Above all else

Kids were boogieing to this song for a couple of days - "Bow chicka bow wow, that's what my baby says, mow mow mow and my heart starts pumpin". We just HAD to hear it for ourselves. And found it on youtube of course... Enjoy :)

We were recently in Penang for the weekend, and managed to catch Robert Zemeckis' Christmas Carol. It is quite a disturbing Christmas Carol, with a number of scary images (it opens with the image of Jacob Marley dead in his coffin with coins over his eyes!), so it's not a kids show by any stretch of the imagination. My kids were noticeably sober when we got out, 3D glasses notwithstanding, and frankly so was I! Anyway, the familiar lessons of the Christmas Carol story continue to be thought provoking today. One particularly stuck in my mind - perhaps because it was the most disturbing! Ebenezer Scrooge's first encounter of Christmas Eve is with the ghost of Jacob Marley, his former business partner. Jacob Marley is bound with heavy chains to his moneyboxes, which he is cursed to haul around. The conversation Jacob Marley has with Scrooge is quite illuminating. ==================== Jacob Marley: I wear the chain I forged in life! I made it link by link and yard by yard! I ga...

It’s coming up to Christmas time, and as usual, this includes some kind of Christmas event for the church. Thanks to my pastor’s prodding (which I am very grateful for – if there was no one to keep me accountable, I’d never get around to being the Christian I should be), I finally invited a bunch of people I know. Sending out the invitation was quite scary, because of the “face” issue – you know, you don’t want people to think you’re weird. So when I finally grit my teeth and send out the invitation, I felt rather proud of myself. The next day (Saturday), I brought the kids to badminton training, and as per my usual routine, I went for a run while waiting for the class to finish. As I was sitting under the shade and sipping my ice Milo after my run, it suddenly struck me that I was incredibly blessed. Here I was, with the capacity to bring my kids out, get in my own exercise and enjoy a cool drink on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I thought that if the Apostle Paul could see me now, and c...

As part of our church prayer meeting yesterday, we prayed through Eph 6:14-18 – putting on the armour of God. As we were praying I was thinking about the meaning behind the analogy to armour. So here are some thoughts about the armour of God. I wondered about the “belt of truth” for a while. Why associate truth with a belt? I think I understand – what’s a belt for? To hold up your pants. And what if your pants fall? You are ashamed. And that is the essence of living in TRUTH. If we live in truth, we will never be put to shame by hidden secrets or sin. So confess our sins and live with transparency, integrity and truth, and we will never be put to shame. The “breastplate of righteousness” – everyone gets hit in life. But when we walk in righteousness, God’s promise is that this (and not anything else) will defend and protect us from harm. We may be dented, but our bodies will be safe! The “feet fitted with readiness that comes with the gospel of peace” is quite clear. As the song says, ...

I just finished a set of devotionals for November going through the book of 2 Chronicles. One of the important things I learned was through the life of Hezekiah and his children. King Hezekiah of Judah was one of the greatest kings in Judah's history. In 2 Kings 18:3-7 (I also read the book of 2 Kings, which is to a significant extent a parallel record of the events in Chronicles), the Bible records that Hezekiah "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord... Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook." Hezekiah was faithful to God, obedient in following His instructions and he was successful in whatever he did! 2 Kings 18 goes on to describe Hezekiah's great victory against all odds, over Sennacherib, t...

*Nat and Daniel playing and yelling* Natalie: AAAAARRRRGGGHHHH Daniel: OOOIII!! Don't scream in my ear, or my ears will blow up OK? Natalie: Never mind what. Then your ears will just be like Daddy. Sigh.

Nat came back from school with this (see left picture) the other day. The world has gone mad when it needs to invent a mechanical eraser that vibrates so that you don’t actually have to move your hand over the paper. Absolutely stark raving bonkers. I googled useless inventions and came up with these other zingers. They are all REAL products, mind you. - The solar powered torchlight (commitably insane yet incredibly widely sold) - The motorized ice-cream cone (rotates so you get to lick all sides of the ice cream) - The pizzafork (so you don’t have to use both a fork and a knife at the same time. Brilliant, yet useless.) - Laser-guided scissors (so you can cut in a straight line. Problem is, laser is attached to scissors, so if your hand shakes, the laser shakes too) - Phonefingers (for the truly OCD, to keep your iPod touchscreens grease-free) - The thumbthing (so you can read with one hand. I actually think I would use this!!! Chips in one hand, Douglas Adams in the other, fan...

Nat: OK, let's play Survivor! Dan: Haar?! I want to play computer Dad: No lah let's play Survivor, stop your computer for a while Daniel. Nat: OK first we must have the reward challenge. And the reward is... some kind of chocolate. It's always something to eat. Dad: OK. * Everyone plays reward challenge, which is to count how many 5s, 7s, and 35s there are on the multiplication table on the wall* Dad: Nat wins reward!! Dan: Now can I play computer? Dad: No. So Nat wins one chocolate from the fridge, but you must send 1 person to Exile Island. Nat: uh, OK. Surprise Bear! Dad: OK *chucks Surprise Bear onto the top of the bookshelf* Nat: Now it's time for the immunity challenge. Dad: OK, whoever finds 3 things starting with letter "R" wins! Nat and Dan: *running around wildly* AAAAHHHH! * Nat finds Ranger's Apprentice book, toy Rabbit and Rainbow Care Bear. Daniel finds Rainbow Dog, and Red Santa.* Dad: Nat wins immunity! Nat: Wait, you haven't done the...

We had Pastor Rick Seaward come over from Victory Family Centre to preach on Sunday. Lots of points made in his sermon, but I thought the funniest was the one he made about Joshua not making the same mistakes as Moses! You see, in Numbers 13, God told Moses to choose one leader from each of the tribes of Israel to explore the land of Canaan (Num 13:2). So Moses chose 12 men, and gathered "the whole assembly" to hear their report when they returned (Num 13:26). 10 of them came back and said there was no way the Israelites could enter the promised land, because the inhabitants were too powerful (Num 13:31-33). Only TWO men, Joshua and Caleb, believed God's promises and urged the Israelites to trust that God would deliver them (Num 14:7-9). And of course, the people rebelled and refused to believe God, as a result of which they were condemned to wander the desert for 40 years, until every man older than 20 years, except Joshua and Caleb, had died (Num 14:29-30). To be fair t...

We’ve been having an interesting study of the book of Ephesians for our office cell. Here’s a recap of some of the group’s learnings over the last couple of weeks. The first chunk of the book – roughly the first 3 chapters – deals with God choosing to give us His blessings and our salvation, the breaking of the barrier between the Jews and the Gentiles, and Paul’s calling to preach the Good News to the Gentiles. Many people often ask “What on earth am I here for?” and I think Ephesians 1-3 really helps to answer this fundamental question. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. But what are these good works for? To glorify Him! Ephesians 1:11 says that we were chosen according to his plan in order that we might be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians 3:10 (NKJV) reiterates that God’s intent for the church (i.e. all believers) is to make known the wisdom of God to the principalities and ...

Nat just finished her exams. We are grateful that she did well! But here's some perspective from her. Dad: Nat, we're very proud of you for doing well in your exams. But how do you feel? Are you happy with yourself? Proud? Wish you had done better? Wish you had been more careful? Nat: Well... I just think... is it really that important? Dad: ... ... ... I guess not. *Big hug*

I’m reading 2 Kings as part of my daily devotionals at the moment. I came across something I highlighted previously, and reviewing it now, it seems important to pen down what I have learned. 2 Kings 17 talks about Hoshea the last king of Israel, and the exile of the nation of Israel to Assyria, as a result of their rebellion against God. 2 Kings 17:15 says: “They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless.” It’s worth noting that BECAUSE the Israelites followed worthless idols, they themselves became worthless. And so it is with us. When we follow worthless idols, which can include selfish ambition, vanity, mammon, and carried to an extreme, even our friends and family, we become as worthless as the things we pursue. And because we become worthless, God will remove us from his presence (2 Kings 17:18). 2 Kings 17 goes on to describe how the Assyrians sent settlers...

Dad: *folding clothes grumpily* OK kids, come over! Nat and Daniel come running over Dad: OK, from now on, whenever you take off your clothes to wash, you make sure the clothes are not inside out! Nat: Why? The person who is folding the clothes can do it what. Dad: EXACTLY!!! Nat: *Moment of realisation* Oh...... Daniel: OK!! *blundering into a wall* I can't get this T-shirt off my head. My head is too big!!! Dad: Sigh. The picture is by a fellow called Bill Owens and is entitled "Responsibility". "I wanted Christina to learn some responsibility for cleaning her room, but it didn't work."(c) Bill Owens :D

Dad: *eating Kong Kong's legendarily amazing hae bee hiam* (sort of a prawn paste chilli) Nat: Daddy, I know Kong Kong's secret for making hae bee hiam Dad: mm hmmm... *continue to eat* Nat: Kong Kong showed me how he makes the hae bee hiam and the secret Dad: uh huh... *continue to eat* Nat: But I cannot tell you the secret. Because, it's a SECRET. Dad: OK... *continue eat* Nat: ... Dad: munch munch munch Nat: ... Dad: munch munch munch Nat: OK OK you want to know the secret Dad: mm hmm... *munch munch munch* Nat: The secret is... Dad: Munch munch munch Nat: and you cannot tell anybody OK? Dad: OK munch munch munch Nat: The secret is... you must put... you know, the secret... CHILLI! Dad: ... Nat: *beams at Daddy* Dad: that's a good secret alright. Nat: Yeah!!!!

The other day I was reading Psalm 1, which says, among other things, that the blessed man's delight is in the law of the Lord, and on this law he meditates day and night. And so he is like a tree planted by the stream which yields it fruit in season and leaf does not wither and whatever he does prospers. (Paraphrased vv. 1-3) Psalm 1 reminds me that reading the Word is supposed to be a really rewarding endeavour. I'm very glad that on many occasions, I've seen God speak very clearly to me, and to others I know, through the Word. Like the time a friend and I were praying for someone else, and that very day, God encouraged us that our prayers were heard by directing me to Acts 3:1-9, where, just like my friend and I, Peter and John spoke to a person in need and said "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." And of course, God can speak through other media as well. Just recently, I heard that someone I...

My Dad recently asked me why would anyone want to live a good life if, at the last minute, you can turn around and throw yourself upon the mercy of God and be saved? And the hard truth is, we know God will save a murderer if he turns to God at the last minute, whereas someone who has generally been a good guy but rejects Jesus is not going to be saved. The Bible is quite clear that the last minute people are still going to be saved, just because they believe, and not because they've actually done any good deeds. The thief on the cross had no chance to do any good deeds - he just said "Remember me when You come into Your Kingdom", and that was enough. And in the parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matthew 20, Jesus makes it quite clear that it is not our place to grumble about people who come in at the last minute. If the Master wants to be generous, who are we to complain, since we ourselves are the recipients of grace? And of course, everyone THINKS they're the...

Dad: *Watching Mr Brown's "Le Kua Simi" spoof* Nat: Daddy what does Lekuasimi mean? Dad: What are you looking at? Nat: NO, what does that thing on the screen mean? Dad: What are you looking at? Nat: THAT THING ON THE SCREEN!!! Dad: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT!!! :D

Hi everyone I read Acts 24 today. Thought I would share an interesting part at verses 24-26. Context: Paul has been arrested and brought before Felix to be tried. "Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was AFRAID and said, "THAT"S ENOUGH FOR NOW! You may leave. WHEN I FIND IT CONVENIENT, I will send for you." AT THE SAME TIME he was hoping that Paul would offer him a BRIBE, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him." I've highlighted in CAPS the important parts. When Paul started talking about righteousness, self-control and judgment, Felix became AFRAID. He then told Paul - that's ENOUGH FOR NOW and that he would call him back when CONVENIENT. But at the SAME TIME, he was hoping to hear what he wanted to hear i.e. a bribe, so he spoke to Paul frequently....

One of the songs currently in circulation for our Sunday service. Yes, it's true, Jesus IS stronger, sin is broken, it is written that He is risen and He is LORD!

I like this song. And so does Daniel... as he's cooing along as I'm uploading :)

This is a brillant poem - ingeniously constructed, and impossible to share unless you actually see it being performed. So here's the youtube video. I heard this being shared in church and I pray that as you see this video, you not only share in its sentiments, but go out and do something about it :)

God often uses our children to teach us important lessons. It helps that kids look at life without having it pass through the prism of a lifeitme's worth of accumulated cynicism. Our church Sunday school is simply superb, as the teachers really care for the kids under their charge, and they instill solid moral values and Bible knowledge. Best of all, the kids are taught to put their faith into practice, outside the classroom, whether it's being honest, or caring for their family or contributing to the church. In the build-up to various outreach events, the kids are encouraged to invite their school friends to come to Sunday school with them. Of course, the adults are encouraged to invite friends to church too, but I tell you, Nat really puts her heart and soul into this. She fearlessly invites her friends to Sunday school, and even when she is rejected, she keeps on going, friend after friend, and she is genuinely disappointed when they can't make it. Why? Because she knows...

Haven't written for a long time, but boy do I have a good story for you, and I had to put this down on paper. Oh alright, on cyber-paper. Easter's just come and gone, and it's been a fruitful week, starting with a TGIF party where a cell member's bro-in-law accepted Christ, followed by Saturday G12 meeting with Pastor, followed by Sunday consolidator duty with a PRC student new believer, plus another new believer introduced through my wife's cell, followed by Monday debrief with cell leaders who ran Friday's TGIF, followed by Tuesday, um OK nothing on Tuesday APART FROM NORMAL WORK OF COURSE!!!!!, followed by Wednesday normal cell, followed by Thursday meeting with cell cluster mates, plus lunchtime dry run for office cell Easter event, followed by Friday 2nd dry run for office cell, and today, the actual Easter event for Life Community Services children with tons of games and movie screening etc etc and finally tomorrow Sunday follow-up with the new believers f...

The trip was also a great time with my family and parents, all of whom rated our visit as one of the best holidays ever! That's my family next to the Sea of Galilee and my parents climbing in the Ein Gedi national park.

These are some pictures from my Israel trip in Dec 08. My wife and I decided to go in late 2008 with my pastor. We brought along the kids and my parents. It was definitely on my list of "Places to Visit", along with an NBA arena (done - 2006) and ANFIELD (done - 2007 Liverpool 6-0 Derby!!!). The sights in Israel are really something. The skies are clear blue and everything is really bright - see the first photo - as Psalm 68:34 says "Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies" I managed to catch some beautiful sunsets too - the second photo is beside the Sea of Galilee in the vicinity where Jesus did so much of His ministry, and famously walked on water! "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets , the name of the Lord is to be praised." Psalm 68:34

I confess that my preparation for the New Year has been less than ideal. I did have an amazing trip to Israel, getting back to Singapore just as the Gaza offensive began (more about that later). But catching up with work after being away, plus the myriad demands of parenthood (Primary 1!) have cluttered up the landscape. I was blessed to receive an apt sermon on Sunday though. Though I still felt very tired then, I sensed that there was a moving of the heart, and I am determined to set things straight for the New Year. Hebrews 4:7 says: Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: "TODAY, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." Too often, we are content to receive good sermons and good advice, but then delay acting on it. This is, unfortunately, a too-common human condition. As my pastor said – delay is the deadliest form of denial. Why? Because delay allows us to say “Amen!” but also “L...

Another lyric-rich song from Corrinne May. In our smallness, let's aspire to be everything that God has intended us to be. Not because we are able, but because He is able! But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Cor 12:9 "You can be a witness You can be a prophet You can make the whole world believe Break the strongest fortress Change the way the world thinks You can build a bridge where foes can meet Hope for the future Shout it, don't whisper dreams are what make them to be There is hope in every heartbeat Tiny as it seems You're a beautiful seed"

I love this song. A style reminiscent of Michael Card's rich lyrical narratives. If you're reading this, I encourage you to read Matthew 14 and 15, and Jesus' follow-up at Matthew 16:9-10. How much was gathered from 5 loaves and 2 fishes, and how much from 7 loaves and "a few" fishes? What do you think Jesus was demonstrating when more was gathered from the former than the latter? As the song encourages, surrender the little we have. He can use it all to feed them all!