Master. Mission. Mate.

Master.
Humble submission to the Lordship of Christ.

Mission.
Go. Make disciples. Witness. Testify.

Mate.
Hardest part: saying no with your mind even when your heart says otherwise. Know the attributes you're looking for. Be selective.

*****************************************************
Be very clear about your Master and your Mission. Then make sure your Mate is the one that joins you in this same journey, rather than one that pulls you away.

*****************************************************
Such are the words of wisdom from the wiser, matured pilgrims.

Thank You Lord for sending me reminders & pointers, every now and then.

Ordering Your Private World

As I enter my final two weeks in Msia, I've been thinking a lot about the year ahead. This "thinking" has always been at the back of my mind really. I know that to prepare me for what is in store in 2007, there are heaps of renovation that God needs to do in me...

A run-through of 2006 made me realize that I often hit the wall, as mentioned in the preface of "Ordering Your Private World" by Gordon Macdonald. I thank God that I lost the earlier edition of the book (yea, the one that vanished from my hands). The previous book was already convicting me yet the new edition spoke right into what I've been feeling and experiencing.

My inner garden needs cultivation. Some serious gardening needs to be done by the Gardener.

This book has given me really practical pointers and I appreciate the many examples the author used to help me see a point. It's an easy read on one hand (not that kind tt makes u go "huh?" every so often) yet on the other hand, it calls for a deliberate decision on the readers' side to start the "ordering" process.

Many times I find myself in the midst of every hustle bustle. I'll try to dirty my hands somehow and just fill up every empty slot with things to do. I've been a driven person. But after all these busyness going on at the surface, what's it really like on the inside?

A mystery...

I was reading it. And I couldn't let go because from the beginning I was already very convicted...

Looked up. Saw Jane. Closed the little book in my hands, put it in my bag and got into her car...

It wasn't until after we visited several locations (petrol kiosk, Coffeebean, dentist etc...) tt I realised the book's nowhere to be found!

How can that happen? I rmb slipping it into my bag. Jane saw me holding the book while I was waiting for her. Yet, the book seemed to have vanished into thin air! We went back to all the places we stopped at, eyes kept on the floor, under the tires of some cars... Zilch.

Thank God I managed to find a replacement. It's a different edition though. I feel really bad cos the book's not mine. Sigh. I hope there's no sentimental value in that book. Maybe God wanted someone else to read it too...

Anyway, i started on the new edition of the book immediately. The updated examples were more fitting for the here and now (in relation to me i guess). More amazingly, the author's personal experience described in the preface was something I could identify to.

Lord, I commit this unto You. (but when I get to heaven, solve this mystery for me eh?). Give me the courage to tell the truth.

P.S. if the owner of the book's reading this, erm... ya, maybe i can buy u coffee? =P

Can Two Walk Together?

3:09am.

Despite not having slept much the previous night, having a whole day out, and in the midst of reading another book, I was led to pick up "Can Two Walk Together? - Issues Christians struggle with" written by Ps Tony & Aunty Teresa. After I unwrapped the book from it's plastic covering, it was the point of no return. I just had to finish it in one sitting.

The excerpt, only a page long, had me in tears, even though it's a story I've heard before. Yet, in the 1st chapter, Ps Tony & Aunty Teresa's love story sent me into bouts of laughter, with my face still wet with tears. I admit I'm a sucker for love stories - I try to stay away, but this is different. this is no fairy tale - it's real. God is in it.

As I flipped the pages, the words came alive and I heard them in either Ps Tony's or Aunty Teresa's voice. It's refreshing to see how God is at work here in Malaysia. Having been away 1/3 of my life, I embrace the Malaysian flavour. It's like inhaling the exotic aroma of curry laksa after the numerous cuppa with cheesecakes. And the beauty of Malaysia is that you can have ur cuppa and drink it, you can have ur cheesecake and eat it, after your curry laksa.

From the heart-warming love story, to calling vs job vs vocation, serving God in the drudgery yet finding joy, superstitions, the spirits in the world, identity, the faithfulness of a God who provides, NS in Msia, the typical Asian dad we can't relate to, sufferings... God is there.

Yes, indeed, God is right here with us. Every step we take in His will.

Taking care of Self - Emotionally

Self-check:

1. Have u laughed several times today?
2. What percentage of ur self-talk was positive today?
3. What amt. of time this past week did u spend living in the present?
4. Did u do something 3 times this week for relaxation and recreation?

• No? Call me out for coffee... cheesecakes...

5. How often were u stuck on "Plan A" this month?

• Let's throw out the Js and be Ps!
  

6. How much change have u experienced during the past year?
7. Is the sexual part of your life healthy?

• "For the single person, that involves a discipline & commitment to purity consistent wf 1 Corinthians 6:19-20."

8. Have u done something good - physically, psychologically, or spiritually - for 1 person this week?

• Can't decide who's the lucky person? U've got my number.

9. Have u forgiven the last 3 people who offended u?

• "It is inaccurate to say "I cannot forgive" since forgiveness is a matter of will."
  

10. How many times has envy affected u this year?
11. Did u talk with ur spouse (or, if single, a close friend or relative) 3 times this week abt ur feelings?
12. Did u share ur burdens with a friend this week?

• "Each of us needs abt 6 ppl wf whom we can share our true feelings & still feel loved."
  
• "Allow others to give friendship to u; the give & take of friendships will be impt to keeping ur life balanced."

13. Did u do at least 1 specific thing this week to become closer to a relative - a parent, brother, sister, or other close relative?

*********************************************************

"An impt. principle to improving one's life is that proper actions lead to proper emotions."

Dun feel like doing the "right" thing?

"The actions of doing the right thing will soon be followed by the desire to do them..."

(from "How to beat Burnout" by F.Minirth, D.Hawkins, P.Meier, R. Flournoy)

Coffeebean @ KLCC

Rain. Book. Coffee. God & me.

Ard late June last year, I was sitting at the exact same spot, furiously journalling away.

This time, I had a book with me.

It wasn't raining to begin with. Yet, as it poured, there's a sense of thanksgiving tt I'm indoors. It's somewhat like a reminder that God is right there with me, and as I watched the rain, I thank Him that I can enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Thank you, Lord.

Mia Palencia @ The HUB

wow. she's really awesome~

so were the rest: esther, ellie, april, ann nyee... such gifts from God displayed through them!

the highlight for me must be the cajón. Ooohhh~ it's the first time i've seen one actually. but wow! it really got into me...

(more on the cajón: http://www.tonecajon.com/index.php?page=history)

i quite enjoyed being part of the hustle bustle. it's kinda like the hustle bustle in OCF yet a completely different feeling. oh yes~ it's OCF hustle bustle sans stress =)

thank You Lord, for the opportunity to serve You.