Friday, June 29, 2012

Devotion - Faithfulness and Obedience

The Waters of Marah and Elim
22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.[f]) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.
There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they campedthere near the water.

Manna and Quail

16 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”
So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”
Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’”
10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.

I can see 2 contrasting factors here. One being the Israelite grumbling because there is no water fit for drinking and they have been without water for 3 days. Yet they didn't know that grumbling to Moses is like Grumbling to God.  God tested their faith and they failed to trust God even though his presence is with them.

Thinking back to my situation in my lives. I used to find my life not filled with much blessing, seem very very normal, unlike some testimony I have heard about how they resolve certain crisis in their lives and how they encountered God. My was pretty normal to me. But I realized that I am already bring in the elements of taking things for granted that God didn't do anything for me in my life. In fact, he was there all the way in my lives, When I face difficulties in the Army he provided the shelter for me to seek comfort. When I was in Sheffield, he blessed me with alot of friends, and though I didn't do well in my degree, he provided the access to work. Right now, I am in one of my lives most challenging time, yet I never failed to see his presence at work. Though I am still not spirituality sensitive enough to know the direction he want me to go, at least I know he is in control.

The other important thing being mentioned here is obedience. Obedience this word, is not an easy word to apply. It involves faith and a element of trust in God that he is giving you the best for you. Many at time, we become disappointed because what God has given is not something that we desire and in the event, we struggled with it. I must say I struggle with this word Obedience alot. I sometime worry what God's plan for me, what if it turn out to be something I can't accept, or turn out to be disappointment, I didn't trust God's Word fully. Sometime I know I should obey but the flesh is not willing to let go and I took the easy way out to follow my flesh.

It have been a constant battle between what I desire vs what is right in God's eyes. At time obeying God come naturally, but at time I find it hard, even right now, staying in the job to learn that I am serving God and I should do the most to my ability even if it is not something I desire take alot of faith and efforts. At time I very much want to follow my flesh but in doing so I would leave behind alot of shit and speak negatively about my testimony as Christian.

I thank God for his upkeeping and his forgiveness for I have constantly failed to meet the mark but God send many many encouragement, It make me feel so ashamed and guilty that make me want to do better. I am sure soon I will be able to walk in a path God has planned for me. I look forward to it

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

An Adventure to the Night Safari

Dear's Cousin, Irene came over to Singapore with her dad for short visit to relatives in Singapore. Heard all the stories about her bad experiences with her sister. Hardly can come out for gathering with relatives and friends. But the good thing is, Irene seem to have found love in Singapore..lol

Anyway, Dear and her sisters manage to book a time slot with Irene to have 煮炒 near her place in Yishun.

It was quite a wonderful spread of food.

The highlight must be the curry hotpot!!! All of us must be really hungry,snapping up the food even before all the food arrived.

The kids are having a hell lot of good times...and they have something to look forward to, they are going to the Night Safari Later in the evening.

This is also a night I embarked on one of the most "dangerous" activities in my recent memories. To help move house for Irene as she is facing some issue with her sis and since she only have about a few days more before she goes back to Holland, Dear's family decide to let them put up at their house. What a thing to happen when they spend so much money to come over to Singapore. Glad that they manage to enjoy their stay here in Singapore during the last few days.

We went ahead with our Visit to the Night Safari. It is probably my first time here...as I have no memories of being here at all. I think I went through the park when I did my Safari Run earlier this year and the previous.

As this place open only from 6pm onwards, I wasn't surprise by the crowd that was there. Anyway, I heard that this is like the only kind of Night Safari in the World. No other place in the World have Safari in the night.

Luckily there is quite a number of counters serving on site Customer who walk in to buy the tickets

Quite a Dark place to take photos.....The First thing to do is to ride the Tram to tour the Exhibits

It took us about 30mins, before we are on one. And there is a very strict rule on Flash photography. I Remember one tourist was being warned and almost got chase out of the Tram for continuing ignoring the rule. Pretty frustrating..consider that they are all adults....(I think they probably don understand our language)
One of the most interesting activity at the Night Safari is to really go see their Night Show. It was really very interactive, Probably because I wasn't there before, it was full of suspense and the discovery of a snake hidden in one of the seat in the audience surprise me about their creativity and dare.

They even ask a member of the audience to volunteer, and in this case, a guy...who was ask to hold the python.

Then all of a sudden, all the trainers just left him due to a commotion...leaving him alone...and in the dark....it was actually a prank they played on him.....very fun to watch

We left the place around midnight...super tired......

Monday, June 25, 2012

God's Provision


21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed[b] the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! TheLord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward[c] it, and the Lordswept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.
29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

The Song of Moses and Miriam

15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

“I will sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.
2 “The Lord is my strength and my defense[a];
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3 The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh’s officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.[b]
5 The deep waters have covered them;
they sank to the depths like a stone.
6 Your right hand, Lord,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand, Lord,
shattered the enemy.
7 “In the greatness of your majesty
you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger;
it consumed them like stubble.
8 By the blast of your nostrils
the waters piled up.
The surging waters stood up like a wall;
the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy boasted,
‘I will pursue, I will overtake them.
I will divide the spoils;
I will gorge myself on them.
I will draw my sword
and my hand will destroy them.’
10 But you blew with your breath,
and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead
in the mighty waters.
11 Who among the gods
is like you, Lord?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
12 “You stretch out your right hand,
and the earth swallows your enemies.
13 In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
14 The nations will hear and tremble;
anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,
the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,
the people[c] of Canaan will melt away;
16 terror and dread will fall on them.
By the power of your arm
they will be as still as a stone—
until your people pass by, Lord,
until the people you bought[d] pass by.
17 You will bring them in and plant them
on the mountain of your inheritance—
the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling,
the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.
18 “The Lord reigns
for ever and ever.”

Large body of water in the bible often mean impending death, but God provided rescue always during these. It happen to the disciples on the boat, Jonah, Moses. It is said that the crossing of the Red Sea Equal to baptism for Israel. Baptism is a symblic of death, when we baptise with Christ, we associate with Jesus's suffering and out of it a new life in him. Jesus dies so that we also dies to our sin and the burial of our old life. The old ways have gone, and God is about to bring about a new way of living.

Have often been ask, why did I hesitate about my baptism. I donno, I use to think of it as if I repented completely all my sins, then I will be ready for Baptism, I seem to be totally wrong. Baptism is a commitment to repent and die to our old sinful self and start a new live in God, a life free of bondage and sin. After more than 15 years, I still have not make the decision. I realise I am having a wrong Concept. Baptism to in fact my way of showing Jesus I love him and for him to have come and dies for me so that I could have salvation, for him to provide a way to a life I never see, free from sin and bondage. It involve faith, the faith I have learn to lean on for the past 15 or more years. It is not about me being sinless...then I can be baptize  It is my way of showing love for God. To entrust to him my life that he will guide me along to his will for the rest of my life and look upon him always. It is a dedication of our lives to Christ, unified with him in death, burial and resurrection

Been prompted this question by Chingwah and Weehiang and even dear about it. Was actually thinking about June, but decided that it shall be in August so that my sister and family can attend my Baptism together. Though I wasn't really emotional or being spiritual about it yet. I just know it is about time I do this. What a good time to choose 2012, a Year I have seen much growth in God.

Another highlights from this chapter, is that God provided for his people, He is their strength and hope, What have God provided for me in my life? I can't say it is super extra-ordinary, Sometime I see nothing at all when I try to recalled in the moments, but after some deep thoughts I came to realise that he has been with me, standing beside me all this while without me knowing, he has make small adjustment, not big enough to be notice, but small enough to be felt, that over the course of my 15 or more years, from Poly, to Army, Till Sheffield, then STM and now Seagate,  I see him in all these stages in my life. What is he asking me to do? I believe he is calling me to draw near to him. Why? Every moment of encountered have been about God asking me to get back to Church, which finally he provided in the form of FCBC, coincidentally, this was the same church I visited since Poly. So I believe drawing closer to him will enable me to walk a life God have planned for me.

One thing God have kept in me all my life, my Salvation which I received when I was in Secondary 3, Though doubts and forgetfulness crept in, I never forgo my salvation. Thanks God for this wonderful gifts and as what Moses and Miriam did, they worship the lord after God rescue them. God delight in our worship. It matters to God and we are to have a heart of worship in response.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

15km Run with my GC Trip mates

Probably my last Training Run before I Run my Gold Coast Marathon, Wasn't feeling too good after sundown as seem to have incur an injury after the 42km Run. Now the Knee feel painful whenever I start climbing up the stairs. As so, I stop running for quite a while. Almost the whole of Jun until this run today which I am doing with my gang of friends who will be running together with me @ Gold Coast

The Route - start from Sengkang Riverside Park, Near the CC toward Punggol Marina and the newly completed Park connector

Almost 6km when we reach Punggol Marina, Where the punggol Seafood and all the Yacht Are.

Discovered this newly section, part Broadwalk, Part Red sand Trail. We are reaching 8km here....almost 7pm now.

Running toward Punggol Promenade, where the Dam is and the newly open Punggol Park Connectors are, the U-turn point is just right ahead....we decided not to run toward Punggol Promenade as that would increase the running distance to 18km. Shall keep within 15km in order to not over stretch myself.

We finish our 15km run by running along the Punggol Waterfront back toward Sengkang Riverside. It was a really fun run, though a little tough as been long since I started running. The Company (New friends) make quite a big difference, though I doubt I will have enough time to join them during weekdays as they usually set off quite early to Sengkang Riveride.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Steamboat Gathering @ Eric's place

A healthy spread to my gang of close friend on their regular get together @ Eric place. It is very nice of Eric, that though he is married and now have a kid to take care off. He and Junie never fail to "Entertain" us by opening up their homes for our gathering.

Healthy loads of Greens. These one - Ryan like!!!

Darren is a fan of all these.

The Modern Steamboat, induction method.Gone are the days of the heater kind.....this is so much cleaner....lesser cleaning after that and u can be sure..the pot is always hot.
I was never a Fan of Steamboat....but was ok la....chit chat lo

The kid is really entertained by us!!! not a single cry during the session

Just have a real bad quarrel over silly stuff of confirming movie tickets. Since the tension is still there, I didn't want dear to be at this gathering, Scare of the odd ward situation in front of my friends. Really thinking hard why are we communicating like this. Something seem very wrong. I always felt that there is a lack of trust of how I do things..but she think otherwise like why I can't understand how she function...Hiaz...we are back in the circle of where we started again.....

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Invasion of the Cake Theme - Love Huang Birthday

2012 is also another year we get creative cakes on someone's birthday party, it all started last year when I got my "Power Ranger" Cake, this time round, Love get her favorite cake - "Score" cake...Soccer Cake!!!

I bet she is wishing for studies..probably her focus now at this junction in her life, or am I wrong...she is wishing for love??
Her best Friend and probably one who either make her day or "trash" it...lol

It is for sure,when u worked in an Engineering company, there is only so many girls around....Why girls don like Engineering? Probably cannot wear nice nice..lol But Love sure is changing this trend. She got more than 2 weeks of fashion in her wardrobe..and counting..lol

The Whole gang of guys with a red kid in the middle....all waiting to score...who is the biggest scorer in 2012? We shall see....

Happy Birthday Love Huang, though there is still a long way ....Preserve and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.....it shall be a bright one ahead...go for it!!!

Friday, June 15, 2012

My Nephew 乐俊 Arrived on the 6th of Jun


After 9 months of waiting, my nephew,Lejun finally came to the world on the 6th of Jun. The same birthday as his dad, through the technology of cesarean

He definitely weigh heavier than his Sister....and he is also more awake!!!

Both Sister and brother came out of Mt Elizabeth.

Probably the first time she ever carry a baby and for the very first time, she is given the responsibility to take care of his brother

I believe she is equally excited.

Mum love babies at this age. Good to carry....but I thought they were too soft....

Wow, When Dear carry him, Junjun turn and look at the camera.....one in a million chances for this to happen.

When I carry him, Arm to comfortable....fell asleep.

Haha, this picture seem to depict our future, us having a kid of our own, let's pray for God's timing and blessing. I believe this is both our desire.

Sister's MIL ......ever happy when kids arrive..

It is also Lawrence's Birthday today, the same Birthday as his Son, how blessed....

When it come to cake, Thanks to dear for buying the cake, When it come to cake cutting..Xuan's eyes turn big.

Happy Birthday Lawrence, May God Blessed you and your family with great gifts and many beautiful memories...

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

An Indian Wedding Event!!!


It was my first time ever, to attend an Indian Wedding Dinner. Mani, my operator whom I have work closely with her for the past 5 years, over lots of laughter, quarrels, her daughter is finally married....The whole dept was invited. Held at a Community club near Jalan Besar Stadium

Mani's daughter and Son in law, We usually look our best when we reached this stage in our lives...

All their tables have an Elephant icon - Part of the indian culture i think

The stage was setup for the bride and groom to seat!! This is very different from The chinese where most of the time, Wedding are held in Hotels and Resturants

The night begin with some rock music and some entertainment group where lots of the guest are seen dancing the night away. We also are treated to a nice sumptuous buffet in Indian style, spicy

This is our Mani, after make over, almost cannot recognise here.....totally different. Amazing power of make-up

We also have a very high profile Guest of Honour at the wedding Dinner. The Opposition party are really doing a good job. They even attend wedding dinner of residents in Hougang.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Devotion Sharing - God is for you. Not Against you.


As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lordwill bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”
19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

The whole verse talk about how the Israelite after being cornered by the Egyptian overcome by fear and they being to complaint.  They have the cloud as God Presence and yet they are still afraid. They have not put their trust on God Entirely to be still and let God.

Looking back in reality, how often I was like the Israelite  Often when troubles and trial came, All I did was to lament why I was being treated unfairly, why did the bad things happen, why did I do wrong to deserve, why was the relationship still not flowing. I totally left God's will out of the picture and only think of my situation. I really need the wisdom to be still and trust God is in control and I would not be short-change. He have been good to me in the past, leading me back to the path , he will be good to me now that I am near the path he wanted me to be at.

One of the danger I often related to being still and trust God is to wait and wait and donno what to do. I think after reading today's Verse,I found my answer to this. Trusting God involve actions, not just prayers. The idea is to try out the next step and let God be in control of the outcome of our faith. He will give us the green light or the Red light. It really take great faith to do this. At one side, it might seem like a lack of faith, but on the other, it might seem foolish to wait and not do anything.

I am brought up in the Singaporean society, that one must work hard, score the best results to be able to make it BIG in lives, The world proof my point accurately, all those who are happy and rich seem to be all those 1st class honors people, while those who aren't in that class ended up in mediocre career or lives....(with exception of the minority)

Trust in God cast out Fear, anything else, Fear overcome easily. Often I realise I use faith as an excuse to do nothing, and not that I don want to do, but I donno what to do. Faith is more than that, Now I know why Godly people excel, it is their Faith that make the differences, Faith is not about being unprepared or foolish, but it is being able to take up the challenge and let God be in control of the situation.

Maybe I should start reflecting on how to let go of situation in work or lives and let God be in control, I am to rise up to the challenge and give the control to God.

Saturday, June 09, 2012

2011 will be remember as SCSM Cheapest Marathon + Screw-up Finisher Tee size

It is funny how sometime, the finisher Tee can turn out in horrible size. I got a M Size during last year - Full Marathon, Standard Chartered Run. To my surprise...it was super over-sized

Due to alot of complaint about sizes not available, I took the opportunity to change to a small size.

Pay a $20 Deposit and waited for almost half a year to change....what a long wait.
The places - Kallang SPEX House, which is near KFC.
There aren't alot of people Queing to change though, it was a fast process, done within 5mins
Just go in - Proceed to the counters, show them your documents, and the Tee to exchange, they pass u the Requested size, and that's it.
Even at small size..still quite big, so u know how out of specs they were.lol

Glad I got it changed....