The Journey so Far

This year marks 6 years of theological studies. The journey so far has been an exhilarating one. It has been a roller coaster ride of sorts. There were high moments and low ones of course. Moments to catch my breath and moments that left me gasping for breath. Overall though, it has been a most enriching and beneficial one to say the least.

6 years is a long time to study for a degree. Not that I am complaining. Through it all, I see the Lord's hand guiding me through the uncertainties as I journey towards my call.

The end is finally in sight. If all goes well, next year will see graduating. I awaited with bated breath. The end is in sight but a another journey awaits.

Lord, help me as I entrust my future in your hands.

Love is Sacrifice

Love is sacrifice. It is hard to navigate through the mini storms that arise from time to time.

It requires effort and at times it requires one party or the other, even either to take a step back to reflect. At the busiest of times, when assignments abound and deadlines loom before me, that is where the storms often threaten to burst onto the scene. Often, I am left helpless and being hard pressed for time for my assignments, I am forced to shelf the disturbing emotions for another time.

Really need time to reflect. These storms are unnecessary and cause needless hurt to either party. If the relationship were to move a step further, compromises need to be made. Adjustments need to be effected.

For now, my assignments hold priority. Time is needed to work things out and time will be set apart.

Lily Neo - An Inspiration

There has been alot of buzz about the recently concluded General Elections. This led me to to find out more about the political parties over the internet.

As I was surfing through the People Action Party's website, one of our MPs caught my attention. It was none other than Dr Lily Neo. Not that I was new to her. Have known her since she entered the political scene since 1996. Back than, she was a 43 year old and what struck me was her beauty and how young she looked despite her age.

However, it was not superficial youth or beauty that attracted me to her. Over the years, being one of the MPs for the Jalan Besar GRC, she has worked the ground tirelessly and constantly seeked to improve the lives of her constituents. She is often seen at community events and actively participates in charity.

Prove of her commitment towards her role as an MP has not been more evident on her parliamentary debate with the MP in charge of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports on the issue of increasing public assistance for the needy. What struck me was her boldness in raising up the issue for debate. Though she was given generic answers coupled with the Speaker of Parliament asking her to tone down her rhetoric, she persisted in bringing across her point. The points she brought up for debate were valid as she walks her talk. Despite juggling family, her medical practice and her duty as a MP, she takes time to walk the ground and connect with the people in her constituency.

Truly, Lily Neo is a true leader. A leader with the looks, brain and most importantly, heart. She is an inspiration. In an age where many are endue with power but do not use them wisely, she is truly one to look up to and emulate.

The Object of My Affection

A picture speaks a thousand words. So I will just let them do the talking...

Dear, if you are seeing this... just wanna say... I love you. Muack!

8 is a Lucky Number (for the chinese)

This months marks my 8th month in love. Time passes by fast.

Looking back, it has not been the smoothest of journeys but a fulfilling one. It has been a journey of learning, discovery, sacrifice and maturing. Tis so sweet to be in love.

Looking forward to October, when it will be 1 year when it all started. Wonder what shall I do to make it a memorable one for both of us? ^^

If you are reading this dear, know that I am thinking of you (despite you saying i only do when i am not busy). ^^

Memorial>> 30 April 2011

On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”
~Joshua 4:19-24~

In case you might wonder what is purpose of the above portion of scripture, just read further and you will know why.

I signed up for the Fresh Fire Conference not expecting much. If fact, my main motivation was to clear my Student Service Hours asap. This I did, serving as an usher at the annual AGM of the Assemblies of God and during the Conference itself. What I did not expect was the prophetic move of God that was so strong.

God surprised me again. I had just left my previous church and was not feeling at the best of spiritual states but my Heavenly Father had other plans. He touched me...

From the very moment Pastor Dominic, our General Superintendent, followed by the very first sermon during the AGM, God spoke to me. All throughout the other sessions during the Conference, He kept downloading into me His thoughts and probed at my slacked state. If I could summarized all that the Holy Spirit spoke to me, it could be done in two categories:

1) A new beginning
He wanted to give me a new start. Put the past behind and focus on that which he has prepared for me in the days ahead.

2) A season of multiplication
Pastor Dominic, outlined some new initiatives to revitalize the AG in Singapore and what he shared struck a chord with me. Coupled with the challenge by John Partington's challenge to 'wear bigger jackets,' I heard the Lord telling me to prepare for promotion and change in my spiritual walk and ministry in the days ahead.

That was not all...

On the second day of the Conference, the Holy Spirit again ministered to me. Moved me would be a better word. I attended the 'Spirit Empowered Youth' workshop. Pastor Julie Khoo was the speaker. She presented to us the characteristics of contemporary youth culture and shared about how the Lord called her into ministry and helped her to grow the youth ministry of her church, Glad Tidings PJ in a span of fourteen years. It was inspiring to say the least. As I listened, I just felt the Holy Spirit whispering to me, "You can do the same too." As she concluded her sharing, she proceeded to pray for the youth pastors present. After which, she asked for them to pray for everyone present in the workshop. Pastor Gwen from Trinity Christian Centre came over to me and spoke prophetically into my life. She said that the Lord sees all that I have been doing for Him these years. There have been many disappointments and discouragements but He said not to give up and press on. Hold onto the promises that He has give me. Though my hands are rough from sacrificing much for the Lord, He is bringing me into a new season. He is giving me a new beginning. Upon hearing those words, tears just welled-up in my eyes as I knew my Heavenly father cares for me and He was griding me up for mighty exploits in the near future.

That is just part 2...

Come the last day of the Conference, I text Charles and informed him that I could not make it for ushering as I felt physically drained. But I attended the youth rally held at Living Spring Fellowship alter in the afternoon. Pastor Julie Khoo was the speaker. As I worshipped, I felt the Lord moving my heart again. I was prompted to knee and as I did so, tears started to flow. I told the Lord, to touch me real deep and give me a spiritual encounter such that I have never experienced before. I told Him to visit me in such a way that this day would be a memorial like the day the Lord parted the Jordan and instructed Joshua to create a monument to remind the Israelites and their future generations of the day He exhibited His grace and salvation to them. The Holy Spirt told me, "I have already made this day as a memorial." Even as I heard the Holy Spirit, I felt it was just an appetizer and I told the Lord, "Give me a greater touch of Your Holy Spirit today."

I was not to be disappointed...

Pastor Juile Khoo preached on a message of freedom after the worship and issued an altar call. She called for non-believers to respond to the gospel message, thereafter, called for those who have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit and those who have not been practicing the presence of the Holy Spirit to come forward. She invited all those who were already baptized in the Holy Spirit to come forward to surround their friends in prayer. After which, she asked us all to worship in the Spirit. As we did so, she asked us to go further by asking God for a word as we worshipped. As I worshipped, the Holy Spirit initiated part two of my earlier prayer. I began to see a blur. I asked the Lord to make the blur clearer. The blur quickly sharpen into focus and I saw a stage setting, complete with lightings, a worship band and contemporary deco. As I continued to gaze upon the vision, I noticed a figure in the foreground of the stage. He was holding onto a microphone and he was preaching. That was when the Holy Spirit broke in and said to me, "That is YOU." My heart jumped and immediately I knew God was making known to me my destiny.

Almost instantly after I was gifted with the vision, Pastor Juile Khoo asked for those who received from the Lord to come on stage to share. Three brothers responded and I was one of them. As I made my way up onto the stage, I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me that this vision was not meant only for me but for the other youth who were gathered in the auditorium that day.

When it was my turn to share, I related the vision I received and the moment I got to the part when the Holy Spirit told me that the figure was me, I heard a resounding 'wow' from the audience and possibility also from Pastor Juile Khoo. I than proceeded to share the impression that the Holy Spirit laid upon my heart as I walked up on stage. I told the youth gathered that there were those among us who have heard the call of God upon there lives but they are either afraid or running away from their callings. I encouraged them to not run away but press on and hold onto what God has given to them. When they do so, they will begin to see a generation won to Jesus and many more young people entering the kingdom of heaven. As I shared, I heard Ryan Smith, the C3 band and Pastor Juile Khoo, sound their agreements and affirmations. When I finished, resounding applause resulted and I told them all to direct their praises to God.

However God was not done yet...

After the final sharing by the third brother, Pastor Juile Khoo asked for those who felt led to be called into full-time ministry to come forward to prayed for. One-third of those gathered came forward. I stayed behind of course. Pastor Juile Khoo than requested for the pastors present to pray for their youths who have responded. Pastor Sophia backed that up by asking all the youth present to surround their friends in prayer. As I was alone, Pastor Mark came up to me and laid hands on me. He prayed a short prayer of encouragement. He asked God to strengthen me. He asked also for God to heal me of my hurts and the tenacity to press on and not give up on the promises He has laid upon my life. Tears flowed down. Together with Pastor Mark were two sisters who also laid hands upon me. I presumed that they are his youth leaders. They are Joy and Evelyn from Emmanuel AG (Thank you girls. You spoke powerfully into my life). They prayed in tongues for a period of time, after which, Evelyn than spoke a word of knowledge to me. She started by saying that she was not sure if she heard right. She proceeded to say that God was bringing me into a new season and that even though my current situation does not reflect this new move of God, do not be discouraged and press on. She than said that God will raise me up to begin a revival. As the very mention of revival, I cried profusely. Joy than spoke to me and said a similar thing. She mentioned that God will raise me up to begin a revival. As I heard that, I started to weep like a baby. I wept because I knew the Lord was giving me triple confirmations about my future destiny. He had answered my prayer. That day, He gave me a Memorial. He gave me a spiritual encounter I will never forget in the days ahead. I know for sure that He has called me and chosen me to spearhead a mighty move that will revive the youth landscape of Singapore and the nations beyond!

Thank You Lord! Your humble servant is at Your beck and call!

A Step of Faith

Have always believed that I must hear from God audibly before I am sure its really Him directing my decision making. This time though, I was proven wrong. But before I continue to blogging, I must substantiate why do I think that way.

Due to past experiences, the Holy Spirit has always spoken to me by either impressing upon me a word or through whole sentences. Furthermore, most of my spiritual enlightenments have been received through reading the Bible or listening to sermons. These have therefore, led me to conclude that hearing audibly from God is the usual for me.

However, recently, the Lord decided to prove me wrong and show me that He speaks through other mediums too or should I say environments.

Since I received my calling in 2004, I have been quietly anxious of when and where I will be entering the ministry. The Lord however had other plans. He is and always will be interested in the journey and not so much of the destination.

The Lord has tested me on my tenacity since He revealed to me about my calling. Tested on every imaginable front. Brought down to my humblest. Made to totally depend on Him for my every need.

This time, I was feeling really lousy in my present situation and this led me to seek the Lord for His audible voice telling me which direction to take. Well, to be clear, I seeked Him for a month and He remained silent. Than a thought came to me. Maybe I have been focusing too much on the audible voice that I was neglecting the other signs that were pointing to the direction that the Lord was leading me towards. With such a revelation, I started to turn my attention towards the situation unfolding before me and I realized that the Lord has been trying to catch my attention all this while. When I came such a realization, I immediately knew what direction the Lord wanted me to take. He has been trying to catch my attention all this while but I have been too occupied in trying to box Him up in the way He works.

It was a practical lesson in listening to the voice of God. He speaks not only through an audible voice but through other means too. We need only to tune our spiritual senses to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's signals and lay down our human tendency to trust in the predictable.

Indeed, it was a step of faith!