i cannot find the time to meet the whole world, and i love fb-ing at this time randomly, just to be updated with the world.

有時候，生活的步伐太快，快到你可能連自己都失去了。

somebody told me someone said this lately, people have changed.

sorry for the random statement, but as i think about it, i cannot help but feel how much people have changed around me.

perhaps i have too.

probably the sad thing is they have changed and moved on from your life, and our paths drift furthur and furthur away. i don’t know. are there friendships that can remain forever till eternity? i certainly hope so.

有哪一些是值得你去維持的友情。。。而又有哪一些，是不把你當一回事的朋友？又有哪些只用口說，卻毫無行動呢？

說了別人，也總要檢討自己。

i am sounding pessimistic tonight, much contrary to the normal self.

這幾天過得很快，很多事情接二連三的發生，我連喘氣的時間都沒有，處理自己情緒的時間也沒有，再加上做不完的事，又可能加上每一天的雨，讓我特別感慨人事已變。maybe it is becos of torres who requested to transfer out of liverpool. hahaha. of cos not.

On a happier note, God has given us amazing friends, leaders and people around me too. God, I am incredibly grateful for that, especially grateful for my lovely members, whom i know, many of which are willing even, to lay down their lives for me.

Thankful.

just a little teeny weeny

honestly, i did feel it. a teeny weeny sting in the heart.

sad that we were not really “friends”.

just a little.

relationships r harder to manoeuvre as  we grow.

and sometimes, it does affect u, just that little bit.

1月28日

每个月的28日是我最喜欢的一天。我总是对28情有独钟。

在这个月的28日，在那么多天的整理之下，我总算把房间清理完毕。

其实，我不知道是不是真的完毕，但还是有十足的成就感。

这次的大扫除是前所未有的大规模，因为是为搬家做准备。

我丢出的，给掉的，大概有20多袋东西吧。

哈哈。

很多人跟我说，我应该学习不要浪费。

或许吧。

夜晚的宁静

我很少有机会，在这种时候，坐在书桌前默默的思考，看着别人的文字，思考、反思、写博客。

通常都是精疲力尽的回到家，需要处理处理不完的事，我们的生命似乎充满着许多“噪音”。有时候真的需要静下来，好好的思考。

这两个星期，请了假，只因为我的房间已经乱到不行。我已经受不了了！！所以今天一口气就从早上9点一直清理到晚上6点。虽然还没完成我大扫除的工作，但看到那一包包的垃圾和被丢出来的东西，还是有种莫名的满足感。:)

真的很喜欢清理房间后的感觉。也真的很希望，搬到新家后，我能够把家里整理得井然有序。看到家里整齐的感觉，不会有很大的满足感吗？ :)

倒数106 天！

it is divine

Getting married is an awesome thing, because you really get to experience the supernatural grace of God.

God is really good to us, every step of the way. :)

We had an awesome shoot yesterday, and we are thankful for all the help rendered to us all this while.

Thank You Jesus.

Hectic New Year

This must have been one of the most hectic new years I have entered into.

I am swarmed with wedding preparations, and it is probably the biggest project one could ever undertake (or maybe not). There r many many decisions to make, big ones and small ones, and you have to decide everything. Gee.

For now, i am really feeling tired although i am only entering into the third week of the yr. I need the grace and wisdom of the Lord like never before. Honestly.

This yr is going to be a yr of preparation, whichever area it is in my life. :)

D-day construction Part 1

Today was D-day construction part 1. Big thanks to my MUA, PG, and Aaron, who did an awesome job shooting. :)

Meaningful photos and great team.

Wonderful weather.

CCK, Dover, Siglap and Langsat. :)

Thank you Jesus!

2010

Before I know it, 2010 has come to an end.

This year is really a year that I saw about the most number of changes in my life.

Needless to say, it was from getting attached to getting engaged, and in 4 months’ time, getting married.

This year is probably one of those years that I blogged the least, and spent the least time alone.

This year was also the year that I saw many changes in my CG, and by the grace of God, we have gone from glory to glory.

This year is the year that I went for missions to interpret, went onstage to interpret, and seeing myself growing in a great way in the area of my ministry.

This is also the year that I learnt to grow up – to handle finances, to do adult stuff more than ever before.

When I was praying this morning, I just can’t stop telling God how thankful I am to Him. For bringing the most important person into my life. For what He has done in my cg. For how He has taken me from faith to faith, glory to glory. For all the new-found frenships and old ones kept. For breakthroughs after breakthroughs. For His grace that helped me to grow and sustained me.

Thank You Jesus.

And here’s to a greater 2011. :)