Out of the Blue

10 new things I'm thankful in my life: 1. My W595 Sony Phone, gotten last month. 2. Qingwen, Dear.. for his love and encouragement. We're married for 5 weeks! 3. My room, my solace and place of refuge. I love the new brown kitchen table we've got. And the attached toilet we can use so freely. 4. My Mum-in-law, whom cooks really really good food. Her sacrificial love. 5. My Dad, esp now that he treats me as an adult. 6. My new hairdo. I permed it recently. 7. Change in ministry. Now in NUS Arts..serving with new tea, Desmond and Lindy. 8. New church friends, who teach me how to read and recognize Chinese characters in the bible. 9. A chance to choose a BTO flat. 10. A relatively light MSI Netbook!

I've been picking up on simple O.I.A during my QT again, with much shame cos I've always told my students about it but I wasn't consistent. Yet, God's really gracious to still help me process His truth as I went back to the Word. I was at Luke 10 (Parable of the Good Samaritan and the story of Martha and Mary) when some things came out at me. A lawyer, testing Jesus and really trying to justify himself asked him what he should do to have eternal life. After Jesus answered him accordingly, quoting the Great Commandments- Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, strength; and to love your neighbour as you love yourself-he still asked, "And who is my neighbour?" Jesus then told him the story of the Good Samaritan. With that, Jesus exhorted him to go and show mercy, like the Good Samaritan. The lawyer's questions was positioned clearly to justify his works. He probably was wondering if he had fallen in or out of the lines. But Jesus cleverly turned him...

Two days ago, I finally met someone whom sort of understood what I really felt about myself. It was such a relief to read words that describe the confusion and dilemmas that I've tried for years to even know. Interestingly, he suffered depression. He is a Christian Catholic. He writes short books. Yay. And in his little book "Life of the Beloved", I saw myself. Ha and by the way, he wrote this book for his non Christian friend. Henri Nouwen . "Over the years, I have come to realise that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity or power, but self rejection . ... When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions." I have hurdled from giving myself to others, caving and clocking quiet time, even joining staff to find myself happy but for a while, satisfied but again yearning for something more, spent and exhausted but still misundersto...

How does a lift become handicapped? And would anyone dare use it? Hmm..

Food tasting. What an experience.. I hardly remembered any of the food I ate that night. All my head could manage were the 2hr long comments and discussions that flew across and between the heads around the table. It wasn't just about the food.. which probably chalked up 10 minus points. And then the flowers, plates, curtains, favors and wine. All honest and good, just a tad too harsh for an indirect communicator like me. I felt myself drowning in the voices. I wish actually I could disappear. But the thought of having my father blow at me motivated me to make the best of the night. He was bored. He didn't like restaurant food. Not salty and spicy enough. It wasn't dinner time for him. And the moment came. I freezed, praying really hard. "So.. you have to take a bow before the idols before you fetch the bride to your place.." "Oh..er.. because we are Christians..we will prefer not to.." A silent bomb exploded. But thinking it hadn't, I q...

I have a Mongolian friend. He's just become a father. And as I read his newsletter describing his journey, can't help smiling and being awed by the ways of God.. i mean just read Zoloo's description of Bayar (his newborn's) from conception to birth. It's beautiful.. Btw they are Crusade staff raising monthly support as a family. It is difficult to raise finances in Mongolia as the community of Christians is small. Ps let me know if you are feel God's leading to help them in any way:)