Make my life count

Grace's Psalm 124

2008-05-14T21:23:00.003+08:00

Psalm 124

A song of ascents. Of Grace.

If the Lord had not been on my side, let Grace say;

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I am going through family problems,
I would have committed suicide due to the stress.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I was in this course(chinese studies),
I would have failed all my modules.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I am struggling with problems,
I would not have been able to be who i am today:)

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I am in China,
I would not have been able to pass the assignments here.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I am in China,
I would have been struck by earthquake.

My help is in the name of the Lord,the Maker of Heaven and Earth

Yvonee's Psalm 124

2008-05-06T21:35:00.000+08:00

Psalm 124
A song of ascents. Of Yvonee.

If the Lord had not been on my side, let Yvonee say;

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I sit for my exams,
I would have failed terribly.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I return home from school,
I would have become a victim to crime.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I needed comfort,
I would have died early.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I'm facing my darkest moments,
I wouldn't be who I am today.

My help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Amen.

Reena's Psalm 124

2008-05-06T20:47:00.000+08:00

PSALM 124
A song of ascents. Of Reena

If the Lord had not been on my side, let Reena say;

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I was overly upset over my O's results,
I would have collapsed/suffered from depression.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I started working in Starbucks,
I would have cried like mad for being bullied!

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I was in RP during the first year,
I would have got really really bad GPA grades.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I accepted Christ in the very beginning,
life would have been meaningless.

My help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

(Ms Kau) Xueling's Psalm 124

2008-05-06T09:07:00.003+08:00

Psalm 124
A song of ascents. Of Xueling.

If the Lord had not been on my side, let Xueling say;

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I was taking the Diploma in Education,
I would not have been offered to do a crossover program.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I was in my first year of crossover program,
I would have given up and probably be depressed.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I chose to put Him as priority and gave up a relationship,
I would not have found the mate He has chosen for me

My help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of Heaven and Earth

Zarraphina's Psalm 124

2008-05-06T09:02:00.002+08:00

Psalm 124
A song of ascents. Of Zarraphina

If the lord had not been on my side, let Zarra say;

If the lord had not been on my side
when I was going through my O levels,
I would have failed.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I was choosing and receiving my poly postings,
I would have been posted to a "shitty" course.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I was going through my freshmen year,
I wouldnt have met my best friends in my class
and would have done poorly in my exams.

If the Lord had not been on my side
when I was going through my attachements, I would have died.

MY HELP IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH! :)

Shili's Psalm 124

2008-05-06T08:59:00.002+08:00

PSALM 124

A SONG OF ASCENTS.OF SHILI

IF THE LORD HAD NOT BEEN ON MY SIDE,LET SHILI SAY;

IF THE LORD HAD NOT BEEN ON MY SIDE

WHEN I AM WALKING HOME ALONE,

I WOULD HAVE GOT KIDNAPPED OR MOLESTED OR WORST STILL RAPED

IF THE LORD HAD NOT BEEN ON MY SIDE

WHEN MY WHOLE FAMILY ARE ALL SOUNDLY ASLEEP,

ROBBERS WOULD HAVE ATTACK AND ROB MY HOUSE

IF THE LORD HAD NOT BEEN ON MY SIDE

WHENI'M CHOOSING MY CLIQUE,

I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE WRONG COMPANY

IF THE LORD HAD NOT BEEN ON MY SIDE WHENI'M CHOOSING MY CCA,

I WOULD NOT BE IN GB AND WOULD NOT BE A CHRISTIAN

AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO KNOW ALL OF YOU

MY HELP IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD,THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

Ruixiang's Psalm 124

2008-05-06T08:52:00.002+08:00

PSALM 124

A song of ascents. Of Ruixiang

If the Lord had not been on my side, let Ruixiang say;

If the Lord had not been on my side

when I applied for Admission into Poly,

I wouldnt have gotten into TP - HTM.

If the Lord had not been on my side when I dance,

I wouldnt have grown so much & be where I am now.

If the Lord had not been on my side

when I prepare to go for church every sunday,

my mum wouldnt have allow me to go out.

If the Lord had not been on my side when I face struggles,

I would have given up so easily

& wouldnt be as strong as I am in the Lord now.

My help is in the Name of the Lord,the Maker of heaven and earth.

Valley of tears will be a place of Springs!

2008-04-27T10:24:00.003+08:00

Hello to all my beloved sisters! I'm Grace here! haha I miss all of you so so much:D And sorry for updating and blogging so late:/ I would like to share with you what God has spoken to me..

Psalm 84:6-7

"As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion."

I'm sure you all has heard the sermon by Pastor Khong on growing from strength to strength in Psalm 84. Miss kau has sent me the online sermon to listen.. Honestly speaking, at first when i reached china, i'm still excited with what the Lord is going to work in my life and also drawing closer and closer wit the Lord. But it didn't last long for me:(

I went to attend a church in china here, it's a foreign international church service in english for foreigners.. I don't feel comfortable with the word and after talking to Miss kau abt it, i've decided to stay in hostel listening to our church's sermon and spending time with the Lord.. I know myself and can feel that i am not growing in God but instead drifting further from God.

There are many things happening here between me and my friends too. I struggled alot through these problems and many a times i cry when i'm on bed:'( As I listened to this sermon today, God is here speaking to me..

Looking at Caleb who is 85 years old! He is still as strong as who he is 40 years ago! Looking at myself, i am just 20 years old and my fire for my God has been going down. Even as i am facing many problems and difficulties here, and even as i am passing through the valley of Baca(tears & sorrows), I will grow from Strength to Strength! There is a reason why God brings me through tough times and painful moments, he is preparing me for bigger things in my life. Apostle Paul said in,

Philippians 3:13-14

"Forgetting what is 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."

I will forget what lies behind me but looking ahead of what God has already prepared for me:) And also coming back to Singapore! haha:D

What is my HOPE in Life?
My Hope is not scoring well in my studies, getting a boyfriend in church etc..
But My Hope in Life is God! (This is what keeps me going)

Continue to pray for me:) I will be praying for you all too!

And I have a testimony, I did some individual assingments. I got back 2 of them, and I scored well:) One is A, and the other is B+. Praise God! It is God who has helped me:) I didn't expect myself to score this marks too.. And another testimony is that I have been talking to Huiqi(the friend that i brought to church tt has joined us), she is quite open now to God.. And she said she actually struggled to be a christian as she don't fully believe in God at first but after some sharing & talking with her, she onced again put her trust in God:)

What is your HOPE in Life?

God Loves you! N so do I:) BIGHUGS!
I promise to be back with more updates!:D

5 loaves and 2 fishes

2008-03-09T22:47:00.002+08:00

Today's sharing after solitude time was on Matt 14:14, and Matt 15: . I used it to relate to our service in GB and some of the key points shared were

1) Jesus has compassion on the people. He can't walk away knowing that the people has a need (hungry) and not meet it.

2) Jesus did not call down manna from heaven to feed the people (though he has the power to do so). Instead He asked the disciples what do they have in their hands, and used it (5 loaves and 2 fishes) to feed the people.

What do I catch from this? Yes, Jesus wants to meet the needs of the people, BUT He wants to do it through US. There are alot of needs to be met in GB, in our girls' lives.. and Jesus does have compassion on them and wants to touch them.. but will we be that vessel for Jesus to use? will we be that bread and fish so that the people will not be hungry anymore?

I saw this video from youtube, its a song by Corrine May. Though the context is slightly diff (in this case, its a boy who offered his loaves and fishes) but the principle is the same. Enjoy!

1st Testimony from China!!

2008-03-03T20:18:00.002+08:00

On behalf of Grace,

"The first day I reached China, the weather was really cold at night and I was shivering throughout. After covering blanket and all, i prayed to God that He has brought me here and he will take care of me. He will warm me and hold me close so that i will not be cold =)

And through the night, i was warmly covered.. i felt warmth surrounding me!:D I'm so happy and excited! My friends all felt really cold at night but the Lord has covered me with his warmth all nights till now(: "

The 'Mary' Lesson

2008-03-03T20:13:00.002+08:00

Hi girls,

Would like to share with you all something that touched my heart very much today.

I brought a book to read during my journey to meet a friend today. The book was entitled 'Having a Mary heart in a Martha World'. Needless to say, the book was about Mary (who sat at the feet of Jesus listening to Him) and Martha (who was angry with the sister for not helping her to welcome Jesus). For those of you who have not read this story before, you can refer to Luke 10:38-42

I had read the first two chapters prior to boarding the train. And as I got on the train and sat comfortably down in my seat, I noticed an old woman opposite me, singing softly to herself. I noticed her not because she sang horribly but rather she had a very peaceful and joyful look on her face, totally engrossed in what she was singing. An Indian man sitting opposite her looked at her as if she was crazy.

There and then, I had this thought that she might be a christian who is worshipping God because she had this worshipful look on her face. I tried looking at her file which had papers of chinese lyrics on it. The lyrics of the page that was facing me was 'Where is the green mountain' (literally translated). And so i thought, hmmm maybe she isn't a christian, she is just singing some karaoke song.

But as the journey went on, I couldnt help but keep looking up at her and thought, 'she can't be singing karoke songs, look at her face that is filled with joy, peace and adoration. This kind of countenance can only come from God'. (And the old woman was really engrossed, she looked at her lyrics for awhile and she will close her eyes and sing with all her 'silent' might).

Finally, she flipped to another page of lyrics and there I saw that it was a familiar chinese worship song that she was singing.

My heart was touched and ashamed at the same time. Touched because God had shown me a real 'Mary'. In the midst of the business of the MRT where people were busy boarding and alighting, I saw a woman who was still before the God whom she loved, I saw a woman who is not afraid of going into God's presence wherever she is.

And there I was, ashamed too, because it reflected the condition of my heart. Not that I don't sing in the MRT to God at all but I know that my heart was never as still as the old woman's, who gave her 100% attention to God even in the busy MRT train.

In this year of Sabbath, in the season of intimacy, a word that the Lord kept reminding me was 'Be still and know that I am God'. Yet I know that many times, even in my supposedly quiet time with God, I was never still, I had not given my 100% to Him, to worship and listen at His feet. My mind was distracted, with the things that had to be done.

Yet, I thank God for His grace and mercy because He has shown me today that the greatest gift I can ever give to Him is my availabilty. He does not desire achievement but companionship.

So, my dear daughters/grand-daughters.. what's the condition of your heart today? Are you available for Him who is always available to listen and talk to you?

Love,
Mummy Kau/ Zoie

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2007-12-24T22:48:00.000+08:00

We had our gift exchange ytd after Sunday service! haha we had so much fun! And the presents are AWESOME & SURPRISING too! And may you have Blessed Christmas this year!

God Loves You for who you are!:) And each and everyone in this tribe & family, is a GREATEST & SPECIAL gift to all of us! WE LOVE YOU!

Ms Kau's surprise party!

2007-10-25T21:55:00.000+08:00

The team!

"Aiyo, how ah?"

RX: I feel so touched (hahaha)

"No no, Grace, must like that.."

"What's that?"

"Come everyone, ohm chi chi with me"

"Ohm chi chi, ohm chi,"

"I'm so touched, my girls are so obedient (refers to ohm chi chi)"

Zarra doing her stunt! Hahaha!

"Eh how ah?"

Family:)

The funky ones

The absolutely cool ones

RX's a star!

Grace caught on camera

:) A really late post but it's still valuable right? Hahahaha!

So you think it's your mid-life crisis now?

2007-10-25T20:23:00.000+08:00

Romans 8: 29-30 (New Living Translation)

29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

It's surely nice to hear that God already had us in His mind from the very beginning, even before the Garden of Eden was created! How many of us really believe that we are really special and dear to God? Sometimes in life, we will run into many events that are so unpleasant and you can't help but wonder if God reallllly love you, if God reallllllly care.

Well, truth is, God cares and God loves You more than anything else! If God don't, do you think He will choose us, call us to Him and even give us His glory? If God don't, do you think He will even answer your prayers? Do you think He will even give you such wonderful parents who will make sure you had your dinner, do your homework, sleep well etc? Think about the fantastic teachers that He had placed in YOUR life! He crossed their paths with yours so that you are well taken care of in the area of studies. He knew all of us have this "i-feel-so-lazy-now-so-i'm-not-doing-my-hw" thing so He sent teachers (who can be annoying sometimes) to chase after you for your hw so that ultimately, you can shine in your school! These teachers scold not because you have been a naughty girl or you have a really weird hairstyle. They do that because they care.

Since mere human beings can care so much for us, how much more does God care! The things that are happening right now may seem so miserable but trust me (or at least trust the bible!), He cares for you and He loves you!

Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Though life may be so very tough now or in time to come but fret not! Even the birds of the air are well taken care of.. how much more will your Heavenly Father take care of you! If God didn't love you more than birds, we probably won't be ruling over this earth, right? He will surely provide a way out for you if you let Him to:)

Now, aren't you glad?

A Franciscan Benediction

2007-10-15T01:35:00.000+08:00

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
Turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

101%

2007-10-07T22:11:00.000+08:00

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions:

If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, this is how far the love of God will take you:
L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close,
and Attitude will get you there, It's the Love of God
that will put you over the top!
It's up to you if you share this with your friends &
loved ones just the way I did.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on
your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and
He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3: 5-6

HAPPY CHILDREN'S DAY!

2007-10-01T23:17:00.000+08:00

We all had cell after service last sunday:) And Miss kau bought for all of us this round, delicious, yummlicious biscuits! :D All of us including you, are Children of God! And teaching us about having the attitude like a child once again for the Lord:) For the children are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven:) God loves you all!

Distorted perception of Beauty

2007-09-29T00:36:00.000+08:00

YVONEE'S BIRTHDAY!

2007-09-25T21:52:00.000+08:00

Christian / Christ-follower

2007-09-23T21:16:00.000+08:00

Be a Christ-follower!:D

Why Bible study is GOOD!

2007-09-18T00:50:00.000+08:00

Watch this really cool video!

How heavy is your cross?

2007-09-13T10:48:00.001+08:00

What lesson have you learnt?

Testimony and Thanksgiving from Alecia!!

2007-09-04T23:23:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone! I’m finally here to share my testimony. Haas.
Last last week I was like stressing with a lot of thing cos my grandma is admitted to hospital (mount e) with stroke. I have been rushing over this 3 places- hospital, home & school, everyday.

During the period of time, my whole family was like discussing what to do after discharge from mount e & how to take care of my grandma.
Staying in my uncle house first?
Send to rehabilitation center?
Hire a maid to look after her?

At the same time, now I staying this block going to “cai diao” and we need to move to the new block beside Kallang mrt station. And it’s SUPER EXPENSIVE and having difficulties in finding a good location for new house!
The next day we decided to move to a rehab center after discharge but is difficult to find a good one.

One of the nights, I had been staying over to look after my grandma @ mount e and I been alone there to the next day late morning. My grandma tell me “why became like that? I want quickly discharge! Why I cannot walk? And a few more things” and she keep repeating the same word.

When I heard that, I feel my heart like sinking & pain and you don’t know how to reply her.

That period of time is like a lot of things bothering me. I felt so tired & stress up that time.

On that Sunday, I went to service.
That service really touches me a lot.
“ Gideon-Winning When You Don’t Feel Like A Warrior”
1. God has a Better Opinion for You - Don’t look down on yourself.
2. God wants to give u a Better Future - Don’t be weighed down by your present
circumstances.
3. God is on Your Side - Don’t be afraid of the battle.

And Ms Kau, Yvonee, Reena, Rui Xiang had pray for me on that day.

The next day, I receive a message from my aunt that the doctor had sign an approval for my grandma to Tan Tock Seng Rehabilitation Center in Thye Hua Kwan-Ang Mo Kio Hospital @ Yio Chu Kang and said that the next day can transfer her there.

We decided to hire a maid. BUT you know is very troublesome to hire a new maid and need to find for agency. BUT AMAZING we don’t need to go to agency to find a maid. Cos when my ah ma is at mount e, my cousin’s great grandmother had pass away and they have a maid there and they decided to send her back to her country. My aunt said that she quite good can learn things very fast and has been looking for elderly. We decided to take her and just need to transfer the name.

For my house, we had already pick and confirm the house in the new block! God really gives us a lot of ‘gui’ ‘ren’ who also staying there to tell which is good and bad. We finally had chosen the good ones.

ISN’T IT AMAZING???

AMAZING RIGHT!!!

This is the verse, which always encourage me a lot:

Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”PRAISE GOD!!! =D

I am a threat to my enemy!

2007-08-11T14:01:00.000+08:00

with love from REENANA! :D

2007-08-09T16:26:00.000+08:00

HEY EVERYBODY!
YOYOYO, it's reenana HERE:D

And so the 100K blessing has officially ended yesterday, I suppose it has been a really great one for you girls! Obviously even as you step out to bless people in Jesus's name, God will honour you &let you have that VICTORY!

so why not just post some of the INTERESTING blessings you've given to others, or amazing miracles/encounters that God has shown you? Or perhaps even what you have learnt from this whole campaign? RIGHHTTY? :D
broken english, point-form posts or a short paragraph; ANYTHING would do!

it's the EXPERIENCE we want to know, the amazing testimonies from you all &what God has shown you girls!

OH BTW, here's mine! :D

2 main things i learnt:
- to step out of my comfort zone &let God do the rest!
- to have more compassion to care about the people around me!

I thank God for this '100K BLESSINGS' campaign where i get to step out of my comfort zone to bless people!

Amazing blessings!

2007-07-31T10:49:00.000+08:00

heyhey! I'm so excited to testify that God is SO AMAZING! hahaha

Well, ytd we went to Miss kau house's for cell group! And Miss kau taught us on the passage,

Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)

13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

I am the Salt and I am the light of the world! That I will let those around me, Taste and See that the Lord is good!:)

I took a cab back home after cell group, and i was talking on the phone with yuanting cause i needed her to help me to go online to do some research about this guy call "Luo Zi Xiang" Then, when i ended the call, the taxi driver started talking to me.

All conversations below are spoken in Chinese, but I'll translate it. hah

Taxi Driver: oh, you like the "Luo Zi Xiang" ar?

Me: haha nope, i don't like him. I need it for my school project

Taxi Driver: I see. I thought many girls are crazy over him. haha even my son likes him

Me: haha I don't like to go after celebrities

Taxi Driver: So what you studying now?

Me: I study Chinese studies in Ngee Ann Poly

Taxi Driver: That's cool, my son chooses to be in the Culinary course which I don't think it's
good

And we continue to talk....

A thought came to me, "Bless Him!" I was like trying to get that out from my mind. I tried it real hard! I was afraid, firstly because I was rejected by a taxi driver before and feared that it might happened again. And secondly, there are A LOT of Buddha statue in his car! I saw many of them, I think there are more than 6 of them! I was thinking, he confirmed is a devoted Buddhist. In the meantime, I tried to get myself to think about other things.

I don't feel PEACE at all! I was thinking about Moses, when God says, who is the one who gave you mouth to speak and ears to hear? Am I not the one? I remembered the word of God says, I am the SALT and LIGHT of the world. And I will bring people to TASTE and SEE that my God is good:)

This time, I'm reaching the destination soon! My heart is pumping real hard! (Thump Thump Thump!)

When I took out my money to pay, I took courage from God and speak!

Me: Uncle, have you heard of the 100K blessings?
Taxi Driver: hmm no? What's that?

I took out the pamphlet and was searching for the Chinese version! I was like so scared that there isn't any Chinese ones! BUT! I FOUND IT! hahaha

I started sharing with the Uncle about this 100k blessings! Guess what? He didn't stop me from sharing! He said he would like to have Family harmony and financial freedom, and he elaborated more than what I expected! He said, actually his family was wealthy and they all stay in a condominium but because of some shares that he lost, thus causing them to move to stay in a rented place. And in a few months time, they will be moving into another house but he said that he still didn't have enough money to pay for the renovation. He said that he is in his desperate moment.

Taxi Driver: I wonder if Jesus is willing to help me?

Me: He definitely will! :D

I was really moved! And I can sense that God's presence is there at that very moment! I never felt that before!:D AMAZING!

WAIT!

I ask him whether he can give me his contact number and address. And he GAVE! I was like so happy and excited! And I told him saying that my church and I will be keeping him in prayers, and letting him know that Jesus will answer his prayers! He was touched and thank me for blessing him! :D

Lesson I learnt ytd,
If I didn't respond to what God has called me to do, this person(taxi driver, uncle) will not be blessed. God told me that even if you don't bless him, I can send someone else to bless him. But simply learning to obey him:) I thank God for using a small me to be able to bless his people.

Indeed when I blessed him, I'm more blessed by God:D Hope you all will be encouraged too! That God can use you to be a blessing for many around you! Obey the Lord, and leave the rest to God!

By Gracey:D

Just For Laugh

2007-07-24T21:13:00.000+08:00

heyhey I'm here to add some fun and laughter through these pictures! We took it on the 8th July after service when we are in Long John Silver having dinner. haha sorry for posting up the photos late! real late! lol hmm well, we have Lycia and Ruiting with us too but :( they were too shy to take those pictures like how we took it! hahaahahhaha :D

By: Gracey:)

HE did it again!

2007-07-10T23:29:00.000+08:00

Remember I was sharing about how God provided me financially during the previous post? Well... HE DID IT AGAIN!

Melvin and I were discussing our finances yesterday (haha, in simpler terms, means counting money). We were counting how much we have right now and how much we will have after the wedding. We realised that we are not left with much and our home renovation probably got to be very low budget. For a moment, the both of us were 'sighing'.... BUT we continued on, saying that God will definitely multiply our $$ and $$ is just gonna drop from somewhere...

And so... today I got a letter from MOE, informing me that I will receive $5000 each year during my studies (hehe provided my grades continue to be good)...

Whooooopeeeeeee!!!!!!!! Isn't that a miracle? Isn't that an answered prayer? =)

God is in the business of creating miracles in our lives!

** Edited 9 hours after post was written : I checked my bank a/c for my pay this month. Thought that I will only get half of my pay and 1/4 of bonus cos I am on no pay leave beginning August, thought that they will pro-rate.. BUT NO!! I got my full pay!! =) =)

Victory is Ours! Psalm 86!

2007-07-10T01:15:00.000+08:00

Want to share with all of you a passage that the Lord had given to me as I sought Him in prayer and I thought that it is given very timely as we enter into the exciting season of blessing others through prayers. This is a prayer that David called unto God and there are some points that I picked up which I thought I will share.

Read Psalm 86.

1. God hears us when we call
David was in a bad situation and he needed to get out of the situation so what did he do? He prayed.. He called to God and asked Him to hear and answer his prayers. David believed that God would do so. 'In the day of my trouble I will call to You for You will answer me (v7). In the same way that God heard and answered David, God is going to hear and answer YOU when you call out to Him on your friends' behalf.

2. God answers us because of who He is
In the passage, God was described as:
- forgiving and good (v5)
- no one can be compared to God (v8)
- great and do marvelous deeds (v10)
- compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love & faithfulness (v15)
God is going to answer your prayers because He is forgiving, loving and good. He is going to perform miracles because He is great and can do marvelous deeds. Look at that description, God can't wait to pour forth His blessings. What are u waiting for? Pray and claim it now!

3. God's will and purpose will be accomplished
"All the nations you have made will come and worship before you O Lord; they will bring glory to Your name (v9)
Amen!!!!!!!! The friends that we are going to bless will worship the Lord because they have tasted of His goodness and witnessed His miracles in these few weeks.

Lastly, as we rise up to be His warriors, may we ask for an undivided heart that seeks to follow and walk in His ways (v11) so that we can be used by Him.

So warriors of light, go forth and BLESS! don't wait anymore because God is on our side and victory is ours!!

His name is Jehovah Jireh, my provider!

2007-06-28T14:57:00.000+08:00

heellloo gals...

i'm typing this in the midst of a superb runny nose with mucus all over the place... haaaa.. but I just gotta post this up because I want to testify how great a God we serve!

Some of you will know that I will be going back to NIE in august to study my degree for 2 years on no pay leave (which means that for 2 years, i have NO pay at all), and with my wedding coming up.. finances $$$$$$ r really tight (it doesn't help that I am not a saver.. i seldom save!). and of cos being the quite paranoid me, there r times that i worry abt how to tide over the next 2 years without pay..

But God is good.. all the time right? In His marvellous ways, He has blessed me financially through a series of events..

1) Event 1 - Upon knowing that i'll be studying, my parents offered to give me an allowance every month. They r really not obliged to do this now that I am grown up and gonna get married but they just wanted to demonstrate their love and support.

2) Event 2 - Managed to sell off some clothes and scrapping stuff which I thought will never be sold off..

3) Event 3 - I actually got this scrapping bag for free (and its original price is 79.90). After getting it, i really dont know what to do with it.. and u know la. my house is already so messy..its just gonna add the messiness... But guess what.. i went onto the scrapping forum and saw someone wanting to buy my bag in the same colour as I had... and so i managed to sell it for $70

4) Event 4 - Today.. this is really totally unexpected.. I received a cheque from GBHQ giving me a refund for officers retreat which i totally dont remember!!! and by the way, this was LAST YEAR's retreat..

Now, isnt God great? Give Him a round of applause!!!!

So my dear spiritual children, are u worrying about something today? Do not worry, because God knows your every need and He'll provide!

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
- Matthew 6:27-34

Stephanie's birthday

2007-06-24T21:22:00.001+08:00

Some of us went out the other day (read: Stephanie's birthday) to get her a present but unfortunately, we only took like say, one picture? hahahaha, the saddest thing is, it's not of the birthday girl! Instead it's our dear princess Rui Ting! hahahaha! RUITING, We're still waiting for you testimony! =)

Oh, some may ask "why is Ruiting posing with this odd green thing there?" Well, it's obvious that our dear Rui Ting is very fond of this odd thing and she kept insisting that it looks like her! So there you have, Rui Ting and .. odd thing? =)

God loves all those princesses out there too! Stay in touch man:D

Retreat 07 (Videos)

2007-06-23T20:06:00.001+08:00

These are videos taken after the BBQ, when we're playing games in the rooooooooom:D

Super blur because it's taken by a camera phone. At least we can thank God that we still have all these as memories! Weeeeeeeeee:D

Forfeit Time!

2007-06-22T10:44:00.000+08:00

On this week's monday, we had cell group at Miss Kau's house. And we played games for ice breaker! guess what poor Mummy Kau loses the game and there below is the forfeit that she has to do:D haha we make her do different expressions! Hope you'll enjoy! hees

That's our Cheesy Mama !
The End:) brought to you by Gracey!

Reena's testimony!(:

2007-06-22T10:22:00.000+08:00

hello sweeties!sorry for the long wait! reena's here to share her testimony:D

As everyone knows, I have actually taken up the 'missy-QM' role together with Yvonee! Thank God that there were not as much or rather none of a hungry ghost! Even though some had to eat leftover-night beehoons and all, but nothing beats having our stomachs filled right? Not forgetting Ms Kau who made this retreat possible! And every other ones who were in the retreat helping out, or playing or even those who did not stay.Without each and every single one of you, the retreat would not be as FUN!

[okay, let's get down to business!]

Even before I came for this retreat, my long-wished prayer was :
'Dear God, please let 'Reena' decrease and Jesus to increase in me'
So throughout this retreat, my prayer has been answered(: I had the opportunity to be a 'QM', compared to the previous tribe retreats I have attended. It sure feels different! At least this time I was helping out instead! As 'QMs' it surely was a tiring job, but thank God for the supernatural power and love in me! It was his love that brought me to serve faithfully to my beloved sisters and feel so blessed in return! That even no matter how tiring it is to wash the bowls or anything else, it never fails to make my heart smile when I see you girls eating so fulfillingly! (WITH your big bellies revealing!)

Not to forget the love that God had showered me during then, using those around me as blessings for me! Like Alecia, the SUPER nurse that held tight of my finger; Ruixiang, Grace, Lycia and many more! THANKS! :D Never felt more loved ever, even when I cut my little finger and when the blood came gushing out! HAH! Just kidding:D But during then, I felt so loved, truely touched by the love of this spiritual family God has given. Indeed this is the breakthrough our tribe has gotten in this retreat, the LOVE, BONDING and CARE we all have for one another...THANK GOD!:D

So I pray that each and every single one of you sisters, would continue to lovebondcare for others, PRAYING and being a sweet angel to everyone, every day!
And would you not let this be your personal prayer from today on too? Ask God to let you decrease and more of JESUS to increase in you. Let his love fill you abundantly so that you can use it to bless others too!

GOD BLESS!
reena:D

Testimony from Gracey!

2007-06-22T10:20:00.000+08:00

I’m here to share something that I’ve experienced through this retreatJ

Actually I didn’t intend to come for this retreat as I’m struggling with some issues in my life. I struggled a lot through a period of time on what I really need in my life. My life is like in a mess, I felt rather defeated and lost for the past months when I left God and the family. I became hot-tempered, small and insignificant, and useless. I even try to avoid all that I could, like cell groups, church service, Miss Kau, Ps Debra and friends in the spiritual family. I even tried changing church, hmm I went to The Rock for service one Sunday trying hard to find God again in my life, but I failed. My mind is still thinking of my own spiritual family. At that point of time, I realized that I really love my spiritual family.

And God send KaipingJ

, haha to call me to persuade me to go for the retreat! She said that it’s really going to be very FUN, and we’re going to wild wild wet and have bbq and all. And to cut everything short, I decided to approach Miss Kau and tell her that I’ll be coming for the retreat because I needed an answer from God desperately.

Something began to change in me……

There are so many things to share but there is one thing that I felt a strong breakthrough! Something that I felt for the very FIRST TIME!

Whenever I felt physically tired, I will also felt spiritually tired at the same time. So whenever the Lord restored me spiritually, then the next moment I felt physically tired, spiritually I will be affected too. But through this retreat, something changes! haha I noticed it since Monday, when I felt all my energy drained out physically, deep within me – my spirit still feels so refreshed and alive in me! Praise God! I’ve never felt this beforeJ

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10

The Lord has begun his work in me, and I pray that this will continues:) Do keep me in prayers. I’m still learningJ

GraceyJ

Retreat 07!

2007-06-22T10:18:00.000+08:00

Tampines Regional Library:

Chalet M, BBQ

Last but not least, Ruiting and Kaiping!

There are 3 videos being uploaded on youtube and I'll provide the link here soon:D -Yvonee

We'll love, have fun and walk together!

2007-06-22T10:16:00.000+08:00

Retreat has ended!

Yup! That was the theme for our retreat and in His marvelous ways, God has seen through the theme for us!

Firstly, I really want to thank all of you who have made it to the retreat. You have no idea how much your presence meant to each one in the family. Without you, this retreat wouldn't have that much laughter, joy and love. So a big patzzzzzz to all of YOU! *Hugs*

Secondly, thank God for answering ALL our prayers. Wasn't it just amazing? Even simple prayers like (God, please let bus 12 come soon, let it be air-conditioned and there will be enough seats for ALL of us) and prayers that needed more faith (praying for God to hold the rain for our BBQ, when there was thunder, lightning and a slight drizzle).. God has answered it all!! Can we just give God 3 cheers?? Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!

Thirdly, thank God for the breakthroughs that I have seen in all of you. Most, if not all of you will agree with me that this is the BEST retreat that we have so far. I believe that its not about the program that has made the difference, but really.. its the bonding that I saw in all of you that has made this retreat so different. This year, I saw all of you bonding as ONE... and all of you just showed so much love and care to each other. This is what family is all about yeah.. no one gets left behind!! Although some of us are still struggling with certain friendship problems, but lets remember.... we are family! and trust that God will mend this relationship as we learn to love and forgive each other.

Also, I thank God for the breakthrough that I see in your spirits as you worshipped the Lord and responded to His prompting in your heart. May all that you have learnt from the messages and movie be sealed in your heart. Let's not fear when we face the giants in our life because with God, all things are possible..and we will praise Him when we win, and we will praise Him when we lose.

Fourthly, I really want to thank God for the wonderful committee, who has made this retreat possible! Yvonee and Reena who served us with such wonderful food, always ensuring that we'll not grow hungry. Ruixiang for being such a wonderful orderly that we know what to do at all times and Kelly for guarding our $$ for us! Not forgetting our guitarists, Grace and Lycia!
Last but not least and most importantly, we thank God for who He is, our comforter, our Heavenly father who never fails nor forsakes us. Indeed, how can we live without Him...

And below are some testimonies from all of you! Haha.. some of you still owe me ah...

"Thank God for everything. He indeed answers prayers" - Sheila

" I learnt alot from this retreat. I really love that movie and learnt alot from the movie. The main thing is 'With God, all things are possible'. Thank God for such a wonderful spiritual family" - Alecia

" Thank God for mending friendships and for letting me realise once again how important He is in my life. Most importantly, thank God for such a marvelous spiritual family and a fabulous second home" - Lycia

"Through this retreat, I learn that no matter what I have done, God still loves me and all things are possible with Him" - Ruiting
"Not to give up easily" - Shili

"Learn to bless others by just a small thing" - Kaiping

"Thank God for the opportunity to serve others as a Quartermistress and thank God for this retreat because everyone is a lot more bonded this time round" - Yvonee

"God has restored His spirit in me, not fully yet but deep within me, i felt that He is revived in me" - Grace

alritey.. that was really a very long post.. so shall end already yeah.... For those of you who have pics from the retreat, do post them up yeah.. and if any of you wants to write a testimony to share on the blog, send it to theshiningstars@gmail.com okie???

And hahahaha.. do you know that a few of us actually stayed for one more night.. It was a blast, wasnt it?

Love all of you lots!!

Mummy cum Ah Ma Kau

Brokeness

2007-06-22T10:14:00.000+08:00

To share a little first...i've been upset with certain things ard me & was greatly burdened & struggling somehow. During worship in cell last mon, i found myself struggling worshipping God & the Lord broke me down in tears &at that moment i felt totally broken before the Lord. Even after i broke down before the Lord, i thought it was bcos im too overwhelmed with the issues im struggling with but the Lord brought me more understanding of why He broke me down thru last sunday's sermon on Brokenness.

I didnt go for svc that day but i watched it online :)

BROKENNESS - The Key To Spiritual Blessings & Greatness
1. Brokenness Removes the Consciousness of Self - God's Program
2. Brokenness Releases the Consciousness of God - God's Presence
3. Brokenness Realizes the Power of God - God's Promotion

I came to realise that thru brokenness before the Lord, removes consciousness of self such that its not abt focusing on how hurt or discouraged am i etc, or how by my own strength & efforts could i make the situation better..but brokenness brings us before the Lord, seeking Him & acknowledging Him in every circumstances & situations. It's really not abt us but its abt God & that leads to the next point-Brokenness releases the consciousness of God. Its then that we allow ourselves to enter into God's presence, trusting what God can do in our lives & handle every situations we're struggling with. And then leads on to the 3rd point - Brokenness realizes the Power of God. When we come before the Lord in brokenness, understanding its not us who can do great works but the Lord who makes all things possible, we allows God to have full control of the situation & allow Him to perform His great work & power in our lives or others.

I thank God for bringing me thru to make me understand His teachings...that day during cell at that moment when i was totally broken before the Lord, i thought i was giving up and that's the end but it was not, thru brokenness the Lord has humbled me down & renewed me all over again. "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." James 4:10

Today, if anyone of you is struggling with certain issues or upset/ discouraged with certain things, will you come before the Lord & lay them down before the Lord ? Or if you find yourself stuck at a certain point & you want to move on but dont know how, just come before the Lord & surrender yourself unto Him.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Psalms 51:17

Ruixiang :)

FAMILY - We'll love, walk and have fun together!

2007-06-22T10:13:00.001+08:00

Yeah... in case you are just wondering what's that title about.. it's the THEME for our annual tribe retreat!In this season, God has given us the call to BUILD FAMILY... and YOU are part of this family and you are sooooo special! That's why, in this retreat, we want to celebrate and thank each and everyone of you, who is part of this family. =)

Details of the retreat!
Date : 9 - 11 June 2007
Venue : Changi Chalet K (Hee…it’s a very big chalet.. our chalets getting bigger and bigger huh… haha)
What to expect : Wild Wild Wet fun, BBQ, nice movie and of course great company!!
Fee : $25
See you there okie!!! Looking forward to spending some time together =)

By the beach.. with the Family

2007-06-22T10:10:00.000+08:00

a good time by the beach today with Alecia, Shili, Li Hui and Ruixiang. It was a good time of playing UNO Stacko (competing against the East Coast Wind), Rummiku and most importantly, each other's company... cracking silly jokes and singing silly songs. Below are some pics that we took. =)

And to the rest of you, I missed your company too... Let's look for a time and spend some time together yeah... can just give me a call or sms when you are free...

And to Shili, Li Hui and who r taking ur O's... all the best for ur Chinese 'O' Levels!!!

Love, Mummy aka Ah Ma Kau

2007-06-22T10:07:00.000+08:00

Brokenness removes conciousness about ourselves
Brokenness releases God's conciousness
Brokenness realises the Power of God

Pastor shared about brokenness being the gateway to blessings today. Apparently, I thought life was being too good for me now and I really hated the idea of ruining my good life by letting God break it. Then again, I know that God's plan is always good and beneficial and so, I shared with Ms Kau this afternoon that I want to be broken and told her my concerns. She prayed for me and I didn't pay much attention to how bad it would feel to become broken.

True enough, what she prayed for came true. I was broken the very night I was prayed for.

Even though I am feeling really down right now, I know that God will bring me to greater heights and I will soar on wings like eagle with Him. Even though being broken is painful, life just gets even better after that.

Go by faith and not by sight. Pray that God will use you through your weakness:)

-Yvonee

A CALL TO BUILD THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

2007-06-22T09:53:00.000+08:00

Haggai 1:1-11

Ms Kau gave me this passage some time ago to lead a short Word for the next cell which was supposed to be last monday. At first, i thought it was rather a short passage & the Word to bring across was simply telling them about God's call for us to build the House of the Lord. But it wasnt as easy as i thought when God brought me thru more than understanding the Word but applying it in my life.

After Ms Kau gave me the passage, my school actually informed us that we're going to take part in one of the performance in this year's National Day Parade. I was actually very excited& wanted to take part in it. BUT there was no peace in me when i was deciding whether or not to join.

On one hand, i thought "hey this is a good opportunity to bond with my classmates &perhaps as we bond closer, more opportunities to share about Christ." But i still struggle with it &so consulted Ms Kau...then Ms Kau advised me not to take it up...pointing out the commitments i've alr have on hand &reminding me about Haggai 1. In my heart, i was super upset as i really wanted to participate in it. That night i even cried to God asking why & what does He wants me to do. And my cell group came to my mind &i reflected back on what ms kau said. &i know tt even if taking part in NDP doesnt clash with any of my commitments but by then i'll be physically very tired &probably neglect having BS with my girls.

I managed to convince myself not to take part anymore. But on the day of the deadline to sign up, i wavered again as my classmates tried to persuade me. &i thought i'll ask ms kau again tt night when we were supposed to have cell. JUST THEN, ms kau sent a sms saying cell is postponed. &it took me some time to understand why God postponed cell tt day. NO.1 He knows that i have not fully grasp the Word tt He's trying to bring across to me in Haggai, thus then i wont be ready to teach the Word. NO.2 He wants me to make the decision myself instead of merely following what ms kau says.

And even as i understood what God is teaching me& applying it in life, He assured me even more in Leader's Mtg last wk during worship thru the songs "Running After You"&"Salvation is Here" Indeed we're running after God ¬ running towards the things other people are running for nor are we running along with them. And when we choose to run after Him despite all the obstacles tt's ahead, He will make a way. And the Lord grant a deep sense of peace in me and He gave this Word "v9 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the Lord Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace.' declares the Lord Almighty." Haggai 2:9

Even as we enter into the phase of Looking Far - in Building the Family, will we choose to start building the House of the Lord instead of focusing on building our own "houses", our lives? Or you might think that you're still not ready to build the House of the Lord now...will you choose to lay everything down before the Lord again& rise up to what God has called you for? Dont hesitate, the Time is Now!

Posted by Ruixiang :)

Trusting the Lord

2007-06-22T09:43:00.000+08:00

Amen to Kelly's post on OBEYING THE LORD.

As i was reading the post, i think obeying the Lord also revolves around trusting the Lord. As there are times when we wanted to obey what He commands or what He has called us to do but sometimes we still hesitate or even turn away from it. And the question is always how much do we trust in the Lord ?

As i have shared with some of you about what i've been going through in school last term...the debarment from exams & committing to dance rehearsals for G12 conference in the midst of exam period. I was actually very upset with my name listed on the debarment list & the things happening in school but the Lord brought peace to my heart, knowing that He's in control of everything. So i went on preparing for exams & attend dance rehearsals.

But as much as i thought i was rooted in the Lord, i started to waver again. My classmates began to ask me why do i still choose to dance & spent time in church in the midst of exams when everyone is mugging hard for the final papers. Fears began to rise up in me again as i fear that i wont be able to do as well as my classmates. But give thanks to God as when i choose to spent time worshipping Him, He granted me a deep sense of peace knowing that the Lord is with me & He will bring me through.

And He speaks to me through this verse as dancers prayed for me "v
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. v17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. v18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-18

I didnt get debarred in the end & carried the peace of the Lord throughout the days of my exams. I got my results during the holidays &thought my gpa for last term was 3.485. I thought i could at least get above 3.5. I was abit dissappointed but still give thanks to God for giving me 2As & 1B. During the first day of school, when section head mentioned that we should at least get a 3.5 to improve our average gpa, though i was worried but the Lord again granted peace in my heart knowing He's in control of what is ahead of me.
And to my surprise, on e 2nd day when we got back results slip, only then i realised i actually got gpa 3.588 for last term! Thanksgiving arises as i continue to trust in Him. And the teacher who was not very happy with me bcos of my attendance for her module last term, also congratulated me for doing very well in my final paper. Thanks be to God, Who is able to turn the situation around!
Trusting the Lord could be in the area of committing our studies, family or ministry into His Hands or in the form of seeking the Lord during decision making and submitting our plans unto Him etc. There can be struggles when we choose to commit and trust in the Lord, or sacrifices that we have to make eg. our personal time, something we like to do, stepping out of our "comfort zone" etc. But will we still choose to trust in the Lord and obey what He has called us to do ?
Many of us have started school & perhaps still trying to adapt to it. There are times when we need to make decisions or needed to trust in the Lord in the area of studies, exams etc. Will we choose to seek the Lord in every circumstances and continue to trust in Him ?

Let us continue to fix our eyes on what is unseen (Jesus) and not on what is seen (the circumstances we are facing now or the "attractive" things in life). Let us put our Faith in Him & not the things on earth.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. " Proverbs 3:5

- Posted by Ruixiang

Sometimes, everything is just an illusion

2007-06-22T09:41:00.000+08:00

Sometimes, what we see is not really what we get. When we get too obsessed with the things around us, we tend to overlook the situation and think that it's impossible to do anything.

Take this time and meditate over this comic. Just how many times have you overlook the situation and allow Satan to decieve you? Do not be dismay because the kingdom IS near and Jesus IS really coming back soon, to bring us home.

Don't stop moving forward! The finishing line is really near you:)
Yvonee*I just felt prompted to put this up. Sorry to disrupt the chain :)

Obeying The Lord

2007-06-22T09:40:00.000+08:00

John 15: 5-17

As I spent time worshipping e Lord, HE told me to obey His command and He will grant me ABUNDANTLY.

I belived that God's promise is not just for me but everyone of us. He brought me to the book of John.(Verse 7) "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you."

(Verse 9-10)"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you OBEY MY COMMANDS, you will remain in my love, just as I have obey my Father commands and remain in his love."

Again He talk about obeying His command and if read the passage in (verse 17) "This is my command "LOVE each other".He keep talking about LOVE. Well, as me i always find very hard to love other people. How about you? but God wants us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. haha!!!

I told e LORD that i will obey His comand and do whatever He ask. Even thou I will scare and haf fear, but this is e time to conquer because this year is "A YEAR OF VICTORY". yEAH!!! And it's remine me of "THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE". Oh ya!! I will start to LOVE other people because GOD LOVE US FOR WHO ARE.

- Kelly

Rejoice in one another's sucess!

2007-06-22T09:35:00.000+08:00

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. – Romans 12:10

Most of you know that I am doing my practicum (teaching practice) in school now and it is graded. So far, I have been doing quite okay and I was quite proud of what I have accomplished and all the positive feedback that my mentor teachers have been giving to me.

In my heart, I do secretly wish that I am the ‘best’ trainee teacher in the school, or aim for a distinction for this practicum BUT I have this good friend of mine, who is also a fellow trainee teacher in my school and she is reallllllly good in teaching… haha so considered close competitor… but no la.. we have never stabbed each other in the back, but have always helped each other..

However, my friend received news today that she has been shortlisted for distinction and I wasn’t. Though I told her “Well done! Congratulations”… and blah blah… yet in my heart there was a sinking feeling of disappointment…

And God gave me a prompt and a question to think about…

It is very easy to comfort someone who is feeling down BUT it is soooooooooo soooooo difficult to REJOICE in somebody’s success… especially when you think that this success should be yours…

I know I should be happy for her yet I can’t help thinking that why can’t it be me….. Well… I asked God “What is one lesson I can learn today?”…. and the lesson is HUMILITY!!

In order for us to rejoice in our fellow sister or friend’s success, we need to reject jealousy and take on humility so that we may be able to love them like we love ourselves. If we are happy that we are successful, then we should be happy for their success too and bless them.

So today… let’s learn to be humble and love our sisters/friends/family as we love ourselves. As much as we want to be there for them when they are down, we also want to be there with them when they are experiencing victory and success…

Is there someone whom you are jealous about? Ask God to help you to overcome that jealousy with love…. Honor one another above yourself.

Empower Me

2007-06-22T09:34:00.000+08:00

Sorry for the late posting due to my computer down. (Kelly)

EMPOWER ME
Nobody knows how weak I am, Better than you
Nobody sees all of my needs, Better than you
And nobody has the power
To change me, to what i wan born to be
Jesus, be strong in my weakness, Empower me

Empower me, like a rushing river, Flowing to the sea
Lord, send Your Holy Spirit flowing, out through me
Till I'm living as Your child Victorious, and free
Send the power of Your love, Empower me

Nobody's eyes see through my soul
better than you
Nobody's love can make me whole
No love but yours
And nobody has the power
To life me to reach for eternity
Jesus break through all my defences
Empower me

Indeed it's spoke to me through this song, saying that "Nobody knows all our needs but God knows our NEEDS. Nobody's love can make us whole BUT GOD CAN. He also knows each and every of our weakness."

I always felt lousy about myself but this song always remined me that God will Empower me in ALL my WEAKNESS. Anyway No one is perfect.

Q: Are we going humble ourselves and committ our NEEDS and WEAKNESS to Him. And ask Him to Empower us each day?

Putting Faith in the Lord

2007-06-22T09:29:00.000+08:00

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
When he gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I’m able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your FAITH will it be done to you.” And their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. Mattew 9:29-31

Last last week’s sermon, Ps Khong shared abt “Living strong with the shield of Faith.” One thing that struck me is Nothing is impossible for me cause my Faith is in God. Actually, I was afraid of going to school and studying - coping with reports and presentation. I had this thinking of breaking this study bond with the govt as many of you know that I’m bonded with the govt to be a teacher. Many negative thoughts came to my mind, pulling me down. Feeling really stressed up too.
Guess what? Something changes within me since the start of my school last week! The amount of work was more than what I expected, but the Lord places this in my heart and he tells me that “Nothing is Impossible for me and I have to Trust him :)!” When I learn to trust God, I see him working in my Life. Just like the two blind men who trusted God and their sight was restored. And when I trust God, he will restore me too. And I’m in the process of learning too :)
Just want to encourage those taking N, O levels and those just started their school or working that Put your Faith in God and nothing is impossible for you! I want to Thank God for being a Faithful Father and seeing me through:)
Do keep me in prayer too.

Gracey:)

Love

2007-06-22T09:26:00.000+08:00

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.- 1 Corinthians 13

Some of you know that I am getting married in January next year. Since last week, I have been doing some of my preparations (eg. Looking for venue etc) and its really stressful because I am sooooooo fickle minded about what I want (hahaha… traits of a girl mah!). As such, I find myself snapping at your ah gong-to be very very often when I do not get the response that I want. There were also many times that I quarreled with my mother because we did not agree on certain views, which after the argument, I felt really bad because I wanted to show God’s love to her but I was not a good testimony.

This passage spoke to my heart. Love is patient, love is kind. Yet I do not find my words and actions patient and kind to one of the closest people to me, and also very often to my family.

God is love. And if we want to show to our family and friends that God is great. We need to demonstrate to them the love of God. The love that is patient, kind and enduring. It’s impossible, really impossible to love, especially at times when things do not go the way we want it to be. It is impossible when we use our strength and wisdom. BUT with God…. It is difficult but not possible, and as we commit to Him and ask for strength and love.. God will provide us with love that is patient, kind and enduring even in very frustrating times… Let our loved ones see His love!

When irritated and upset

Do you complain, grumble and get impatient?

Or is your life

Because in Jesus you confide?

I thank God for you!

2007-06-22T09:24:00.000+08:00

I thank God

for YOU!

This family is given to us by God. Let's give thanks to God for placing these sisters into our life to bring us so much joy, and holding our hands when we are down and rejoicing with us in our victories!

In your own physical family, thank God for your parents and siblings!

Say a little prayer to bless them right now,

your spiritual and physical family!

In Christ Alone

2007-06-22T09:22:00.000+08:00

In Christ alone I place my trust

And find my glory in the power of the Cross

And in every victory Let it be said of me

My source of strength My source of hope

Is Christ alone

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13

The word of God says that we can do ALL things (not one, not two) through Christ because He strengthens us. Yes, even those big impossible obstacles, you can do it! Because God is with you! It is not about you or that obstacle, but it’s about Christ. Today, let’s stop looking at ourselves because we are so weak, but let’s look at Christ because He is strong and powerful. He is your source and your hope. With Him by your side, victory is yours!

Are you feeling weary and defeated today? Pray right now and commit yourself to the LORD. Ask Him to be your source of strength and hope. Tell Him that you cannot do it with Him, and His peace and love is going to fill your heart today.

For those of us who are standing tall in the Lord, a big patz on your back!! Continue to place your trust in the Lord and taste of His goodness.

- In Christ alone I place my trust -

God will make a way!

2007-06-22T09:19:00.000+08:00

During service today, Pastor Eugene released a word from the Lord. It is taken from Matthew 6: 25-34.
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[b]?
For many of us, we are such natural worriers. We worry about everything and anything, especially about studies, family and friends. My dear family, the evil one always likes to attack us through worrying, because when we worry, we allow fear to come into our lives. Fear of tomorrow, fear of the future. Worrying causes us to look at our situations instead of God. It makes us doubt who we are in God’s eyes. BUT that’s a lie because the Bible says that we are very important to God! If God can provide for the animals and plants, He can provide you with much more!
As we start this week, let’s start it right! Instead of worrying about things or situations that we cannot change, let’s learn to trust that God will provide and make a way out. It is when we are weak, that He is strong. "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. Is there a worry in your life that you want to surrender to God? Do you believe that God will make a way out for you? God will make a way when there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way
Everybody Jia You!!!!!!!!!

Our space - To testify of His goodness and miracles in our lives

2007-06-22T09:18:00.002+08:00

Hi peeps!!

Yes! Finally! This is our tribe's space. A place to share our lives, of what God is doing, to rejoice and stand by one another as a family!

Kudos to our dearest Yvonee who has made the effort to do up this blog. It's still in the midst of construction so please bear with us.

And in the meantime.. if u have any sharings or anything that u want to say.. just send it to our email account theshiningstars@gmail.com and we'll post it up.

We'll also start a devotional thingy here so check it out and let's grow deep in God together!

My dear family, let's rise up and be a shining star for Jesus! Victory is ours!!

Love all of you lots lots!
Mummy cum Ah ma Kau

Easter Sunday

2007-06-22T09:12:00.000+08:00

The game-stall holders during Easter Sunday!