Reflection for the year 2024

 As the year comes to an end, I thought it would be good to reflect and recollect what have been done. Have I grown stronger, wiser and careful in living my life for God, for others and for myself?

 Be Wise & Strong!

As I can recall, the year started with the church asking me to do some sermons transcript for their archive. Actually, it could be done using AI or by some technical guys, which the church has plenty of such expertise. I guess, someone think that I, being a retiree was too free and so that job took me about 2 weeks to complete. Nevertheless, the sermons were by Pastor William about “True Wisdom from the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:6-16) and Elder Andrew God about “Starting Right, finishing Strong” (1 Corinthians 10:1-13). It was a good reminder for the year to be wise and strong! These 2 themes seem to carry me through for the whole year!!

Reading

I read some very good books which really help me to understand and grow – (1) Knocking on Heaven’s door – Petition Prayer; (2) Spiritual Mentoring; (3) Finding God in the fast lane.

Prayer is the greatest blessing that God has given to us. “Ask and it will be given you” was the encouragement by Jesus to His disciples to pray. What happen then, after we pray? What do we do while waiting for our prayers to be answered? How should we respond or learn from answers to prayer, be it a “Yes” or a “No”.

After many weeks of reading and studying the Bible on prayer, I drew a chart on Petition Prayer. This helps me to always see how the physical realm of my prayer influences to spiritual realm in praying.

Spiritual Mentoring is another good book to understand how we can be discerning to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Primarily, I learn to connect with God by learning to ask: (1) Who is God? (2) Who am I? (3) What am I to do with my life? It is about living my life to be able to engage in (1) Holy Listening, (2) Holy Seeing and (3) Wholly Listening.

 In spite of our daily busyness or rushing to accomplish many things in life, Finding God in the fast lane teaches us to pause and create space in our life to sense God’s presence. We can be busy and yet be conscious of His Presence and engage Him in our daily affair. It is also about learning to pray unceasingly – turning our thought minds in praying to God. After learning to live in God’s Presence daily, I see things not from my perspective but always try to see what God is doing in my encounter.

Living in the presence of God will change how we respond to people, situations and unexpected circumstances. A few weeks ago, I was at the MRT station trying to top-up my travelling card with some cash. As I seldom use the train, I was not familiar with the topping-up process and could not find the instructions. The train attendant then came to me and did it for me. But her tones were very harsh and reprimanding. A quarrel could easily broke out. Instantly, I sense her hurt, and also remind me not  to be hurt: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stir up anger” came to my mind and God was prompting me to be gentle.  After she had done the topping-up, I said gently: “Thank you.” Had I been my old-self, anybody would have told her off or walk away angry or even scolded her.

Today, I was at the barber. Surprisingly, when I reached there at about 10:45am, there were 3 barbers but no customer. (Was business that bad?) One barber asked me how old I was and I then asked him how his business was. Then, I saw another customer came in. At that moment, inside me was a stir to pray for this shop to do well as only this shop give 50% to Senior citizens and free hair-cut for those above 70 years old. After I prayed, I open my eyes and saw 3 more customers came. It was as if God heard my prayer and answered it instantly!

***

After some reflection, I learn to live each day with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstance for this is God’s Will in Christ Jesus for you." Joy is an aspect of life to counter the fear of living. Instead of being in fear when some mishaps or bad things happen that shaken my inner peace and joy, I will pray about the situations and entrust it to God, to let joy come into me again. Our mind is always thinking about something. So, I can turn the thinking into prayer, that is how praying unceasingly works. Also, always be ready to say “thank you.” Even in bad situation, there can be some good from it – a learning lesson, a pain to strengthen my endurance, an experience to make me wiser – all these can be also a thanksgiving.

 Good Bye, Dewy!

Our lovely pet bunny, Dewy left us in August after 6 years. She has taught us to love, care and life courageously even when in pain. I believe she suffered much during her last days yet each time she saw me, she would run to me and lay down near me. She never chose to hide even in pain, unlike her younger self.

 Bible Reading & Study

This year, I did some careful study/reading on the Book of Ephesians, Matthew, and Romans. It is no longer about accumulating knowledge but rather about applying Scripture to my life.

 Serving in Breakthrough Mission Alpha Ministry

 

 In August to November, I was serving in a halfway house called Breakthrough Mission through the Alpha Ministry. It was a 12-weeks, once a week on Tuesday night. It was a difficult ministry for me as I was not quite accepted by my team. Every week during discussions, the brothers were unwilling to share or open up to me. As such, I decided not to continue in this ministry in 2025. This is not a ministry for me. Jesus was also rejected at His hometown of Nazareth and so He could not do much for them.

 ***

Serving in community work at Tampines 492E and 492F monthly has also help me to be more compassionate and understand the need of the lowly.

Half Marathon Runs

 This year 2024, I participate in the 21.1km 2XU Run in April and also the 21.1km Garmin Run in October. The run was quite ordinarily as I did not improve on my timing (about 2hour and 20mins). I only did one 21km run before the actual run and so lack the endurance. My aim is to do better than 2hour 13min. To do so, I really need to train more longer runs.

***

This the year that I finally start receiving money from my Central Provident Fund (CPF) monthly payout from the government. I have been out of active income for the past 4 years, so to have monthly passive income is such a blessing.

All in all, I want to Thank God for much learning and making many friends in Alpha @Riverlife. 

May a new year 2025 bring more blessings and growth for God's glory!

Agape

Thailand Holiday 29 November to 5 December 2024

 It took me a couple of days to unwind after I came back from holiday trip.

My family went to Northern Thailand – Lala Mukha Tented Resort @ Khao Yai on 29 November to 1 December. This is the first time that I have travelled North of Bangkok. Previously we visited Bangkok and Phuket in the South.

 Khao Yai Province

Book a taxi for the 3 days trip in Khao Yai. From Bangkok airport to Khao Yai is about more than 3 hours drive (?)

Taxi set-off from after arriving @Bangkok airport

We stayed at Lala Mukah Tents Resort in Khao Yai. The temperature is very cooling at about 15 to 20+degree C.

Cycling in the resort

A bridge that bring us from the lobby to the tent sites.

The resort has various tent sizes. I counted more than 20 of these tents. There is also a double-storey hut.

Dinner at a restaurant along the main road near the resort.

On Saturday, 30 November, we went to Dong Phayayen Forest

Waterfall at the forest

Behind us is a steep cliff. A military's soldier is stationed there to ensure safety

We went to Primo Pizza for lunch. Beside the restaurant, the place has also a farm with Alpaca's, sheep, goats. 

On Sunday, 1st December, we went to the Jim Thompson Farm, Khao Yai.

Reflection: Life is like a driving journey

"When you face obstacles, opponents and obstructions in your pursuits in life, what is your reaction?"

These thoughts flash through my mind as we travel on our journey in the taxi to Jim Thompson Farm, Khao Yai on the 1^st December 2024 morning. I was sitting next to the driver and has the privilege of watching everything that is happening in front of me, including how the driver navigates and behave while driving.

It was more than one and a half hour of ride. On many occasions, we passed through narrow roads with a single lane on both sides divided by a single line on the middle. These roads are often tattered with big pot-holes which can damage cars when driving through them. Sometimes, there are steps and uneven roads. Slowing down is quite common in such a situation. That’s when my mind was triggered as I asked: “Why did the driver keeps slowing down when there are no cars in front of him?” Then I started to observe and focus on the journey. Sometimes, the driver had to drive on the opposite lane just to bypass the potholes and look out for in-coming cars. Thankfully, most in-coming cars slowed down and didn’t even horn at him. There is this mutual understanding of giving ways to each other in difficult road terrains. Along the stretch of road, it is common to have a slow-going truck or three-wheels motorbikes loaded with fruit; vegetable and produces driving along side the shoulder lane and blocking your way. Drivers tend to be understanding and slow down for them, carefully overtaking them when safety is not compromised. Throughout the journey, I have not heard of any drivers horning.

In many senses, life is like that. Some people are loaded with burden, and they may cut into your path that seem to irritate you. Do I slow down for them with grace and understanding or do I horn and flare up at them? Potholes and uneven grounds are like storms in our life – COVID; retrenchment; economic downturns; sickness; etc. These things do happen to everyone and anyone. We just have to slow down or pause, navigate with care and not give up on life. There is no need to feel depressed or shaken with such events. Someone may need my helps when they drive over into my lane. I need to slow down to help them pass by before carrying on my journey of life. Life is about helping one another navigate through this fallen world with “potholes, obstacles” and natural disasters.

God seem to be speaking to me as we journey towards Thompson Farm. The hours spent on the road was not wasted. But surprise! When we reach Jim Thompson Farm, we found out that it was closed for tourists.

We then went to Rai Maneesorn to see the Sun flower Field. 

In the late afternoon, we visited the Chocolate Factory

On the left side of the chocolate factory, steps leading to the restaurant

Toys, shoes and handbags make of Chocolates

We visited the restaurant in the Chocolate factory. Business was good but the prices are high and we decided to go the restaurants near our resort.

Mukdahan

Map showing Mukdahan (left) in Thailand with the Mekong River (blue trace) and Laos on the right.

On 2 December, we checked out of Lala Mukha and travel by road to Mukdahan, a town which is at the border of Thailand and Laos, separated by the Mekong River. We visited our in-laws and stayed at their home. 

Catholic Church – Our Lady of the Martyrs of Thailand Shrine

The Martyrs took place during the Second World War.

 The church is open to visitors and has Services on Sunday.

On Wednesday, we visited a few places and also the Phu Pha Thoep National Park.

Picture with my wife and in-laws

On the last day, we took a taxi to Ubon Ratcbathani Domestic Airport to return to Bangkok International Airport by Air Asia. The drive from Mukbahan to the Airport was about two and a half hour. I was trying to figure out where Ubon Ratcbathani is. Google map below shows the location.

Thailand has many scenic areas that had not visited. With my son-in-laws showing us the beauty of Thailand, we manage to go further North. Mukdahan is a very quiet and peaceful town. Nobody smoke in public and the town is very much like the Singapore in the 60's.