How likely are you to be scammed?

 Today, The Strait Times published an article about people being scammed and the top 5 types of scamming methods

Scamming is a big industries and one should be aware and not fall prey to it. Know yourself, your areas of weakness for being preyed upon is important.

I am unlikely to fall prey to love scams, Job scams, China official Impersonation scams. These kind of scams, I just ignored. As for loan scams, I don't need to borrow money. My likely-hood of being scammed will be internet related scams, such as a false website links which ask you for personal details like credit card number or Bank number. This kind of scam is sometime hard to detect. The internet links and web-page can look very similar to the real one. Once, I was preyed upon and enter my credit card number. Then, about a month later, about 4 British pounds was deducted. I immediately informed my Bank and they blocked my card and issued me a new card. DBS bank was also gracious to refund me the money lost. Thankfully, this incident was a small transaction and taught me a great lesson of never to trust any website. But we still need to use internet transaction with credit card in these era of days. Now everyday or so, I would monitor my cards recent bills to make sure there not fraudulent transactions.

We live in the internet world where thieves take on a new form, no longer physical but through the devices like phone, computer and any digital mode of communications. 

Sometimes, I just long to go back to the simple life of yester-years.

Any experience of encountering scams?

Blessings

Back to Singapore Bible College Library

 After more than 2 years of hiatus, I went back to the Singapore Bible College (SBC) Library to look for some books. As my membership has expired, I need to renew it. Being an alumnus of SBC, I could make use of the facilities and resources available, and for enriching myself through reading and learning.

Singapore Bible College classroom, as seen from the Library

A few days ago, I was reflecting and asking God what I should focus on in 2023. I just simply asked for 2 words - one for myself and one for the church's cell group that I was in. The word that I received for myself is "suffering", which come quite unexpected. Maybe, God want me to prepare for something which has not being revealed to me yet. And so, I have started reading and studying on the Book of Job in the Bible.

Today at SBC Library, I decided to look for some reading and study material on the Book of Job. 

An interactive Study Guide on Job - Charles Swindoll

 I particularly like Study Guides written by Charles Swindoll or Gordon Fee. Their writings, books, and study guides are usually reader-orientated kind of writing. 

I also borrowed another book - Application Commentary on the Book of Proverbs. I am journaling my reflections on Proverbs - and also hopefully to compile it  as "A proverb a day, refresh the Soul always!". This thought was conceived in 2019 which I have penned some reflections. Today, as I was packing my bags, I found the notebook with some writings. It encourages me to read them and so, I shall continue to journal on. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I should have put in much work and learning!

Let's press on in 2023 to be strong in tough and difficult times (like Job) and wise in living our lives.

Agape!

Year 2022 Reflection

A few things happened to me this year and off my head, I like to pen it down here as a closing for the year 2022:

1. Alpha facilitating/leading

I have been involving in Alpha since 2019 mostly as helper or co-leader. But this year, I am made a group leader. By leading, I not only have to prepare discussion questions; keep up the discussions in a Whatsapp group; provide encouragement to the participants and listens to their needs. I give a new Bible to a new believer as he shared that he did not own a Bible. Also, one participant in my group got baptized and as none of my group members wanted to attend her baptism ceremony, I have to lead by example and to give her the support by being there. Alpha leadership is mostly pastoral, caring and being a genuine friend to everyone. It is very different from being a helper, which is mostly just “being-there” sort of role. To be a leader, is to do everything for the group. This is how I felt then. Looking back (after everything is over), I learn to give my all in service and not to be petty of the cost and pain. I made some friends by being with them through my care and guidance for their spiritual growth.

2. COVID-19 Positive

2022 started still in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic. And, this year I took my third jab in March. In July, I was at a big gathering of a Baptism Service and that was when I caught the virus when the Antigen Rapid Test (ART) for COVID showed positive. Funny thing was that I didn’t suspect of getting COVID even though I was having a bit of soft throat and running nose. I took the test after my wife suggested it. Thank God, there was no fever or serious fatigue whatsoever and I just confined myself to the study room for 7 days which the ART eventually showed negative! But, it was a good experience to feel what it is like for me to have COVID virus. It will be different for others depending on their health and fitness lever to combat the virus, I guess.

3. Lost of cards

This is the first time that I ever lost my Credit Card and Passion Card. Thankfully, I realized the lost immediately and make the call to the card providers to cancel them, without incurring any stolen money. The credit card replacement was fast and easy, thanks to the superb customer service of DBS (Development Bank of Singapore). To get a replacement, I went to Tampines Bus Interchange and got my new card in less than 10 minutes with a penalty charge of $16. The lesson I learnt here is to be focus and not to be distracted when I am doing anything, which led to my misplace of the wallet containing the 2 cards.

4. Running the Half Marathon

In December 2022, Standard Chartered re-open their Singapore Marathon and even though it was raining in the morning, the run kick off after an hour of delay. It felt good to once again able to participate in the run. I didn’t train well for it but thankfully, I still complete the whole run. 21km is quite a good distance for me. For the full marathon of 42km, I usually have to walk for the last 10km. Hence, I will continue to just participate in the half marathon in the coming years. This time, I am more determine to do better and to be stronger in my finishing.

There are other more things that shape my life this year - God answering my prayers; reading and learning from the Book of Jeremiah & Ezekiel; learning how to invest and trade the stock market correctly. 2022 is also a good year where I put save more money in the Singapore Saving Bonds as the interest rate gets better. Hopefully, all these effort will help me grow wisely both spiritually and financially as well.

See you all in 2023 .... where I will share some of the resolution I want to make changes.

God Blessing be with you!