Beautiful

Shawn McDonald


As I look into the stars
Pondering how far away they are
How You hold them in Your hands
And still You know this man
You know my inner most being, oh
Even better than I know, than I know myself
What a beautiful God
What a beautiful God
And what am I, that I might be called Your child
What am I, what am I
That You might know me, my King
What am I, what am I, what am I
As I look off into the distance
Watching the sun roll on by
Beautiful colors all around me, oh
Painted all over the sky
The same hands that created all of this
They created you and I
What a beautiful God
What a beautiful God
And what am I, that I might be called Your child
What am I, what am I
That You might know me, my King
What am I, what am I
That You might die, that I might live
What am I, what am I, what am I, what am I
What am I
What am I
What am I
What am I
What am I

Your Value

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

Workmanship in Greek is poema or to make, to do, compose. So know this simple truth, you are God's poem, His expression to the world. And therein lies your infinite and unique value to God which no one can take away or diminish.

Discovered: NUS Module Blogs

Interesting move by NUS to leverage blogging as a teaching and interaction tool. I even saw a video of the NUSSO double bass section rehearsing, haha!

Jars of Clay

But this precious treasure – this light and power that now shine within us – is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.
2 Cor 4:7

Bad things happen to good people, that's all I can say.

Well, it's pretty close to home but not close enough for tears.

Now, I wish for peace and love to rule the hearts remaining. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pondering in the dark

For you made us only a little lower than the angels, and you crowned us with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:5

When I awoke at 6.30am, I didn't get up immediately. Instead a part of me insisted spending some time in the dark, thinking about what I want to do this year.

*flash multiple thought bubbles*

Work's going well; been busy-busy and expect to get busier still. Thus far the journey's going well. But it also occurred to me to devote my energies to the rest of my life. Like remembering not to neglect my friends, else I'll die a lonely sod.

Or putting my neglected camera to better use. Also realized another thing recently, can't seem to find a decent personal profile pic for public use - comes with preferring to stand behind the lens?

Plucky

(well, not really)

Had my inaugural guitar lesson tonight! Though the get-going was a little jerky - after all, B, my talented teacher's gotta sense my pace and comfort level - am looking forward to the next session already. Am only apprehensive about committing time to practise, ha!

Sign

By Nobukazu Takemura

茶道

Now, for the n-th time I'm not into Chinese tea.

It's been 10 years since I last visited Tea Chapter though. Was certainly meaningful, learning not just the SOPs in making and serving tea, but also the history and varieties of teas - briefly of course.

And it really ought not to be viewed as something archaic and irrelevant - after all, it defines a significant part of Chinese culture. Ok, 'nuff said.

*click*

Attended an Olympus workshop - knowledgeable instructor with wry sense of humour but good tips to dole out. But was yawning away to boring facts being read out.

Inner Desires

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

Change

Mandate n. An authoritative command or instruction.

And then [Jesus] added, "It is the thought-life that defiles you.

Mark 7:20

Paradigm shifts are usually uncomfortable and that's how I felt. When I shared how I felt, he said something that made me wonder, "If your conscience is strong, then you wouldn't be bothered."

Perhaps this year will indeed be a year of breakthrough - of metamorphosis and of continuing journeys.

All I Need Is...

Hillsong United
All I Need Is You

Left my fear by the side of the road
Hear You speak
Won't let go
Fall to my knees as I lift my hands to pray

Got every reason to be here again
Father's love that draws me in
And all my eyes wanna see is a glimpse of You

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord
Is you Lord

One more day and it's not the same
Your spirit calls my heart to sing
Drawn to the voice of my Saviour once again
Where would my soul be without Your Son
Gave His life to save the earth
Rest in the thought that You're watching over me

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord
Is You Lord

You hold the universe
You hold everyone on earth
You hold the universe
You hold
You hold

Greater Effectiveness
Didn't get enough sleep this week coz I was busy with work. And now I wonder if I'm just darn inefficient - agonizing over words, sweating the small stuff. In any case, this week has been fruitful and stimulating. 51 more weeks to go! Woohoo!

No More Goodbyes
How many goodbyes can you say in a lifetime? Today, we saw V off at the airport - she'll be in London for the next 3 years, receiving pregnant women who want to give birth on local soil, she says (ok, I stretched it a little). Unexpectedly, tears couldn't help but well up in my eyes and others as well, I'm sure. Separation's never easy. All the best, V!

Better Questions
Midway showering after my swim, I couldn't help but overhear a kid asking his dad for answers. "Can you tell me where grandpa is?" "When will we die?" "We will get reborn?" "How will we live and do our homework?" Haha, such earnest curiosity! But indeed, how many times have I let my assumptions get the better of me.

More sleep
('nough said)

Psalm One

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

From WFTP: A time for starting over. A new beginning. A wonderful time to take stock of life and look for ways to improve and grow. Too often, careless resolutions are made that are never kept, and so one year blends into the next with little change. The fact is, all of us have areas in our lives that could stand some improvement. As this new year begins, let us look at our lives with honesty and candor. Let us approach change with a positive spirit, and work toward finding ways to become the people that god wants us to be.



So what do S'poreans do on the 1st day of the year? Why, go shopping of course! And off went 2 men and a lady. And God bless Robinsons for affordable office wear :)

Best buys: $10 Laptop bag and mom's $40 handbag which got her a free 'live' pearl (poor oyster)!

Still

Still
By Hillsong Australia

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

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

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

In the wee hours of Saturday morning, the predator was out on the prowl. Way too early to catch the fireworks, but welcomed by dancing rays of light, quietly sweeping across the sky to some whimsical behest.

Later though, the predator became the prey - dashing across the road with heart a-pumping to escape two perceived muggers in caps, sweaters and sneakers. "You're socially conditioned to be biased," someone remarked as this tale was earlier told...

This countdown night will probably be spent alone - but not lonely, for meditating with God is never boring.

Happy New Year, all! May you cross over rivers and mountains towards your God-ordained destiny in 2007.

Thanksgiving

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it...

Ecclesiastes 7:8

Was reminded during cellgroup that one should thank God for every little possible thing. So often I find myself struggling with negative thoughts - be it financial lack, pressures at work, inner lethargy, or the lack of romance - only to end those days feeling downtrodden and unaccomplished.

*WHAT DO I HOPE FOR?* was what I scribbled down. With 2 days left to the year, I truly have to answer this important question and as I do so, to determine to end the year in hope and faith.

An important question to ask next is *WHAT WILL I DO DIFFERENTLY?* As I matured, I began to recognize the flaws and idiosyncrasies of people around, especially my parents. But while it is easy to point out flawed or habitual thinking, now I tend to reflect first about my own self before speaking.

Change is neither automatic nor easy - such a cliche, but ever so true. Especially in renewing one's mind.

Last Friday of 2006

Cleared my room, or rather, part of my table last night. It's bittersweet rifling through artifacts from the past; found a letter I never mailed and scribblings of goals I'd set for myself in '96 & '04. Then organized the cards and gifts I received this year.

Spent the morning doing tech support for my dad after the new desktop came. Yup, whenever he yells helplessly from the room, I gotta respond. I'm really no technie but dad thinks otherwise of my computing degree. I expressed irritation literally - "I'm irritated" - to no avail.

Such pleasant weather today - the rain's finally stopped, a bright sky and a cooling breeze going through the house. Great for a swim, but didn't have time. It's funny, but time really does tick by ever so surely - it's never enough.

The weekend awaits, so does church and bookstore duty.

Oh Rainy Night

My Room, the bane of all housewives

Oh rainy night, the drops are loud and falling
It is the night of much wine, friends, re-vel-ry...

Feeling rather satisfied right now, must be the wine speaking. T'was good catching up with old friends & (relatively) new girlfriends. T'was an unexpected card that left me smiling :)

Today I'd spent half the day at church, serving at the bookstore. While it was a thoroughly enjoyable session, I went home feeling burdened - mainly by the admin work that was thrust upon me. It has been challenging serving in the bookstore - long hours, dealing with difficult customers, mastering countless procedures that seem to keep evolving etc.

The toughest thing about serving is learning to lean on God - lasting in the ministry certainly takes commitment and dedication to excellence in everything I do. That means leaning on God for joy and strength or else burnout is inevitable. What can I say now...


Me & Uncle Patrick, the BBQ perfectionist

Goodbye, 2006

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it

John 1:4-5

It's been a great year, did I say that already? Learning to lean on God for strength through dark times. Being challenged to grow beyond inadequacies and idiosyncrasies. Being healed of wounds unseen yet real as can be.

Of goals I set out to achieve this year, I've achieved only about 60%, I'd say. Time to reflect, review and redirect myself.

Had a wonderful Christmas service yesterday - worshipful songs, a modern and touching take of the Christmas story, priceless decisions to accept Christ, and great fellowship with ministry mates.

And oh, an unforgettable candlelight service - being one light among countless others, shining in the dark with hearts united. His presence felt beyond words.

Merry Christmas to one and all... my avid fans of ELE! :P

Viewfinder

"We are the result of the choices we made yesterday" rang through my head last night, on my way back from the cellgroup's Xmas party.

Another weekend: meeting friends, meeting new people, attending church, busy at bookstore... what can I choose to do differently this time?

I'm certain various things are in motion, whether or not I engineered them. What's next? What's coming up?

Perhaps I'm experiencing year-end pre-resolution retro-musing syndrome. Whatever that means.

Gotta set some bodacious goals and achieve them this time.

Before that, wine anyone?

Still Photo-rabid

Got a new toy *grin*











So... the year's coming to an end. But it's too late for retrospection. A ministry mate who was encouraging me to rise up beyond my feelings of inadequacy. Indeed, may 2007 be a year of confident striding towards divine destiny.