Dedicated to Life Group

Tonight went for the movie Narnia the Prince Caspian..it was a great atmosphere! I think having the church around you, just felt very much like home. I loved it!!! Well, the movie was good..just the ending a bit hanging..hehe...guess it will continue to part 3 in the future.

Well, the main thing that I want to share is what happened throughout the day..God really spoke into my heart and teaching me about being a blessing...

At the same time that I saw the blessings, He challenged me to even be a blessing in the same way.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to mention few ones, as I learned so much from them tonight, and how God is challenging me to go to a greater distance in my action towards one another. It was the love of God that I encounter tonight, and how it even made more sense of what the community is all about. Of course there are many others too...but this time I want to mention the 3 special people that taught me a lesson tonight :

Steven Lee
I was trying to arrange for transport, for a kid that I knew, and after going around few people, finally I thought of Steven who works at Acacia Ridge! Thank God for His providence...and Steven agreed immediately!! Brother, I really admire your generosity and such a huge heart to serve and help others. It's a very admirable thing about you, and I'm thankful and very humbled to be able to learn so much from you.It wasnt the only time that I've asked help from you, and it was the same repsonse that you gave. You do have a great heart, and your kindness and sacrificial heart will get you really far in God. Thank you, brother for showing the love of God and how it should be in action.
I believe many other will testify the same thing, I remember when you treat some of us for supper that night after life group :)
Thank God for you...and want to encourage you to continue to do good and help others, as I believe God will even bless you even more! God sees every little thing that you do behind the scenes. :)

Boy
After the movie, there were a lot of conversations going around...and I went straight to look for that kid again (hmm..somehow I felt a bit responsible of making sure he's taken care of)...so I was asking around (again!!) for a space for him. He lives at southside, and even there were a lot of people staying there, but most of their cars are full.
Then I noticed Boy was helping me to ask around as well. Finally, after a big round.....then he said this that really amazed me..he would take him home, at first I was a bit puzzled, cos he didnt drive. then he said that he would go home(to Sunnybank) and come back again to Indooroopilly, then fetch the kid back to southside. that means 3 trips of 20 minutes drive!!!! Brother...your heart really blessed me, there at that moment I saw God in you, just like Jesus who would extend His hands as far as He needs to...who would go all the way to the cross...and your action exemplies Christ's love. I really honour your sacrifial heart, and the bigness of your heart to reach out and help people too. I was actually a bit speechless...Just want to encourage you that God sees and remember every single little thing that you do for others. I believe there were millions of them!!!!He'll bless you even more than that!!!

Keenix
I called this sister when she was half way almost reached her home....and since I didnt really have anyone to give me a lift, so I asked is she was okay to turn back and fetch me home. And this sister is a huge blessings...I know that she was quite hungry, and it was inconvenient for her to do that. But she just said she'll come and get me.
Again...I was blown away of how much of God's love that I see tonight...Sister, you have a great heart for God..and whatever that comes your way, as you choose to even bless in the midst of inconvenient times, I believe God's going to do some amazing work in your heart. I really believe so...really touched by your friendship all these times. I thank God to have you, sister :)

I was challenged to the core, as I asked myself, putting myself in their shoes, would I do the same? How would I have reacted? Would I have done what Jesus would do?
So I pray that God will change my heart and use my life to be poured out for other...I am sick of just living for myself, I am sick of my selfishness and the lack of love in my heart. When I fail to give, I also fail to receive...
God continue to show me that a lot of times...In those small "incoveniences", they are actually "opportunities"...to bless, to love, to grow in our heart and character...
The way of the God is the opposite of the ways of the world...the world will teach us to just hold on things for ourselves, and when we give, we loose.....But the way of God is, when we give, we actually gaining, and when we loose our lives, we attain our lives...
And also, the small actions of kindness and love, as we are faithful in little things, we learn to cultivate the attitude of responding and obeying God in the midst of incoveniences, then God can trust us even of the greater things. Do not despise the days of small beginning...
Brothers and sisters, let's grow and learn from one another...I know that none of us is perfect, but no matter what, we make a committment to stick together as a family ordained by God, stick to God and one another :)

An honour and priviledge to share this journey together with all of you...to learn from each of you..all I can say is "Thank you!!!"

If I could end with a verse :
(John 13:34-35)
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

About the Hobart trip...

Used to think that it takes a lot to do things, whether it be in the ministry or other areas in life. I need to be more skillful, stronger, smarter, more capable and stuff...
It's true...it does requires a lot of my time and effort, discipline, strong will.
A lot of times, there are failings, down moments, feeling like it's going round and round in the circle.

I found it takes a lot more to be still...
To be still when you are in the storm that's wrecking your world, to be still in the midst of noise and chaos around you. To be still when discouragement and disappointment comes. To be still when there are millions of questions in your mind, and there seems to be no answer. To be still, when you dont understand what's happening, and future seems to be uncertain.

To be still before God, and know that He is the Lord of all the earth.
In this stillness, we glorify Him. We hear His voice. We sense His presence. We are with Him.

Well, another lesson from God, this time around, when there are moments where I just feel as if I'm lost and confused...of all the questions that I have, expectations, dreams and desires...
Hmm...trying to figure out the whole picture and hope that things will go as I thought it will be..
But, it didnt happen that way! Yeapp, God proves again and again, that His way is always higher and better!!!

In Hobart, was seeking God and expecting that God will show me a glimpse of His plan and just the direction of where and what does He wants me to do. Of course my natural tendency, is to have a few things in mind already, and kind of proposing them to Him, and ask Him to choose one of it..hahaha...it's funny when I think about it.
I mean, it's like saying to Him...Okay, these are the best that I could come out with, what I think are Your plans for my life...so please choose one out these plans...
I'm glad that He knows how fragile and limited we are!!Yeah..I mean how clueless I am!!
Instead of showing me stuff like, the obvious plan of where and what and how...He impress the bible verse in Isaiah 30:21 " Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, this is the way, walk in it".....
Hmm..I read it again and again..and couldnt really grasp what God is trying to tell me, in regards of the question that I'm asking Him...
Finally, the revelation came after I came back from Hobart, when I wasnt expecting it! Suddenly the revelation of the word, that it's not about this or that that I'm doing, it's not about which specific thing, place, or anything like that.It's not about me trying to figure out what's the best way for me...
But it's about living in the close and intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit...it's about every moment, taking each step at a time, to hear what He is saying, and immediately respond and obey.
That's why it's not about knowing it, but about having Him close, close enough that I can hear His voice. And when I'm walking with Him, when I'm walking in the right path, He'll encourage and reassure me that it is the right one.
Hmmm...a trip worth taken!

At the riverside

I went for a walk this evening before dinner time, just felt that I want to have a walk with God. Grabbed a coffee, and started walking at the riverside. I love nature, and everything that's not man-made...they always remind me of how amazing and beautiful God is. At my area, Brisbane River is the closest to nature that I can get that's within walking distance..hehe...Thoughts just going around in my mind, in and out, so much to say, but no words came out of me.

Sat by the riverside, and just looking at the reflections on the water, and the skies with just few stars, wasn't late enough for the moon to make its ways.

Heard so much noises at the back, the traffic, people passing by, bicycles....but I tried to be still, and listen to His voice. I asked that He will speak. I needed to hear His voice. For reasons that I couldn't express fully, and for things that I can't find words to describe.

All of a sudden, I heard the sound of the ripples against the rocks....and at that moment, I heard it as more that just ripples, but I heard His voice.

My heart could hear His voice, saying .."I am here...I am still here with you.."

It was just the nature's sound, but to me, it's much more than that. It wasn't even a language, but to me, it speaks words that touched my heart deeply.

It was that same voice that I have learned to recognise over the years, the voice that leads me, and speaks hope and truth, the voice close to my heart. Nothing could touch me in the way that this voice could do. It's His voice....

That moment, reassured me that no matter what I'm going through, how blurry sometimes things are, how confusing things can get, and how unclear the path is, what matters is...He is with me...and that's all I need to know, that's all I need to hear.

My Shield

This morning, was on my way to work...as I was driving along the highway, heard a sharp sound..a tiny rock hit my windscreen!!! It was so tiny but yet make such a noise, and I was just thanking God that the windscreen protected and shielded me. If not then, it could be fatal ! well, think of the worst scenario....
At that moment, reminded that God is like that windscreen, it's a transparent glass, that sometimes I dont see, but it's surrounding me, protecting me and shielded me on every way.

At times when I am not aware of the danger coming, those small tiny rocks that hits my world, coming from every direction...it is Him who build His shield around me. I am safe in His presence...

Thank you, Jesus :) for always being there for me, You've protected me and you surround me with Your shield. You go before me, and You lead me each step of the way.

I'm still alive and still standing here, declaring Your praise every single
moment I live.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)

Seek His face

Last night, had an encounter, felt the heart of God....
Weeping, grieving.......
And I asked, "Lord, why do I see You crying? what saddens Your heart?"
I begin to hear...the Holy Spirit saying, that "My people, they lack of prayer...My people, do not seek Me enough.." Felt the heart of God wanting to rise up people who would pray and seek His face.
And I wept.....repent... I asked God that He'll allow me to share His burdens.
There's a sense of urgency, a heart cry, wanting more of God...
He reminded me :
"If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and
will heal their land."(2 Chronicles 7:14)

He is calling every heart and soul, to come before Him, on your knees, and begin to seek His face.

Looking for love in wrong places

Last night was at Gold Coast service, and it was a really refreshing moment with God. The service was amazing, I could feel that as if God was leading the whole service, and the whole church was just following the leading of God, from the start to the end. God's presence came really strong. As if I could just stay there and not go anywhere.

Ps.Lance was preaching a really anointed and convicting sermon, as the church was going through a series of "Looking for Love in the Right place" and last night the grand finale topic was what are the wrong places to look for love.

In summary, the wrong places to look for love are :

• Looking for love in feelings
• Looking for love in sexual relationship
• Looking for love in possessing the one you love
• Looking for love in your heart alone
• Looking for love within limits

Inspiring and convicting statements:

• The greatest place to find love, is where we have love within our own heart to love others.
• One way to love ourselves is to start loving others first.
• Love needs to be lived out in action (Confession + Demonstration)
• We can expand in our love as we allow it to.
• If we ever behold God's glory and come to know Him, but if we don't have love for others, then we are merely tourist/visitor for love.
• Who wants to be loved despite that we are unlovable?But who want to remain unlovable despite the fact that we are perfectly loved?

Could not go without repenting and asking God to show me what it really means to love Him, having His love within me and living it out!

What kind of car would you be?

My vocal teacher asked me this question :
"If you could imagine yourself being a car, what kind of car would you be?"
Hmm...I couldnt come up with an answer, made me think ...well, also because I'm not sure what's the best car out there..but I told her that it doesnt really bother me, I'm quite happy with what I have, as long as it works well. She told me about her 12 year old student who answered that she would be a lamborghini(hope I spell it rite...).
Then she asked me again,if God would give me any type of car, what would I ask?? haha! of course then my answer was different. this time I said, the best car that you could possibly have?something better than lamborghini????

What could have possibly God planted in our lives? the potential and the seed of greatness that He has destined for our lives? Are we satisfied and content with what we have or what we can think we can ever achieve or be in this life?

I need to start to dream bigger...in my own vision for my life in God. For He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above what we can think or ask!
My God!!! again...I'm ashamed of how small my dream and vision is...may He continue to add and enlarge my life, that in my lifetime, I could stand and testify,....
"I've never thought that my life could be used by God in this way, it's something that I never thought of or I could ever possibly do!!!!!"

So, I ask you again...what kind of car would you be?

Family

My sister wrote en email to me...(finally!!). Since we dont have computer at home and internet is such a foreign thing for my parents and my younger sister.
She shared about the family situation, well, basically just my mom, dad, older brother, and herself living together at home...(a place where I'll always want to be...)
Been praying about the family situation, for every single problem/challenges that each of them is facing, believing God that He'll bring about the miracles...for every single person.

Things actually are getting worse....
Almost started worrying and anxious..my heart was crying out His name, and I dont understand why things dont get better.
But I know deep in my heart, that He is in control...and I can trust Him with my family.
It's just that feeling, when bad news came or somehow faced with some challenges, then I pause, and turn my eyes upon Jesus....His peace fills my heart, and I dont have to understand, cos I know God does...and nothing that I can do, but I know God will do...
So again, I lay this burden on Him.

The worst things get, the more God's name will be glorified

The more I can hope and believe.

February'08 Chinese New Year