It's special to come back once/twice a year to this hustling and bustling little island city. Waking up late into the morning to some neighbour in the opposite block practicing scales on the piano, children playing in the pool, random bird noises, dogs barking, mothers/maids talking to children. Listening to the washing machine going off, sounds of the handles knocking on the laundry pail, my grandpa's sandals shuffling across the marble floor. Also, the constant sound of running water from the pool, the occasional "dings" from the lifts outside my door, scrubbing and cleaning happening down the corridor.
Waking up to see my grandpa doing his daily drill - reading the papers out on the balcony, his hand shaking exercise, eating bread and drinking tea, watching korean dramas on the telly, having his lunch with the mandatory crockery combination of a bowl, plate, chopsticks and a soup spoon.
So nostalgic.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
2014
It was our final small group meeting of 2014. We ate, we exchanged gifts, we had a moment to share and reflect about our year.
I thought about my 2014 but my mind was a blank, besides being confused about how it's already December. One thing I realised was that I had spent less time reflecting - my quiet time with God had been in the last year overtaken by life, work, commitments, family, friends, the need for more sleep, hours of mindlessly scrolling through facebook, being a couch potato..but I hope that in the new year, even if it's just starting from 5 minutes a day or one day a week, I would like to get my private life into order; I would like to be God-led and not driven by the winds of my world of commitments/obligations; I would like to be more reflective. I shall make that my only goal in 2015.. although it really sounds like 3 or 4 goals o.0
I feel that my lack of reflection was due to big transitions in life that took up my attention and energy, amazing procrastinating skills, sometimes also (despite how much I value honesty) because I don't like being honest with myself. (yup. what nonsense.. what an escapist.. ). As a result, my lack of reflection has made me less aware of God's blessings in my life, less grateful as a person, I really feel that I'm not where I'm supposed to be spiritually. And because I have not been seeking Christ as frequently and intentionally, I have not been as effective in giving Him the glory that He rightfully deserves, or pointing others to His love and glory.
Therefore, here's a start - these are things that i've done for the first time in 2014 in a nutshell (actually, maybe a giant coconut shell):
- my first year working full time as an occupational therapist: this job is a gift from God and I'm reminded of His providence whenever I explain to others how I got the job. I'm thankful for the spiritual encouragement from fellow believers at work, who love Jesus and their colleagues and clients. I'm thankful for supportive colleagues, and the privilege to meet so many wonderful families and witness their love for one another. Even though I'm not the quickest in developing friendships, I'm thankful for the few colleagues I've had the opportunity to work closely and develop a friendship with. I'm thankful that work is not always easy so (as much as I'm lazy and do not like thinking) I need to actively problem solve and not be complacent. I'm thankful for the skills that I'm continuing to develop in working with every individual and looking at their lives wholistically instead of being tunnel visioned.
- my first year out of OCF and into small group: I was debating with myself if I should be joining a group of people that I'm not familiar with or with a seemingly almost entirely made up of ex-OCF curtin group. I thought it was good to step out of my comfort zone and fellowship with other faces that I haven't met in Subi. I went for the majority-ex-OCF-Curtin group in the end, because at the end of the day, I feel that small group is about fellowship and growing together in Christ. I guess it didn't really matter which one I chose, but being familiar with everyone in your group is a strength in different ways. I thank God for the faces that have come and gone, those that have come and have stayed, those that visit once in a while, those who have been faithfully leading and serving. Glad to say we have grown in numbers, and have more variety now over the course of the year - in age, nationality, life experiences and walks of life. We may be at different stages spiritually, but we are growing slowly and surely. I'd love to see the day where we will be praying passionately and zealously for the kingdom of God.
- my first semester serving in BSF leadership: I started serving when there was a need for a fill-in for my group leader who was going on long service leave.. I said yes, as I was keen to learn all I could and allow God to mould me in ways that would benefit His ministry. I am continually humbled and in awe of the leaders that I've started to serve alongside with - their heart, their time, their love for their group members.. it's beyond me. Before I started serving, finishing the homework itself by Monday evening was a big challenge - now I have homiletics to complete by Thursday night and homework to finish before our weekly Saturday morning meeting. I joined BSF because I wanted to be disciplined. Let's just say.. I'm still a work in progress! We will be studying the Life of Moses next year and I would want to complete my homework with ALL MY HEART and not just my mind. I want to be sensitive to what God is speaking through the passages and notes each week, and be used and equipped by God like how he did with Moses.
- my first year visiting Freo service: Subi has recently 'adopted' the Freo service and that congregation is full of elderly people overflowing with love. I can't forget the day I attended a baby shower of one of the few young families I met there. It was the young pregnant mother, her 4 year old daughter, and many elderly ladies eagerly showering them with gifts and lots of love. One of the ladies' shared that they try to be home away from home for young people who are visiting from another country. Such a privilege..
- my first time driving to Narembeen with small group: I must say that I have been trained well at work to drive long distances. Narembeen is ~4hours away from Perth where one of our small group member's parents are pastoring a church. We spent the Easter long weekend out there, ate awesome home cooked food, hiked around, visited Wave Rock, played ping pong, made nasi briyani, danced in church, played hide and seek with an obstacle course in the dark, visited the farm, did an easter egg hunt, played with cute kids and rested.
- my first time and second time driving to Margaret River with friends: I made the first trip with friends from BSF - had the most awesome passengers who kept talking with me the WHOLE ENTIRE JOURNEY. It's amazing how quick you get to know people when you are stuck in the same car for hours. Second time, I was there for Kristi and Chris' pre wedding photos. Both were awesome. Great company, beaaaauuutiful beaches, forests, lots of laughter.. and I got to listen to a whole audio book, Trophy of Grace, by Bronwyn Healy. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.. Marg River and Audiobook.
- my first time to Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie: We visited a Christian Aboriginal school in Coolgardie and a school in Kurrawang (very very small community). It was surprising to know that there are actually places in Australia that lack decent access to water and this affects whether or not the school can run. Nevertheless, it is amazing to see God's work in the hearts of the people. Loved seeing our teacher friends ministering to the students like mentors/ older sisters, one scene I cherished most in my heart was C teaching her students how to pray and encouraging them saying that sometimes we have so much on our minds but forget to pray about everything, but God knows our thoughts and we can commit them all to Him in prayer. Visited a camel farm and a mining site where the rocks on the ground that we walked on had gold in them! I really valued the hospitality and love shown by our hosts - so much love - better than 5 star hotel treatment.
- my first time to Esperance (via Albany): Mamamag's wedding was in Esperance.. this place is so beautiful and so amazing. If you are ever there, you have to visit Twilight beach and Cape Le Grand (swim in Lucky Bay and climb Frenchman peak). The drive from Perth was a bit crazier (8+hours). The weather was sunny most days and it rained on our way back so we didn't really need to wash our rented car! God's perfect timing ;) I loved how I felt so tiny standing before the ocean, and how we climbed Frenchman peak in our crocs :D I loved how mamamag's wedding was such a beautiful marriage between 2 cultures, the guests were all so happy to YAMSENG like what we'd do in Singapore.
- my first time wedding dress shopping/prewedding photoshooting with Kristi the bride-to-be! YES SHE IS GETTING MARRIED :D So privileged to be part of this journey with them and so glad that they found each other. I'm thankful that God has grown this friendship especially in the last year and I look forward to their wedding!!!!
I thought about my 2014 but my mind was a blank, besides being confused about how it's already December. One thing I realised was that I had spent less time reflecting - my quiet time with God had been in the last year overtaken by life, work, commitments, family, friends, the need for more sleep, hours of mindlessly scrolling through facebook, being a couch potato..but I hope that in the new year, even if it's just starting from 5 minutes a day or one day a week, I would like to get my private life into order; I would like to be God-led and not driven by the winds of my world of commitments/obligations; I would like to be more reflective. I shall make that my only goal in 2015.. although it really sounds like 3 or 4 goals o.0
I feel that my lack of reflection was due to big transitions in life that took up my attention and energy, amazing procrastinating skills, sometimes also (despite how much I value honesty) because I don't like being honest with myself. (yup. what nonsense.. what an escapist.. ). As a result, my lack of reflection has made me less aware of God's blessings in my life, less grateful as a person, I really feel that I'm not where I'm supposed to be spiritually. And because I have not been seeking Christ as frequently and intentionally, I have not been as effective in giving Him the glory that He rightfully deserves, or pointing others to His love and glory.
Therefore, here's a start - these are things that i've done for the first time in 2014 in a nutshell (actually, maybe a giant coconut shell):
- my first year working full time as an occupational therapist: this job is a gift from God and I'm reminded of His providence whenever I explain to others how I got the job. I'm thankful for the spiritual encouragement from fellow believers at work, who love Jesus and their colleagues and clients. I'm thankful for supportive colleagues, and the privilege to meet so many wonderful families and witness their love for one another. Even though I'm not the quickest in developing friendships, I'm thankful for the few colleagues I've had the opportunity to work closely and develop a friendship with. I'm thankful that work is not always easy so (as much as I'm lazy and do not like thinking) I need to actively problem solve and not be complacent. I'm thankful for the skills that I'm continuing to develop in working with every individual and looking at their lives wholistically instead of being tunnel visioned.
- my first year out of OCF and into small group: I was debating with myself if I should be joining a group of people that I'm not familiar with or with a seemingly almost entirely made up of ex-OCF curtin group. I thought it was good to step out of my comfort zone and fellowship with other faces that I haven't met in Subi. I went for the majority-ex-OCF-Curtin group in the end, because at the end of the day, I feel that small group is about fellowship and growing together in Christ. I guess it didn't really matter which one I chose, but being familiar with everyone in your group is a strength in different ways. I thank God for the faces that have come and gone, those that have come and have stayed, those that visit once in a while, those who have been faithfully leading and serving. Glad to say we have grown in numbers, and have more variety now over the course of the year - in age, nationality, life experiences and walks of life. We may be at different stages spiritually, but we are growing slowly and surely. I'd love to see the day where we will be praying passionately and zealously for the kingdom of God.
- my first semester serving in BSF leadership: I started serving when there was a need for a fill-in for my group leader who was going on long service leave.. I said yes, as I was keen to learn all I could and allow God to mould me in ways that would benefit His ministry. I am continually humbled and in awe of the leaders that I've started to serve alongside with - their heart, their time, their love for their group members.. it's beyond me. Before I started serving, finishing the homework itself by Monday evening was a big challenge - now I have homiletics to complete by Thursday night and homework to finish before our weekly Saturday morning meeting. I joined BSF because I wanted to be disciplined. Let's just say.. I'm still a work in progress! We will be studying the Life of Moses next year and I would want to complete my homework with ALL MY HEART and not just my mind. I want to be sensitive to what God is speaking through the passages and notes each week, and be used and equipped by God like how he did with Moses.
- my first year visiting Freo service: Subi has recently 'adopted' the Freo service and that congregation is full of elderly people overflowing with love. I can't forget the day I attended a baby shower of one of the few young families I met there. It was the young pregnant mother, her 4 year old daughter, and many elderly ladies eagerly showering them with gifts and lots of love. One of the ladies' shared that they try to be home away from home for young people who are visiting from another country. Such a privilege..
- my first time driving to Narembeen with small group: I must say that I have been trained well at work to drive long distances. Narembeen is ~4hours away from Perth where one of our small group member's parents are pastoring a church. We spent the Easter long weekend out there, ate awesome home cooked food, hiked around, visited Wave Rock, played ping pong, made nasi briyani, danced in church, played hide and seek with an obstacle course in the dark, visited the farm, did an easter egg hunt, played with cute kids and rested.
- my first time and second time driving to Margaret River with friends: I made the first trip with friends from BSF - had the most awesome passengers who kept talking with me the WHOLE ENTIRE JOURNEY. It's amazing how quick you get to know people when you are stuck in the same car for hours. Second time, I was there for Kristi and Chris' pre wedding photos. Both were awesome. Great company, beaaaauuutiful beaches, forests, lots of laughter.. and I got to listen to a whole audio book, Trophy of Grace, by Bronwyn Healy. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.. Marg River and Audiobook.
- my first time to Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie: We visited a Christian Aboriginal school in Coolgardie and a school in Kurrawang (very very small community). It was surprising to know that there are actually places in Australia that lack decent access to water and this affects whether or not the school can run. Nevertheless, it is amazing to see God's work in the hearts of the people. Loved seeing our teacher friends ministering to the students like mentors/ older sisters, one scene I cherished most in my heart was C teaching her students how to pray and encouraging them saying that sometimes we have so much on our minds but forget to pray about everything, but God knows our thoughts and we can commit them all to Him in prayer. Visited a camel farm and a mining site where the rocks on the ground that we walked on had gold in them! I really valued the hospitality and love shown by our hosts - so much love - better than 5 star hotel treatment.
 |
| Kalgoorlie's SUPERPIT where you find gold under your feet |
 |
| Coolgardie's Camel Farm |
 |
| Esperance, Cape Le Grand - Lucky Bay |
 |
| Esperance, Cape Le Grand - Frenchman Peak's Nature's Window |
 |
| Esperance - Twilight Beach's Sunrise |
 |
| Esperance - Samson's cat! |
- my first time wedding dress shopping/prewedding photoshooting with Kristi the bride-to-be! YES SHE IS GETTING MARRIED :D So privileged to be part of this journey with them and so glad that they found each other. I'm thankful that God has grown this friendship especially in the last year and I look forward to their wedding!!!!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Humans
Humans are strange. Their minds are hard to comprehend.
A familiar friendly face today can so quickly become a stranger.. an enemy the next day.
Life. How funny life is. The most trusted confidante is usually the one with the sharpest sword. You don't have to protect yourself from strangers, they can't crush you. The greatest disappointments come from having the highest expectations, the greatest dependence, the ones most trusted.
But who is not prone to failing?
Which is better then?
To have a heart of stone - emotionally detached but letting nothing hurt you.. or to have a heart of paper - trusting all, yet being vulnerable to disappointments that are bound to happen?
I wonder what was in Jesus' mind when he knew that Judas was going to betray him. He had spent his time and energy with his disciples - loving them, teaching and training them, caring for their needs and speaking up for them before the Pharisees. It was a big investment. Knowing that a recipient of all His love could actually even have the intention of killing him, that is horrible. Heartbreaking, awful, HOW COULD YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT SUCH A THING!?!
I also wonder what goes through God's mind when we first made the decision to turn away from our sins to follow Him wholeheartedly - deny ourselves, pick up our crosses daily to follow Jesus. Surely He must have ALREADY known that we will then go on and worry about handing in that assignment, passing that exam, graduating from uni, getting that job.. getting a job.. any job.., marrying before a certain age, having healthy children, earning enough to feed the family, our children having positive influences, our children handing in that assignment, our children passing that exam, our children graduating from uni, getting any job, our children getting married.. to the right person, our children having children.. life gets so full on, we promise God that we will spend some time speaking to Him in the morning, but its winter and your body just can NOT, for the life of it get up until you are almost late for work. In the daily disappointments or even when life is mundane... we start wondering if God is even real. We laugh at the Israelites worshipping that golden calf made from their own jewelry. They have physically been led and fed by God, HOW can one doubt then? But how disgusting is it that we do the same. One day praising God for His presence in our lives, the next day not believing He exists.
Yet it is for these very disgusting people that Jesus came. For these people that He died for, bearing the punishment for their sins in order that they may receive God's forgiveness. These people whom he loved but was betrayed by. These people..us. These people..me. While I was sinning, God had already chosen to love me and forgive me. Not because I earned His love or His forgiveness, but purely by His grace and mercy.
1John3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"
Matthew 9:12-13 "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick... for I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
A familiar friendly face today can so quickly become a stranger.. an enemy the next day.
Life. How funny life is. The most trusted confidante is usually the one with the sharpest sword. You don't have to protect yourself from strangers, they can't crush you. The greatest disappointments come from having the highest expectations, the greatest dependence, the ones most trusted.
But who is not prone to failing?
Which is better then?
To have a heart of stone - emotionally detached but letting nothing hurt you.. or to have a heart of paper - trusting all, yet being vulnerable to disappointments that are bound to happen?
I wonder what was in Jesus' mind when he knew that Judas was going to betray him. He had spent his time and energy with his disciples - loving them, teaching and training them, caring for their needs and speaking up for them before the Pharisees. It was a big investment. Knowing that a recipient of all His love could actually even have the intention of killing him, that is horrible. Heartbreaking, awful, HOW COULD YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT SUCH A THING!?!
I also wonder what goes through God's mind when we first made the decision to turn away from our sins to follow Him wholeheartedly - deny ourselves, pick up our crosses daily to follow Jesus. Surely He must have ALREADY known that we will then go on and worry about handing in that assignment, passing that exam, graduating from uni, getting that job.. getting a job.. any job.., marrying before a certain age, having healthy children, earning enough to feed the family, our children having positive influences, our children handing in that assignment, our children passing that exam, our children graduating from uni, getting any job, our children getting married.. to the right person, our children having children.. life gets so full on, we promise God that we will spend some time speaking to Him in the morning, but its winter and your body just can NOT, for the life of it get up until you are almost late for work. In the daily disappointments or even when life is mundane... we start wondering if God is even real. We laugh at the Israelites worshipping that golden calf made from their own jewelry. They have physically been led and fed by God, HOW can one doubt then? But how disgusting is it that we do the same. One day praising God for His presence in our lives, the next day not believing He exists.
Yet it is for these very disgusting people that Jesus came. For these people that He died for, bearing the punishment for their sins in order that they may receive God's forgiveness. These people whom he loved but was betrayed by. These people..us. These people..me. While I was sinning, God had already chosen to love me and forgive me. Not because I earned His love or His forgiveness, but purely by His grace and mercy.
1John3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"
Matthew 9:12-13 "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick... for I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl (Matthew 13:44-46)
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
What is our response to the gospel? What is our response to the good news that Jesus, through sacrificing His own life, has redeemed us from an eternal condemnation we had well deserved- the fiery furnace where there's weeping and gnashing of teeth; and instead called us to eternal life in heaven where we dwell in God's presence? How precious is it to us? How much does it matter?
Reading about the man who found the hidden treasure and the merchant who found the fine pearl of great value, I am caused to reflect on what my attitude is in response to the privilege of knowing Christ. Do I hold on to Him like my precious treasure? Am I ready to give up all things for the sake of Christ? The One who had lavished His love on us, not because we earned it, but because of who He is. His love is unconditional, unchanging and everlasting - He is indeed a treasure of great value, of far more worth than anything I can think of.
I also had the chance to hear about another interpretation of the same parable in the last week, talking about how God sees us as His prized possessions, and went to the extent of giving up His son in order to save us. How humbling and mind blowing that it was done out of love, for the sake of sinners. Even though we are like filthy rag cloths and disappoint Him time and again, He had already chosen to love and forgive while we were wading in the pool of sin.
I was reminded of Ice Age, of Scrat and his reckless abandonment of everything around him in pursuit of his acorn. How he'd climb the highest cliff, sail the deepest ocean, traveling far and wide with one sole focus. What amazing determination was demonstrated to acquire what he acknowledged as his treasure. Jesus Christ, the Son of God who sacrificed for me, is a precious treasure worth way more than that acorn, and I would like to pursue Him like how Scrat pursues his acorn.
In the words of apostle Paul in Philippians 3...
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousnessthat comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to knowChrist—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prizefor which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Impulsive Lucy
Today, we met Impulsive Lucy - a humble lady of simple, childlike faith, zealous for the Lord. She shared about her life journey of going to live in a foreign land, whose people she had already fallen in love with 19 years before God had said she was ready to go. It went hardly unnoticed that this amazing lady had a giant heart to serve God and His people. Being brought up to respect and serve our elders, I cringed in shame on behalf of the other young people present when Impulsive Lucy, even though evidently much older than we, offered to take our empty plates to the bin.
In her speech, she spoke of God's goodness and faithfulness in her life and shared stories which made us listeners can't help but praise God. Impulsive Lucy boasted in nothing but that of the love of Jesus.
Today, I learnt:
- expect the unexpected
1 Peter 4
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
In her speech, she spoke of God's goodness and faithfulness in her life and shared stories which made us listeners can't help but praise God. Impulsive Lucy boasted in nothing but that of the love of Jesus.
Today, I learnt:
- expect the unexpected
1 Peter 4
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
I SHALL NOT WANT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5xEYgGr6ms
From the love of my own comfort
From the fear of having nothing
From a life of worldly passions
Deliver me O God
From the need to be understood
From the need to be accepted
From the fear of being lonely
Deliver me O God
Deliver me O God
And I shall not want, I shall not want
when I taste Your goodness I shall not want
when I taste Your goodness I shall not want
From the fear of serving others
From the fear of death or trial
From the fear of humility
Deliver me O God
Deliver me O God
Written by Audrey Assad & Bryan Brown
© 2013 Audrey Assad Inc (BMI) / worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)
From the love of my own comfort
From the fear of having nothing
From a life of worldly passions
Deliver me O God
From the need to be understood
From the need to be accepted
From the fear of being lonely
Deliver me O God
Deliver me O God
And I shall not want, I shall not want
when I taste Your goodness I shall not want
when I taste Your goodness I shall not want
From the fear of serving others
From the fear of death or trial
From the fear of humility
Deliver me O God
Deliver me O God
Written by Audrey Assad & Bryan Brown
© 2013 Audrey Assad Inc (BMI) / worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)