Inspired to Blog

Today, 2 miracles happened. One was less exciting than the other. Both were miracles nonetheless.

First miracle was actually more than a miracle it was just a mind-blowing experience and just totally topped all expectations I had. I went down for the Zone F Praise & Worship to support Winifred and Weihong, the 2 new worship leaders being released today. I ended up deep in the thick presence of God, worshipping along with the rest! The team was totally awesome! They were a team! They were carrying each other from glory to glory. They really brought people into the presence of God and it was fresh and pure worship emanating from fresh and pure hearts. Totally amazing!

They really reminded me of David worshipping God bringing the ark back into Jerusalem. They took upon themselves the responsibility to really worship God and carry the presence of God on their shoulders! They worshipped with all their strength and led the people into the Holy of Holies. Awesome!

So proud of both of them... Then Charleston pointed out something that Roy pointed out to him... all the worship leaders are from C Zone... hehehe... :) Happy to be in C Zone. :) We rock! We will produce the people who will lead people into the presence of God in the house of God. :)

Second miracle was not so exciting... I exercised (really!) for the first time in ages today! Haha... :P I played a friendly 3-on-3 basketball with the other female leaders and even scored 2 baskets! :P It was fun though being the Summer program finals, we were kinda the lousiest game of the day? More like entertainment tee hee... :) *grin* Well, at least we ended of in a draw and had a good game. (I was panting like mad for a 7 minute game though)

Third miracle will be when I play soccer tomorrow in the finals for Soccer Summer Programmes... I have never played soccer ever. The Philippines doesn't play soccer. :S

Home Feels Like Home Again

Home feels like home again! :) 

Pastors are back and it's great to hear Rinnah bustling around the office after her school and Pastors in the office. :)

Seriously, nothing beats that! Feels like the family's complete.

Also, for the first time in a long long time, we all hung out together last Sunday. I must say, what started out as a movie at the Cathay (I Love You Man was quite nice except for the many sproutings of vulgarities) ended up as an all-nighter. My first time to play Left 4 Dead. I didn't expect it to be with Charleston, Lynette, Garrett, Jamie, Dom, Daniel, Yong Hui, Wei Hong, Noel, Sidney, Pam and Jian Ming. My sincerest apologies to the C1 fanatics, Koon Wei and Jian Hunt! *grin* It's been a while since almost the whole gang went out together, so it was way cool even though Noel just kept on killing me in L4D... tsk tsk no pity for the newcomer... haha :P Thanks to Sidney though for being the master teacher... I forgive you for not waking up for AYG :P (hahaha)

One super duper awesome thing happened last weekend -- PETER GENERATION, the Zone F Live Feed team, took the main service and they did awesomely! Kudos to Kevin (the ringleader) with the help of Josh (the Big Brother - literally. He looks like Kevin a bit?) and hats off to Edmund who made a fantastic, super natural Cam 5 and Valencia who was pro on cam 1 despite it being her 1st time! Pamela was life saver of the day on Cam 2! Amy didn't miss out on the action despite her sprained ankle and did a great job on D2 together with our helper Sylvia! :) Kevin btw, did fantastic new shots on Cam 3! Woot!!! Truly the now generation! They stand on the soldiers of the previous generation! :) The Secondary School Live Feed team rocks!!! Only in Heart of God Church do you see them rise up to their potential like this! Taking a service with almost 700 people all by themselves! I love it! :) And what better weekend to do this than on the weekend Pastors are back! :)

On top of this... the whole Ops team flowed! Josephine was on chief usher!! I know she's sad because she has to be taken down after this coz she's taking her Os... but seriously, she did a fantabulous job! :) Then there were Benny and WeiBin on lights! 14 years old on expensive equipment doing great lights! :) woo! And though Bryce isn't in Zone F, he's still only 16... so don't feel so old Bryce> :)

So overall, it was a great week. :) Love having my spiritual parents home... Feels good.... :)

Expectation

Just finished B&C Zone Camp! What a way to start the week! I cannot believe it is only Monday! Pheno really brought down the house and we had awesome worship then Pastor Troy preached an amazing word on the prophetic gift. The ministry time that followed after was a great way to end the night. Growth is gonna come! I can just feel it! Tonight was a confirmation of all that's been on my heart the last few weeks. There was such an air of expectation tonight and because God is a God who meets faith and is able to do above we can ask or think -- He truly went past all our expectations!

Something that really struck me tonight is the fact that there were over 260 people in the auditorium today! B&C Zone rocks! That's the true strength of the zone, that we are mobilizable! AND that is considering there were no C3 people in the audi (coz they're going for the G Zone camp tomorrow). We are really quite an amazing zone! Woohoo! :)

So, the week started out well and I am going to remain with an expectant spirit for the rest of the week... missing Pastors... *sigh* that's the only thing that is missing this week! :)

Never Satisfied

Yesterday I had a powerful session with some of the people from C1 & C3 CEGs. It all started because Bong (Tingli not the lights one) and I kept trying to arrange to meet up--this has been going on since she finished follow-up like a month ago. Then there was Clement who I discovered to be very talkative online! :) So, after a month or so of not meeting up to pray, we met up to do something different--listen to sermons by powerful men and women of God.

The meeting we just had was on the Holy Spirit and basically we listened to the sermon "Why Tongues?" by Pastor Kong. After we just spent time praying and talking and I was totally blown away by how everyone prayed! Everyone just went up another level! The best part was that it was just me, Randy, Zhiyu, Bong, Lix, and Clement. None of your usual people were there! But we prayed loud and we prayed strong!! Woohoo! It was powerful! Something really broke in the spirit and everyone just overpowered my normally loudspeaker-like voice! hahaha :P

All of this just reminded me that although we reach another level we can always grow further. I am feeling happy but not satisfied with where I am and with where Operations and the CGs are. A holy dissatisfaction and desire for more... Not willing to settle for anything less than the promise, the best. I had a powerful revelation on this just last Tuesday but I will write about that another time.... :)

I'm Not a Very Good Blogger...

I realize it's been more than a month since I've blogged...

I think I'm not a very good blogger... haha... :P

I shall try not to make it verbal diarrhea... *grin*

The thing is I have been busy... Things have been quite busy with Mother's Day and Red Rain over the last few weeks! Mother's Day was awesome because a lot of us got to invite our moms (and even our dads!) I got to meet Seetoh's mom who is exactly as cool as her (!) and Wini's mom came with her godparents! There was Aggie's mom, Li Xuan's mom, Weien's parents, Pan's mom (who is gorgeous! looks like his sister!), Henry's mom and even Hong Bin brought his mom and sis! It was super cool!

As if that wasn't enough, Red Rain came rolling happily along 2 weeks later!

We are really a very exciting church!

Some interesting facts about this year's Red Rain...

... This was the first year we did not rent any moving heads or lights, but the Ops team is fantastic! It was as good if not better than the previous years! Kudos and hats off to Dawn, Bong, Colin, Soo Yee and the whole team that put this together! (The team is truly innovative!)

... We had to put 14 sandbags on the LCD truss because we are in true Singaporean style KIASI hahaha :) (thank you to Colin and the army boys for filling the sand with fresh sand from East Coast Park!)

... We had a record breaking youth attendance of over 1800 youths over the 2 days of Red Rain!!!! WOOOOHH!! :)

On top of all of that, I met a lot of awesome new friends like Linh! She's this super fun girl studying at OPSS and she's Alex's friend! :) 

Stella, Linh and Alex at the hangout after Red Rain!

I didn't get to talk to everyone, but I had fun with C1, C10 and C3 during the Hangout. On Saturday, Zac and Kai Xiang stayed behind and I think we all just ate and ate and ate and then after stuffing ourselves, we celebrated Ming Jian's birthday complete with poppers and guy groupies holding up signs on cardboard saying "Happy Birthday Ming Jian" So, Ming Jian, although you're not that happy to be 20, at least you had a fun birthday... and if you really are depressed... think of Desmond (!) LOL hahaha... :) It pays not to be the oldest in the CG :)

Overall, C1 & C10 & C3 had an attendance of 80! But it's more than just a number because every number is a person; every person is a life; every life is a destiny. God is good! :)

Happenings

Okay, so my idea of writing here more often didn't exactly happen... but I guess this is due for an update... what's been happening?

Mong went to army today and it feels totally weird to have him have to go to bed at 10PM and wake up as I am about to go to sleep... Mong, C1 & C3 misses you! Come out soon!

I went bowling with Pastors and some of the staff today! I must say, for someone who lugged 2 bowling balls to Kallang Leisure Park and back I think I should have scored higher hahaha! I will seriously not try that again... especially the carrying two 13 lb. bowling balls up an overhead bridge.... :S

Greatest ever Easter service! Pastor How preached an awesome message... 7 Things I Hate About Christianity! Haha... that was so different to hear -- refreshing! Heart of God Church Rocks! Do not believe in Christianity, believe in Christ. Do not become a Christian, become like Christ! Heart of God Church will never be hypocitical, judgmental, irrelevant or any of those things that everyone hates about Christians!

Oh! C1 & C3 hit 85 this Easter!!!! :) Plus the 10 parents and adults we brought we were 95 all in all! The best thing is not the number though, we had tons of fun! Met some really cool people like Zac, Jordan, Diane, Gwan Yong, and everybody's friends :) Was good to see people like Alex and Mei Jun too! And of course the crazy C1 & C3 people are the best to hang around with on Easter! :) hehe... :)

Let's not leave G Zone out of this G1 had 15 new friends! Who says the University people can't be happening?! Haha... Oh, I must make a comment... Jeremy Wong does look like Kung Fu Panda! haha *peace man*

So... much has been happening but more is to come! :) I'll sign out for now, but I promise to be back soon... :)

I love praying with the C1C3 peeps

On Thursday, we had an awesome time praying in the C1 & C3 weekly meeting... It was great to see JO finally POC-d! Yeah! (they say it's POC because he's not fit to march (?!?!) and so for him it's a Passing Out Ceremony not a Parade) Then Ruo'En and Joshua looked adorable (?) in their matching AJC uniforms. Mong says uniform colors are chosen by going to the cloth shop and choosing the cloth with the most quantity being sold at the cheapest cost haha :) But yesterday's group was BIG--so big we couldn't fit inside the tent!

We talked about prayer. Actually we prayed! And many people really broke through in their prayer! :) It's really different to pray strong from the Spirit... I would compare it to going to the gym? Kinda like when you want to get rid of the tricep flab under your arm (hidden frustrations haha!) you do tricep pulls and other exercises that focus on those muscles. When you want to get slimmer inner thighs you get onto the weird looking torture machine that isolates that muscle and causes you not to be able to walk the next day. It's also kinda like studying for A-Level Maths... the reason you do the tutorials and the exercises is to get your brain used to doing that kind of question. That way, when you take the exam you will be able to do it in the allotted time. When we pray in the Spirit, we bypass our limited language and the limits of our mind and it isolates our spirit building it up.

Jude 20       But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.

Of course, we don't just pray in the Spirit, after all Paul says that it's about praying with understanding and praying with the Spirit but it does help because sometimes when we pray we're just distracted and can't focus. The Spirit is always willing but the flesh is weak so it was just great praying in the Spirit.

In any case, I am looking forward to our next adventure of praying together. :)

Always Believe in People

I came across this story, not surprisingly, from a video a friend posted on Facebook. It's about a young autistic boy named Jason McElwain... I won't talk so much, watch the video yourself... :)

Can you imagine if the coach didn't put Jason on? I think more than not being able to witness such an awesome feat, more importantly, Jason never would have known what he was capable of doing. 

As I watched the video, I am reminded of Heart of God Church and how Pastor How and Pastor Lia really believe in young people. I think back to the past more than 3 years I have been in Heart of God Church and it is so obvious that without Pastors willing to take a "risk" on people who may not seem the most capable or experienced. There are the famous stories of people like Charleston who started leading CG at 13 or 14 and how now, at just 20, he is a Senior Zone Leader overseeing 1,000 youths, preaching in services and representing young people in the Festival of Praise. There's Daniel and his love for music and how Pastor Lia raised so many musicians and singers by giving the worship team an encouraging platform and believing in them. Today, Daniel is... hot! hahahaha... at least on his guitar. :) (peace, Dan!) There's Jian Ming who used to be a naughty school boy sawing tables during D&T but Pastors really just taught him, discipled him, trained him and now he's the head of all the Customer Operations in HoGC including a team of over a 100 ushers! And these are just the famous stories... there are so many more lives in HoGC that have been brought to a higher level because someone chose to believe in them. 

I love Heart of God Church... I love my Pastors... I miss them too... haha... 

Come back soon Pastor Lia! Come back soon Pastor How! There is no such thing as too soon.... :)

A Shrinking World

Today, we just had quite a time with Pastor Josh and Georgie Kelsey from C3. I must say, talking to them makes me feel like the world is getting smaller and smaller. They introduced us to this thing called Twitter... which basically allows people to know what their friends are doing. You can even receive messages on your phone if your network allows it.

First it was Friendster--now hardly anyone goes on there. I heard someone comment that only the "ah-bengs" and "ah-lians" still stay in touch with Friendster... now I don't really know whether that is true or not, but surely Friendster is no longer the in-thing.

Next, it was Facebook--now, I am not saying I am giving up Facebook. How could I? After Ming Jian and Mong got me stuck on Mousehunt I can barely leave my computer alone... Hmmm.... maybe I should take a facebook fast so that I can practice not being distracted every 15 minutes by the temptation to make a horn call...

But, okay, so now it seems like Twitter is getting wired... So, if it really does take off I think it will be interesting to be able to follow what certain people are doing... like the people in the CG or the leaders... 

Well, let's wait and see the fate of Twitter in Heart of God Church.... :)

Looming thought--I miss Pastor How and Pastor Lia terribly! Without a doubt it was a great weekend... but nothing is quite the same without Pastors here... 

P.S. Have you guys checked out the Heart of God Church facebook? :)

post-CNY thoughts

I haven't written in ages and I guess being too excited to be back in Singapore has had its effect on disappearing from the written electronic world...

Anyway, just wanted to say my first ever CNY in a country that actually celebrates it has been a blast! It's true, I've never actually celebrated Chinese New Year before... Yes, I've missed out on many of the great CNY traditions that you guys have such as:

1. Lor He (did I spell it right?): I honestly have never heard of this outside of Singapore but basically, I have grown to like the taste of this Chinese salad... I do however pity whoever has to clean the tables after haha

2. Reunion Dinners: the perfect excuse to stuff yourself with delicious food night after night after night with the same people! :)

3. Ang Paos: Yes, I have never received red packets for CNY and didn't even know that married people were supposed to give them out before I came to Singapore. I always thought the old people gave out red packets on birthdays and weddings because they couldn't think of anything else to give or were too tight on time to shop. My only question -- if you never received red packets as a single person do you still have to give them when you get married? haha :P

This CNY was quite awesome - starting off with a great G Zone CNY service and ending with a G Zone reunion dinner on the 1st of Feb (we are like China, we celebrate for 1 whole week) and a lot of exciting stuff in between, it was a year to remember! :) I must say that I have not watched so many movies in the span of 2 weeks as I did these last 2! 

One thing that I didn't expect to do this year was go bowling for the 1st time since I reached Singapore! I must admit, I thought that the 2 13-pounders (bowling balls) would never see the light out of the bag in the store room again haha :P But the best part of it all was more than just putting on the familiar white and red shoes again, but it was the company of Pastors and the leaders that made it all special. In fact, the great part about CNY is really the company kept. Cheers to holidays that bring families and friends together! Hip-hip-hurrah! :)

So, as the CNY period comes officially to an end and 2009 is in full-swing whether you're Chinese or English, I'm off to new adventures--most of them not having to do with physically leaving Singapore. Excited... :)

Ciao!

A Fish Out of Water

Have you ever heard the expression a "fish out of water"? Well, no one really understands that more than a Heart of God Church person not at Heart of God Church. It seems absolutely unbelievable that I am not spending New Year's Eve with everyone at church, counting down to the first hours of 2009 enjoying the home and family that we know best. Well, since I've had time to myself to think and reflect, I took time to write down this fish out of water's thoughts on the year that has passed.

We started the year no different on the outside to maybe any other year, but it's ended with so much more. And I'm not just talking about the great experiences we've all had as a church, but the people who have made it special.

To C1 & C3, you guys have been amazing! We really broke through this year not because of all the strategies and brilliance we had, but simply because we stuck it out, prayed and trusted God. Like we've always talked about, though there is a lot of natural talent and ability in the CG, God has brought us through a year where we cannot claim any glory for the things that have come our way... I have a feeling it will stay that way... :) 2009 will be amazing! :)

To G1 & G10, there's a lot of ground to break and take in what we're doing... I am so happy to see 2008 bring in a lot of new faces as well as see the growth in some not so new faces... I think the year has proven itself not to be the easiest, but the end of the year is only a sign of the harvest to come in 2009. :) You guys are tenacious. :)

To the Ops team, 2008 was a year of setting our basics right... It was fun, but just the tip of the iceberg... :) We see such a great team in place, with different people operating in their strengths but at the same time supporting each other. :) 2009 is building up to be an even more exciting year :)

To the leaders in HoGC, serving is a joy when done beside friends.. :) Let's build the best church ever with Pastors; let's grow old together. :) There has never been a dull or boring moment... sitting in the Philipppines doing the things that most people would probably want to do, I can't sit still because there's such passion and vision that doing or being anything less is shortchanging myself. Thanks for the great year!

It is a privilege to be serving in Heart of God Church... For that I have Pastors to thank.. I can't believe the year has passed so fast with so many things happening all at the same time... Looking forward to a new year :)

I love God

I love Pastors

I love HoGC

Signing off... fish outta water.

Hope to be back soon. 

A Month's Worth of Updates

Well, we've travelled the world and back and like I said a week ago to everyone who could hear, I am happy to be back home! :) London was great fun, but there's nothing like home and Heart of God Church...

I know I owe people updates on what's happened over the last few weeks, so I think it's time to start blogging. :) (Yes, Aggie, I am referring to you hahaha) Forgive me for the lack of pictures, which I will try to get up soon, 

but since I have a bit of time, let me ramble a bit about everything. :)

Let's start with last week -- which was totally awesome! Nick Vujicic came on Tuesday and Wednesday and everything completely blew our minds away! Firstly, Nick is like in himself a miracle - as Pastor How puts it, he's turned a life without limbs into a life without limits!

The 2 nights were fully packed with 1700 people on the first night and about 1550 on the second! We've never had so many people come in and out of our doors! But I'd just like to say Heart of God Church is just awesome! :) In fact, everyone was so awesome the people were raving about our ushers and how great the whole set-up was! :) This was despite an early morning prayer meeting everyday with the CHC people at our premises! You guys rock! :)

In fact, after Tuesday night, ushering 1,000 people early in the morning in and out of the hall was absolute chicken feet. To imagine, just a year ago we were stressing about combined service for 600 - 800 people. Haha! With our existing 3 services, we actually have the operational capacity for 3,000 people, no sweat! :) That's totally amazing! :) Way to go guys! :)

If you count the 3 service with Pastor Kong over the last 3 days, we've had a total of 10 services in 1 week! It also means that we've had over 10,000 people move in and out of our premises! Come to think about it, we've done more in one week than some people I know do in a year... life sure is productive in God... especially if you're from Heart of God Church :)

Okay, moving on... backwards... to London... haha... :) Time flew by so fast while we were there and it was quite amazing to see how the story of Heart of God Church once again touched hearts in Europe. Pastor How preached powerfully at a leaders' session where not a dry eye was found in a room full of Ang-Mos... Pastor shared about the Journey of a Dream and I found myself with my eyes welling up in tears too as I thought of how far God has brought us and all the scars we have that will cause the world to understand why we are radical for God... The main session was no different - the anointing was so strong, you could feel a difference in the atmosphere... 

Europe is hungry... and out of this trip is birthed forth our very first HoGC London CG! *cheers* * claps* :) If anyone wants to go overseas to study, I recommend London! haha :) Of course, Singapore is still the best :)

I have got to get some pictures up here soon -- aside from the conference, we went around London and went to John Wesley's (the founder of the Methodist movement) house, the Tower of London, Hamleys (London's largest toy shop with 7 floors!!), among other things. We also discovered the joy of Primark where everything was ridiculously cheap haha :P. As for food, we had the trusty healthy cafe called EAT -- the pork, stuffing and apple hot wrap was delicious! 

We realized 2 things about London's food (1) Londoners don't quite find sitting down a necessity and (2) Good Chinese is hard to find haha :) So, we were very happy to find the famous roast duck at the Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant at the Bayswater... otherwise you would have lost a couple of Singaporeans hahaha :)

On a different note, we also had a chance to watch "We Will Rock You" the musical LIVE at the Dominion Theater! The musical was great in general but being an Ops person, I couldn't help but notice the awesome effects (with 8 movable LED Screens) and the crystal clear sound and the whole aesthetic of it. I also couldn't help but think that one day we'll be able to incorporate such excellent world-class standards for the glory of God in His church. After all, that's where the best of the best is supposed to to be, the house of God... One day... soon... :)

On Sunday, we returned to the Dominion theater but this time at 10:30AM for the Hillsong London service. The glitz and the lights and the glamour strangely familiar, I couldn't help but think to the service in Singapore that had just finished (London is 8 hours behind so our 5PM service finished at 9AM London time) and wishing I was there back home soaking in the great atmosphere on the great service that just happened. Truly, nothing is like Heart of God Church, and I think once you've been away you really, really, REALLY feel what you miss...

Well, last but not least, before we headed home to sunny Singapore (London was freezing and temperatures went as low as -2, colder than most Autumns) we made one final fantastic stop... a couple of us had the privilege of watching an Arsenal vs. Tottenham Spurs game LIVE at the Emirates Stadium! :) 

That night I officially became a soccer fan! haha :o) I even bought myself a shirt for Strike It! this coming weekend! :) I finally understood why people watched soccer! :) It was madness! The weather was freezing (and I had to sit on my hands to keep them warm) but everyone was screaming! And we were sitting right above the Tottenham fans, so when we were about to leave the guards even had to tell us to keep all our Arsenal stuff to make sure we don't get into a fight! Haha! :) Madness! But it was tons of fun! :) I soaked in the atmosphere and tuning out the swearing thought that it would be great to one day have a stadium of our own filled with 60,000 people as energetic and passionate praising God... 

I was cheering for Arsenal and was considering to support them but I want to be clear that I do not consider my team because I can't believe they got so complacent and allowed the Spurs to catch up from a 4-2 lead!!! :(

So that's what's been happening over the last few weeks! It's been exciting and fun, tiring and stressful, but at the end of the day all worth it :) I just love being a part of Heart of God Church, I love God, I love my Pastors and I love my life. :)

time flies by... but it's not over yet.

It's been more than a month since I've posted, so I just wanted to review what's been happening because time flies by so fast and things can just go by in a jiffy...

First of all, I can't believe Ivan's in army already. See you in 2 weeks man...

School's started for everyone and to those taking major exams, I know you guys are studying hard, so wishing you well. To JO, Mong, Megan, Lauren, Shihan, Henry, Eugene, Gwen, Yijin and all those who are still as committed as ever to God, I know that God is honoring you putting Him first. I am wishing you all the best in your exams.

The church has hit pass 1,100. On to 1,400. It will happen. It's going to be awesome. As each day passes, we are making history.

The year is almost coming to a close. A lot of things we were thinking about in terms of church calendar are unbelievably over already. AE, AI, School Seminar, June Holidays, countless speakers and even the South African Ambassador to Singapore, H.E. Zanele Makina has come already. Yet, somehow I get the feeling that the best is still to come for this year.

In terms of growing, it's the same. Looking back at the year, I asked God to grow me in wisdom, faith, and love. He has undoubtedly done that, but somehow I know it isn't over yet, that the last stretch will be the most exciting. But the biggest things do not lie in the events that are coming up, not even London or Pastor Kong coming to HoGC or Asia Conference or the December activities. The biggest things have come in the unexpected days, and so they will continue to do so for the rest of 2008. 

It's going to be exciting. I can't wait.

What a Week

It is quite amazing what can happen in a short amount of time.

FOP was great - Friday night in particular. It felt so much like home. But yet, it was really the beginnings of leadership. Pastors were absolutely amazing. Charleston prayed awesome. Hail to the ushers who took the whole East section by themselves!

It's really amazing how the vision for the year is coming to pass so vividly in every aspect of the church. All this was God. All this was Him opening doors. Grow in Stature. Favour with God and favour with men.

One thing... the Indoor Stadium didn't really seem that big. It wasn't intimidating or daunting like I thought it would be. In fact, not with any arrogance, it felt quite small. We could definitely do a hall like that. We could run it but more than that, I feel we could fill it - with an atmosphere of worship and prayer that will fill the halls of our church for years to come.

Lastly, had the privilege of meeting Parachute Band. They were absolutely anointed and amazing at FOP, but more than that, they're very nice people. Omega, Al, Sam, Simon, Reese, Jeff, Matt, and Mark - I will be looking forward to seeing you again sometime.

Sam (Drums), Simon (Electric), Omega (Vocals / Acoustic), Al (Keys), Reese (Bass)

A lot has happened. And that's just one week.

On to 1,400! It's only August. There's much more to come.

Love God, Love People, Love Life.

meet my sis

Since we're in the season of spiritual adoption, this is a good a time as any to introduce you to my sis... meet Yonina.

I don't think we look much alike (though some people have said we do - ?? :S )  She 2 years and 9 months older than me and stands towering above me at 5'11" (1.80 meters) and sports orange-pink-purple hair (she says she might change it to blue in a month or two).

Aside from the striking physical differences, we're also quite different in many other ways. Though we have our fair share of what we are capable of doing, she is known for her writing and her creative side. She's a writer, layout artist, editor, animator, and many other things. Despite the fact that you can hear her a mile away (she is louder than me if you can imagine that) she likes to sit at Starbucks for hours devouring books of all sorts.

She's stopping by Singapore on Friday before she heads back to Manila. There's a chance she might come to church. I think it'll be quite amazing if she does. We used to attend church together when we were little and we even went to a Christian school, but she has not experienced anything like Heart of God Church. She'll definitely be blown away. 

Seeing in the 4th Dimension... :)

Time Passes Fast

I just had to post about this.

I got a message from a friend in the Philippines that she just got engaged to another friend. Two things - they're getting married on the 21st of November 2009, one day before my 25th birthday, AND I've known Charles since I was like 13! Time passes so quickly. (Congratulations Charles & Kaye)

It's not just that, I was looking at some people's blogs and friendster accounts and I realized, the kids I used to teach Vacation Bible School to when they were Primary 1 are now in university!

I also, realize, that it's been more than 3 years since I've been in Singapore and almost 3 years since I've been in Heart of God Church! That's almost the length of my secondary school life, which at the time felt like it was taking forever to finish. 

It really is true that time flies by. Before you know it the things that you once talked about as current affairs become part of history (the airplanes crashing into the Twin Towers happened 7 years ago!), the people you thought you knew so intimately have grown up and changed, and the decisions that we made have led us down a path we never imagined we'd be in.

Time passes quickly so the little things in life matter. Every choice made, every word spoken, every moment spent.

I Am Under Authority

Yesterday's service was great.

Authority, Order, Function, Blessing.

It all made sense.

We must first be people under the right authority established by God for our lives. That brings order which allows for function. Only after that does blessing come.

That affirms what we've been doing all these years.

That affirms HoGC 2.0.

No one will refuse blessing, but yet so many people refuse authority.

No one will refuse blessing, but yet they do not like order and processes.

In order to be a person of authority, one must first be under authority.

God, I will forever be under Your authority and Pastors' authority. Make me and the things that I do a channel of blessing.

It's Been a While

I realized how long I haven't blogged when Hong Bin told me at dinner today that my blog hasn't been updated in ages. Considering Hong Bin's been in C1 for like a few weeks, that's definitely not a good sign. hahaha... :)

By the way... this is Hong Bin (thank you Henry for having all the pics on your blog for easy access) He is known for the tail at the back of his head. *grin* and the fact that his favorite color is pink. :o)

In case you didn't know... he's also a very good chef. He cooked for Roy's birthday! Unfortunately, I wasn't upstairs for the celebration and I didn't get to taste the food because I was helping out with Academic Excellence.

Okay, C1 & C3 seems to have a lot of good chefs. I knew long ago that if we wanted to bond, we gotta just keep on eating. Haha. :) But seriously, I still can't get over Charite's award-wining prawns with cheese! And today, Agnetta showed baking prowess with an Oreo Cheesecake that is hands down better than the one at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf! Happy Birthday Roy!

On Saturday it was Shihan's birthday and today it's Si Hui's so Happy Birthday guys! :o)

AE was just awesome today. Felicia blogged about study rule and Henry blogged about Pastor How's whole message on how going to school is about the training of our mind. We are different because we have the ability to progress and because of that we can be all that we want to be. This is true freedom.

John 8:32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

In any case, this week was awesome. Right guys?

I love my God.

I love my Pastors. 

I love HoGC.

I love my life.

Happy Birthdays, etc.

Okay, so I just realized a gazillion people just had their birthdays or are about to!

  Belated happy birthday Winifred! Cherie! Fedora! Sabrina! K'Matt!

  Happy birthday Cheryl Ng!

  Advanced happy birthday to Vanessa Han! Noni! Weihao! Jiaxin! Isabel! Denise!

Other than that, just had some things on my mind...

  Alvin, come out of confinement soon! Saw your email, we will never pang-seh you!

  Mong, have a great next 2 days of exams! 4th Dimension! 

  Yong Hui & Koon Yew, get some sleep before school starts...

  Garrett, may reservist pass by quickly!

  Yilun, enjoy one last week before reservist :)

  Darren, time to go back to camp... don't worry, just a little bit more

  Fifi, praying for your surveys :) Faith & Success!

  Dawn... come for LONDON! It's going to be absolutely fantastic! :)

I think random rambling tends to come alive at this time of the night... 

Something Interesting...

I was just looking at my old files and I found these very insteresting pictures...

  

Just in case you're wondering.. yup... that's me in the black shirt with the *gasp* curly hair. This picture was taken on October 1, 2005 and it was actually my very very very first time meeting anyone from Heart of God Church. (Fle - do you see your sister sitting beside me? :)

Seems like ages, but I still remember it like yesterday because it forever changed my life. I still can't believe I agreed to go to Martin's house without really knowing anyone. It's all Jon's "fault" -- I was about to back out ('coz Martin lives in Admiralty area which was like the end of the world to me) but Jon came along to pick me up along with some other people.

Speaking of Jon... this is what he looked like in 2005... :)

  

The interesting thing was it was also in Jon's car (right behind the driver's seat) that night that God told me this was my church. I knew it was God because my thoughts were "how could this be my church? I haven't even been to their service? I don't even know what they believe in? What if they're a cult?" 

God is interesting... I bargained with Him and went to service the next day with an open mind and He in turn answered every single question and doubt I had through a sermon Pastor How gave about choosing to be happy today. How can you argue with God? I decided fully plant myself in Heart of God Church and I've never left nor will I ever. :)

To cut the long story short... here I am today, almost 3 years later. I can't imagine what life would be like without Pastors and Heart of God Church... For me, this is for life. Like the song goes...

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

No turning back, no turning back.

Thank You, Jesus, for bringing me to Heart of God Church

Thank You, Jesus, for Pastor How and Pastor Lia

Thank You, Jesus, for an amazing future

I love God

I love my Pastors

I love Heart of God Church

I love my life

... too bad Jon's aunt sold off the car... sentimental ol' me would've liked to have it around for memories' sake... haha... :)

random rambler comes alive...

Okay, so I haven't been blogging for about a month

But it's just been crazy wonderful for some reason over the past few weeks. Why?

C1 & C3 is growing (literally and spiritually)! -- while having fun at the same time! Faith & success!

Welcome to Alyssa, Cheri, Wei En, Angie, Anil, Hazel, Suhartono, Zi Yan and Guan Xian!

Hope to see you again Daniel! James! Felicia! Joel! Zhuan Liang!

Megan & Si Hui are EV machines! You guys make a great team! :)

Ee Loo has been mugging away while being the absolutely cutest dancer on Lynette's black list! Study hard!

Welcome back Winifred and Aretha! Happy 19th Birthday Wini!

Charite made an awesome prayer last week!

Yvonne... you rock! You did an awesome job last Sunday. :)

Yijin really really really really likes music and so is listening to her tunes while studying for her exams... Praying for you! *hug*

Ruo'En is breezing through her exams after creating her very own muggers club!

Aggie is growing taller on the inside!

Hi five girls! :)

Let's not leave out the C1 guys!

Hmm... Mong... study hard! We'll chiong in a few weeks time!

Pan - SISPEC! It was great having you out of camp the last 2 weeks!

Army boy Matthew... we shall eat stingray again when you get your next off from serving our nation!

To the guys who love to hang out -- Alvin, Gerald, Henry... next time get stuck inside church not at the white gate. *wink*

I think Ming Jian will gladly join the hang out group! 4th Dimension is the book to read right?!

JO is past soccer season and is now in study season. God bless with your A-Levels!

To all the JC students  taking their mid-years -- you are in our prayers! Gwen! Guan Xian! JO! Megan! Ee Loo! Si Hui! Ruo'En! Zi Yan! Yijin! Anil! Winson! Weien! Angie! Zhuan Liang! Zhuo'Er! Sawwah! and of course MONG!!! :)

Ruo En!!!!  you gotta put up last week's picture on your facebook so i can steal it and put it up here.. haha... :)

Keep praying! Keep believing! Keep on doin' whatcha doin! :)

You guys rock!

Warrior is a Child

There's this song that I really really like and recently I got reminded of it... 

WARRIOR IS A CHILD

by: Gary Valenciano

Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
I'm strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears

They don't know that I come running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
(Look up for His smile)
'Coz deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child 

Unafraid because His arrow is the best 
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
I never face retreat, oh no
But they don't see the enemies
That lay me at His feet

The first priority is to be with Him then it is to serve Him.

I am first a daughter before I am a servant.

The Best Trip of My Life

What have I been up to?

Just came back from Korea. It was the the seriously the best trip ever!

Something's changed on the inside and as dreams are birthed it will surely come to pass.

In the meantime, check out Yoido Full Gospel Church - Pastor Cho's church. Each service seats about 15,000 and they have like 9-10 services in the main church alone per week! Massive!

 

They have 11 choirs that sing for each service and when you combine them all together they come up to like 2000 people!

The church is built on prayer and faith. The importance of prayer in the church can be seen so visibly -- literally. You can't miss the big structure representing praying hands at the front of the church building on Yoido Island.

This is the church's 50th anniversary celebration -- 120,000 people in a stadium with parades and martial arts exhibitions and floats... you get the picture... It's hard to remember that this is a church when you see the massiveness of everything, seems more like a well-run nation

  

God just never ceases to amaze me at what He can do through people who love Him and give themselves to Him!

So thankful to have witnessed this.

Even more thankful to have been able to go with Pastors--just makes everything even more special. :)

Prayer. Faith. Success.

World Class Church

A world class nation has world class citizens.

A world class church has world class people.

World class people are people who have the character and the substance.

World class people don't just think of themselves.

World class people have world class generosity.

The Zeitgeist of Heart of God Church

A generation that pure and holy

A generation that is competent and successful

A generation of leaders

A generation of great and godly families

A generation of missionaries

A generation of volunteers

A WORLD CLASS CHURCH in a first world nation with a FIRST CLASS SPIRITUAL ATMOSPHERE.

HoGC 2.0

I love my church

I love my pastors

I love my God

HoGC 2.0

The past month has been simply amazing! HoGC 2.0 has been on the move and is slowly coming into place. Though some things (like God or the Bible) will never change, everything else is fluid and flexible. And what a journey it's been -- from follow-up under tables and people wondering why our church name is weird we have stepped into (and are continuing to grow into) the beginnings of leadership. 

But above everything else it's not just about hype and a cool exterior, 2.0 is about building a world class church in a first world nation with a FIRST CLASS SPIRITUAL ATMOSPHERE! Yeah!

Can't wait to go to the next level! :)

Inspired by the End

Okay, so I'm a knowledge junkie. I love learning things and news of Bible Studies like the End Times get me so excited (more than Microsoft Excel makes me happy--I know that's hard for the Ops people to believe). Above that I think Pastor How is the best preacher and teacher I've ever met (and I've heard my fair share)... so I may be a bit biased. But seriously, I have never heard the End Times presented in such a clear and relevant manner ever!

The Bible just blows me away more and more. How everything fits so perfectly despite everything being written by different people who could not have possibly orchestrated a con to make things fit--and over and above that having such vision and accuracy hundreds and thousands of years ago before modern amenities like rubber were invented (I don't think they even had toilet paper then)

I've heard about this end times stuff before but hearing it this time has one major major difference. It is a call to action. Lord, make me pure in heart, holy and set apart, strong in convictions and able to stand in the day of trouble that I might be counted worthy of the calling You have placed over my life. Lord, may I not be so selfish as to keep what I know to myself but to proclaim boldly to the world the good news and the great work You have done in my life. 

I can't wait for this Friday and Saturday. You can bet I'll be furiously taking notes!

Mac is Great

The office has converted to the apple!

It took a while for me to catch on, but I got a mac at a way cool (a.k.a. cheap) price just this month 'cause my aunt from the U.S. came to the Philippines while I was there. Woohoo! :)

If you don't trust the sheer of volume of converts or the fact that it's really really really pretty, I am delightedly willing to share my recently discovered joys of mac. Allow me to name a few...

1. spaces -- a program that allows you to separate your work into different windows so you don't have to rummage through stacks of excel sheets to find what you were working on :)

2. expose -- if spaces isn't enough, this function allows you to "expose" all the sheets you are working on in a particular window so you can easily find what you want to work on

3. dashboard -- a way cool setting that's like another screen where you can put real cool applications called widgets--some widgets can be useful like a Bible Gateway or Google search, while others are just pretty like the lava lamp. :P

4. dock -- the cool looking thing where you put all the stuff you want easy access to--and AND! you can make it pretty too!! by having it magnify as you mouse over the items! haha! :)

5. mighty mouse -- speaking of the mouse, the wireless mighty mouse can scroll 360 degrees! you can also program it to go to spaces or even the dashboard! so cool! :)

I must say... I'm far from done exploring the mac... but it's working out to be more than expected. :)

Homesick

You know how people say you don't know what you'll miss till it's gone? It's not true for everything.

Being in Manila this weekend I knew I would miss Heart of God Church; I knew I'd miss Pastors; I knew I would sorely, sorely miss the strong presence of God brought down by hungry hearts desiring to touch God.

In a state of nostalgia and home-sickness, one begins to pine for even the smaller details.

For one, my ears were itching without hearing "Yes" and "Amen" or the loud shouts of enthused worshipers praising God. I also couldn't help but miss our men and women in black smile-y-ly greeting everyone "Welcome to Heart of God Church! This way please" not to mention the Ops Teams scurrying around before service to ensure everything is just right and gathering just before doors open to pray (very loudly) and commit the service to God. I missed our Worship Team not for its musical excellence but for their ability to bring the people into the presence of God. I missed the powerful (yet relevant) word preached from the pulpit every week.

How privileged we are to worship in an atmosphere of faith and love every week. I miss my home.

Chinese New Year

I heard that the reason you give Ang Pao when you're married is because you got them when you were young so it's your turn to bless the younger generation (or pay your dues depending on how you see it)

So.... if I've never gotten Ang Pao during Chinese New Year do I have to give them in the future? Haha

We're entering the Year of the Rat... after reading Garrett's blog it hits me that the we the '84 babies are turning the full 12-year cycle... Daniel Tay, Weihao, Peck Lian own up to your age...! =)

Seriously, it's kinda funny to turn 24... when you're 13, 18 seems ages away and mid-20s are like ancient dinosaurs... when you turn 18 you're glad not yet in your 20s... but the truth is each age and season has its beauty and its lessons learnt... so, this means I need to (and will) embrace 2008 with whatever it brings.

Ecclesiastes says there is a time for everything... a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace...

If I made my own saying I'd probably say a time to eat and a time to fast, a time to work and a time to sleep, a time to take the MRT and a time to cab... haha

Time to grow up.

LOVE

For some reasons God has been putting in my heart to read the love chapter at the beginning of this year. It's interesting how one of my favorite passages in the Bible (that I've read like a gazillion times) can be so fresh and new. Isn't the Bible amazing?


1 Corinthians 13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. LOVE NEVER FAILS.

But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.


Loving at a God level in 2008.

...Except for Elmo

... okay this picture has been transferring from blog to blog so it might as well come on to mine... haha...

I guess the only one who's not having a great 2008 is Elmo... haha...

Hmm... I wonder what he'll look like at the end of 2008... haha

A Great Year to Come!

The year is rolling along well... most people have started school except the fanciful people from NUS. Ignite Conference is coming up soon too which means Chinese New Year is coming then Easter then Red Rain and half the year will be gone again.

But before we get there, i just need to say that 2007 passed so quickly and yet, on the contrary, it seems like so many things have happened such that everything has just turned up-side down in a few short months. Seems almost unbelievable that last year at this time I was still sitting at a beachwood desk in Novena Square selling moisturizers haha. As some good friends in the admin office would say it seems like we have worked together and known each other for 6 years not 6 months. =)

And yet, 2008 is gonna be better!

I can feel the difference already... The Beginnings of Leadership.

Luke 2:52
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

This is a year where we will lay the foundations for a church of 3,000 by 2010.

This is a year where new leaders will begin to rise up and take their place as a generation that is competent and successful, pure and holy, radical, passionate, loving people with selfless faith captivated by a vision to build the church and the vision, their vision, together with pastors.

This is a year where we will increase in stature and favour with God and men.

The prayer of my heart as these things come to pass is an increase in wisdom and love and faith for myself and for the church. As we stand on the shoulders of what was built in 2007, no one's gonna stop this year from being great!

Breakthrough!

It's the day! Christmas BIG Days are here!
Santa Claus is coming to town with some elves!
41st Day is back in full power storming the gates of hell!
But most importantly breakthrough is here!

The Big Rocks

The past two weeks have been crazy busy! But super fun and, more than that, empowering! Parachute Band, Zone Camp, Getting Started, great weekend services, preparation for the upcoming events in December, etc., etc., etc.

After stopping to thing for a while, I am remind me of a short story I once heard--something that has helped me over the past years during busy times like this.

One day a wise teacher was speaking to a group of his students. He pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed mason jar and set it on a table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placedthem, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, heasked, "Is this jar full?"

Everyone in the class said, "Yes.""Really?" he asked. "Let's see." He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar, causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. Looking carefully from face to face, he smiled benevolently and asked again, "Is the jar full?"

His class was catching on quickly. "Probably not," one of them answered."Very good!" he replied. He then reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel.

When he was finished he onceagain asked, "Is this jar full?""No!" the class shouted. "Excellent!" he replied. Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and poured it in until the jar was filled to the brim.

Once again looking intently into the eyes of each student, he asked, "What is the point of this illustration?" One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some morethings into it!" "Aha, that's very good!" the teacher replied, "But let us look a bit deeper. This illustration also teaches us a higher truth: If you don't putthe big rocks in first, you will never get them in at all!"

This week, I'm excited to have all my big rocks in place--a very long time with God during rest day, some EV/integration outings, preparation for VBS and some other things. It's going to be a great week ahead. =)

Upsize 700! Breakthrough 1000!

okay, so I haven't written in what seems like ages, it's been busy but I'm going to make up for it. This is the first of many entries...

In faith we wrote down in the order of service last week that we would announce this weekend that we would breakthrough 700 in the youth attendance... God is truly a God who can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think...

Last weekend we not only Upsized 700 with an attendance of... wait... drumroll.... 747(!!!) but the whole church broke past 900 with an attendance of 950!!! Woohoo! Not only are we celebrating a milestone victory but 1,000 is so near--I can almost taste it!

The thing is, it's not about the number and yet it is--facts and figures can be done by many people... but every number is one life closer to God--a seed sown, a heart touched, a life changed. I do this because my life has never been the same since I met Jesus. It's been one exciting journey and what's even better is the present will pale in comparison to the future. Most importantly, we are not just focused on getting converts here, we are talking about disciples--people who are growing in their walk with God, people who will give up and sacrifice for God, people who will live their lives surrendered to and radical for God.

Just a little bit more, we will soar through 1,000. Pastor shared recently that many years ago, in 2004, when we were still maybe around 200-300 youths (?) and still in Henderson, he marked down in one of his sermons that the church would breakthrough 1,000 in 2007... Wow... =) What an exciting time to be in--I am glad to be here to see that prophetic word come to pass! =)

On to a church of 3,000 strong!

A Close Encounter

My mom came down last week and shared with me something about the explosion in Manila a few weeks ago...

It all started when my very talented and artistic but not very financially-aware sister wanted to deposit a check into someone's bank account. She didn't know that a check could be deposited at any bank branch and thought that she had to go all the way to the branch where the person opened the account; so, she borrowed the family driver and my dad had to drive.

My parents headed to Ayala Mall where my mom got off to buy some groceries. For some reason, she did not feel like going to the grocery because there was too little on her list (you must understand that my mom likes to grocery shop for fun and does so every other day, so this in itself is very unusual).

My mom went to the mall area thinking that she would shop for some shoes instead but she again decided against it--another very unusual thing. She then called my dad who was driving around the area and told him to hurry up and pick her up. My sister then called to say that she was done with her banking and would drop the driver off at the mall area. The driver came followed by my dad.

Both my parents were looking for a toilet, but the only one that was nearby was in this small restaurant called Luk Yuen. My mom, being the ultra-hygienic person that she is didn't want to go so only my dad went in for a quick trip to the john. The guard on duty told the driver that he couldn't park there, but he bargained to say that it was only for a short while. Sure enough, after a few minutes my dad came and my parents left the vicinity.

Just a few seconds after the car turned the corner (which was surprisingly free of cars that day) a loud explosion sounded from the area where they had come from and a tower of smoke billowed in the air above the mall. My parents would later learn that the explosion had come from just beside the restaurant where the car was parked just a few seconds before. The car that was just behind ours was completely destroyed. The parking space where the driver would have parked the car if my sister did not use him that day was destroyed as was the bridge that led to the shopping mall. At least 7 people died that day, many more were injured; but my family was safe.

My mom says she felt a prompting in her heart to quickly leave that place that day. It was definitely the Holy Spirit.

How can people say there is no God?

Pushing Against the Rock

one of the stories i really, really like...

There was a man who was asleep one night when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man He had a work for him to do and showed him a large rock. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.

This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture placing thoughts into the man's mind--"You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it?"--thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man even more. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough."

That he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord" he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock a half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when long ago I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it.

Your task was to push. And now you come to me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed but is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock.

BUT YOUR CALLING WAS TO BE OBEDIENT, TO PUSH AND TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN MY WISDOM, this you have done. I, my friend, I will now move the rock."

I like the story because it rings true... so often I am looking for tangible results as a result of the amount of effort I put in... almost like physics--for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. But it doesn't work that way I've found. We can't move the rock... we weren't asked to in the first place.

It's interesting how, like Pastor How said, God is more interested in our character than our comfort or convenience. I wouldn't have it any other way... yeah.

Zone G!!

Last Saturday was super exciting! Zone G is here and here to stay!

A fully-packed multi-purpose room. A great challenge to be a people competent and capable in the world yet not of the world -- being the generation willing to give the best years of their lives to God just as Pastors did.

If God can create Heart of God Church from 2 people who gave God their all can you imagine what God can do with a whole bunch of us?!

John 12:24 "unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain."

Never Too Late

Today, I just finished reading Smith Wigglesworth's biography. It's a must-read!

What a great man of God! His life is a story of miracle after miracle but more importantly unwavering faith in the face of the strongest storms.

Strangely enough, Smith Wigglesworth started out in life as a plumber and only later did he start his ministry. Yet, what God has accomplished in and through his life -- tens of thousands healed, probably hundreds of thousands saved -- is more than most Christians who have walked the face of this earth.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for Heart of God Church! As we commit to give the best years of our still young lives to God, I can't imagine the future to be anything but amazing! If God can accomplish so much through one man whose life was fully surrendered to Him, I can't imagine what He can do with a whole generation--thousands upon thousands of people who have decided to live a life of faith!

Interesting fact. Smith Wigglesworth had a disciple called Lester Sumrall who had a disciple called Ulf Ekman who had a disciple not unfamiliar to us -- Pastor Kong! Then, of course, Pastor How and Pastor Lia are Pastor Kong's disciples... :)

Additional Musings: Pastor How shared about our position in God and Smith Wigglesworth definitely knew that. One night Satan himself came to Wigglesworth's room as he was sleeping. He awoke to the noise in his bedroom but upon seeing that it was Satan, he said "Oh, it's just you" and went back to sleep.

A Reflection on Surrender

Today got me thinking...

As Pastor was talking about totally surrendering to God, I reflected on how my life has evolved to what it is today.

I always tell people I have the best job on planet earth, and it's true. While many people drag their feet to work every morning I wake up with a bounce in my step and not really feeling like I'm headed to work. I'm getting paid to do something I love to do and wouldn't mind doing for free -- what more can a wide-eyed, idealistic girl ask for?

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Speaking of wide-eyed girls, there is a story of a little girl named Jenny who accompanied her mum to the grocery store one day and as her eyes scanned the room, they fell on a strand of pearls that gleamed within the plastic casing that held it to the stand. As her small 6-year old hands cradled the pearls, her mind's eye could see the pearls glistening on her neck--a perfect match for her pink Sunday dress that she loved to wear to church. The only problem was that the pearls cost $10.

When Jenny got home she emptied her piggy bank and found $$3.50 inside. Determined to buy the pearls, she struck a deal with her mum who gave her $2.50 for helping around the house for a week. As Chinese New Year rounded the corner, Jenny finally saved up enough money to buy her pearls. The beautiful pink strand became Jenny's most prized possession. She wore them everywhere and even kept them under lock and key in her dresser.

One night, Jenny's dad came to tuck her in as usual but this night he sat down at the edge of her bed, looked in her eyes and asked her "Jenny, do you love me?" Without hesitation, Jenny pecked him on the cheek and quickly responded "Yes! Of course!" Jenny's dad looked at her with much love and asked "Will you give me your pearls?" A sadness overcame Jenny and her little voice pleaded "I can give you anything... but please don't ask me to give you my pearls" Jenny's dad gently said "It's okay Jenny, I wanted your pearls" and he pulled the covers up to her chin and gave her a goodnight kiss.

Over the next few weeks when Jenny's dad came into her room to tuck her in, he would ask her the same question and Jenny would sadly decline and offer her doll or her pony or her stuffed dolphin. Her dad would always give her a sweet smile, gently say "It's okay Jenny, I wanted your pearls" and give her a goodnight kiss.

One night as Jenny's dad was in the study working, he heard a pair small feet shuffling into the room. Behind him stood Jenny, tears streaming down her face. Before he could ask what was wrong, Jenny opened her trembling hands to reveal her precious pink pearls still wrapped in soft tissue. "Daddy, I love you" Jenny whispered. "I want to give you my pearls"

Jenny's dad carefully took the pearls from Jenny's hands, opened his desk, placed the pearls inside and took out a handcrafted wooden box. He opened the box and lifted up a strand of the most beautiful pearls Jenny had ever seen. Unlike her plastic pink pearls these pearls were heavier and had a glow came from each pearl's core. As Jenny's dad placed the pearls on Jenny's neck, he said "Jenny, I love you. I've been waiting for you to give me your pearls so I could give you these real pearls in exchange."
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I haven't regretted giving up my pearls and I never will... Need I say more...

Maybe I will blog about my plastic pearls one day...

But for now, time to sign off.

A Decision to Blog

I have finally found a peace about blogging.

After hearing even my anti-mainstream sister has a blog, it got me a-thinking about the saying that "everything is worth trying once" -- well, maybe not everything, but maybe blogging.

Besides, for some reason everyone in church seems to be blogging; AND a new generation of non-emo bloggers seems to be up and coming -- more than enough to appeal to my rational side and get my fingers busy typing.

Here we go...