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.

 

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way.

What have you experienced from the hand of God recently? How does reflecting on these increases your faith and hope in Christ?

Recently, I drove to the Car Inspection Centre, VICOM @ Changi for my mandatory bi-yearly check. The queue was so long that I was queuing way outside the Centre and along the road. It would take more than a hour to get through this.

“Should I come another day?”.

A few cars came and on seeing the long queue decided to back off. After about 10 minutes, I was still the last car at the queue and worst still, nothing seems to move! I felt dumb waiting there. As the feeling inside me began to churn, I felt God telling me to be patience. I think I am right to credit it to God as patience is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). For the past few days, the theme of being patience kept coming back to me. My wife even ticked me off for not being patience and always on a rush. Maybe the queue was there to train me. Yet, seeing cars come and go; and I was always the last at the queue just frustrated me more.

“God, help me to wait. Keep me safe for queueing in the middle of the road. I pray that nothing bad will happen to me.”

Feeling more calm after praying, my anxiety was replaced with peace. Just then, a VICOM-inspector came out and signal to a few cars in front of me to move forward. Wow! a second lane was formed, and I was the third car on a new inspection lane.

“Thank you, LORD!” Waiting became easier.

Then, the inspector walked to me and signal to me to go to a new lane, I was the first car to go for the inspection! My mind suddenly became alive: “The last shall be the first!” Thank God, the inspection went well.

As I drove out of the Inspection Centre, all the cars that were in front me were still waiting for inspection. I thought of those cars that came after me and left after seeing a long queue and the understanding of “live by faith, not by sight (2Cor 5:7)” become clearer – faith; because I felt God wanted me to learn patience even though common sense say that I am wasting my time at the queue.

Thank you, Emmanuel – God is with us. I know, I felt His hands leading my steps.

May the good LORD guides your steps today!

Have a blessed day!

Looking into my Journal

 

I like to keep a journal. Oftentimes, reading what I wrote long ago in my journal would rekindle the Spiritual fire again. Let me share one that was written not too long ago when the Sunday sermons were on the Story of the Prodigal Son in Luke Chapter 15:

Looking at the story of the Prodigal Son and the older brother from another angle:

(1) Why did the Father give his inheritance to the younger son while he is still alive? Answer: the younger son asked for it. In John 16:24 - God, our Heavenly Father desires us to ask Him. Always approach God as His child and ASK!!

While the older brother long to have a goat to celebrate with his friends, he never asked (verse 29). He expects the father to give without asking. But that is not how Kingdom principles work. Kingdom principle is: “Ask and it will be given you (Matthew 7:7)” and “You do not have because you do not ask (James 4:2b)”

(2) The older brother never neglects any of the father’s commands, serve faithfully for many years (verse 29). His way of loving the father is by Act of Service. But there are many ways to show love, not just Act of Services. The father showed love by:

        Physical touch – kiss and embrace the son (verse 20)

        Giving gifts – best robe, ring, sandals (verse 22)

        Words of encouragement – “my son was dead and is now alive!” (verse 24)

        Quality time – waiting for his son daily to return; giving time to celebrate with his son

People whose love language is only Act of Service (like the older brother), tend to despise those who don’t serve (“mine way of loving God is more superior”). So, the older brother sees only the “faults” of others, including his father; just like the Scribes and Pharisees look down and sneer at the common people.

 

 In church, people who serve in various ways are often recognised and esteemed. Those who don’t are considered lukewarm and mediocre.

 Applications: 

(1) I, and every Christians can do something – ask/pray for one another and for anything. 

(2) Love God and love people with many love languages – Services; Friendly touches; Gifts; Words of thanksgiving, encouragement, affirmation and Quality time.

 

May the Spiritual fire in you be rekindled.

Agape, Have a blessed day!

Garmin Run Singapore 2024

 Nice weather for a morning 21Km run with Garmin Run SG2024!

21Km route around the Singapore River

early morning scenery from the Marina Barrage Roof top

The run was supposedly to start @5:30am. A short delay of about 7mins before flag off. As the starting was at the roof top, we had to walk for more than 500m because of the congestion. Anyway, there were fewer participants then the SCSM (Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon) or the X2U run, so maybe the organizer prefer to choose a more scenic route which was narrower. The runners were faster and younger for this Garmin Run.

I did not train for this 21km, so my pacing were a bit slower. Also, after reaching the 19km mark, I just walk a bit for a couple of hundred meters before resuming a slow jog to the finishing line.

My phone was wet and I could not do a screen shot properly. It took me a long time to get it right and I realized that I did not stop the run-recording. 

The organizing at the end point was a bit messy and there was no partition to channel us to the collection point. And so, I missed the T-shirt station. It was only that when I was out of the Marina Barrage and at the car park that I realized that I did not collect my T-shirt. Adios!

Overall, the scenery was nice. Maybe I will come here to jog someday. The car parking charges are reasonable for a tourist area - Garden By the Bay. Also, I did not strain myself but treat it as a normal Sunday jog.

Agape Blessings!

Alpha Ministry @ Breakthrough Mission

 

Leading discussions during Alpha ministry to our Breakthrough Missions brothers is something totally new to me. Most of the time, they preferred to be quiet, no participative or ask any questions. 

This is my first time volunteering and reaching out to people in need of love and acceptance. We came to bring God's love, as I always say before any discussion begin. Being new, they always wonder what my motive is for coming. 

"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." Reaching out to people who are in need of help is all about empathy, love and practical help. It is not about how much knowledge and theology about God and the Bible. Sharing Biblical truth is good but must always be back up with practical help, love and care. That is my approach in every sessions.

Last night was our eighth session of Alpha. We are using the Chinese version film series: https://asiapacific.alpha.org/preview/cafs-tc/#  

Episode #1: Is there more to Life than this?

We started these sessions of Alpha on the 20th August 2024, every Tuesday. The sessions usually starts with a group prayer, worship service, then watch a Alpha Film (in Chinese with English subtitles), follow by a group discussion. We ended the night with supper with the brothers from Breakthrough Mission. The Tuesday night Alpha session is part of the curriculum for their re-habitation and attendance is compulsory for them. Alpha aim is to bring the Gospel message to them and help them to encounter God and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Some of them are already Christians and we aim to help them grow in their faith journey.

Worship service @BT before Alpha film screening

Last night, we discussed on the topics of "Who is the Holy Spirit?" & "What does the Holy Spirit do?" I planned to shared about the 3 parts works of the Holy Spirit:

(1) Holy Spirit unit us as a family with God's love.

(2) Fruit of the Holy Spirit

(3) Gifts of the Holy Spirit

We started talking about being in God's family and how this relationship with God can be enhanced and grow with the help of the Holy Spirit - our Helper, comforter, counsellor. My emphasis is on "God is love". This is unique to the Trinity God who love one another. As we receive God's love, so we can love others. Which lead me to talk about how to grow and receive God's love - the Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, Joy,  ... (Galatians 5:22,23). It is important to be fully filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) and I shared about the difference of (1) receiving the Spirit upon Salvation; (2) being Filled with the Spirit, (3) Baptism of the Spirit. Somehow, I stop short about talking on Spiritual Gifts. I felt a very strong restrain on me not to discuss on the topic of Spiritual Gift and speaking in tongues. I also shared about my experiences on receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit but was prompted strongly not to talk about receiving the gift of speaking in tongues.

 As usual, none of them wanted to talked. I had another 2 volunteers who are involved in the discussion and 5 brothers from Breakthrough Mission. Both the volunteers are more experienced than me and one also served in the prison ministry for 14 years already. As such, she speaks with authority and has respected from the brothers, many of whom were helped by her during their lowest point in life. Here, I was very much humbled and need to gain their acceptance first, before they open their lives to share with you. I have yet to achieve that. There is one pre-believer in our group and we are encouraging him to put his faith in Jesus. Some of the brothers are in there for many years and repeated a few cycle of prison-re-habitation center. We pray that they would receive break-through and start life anew as in 1 Corinthian 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come."

At the end of every sessions, our volunteers would have a de-brief. The ministry leader then inform us not to talk about speaking in tongues and spiritual gift as Breakthrough Mission discourage believer-in-Christ from pursuing spiritual gifts. It was then at that moment I came to understand why I was strongly restrained to talk about Spiritual Gift during the discussion time.

We have 4 more sessions to go. May the Lord lead us to experience Him is a more tangible way.

Agape

Dewy - Quality or Quantity of Life?

 

Collect Dewy’s ashes at Pets Sanctuary, 5 Mandai Road.

 

It is not how long you live but how fruitful your life that’s matter. Dewy, our family rabbit may not live a very long life. She lived with us since birth for six and a half years. But her life with our family is very meaningful indeed. Taking care of her for many years has thought me how to give and love without any expectations.

Her resilience in the face of pain and suffering was excellence and sheer perseverance. She went through a lot of suffering in her life. Yet, she pressed on and never give up. After her first year, we discovered that her teeth were bad and crooked. The vet suspect this could be a genetic issue, and she was still very young. She went through a severe pain of 2(?) teeth extraction, stayed in the vet hospital for a few days. This affected her appetite, and she gave up eating hay. Nevertheless, we fed her vegetables – watercress, Romania lettuce and Chye Sim. That was when, every morning, she would look for me for her meal. Gradually, I began to understand her needs and behaviours. Occasionally, when she was having problems, she would stay in the rattan cottage. My daughter would then gave her medication to help her recover. She grow closer to the family and would roam freely in the house. She displayed a lot of liking for us and affection by coming closer to us.

The saddest moment was I accidentally kicked her left leg as she ran into my path. This broke her left leg and we went through many weeks of sadness nursing her back after her surgery. She suffered greatly and had difficulty eating for weeks. Yet she persevered and determined to grow well. Through it all, she still grew closer to us, never once did she hide from us. We could feel her gratefulness for being part of the family.

Her teeth then grew worse, and she had to extract 7 teeth. This affect her appetite. Also, her face became asymmetrical and the vet told us that she had some internal health issue. Many times, she would sneeze profusely to spurt out the mucus inside her. We could see that she’s suffering greatly but still held on bravely, always coming to us for comfort and encouragement. During evening, she would come to me while I was cooking in the kitchen to get my attention. Often times, during dinner, she would lie down quietly hearing our conversation.

On the last week in July, she came to me quite often and ran around me. Sometime, she would gently tap on my foot. She showed a lot of gratitude. Perhaps, she knew… her time with us was coming to an end, and to say thank you and goodbye. Yet, she bravely bore her pain and suffering.

I believe she had a quality of life with us and the bond with the family gets stronger by the day. Our time given to care for her is not in vain. We learned to care and be grateful for unconditional love, like our Heavenly Father caring for us and we did to Dewy.

Good-bye Dewy. We are thankful that you came into our lives. Your memory will always linger on ...

 Agape :)