Tested

I received this message today.

"Make it your aim to do what is right, not what is evil, so that you may live. Then the Lord almighty really will be with you, as you claim he is."
Amos 5:14

I was again tested by faith before the day ended at office.

Red Dragonfly

红蜻蜓 - 小虎队

飞呀 飞呀
看那红色蜻蜓飞在蓝色天空
游戏在风中 不断追逐它的梦
天空是永恒的家 大地就是它的王国
飞翔是生活

我们的童年也像追逐成长吹来的风
轻轻地吹着梦想 慢慢地升空
红色的蜻蜓是我小时候的小小英雄
多希望有一天能和它一起飞

当烦恼越来越多 玻璃弹珠越来越少
我知道我已慢慢地长大了
红色的蜻蜓曾几何时
也在我岁月里慢慢不见了

我们都已经长大 好多梦正在飞
就像童年看到地红色的蜻蜓
我们都已经长大 好多梦正在飞
就像现在心目中红色的蜻蜓

source: http://asianfanatics.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=89112

We sang this at Pat and Jos's wedding last night, quite an impromptu one, decided last minute when the singing got the crowd very involved. Thanks to Nessie for googling the lyrics on the spot, that helped a lot especially for those of us who have not sang it for many many years.

We used to sing this at camps or almost any other group events of LOM. Today, the lyrics had a different meaning.We have indeed grown up (and wide :P ). Are our dreams really taking flight with us?

The song also brought back a lot of memories, then and now, at least for me. What we used to do and believe. And I am thankful no matter what. The "prime" of my youth was spent serving the Lord in this society. At different periods with this group of friends which created a bondage among us despite time, distance, environment etc. I am privileged to have been on that journey.

Thank you Lord!

I was in awed of a message I received this morning. He knows, He really knows when I need it.

"In everthing we do, we show that we are God's servants by patiently enduring troubles, hardships and difficulties. 2 Cor 6:4. (God's glory will shine and His name will be praised through the different way we handle crisis and problems as we fully use the gift of patience from the Holy Spirit)."

It was an encouraging start. I have been taught before that to give thanks always. In good times and especially in bad.

Thank You Lord - Don Moen


Thank You Lord

I come before you today
And there's just one thing that I want to say
Thank you lord
Thank you lord
For all you've given to me
For all the blessings that I cannot see
Thank you lord
Thank you lord

**With a grateful heart
With a song of praise
With an outstretch arm
I will bless your name
Thank you lord
I just wanna thank you lord
Thank you lord
I just wanna thank you lord
Thank you lord

For all you've done in my life
You took my darkness and gave me your light
Thank you lord
Thank you lord
You took my sin and my shame
You took my sickness and healed all my pain
Thank you lord
Thank you lord

You Are Here

I trust that for everything that I do, it was part of a plan that God had planned for. A good example was this morning when I had planned to wake up at 9.30am and go for the 10.45am mass. Instead, I woke up later, 10.30am. The feeling was not good as waking 1 hr earlier could have meant I could have that extra 1 hr to do what I wanted to do today. (just in case you're wondering why I woke up late, I slept at almost 3.30am) I woke up knowing that I need to check what is the next mass time that I can make it for. And there was another at 11.30am.

It was a guest celebrant for that mass, only know him as Fr Joe from Franciscan Missionary. I was quite distracted during mass. And somewhere during homily, I managed to catch Fr Joe mentioned that in this time of recession, many people are turning to religion for divine intervention in any ways. What he said just struck a chord with how my life has been lately. I'm not that affected by the recession, I'm thankful for that, it's something else.

I'm grateful that I "subscribe" to this daily bible verse sent through sms. Of late it just seemed like God sent me many encouragements to hang'in there. I'm glad that during my low times, I kept Him in my life. Or maybe I should say that I only remember Him in times of need.

The hymns that we sang today reminded me constantly that I am His. That I am always in His care, He is my refuge, He will see through all that is to come. I felt so loved. A feeling which felt so familiar but lost I it when I tried so hard in controlling my life. The days where no matter how tough times were I would hold on to him and let Him lead. These days, I only tell Him to lead and really expect my cross to be lifted instantly. And when I can't feel it, I get frustrated. The fact is, He has always been there. I just did not see Him and put my trust forth.

Another thing that Fr Joe said, what do we do to show others that we are Christians? That we just put words of praises on our lips? That I abstain on meat to show that I am a good follower? Instantly my brain refers this statement to a colleague who shares the same religion as me and what the person is doing towards me now. I have been so focused on all the negative vibes and it really upsetted me. Fr Joe reminded me of a sentence which I won't remember in such trying times - No matter what, keep your smile. It makes your enemies wonders what you are up to. I must admit that it was tough being a Christian in office these days. In my heart, I was hoping so hard that person would get the same message today. I realised while I focused so much on what is done against me, I fell into the trap that would make the evil one happy. How my secret hoping that some justice could be done treated an eye for an eye. What a Christian have I been too?

It's a new week, a fresh start. Help me Lord, to live my life this week with what you have always wanted us to do. "Go forth to love and serve the Lord." Keep me with you. For every trial, Your graces are there enough for me. Teach me to entrust my life in your hands, once again.

You Are Here

You are here in our midst.
How we've waited for moments like this.
Have Your way in this place.
Holy Spirit come do as you wish.
We are changed as You move in our midst.
You are here among us for we have gathered in Your Name.
We can feel Your presence in this place.
You are here among us.
You are enthroned upon Your praise.
You are here, here to heal and here to save.

©1996 Don Moen / Marty Nystrom By Integrity / Hosanna Music
Words and Music by Don Moen/Marty Nystrom

Getting Out of Comfort Zone

I zipped down my school's flying fox today. Not for fun but trying it out for myself and testing the management system and conducting style for it. I wasn't sure if I could follow the recommended format. As I'm writing now, I'm still thinking.

In most conventional flying fox / zipline / omega, whatever you term it, there would usually be 2 handloops where you can put your hands in and hold on to it. It somewhat would give a person a sense of security. The one I tried today has nothing to hold on to. I can only hold on to my primary safety line if I need some "assurance"

It took me a little bit of psyching-up to lean forward and go with the flow. If you see the drop, it looks really scary. I guess it's really about trusting the system, the despatcher, the equipment and all the other factors. Eventually I did. I had a good time whee-ing down the tower :D

When I was going back to the office, I kept thinking how this system could work - without handloops. I challenged myself to think what this activity will give to the participants but of course not compromising safety.

I must admit that without the handloops, it took me a much longer time to get down. It seemed like I was missing something, lesser sense of security. I just needed more assurance for myself. Translating it to life, isn't this what we also always want to have as well? Don't we often tell ourselves that we must have 'A' so then only can we get 'B' done? Do we see the handloop really as an assurance or can we do without it? The fact is we are safe and secure already by the system and the equipment. Why do we need something else to deceive ourselves psychologically that this is safe?

Haha, good thinking... I guess I have sorted it out, the handloops.