tk God for the clarifications.
a load off my mind.








actually, at this point, i just feel like.........................

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Tk God for the message tonight.
It struck me how most of the time feelings and circumstances cloud up our lives.
But faith is trusting in God, not knowing what will happen. It is believing in things yet unseen and unknown.
It is a personal walk with God, with patience and persistence, knowing that He will provide.





tk God for always being there for me, fang!
tk God also for marcus, who is always so willing to accompany me home from church.

and tk you for asking how i am earlier. :) all smiles yeah?

at the crossroads in life, where major decisions have to be made.

sheer optimism and resilience keeps me pressing on...

i guess what was said is true as well.
now im really very confused.
Lord, what are You teaching me?
i need You to speak, i really do.







Endurance - the capacity to remain under the stress until God's work is done
Glad that God doesnt play hide and seek
He's not going to show up at the end, and say, "I'm sorry, I've been really busy that I couldn't answer you"
God is faithful and He never changes...

to be that good testimony...

Amazed

I am just so amazed by You.

Decided to just go ahead and submit the form. Managed to get another teacher to write instead. Thank God!

Realised that many people have already been shortlisted. Ah, but I'm not unduly worried. If its His will, He will let it come to pass. Just waiting patiently for the letter/email/call?



you will never know if you never try...

I realise God provides just enough for every situation He places us in. And well, He really answers when we ask, even to little things like the rain.

Thank You for this work You have placed me in. I would never have learnt so much. Really amazed by how You are carrying me through life's journey ahead.

Let me live in the present, each day as it comes, looking up. And, I really shouldn't be taking all the little things for granted. I am grateful.

I really can't decide if i should submit that form. The deadline is just 7 days away, and i haven't gotten all the reference letters yet. I know i want to, but time is not on my side. And, its so difficult for the people you have asked to get back to you in time, considering that they are all busy people.






Praying for wisdom, strength and guidance to know and do what is right and pleasing in Your sight.

how long is the road, how long is the ride

God never moves without purpose or plan.
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

O rejoice in the Lord,
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead,
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above,
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

been rather busy with work stuff, apps etc
physically quite exhausted,
but, i thank God for His promises that spoke to me in a personal way...

Psalms 94:19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

2 Cor 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Matt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

sometimes all we need is just a little more faith...

thanks for everything...
explains quite a bit yeah?
i agree it was kinda surreal,
but its good to know.

i guess you read me pretty well...which came as a surprise actually.
im still rather confused, but let's just take it a step at a time yeah?

someone just told me she likes my attitude: resilient, thats what she says.
hmm...





better late then never




(tks a lot Gor!)

in complete doubt...
but God You know




i have no idea what i am doing...
maybe i will wake up and find that its all just a bad dream...

i chose to go into this, and i am choosing to continue on this path...
help me to do it to the best of my ability.
You will give me just enough to get through...

Be not weary in waiting,
for love suffers long.
If you faint not you'll reap
when the harvest is come.
Run with patience the race
as you rest on His word,
for your testing will teach you
to wait on the LORD.

They that wait upon the LORD,
shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up on
wings as eagles.
They shall run and not grow weary,
they'll walk and not faint.
Wait, I say WAIT ON THE LORD.



I feel like I have learnt more than I have ever learnt just from the 1st 3 months of this year
thank You for all You have placed me in...
You know what I have been through because You were there.
LORD, I need Your clear directions...

hmm...is being introspective a good thing?
but it actually helps distract me from the pile of things to do :)






just the way i see it?
or is it really?

1 Cor 15:58 Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord






(if you ever see this, val) i know you are collapsing under the work load, but press on...for our labour is not in vain. it is truely worth it. let us be that shining testimony k, sis?

one after another...
i can, hmm, no i MUST deal with all these...
God, You will never let me fall.

How deep the Father's love for us

is that it?
as full, able-bodied people,
is that all we can do?
it can't be only that much,
there is so much more that can be done...
ah... what a rebuke!
what a blessing at the same time,
to enable me to see out of this tiny box.
oh how myopic...





why should i gain from His reward,
i cannot give an answer.

I guess God is teaching me the importance of patience this year. I'm actually glad to have been able to develop this patience, to wait upon the Lord to show me His way and the directions I am to take. And time and time again, He shows Himself strong. It's not like everything suddenly comes to pass, but He fulfils things a bit at a time, and yet all this is significant to me. Waiting for A-level results was seriously a tough one... but I really thank Him for giving me that patience to wait, knowing that eventually everything will work out for good. There are some other things yet to be seen, heard or known, but God has His perfect plan. I will just be waiting patiently for His hands to guide me, and to show me the clear path ahead. In Your time, Lord, You will make all things beautiful.



someday...

what's reality?

A Choice is a Limitation

When you make a choice, you accept the limitations of that choice. To accept limitation requires maturity. The child has not yet learned that it can't have everything. What it sees it wants. What it does not get it screams for. It has to grow up to realize that saying Yes to happiness often means saying No to yourself.

HOPE

Thank God for everything.
It's so amazing to have Him in my life, to lead and direct.
Am so grateful for how things turned out.

New decisions to be made...
Lord, show me the path i should take.
You will go before me, You will shield my way.

Heavenly Father,
take control of me,
for whatever the circumstance may be,
I will love You and I know You love me.

We are weak, He is strong
In His arms we belong.

When trials cloud our lives,
and nothing seems right,
BUT whatever the circumstance may be,
I will love You and I know You love me.

Luke 1:38 ...be it unto me according to thy word

Dear A level ppl (if you all ever see this),

Just wanna encourage you all with this verse Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. God has great plans for us. We do not know it, but He does. He knew us before we were born, and knit us together in our mother's womb. How can He not know what the future holds?

But, let us wait upon the LORD, for Him to lead and to guide us along this pathway of life ahead. He is the way, the truth and the life. Psalm 130:5 says I wait for the LORD, my soul waits and in His word I put my hope.There is something we all strive for... He knows it and we do too. But this is our desire, it may or may not be His. But as He said, wait upon Him. Let us all run this race with patience, not knowing what lies ahead, but knowing eventually that we may receive the prize.

Whatever the circumstance tmr, let us be ready to praise Him and thank Him for seeing us through. It may not be up to our expectations, but His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts than ours. Let Him be able to reign and rule in our heart.Most importantly, Delight in the LORD and He will grant you the desires of your heart.

Hope you all are not stressed out over the results coming out tmr. It is all cast in stone already. Why worry twice? It is natural for us to worry... we are humans after all, but keep falling back upon His everlasting promises. He will be there to see us through it all.

Take care and rest well... May we be a good testimony in school, as we get back our results.

God Bless,
Pat

I will rise

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

Everything Beautiful in His Time

"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

This past Tuesday my alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. I had allowed myself only the briefest margin to get my things together that I would need for the day and get out the door arriving at the 5:00 a.m. early morning prayer. I didn’t want to keep any of the men who had come to prayer in waiting. I forgot to plug my cell phone in over night, so I was low on charge, but I thought, I’ll just grab my cell phone charger and plug it in after I arrive at church.

In the vestibule of our home is a truly prized possession. It is an old oak table that has been in our family for years. It is hand-carved, without a nail in it. It is beautiful, with spiraled meticulously carved legs. The sentimental value is even more than it’s worth as an antique. It is the table that my father served The Lord’s Supper on in my youth. My first communion was celebrated at this table.

So, with that picture in mind, see me in my hurried state of affair. I am now ready to exit our house. I grab the charger and charge for the door, when suddenly I am stopped in my tracks. I felt a tug coming from behind. I looked behind to discover my phone cord had wrapped itself around one of the table legs on the antique oak table. With my hands full and not wanting to put everything down and take the time to carefully pull the cord away, wrap it up, and proceed out the door…I gently yanked the cord. Nothing happened. A little exasperated, I yanked harder. Now I could tell the cord was stuck somewhere. Oh, brother, now I was going to have to put everything down, get on my knees, find out the trouble, pick everything up…why this could cost me every bit of twenty seconds!

Descending to my knees, I discovered to my chagrin that the small end of my phone cord had lodged deep into the spiraled leg of the great oak table. I was in a hurry! I pulled, but to no avail. I could not get my finger into the spiral to push. Hopefully, what I say now will not mortify my wife or mother as they read these words; I (gulp) grabbed the nearest thing to my hand, a butter knife. My goal was to push the small plastic covered connection point out the other side into freedom. I did nothing of the sort. I managed to lodge more of the piece deeper into the oak spiral. I realized to use the butter knife any further was a risk of scratching a precious piece of furniture. I put the butter knife away, pulled a little more, and lodged it deeper yet.

What was I to do? I’m late now for prayer and the cord to give me a charge for the day is stuck. If I leave now, I’ll have to make an extra trip to retrieve my cord, which means more time wasted. I can stay here, miss prayer with the men and attend to this problem. As I sat there for just a moment longer, surmising my situation, I decided to leave for prayer. While en route to the prayer meeting and while praying, these thoughts came to mind about the rather comical comedy of errors I was accruing.

I. Haste makes waste.
That phrase has deservedly passed from being a cliché to being a maxim. As a rule, this is true! If I had taken the time to simply wind up my cord, I would not have lodged it in the table. If I had not proceeded to yank the cord, it would have not lodged deeper. If had not tried to make a tool out of the butter knife, it would not have worsened. Every short cut I took was robbing me of more time.

This maxim applies to the more important things of life. I find that if I allow myself more time (which I am bad about not doing) and take the extra time to do things right, in the end, accomplishment is sweeter. Also, in the long run, more time is saved.

If an airplane mechanic gets in too much of a hurry, he may miss the subtle crack across the wing, which could bring the plane down. If a surgeon gets too hurried, he may stitch up a scalpel or sponge inside a patient, creating a new problem. Imagine what would happen if a seismologist hurriedly scans across the monitor and misses the earthquake in the ocean that could cause a tsunami.

Jesus said, "...Are there not twelve hours in the day?...." (John 11:9). The Bible also says, "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth" (Psalm 103:14, 15). God knows who we are and how much time we have. He has designed us with the amount of time to get everything done (here’s the key) “in His time”. God’s time is so much better than our time.

II. Prayer and stillness unties knots!
When I settled down in prayer, after a good laugh on myself with my comrade in prayer, the simplest solution on how to remove the phone cord came to me. You may think I am kidding, but I believe the Lord will talk to you about little things as well as big things.

I cannot resist the opportunity to tell on Richard Sanchez at this point. After prayer, I announced a “eureka”. I explained that I thought the Lord had revealed to me how to remove the cord. Richard gave me another explanation on how to do it. My gut feeling was to go with my new plan. But I thought, who am I? Richard knows more than I about this stuff. I nearly tore the cord up doing it Richard’s way. When I stopped and tried the method that came to me in prayer, it popped right out without any further harm to the cord, and to my wife’s relief, none to the table!

I had a little fun with Richard over this matter. The next time we talked, I expressed thanks for helping me with advice that nearly destroyed my phone cord. Although we had a good laugh, there is a serious reminder for all of us. Prayer is so much more than a session with God. It is during the stillness that answers often come and hard knots are untied. "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6). In the extreme prayer of fasting, God promises to lose our bands, lifting of heavy burdens, and every yoke broken. "Be still, and know that I am God...." (Psalm 46:10).

III. Put first things first.
You know what was more important than getting my problem solved immediately? Prayer and obligation to friendships. Praying was more important than improvising with a new technique that may free up a silly wire covered by plastic. Prayer is time with God! Everything I was doing could easily wait until I had prayed. Also, there was someone waiting to pray with me. Friendships and commitments to those friends are more important than getting things done in my time. "Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not...." (Proverbs 27:10). Let us not sacrifice friendships, brothers and sisters animated with the very life of God over inanimate objects that in comparison mean nothing. Jesus said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Putting first things first is moving into the beauty of God’s time!

Everything In its time

patience...
do i really have what it takes to wait?
but as the LORD says, wait upon Me
and run with patience the race that is set before us

i don't really know what lies ahead
but He will answer in His time.
it will all work out for good to those that trust Him
to be in the centre of His will

3 major issues at hand
i surrender all LORD
i can't contain it inside anymore
Your will be done and Your plan be carried out

i would rather lose all that i desire than to be a step away from the centre of Your will
LORD, show me clear directions
that i do not lose focus of what You have called us to do
You know... i know You do, and more importantly, You understand



if only...if only

i don't need to run when i can hide

oh child of little faith,
when will you learn to surrender everything?




she thought she knew how to swim,
but when she was thrown into the deep end,
she started sinking...

i wish i had the guts to say...

brain death - cessation of all brain stem activity
eternal calmness?

been thinking too much lately
havent had much sleep...
ah but that's just me
perhaps it comes with maturity?





maybe nobody will ever know...i will just keep it to myself
and maybe someday it might just happen?
my greatest birthday wish...

I wish

funny how things have changed since then
someone just doesn't know it yet... and life goes on...

and...i'm praying and hoping its not the same person...

Is this how life in the working world feels like? Maybe now i do understand it better...
Work is enjoyable, but yet...
And i actually can't belive i would say this...I miss school!
Forgotten how it feels like to sit at the windy benches to mug or just to talk, laugh, eat and relax.
Oh...the naiveness of it all...

Friends

Audrey,
I doubt you will see this, but anyway, thanks for being a blessing to me in many ways. And all the best in Melbourne. Love ya and take care. Will miss ya!

2 Cor 12:7-10

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

The Teaching of Adversity

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world —John 16:33

The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling . . ." ( Psalm 91:1,10 )— the place where you are at one with God.

If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." He is saying, "There is nothing for you to fear." The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.

God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment— "To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life . . ." (Revelation 2:7 ). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can "be of good cheer" even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.

Oswald Chambers

Thank God for the friend who sent this to me.

Psalm 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

With God, we may have life more abundant and free, for He sent His son that we may live. He is the source of hope. God's love shines forth so bright, that with Him, there is light at the end of every tunner, a ray of hope at the end of every trial.



God's purposes are often hidden from us. He owes us no explanation. We owe Him our complete love and trust.

Amen to that....

its not easy
but i am trying...

beneath all the smiles...

pondering, questioning...
thrown into something unknown
confused, mixed feelings.

what does the future hold?
there is only one direction, only one.
where are You?

tired of keeping everything in
buried beneath the pile of everything else
but perhaps, thats the best way?

only You know.

"We must love the Giver and not the gifts; for to love the gifts and not the Giver is the essence of idolatry."

Is our faith a commercial one? This quote speaks volumes.







People think they know me...but they don't. And its kinda hard being myself sometimes...
I guess they see someone on the surface, but within me, i'm just different yeah?

It's strange how there is a certain perspective that girls shouldn't need to have a good career ahead of them. Many feel that girls should just get married and lead a relaxed life at home, looking after the family. I beg to differ... yet... sometimes I wish I was born a guy.

We Fall Down by Chris Tomlin

2 Cor 1:4
(God) Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Amazing verse, Amazing God

This CNY i really tk God for family and friends around me. You all are great blessings to me! Blessed CNY everyone :)

been feeling rather nauseous... keep wanting to throw up while eating lunch
hope this feeling goes away soon

Felt discouraged by an incident that occured today...
No one should make you feel bad about yourself, and so i'm not going to let this get the better of me.
Shall press on, and stand firm.

In all things, God works for good to those that trust Him and are called according to His purpose.




On another note, i thank God for strength when i needed it most.

Be Thou Near To Me-Jim Brickman-featuring Selah

A Psalm a day keeps life's worries at bay.
Been reading Psalms and it has been a very encouraging book.
Sustainance from above...


When it's all been said and done...
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for You?



Just wanna thank God for people He has placed in my life to encourage me.

Unmerited favour, undeserved love.
What more can i ask for?

I pray that I will be a blessing to my grandmother and touch her life. Help me to be a filial granddaughter.

Lord, help me understand why You are putting me through these trials in life. 2009, a new year ahead of me. Yet, things are not going smoothly. Teach me, Lord, to trust that all things will work for good to those that trust You and are called according to Your purpose.

I need to think things through...

Found this bookmark in my drawer... and it says:

John: I keep seeing spots.
Mum: Have u seen the doctor?
John: No, just spots.

that was the front. the back spots a message that says: laughter is the best medicine. it is my way of showing support.

Well, my mum designed that 5 years ago, and im glad she did. It reminds me of how much support my family has provided for me for the past 18 years. Thank God for them =)

Have a Blessed 2009 everyone! God Bless =)

Ok, so here i am typing this thing while waiting for the year 2008 to come to a close. Well, there is just too much to thank God for. Shall list it out! Ok here goes,
I thank God for:
God himself who came to die on the cross for sinners like me, who is so unworthy of His love
My family, whom i could not have gone through the year without them. You guys are the greatest blessing!
My dad, who is like a chauffer fetching me here n there
My mum, who is the ultimate chef
My brother, who is my playmate
Guiding me through A-levels and giving me the total peace in my heart
My job attachment
The Uth ministry and everyone who has made the Uth ministry possible (not going list everyone out man... too long a list)
All my friends who have seen me through ups and downs, You all are a blessing!

Father, I thank You from the bottom of my heart, for Your love, Your abundant grace, Your mercy and Your Holy Spirit that lives within me. I'm sorry for all the wrong I have done this year. Father, please cleanse me from sin, and help me come back to my first love once again. Lord, I pray this new year be a year of great revival, that I may truely live a life worthy of Your calling, to continue to love my loved ones like You have loved us. Lord, keep me strong and growing in You. I love You, Jesus! Amen.

For You I will live

Why have You chosen me
Out of millions Your child to be?
You know all the wrong I have done.
O how could You pardon me,
Forgive my iniquity,
To save me, give Jesus Your Son?

When we sang this song last friday, the words just pierced my heart. It suddenly dawned on me how i was living my life so full of this world. I just broke down. Tears rolled silently down my face... tears of sadness or happiness i didnt really know. But, I never knew such a simple message could just shatter me into pieces. Lord, sustain me. Help me to continue to live a life above the world, a life only You can give.

Blessed Christmas everyone!
May we always rem the true meaning of christmas...
Christmas musical was a blessing. Tk God!

"I cried unto the Lord with my voice,
and He heard me out of His Holy hill."

wow, im just so amazed...

I'm lost and empty. Where are you, God?

Lord, help me to live my life for You.

Here I am, Cos I believe

I was out at sea,
when Jesus called out to me.
He said, "Take my hand,
And I'll make you fishers of men."

Chorus
Here I am,
Lord, send me.
Here I am,
Ready to be.
Here I am,
Your faithful servant.
Here I am,
Cos' I believe.

Lord, help me to obey.
To reach souls lost and stray.
That they may find,
Eternal life in You.

God's love shines bright when all else fades...

Well, i guess ive never posted such things on my blog before, but yeah, i seriously thk God for my family. Everyone is born into a different family, and i am truly grateful for mine. My parents know what is best for me, and they try to provide for as much as is possible. During the A-lvl period, my parents cared even more for my wellbeing - how i was eating, whether i was prepared. They did not need me to help out around the house, but just to study hard, they were just really understanding. And most of all, they love me the way i am, just like God loves us the way we are. Sometimes, things are not meant for our own understanding, but God and parents alike do things for our good. Lord, help me to just love and honour them all the days of my life.

This is what Pat wants: a huge breakfast tmr!
Sadly there is no food for her to cook at home...

this is wad u do when ur bored!

This post is dedicated to all the people out there who asked me to update

Well, the major battle is finally over. I have perhaps gained more knowledge and all, but the most important thing learnt is the importance of prayer and true dependence on God to lead and guide all the way. Was having a small conversation with a friend what she says is so true: we are so fortunate to have a God whom we can place our trust in as we prepare for the exams (to paraphrase). Thank God for the peace and calmness He placed in each and everyone of His children's hearts as we did our papers.

Its really wierd once you finish your papers, you just feel like its any other normal day. There is no rush of happiness... perhaps just a sigh of relief...followed by a sense of lost. Well, i guess the ending is just hyped up by many before us.

Now, need to spend my time wisely, plan my timetable for the long hols ahead.

On a different but heavier note, i dunno why this always keep happening. Now there's no more school, but yet... Im really confused...

The Road Less Taken

When you are at the crossroads of life, and you can't decide which path to take. There are a million thoughts in your head, telling you to do this or that. I would choose to follow God's will, and walk the road less taken. God never promised it would be all smooth-sailing. He never said that there wouldn't be trials. But He has promised that He will be carrying you all the way through. On eagle's wings, you will soar above the storms, and there will only be 1 pair of shoeprints along that road. The Road Less Taken - God's guided path to success. A wrong decision, and it's going to be hard to turn back. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?

The Road Not Taken (Robert Frost)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

We that seeketh God today,
find His perfection so great.
It is high as heaven, deeper than the sea.
And when we trust and obey,
We ask and pray that God will show us His way.

We that seeketh His will and pray,
find His presence so near today.
He is closer than a brother or a friend.
For Jesus washed our sins away,
made our garments white as day.
God sent His son and on the cross He lay.

We know that Jesus rose again.
We shall never be ashamed,
to share the gospel and speak of His name.
In hope that many will say,
"I know I am born again,
for Jesus is my saviour today"

So we'll lift up our eyes towards Him,
lift up our face so clean.
We will shine forth so bright,
as bright as the morning light.
For we don't have to fear,
there is hope we know for sure,
for we can rest secure in Him.

Empty me of myself today, Lord. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit...
Do i really know what it means to love You?

James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Grow up, Pat, grow up...

Chris Rice: Come to Jesus

He's waiting for us with opened arms...

I really do miss my morning runs so much. There is this deep longing to let my legs do their job, to push myself to the limits, while enjoying the cool breeze racing through my hair. I was feeling rather upset with myself for not be able to qualm that urge in me to just go for a run. It does not feel good to be cooped up in the house all day long after school, and the desire keeps growing, especially when I see my friends running.

In retrospect, I realised something about this desire. Why can't we all long for Jesus in our lives the way I long to run, the way we all long for things of this earth. Is not Jesus greater than all of these?

I made a choice today, hopefully in His will. All these things happen for a reason, for a greater plan.

I'm so glad to be home the whole day for once. The past 5 days have been very exhausting, going to and fro to NTU, but I'm thankful its over for now. Actually its pretty amazing how God has guided me through the past 5 days. I felt surprisingly relaxed despite having to study for common tests during each and every break. Yes, I was indeed tired and sick as well, but there was no stress, no breaking point, which I am ultimately grateful for. Thank God for even the chance to go over to camp for worship, despite the crazy schedule (eh jumzy, thks for the rides man, really appreciate it).

I am really really not prepared for this common test. There is so much to be done, yet so little time. But I'm just surrendering it all into His hands. I was recalling a song I used to sing in sunday school when I was a kid. It goes:
Give me oil in my lamp,
keep me burning burning burning,
give me oil in my lamp, I pray.
Give me oil in my lamp,
keep me burning burning burning,
keep me burning til the break of day.
So i will sing hosanna,
sing hosanna,
sing hosanna to the King of Kings.
And i will sing hosanna,
sing hosanna,
sing hosanna to the King of Kings.
I really miss singing these kiddie songs that convey such a simple message: He will sustain us.

Psalms 71:3
Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

I need that mountain moving faith...
Help me, Lord. I'm feeling quite lost this week.
I can't do this on my own. I need You more than ever...

Matthew 21:21 Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

A learning journey

A bus ride really got me thinking...

Well, a friend and i were going to hougang for class CIP and we werent sure which stop to alight. My friend then approached the bus driver for directions, but was denied an accurate reply. He proceeded to ask the bus driver permission to get off the bus to check the bus guide at a busstop. The bus driver however, DROVE OFF WITHOUT HIM, leaving me on the bus with no idea where to alight, and him stranded at the busstop without his belongings. In the end, i alighted 2 stops away from my destination while he alighted 2 busstops before. All this while, we were fortunate to have communication by handphone. To cut a long story short, we finally met at the correct busstop, with him spotting me from about 300m away to guide me there.

There is so much to learn from this quite interesting episode. As i was walking back to the correct busstop, i thought about the Christian life. This is exactly what happens when we are lost, undirected and unguided, just like how i was on the bus. We dont know where to go, what to do and how to live our lives because we have forgotten about God. But then when we remember to rely on Him, He provides us with maps, signs that will lead us in the right direction, just like the bus guide. But, even with the bus guide, we could still go the wrong way, just like how i alighted 2 busstops away from where i was supposed to go. It is then that we should just ask God in prayer to show and lead the way in the right direction, just like how i called my friend to ask him how to walk back to the right busstop. Moreover, as mentioned how my friend spotted me 300m away, God will spot the lost from heaven and guide us back into His loving arms. Just like my friend was a call away, so is God a prayer away. Will you then ask Him to guide you back into the path of righteousness. Im thankful for His guidance.

Newsong - Trust His Heart

All things work for our good
though sometimes we can't see how they could.
Struggles that break our hearts in two
sometimes blind us to the truth.
Our Father knows what's best for us;
His ways are not our own.
So, when your pathway grows dim,
and you just can’t see Him,
Remember He's still on the throne.

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don't understand,
when you don't see His plan,
When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart.

He sees the Master plan.
He holds the future in His hands.
So don't live as those who have no hope.
All our hope is found in Him.
We walk in present knowledge,
but He sees the first and the last.
And like a tapestry, He's weaving you and me
to someday be just like Him.

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don't understand,
when you don't see His plan,
When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart.

It's the little things that make the BIG difference

Yesterday's Uth was different.
Nope...not the worship, despite the fact that james was singing without a mike. Neither was it the message, although it was important all the same.
It was the ending prayer of a very special child of God in the midst of everyone - Japheth. The very mutter of words emerging from the mouth of a boy disabled since he was 1. Ian asked and he agreed, so readily. Many people in his shoes would definitely not dare to speak in front of everyone, let alone pray. But yet, he did not care how others would view his stuttering, his inability to express himself for others to understand.
Yes, it was this child-like faith that moved me. I could not understand anything he said at first except the words 'dear God' and 'amen'. But as christopher translated for us after the prayer, his words hit me hard. 'Despite my body, i will still walk with You'. I was moved. This guy, wheelchaired since 1, did not let his disabilities bring him down, but is continually living a life for God!
I really thank God for Japeth being such a blessing in the Uth ministry. Why cant we all have this child-like, mountain moving faith? Indeed, a wake up call as well...

Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace

Woah, this has to be one of the best versions of the song out there. The bridge is especially amazing.

Sometimes we are not meant to understand everything...
Its just so wierd.
At the moment, im just confused.
Am i doing stuff my own way?
Is what im going through right?
I have this feeling that this just wont turn out in a good way.
Maybe i should just stop it as it is, get over it and move on with life?
Man...i really dont know.
Not my will but Yours be done, Lord.
I need Your guidance.

2007

As the year draws to a close, i wish to reflect upon all the significant events that have impacted my life this year. Just really want to thank God for his great blessings this year. This year has indeed been a very different school year as compared to last year. JC life i should say has been a pretty enriching, yet fulfilling experience. The school term started off on the wrong track, with many things not going well, but as it is said, God will close doors that He does not want you to open and open many more doors for you to enter. This has been so true, following all the failures at the start of the year. Firstly, He blessed me with floorball friends like Jon Muk and Marcus who brought me to church. This was the highest point of the year. From there, His blessings have flowed abundantly, and my spiritual life has changed for the better. His great and mighty works were seen clearly in my common test results, in my application for bio olympiad, in friends that i have made, etc. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Yes, the start of the year was a trying period, but He has pulled me through, with many miracles in so many areas in my life. I never even thought i could have made it for the first round of the bio olympiads, but i did! Obviously it was not always about school work, and God opened doors for me to serve in the worship ministry in Uth. I was fearful, inexperienced, new and everything, but a step of faith was all i needed to prove that His strength was made perfect in my weakness. Then came promotional exams. A stressful studying period made me a blessing to so many of my church friends when He inspired a song of praise, which i wrote in 20 minutes while i was studying. The song really expressed by feelings that whatever my grades would be, i would still love Him, as He loved me. He was with me the whole time, and in the end, my grades were more than satisfactory. This was the first time i composed a song, and with another bigger step of faith, i proceeded to compose songs for children's ministry. Now i know the true meaning of the verse, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. With His help, 5 songs were composed. It was during the holidays, and i was working, there were rehearsals, i had homework and i was not coping well with all that i had to do. It simply was the busiest holiday i ever had, and i really wanted to give up, but im glad i did not. Nothing is impossible with God, and children's musical was the biggest blessing to me, to the children and to all those who watched. Thank God for how He raised each and everyone in the musical to be a blessing to the unsaved. Right after the musical was camp. First church camp for me. Was a trying period... tears of frustration, and tears of joy all shed during camp. He showed me so clearly the power and importance of prayer, and how He can answer them in a matter of minutes. Thank God for His amazing work in camp. It was definitely not a coincidence of how He placed various people in various teams, and how He brought many unsaved souls to receive Him. Now, as Christmas approaches, let us remember how God sent his son Jesus to be born to save us from our sins. The true meaning of Christmas is in Jesus' birth. Oh how great are His love, His grace, His sacrifice and His blessings. To God be the glory.

I am so fortunate

Met this boy around the age of 15 diagnosed with tuberos sclerosis which is an autosomal dominant disease that affects many parts of the body. It caused him to have seizures and fits since he was diagnosed at the age of 2, and caused him to have severe mental retardation, autism and many other problems. Some of them included anaemia, gastroentritis, vitamin deficiencies, and they manifested in areas such as the eye, where he underwent operations to correct them. He is now wheelchair bound, and when i met him today, i just felt so much for him. His case is just so sad. It was then that i realised how fortunate i was. I have been piled with a lot of things to do these 2 weeks, and i just felt a quite stressed. But here i was complaining, when this boy was under so much more suffering and pain then i was. I was just so moved by his conditions and how much he had gone through that i muttered a silent prayer for him and his parents. Oh, I thank God for giving me great blessings in my life, and for just helping me to realise that all the stuff that im doing is nothing compared to how He has put that boy through the trials and tribulations. Now, I know Lord. Give me more Lord, to do great and mighty things for Your glory.

I Hear Angels

First heard this song when my friend sent the mp3 to me. Been listening to this over and over again...

Dinner!

Thank God for His guidance during the papers. Amazing how i actually completed them without falling asleep!

After all that, it's time for a nice break.

Went for dinner on wed after the papers, and couldnt eat much...my throat was hurting quite badly. And yes! There are photos again. As some friends who read my blog have mentioned, it is so true that all the photos that are posted on my blog all have the same poses. Maybe its because many of them are 'zhi pai' photos, but I shall upload the more interesting ones soon.

Then went for dinner yesterday with a friends who is leaving for isle soon. Sigh, supposed to restrict what i eat so that it wouldnt aggravate my throat. But..we still went on a food spree. From city link mall to millenia walk and back to city link again, from bakerinz macarroons to donut factory to candy empire to NYNY. Man...was so full after the actual dinner. Now I am labelled the no limit for food buddy by my friend. That is kinda true BUT today the sorethroat became a cough and flu. Oh wells...

Pat wants to run but can't =P

1 more day!

NTU...5 hours...what more can i say? Can't wait for it to be over. All the campbell-ing is making me nuts. Lack of sleep plus a bad sorethroat. Man...

Oh well, I know I cant do this by my own strength and wisdom. I'm failing most of the past year papers. But, I know God will guide me through this. Let me not do this alone, for my glory or for men's, but His.

I am not giving up now! I want to give it my best shot, and leave the rest into His hands. In all life's challenges, it's a battle not among men, but of faith.

We are held by His Love

I'm held by Your love,
upheld by Your strength.
On Your shoulders You bore me,
by Your faith I'll stand.
Cherished by You, Lord,
treasured in Your sight,
so close to Your heart,
held firm in Your hands.

So awesome is Your love,
so mighty is Your hands,
on eagle's wings You carried me,
Your grace shall be my strength.
So perfect is Your love,
You sacrificed Your son.
Amazing Love reached out to me.
With joy to You I come.

Not by my wisdom,
not by my strength.
Gently You guide me, Lord,
lead me by hand.
Total surrender,
Jesus, I am Yours.
Now and forever,
In Christ, I now stand.

Yay recording done!

Thank you mukky and matt for coming down to help out man! Thank you James for wanting to come down to help too. I thank God for mukky and his guitar, and for matt and his singing. And thank God for helping me to come up with that song.

Take my 5 loaves and 2 fishes. I surrender.

Amazing song by Corrinne May.

Cast your cares

Cast your cares on JESUS for
HE cares so much for you.
Things that now concern you heart,
of course concern HIM too.
When we have a worry,
we can choose to let it grow,
or we can place it in HIS hands
and simply let it go.

Yes, I will LET GO AND LET GOD!

Pasta!

Ok, do YOU want to know the reason why Pat has created her blog and email all under the same name of pastatasters? Well, here's the answer...DRUMROLL...Pat simply loves cooking/eating pasta! And today, she decided to put her cooking skills to the test once again, to make the Best Tay's Family pasta that everyone in her family loves too. Penne napolitean/baked penne anyone? Yum!

(Too bad i cut the baked pasta up before realising I should take a picture. It's oozing with cheese...)

Class Dinner/ZK's Bday

A record breaking 17 people turned up for this class outing, which was held right after the oral presentation for OP. Since it was zk's birthday, elaine and i were teasing him that people were just giving him face by turning up for the dinner, and it was mostly because OP was over. Haha, fellow CT rep, i didnt know u were so popular.

Since it was halloween, fish n co at the glasshouse was full of activity, with many of the customers dressing up as freaky characters, which gave them the benefit of a 20% discount. None of us did, but we still received a 10% bday discount thanks to zk. Anyway, he was made to do the very retarded bday routine, which involved standing on a chair.

The fish and chips was scrumptious, as always. Fish n Co's fish and chips are the best. They are juicy, not that fishy and goes well with tartar sauce. Ah, food! Always my favourite, and yeap i managed to finish everything on the plate (not like some ppl, waste food). After the very filling meal, we proceeded to have cake, by the time everyone was too full to really enjoy it. Maybe i have not mentioned this before, but my stomach seems to be segregated into 2 parts, one for meal and the other for dessert. I will never be too full to eat dessert.

The bday boy (who did not come in a bday suit) managed to cut his cake into a perfect 17 slices. Happy belated bday, ZK. Hope you had an enjoyable time, and hope you like the present as well. =)

Camwhoring was part of the entire class dinner as well. I suppose we had a record breaking number of photos taken at a class outing as well, about 70 in total. Class dinner - total success! Yea!