Goodbye 2008!
Time really flies. All I can do at this point on the very last day of 2008 is stand amazed at how the Good Shepherd has led me thus far.
What a tremendous journey this year has been. Looking back, I've experienced more grace, more freedom, more love and more of His presence. I bow in humility before my Maker for His grace, tenderness and patience toward me.
There are many things to thank God for, so let's see how the post develops. =)
1. Thank the Lord for planting me in a new church. I feel like some wild branch grafted into the Cornerstone vine. Haha. After 6months here, it's starting to feel more and more like home. Really grateful for Saturday Life, Sunday services, Daily prayer meetings, cell meetings, zone meetings, zone outings, and what not!
Another thing I'm grateful for is specifically the prayer meetings. The atmosphere at the prayer meetings were really overwhelmingly awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed singing and praying my lungs out, just seeking His face and bringing our requests before HIm.
2. Thank the Lord for shifting my perspectives about many things in life.
In particular, a pursuit of excellence. I've learnt that God is involved in ALL areas of my life, and that every area of my life must be lived for His glory! And what better way than to excel and pursue your best in each and every endeavour.
Secondly, I've also learnt to look beyond the four walls of church, the geographical boundaries of Singapore, and extend my sight to the nations. It's just awesome to see God moving in other nations. It's also a burden to carry the issues in the world upon our hearts. Really thank God for that.
3. Thank the Lord for more time with family. Can you believe it, my mum gave me a christmas present! This is unheard of in the Tay family. Haha. I've also realised that my mum talks to me more. My brother is also more vocal and speaks a lot more. (for those of you who have met him, if he speaks more than 10words to you, it's like a breakthrough!)
I could only thank God for this signs of breakthroughs in my relationships at home. I'm looking forward to being an even better example and a brighter light for the Lord.
So much for retrospect.
It's time to look forward and run. It's also time to leave behind all the baggage of my past. My sins, my failures, my mistakes and my wrong choices.
Really looking forward to 2009, a lot of things happening!
Hello 2009!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Everything in its time
Sometimes I wonder what lies ahead
How long till my hunger is fed
They say it's hard to make it in this part of town
So many people on this merry-go-round
Some folks try astrology
Some turn to crystal balls
To find an answer,
To get through it all
I just fall on my knees and I try to pray
In the silence I can hear Him say
The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time
I often feel like I'm two steps behind
Somebody must have moved that finish line
There are a thousand reasons
Why I should give up
But I'm stubborn in the things I believe
The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
'cause maybe there's another plan
One I still can't see
A little surprise, like your love in my life
Funny how time changes how we see
The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time
Everything in its time
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas @ Katong
Christmas at Katong is probably a significant marker in 2008.
I could sum up the past three days in 3 words - Corn, coins and company.
Corn -I have ran countless times, drove countless times ( been driven around ) to buy corn. Corn was such a hit and such a quick seller that we constantly ran out of it. Went once with Rachel, and we bought the wrong corn back. You see, the different type of corn came in similar packaging.
I didn't even realised it till we went back to the stall and Bee Har said," How come you bought cream corn?" Rachel and I looked at each other in shocked and amusement.
That was a classic moment.
Coin - I was in charge of handling the money and it is the first time in my life I have seen so much loose change and so much cash! The late nights counting the coins.
The first night was memorable - Junjie, Edwin, Ernest and I decided to count the cash in Edwin's car. I don't know why we came to such a decision. It was quite funny. All the easterners were waiting outside the car and staring in at 3-4 grown men fumbling with coins and notes.
We were taking ages to count, largely because I brought along too much lose change. The first day tally went something like 100x 10 cents, 40x5cents, ...
We couldn't find a 50 dollar note for quite some time, and I was panicking real bad. Jun jie finally found it, after we removed the tray from the cash register and found it lodged behind. Phew. What a relief!
Company - because through this whole bazaar thing, I saw dedication, sacrifice, toil and so much enthusiasm. I saw the tireless Edwin zip up and down in his toyota bringing ice, barley and drinks every morning. Bee Har manning the cash register with concentration and dedication. Ernest with his semi-stoned army face making cup corn, hotdog buns, and occasionally manning the register. Emma with her store designs and the badges that we proudly don on our dark colour tops.
Eunice, Wendy who were willing guinea pigs for corn testing and wii playing on thurs.
And the rest of the cell sweating it out in their plastic gloves (yes, wearing plastic gloves causes your hands to perspire).
There was the first day, where we didn't watch the bread in the oven and we charred it not once, twice but thrice! Louis and Deting trying to concoct secret ingredients to make the corn taste better - Louis added mayo, while Deting added MORE salt. =_=
Taking a photo of the hotdog - a last minute ditch to improve our publicity.
There was Ruth, our special guests and volunteer who stood in on Sunday! Kudos!
So much more unseen effort that many people have put in, too much to mention. Thought I better blog this, cuz it's easier than writing it with pen and paper. =P
Great work guys! haha. =)
And the work pays off! We made a good profit! =)
I could sum up the past three days in 3 words - Corn, coins and company.
Corn -I have ran countless times, drove countless times ( been driven around ) to buy corn. Corn was such a hit and such a quick seller that we constantly ran out of it. Went once with Rachel, and we bought the wrong corn back. You see, the different type of corn came in similar packaging.
I didn't even realised it till we went back to the stall and Bee Har said," How come you bought cream corn?" Rachel and I looked at each other in shocked and amusement.
That was a classic moment.
Coin - I was in charge of handling the money and it is the first time in my life I have seen so much loose change and so much cash! The late nights counting the coins.
The first night was memorable - Junjie, Edwin, Ernest and I decided to count the cash in Edwin's car. I don't know why we came to such a decision. It was quite funny. All the easterners were waiting outside the car and staring in at 3-4 grown men fumbling with coins and notes.
We were taking ages to count, largely because I brought along too much lose change. The first day tally went something like 100x 10 cents, 40x5cents, ...
We couldn't find a 50 dollar note for quite some time, and I was panicking real bad. Jun jie finally found it, after we removed the tray from the cash register and found it lodged behind. Phew. What a relief!
Company - because through this whole bazaar thing, I saw dedication, sacrifice, toil and so much enthusiasm. I saw the tireless Edwin zip up and down in his toyota bringing ice, barley and drinks every morning. Bee Har manning the cash register with concentration and dedication. Ernest with his semi-stoned army face making cup corn, hotdog buns, and occasionally manning the register. Emma with her store designs and the badges that we proudly don on our dark colour tops.
Eunice, Wendy who were willing guinea pigs for corn testing and wii playing on thurs.
And the rest of the cell sweating it out in their plastic gloves (yes, wearing plastic gloves causes your hands to perspire).
There was the first day, where we didn't watch the bread in the oven and we charred it not once, twice but thrice! Louis and Deting trying to concoct secret ingredients to make the corn taste better - Louis added mayo, while Deting added MORE salt. =_=
Taking a photo of the hotdog - a last minute ditch to improve our publicity.
There was Ruth, our special guests and volunteer who stood in on Sunday! Kudos!
So much more unseen effort that many people have put in, too much to mention. Thought I better blog this, cuz it's easier than writing it with pen and paper. =P
Great work guys! haha. =)
And the work pays off! We made a good profit! =)
Monday, December 01, 2008
Putting the nails through the arms of my Master.
Been doing my devotions on Hebrews the past few days.
Was just reading Hebrews and felt really humbled by what was mentioned in Heb 6:4-8 about people who have fallen away.
I don't want to be the one that puts the Lord to open shame. I remember a line from a song that goes something like, "Do you still feel the nails, everytime I fail?" ,
The passage also goes on to mention about that even though the ground is watered, that it still yields thorns and thistles is a warning to me.
At the same time, the earlier promise in Heb 4:16 that comes to mind is, that as we draw near with confidence, we receive the grace and mercy needed.
Fraught with weakness, but held in the firm,strong arms of the Lord.
Was just reading Hebrews and felt really humbled by what was mentioned in Heb 6:4-8 about people who have fallen away.
I don't want to be the one that puts the Lord to open shame. I remember a line from a song that goes something like, "Do you still feel the nails, everytime I fail?" ,
The passage also goes on to mention about that even though the ground is watered, that it still yields thorns and thistles is a warning to me.
At the same time, the earlier promise in Heb 4:16 that comes to mind is, that as we draw near with confidence, we receive the grace and mercy needed.
Fraught with weakness, but held in the firm,strong arms of the Lord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)