Fever!

Finally finished packing (well, whatever I could at least) so thought I'd update before I leave.

In less than 16 hours, I'll be headed for East Timor as part of a Fever100 team under the auspices of LoveSingapore's youth arm, Joshua21.

Am I excited?

You bet.

The events and days leading up to today and to this trip have been nothing but the most awesome testimony of God's faithfulness.

For one, I got through my last 2 exams (yup, the 2 irritating ones after youth camp) pretty breezily, definitely God's help and grace because I only studied for one of the papers, and even then, I barely studied 2 hours for it!

Secondly, my leave for the entire holiday period was approved. And the news came on Saturday morning too, on my way to take my exam... haha. Well actually I called them to ask. The official letter saying it's been approved only came today, the 4th of December. Which is weird because my leave is supposed to start from the 3rd... hmmmm. Well, doesn't really matter now, does it? *grin*

And like I last posted, youth camp was just great. Had lots of fun (fell sick after though, still coughing and sneezing now, pray people!) and God spoke to me in a whole new way.

And the last few days have been just amazing. Been attending the Fever100 conference at Church of Our Saviour and while I really didn't know what to expect on the first morning I went down, that just changed right from the worship. God really came down in a special way through the worship, the sermons, the workshops. I learnt SO MUCH from all the speakers and teachers! Not just through the lessons they teach but from their lives. I was particularly inspired and motivated listening to Joseph Cheah, one of the YWAMmers share his experiences in missions, in reaching out to the UPGs in China. I mean, this guy LOVED God. You could just see and sense His passion and His love for God and for the lost just ooze out of him.

As I was listening to him share, I started to think, oh my, God, I'm not sure I'm up to doing the kind of things that this guy does man. And then God replied me in His still, small voice. He said this: "You're not Joseph Cheah. You don't have to be Joseph Cheah. You're not called to the same things as he is. I will use you greatly too, but in a totally different way. You don't have to travel to China, teach in orphanages or bungee-jump off suspension bridges like he did. You just do what I've called you to." And I'm like, WOW God! The truth that says God has a plan for me was just revealed to me in a brand new way.

Throughout the conference, God kept speaking to me and dealing with me in aspects of my life. To really really summarise as much as I can, God placed a new compassion in my heart for the lost, for the unreached peoples, and He really broke my heart for them. I found myself weeping at every worship service, every sermon. I repented of my pride, my self-righteousness, my perceived racial and even national "superiority". God also began to give me very specific kinda words that were really prophetic. For example, at Tuesday prayer meeting, God spoke very clearly to me about His love, how His love was sacrificial to the point that He gave us His best, His all. And then He asked me, what's my response to that love? At the session the next day, guess what? The theme was on living a sacrificial lifestyle! And even through things that he spoke to my teammates and even through the words preached, they were just so in line with what God was telling me. And I was just totally blown away.

I believe also that God allowed certain situations to come up (not exactly pleasant) to teach me things. For example, something happened on Wednesday night that kinda got me quite upset and discouraged. The next morning, when I was on the bus on my way to the conference, God began to speak to me and told me that I needed to repent and to yield my mind to Him. So I did. Guess what the theme was that day at the conference? It was on Strategic Thinking. And the first thing we did was to place our hands on our minds and begin to ask God to remove the negative and bad thoughts that we had and to yield our minds to Him. I mean, how much clearer can God speak man? I'm sure it's a lot more clearly but this was enough to just knock me over. WOW.

There's so much more to share, I don't have the time... but so like I said, I'm totally looking forward to the trip. God's really done such a work preparing me for it. He's blessed me so much (top-line blessings) for the purpose that I may be able to go to East Timor and radiate His GLORY! (bottom-line responsibility) This was another thing I learnt from the conference, which I will devote a blog to once I'm back, I promise.

To end, just wanna request prayer for my team and even for East Timor as a nation. Pray for us, that we'll truly go down there with a servant's heart, to serve the community, to serve even the missions pastors that are there, and that God's glory would be manifested among the people there. Pray even that we might have a chance to minister to the higher-ranking officials of the government so that they may see Jesus and give Him glory too!

Will be back on the 15th, so till then, take care and keep burning and shining for Jesus!

Jesus I believe in You
I would go to the ends of the earth
To the ends of the earth
For You alone are the Son of God
And all the world will see
That You are God
You are God

Burn, baby, burn!

Don't you just love it when God shows up and totally surprises you?

That's what happened this Youth Camp. God totally blew my mind.

He showed up in ways I'd never have expected (the blackout on the last night, fellow campers?) and truly, truly manifested His glory.

One word. WOW.

Though this camp has been my busiest ever, and I rarely went down for altar calls (only twice, and I was prayed for only one out of those two times), I really felt God leading me in a totally different direction.

Pastor Matt said something that struck me. He said God asked him this: "Why do you have to go to men when you can come straight to me and hear my voice?" And that really hit me because I was wondering why no one came to pray for me when I went down for the full-time altar call. But I could hear God speaking to me very distinctly, telling me what He wanted from me. And without anyone coming to pray over me or say anything, I just fell to my knees and began to weep. And I learnt, in that instant, that God is my PERSONAL Saviour. I don't have to go through St. Peter or Jeremy Seaward or Matt Wakefield to hear God or to experience Him. HE'S REAL and HE SPEAKS TO ME.

One word. WOW.

I think what really really encouraged me this youth camp was to see the response of the Region F youths. I could see that God had done a work in their hearts, a deep work, a NEW work. And it's just great to see them start get crazy for God. I have to say this about one person. I always imagined Joel Leong to be this really laid back, take-it-easy kinda guy. Today he told me we need to start a revolution. I was like... God, this HAS to be you. Now, not saying that Joel used to be *bad* or anything like that in the past, but it's really evidence of something God has done in his heart.

I was reading through the testimonies that the youths submitted. And this thought just stuck in my mind: God, You're just awesome. Stories of lives changed, hearts set on fire for God, visions of preaching in stadiums... I'm really at a loss for words now.

Except for one word. WOW.

To all those who went for youth camp (particularly the Region F youths), I am glad you were there and that you opened up your hearts to hear God speak and challenge. I am proud of the decisions and commitments that you made for God. Keep the fire burning, people. In the words of Joel Leong, let's start a revolution. A revolution in our generation. Let's spur each other on and encourage one another to love Him and to be witnesses for Him.

Friends, hype fades away. But commitment keeps the flame burning. Let's be committed to each other as a youth ministry and see God move in our lives and in the lives of our families, friends, campuses.

Can a nation be changed? Can a nation be saved? Can a nation be turned back to You?

My answer's a resounding YES.

Headache

Yes people, it is a miracle. Two blogs in the span of two days.

Except this one's really born out of desperation.

Since so many people have been asking for it, here's my exam timetable. Heh. Seriously now, thanks for offering to pray, people. It's an encouragement.

18th November Southeast Asian Studies
19th November English Language
24th November Intro to Chinese Language (DON'T ask me why)
29th November South Asian Studies, Literature

As can be seen, I have 2 papers right after youth camp, which really is a bummer. To be truthful, I'm really pretty stressed up now with everything that's going on... Everything seems to be happening one after the other! Exams, youth camp (still doing admin stuff now, plus the actual camp itself), Fever 100 (leave application... still waiting for a reply), Christmas... it's enough to drive me nuts just thinking about it. Like the title of this post is, it's all really giving me one big, fat headache.

Guess this is either God's way of saying that I should trust Him to bring me through and give me strength, or it's God's way of saying I've happily bitten off more than I can chew and should get ready some Eno because I'm about to get some serious indigestion.

Whatever it is, pray with me, people... I'm sure God's gonna work something out in every situation... just that sometimes before I see it happen, I like to worry for myself (and sometimes, on God's behalf too, silly me). But like what someone once told me, "the night's the darkest before the dawn" so I'm REALLY looking forward to the dawn! Now, to get over my exams first...

To those out there struggling like I am now, hope it encourages you to know that number 1, you're not alone in the boat and number 2, if I remember correctly, God really likes to show up in the midst of storms and calm them... So take heart in that!

Find rest, my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God

Truth AND Dare

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before.

- Switchfoot, "Dare You To Move"

Where am I today?

We're often so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to stop for a moment (thanks, Sharon) and just reflect and take stock of our lives: where we are and where we're headed.

Where am I today?

Am I where I thought I would be? Am I where I'm supposed to be? Am I where God wants me to be?

Have I grown complacent? Am I so comfortable with things now that I just don't want to move forward anymore? Am I just happily lying here, enjoying where I am now in my walk with God, in my ministry, in my relating with people?

"I dare you to move."

Someone once said this: Change comes when the pain of not changing is greater than the pain of change. Think about it.

Have I fallen hard to the ground? Have I been pushed and shoved to my knees by the actions and opinions of others? Has life been dealing me a terrible deck? Am I just huddled up in a corner, just trying to stay sane and alive? Am I beaten and bruised, and ready to throw in the towel?

"I dare you to move."

This day, make it a conscious choice. Move one step closer to God. Draw nearer to Him. Let Him reveal His love and purpose and plan for your life. Let Him pick you up from where you are, and lead you where He wants you to go.

Not that I have already attained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

Tired of status quo? Move. I dare you to.

The 5.30 a.m. Post

Ok ok. I know this is so not me (Blog-wise, anyway) but it's just such a landmark that I just HAVE to announce it.

I just finished my stinking essay. At 5.15 a.m. After slogging since 10 p.m.

Haha, first I slog, then I blog...

Alright like I said, it's 5.30 a.m. in the morning and I haven't slept a wink, been staring at my comp (and I'm sure it was glaring malevolently back at me, wishing it could get some rest) for the last 7 hours straight (oh yeah, I really am NOT getting paid for this, but if you need to stay up in future, iCafe will do the trick. It worked wonders for me. Then again, it could be the rain...), oh yes the rain. Man. I love rainy nights and mornings. I normally sleep like a pig when it's not raining. When it's raining, pigs sleep like me! So it was with a sense of regret as I did my work that I listened to the rhythm of the falling rain, telling me just what a fool I've been... hmmm. That sounds familiar...

Oh yes, no thanks to the rain and the coffee and everythng else, I'm stinking FREEZING too. Never knew my room air-con was so powerful before. My fingers are numb... almost as numb as my brain. Ok save your comments there... I just KNOW what you're gonna say. Ha ok at least my brain's not THAT numb afterall... but guess the SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES helped keep me awake too. Or maybe I could've died of hypothermia, I dunno. Hmmmmm...

Ok I'm babbling now. Better go and get some sleep...

Oh yes, something before I go.

"If you want a religion that makes sense, I suggest something other than Christianity. But if you want a religion that makes life, then, I think this is the one."
- Rich Mullins

Whose Battle Are You Fighting?

Last week at The Edge, Jeremy shared a great sermon titled 'When Faith Gets Tired'.

With the story of Gideon and his army of 300 pursuing the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunnah (Judges 8:4-12), Jeremy shared about how at times we can get so spiritually exhausted fighting the battles of God, we're tempted to just sit back and take a rest; or we start relying on past experiences, past encounters with God to get us through. But it's usually in times like this that God has something else, something greater for us. And it's exactly when we're tired that we need to take it to the next level, just like how Gideon and his men crossed the Jordan in pursuit of Zebah and Zalmunah.

What was significant was the fact that they had already won a great victory before they even got to the Jordan; Gideon and his 300 men had struck down 120,000 Midianites! They could've given up the chase, thinking to themselves, We've already accomplished our goal. We've chased them out of our territory. We're done. Crossing a river takes time and energy. By this time Gideon and his men were exhausted. But what did they do? They pressed in. The crossed the river and took it to the next level. As a result, it wasn't just a great victory. It became a COMPLETE victory.

I'm quite sure those of us who were there (and those who may not have been but read the previous 2 introductory paragraphs) can identify with that sometimes. There are so many times when we just get so tired and drained out spiritually. We just want to take a step back, take a break. Retreat, rely on past experiences.

But what really hit me (one day later, on Sunday) was this question.

Why do I get so tired? Do I get tired fighting God's battles?

Or do I get tired fighting my own?

The sermons shared over the past few weeks have really allowed me a lot of thinking (not to say that I usually don't think, but just more thinking than usual). The Morales', with their indomitable spirit of spiritual conquest. Judith has got a great entry on this, go check it out. Pastor Seaward's sermon on sowing. Jeremy's message. Stuff that's been happening in my own life. And it really made me think.

Whose battles am I fighting?

What's God's battle anyway?

It's quite simply this. A war for the eternal souls of men and women. I like the way one of our guest preachers (was it?) put it. We need to plunder hell to populate heaven.

We all know this verse. We fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. Therein lies the problem. Has our fight become once against flesh and blood?

Has our work become our battle? Yes, we are to do our best at everything, even our work, but to what end?

Has our family become our battle? As children, we are to honour our parents; as parents, we are to bring up our children right. But again, what's the purpose of it?

Are our relationships our war? Yes, "it is not good for man to be alone" and "there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother", but have our friendships and relationships (or our search for friendships and relationships) become the greatest time and energy consumers in our lives?

Are we fighting a battle for our ministry? Again, yes, we want to do our best, especially since it's God's work. It's great if you want to have a great ministry, you want to have the largest net, you want to be the best worship leader, guitarist etc. etc. I ask again. To what end?

Please know this, these are questions I'm asking myself as well. Sure, the things I've listed are noble purposes. But are they God's battle? Some of them even look remarkably like a battle God would want us to fight. But are they? Do they boil down to what Acts 1:8 says? "You shall be my witnesses..." Or are we fighting these battles for our own sakes?

What's God's battle? It's a battle for souls. It's a battle for your unsaved friends and family.

If you're tired fighting God's battle, then take heart. There's a breakthrough just ahead. If you've been praying for your friends' salvation but there seems to be no response and you're getting tired, don't give up. Take it to the next level.

If you're tired fighting your own battles, it's time to give them to God. He will take care of them. Go read Matthew 6:25-34 if you don't believe it, or you need a reminder.

And He's asking you to report for duty at the frontlines of the greatest battle ever. A battle that has been raging since the fall of man. A battle which can only be won, because it already has been.

Now that's where the REAL fighting is.

Worship Amidst Adversity

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks."
John 4:23

Have you ever wondered what it means to worship God in spirit and truth?

I mean, it's not very fun to know what God wants and yet NOT know what He wants.

It's kinda like your good friend saying, 'Hey, I really REALLY want a crocodile button.'

So you scratch your head and go 'HUH?'

I mean, we know what a crocodile is, and we know what a button is, but a crocodile button?

And we know what's spirit, and what's truth. But to worship God in spirit and in truth? What's that supposed to mean?

Well, like the rest of you, I've thought about the question too. (Or maybe I'm the only guy who wonders...) And the other day, I think I've come to a conclusion about what it means.

What does it mean to worship in spirit?

In the very next verse (v. 24), Jesus says that "God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth." In other words, the only way we can worship God, who is spirit, is in the spirit!

Before you say 'Duh, ahbuhden', let me explain. Worshipping in the spirit is as opposed to worshipping in the natural. When we worship in the natural, we're aware of the problems and difficulties that exist in the natural. We get distracted and we tend to wander. We lose focus of God. Instead of worshipping Him with all our hearts, we become half-hearted worshippers. We allow worries, anxieties, struggles, pain to come in and keep us from the truth. So, to worship in the spirit quite literally means to put the natural aside, to lay all these down at the foot of the cross and say 'God, You and I know I've got problems. But You know what? I'm not gonna let them keep me from worshipping You. I'm gonna give you whole-hearted worship. I'm not gonna keep any part of myself from You. All I am, all I have is Yours.'

In the previous paragraph, I talked about allowing problems to come in that keep us form the truth. What truth's that, you may wonder. That's the second part of the verse, really. To worship God in truth. Many times, when we're going through trials and tribulations, difficult situations and circumstances, we tend to develop temporary selective amnesia about the nature of God. We forget His goodness, we forget His grace, His mercy, His lovingkindness. We forget how great our God is! We get sidetracked and begin to focus on our seemingly overwhelming circumstances instead of focusing on our overwhelming God who's above every circumstance! The truth is that no matter whats going on in our lives, God's still on the throne, He's still in control, and He's still worthy of our praise and worship. That's the truth, and the only truth we need to know! So to worship God in truth means simply to acknowledge and remember this truth that HE IS GOD and worship God simply for the fact that He is!

Of course this doesn't just mean that we don't get sidetracked when times are good too. Many times, when things are going well, it's easier to worship in the natural and in our current false sense of security! (See! It's neither in spirit nor in truth.) So even when times are good, we have to guard against that and still remember to worship in spirit and in truth.

But more often than not, it's much harder to worship God during bad times. Have you ever noticed that? Or is it just me again? I'm quite sure it's a universal feeling. But it's precisely during this times, I've realised, that the most beautiful and anointed worship comes forth. I believe it is this sort of worship, a worship that comes amidst adversity, that is especially precious to God. In fact, if I may deign to say, it blesses the heart of God when He hears us worship Him even though things aren't going well! And it causes Him to move on our behalf in an especially powerful way.

Now I'm not saying that God's this sadistic psychopath who loves to see us in pain and suffering and call out to Him. But like I said earlier on, it blesses His heart because you've become the kind of worshipper He's looking for! An excellent example of this that I've found is the not too recent recording by CFNI called All The Riches of You. The worship leader, Keith Hulen, had just lost his wife to a long battle with cancer. And yet in the album, he sings with such great passion about the joy of the Lord, the blessings of God, the goodness of God. There is such a tangible anointing that I feel listening to the album. The songs are great, that's for sure, but behind the songs, there's the heart of a true worshipper. A worshipper that worships God in spirit and in truth. A worship that says 'God, You're worthy of my worship, no matter what! And so I'm gonna give you all my worship no matter what as well!'

So, to conclude, a question. Not just for you but for me as well.

Am I the kind of worshipper God seeks? Do I worship God in spirit and in truth?

If you are, keep at it. God's blessed by your worship. And He's moving on your behalf! If you, like me, are still working at it, let's ask God to help us truly become a worshipper who worships in spirit and in truth.

One day, when we're all in heaven, it'll no longer be a problem. When that day comes, we'll all be falling down before God in awe of His beauty and majesty and holiness and there will be no room and no opportunity for 'fake' worship.

But till that day comes, by God's grace, we will strive to be worshippers who worship in spirit and in truth.

Romans 8:35, 37-39

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

TV Mobile Makes Me Sick

Ok. I'd be biased if I just said TV Mobile makes me sick.

Bus 96 does too. A crowded bus 96.

Heck, ANY crowded bus makes me sick.

Put these 2 factors (in any permutation or combination you like) and what you get is a sick Elvin.

You see, I have 2 chronic ailments (as all my friends can attest too, once I've listed them out.)

Number one, I get car-sick really easily. Ok, maybe not that easily. I just gotta be doing something like reading on a bus or a car, and I'd get real sick. Especially if it's stinking crowded and stuffy... in such a situation, all that's left is to watch me puke and then hand me tissues and ask if I'm alright.

Number two. Any screen I encounter, as long as it has moving images (and sound too, preferably) will find my eyes glued to it automatically. I just can't help it. It's as natural as it would be for me to play with my hair unconsciously if I were to use Dove shampoo and conditioner.

So. Since our dear bus 96 is equipped with TV Mobile (a screen with moving images and sound, too!) it'd be totally natural then for me to stare at it while on my way home. Now, couple that with my first chronic ailment... and you know why I'm sick.

Hmmm. Now that I think about it, I guess I was right after all. It IS TV Mobile that makes me sick. Cos if there was no TV Mobile, I wouldn't be staring at the screen and if I wasn't staring at the screen...

The Prodigal

His voice rang out bright and clear amidst the haze of his shapeless dreams, crashing into unseen walls and echoing back, eerie reminders of his foolishness.

Dad, I want my share of the inheritance.

He turned, grimaced unconsciously as his mind's eye saw the look on his father's face.

A look of grief.

You do not understand what you ask for, son.

Another grimace as he heard himself again, angry, obstinate.

I do! Why shouldn't I? I'm old enough to judge for myself, dad! You can't tell me what I can or cannot do anymore! I can decide what's best for myself!

The father fought hard to keep back tears, but a stray drop found it's way down his cheek.

You're right, son. The choice is yours. You've made it now. There's nothing I can do to stop you. But know that I will always love you, will always welcome you back with open arms.

Yeah, whatever. The unfeeling tone in his voice surprised even himself.

And suddenly the mist in his mind shifted, and he saw himself now, togged out in designer wear, going places, making sure that everyone who saw him knew he had cash, and plenty of it.

Before long he was surrounded by people, "friends" as he had called them, all outwardly eager to be of serive to him, all inwardly eager to have their share of his pie.

His stomach roiled as he saw, in his dream, his 'friends' pandering to his every whim and fancy, laughing, drinking, smoking, indulging in every pleasure imaginable togther with him. And oh! How he had enjoyed it. How he thought that he had everything he ever needed and wanted. How he thought that his life was fully in his control. And oh! How wrong he was.

As his dream played out, he was suddenly seized with fear. He knew how the dream would end. He knew that before long, his supply of money would be gone. And that his friends would leave him. Fear gripped him, and in his mind, he wanted to yell at himself to stop, to reason. But he couldn't. The laughter from the carousing group grew louder and louder, vicious echoes surrounding him, engulfing him, suffocating him. And he screamed.

And woke up with a jolt. His heart thud-thudded rapidly against his chest, threatening to break out of his ribcage. It was still dark outside, and all at once, he remembered where he was.

A pig pen. As if a confirmation of this realisation, a large sow ambled past him to the water trough and took a leisurely drink.

Hot tears welled up in his eyes as his now fully-conscious mind completed the dream. Left with no friends, not a penny to his name, he thought to himself, I'll just look for a job. It can't be that difficult. But it was. Recession had hit the land he was in, and no one wanted to hire. From place to place he went, looking for a job. And with every rejection, he felt his pride and his dignity cut away, until it was in shreds.

And it was in this condition that he found his way to the pig farm. He was quite a sight by then. No more designer togs. What he wore, indeed, if it could still be called clothing, was in mot much better condition thatn his tattered pride. He was unshaven. The nights on the streets had taken their toll on his once handsome and ruddy appearance. Now, he looked like a beggar. But at least, he had a job now.

But what a miserable job! He was paid measly to clean up after pigs. No lodging was provided. He had to sleep with the pigs. Food was not part of the deal. He had to make do with the food the pigs were eating, half-rotten fruits and vegetables.

The tears flowed freely now. Oh, how did it come to this? He buried his face in his hands and sobbed.

And without warning, the face of his father appeared before him.

Dad... Oh! How I've let you down! How I've hurt you! How I've hurt myself! You're right, Dad. I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't understand my decision. And now, it's too late...

Memories of his past flashed in his head. Memories of happy days he spent at home with his family. Memories of how his father used to carry him on his back and run through the fields, making him feel like he was soaring throught the air.

The dam burst, and he wept aloud. He wept and wept until he had no more tears. But now, he had a plan.

My father may not forgive me for what I've done, and I surely don't expect him too. But surely he'll at least hire me as a servant! The servants have it better than I do now! At least they have food to eat, a place to sleep in, clothes to wear. That's what I do. I'll go back and get him to hire me as a servant. I don't deserve to be called his son.

And with that resolution, he fell asleep.

The next day, he began the journey back home. He started out along the long road that led to his father's house. As he trudged along, he rehearsed his speech. Dad, I've done you wrong. I've been unfilial and I've lost all the money you've given me. I don't deserve to be called your son anymore. All I ask is that you'll hire me as a servant. I promise I'll work hard. I promise I won't give any trouble. It doesn't matter even if you don't pay me. All I ask for is a place to stay and bread to eat.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the solitary figure in the distance. Until that figure started running. Towards him.

He squinted in the bright sunlight. Who was that? Maybe it's one of the servants, coming to chase me away, he thought. He stopped and looked at himself. No wonder. He looked like a vagabond.

The running figure got closer and closer. And suddenly he recognized who it was. It was his father.

A sudden fear gripped him. He forgot what he wanted to say. He didn't know what to do. Should he turn and run away? His legs wouldn't budge.

And then his father opened his arms wide. And upon reaching the young man, the father embraced him.

My son, you're finally home.

The son wrapped his arms around his father, and the two wept tears of joy.

And the son knew that he didn't need to say what he had intended to say.

He was finally home.

[Adapted from the parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15:11-32. Special thanks also to my friend Esther Tan who reminded me of how much God loves us as we are, and indeed, in spite of who we are.]

Biblical Blogging

I think if King David had internet access back in those days, he'd have made one heck of a blogger.

I mean, look at the Psalms. What is it if not an olden-day blog? (albeit a whole lot more lyrical).

Every Psalm is a post. Here's David running for his life from the man whose life and kigdom he helped saved when he slew Goliath. He blogs.

Here's David surrounded by his enemies on every side, and he's surrounded by discontented people. He blogs.

Here's David running for his life from his son Absalom. He blogs.

Here's David in mourning for the son he had out of wedlock with Bathsheba. He blogs.

Every post, every entry, a cry to God for help, for mercy, for vengeance, for relief, for comfort. Every one a pouring out of David's complaint to God.

The poor man, you think. He has every right to complain. He has every right to moan and groan. I mean, for cryin' out loud, his own son was trying to kill him! I mean, this guy's got serious issues man.

But every Psalm David writes follows a particular pattern. Sure, he rants and raves about how miserable his life is. But his Psalms always end off on a totally different note. At the end, he's always declaring the greatness and the goodness of God. He's always putting things back into perspective, that God is always bigger, God is always higher, God is always greater than any problem he could and would ever face. And that God's always on his side (i.e. no matter what, he's always victorious!)

And I guess we have a thing or two to learn from this guy.

Sure, we all have our good days, our bad days, our mad days, our happy and our sad days (thanks SCC). And sure we are entitled to our complaints. But we should, like David, be always assured that our God is bigger than the air we breathe and the world we'll leave (thanks Martin Smith), and that no matter what it is that's bothering us, God's always seated on the throne and He's always in control!

And guess what? He's just a prayer away.

And that's why I want to blog like David blogged.

(Today's post is dedicated to my dear friend Joy Cheng out serving God in Israel. She's the inspiration for me getting started on blogging anyway. Go visit her blog. It's the kind that you just wanna go back to again and again cos her love for people and her love for life and most of all, her love for God just shows through the words. And it truly encourages me to want to live my life for God. And I can only hope that my humble little blog will have the same effect and impact on others as her's has had on me and on anyone else who's been there.)

"One small step for the swakoo... the hare is far far away in front already lah!" - Anon.

Alright... my first foray into the world of blogging... and I have to go already! Actually typed out a whole bunch of stuff but stupidly clicked something (I have NO IDEA what) and everything disappeared... hmmm...

Will be back soon to update... off to live out my dream of being a 4-star General! Thanks EA Games!

Adios!