Favour

I decided to post this because i find it very enlightening and applicable for my time of life.

I have been asking for Favour upon my life, and even upon other people’s lives. And I have always thought wouldn’t it be great to have great favour, people all liking you, things falling into place for you, doors fly open, you walk in great assurance.

But the recent blog post of Pst Steven Furtick changed my perception of Favour. He writes:

The more favor you receive, the more faith it will require.

God’s favor brings abundant blessing into our lives. God’s blessing is usually associated with serenity, tranquility, and other Thomas Kinkade type good sensations. So it’s easy to see why we can begin to incorrectly assume that when we have God’s favor, life will be more comfortable.

But if you come to God seeking favor in order to establish your comfort, you’ll be disappointed more often than not.
Because what you begin to discover as you walk in God’s favor is that, as much as anything, favor is a disruptive force.

Remember, for mother Mary, being blessed and highly favored meant giving birth in a barn. And bearing public shame and ridicule.

I’m not saying this to depress you. Just to prepare you.

Favor isn’t always synonymous with a series of fortunate events. It doesn’t usually lead to sitting back and relaxing.
Walking in more favor will require you to exert more faith. Because it’s going to take you places you’ve never been, and require you to do things you’ve never done. Things you can’t do, apart from Jesus.

When you ask God for favor, He answers with opportunity.
As you seize the opportunity, He empowers you with His presence, and equips you with His power.

It’s just the way favor flows.

http://www.stevenfurtick.com/

Are you ready for the Lord’s Favour?

Thanksgiving

Hey there,

I know i have not really been keeping to my word of blogging every week. But things have been going good. Work is alright i guess, and also having to juggle things for the wedding, which have been going good too. But pile all that in 24 hours and you get only a little breather time.

As we come to Thanksgiving, you hear people giving thanks about what has happened and it is all great, but i also want to share a short snippet of a post from Carlien’s blog, she is now sailing with the Logos Hope.

A while back I had a conversation with a crewmember a few days before he was due to leave the ship. He would be flying home to a country very much still in the developing world. I asked what he would miss about life on board, and he said: “The food! We don’t have food like this everyday back home.”
I assumed he meant “we don’t have this type of food”, the type of food we eat on the ship. He didn’t immediately correct me, and kept smiling and chatting. As we talked further I felt a sudden chill when I realised he meant, “we don’t have food everyday”.

I forget the privilege that floods my life.

You can read more of her blog post at http://carmg.blogspot.com/

What are you thankful for this day?

A Blank Page

I was sitting in Mcdonals one afternoon waiting for my next appointment, and so i took out a piece of notepad to do a short evaluation. i started to list things i liked to do and not, then i drew two lines to divide the page into 4 quarters. so i listed things i wanted to do and things i did not want. But despite being so organized and methodical,  I was kinda frustrated, or irritated by either the lack of thoughts or maybe a repeated exercise.

So then i thought ok, lets start over again, i will turn the page over, and we will take it from the top again. but when i flipped the page, and my whole perspective changed.

The back of the same note pad was not filled with lines, it was a blank page. at that moment i felt so much freedom to create and recreate, not bound by any lines. i flipped the page back, and looked at all the lines, on how my words were jutting out of the lines, and how the straight and orderly lines made my writing look so ugly and disorganized.

Then i flipped back to the blank page. the opportunity to draw and write, vertically or horizontally, without the restriction and restrain of lines. And i felt God spoke to me then saying this is how i view you, this is what i have given you. not a page of lines for you to follow, nor a page set in orientation. Not rules where you will be judged when you go out of line, but rather a blank canvass. You don’t have to live by the standards set by others or the world, i have given you all a blank canvass for you to draw, paint, write, scribble and colour. And at the end of the day, I will still be proud of your work, because you are my son. period.

That gave me so much freedom to dream, to imagine, to explore. As i thought back through my life, God has indeed taught me many lessons very early on in life. brought many seasons and events of my life forward as compared to my peers, be it graduation, working life, marriage. And there were definitely times where i failed, where i was disobedient, where i could have done better, where i am swimming at the deep end or fighting a losing battle. But life goes on, you fall and you get up, you fail and you learn, though it is not perfect, it has formed a marker and moulded me into who i am today. And there were also life’s fair share of joy and successes.

But as i look at where God has brought me and accelerated me ahead, i just can’t help but humbly and excitedly look forward ahead at what the God of so much more, will use me and lead me through. If i at 23 have been through possibly what it will take others 30 years to reach, despite all the failures and down times i have had in my journey, i can’t help but be excited for what God has installed, and i willingly yield to His perfect plan for me.

And this is all not said in pride, but with a yielding heart knowing in all of myself i cannot, but with God i can. For those who even have a slightest relationship with God will know that many times what God wants is not what we want. How God sees success is not how we or the world sees success.

You may end up mastering the art of writing within the lines, or knowing how to play the game of life, knowing how to format to allow your words to look nice. But in the first place God did not draw the lines, he gave you a blank page to draw, paint and write without restraint, in your own style and personality God has created in you.

Are you drawing up lines God never intended to be there?

MV Doulos Phos

Today was a very nice day.

My friend from the Doulos, Amor, was in town today and she had set up a visit to go to the Doulos which is now being docked at Tuas.

It was very nice to see the old lady just sitting there in her understated glamour. being just 2 years younger than the titanic, she should be 96 years old this year. it was nice to walk through the same main street, into the rooms and cabins, and to relive the wonderful memories I had on the ship. it definitely had a great impact on my life.

I got to step into my cabin again, look at my bed frame without a bed, and remember to closeness and togetherness of the ship’s community. It has been just slightly under 2 years since i left the ship as a stepper. and if you are wondering what i was doing today 2 years ago, here’s what i wrote in my other blog :

Day 47 – Arrival in KK Malaysia

Today we arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on schedule, and we had competed the set up of the book shop by about 2pm and we started at 9am.

The feeling to be on land again was nice, to be able to walk off the ship and just wander around was nice. Haha. Also the excitement to be in a new country and new port is all good and energizing. Well after work we had port orentation for an hour, and we went out exploring the city after dinner.

From our pier, it was about a 20 min walk into city center, and they have a really small city center so unlike Bangkok, shopping is down, haha, but food is in and I am really looking forward to eating some real food again. Haha.

Well I was helping to act in a film that they were shooting for the new batch of people who are joining the ship on the 13 of September, the are currently undergoing their pre-ship training and will some to us on the 13. Those who have served their 2 years on board are mostly leaving on the 10 Sep so that week will be an emotional week for all of us, the lows of saying goodbye and the highs of saying hi.

Anyway it is late already, so I better go to sleep too. Good nights

I had a great day on the Doulos Phos today, and a Big thank you to John for being such a great host for us on board the grand old lady.

Also do check out Rachel’s blog and do support the cause to help the situation in Africa: http://www.rachelhampton.com/2011/08/26/time-out/

 

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Pastor Steven Furtick

There’s a lot of different strategies that the enemy uses to get us off track in our walk with God. But I think one of the enemy’s greatest tactics is a sequence I call, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Here’s how it works. The enemy gets you to think about your past, present, and future in these three ways:
Yesterday – Remember when.
Today – Live for now.
Tomorrow – Do it later.

The enemy wants to keep us stuck in yesterday. And so the way the he talks to us is by saying, “remember when.” In other words, the enemy comes to you and tries to get you stuck in yesterday’s memories. Dependent on yesterday’s successes. Reminded of yesterday’s failures.

Or the enemy will get you stuck in today. He’ll tell you: “live for now.” It’s all about present pleasure and satisfaction. Like Esau, the enemy will get you to sell your birthright for a bowl of beans. Trade something far better later for something inferior now. Maybe it’s by having sex before marriage. Or selling out on your God-given dream because there’s an easier path you can take right now.

And then there’s tomorrow. The enemy will tell you to live for now, but when it comes to the great things God wants you to do, he urges you to “do it later.” Delay your obedience.

If you’re not careful, you can easily fall prey to this yesterday, today, and tomorrow sequence. And your growth in God and what He has for you will be paralyzed.

Here’s how I think God wants to flip the script and have you look at it from an eternal perspective:
Yesterday – Remember who.
Today – Live for later.
Tomorrow – Do it now.

Whereas the enemy says “remember when” about your past, God says, “remember who.” Don’t stay stuck in yesterday’s success. Instead look at yesterday’s success and remember the God who gave you yesterday’s success. Or who can help you overcome yesterday’s failure. Take David’s cue and recall God’s past faithfulness so you can forge on into your future endeavors.

For the last two elements of the sequence, rearrange the enemy’s thinking. Where the enemy says “live for now, do it later,” God’s says “live for later, do it now.” Instead of living for the moment that you can see and the pleasures that you can touch, live in the present with a visionary mindset about your choices, realizing that your present bad decisions affect your future possibilities.

And instead of deferring obedience, obey now. Don’t live in the land of lofty aspirations. Whatever God tells you to do, do it. Immediately.

Refuse to look at yesterday, today, and tomorrow from the enemy’s perspective. As often as you have to, tell yourself:
Remember who (not when). Live for later (not now). Do it now (not later).

Right memory. Visionary mindset. Immediate obedience.
Yesterday. Today. And tomorrow.

http://www.stevenfurtick.com/

Sunday Afternoon

I love lazy sunday afternoons.

i now usually go to the saturday night service, so it gives me an additional day of sleeping in on the weekends, and because i don’t have a planned sunday like church lunch and then by the time that finishes it would be the middle of the afternoon and i would have felt that the weekend is already over.

so having the entire sunday to just rest and relax is really nice. It would be so much better if Rachel was here and we could just hand out to read, watch a movie or go for a walk. guess that will have to wait

I also don’t like to do work on weekends, i like to keep work in the office but with the number of things i have to do at work, some stuff just will spill over. and now i am sitting here, with about 3 tasks from work, which i am just procrastinating away. haha. Think i have caught this side of Rachel too well. the Americans know how to leave work on time, and not do any work at home. well at least much better than we singaporeans. so i get a little off tune when i have to stay late at work, or take work home to do.

I guess i just have not really settled into working life. in school you always had change. every year new class, new subjects, new assignments. now i am entering into this routine of work, not good.

Like i said i like change and probably project management would suit me best. or just me being settled in an environment where i enjoy, and can be sustained doing the same thing.

Work is developing, taking steps forward in developing something from scratch, still praying over the environment and what makes me tick and would make me run to work everyday.

Do pray with me and send me along any prayer request which you have for me to keep you in prayer.

God bless!

Calling vs Passion

Hi All,

you might have already sensed that i am not at perfect rest internally yet. So i thought i will list down some things to help me understand myself better.

So here are the things i like to do:

• Project Manage
• Have movement / not solely desk bound
• Sit in meetings and brainstorming
• Have a end date to work towards (project)
• Solve problems / think of innovative solutions
• travel
• have constant change
• work with Fun people
• Manage my own schedule
• communicating
• having multiple roles.

So above are the things i enjoy doing. but as you look at them, they are mere tasks. Will they get me jumping out of bed every morning? maybe, but for how long? So i started another list things that i am passionate about, like how some people love aircrafts and grow to become pilots, or others like animals and become vets. I thought for a really long time, and really could not think of anything, but i wrote two things down.

1. The nations of the world – well i am a global person, i like traveling and seeing new places and things, but would i die with a regret not having travelled the world? mehhh not really
2. The next generation – well i do believe that the future is in their hands, and it is this generation that will changes the world for God. I believe it with all my heart. But will i lose arm and limb to send out/impact one more young person? probably not at this time.

So what am i passionate about? i shared this with rachel and she said, well no surprises there since i am heartless. haha. which is true i am not incredibly moved by a particular thing, as of yet. But as i was writing my list, i was reminded of the card i got at church today, asking us to write down a dream for myself. and i wrote down the Vision God has given me. 

“To show God’s Love to the World

by Seeding works of Healing & Transformation

in the 6 Continents of the Wold”

So if i have no great passion, how about working towards the Vision God has given me. and i can think of a couple of ways of doing it.

1.  Striking the lottery to have the money to seed the works.
2. Work hard earn money and directly fund programs.
3. Work for an organization that will enable me to participate and see that come to pass.

So when i shared the 2nd and 3rd options to rachel,  (the 1st option is really a day dream on my part, haha) she immediately said that the 2nd one wont work. Because she thinks i need more tangible results, that i won’t be satisfied working a 9 to 5 job and then give money and let others bring about the change, that i want to be involved and see the fruits. I love how well she knows me and is able to speak directly and challenge me. and as i thought about it, she is exactly right. if i want to do the 2nd option, i can do it where i am now, i have the potential to earn.

So those are just some thoughts shaping up. don’t put any money on any thing happening yet, but you sure can pour in truckloads of prayers

clarence

National Day

It was another full 5 day week for me after taking the last friday off. It was a long week but it went by kinda fast. This coming week is a 3 day work week for me. National day is on tue, and i took the wed off.

I can feel God teaching me lessons and tugging me in certain ways, but i still don’t know a exact direction or heading yet. guess many things in life you learn my trail and error. and people take time to find what they want to do. and many times people tell me i am still young and have time on my hands which i do know, but also i have other things and am at stages my peers are not. I guess i am a person who gets bored easily. haha. so i need to find my calling and passion, and a role which i will be excited about. I don’t like going to work on a monday, only looking forward to the friday. and then back again.

But again, i don’t want to dive in head first to an unknown and be restless again. so i am just taking my time, to process, think through, discover myself and then walk forward. I love that Rachel is always so supportive and always challenging me, reigning me in, and also letting me explore and grow. I love her so much for being her.

So here’s a Happy Birthday to Singapore, and to a life of Faith and Love.

Candle

Another post this weekend!

It is definitely due to the added time on my hands having taken friday off, and just spending the afternoons reading and sitting before the Lord.

I asked rachel if i should link my blog to my fb and twitter and she said a definite Yes, but i am like, hmmm probably not yet. i know of a few friends who read my blog, but don’t totally know who does, and i kinda like it that way for now. I know a time will come, but till then… But it is also this way which i love that rachel compliments me, being so opposite and just always challenging me.

Where should i start on today’s post? well i have been recently praying over my own direction and call for my life, and am taking all the time i need and even more to process and discern before moving forward or even telling it to you here. but you can always still pray for me, God knows

But through that seeking, God has also continue to revel to me many things and the way he sees things happening around me, and i thought of writing them here as a means of sharing and a personal reflection for my own reading later.

I personally feel that God is leading his people around the world into a new season and time. We have been and will always continue to seek to do great things for God, but now at a different level and different dynamics.

We used to be wanting to do great things for God in our own, and it had been great and God had brought great successes around the world. We would build great auditoriums for worship, starting many things that are parallel to the world like Godtube and succeeding, and just be good at doing evangelism through the church and through traditional means, and we have grown by the grace and power of God. Like a candle shining and giving warmth, but under the table.

But now i believe it is time where we start reclaiming things for the name of God. Claiming back the best music, the best arenas, the best locations and the best everything. and it is already happening. From wanting to build our own church buildings, to partnering with private corporations to build auditoriums with malls on the side, leveraging on their expertise and fiances. Renting the biggest stadiums built for sport, to conduct rallies and conferences. Instead of starting a parallel idea for God, we are claiming our stake in social media and the internet, with mission organizations and christians making their voices heard on these non-secular platforms. Instead of collecting funds from christians to go feed the poor in other countries, many non-profit organizations are going into the world to collect their money, and to give it to the needy in the name of the Lord. Our leaders will be so effective and wise that they will be demanded and headhunted by the private sectors. Christian videos will have the highest hits that websites have to put us on the front page just because it makes most sense. our organizations will have the most followers every platform. We are going to be the candle on the table, the city on the hill that cannot be hidden.

And we praise God for the season that has past, for if we had skipped that season, we might just have been snuffed out the moment we get placed on the table. But greater are the days ahead.

I think this stems from one thing, Legacy. many 2nd generation christians who have been brought up in the faith from birth, are now grown up to be in positions of influence and power, boldly moving in faith and authority, not afraid of the world, not happy to just read history, but hearts set on writing it.

Christians being great at what they do, singers, engineers, pilots, managers, bankers, sportsmen and women, all in the world, being the best in the industry, sharing their testimony and giving God all glory.

I foresee a group of Young people, all at the peaks of success in every industry and nation, banding together to testify the Glory of God in one place through one platform. Stewarding their stories of success by imparting faith and boldness to the next generation.

The prayer is not “God please include me in your plan” but rather “God do not leave me out of your salvation plan”

 

Off day!!!

I took my first off day in my new company this Friday and it was nice.

As i have not taken any days off for this year till now, i still have a number of days off left to clear for this calendar year, especially we can’t carry over the remaining days to the next year.

So on friday i got to sleep in slightly more, and then got to talk to Rachel for a longer while which was awesome, and then kinda just chilled the day out. Read a book in the afternoon and went to church in the evening. I was very tempted to go into office for a couple of hours because i got a couple of jobs that i am working on filling, but i figured that the world won’t end without me working one day, plus they would understand, i doubt they would want me hounding them on their days off too. So the Friday went by and i did not receive one call from office, which means things went well

Things in office have been going good. slowly settling in, though i doubt i will ever get used to working that long, which is a good thing but interviews have been happening and hopefully one of my candidates will nail a job soon

I am reading “When Heaven invades Earth” by Bill Johnson now, just started but it has been great so far 4 chapters in the next book i am looking to read was one that was told to me by a friend from NZ. “The hole in the gospel” it is written by the current CEO of World Vision. he writes about how he left his high paying job in the private sector and stepping into World vision and many have had great reviews on his book. so that is next in the queue. I have set a goal to read 12 books this year. and i was on track one book a month till March, which means i only have read 3 books this year. haha. time to play catch up.

hope your week has been great too!