life lessons.. still tough..

Its been a tough but humbling week. Can't share more details but suffice to say that God is teaching me to "wash one another's feet", even when they don't want it washed!

Whatever happened this week highlighted to me the extent of Jesus' love for us, that while we were still sinners, his enemies, when we didn't want him in our lives... he served and died for us.

I can't say that I've totally come out of what upset me recently, but I know I've moved on a little bit. It'd be a long journey but may God continue to lead me step by step!

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Otherwise...

I'm very happy with the grades for my first two assignments! Praise God!

Currently working on an essay: "Should Christians be Green?"... (ooo that's the colour of my blog background too.. haha..)... anyway feel like I'm losing momentum already.. I reckon having to write one essay a week is a wee bit too much for me! And I'm just taking the normal load of 4 units! Ah!

Jonathan & Soong Leng will be away later part of the week. Will be inviting some girls over for a small dinner gathering.. pray that I don't burn my cooking!

life lessons.. tough...

Patience & humility.. I reckon that's what God is trying to teach me now.. cos I'm rather frustrated & annoyed by something that happened.. God help me!

discipline - to stop working!

My eyes feel like they're about to pop out soon. Its almost 1 am and I'm rushing for my next book review due on Thursday. Why the rush when there's another 3 days to work on it? Because there are more assignments to conquer! Not to mention having to prepare for the returnees' workshop held next week and meeting up with Elaine on Tuesday for discipleship! And a full day at college on Wednesday!

Oh for the life of my eyes I think I just need to hit the sack now. One just needs to learn how to "give up" when its appropriate to!

So here's to all you hard workers who don't know when to stop working - Stop when your body tells you to! (Not to mention when your wife/friend/family tells you to too!)

Prayer.. do I really believe in its power?

My Bible reading today is from Luke 7:1-10, the story about the centurion whose faith surprised Jesus. He believed that Jesus could heal his servant who was dying, even without stepping foot into his house. "...say the word, and my servant will be healed."

Essentially, this man believed that Jesus was a man of authority - authority over even sickness & death. Jesus in turn was "amazed at him... he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."

I was challenged by this story -

1. Jesus had the authority & power to act.
2. It showed me the kind of faith the centurion had.
3. (Putting 1 & 2 together), it showed me the kind of faith I had, or lack thereof, that Jesus had the authority & power to act!

Reflecting on my own prayer life lately - although I have been praying and having regular prayer times... and yes, I do have some quality time with God during those times.. but.. I realised, that something was still amiss. I know I should pray, and I have been praying.. but was I really convinced that God was going to work through those prayers? Or was I praying because I knew it was the right thing to do, and that God may work through them?

To illustrate one of my recent struggles: Say I'm following up with one of the girls. Now my preference would be to meet up every week if possible - and the thought of meeting up a fortnight causes me to be a little uneasy. I have difficulty trusting that they will be alright during the two weeks that we don't meet... Although I pray for them, I have difficulty just letting go & trusting that God will continue to work in them in the meantime... In a sense, I pray but I don't know whether I could really trust that things will go well??

Quite arrogant isn't it? To think that I'm the one making the difference & not merely the tool in which God uses?!

So its quite a knife in the heart.. but this quote from the Encounter with God materials was really helpful in putting the finger on my issue:

Faith must be based on an understanding of Jesus' authority if it is to have any meaning. Are our prayers based on the vague conviction that God, acting in and through Jesus, might be able to do something, or are they based on the conviction that we are coming to the King of the Universe who has ultimate authority over all things? This is not to say that we will always get what we ask, for God has authority over us too, but it is to say that we can afford to come and make our requests in the total conviction that he has the power to act.

.... So what's going to change? Now I can pray with more confidence, not in my own feeble prayers... but in the God who has the power and authority to answer them!

Amazing Generosity....!

Just found out that someone anonymously donated AUD$2000 to my work here in OCF!

Wow..! Praise God!

If you are the one, could you just please drop me a line so that I can personally thank you? You cannot imagine how grateful I am!

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

And yes, THANK YOU to ALL OF YOU who have pledged and contributed diligently to my needs here too! No amount is too small in God's eyes, and in mine too! Really really appreciate the sacrifices that you have made too so that I may have this privilege to serve in OCF WA.

And THANK YOU to all who have diligently PRAYed for me too. God is taking good care of me, and I know He will continue to equip and empower me for His work!

All Praise and Glory to God my Provider!

prayer meet..

Praise God! I can finally put the book review aside. My lecturer is happy with it! Phew!!
Now... to the next assignment on the book of Jeremiah... Here we go again!!

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Had an enjoyable time at the Murdoch prayer meet just now. It was a potbless dinner, but I only joined them for the prayer part. Always encouraging to carry each others' burdens. Pray that this prayer meeting will grow!

done done done..?

Finally my book review is done! Thank God!! Cross my fingers that it meets the requirement! Going to show it to my lecturer later... Argh!!! I don't want to rework it!!!

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On a more interesting note, I just finished my mentoring course last night. Its been an awesome 6 weeks learning about the different skills in this area. I really appreciate the times when we're "forced" to mentor one another during the course, getting feedback and observing how others do it. I'm really encouraged to see myself grow in using those relational skills as well, though I still need lots of practice! Well I suppose its just like driving a car. You need to do it to learn it! So I'll just have to do it! So who wants to sign up as my guinea pig? =P

finish line in sight!

Almost there.. almost there.. just need another 400 words.. someone give me some inspiration with this book review!!

Eek..!!

Sunday service

Good sermon today by Graham - Psalm 8, my favourite Psalm! Good reminder of our significance to the Creator of the universe, despite how small we may feel! We are indeed greatly loved!

1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

caught in a ditch...

Struggling with my book review... never written one before... 1500 words?! How?!

Am I allowed to read other people's review of the book and then use their ideas (with due acknowledgment of course)? Or is it plainly MY own critique of the book?

Yikes.. hopefully Pastor Max & Auntie Patsy will be able to help tomorrow... *HeELp!*

encouragement.. & some tickling..!

Study break for me this week! Trying to get my assignments out of the way before I get way too busy!

Dropped by Vickery House on Tuesday - to visit the 2 non-Christian girls I met from camp. Was very encouraged to know that they've been attending OCF Curtin every Friday, and they enjoyed the evangelistic talk by Ronnie Fung last Friday. One of them commented that Ronnie was a good speaker, and that his message was so short (only 30 minutes!). That's the first time I've heard any non-Christian being so enthusiastic about wanting to hear more! (or am I just interpreting what was said matter-of-fact-ly to suit my "itching ears"?!)

We were just catching up over lunch, and I had the chance to walk them through the books of the Bible, briefly explaining the categories of the books (e.g. Gospels, Epistles, Historical books etc.). Also found out that they were attending a replacement Bible study that night instead of playing badminton with some friends. Wow! Praise the Lord!

Just what I need once a while - to see the work of the Lord in the lives of individuals - that makes my day! =)
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The Subicare Bible Study (BS) group I'm in is starting on a new book - Esther. OoooO.. half contemplating whether I should buy the Veggie tales DVD on Esther just to show everyone else in the group. Absolutely love the part where Haman was plotting to kill Mordecai by hanging him but the plan backfired on himself.. only that in Veggie Tales, killing was too violent for the kids, so they've modified instead to....
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Eternal banishment to the IPT: Island of Perpetual Tickling!

Imagine a hooded figure entering the scene (often portrayed as death), but instead of a sickle, he has a feather instead! Tickle tickle tickle!! Poor poor Haman.. he'd be laughing himself to death..! Boy, I reckon having to be tickled forever IS quite unbearable!! Of course, unless you're not ticklish to start with!
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10 blue bottles sitting on the wall...

Finally finished the last Harry Potter book. Phew! What an ending! No, I'm not going to reveal it if you haven't read it.. haha..

(Btw, my New Testament lecturer, who also teaches the Greek language, amusingly told us that her kids got her the Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone book.. written in Ancient Greek! )

Since THAT's out of the way, I have one less excuse to procrastinate on my assignments now. Reading the book was meant to be a reward for finishing one assignment 2 weeks in advance! Weeheee! One down.. Nine more to go!

So.. I reckon I should be busy the next few days trying to manage a book review (alas not Potter!).. "What's so amazing about grace" - Philip Yancey", and an Old Testament assignment on the book of Jeremiah.. eek..

Will also be preparing a workshop for returnees with Lisa, so that should be fun~ My first attempt at conducting/facilitating a workshop! I know some of my friends in Canberra have had countless of experiences doing those, not to mention getting out there to preach whilst still being students.. haha... amazing..

So.. if you're a RETURNEE reading this... maybe you'd like to share some ideas with me? hehe.. like "what do u know NOW that u wished u knew before u started working/returned home?" haha.. I suppose I should start by asking myself that.. hmm..

short update..

Been slacking from my blogging~ =(

Its the end of week 4 of Bible college term now, and boy I've learnt so much! I must say that I find the theology unit rather mind-boggling, and am secretly (well no longer a secret after this!) rejoicing that there aren't exams for it! Only essays and research assignments.. phew~~!

Enjoying the Christian ethics class tremendously..! I reckon that's probably the unit which I can draw direct applications out of more easily this semester.

Assignments - attempting a New Testament assignment about the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, 8 and 10. OoOo... controversial issue, but its been fun researching the different views about it and trying to come up with a conclusion myself. I reckon my conclusion is: There is just NO conclusion! muahahaha.. easy huh? =)

There's a book review, and a tutorial presentation for the Ethics class.. can't wait to start on that one: "Should Christians be green?" (i.e. environmental friendly?).. Ok, perhaps that's quite a straightforward one as opposed to something like "Divorce and remarriage"..
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Have started my regular meetings with my ministry mentor - Pastor Max and his wife, Patsy. Good to have someone more experienced in ministry to guide me through areas that I probably would never know existed..

Then there's meeting up with my OTHER mentor - guess who? Angel Ling.. (yes Ling no longer Voon.. haha..). Lots of laughs and coffee of course!
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Did I mention that my church back in KL generously contributed RM5000 to my "mission" here? Yeah, thank God! Now please pray that the AUD-RM exchange rate will drop so that I make the most out of that amount.. ok, sounds like a very selfish thing to pray for!

Photos of Winter Camp

Here's the link!

http://ocfwa.ocfaustralia.org/wintercamp/gallery/2007/index.html

Officially started! (E-mail update)

It has been a while since I last wrote, mainly because the past few weeks after winter camp have been relatively relaxing for me. It was a good time catching up on some reading, spending quality time in silence and solitude with God, and increasing in dependence through prayer. Thank God for such time to be able to better prepare myself for the tasks ahead, mainly Bible College and the demands of the OCF traineeship.

Bible College – Baptist Theological College

Attended the Orientation Day 2 weeks ago and it was enjoyable. We started with a chapel service which was led by some students of the Bible College, followed by a sharing from the Principal. The College’s motto is “Think, Do, Become” – Think what you’ve never thought, Do what you’ve never done, Become who you’ve never been”. Pretty stimulating don’t you think?

I was inspired by the lecturers as they shared their passion for teaching their particular areas of expertise. Even the thought of studying the Hebrew language sounded terribly exciting after the lecturer gave his spiel!

Another interesting aspect about the curriculum is that every Wednesday morning is devoted to a time of what is called “Formation Wednesday”. It is “a time to integrate heart, head and hands in a community setting” - basically a time to get into the practical skills of ministry. As part of the program, there will be time for accountability groups, practical ministry, community worship and lunch (which we take turns cooking in groups)! This semester’s practical ministry sessions include an elective called “Preaching for Dummies”, much to my delight!

Lectures have since started and frankly, there has been a lot of information to digest, not to mention the amount of assessments I need to fulfill as part of the course. So please pray that I can keep up!

(For those interested, I am taking 4 subjects: The early New Testament Church (Acts & the Epistles), From Israel to Judea (from 8^th century BC to exile to restoration), Foundations of Theology (Systematic Theology), Introduction to Christian Ethics (I really like this one!))

OCF Traineeship

Not much has progressed since the students have been on holidays. But I do thank God for the opportunities I’ve had to talk with Lisa (the other trainee), and to some of the student leaders about the various OCF centres and their needs. I have also been assigned to help out with OCF Murdoch, which is of great convenience because I stay nearby Murdoch University.

Thank God also for providing a course on “Mentoring” that I am currently attending (with a few other OCFers). As one who desires (and expected) to mentor students, I just can’t express how timely this course is to better equip myself for the task.

Also attended OCF Perth’s first meeting on Friday, where a speaker was invited to speak on servanthood. Using an analogy from the business world, the speaker said that if we were to “serve” our bosses and company, we would make the company’s agenda, our agenda. Typically, this would mean working efficiently and making profits for the company.

Similarly, if we were to serve God, we are to make God’s agenda, our agenda. This would mean serving His body – His people and placing their interests above ours. It was encouraging to see students being challenged to align their agendas to meet God’s – a challenge that calls not only for sacrifices, but in essence an outright denial of self interest. But what a marvellous example we have in Jesus, who is the ultimate embodiment of a servant, who himself is God, but gave up that right to be our exchange on the cross! Praise God indeed!

Praise and Prayer points:

1. Thank God for the time of solitude in which I can be strengthened in my inner being.
2. Thank God for the different avenues He’s using to equip me – Bible college, Mentoring course, OCF meetings
3. Thank God also for part of the finances that have come in just in the nick of time (i.e. before I officially start the traineeship). Please continue to pray that I will be able to raise the remaining amount!
4. Please continue to pray for guidance in the areas I should focus on, the students I should mentor etc.
5. That I may get to know the students better (especially the leaders)
6. For wisdom to set my priorities right as I balance both studies in Bible college and the relationships with students

Thank you for reading and praying!

gold nuggets?

Another fun lunch with Connie, Spring and Glenna at Vickery House. Unfortunately Radha got a call to work so couldn't join us. Played another round of Rummy-O or Rummikub or Gin Rummy, whatever u wanna call it.. hehe.. Had a short game of tennis - more like hitting & picking up balls as we were all amateurs!

Had a sneak peek at Baptist Theological College - like I just saw the sign by the side of the road.. haha.. but am excited about starting my semester there soon and Orientation next Wednesday!

Catching Harry Potter tonight - hope to get good seats!

So how have I been going with my journaling? Two entries so far.. not too bad.. and its been helpful to bring clarity to my thoughts/reflections etc.

Been reading "Courageous Leadership" by Bill Hybels lately (after I finished with Gordon McD). A nugget of encouragement: "...in the early days of this church, nothing deepened my trust in the goodness, grace, and miracle-working power of God like the financial pressures that we faced every week... Don't underestimate the value of the spiritual growth that will take place in you and in your church as you address these resource challenges."

I read this when I was at my lowest emotionally lately - struggling with the issue that I have yet raised enough money for my traineeship. It was uplifting to be reminded not to give up hoping, praying and trusting God for His providence. I know something will work out eventually; but its the waiting that stretches me most. Nothing has really changed with the figures since then, but at least I've been given an extra boost of hope.. to carry on hoping.

Subiaco Church..

3rd week attending Subi church - a pleasurable experience so far. Since Soong Leng has been involved with teaching the kids in the morning, I've had the chance to be at church before the 2nd service starts and kept myself busy with the prayer meeting happening at that time.

It wasn't exactly one of those "well since I'm already here, I might as well join in the prayer meeting" type of decision. While I must say that it has been rather convenient these 2 weeks, I've been thinking more lately about disciplining my prayer life, and thought that joining the prayer meeting would be a good way to start.

The group that meets are primarily of the older generation - while not entirely to my surprise, it drove back the observation that Gordon McD makes:

"Have u ever noticed that most faithful intercessors seem to be older ppl? Why? One reason may be that they have had to simplify their activities. But also note that older ppl may have become aware that intercession is much more effective than hours of unprayerful activity. And of course, experience through trial and error has taught them the wisdom of leaning on the reliable strength of God."

I hope it'd be something I'll learn way before I turn 50!
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The message at church today was an excellent reminder of what we truly value as our treasure. Timon preached from Matthew 13:44-46.
"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.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The kingdom of heaven (which refers to our relationship with God) is likened to a man who found a great treasure or pearl, and gave up all he had to gain it. Interestingly, Jesus told this story in context of another point He was making (Matt 13:37-43 & 47-51) - that at the end of time when God judges the world, there will only be 2 destinations for each of us - the realities of either heaven or hell. And a relationship with Jesus is the only way to get us to heaven. In light of this, no wonder Jesus should be treasured!! cos He's our ONLY hope and form of rescue from hell.

Timon then ended with an illustration : Say I gave you a parachute and said "Here, wear this - it'd make your flight more enjoyable." While u're wearing it, u'd probably find that over time, it'd be uncomfortable, a little bit heavy etc.

But if I said to you "Look, this plane that you're on is going to have an engine malfunction in an hour's time. Here's a parachute". You'd be clinging on to it for dear life!! That parachute will be your treasure!

The question is asked about us: Is my relationship with God MY treasure? Or is it just ONE of my treasures? What we value, we spend on - time, money, even life itself! Some food for reflection indeed..

Winter Camp (E-mail update)

It’s about time I updated you about what happened last week at the OCF WA Winter Camp – to the glory and praise of our Lord Jesus Christ!

It was a 5-day camp, filled with lots of good laughs and a meaningful time getting to know God and the students. I went to camp expecting that my primary and only task was to get to know the students. Little did I know that God was preparing a surprise for me, much to my delight!

I was approached by Lisa, the current trainee, asking whether I would be interested in sitting in a special Bible study group led by an OCFer – Glenna, for the rest of the camp. This special group was catered for non-Christians, of which there were a fantastic four of them in the camp (all girls by the way). Lisa on the other hand, would join the other groups during their Bible study sessions.

Much to my discredit, my first thought was “Hmm... but I thought I’m just here to relax and get to know people!” But since I didn’t really mind joining the group, and that I’ve got a wee bit of experience in leading and being part of such groups, I had a go at it anyway.

Needless to say, it was the best thing that could have happened to me during the camp. I was very much reminded of the great time I’ve had leading “Discovering Jesus” groups whilst in OCF Canberra, and found myself drawing from my experience then. (Thanks Chong Wei for your faithful guidance in the past!)

However, this time I wasn’t doing the leading, as that was Glenna’s job! =) Nevertheless it gave me great joy seeing how some of the non-Christian girls started with zero knowledge of Christianity, and ending up hearing the gospel about Jesus’ rescue mission for humanity. As I shared with some friends later on, it was as if my heart skipped a beat every time the girls seemed to get closer and closer to understanding God’s love for them.

Other highlights of the camp included getting to know some of the other students and learning more of the culture of the fellowship. While I have yet to have a proper chat with Lisa, it was good to have a chance to observe some of the things she did as a trainee during the camp (e.g. conducting workshops, sitting in committee meetings etc.).

Praise and Prayer points:

1. Praise God for the winter camp and the committee who was faithful in organising it!
2. Pray for follow up with the girls in the group.
3. For God’s guidance as I continue to think about the areas of interest in which I should focus my energy and time on during this traineeship.
4. For God’s providence financially.
5. That Jesus must become greater and I must become less (John 3:30).

Order in the garden..

Did I mention that I'm going to try and start and continue to keep a journal? Haha.. well, I suppose this blog is meant to be some sort of a journal.. but I reckon its a little bit too public for some thoughts to be written down..

Recently, I've been reading the book by Gordon McDonald - "Ordering Your Private World". Its a book that highlights the importance of us putting order into our private life, or "inner garden" as Gordon likes to term it. Without this order in our inner garden, we can possibly thrive on short term talents and successes, but the long term effects of stresses is bound to take a toll on us.

He starts the book with an illustration of what he calls the "sinkhole syndrome". Sinkholes occur in the ground when underground streams dry up during a drought, thereby causing the surface ground to lose its underlying support. The surface then sinks in, bringing along people, buildings and anything else that was on it.

Similarly, our lives can end up in a sinkhole. We may find that because we have never learned to build the inner support that we need, we cave in to the pressures of life at some point in time. He suggests that, in order for us to remain standing at those times, we must, at a much earlier stage, been consistently cultivating the inner strength that we need to face those rough times.

Needless to say, the only way we can gain such strength is from a consistent communion with God Himself. As a Christian, one has probably been taught at an early stage of the importance of a daily "quiet time" with God. While to many of us, this has come to mean reading the Bible and praying, Gordon brings much insight when he ask this of a pastor he came in contact with "Are you taking time regularly to order your inner life?"

Had he ask it in a different way, i.e. "How is your quiet time?", the pastor could have answered it quite simply in terms of days, hours, minutes, systems or techniques. But because he used the word "order", it was one of quality, not quantity.

As I cruised along with Gordon in this book, I am drawn and attracted to the type of inner spiritual life that he so emphatically exhorts us to have. To be able to say as E. Stanley Jones did on his deathbed, describing the strength of his spirit "The innermost strands are the strongest. I need no outer props to hold up my faith, for my faith holds me."

Gordon McD suggests 5 issues that we need to look at in our quest of ordering our private world
1. Motivation
2. Use of time
3. Wisdom and knowledge
4. Spiritual strength
5. Restoration

I don't think I have done justice of giving a good review to Gordon McD's book - but nevertheless, I hope you'd get the book and read it for yourself (if you haven't already done so), for its highly recommended to all who wants to take their walk with God seriously.

Ok, so how is all this related to me keeping a journal? Gordon McD suggests that journalling helps one meditate and reflect on what God wants to teach us - through our Bible reading, praying, thinking. It is a discipline that enables one to put down in words one's thoughts, through which God can bring to mind. It enables deep reflection on one's life, which can only be done through silence and solitude.

For the past few years, I've tried journalling for some time (though not consistently). During those times, I did find myself being more in tune with the rumblings of my heart, of the 'little' things that God was doing in my life, of being strengthened with peace from above. Sooo.. fingers crossed that I won't give it up half way again.. here's to a fresh new attempt - this time, with much more discipline and intentionality to Order my Private World! =)

Shopping...

I'm getting confused of how I should actually use this blog.. haha.. I've been mainly putting up my e-mail updates about my Cambodia trip, but haven't really used it to record down more day to day stuff.

Oh well, I suppose I can do both.. put up my e-mail updates.. AND write about other stuff =)

I know I haven't talked much about Winter Camp yet, but am planning to write that in my e-mail update.. (which I haven't gotten down to doing yet..). So I'll leave it till later..

Went shopping with Glenna and a few other girls I met at Winter Camp - Connie, Spring & Radha. Was more "window" shopping for me, as I ended up buying nothing. But it was still a good time learning to take the bus from my place to Curtin Uni, and then back again. Feels much safer now that I at least know how to get around on my own a bit =)

Connie, Spring & Radha are three non-Christian girls I met at the Winter Camp. Oh well, I guess I'd need to reveal more about what happened at the camp to give a bit more of "context".. I ended up joining the group for non-Christians, much to my surprise (& delight). Anyway, today was just an outing to hang out together (with Glenna the group leader) at Carousel Shopping Centre. We ended up playing this game "Rummy-O" at Vickery House (the girls' hostel area) with Lemuel, another OCFer. Oh boy, its such an addictive game.. and really fun too.. and Lemuel only got it for $20! Ah@!

So I anticipate dropping by Vickery House more frequently now.. especially in the next few weeks before Bible College starts!