Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Psalm 127
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
-----------------------
been witnessing quite a bit of relationship/BGR issues around recently....sigh....sometimes i think it is probably one of the most difficult areas of life for any young person and even for adults!
young people want to get attached, can't handle, make mistakes....the older you get, the problems stay the same..(maybe sometimes get worse too....)
i don't think it is so much about choosing the right person, though that it is extremely important...but really it is the principles that we hold on to in life that really steer the course of any relationship..
Reading Psalm 127, you realise that it is not just talking about a literal house or building or city. the word house in hebrew "bayith" refers to "family" as well. you realise that really, unless we are seeking and putting God first, unless we wait upon the Lord, we are going to be in trouble and end up labouring in vain.
i realise too that in relationships, coming into relationships, or changing church or job or ministry...the same principle tends to apply.
often we get dragged down and break-up, quit job or ministry because of the "pull-down" factors e.g. sermon no good, boyfriend no good, chairs too hard...or whatever...and we begin to think that "hey maybe God is calling us somewhere"....well MAYBE only....
often i think the rule applies "stay still untill you are sure God is Calling you somewhere else"...
read the story of Peter's calling to be a disciple of Jesus...Peter just kept on doing his job as a fisherman...Jesus called him while Peter was at work....and not while he was laying on the shores of the sea for a sun tan!
God calls, He calls clear....sometimes we just have to clear our ears of our agenda and sounds?
you think so? hmm.....in any case...wait upon the Lord, save yourself the heartaches that will come in the future, Trust God, and be patient.
said so much...Isaiah listen to youself! =p
Monday, September 22, 2008
Choosing the wedding photographer
wooh! another of our friends is getting married! 19/09/09
so that makes 4 weddings to attend in 2009 already!
Gown, looks like our original choice is the winner.
but for photography?
hmm....have to make appointment and visit them! there's this new trend where couples take nude shots for their wedding pix....but erm...i think we will pass on such photographers...so that's a big pool eliminated. maybe i shld just take myself haha since i have my tripod, just need to get the remote for our camera =p
http://www.chrisling.com/
http://www.vividshots.com/home.htm
http://www.utopiaphotography.com/portfolio_2.htm
so that makes 4 weddings to attend in 2009 already!
Gown, looks like our original choice is the winner.
but for photography?
hmm....have to make appointment and visit them! there's this new trend where couples take nude shots for their wedding pix....but erm...i think we will pass on such photographers...so that's a big pool eliminated. maybe i shld just take myself haha since i have my tripod, just need to get the remote for our camera =p
http://www.chrisling.com/
http://www.vividshots.com/home.htm
http://www.utopiaphotography.com/portfolio_2.htm
http://www.tinydotphotography.com/portfolio/pc_portfolio/ (pls vote this for "Others"!)
1 Cor 9
19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.
22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Amen
20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.
22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Amen
Sunday, September 21, 2008
If God is so perfect, why did He need to create us humans?
shalom asked an interesting question, or rather, her friends had an interesting question
-----------------
The same verse in the KJV puts it as:
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
putting these 2 translations side by side, it is clear that:
1) our creation was out of the active will of God, His decision and not some after-thought => think about all the children born out of wed-lock nowadays. in His book, there are no "accidental" children!
2) We are created for His pleasure => in Hebrew, pleasure is "thelēma" (thel'-ay-mah); a determination (properly the thing), that is, (actively) choice (specifically purpose, decree; abstractly volition) or (passively) inclination: - desire, pleasure, will.
=> desire, pleasure, will. "thelema". A single word so loaded with meaning.
Perhaps the greatest reason that God created us, is so that we can enjoy the fellowship & relationship that the Trinity enjoys. that between the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
perfect love, perfect unity.
-----------
few young christians nowadays would know the Nicene Creed below. it states out the agreed understanding since AD325, what we believe the Trinity to be:
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
And this below, the first of the 39 Articles of faith.
I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
---------------------
Ok, what's the point of all the ancient jargon?? => Just as the Godhead is of the same eternal substance, so too we, as given Gen 1:27 that we are all made in the image of God, and yet as the Trinity is of three distinct persons, so too we, are distinct from our neighbour.
---------------------
God simply wants us to experience the best and share all of creation with us (see Gen 1:26). Sin messed up the picture, but through the 2nd "creation" of Christ's redemptive work, we can experience again that fullness of life (John 10:10) that the devil stole!
so if ever a friend ask you this question, lead him/her to the next. "why aren't we experiencing all this goodness?" and share the Good News with them, that they can reclaim it in Jesus name!
And as Toby Mac puts it "I was made to adore You, I was made just for You!"
"If God is so perfect, why did He need to create us humans?"
----------------------
I like the way this pastor puts it (http://www.carm.org/sermons/1Cor_1-9.htm)
Have you ever wondered why you are here? Why God created you? Was it to satisfy a hidden need in Him? Was it because God was bored just hanging around forever in empty space doing nothing. Maybe it was because He was just curious and wanted to know what would happen if He made a bunch of people and put them on a planet in the middle of nowhere. The Bible doesn’t specifically say why God made us, but it does say that he created us.
But, why are you here? and let's get it clear that God did not "need" to create us. He wanted to!Rev. 4:11 says, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
-----------------
The same verse in the KJV puts it as:
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
putting these 2 translations side by side, it is clear that:
1) our creation was out of the active will of God, His decision and not some after-thought => think about all the children born out of wed-lock nowadays. in His book, there are no "accidental" children!
2) We are created for His pleasure => in Hebrew, pleasure is "thelēma" (thel'-ay-mah); a determination (properly the thing), that is, (actively) choice (specifically purpose, decree; abstractly volition) or (passively) inclination: - desire, pleasure, will.
=> desire, pleasure, will. "thelema". A single word so loaded with meaning.
- God desired to create us = what can that mean but that He loved (& continues to love) us (psalm 139)
- It was and is His good pleasure to have created us and to shower His love upon us (1 John 3:1)
- An active, purposeful choice to create us = we are created in purpose! (cf Jer 29:11, jer 1:5)
Perhaps the greatest reason that God created us, is so that we can enjoy the fellowship & relationship that the Trinity enjoys. that between the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
perfect love, perfect unity.
-----------
few young christians nowadays would know the Nicene Creed below. it states out the agreed understanding since AD325, what we believe the Trinity to be:
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
And this below, the first of the 39 Articles of faith.
I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
---------------------
Ok, what's the point of all the ancient jargon?? => Just as the Godhead is of the same eternal substance, so too we, as given Gen 1:27 that we are all made in the image of God, and yet as the Trinity is of three distinct persons, so too we, are distinct from our neighbour.
---------------------
God simply wants us to experience the best and share all of creation with us (see Gen 1:26). Sin messed up the picture, but through the 2nd "creation" of Christ's redemptive work, we can experience again that fullness of life (John 10:10) that the devil stole!
so if ever a friend ask you this question, lead him/her to the next. "why aren't we experiencing all this goodness?" and share the Good News with them, that they can reclaim it in Jesus name!
And as Toby Mac puts it "I was made to adore You, I was made just for You!"
Thursday, September 18, 2008
help needed - choosing the bridal studio
Or collective wisdom as Isaiah would say :)
Been to a couple, triple, quadruple.. well, a few bridal studios so far. Quite sian to go because it's a pretty tough thing to make appointments, fix a good time, then travel all the way down there. Ok, i know it ain't that tough but i'm pretty lazy. And i know i shouldn't be lazy because it's the dress. But..
*snaps out of it.
Ok, drum roll please.
(silence)
I SAID drum roll..
*drum rolls...
(hahaha, i am entertaining myself at 1.30am)
First choice - Silhouette The Bridal Atelier
Second choice - Bridal Veil
Of no order of merit.
To be honest, it's pretty unfair to simply list the names down without further explanations. However, since i have to get up at 6am tomorrow morning and my greatest fear is being late for work....
Right, enough nonsense from me. Inputs please :) Thank you peeps.
Been to a couple, triple, quadruple.. well, a few bridal studios so far. Quite sian to go because it's a pretty tough thing to make appointments, fix a good time, then travel all the way down there. Ok, i know it ain't that tough but i'm pretty lazy. And i know i shouldn't be lazy because it's the dress. But..
*snaps out of it.
Ok, drum roll please.
(silence)
I SAID drum roll..
*drum rolls...
(hahaha, i am entertaining myself at 1.30am)
First choice - Silhouette The Bridal Atelier
Second choice - Bridal Veil
Of no order of merit.
To be honest, it's pretty unfair to simply list the names down without further explanations. However, since i have to get up at 6am tomorrow morning and my greatest fear is being late for work....
Right, enough nonsense from me. Inputs please :) Thank you peeps.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
love is in the small things
When Monday is as blue as it can be...
He brings you to a lovely movie :)
And bought you the cutest of all things.
When Tuesday ain't any better...
He buys you your favourite breakfast.
Sends it to your workplace
And then change his dinner meeting to send you to your meeting.
All these while he's sniffling away.
I love you too :)
He brings you to a lovely movie :)
And bought you the cutest of all things.
When Tuesday ain't any better...
He buys you your favourite breakfast.
Sends it to your workplace
And then change his dinner meeting to send you to your meeting.
All these while he's sniffling away.
I love you too :)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Things i learnt recently....
- Choose your battles to fight - 14th sept
- It's about the "being", not the "doing" - 11th sept
- Patience - 11th sept
- "Unless my knowledge of the Bible is producing more love for God and others, it's of no use to God" - Our Daily Journey, 15th Sept 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
brain dead brain dead
Its 3.17pm. I've to go for basketball training pretty soon.
I'm in the staffroom.
I'm supposed to do something highly confidential.
But i'm brain dead. I cant think! I can only hum after the song, Singapura.
How to make a brain less dead? Surely sleep is one of them. But that's out for now cos i need to pass my colleague the highly confidential document by today.. after i vet through it. Or ahem, after i have thought through it.
Oh i know, i wanna gym! There's kickboxing today at let's see.. 4.30! And Cardio Sculpt.. Yay! Unfortunately, these are timings that i can't meet. Gotta stay in school for bball babe!
You know, i think i need to shop. But not for clothes or related stuff. I've received a revelation last night. Actually i do have enough clothes! Can i hear someone say wow? I needa shop at BORDERS! Shelia O'flannagan's new book is out again! yay! And i wanna buy more travel guides. And maybe i needa go to the library at Toa Payoh cos i heard that its empty.. And it makes no sense to buy more travel guides..
On another completely different topic altogether.. well, something related to the blog! We have finalized the hotel... might be finalizing the bridal studio soon. :) And then i'll post bout it kay! After i have cleared my markings! And after i found my hotel for states.
Talking bout hotels, should i book my hotel for USA now? Should i use airfare.com? Or lastminutetravel.com? They offer cheap hotels BUT i heard bad reviews. On the other hand... even top internet travel service provider expedia.com has bad reviews. HOW? :) I prayed though.. let see what God says!
Ok back to wedding stuff..
I was thinking that i dunno how to smile. When i really smile my eyes are like slits (refer to facebook account). When my eyes are open, i dun look smiley. When my eyes are forced open, i look like a clown. For one year of my sis' birthday, we took photos. And i thought i was pretty clever to smile widely yet keep my eyes opened wide. I looked like a clown.
Anyway, this is a nice look to achieve:
Not the gown. The smile.. does it rhyme?
Ok, enough rambles. Its time for b-ball! :)
Have a ben & jerry's!
God Bless :)
I'm in the staffroom.
I'm supposed to do something highly confidential.
But i'm brain dead. I cant think! I can only hum after the song, Singapura.
How to make a brain less dead? Surely sleep is one of them. But that's out for now cos i need to pass my colleague the highly confidential document by today.. after i vet through it. Or ahem, after i have thought through it.
Oh i know, i wanna gym! There's kickboxing today at let's see.. 4.30! And Cardio Sculpt.. Yay! Unfortunately, these are timings that i can't meet. Gotta stay in school for bball babe!
You know, i think i need to shop. But not for clothes or related stuff. I've received a revelation last night. Actually i do have enough clothes! Can i hear someone say wow? I needa shop at BORDERS! Shelia O'flannagan's new book is out again! yay! And i wanna buy more travel guides. And maybe i needa go to the library at Toa Payoh cos i heard that its empty.. And it makes no sense to buy more travel guides..
On another completely different topic altogether.. well, something related to the blog! We have finalized the hotel... might be finalizing the bridal studio soon. :) And then i'll post bout it kay! After i have cleared my markings! And after i found my hotel for states.
Talking bout hotels, should i book my hotel for USA now? Should i use airfare.com? Or lastminutetravel.com? They offer cheap hotels BUT i heard bad reviews. On the other hand... even top internet travel service provider expedia.com has bad reviews. HOW? :) I prayed though.. let see what God says!
Ok back to wedding stuff..
I was thinking that i dunno how to smile. When i really smile my eyes are like slits (refer to facebook account). When my eyes are open, i dun look smiley. When my eyes are forced open, i look like a clown. For one year of my sis' birthday, we took photos. And i thought i was pretty clever to smile widely yet keep my eyes opened wide. I looked like a clown.
Anyway, this is a nice look to achieve:
Not the gown. The smile.. does it rhyme?Ok, enough rambles. Its time for b-ball! :)
Have a ben & jerry's!God Bless :)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The search is on for the Bridal Studio!
Am looking at these bridal studios (or BS as the forums call it. the terms are killing me) currently:
Silhouette The Bridal Atelier :) :) :)
Bridal Veil :) :)
The Wedding Present :)
Been feeling quite sian recently. The short endorphines moment from gym are keeping me going! It's time for me to go back to God, for regular QTs.. for regular conversations.. and to stop feeling so irritatingly sian..
Silhouette The Bridal Atelier :) :) :)
Bridal Veil :) :)
The Wedding Present :)
Been feeling quite sian recently. The short endorphines moment from gym are keeping me going! It's time for me to go back to God, for regular QTs.. for regular conversations.. and to stop feeling so irritatingly sian..
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Indescribable
We sang this at "COLLIDE". Fantastic song! can we sing this in church pls!
Beyond the beauty of a sunset, beyond the realm of imagination....God You are God
--------------------------
Indescribable
by Chris Tomlin
by Chris Tomlin
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Creation’s revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
INCOMPARABLE, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
take a moment to consider, what does this mean??
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us...
Ephesians 3:20
according to his power that is at work within us...
Ephesians 3:20
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