Sunday, December 28, 2008

the comfort of our homes..

Taking a break from my assignment :)
Staying in Singapore away from my family has helped me to appreciate the comfort of my home, my mum's cooking, the air-con, my dad's car, my bed....
Coming back to Singapore means I have no choice of food but hawker food. Been living on that for the pass 7 years, wash my own clothes, walk to the mrt, survive on fan even on a hot day, school work and waking up early most of the time! trap in the confine of four walls. How I dread to go back when I think of this...sigh.
One more week to go.
The pass week has been heaven. I've been so pampered by my mum.
I said I had a craving for century egg, and today I saw a whole lot of them on the table haha...
I told her I felt like eating fried egg for dinner today, and she specially fry for me even though thats like 5 dishes already...
She cooked my fav dish and because of that I overeat...again...how not to when it's so yummy. I eat up the sauce too...
I thought of the ipoh beancurd while doing my assignment this afternoon, and she bought them. I think it must be God or just a mum's instinct to read our minds :)
I used to love eating out because we used to eat in most of the time, now after having eaten hawker food for the pass 7 years....I shudder at the thought of eating out. Even a fried egg and a simple plain dish taste better.
Strangely, I enjoy doing my assignment here...maybe it's the food and the comfort...or just my mind free from work and studies.
Thank God for New Creation and you guys, I would not have survived Singapore if not for this =)

Thursday, December 25, 2008

How's 2008 been..

It's been a year of good endings...
I would say that it's been a tough ride for me at the start of the year esp having to juggle both my new job and studies, the challenges that kept coming my way seems like a battle I've been constantly fighting all these years. But it all came to an end at the end of this year.
For all that we go thru the Lord is preparing and building a solid foundation in us.
Just before I left for home, I received a letter that brought a smile to my face. It was this same subject in the letter I receive a day before camp that brought tears to my eyes. I'm simply amazed at how timely things can be. "Grace has been extended to u indeed" was the reply Coach Jo-Ann sent me. Someone who has been walking this journey with me. We question God sometimes His timing, but I've learn to just trust Him and be confident that it'll all work out for my good.
When I follow His decision, led by the peace and life in me, He makes all good abounds towards me. Whatever that has troubled me in my job, has become a blessing for me. Thank god for a boss who prays for me :) To me the greatest blessing is to be in a job you enjoy, can grow in, and have the same vision as the boss. Simply because we spend most of our time in our job. Seek to know where He wants you to settle in because it either makes you a better person or it takes the life from you.
It's interesting the ideas that I have in mind were the things my boss is implementing. I'm going to have a class of my own instead of splitting and sharing the kids daily. My colleague loves the cartoon 'Smurf' and I quite like it too, so we're choosing that as our main name =) Boss chosed Brainy smurf for me :( hoping now I could go back and change it. The five kids my colleague text me yest were all the kids I had in mind. My colleagues and I initially plan to take turns to choose hehe..Amazing. So far only 5 kids at the start of the year =D with 3 teachers haha~
What's more amazing is my brother bought a new computer at home. On my way home, I was thinking of the hassle I had to go thru to go to my aunts place to do my assignment. Never in my wildest imagination I would have thought of this. He bought it only for only $600. It's brand new plus it comes with a printer. The shop was clearing their stocks:)
Thank God for the close friends he has kept strong and the new people he has brought into my life. In fact, a large part of my frens are the ones I just got to know this year. I wouldn't have walk this year with so much memories without them.
Looking forward to a year of growth! =D Grace IS with us!
Picture : My nephew "Where's your head?"=)

Friday, December 12, 2008

Purpose Ignites Power

I did a random search for the word 'Purpose Power & God' after my previous entry and this was the first article I found. It's interesting how similar the things that were spoken in this entry with what the Lord showed me at the final part of my previous entry :) along with some gems I never did see before =) Illumination. Hmmm...How true. Heh~
"When I walk in the desires of my heart, He gives me supernatural strength and love to do what I'm called to do. When there's purpose, there's power to do what He has called you to do. Just caught this =)"
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"Where there is no vision the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he" (Proverbs 29:18). "Enter the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way easy, that leads to destruction, and those that enter by it ARE MANY" (Matthew 7:13).
There ‘ARE MANY’ Christians today without purpose, without vision, and without a quest for destiny; and the end thereof is to perish and destruct. As we humble ourselves and pray for a deep abiding hunger for God - a one on one personal relationship, not to be confused with the blessing of God, or the knowledge of God, but for God Himself; as the hunger fills us so too will the purpose. The purpose and will of God will ignite within us as we earnestly seek the God of things, not the things of God (Matthew 6:33).
Any foundation that is not built on knowing God is a false foundation. Many confuse the knowledge of God with knowing God – there is vast difference! Hebrews 11:10 begins to point us in the right direction. Abraham knew not where he was going, but he knew what he was looking for. "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." Our ultimate calling is to ultimately believe. Relationship produces understanding, which produces vision. Abraham knew only what was in his heart and he was willing to forsake all to pursue it.
As Abraham, we too are seeking a city with foundations and the foundation of the city in which we are to abide is Jesus. The strength and type of any building is its foundation. Our spiritual lives are a reflection of the foundation underneath us, the invisible strength upon which we stand. "No man can lay a foundation other than the One which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 3:11).
Relationship produces vision and vision produces power. We need a continual God given revelation of what we are to pursue and truly come to a place of trust where we lean not unto our own understanding. There are times ahead in which this revelation will become increasingly important. "Unless the Lord builds a house, those who build it labor in vain" (Psalm 127:1). "I can of my own self do nothing…"(John 5:30).
Most of us are not receiving revelation before we pray or before we enter into an endeavor, and consequently our efforts are in vain. We need to come into a God given vision and purpose, EVEN IF IT IS SLOW TO UNFOLD, for as we seek first the Kingdom of God, all things shall be added unto us. God wants us to come as little children, "…except ye turn and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).
We are being brought into the Kingdom as we find our appointed places in God. We are now beginning to be caught up in the whirlwind of the Holy Spirit. As with Abraham, God is shattering our earth bound natural existence that is keeping us out of the Kingdom and the supernatural plan and provision of God. We are God’s planting and we will begin to flourish as His Kingdom comes. As the call upon our lives takes form, and as we move into the place that our Father has prepared for us, we begin to enter into His Kingdom. Our Father is now gathering us who are straggling and bringing us into line according to His purposes.
Awhile back my wife and I saw an excellent movie entitled ENEMY AT THE GATE. The World War One story line revolved around the Russian Army's historical defense of Stalingrad as a last line of defense against German invasion. The movie, whose events were based on historical fact, serves to illustrate a major point in understanding purpose and destiny and its relationship to God’s power operating in our lives.
As the battle progressed, it became apparent to Russian military leaders that the battle was no longer simply a battle for a city, but of much greater importance, a battle for the country; the dire consequences of which meant German domination. As knowledge of the greater importance became known among Russian ground troops, their routine fighting and somewhat mechanical defense of the city transformed into a mission with great purpose and passion. A new invigorated purpose ignited a strong action, the results of which were the turning point of the battle and eventually the war. The greater purpose released an invigorated passion, which turned the tide of battle.
True passion can only be ignited by purpose, vision being the ultimate motivator. Now translate this into spiritual terms and the spiritual energy of a God appointed destiny: "Men perish without vision." God’s vision within the heart of a man is the strongest motivator any man will ever know while walking this earth. As the historic World War One example reveals, purpose ignites power. We have come to the prophetic hour in time in which our purpose and destiny can be found with great clarity as our hunger for God grows.
Let us look at another point that ties into vision and purpose: "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The fear of the Lord is earnestly hungering for Him, walking in obedience to His direction, worshiping and being in His presence, accepting Him on His terms, and ultimately seeking His power and purpose to work in and through us. Simply stated, Fear of the Lord in a Biblical and Spiritual sense IS obedience and compliance to God’s agenda, which IS our destiny.
When we operate in a true fear of the Lord, there is a oneness between us and God that unites God’s purpose and power in our life – the place where we touch true God breathed, God inspired destiny; the type that changes circumstances, people’s lives and moves us into the ORDAINED plans, purposes, and POWER of God. True fear of the Lord establishes (releases) the Authority of God in us. Scripture tells us that God’s people perish for a lack of knowledge or, said differently, God’s people perish for a lack of knowledge of the Spiritual Authority and purpose God desires us to walk in. Purpose ignites power in a natural sense, just as God’s purpose ignites supernatural power is a spiritual sense. When we move in God’s purpose (our destiny), we can expect all heaven’s backing; we can expect to be able to accomplish what we, on our own, are not capable of accomplishing.
"The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are ANY WHO UNDERSTAND, any who seek God." If we seek, we have a Biblical promise that we will find our purpose and authority. POWER FROM HEAVEN CANNOT COME WHERE THERE IS NO ESTABLISHED AUTHORITY, AND AUTHORITY CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED LESS WE SEEK HIM FOR IT. Seeking Him, establishes the Authority through which the power can operate.
God is calling the Church to walk in and live in His anointing (for us) and not be satisfied to simply sit under the anointing of another on Sunday morning.
The word of faith movement taught us to know who we are in Christ, now our Lord desires us to know who He is in us. When WE begin to know Him and who HE is in us, and GAIN KNOWLEDGE THAT HE WANTS TO WORK THROUGH US, we will begin to see HIS PURPOSE AND POWER OPERATE IN US.
When we truly recognize that it is not about us, but Him who lives in us and His will, we can with confidence speak His word into circumstances by the leading of His Spirit and see the circumstances change – "Whosoever shall say unto this mountain..." (Mark 11:23).
Until now, we have been content to have the Lord revealed TO US, but the day has arrived that he wants to be revealed IN US. This new wine will require new wineskin. God doesn’t simply want to bless us, he wants to inhabit us: Better said, and contrary to present Church doctrine, He doesn’t want to improve us - HE WANTS TO REMOVE US! He wants us doing what He does, saying what He says and STRATEGICALLY moving away from the Church mindset of being blessed, to being a blessing!
"His intent was that now, through the Church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal plan which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:10).
"Through the Church," which is God’s people, is God’s "manifold wisdom," which is God’s word, being made known to THE ENEMY AT THE GATE. With this in mind, now understand Luke 10:19, "Behold, I have (GIVEN UNTO YOU POWER) to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and (OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE EMENY), and (NOTHING) shall by any means (HARM YOU)."
Vision, or a sense of purpose should become our quest with our Lord. It is the ultimate motivator and will bring a quality of life that cannot be measured in words. When we grasp God’s vision for our lives, especially as it relates to specific purpose, a supernatural spiritual energy is released in us TO PERFORM THE PURPOSE. As you touch this energy you will find that it transcends spirit and releases a natural physical energy that will touch your mind and physical body, just ask Moses, Abraham, Joshua or Caleb.
AWAKEN! AWAKEN! NOT ONLY TO THE SPHERE, BUT TO THE FACT, THAT I HAVE GIVEN YOU SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE. AWAKEN EARLY TO UNDERSTAND THE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY I HAVE GIVEN AND THE SPHERES OF ITS APPLICATION. I MAY SPEAK BUT A SINGLE WORD FOR YOU TO KNOW WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN POWER TO PRAY AND SPEAK MY WORD.
by Clay Sikes
(Emphasis in capital letter is by the original writer :))

Thursday, December 11, 2008

To move or to stay

This pass two weeks, there's an unsettledness in my heart if I should remain working in childcare line or move on to a less tiring child related job or try out a different age group in another branch. Now that I've gotten the answer, and my heart is settled =) I looked back to realised how silly for me to even think of such thought. I'm glad I went through this phase too, so I'll not doubt where I am and could give my best to it.
The word unsettled came to me just before I decided to write this. Looked it up in the dictionary and I think it reallly gives a whole lot clue as to how and why I felt the way I do.
Unsettled : If you are unsettled, you cannot concentrate on anything.
I knew in my heart I cannot make a decision when I am tired. Yet my heart was restless. I began to rationalise in the natural. Everyone who had worked in childcare told me not to. Even if you do, maybe part time would be more logical. How I long for that day yet it was not something I could consider now. Could it be the age group I worked with? The younger toddler. My colleague teaching the older ones tell me it's tiring looking after them. All this just confirms how I felt at that moment.
My friends from the other centre teaching the older kids started telling me about their place, how warm and nice their principal is and the people there. They have heard so much about my principal and what a perfectionist she is.
I found out two days back that one of my colleague transferred with another colleague from another centre..My colleague casually asked my boss if I could...She gave me so many answers..bottomline is no and stay. My supervisor summarizes it well, "So simple.You dun have to keep figuring out and could go home and study".
When I knew the answer, I shifted back my focus and enjoy where I was. I knew and trust that my boss knows best and every decision or open door is under His control.
Today was my last lesson for the module 'Infant & Toddler'. My lecturer played a video on Infants and Toddlers in a childcare. Deep in me, I knew I still very much love this age group.
The frustration comes when I starts to reason again...These little ones cant talk back to me. The most they can tell me is "No", cat, duck, dog, bye....
But I know in this pass one year, I've learn a lot thru them. Mostly to learn to communicate to them even when they do not respond, that first comes with knowing them. And most importantly to learn respect especially more with infants.
My heart is settled now where I would want to teach this coming year and because of this, I know I can give my full concentration to it. When I walk in the desires of my heart, He gives me supernatural strength and love to do what I'm called to do. When there's purpose, there's power to do what He has called you to do. Just caught this =)
And with the purpose, it gives you peace and life in every area of your life. I'm happy and well now =)
Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the Law, happy is he (KJV)

If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. (Webster)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

I feel the stretch

I counted this afternoon the number of things I have to do this weekend after my boss walk up to me with two big boxes for me to decorate adding to the many things I have in mind. I just gave her a 'nice' smile.
"When do you need it by?" Silly question I know. Just for the fun of it. I know her answer will definitely be..as soon as you can. Although bosses sometimes gives you grace of time, but everyone knows it's best to deliver a product as quick as you can. Afterall, I'm going to see her everyday and it's going to linger in me.
So in total I have nine things-to-do in my list.
I really dunno where or how to even start them. I started by borrowing eight art & craft magazine's from the library just now =) Happy that I found them.
I love to do all the things in my list and do it well and pretty for the deco...Haha..and I just realised now I've a test next fri...Oh well...
I'll most likely be a hermit staying at home this long weekend.
Just pray that I'll not lose any more weight. The battle begins this Saturday morning =D