I think, next year we should just make the committee really huge.
Like, we should have at least 3 group leaders per group.
Why?
I think pairings are really scary because in the event your partner is domineering, no one will be able to help you. But if it's 3 then at least you can talk to the other one and work together to keep the first in check. This seems to be a big oversight. Pairings assume a level of self-reflexivity and maturity which I perhaps cannot assume. And seriously, this year, the leaders better come from their own groups.
tsk.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Analogy
I thank God for something in life, analogies and approximations.
By glimpsing the similarity between 2 different things we are able to transfer lessons learnt about one onto the other. It opens the door when there seems to be no way.
There is an analogy for you in my life, you know. In fact, the analogy is imperfect only because she is a better fit. I've never met anyone who understands me so well, who shares many experiences with me as well, things I really thought I faced alone before I met her.
Yet for 2 years and counting, I've been able to keep her as a friend. A most treasured company.
It tells me, by analogy, that the same can be done for you. Even as I desire you, this analogy assures me that I can be a friend to you, proper.
Who knows what the future holds? What matters is we live the present as perfectly as we can afford to. I try again now, with renewed hope.
I let go and let God permit me to know you if He wills.
I pray He will.
By glimpsing the similarity between 2 different things we are able to transfer lessons learnt about one onto the other. It opens the door when there seems to be no way.
There is an analogy for you in my life, you know. In fact, the analogy is imperfect only because she is a better fit. I've never met anyone who understands me so well, who shares many experiences with me as well, things I really thought I faced alone before I met her.
Yet for 2 years and counting, I've been able to keep her as a friend. A most treasured company.
It tells me, by analogy, that the same can be done for you. Even as I desire you, this analogy assures me that I can be a friend to you, proper.
Who knows what the future holds? What matters is we live the present as perfectly as we can afford to. I try again now, with renewed hope.
I let go and let God permit me to know you if He wills.
I pray He will.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Dust and Sin
I was cleaning the house with my mum when she said that there is simply no corner dust cannot reach.
That sparked a few thoughts. I rushed what remained to be cleaned and got straight to typing before I forget.
Well, like dust, there is virtually no corner in my life where I cannot find sin residing. That is its first property I suppose, absolute infiltration. I've learnt over the years to not quite describe it that way though, not to take sin as a substance in and of itself, but a corruption. So perhaps it's not really an infiltration... and this is how sin and dust differs: there are actually places where dust cannot reach, sin seems to enjoy no such boundaries. Or is it?
The song, Near to the Heart of God suggests that there is a place where sin cannot molest.
Like dust, sin really accumulates quickly when we are not looking. Like dust, it is a battle to be fought perpetually.
Like dust, sin can be pretty unnoticeable. I can remember times in army when my nose starts getting sensitive when the bunk seemed pretty clean to me. It was only upon closer inspection when I saw the little streams of dust clinging to the walls near the ceiling... turning around only to see that there was also dust right at the headposts of my bed. It really takes some effort to see it, same goes for the unnoticed sins in our lives.
Finally, like dust, sin is really in our nature. Much of dust is composed of dead skin. We are the generators of dust. One reason why there is dust everywhere in our house is because we reside in it. It's kind of like how with fallen humans there is always sin. It just comes together.
It has been a pretty profitable time of spring cleaning. Thinking of dust and myself.
That sparked a few thoughts. I rushed what remained to be cleaned and got straight to typing before I forget.
Well, like dust, there is virtually no corner in my life where I cannot find sin residing. That is its first property I suppose, absolute infiltration. I've learnt over the years to not quite describe it that way though, not to take sin as a substance in and of itself, but a corruption. So perhaps it's not really an infiltration... and this is how sin and dust differs: there are actually places where dust cannot reach, sin seems to enjoy no such boundaries. Or is it?
The song, Near to the Heart of God suggests that there is a place where sin cannot molest.
Like dust, sin really accumulates quickly when we are not looking. Like dust, it is a battle to be fought perpetually.
Like dust, sin can be pretty unnoticeable. I can remember times in army when my nose starts getting sensitive when the bunk seemed pretty clean to me. It was only upon closer inspection when I saw the little streams of dust clinging to the walls near the ceiling... turning around only to see that there was also dust right at the headposts of my bed. It really takes some effort to see it, same goes for the unnoticed sins in our lives.
Finally, like dust, sin is really in our nature. Much of dust is composed of dead skin. We are the generators of dust. One reason why there is dust everywhere in our house is because we reside in it. It's kind of like how with fallen humans there is always sin. It just comes together.
It has been a pretty profitable time of spring cleaning. Thinking of dust and myself.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
seeking God's will
Whilst preparing for a lesson on prayer (for tomorrow actually), I was pondering about "seeking God's will".
It occurred to me that we probably do. Many of us probably do ask God in prayer to show us His will.
What occurred to me also, is that I do it with a wrong motive.
For me, if I were to think about it, I often ask Him to show me His will because I'm desperate to know if I will find it aligned to mine.
I want to find that it is, that what I want, is what He wants.
Still sounds pretty acceptable doesn't it? Certainly it's okay to want to know if your will is aligned to God's will? Wouldn't it be a big cause for celebration if a Christian discovered that his mind has been so transformed that he thinks the thoughts of God? Let me try to accentuate the negative aspects of what I am really saying.
I mean to say that I hope it so happens to be the same as God's will so that ultimately, I will get what I want. It's a slight difference which makes a world of difference.
It's about my will be done,
not His will be done.
How do we know if we were really seeking God's will? I suppose we'll only know when His will is revealed. We can watch our reactions at that fine moment. When His will is not what we imagined it to be, what will our reaction be?
If you were seeking His will you'd be overwhelmed with joy at the simple fact that His will was revealed.
If you weren't then certainly you'll be displaying your preference.
Is it the case that we seek God's will only to know if it is aligned to ours?
It occurred to me that we probably do. Many of us probably do ask God in prayer to show us His will.
What occurred to me also, is that I do it with a wrong motive.
For me, if I were to think about it, I often ask Him to show me His will because I'm desperate to know if I will find it aligned to mine.
I want to find that it is, that what I want, is what He wants.
Still sounds pretty acceptable doesn't it? Certainly it's okay to want to know if your will is aligned to God's will? Wouldn't it be a big cause for celebration if a Christian discovered that his mind has been so transformed that he thinks the thoughts of God? Let me try to accentuate the negative aspects of what I am really saying.
I mean to say that I hope it so happens to be the same as God's will so that ultimately, I will get what I want. It's a slight difference which makes a world of difference.
It's about my will be done,
not His will be done.
How do we know if we were really seeking God's will? I suppose we'll only know when His will is revealed. We can watch our reactions at that fine moment. When His will is not what we imagined it to be, what will our reaction be?
If you were seeking His will you'd be overwhelmed with joy at the simple fact that His will was revealed.
If you weren't then certainly you'll be displaying your preference.
Is it the case that we seek God's will only to know if it is aligned to ours?
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Hot Pursuit
On the topic of Valentine's day, let me share a few verses from the book of Hosea.
These verses depict the way God courts Israel, the Harlot. Of how gently He brings her back, with what actions He wins over her heart.
Hosea 2:14-23
How can you read this and not cry? How God moves powerfully to win our hearts. He exercises His sovereignty in our favour. He betroths us to Him when our hearts are too dull to make the good choice. How He takes us from the disastrous consequences of our rebellion and restores our peace.
These verses depict the way God courts Israel, the Harlot. Of how gently He brings her back, with what actions He wins over her heart.
Hosea 2:14-23
14 “Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
and bring her into the wilderness,
and speak tenderly to her.
15 And there I will give her her vineyards
and make the Valley of Achor[e] a door of hope.
And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth,
as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.
and bring her into the wilderness,
and speak tenderly to her.
15 And there I will give her her vineyards
and make the Valley of Achor[e] a door of hope.
And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth,
as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.
16 “And in that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’ 17 For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more. 18 And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish[f] the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. 19 And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. 20 I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.
21 “And in that day I will answer, declares the Lord,
I will answer the heavens,
and they shall answer the earth,
22 and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and they shall answer Jezreel,[g]
23 and I will sow her for myself in the land.
And I will have mercy on No Mercy,[h]
and I will say to Not My People,[i] ‘You are my people’;
and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’”
I will answer the heavens,
and they shall answer the earth,
22 and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and they shall answer Jezreel,[g]
23 and I will sow her for myself in the land.
And I will have mercy on No Mercy,[h]
and I will say to Not My People,[i] ‘You are my people’;
and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’”
How can you read this and not cry? How God moves powerfully to win our hearts. He exercises His sovereignty in our favour. He betroths us to Him when our hearts are too dull to make the good choice. How He takes us from the disastrous consequences of our rebellion and restores our peace.
Cheers to you O God. May all men aspire to your perfections.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Counting's the cure
Count your blessings name them one by one
Count your blessings see what God has done
Count your blessings name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done
Count your blessings till you come undone
Count your blessings see she's just not one
Count your blessings name them one by one
Persevere until your heart by God is won
Count your blessings see what God has done
Count your blessings name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done
Count your blessings till you come undone
Count your blessings see she's just not one
Count your blessings name them one by one
Persevere until your heart by God is won
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Fears
Not super duper free now but I thought it'd pay off to just spend sometime to write about a big fear of mine...
It is that I cannot find a successor to heading youth fellowship.
Is it a legitimate worry? I suppose. I think leading the youth fellowship for a year and counting really helped me to understand its complexity.
This year is a new challenge because the leaders are more busy... and less independent I suppose.
It's also a new challenge because I haven't been careful to watch my heart. I may have let too many things into it and now its feeling small again. Small, petty, short fused.
Not to be arrogant, but I'm also know that I'm equipped with quite the set of skills and know hows. In a way, you can say, I was made for this sort of leadership.
Yet, in a way, I'm not. I'm not yet compelled to develop myself in the area of delegation, often preferring to just settle things on my own.
I'm not as prayerful as I ought to be... God knows I still live my life flippantly.
Is there someone else like me? I don't think so.
But slowly I wonder if this is the crux. I'm looking for a clone... and maybe that's the last thing I ought to do. It occurred to me that I may be too narrow minded with this, thinking that it really boils down to finding someone as capable, or excelling beyond me. No, maybe that's not what God wants.
And then aside from these innocent fears is this realisation that I might be part of what I'd like to call, the normative effect. It's been the norm to serve for 1-2 years, a shocker to serve for 3, a literal martyr to do 4. I'm kidding, but it's roughly like that.
So... what's with the anxiety man? Is it even rational? Maybe it is not God's will that I should be following the norm? It'd be my grave mistake to think that I should be somehow "entitled" to a 2 year tenure and so force a successor to appear.
No no no. I don't like the thought of it. Partly because heading youth fellowship can sometimes be a very lonely affair, certainly no walk in the garden or a piece of cake.
But on the other hand, if I were brutally honest with myself, as I'd like to think that I am with others, this is a very serious possibility... and the only appropriate way to respond... is with equal seriousness.
God you know what my heart is like. How I wish to just drop this area by this year and return to a different life. You know how it's like.
So change me,
even if you meant for a succession to happen.
It is that I cannot find a successor to heading youth fellowship.
Is it a legitimate worry? I suppose. I think leading the youth fellowship for a year and counting really helped me to understand its complexity.
This year is a new challenge because the leaders are more busy... and less independent I suppose.
It's also a new challenge because I haven't been careful to watch my heart. I may have let too many things into it and now its feeling small again. Small, petty, short fused.
Not to be arrogant, but I'm also know that I'm equipped with quite the set of skills and know hows. In a way, you can say, I was made for this sort of leadership.
Yet, in a way, I'm not. I'm not yet compelled to develop myself in the area of delegation, often preferring to just settle things on my own.
I'm not as prayerful as I ought to be... God knows I still live my life flippantly.
Is there someone else like me? I don't think so.
But slowly I wonder if this is the crux. I'm looking for a clone... and maybe that's the last thing I ought to do. It occurred to me that I may be too narrow minded with this, thinking that it really boils down to finding someone as capable, or excelling beyond me. No, maybe that's not what God wants.
And then aside from these innocent fears is this realisation that I might be part of what I'd like to call, the normative effect. It's been the norm to serve for 1-2 years, a shocker to serve for 3, a literal martyr to do 4. I'm kidding, but it's roughly like that.
So... what's with the anxiety man? Is it even rational? Maybe it is not God's will that I should be following the norm? It'd be my grave mistake to think that I should be somehow "entitled" to a 2 year tenure and so force a successor to appear.
No no no. I don't like the thought of it. Partly because heading youth fellowship can sometimes be a very lonely affair, certainly no walk in the garden or a piece of cake.
But on the other hand, if I were brutally honest with myself, as I'd like to think that I am with others, this is a very serious possibility... and the only appropriate way to respond... is with equal seriousness.
God you know what my heart is like. How I wish to just drop this area by this year and return to a different life. You know how it's like.
So change me,
even if you meant for a succession to happen.
Sunday, February 08, 2015
A song for 21st
It's 2359 with seconds to spare
Will they remember, will they care?
Oh my whatsapp's starting to go lag!
For days I've waited for this day
Be deemed as an adult, have my way
Finally, my 21st birthday!
there'll be lots of gifts and party
It will be totally great
Wow am I so ready for this day
Cauz for the first time in forever
There'll be magic there'll be fun
For the first time in forever
I'm legitly 21
And I don't know if I'm elated or weary
I have waited for this day
Will its promises deliver?
Oh God come what may
Cigarette smokes and alcohol
I don't even do those, not at all
18 did not add to what's before
For years I've craved for freedom's call
To stride on out look back to more
Finally I will be standing tall (not quite!)
But to those who more is given
More's the due return
Am I really ready for this change?
Cauz for the first time in forever
I can watch R21
For the first time in forever
I can vote for Khaw Boon Wan
Don't care if I'm exhausted or weary
To have waited for this day
Will its promises deliver?
O Lord have your way
Happy Birthday dear sister.
Will they remember, will they care?
Oh my whatsapp's starting to go lag!
For days I've waited for this day
Be deemed as an adult, have my way
Finally, my 21st birthday!
there'll be lots of gifts and party
It will be totally great
Wow am I so ready for this day
Cauz for the first time in forever
There'll be magic there'll be fun
For the first time in forever
I'm legitly 21
And I don't know if I'm elated or weary
I have waited for this day
Will its promises deliver?
Oh God come what may
Cigarette smokes and alcohol
I don't even do those, not at all
18 did not add to what's before
For years I've craved for freedom's call
To stride on out look back to more
Finally I will be standing tall (not quite!)
But to those who more is given
More's the due return
Am I really ready for this change?
Cauz for the first time in forever
I can watch R21
For the first time in forever
I can vote for Khaw Boon Wan
Don't care if I'm exhausted or weary
To have waited for this day
Will its promises deliver?
O Lord have your way
Happy Birthday dear sister.
Thursday, February 05, 2015
Child's play
On the upper deck of a double decker
"Mummy why is there no driver?"
"Oh no, whqt happens when there is no driver?"
What happens is... you arrive at the future.
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