The Shack by William P.Young is one fiction I would recommend you to read.
It is more than a book. It has the ability to heal your broken heart especially if you have just lost a loved one and struggled with your Christian faith in loving & trusting God in your life. Undoubtedly, it answers & deals with boldness on huge issues at the most personal level. God, Jesus and the Holy spirit is personified and The Trinity is amazingly portrayed outside of the typical stereotype.
Quite frankly, I never realise how much inner healing I needed until I read this book. It was left sitting on the bookshelf after Josh read & raved about it. I was deliberately avoiding to read it because I knew deep in my spirit that God will (& HE has) speak to my heart through The Shack. Finally I mustered enough courage to bring the book along in my last business trip & I never regretted. With tears in my eyes, throbbing pain in my heart & most of all a deeper longing yearn for the Lord's presence....I completed the book within a short span of 4hrs.
Missy reminded me of Seth. A son whom I lost while he is only 10 wk old when i mis-carried in 2006. I knew he is a boy because the Lord revealed that to me when I was wheeled into the surgery room. It was there where he waved goodbye & smiled, that shattered my heart. 1.5yrs later, God graciously blessed me with Nadine who is a healthy 16mth old girl today. Nonetheless, Seth will always be Nadine's elder brother, my son & a precious child of God. After reading The Shack, I am once again assured that Seth is with Jesus & there he is, well loved, protected & blessed in the presence of God.
God's love is unconditional. Honestly, I am not sure if I will ever comprehend the depth of His love for me in my lifetime. Especially when tragedy strike, the first reaction is to doubt & be angry but It takes a deep relationship with Papa to develop that innermost trust & faith to trust that regardless of what happens in life...the good, bad and ugly, God still care, He still love & He has a purpose for everything.
Read The Shack to renew your love & rekindle that relationship with the Lord. Apart from Him you can do nothing and you ain't anything but with Him, you can be assured that He never leaves or forsake us...not even when He seemed to be far away because He is not. Take that path of faith & trust God to restore you again as He always does, faithfully
Friday, April 10, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
By Max Lucado
What a statement of trust! Whatever you want me to have is all I want. Some days the plate runs over.
God keeps bringing out more food and we keep loosening our belt. A promotion. A privilege. A friendship. A gift. A lifetime of grace. An eternity of joy. There are times when we literally push ourselves back from the table, amazed at God's kindness. "You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup fills with blessing" (Ps. 23:5 MSG).
And then there are those days when, well, when we have to eat our broccoli. Our daily bread could be tears or sorrow or discipline. Our portion may include adversity as well as opportunity.This verse was on my mind last night during family devotions. I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables and some Oreo cookies.
"Every day," I explained, "God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?"The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren't they? Some days are "three cookie days." Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables--twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn't it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all. Vegetables, which are healthy but dull. Fruit, which tastes better and we enjoy. And even an Oreo, which does little for our nutrition, but a lot for our attitude.All are important and all are from God. The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did.
In the garden of Gethsemane his Father handed him a cup of suffering so sour, so vile, that Jesus handed it back to heaven. "My Father," he prayed, "if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matt. 26:39).
Even Jesus was given a portion he found hard to swallow. But with God's help, he did.
And with God's help, you can too.
What a statement of trust! Whatever you want me to have is all I want. Some days the plate runs over.
God keeps bringing out more food and we keep loosening our belt. A promotion. A privilege. A friendship. A gift. A lifetime of grace. An eternity of joy. There are times when we literally push ourselves back from the table, amazed at God's kindness. "You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup fills with blessing" (Ps. 23:5 MSG).
And then there are those days when, well, when we have to eat our broccoli. Our daily bread could be tears or sorrow or discipline. Our portion may include adversity as well as opportunity.This verse was on my mind last night during family devotions. I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables and some Oreo cookies.
"Every day," I explained, "God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?"The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren't they? Some days are "three cookie days." Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables--twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn't it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all. Vegetables, which are healthy but dull. Fruit, which tastes better and we enjoy. And even an Oreo, which does little for our nutrition, but a lot for our attitude.All are important and all are from God. The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did.
In the garden of Gethsemane his Father handed him a cup of suffering so sour, so vile, that Jesus handed it back to heaven. "My Father," he prayed, "if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matt. 26:39).
Even Jesus was given a portion he found hard to swallow. But with God's help, he did.
And with God's help, you can too.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Norman & Evelyn
I don't exactly remember the exact year when I was first introduced to Norman and Eve whom he passionately introduced as his girlfriend when Joshua and I asked if they were married. Both of them share this telepathy and love so intimately and at that point (perhaps in 1999-2000), they would have you fooled into believing that they have been together for years. Truth is, they have known each other since secondary school days way back in pasir ris secondary and they have been together since. Childhood friends since school days who eventually got married and stay married. Coming from a society where BGRelationships were taken lightly, I was really impressed and perhaps skeptical at that point almost 10yrs ago now if this relationship was for real...and it sure is with this couple who is none other than Norman Ang & Evelyn Wang.
Norman & Eve was my first couple I had in my cell group when I started serving God as a cell leader in City Harvest church. They were my first couple & when all the others were much younger ones like Yuanqin, Daphne, Lianshu, Shirley Pang whom were born in the 80's. Norman, Eve & I were the 70's people. In fact, we are all born in 1974. We are peers and friends. Quite honestly, I was really intimated when I first met Norman. He was at least 2 heads taller than me. I am guessing that he is at least 1.82 while i am barely 1.6m. He has this very non-chalant look on his face, almost like a smug look which i could not handle at the very beginning. When I realised he was serving the army as a captain (at that point), perhaps that military status does scare me a little...haha. Being an inexperienced cell leader, I do not know how I can relate much less, lead this man who happens to also be my age. However God has His ways, doesn't He.
I don't remember talking a lot to Norman. He is a man of very few words. He does not express himself a lot but boy, when he is in his "talking mood", he gets really chatty and at times, you can be so blown away by his words and animation. He is not flamboyant with his actions, words, dressing and mannerism. He is known for his simplicity and practical living. I always remember Norman to be a T-shirt and shorts man, wearing flip flops, his "bright yellow banana" slippers. He loved that pair of flip flop and you will almost see him in that attire whenever he gets a chance to be off his uniform and in his relaxed mode.
The first cell group meeting he attended was at my Tampines home. It was my first time leading a cell group meeting that Friday evening and I remembered I was nervous when I came back from work preparing to run through the praise & worship songs with the guitarist that evening. I make sure I drank enough water, had a light dinner, memorised all my songs (even prayers...yeah!) and be seated to start the meeting on time. Just when the clock strike 8pm, and I told everybody to "turn to your neighbours to tell them I am so happy you are here this evening", there was a knock on the door and when Joel opened the door, it was Eve & NORMAN! We were not expecting them to attend, I wasn't because Norman told me that he was busy that week & Evelyn told me that they are most likely unable to attend if Norman is busy at work. In short, I was not expecting them to turn-up! But here they are. I was so thrilled because I never know they would even want to consider coming. Look here is the background : both of them have been attending CHC for a whole 1 year on their own without being connected to any cell group. YET, they attend the weekened services faithfully week after week, month after month...for a year before Joshua chanced upon them both at the balcony area up at Hollywood theatre. When Joshua asked if Norman would consider attending cell group, the answer he gave was simply "huh cell group ah...no need lah, no time leh" Just the thoughts of those words brings back so much memories, looking back. That was just so his style. Now, to cut the long story short they came that 1 time and there was no turning back. Norman & Evelyn became the pillar of E154. The first generation E154.
At that point where 70% of the make-up was students in their late teens, they were our first couple. The most stable couple whom I reference to all the time when i counsel any members on BGR issues, young adults with early career entry challenges, marketplace issues etc...At the age of 27 then, Norman has a stable (or should i say...GOOD!) career, a stable character, a stable relationship and a stable spiritual walk with God. He is (still is) the role model in the cell group. Evelyn was a lady of very few words and you could almost detect an admirable loving look on her face whenever the couple exchange words. They were such a sweet couple. They are so ever faithful in the house of God. Whenever there is a need for PA, physical arrangement, Norman will always volunteer himself. I'd the honor to plan and organise their wedding. It was my first time running the whole wedding show on my own and there were many glitches that day but the couple was once again ever gracious. They see nothing of that, only the prefection of every detail. Only I, God and perhaps Pst Tan knew what went wrong. Until today, I could still remember! And on the very same day at his wedding, when Pst Tan asked him to join the security ministry to serve God, he did exactly that right after his wedding. No need for persuasion or further consideration.
Norman & Eve was my first couple I had in my cell group when I started serving God as a cell leader in City Harvest church. They were my first couple & when all the others were much younger ones like Yuanqin, Daphne, Lianshu, Shirley Pang whom were born in the 80's. Norman, Eve & I were the 70's people. In fact, we are all born in 1974. We are peers and friends. Quite honestly, I was really intimated when I first met Norman. He was at least 2 heads taller than me. I am guessing that he is at least 1.82 while i am barely 1.6m. He has this very non-chalant look on his face, almost like a smug look which i could not handle at the very beginning. When I realised he was serving the army as a captain (at that point), perhaps that military status does scare me a little...haha. Being an inexperienced cell leader, I do not know how I can relate much less, lead this man who happens to also be my age. However God has His ways, doesn't He.
I don't remember talking a lot to Norman. He is a man of very few words. He does not express himself a lot but boy, when he is in his "talking mood", he gets really chatty and at times, you can be so blown away by his words and animation. He is not flamboyant with his actions, words, dressing and mannerism. He is known for his simplicity and practical living. I always remember Norman to be a T-shirt and shorts man, wearing flip flops, his "bright yellow banana" slippers. He loved that pair of flip flop and you will almost see him in that attire whenever he gets a chance to be off his uniform and in his relaxed mode.
The first cell group meeting he attended was at my Tampines home. It was my first time leading a cell group meeting that Friday evening and I remembered I was nervous when I came back from work preparing to run through the praise & worship songs with the guitarist that evening. I make sure I drank enough water, had a light dinner, memorised all my songs (even prayers...yeah!) and be seated to start the meeting on time. Just when the clock strike 8pm, and I told everybody to "turn to your neighbours to tell them I am so happy you are here this evening", there was a knock on the door and when Joel opened the door, it was Eve & NORMAN! We were not expecting them to attend, I wasn't because Norman told me that he was busy that week & Evelyn told me that they are most likely unable to attend if Norman is busy at work. In short, I was not expecting them to turn-up! But here they are. I was so thrilled because I never know they would even want to consider coming. Look here is the background : both of them have been attending CHC for a whole 1 year on their own without being connected to any cell group. YET, they attend the weekened services faithfully week after week, month after month...for a year before Joshua chanced upon them both at the balcony area up at Hollywood theatre. When Joshua asked if Norman would consider attending cell group, the answer he gave was simply "huh cell group ah...no need lah, no time leh" Just the thoughts of those words brings back so much memories, looking back. That was just so his style. Now, to cut the long story short they came that 1 time and there was no turning back. Norman & Evelyn became the pillar of E154. The first generation E154.
At that point where 70% of the make-up was students in their late teens, they were our first couple. The most stable couple whom I reference to all the time when i counsel any members on BGR issues, young adults with early career entry challenges, marketplace issues etc...At the age of 27 then, Norman has a stable (or should i say...GOOD!) career, a stable character, a stable relationship and a stable spiritual walk with God. He is (still is) the role model in the cell group. Evelyn was a lady of very few words and you could almost detect an admirable loving look on her face whenever the couple exchange words. They were such a sweet couple. They are so ever faithful in the house of God. Whenever there is a need for PA, physical arrangement, Norman will always volunteer himself. I'd the honor to plan and organise their wedding. It was my first time running the whole wedding show on my own and there were many glitches that day but the couple was once again ever gracious. They see nothing of that, only the prefection of every detail. Only I, God and perhaps Pst Tan knew what went wrong. Until today, I could still remember! And on the very same day at his wedding, when Pst Tan asked him to join the security ministry to serve God, he did exactly that right after his wedding. No need for persuasion or further consideration.
Now, barely 7mths into being integrated into the cell group came the first church arise & build campaign. They amazed me with their love for God and their generosity. In that same year, they were also in the midst of preparing for their wedding of which I was their wedding coordinator. Yet despite it all, they pledged an amount combined amounting to a 5-digit figure. To me, that tells me how much they love God and His house as they pledged towards this act of sacrifice giving.
Very quickly, E154 grew and it was multiplication time. I had to part with Norman & Evelyn after much delibration to "give" (for a lack of better words) them away to the other group. It was a hard decision as I thought the "giveaway" would mean a diluted relationship but I was totally wrong. Josh & I remained very much in contact with Eve & Norman through emails, msn and occasionally sms...very much through Eve but Norman remained very close to our hearts. In mid 2007 when Norman visited Beijing for work, we even had dinner with him and really enjoyed that fellowship after a good 8 yrs. For me & josh, that was perhaps the best fellowship we'd with him.
In mid Oct 2008 when we received news that Norman was unwell, we dismissed it quickly as something really minor and unimportant only to realise very quickly from Eve the severity of the disease. Despite it all, we remained extremely positive and full of faith trusting God for His healing and intervention. In less than 2 months, we lost Norman to cancer but we knew in our hearts that God's healing upon his life is not in time & space physically here on this earth but it is in eternity.
Larry Keefauver said this in his book "When God doesn't heal now" that what is important is not the physical healing but the spiritual healing - that is our salvation. Our salvation, being secured in heaven with Christ is of utmost importance. We can continue to walk in faith when we are in suffering, in pain and even unto death. When I read that, my initial discouragement was dispelled. Surely it takes a person who is spiritual to be able to "accept" this. For an unbeliever who does not understand the character of God, he will scoff it off and say what use will it be if death is the ultimate answer to a disease. BUT a christian, a believer, a child of God who knows God personally, heart to heart can comprehend that. For the physical death is temporal, what is eternal is our salvation, our destiny in christ. For God so love the world that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Christians live thereafter, in eternity with CHrist. We will rule and reign with Jesus into eternity and that is what matters most. Naturally, we grieve for Norman's loss when he left us. I cried bitterly and I truly miss him but I know in my deepest knowing that I'll see him again in heaven. That visitation at Changi Rise on 7Dec 2008 before heading to the airport is surely not my last meeting with him. I will see him again. With that, I felt absolute peace and hope in my heart.
To Ashley and Megan, your dad is a great man. He is a true Christian, a living testimony of a good finisher and a victor in Christ. He remained steadfast until the very end. Your dad never doubted God's ability to heal, never doubted God's timing, His character, never became bitter, never gave up, never let go of his faith. In obedience, he undergone the waters of baptism because again, he chose to love God and believe God for his healing. If I am allowed to assume, your dad trusted God till the end. He trusted God before, during his battle and now unto eternity, he has entrusted your mom, his lovely wife and you both, his 2 wonderful girls, unto the hands of the Almighty God. You will come to experience Fatherly love from the Heavenly Father God Himself as your dad watches at the right hand of God. Though he may have gone ahead of us but in the spirit, he will continue to live in your hearts just as he will in ours.
Both Josh & I are honored and priviledged to have known Norman & Eve in our lives. It was a divine setup way back in Hollywood when God wired us together so intricately.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
5 days apart...another 3 more days before i see my Nadine darling
2 days of meeting in Melbourne ended today. Caught up with Celine but didn't have a chance to get hold of Rio..busy woman with all her social commitments.
I've been on the road, travelling on red-eyed trying to squeeze in time to down load my emails unsuccessfully with the failed VPN connection plus preparation for the presentation and all since last friday and strangely I do not feel exhausted.
Since arrival on Monday, I've been on the streets of Melbourne just browsing and window shopping. Latte here is the bestest in the world. Unbelievably smooth & just the right amount of coffee bitterness and the freshness of milk. You won't believe I drank 1.5litres of milk (almost gulping down just like water) in a day. I just LOVE the freshness of dairy and food here in aussie, can't never get enough of it.
The last time I visited melbourne was when Nadine was still in my tummy! Today she is almost 9mth old. Amazing how time flies and each time when i recall my experience as a mother, i am simply thankful. Here are some photos of my girl...don't you just adore her!! In my most bias opinion, she is the most adorable baby in the universe, just look at those black eyes and the round chubby face, undoubtedly the daughter of Joshua Lim!
Tried to do some shopping for working clothes and shoes since I was back in SG briefly but was definitely put off by the crowds at the mall down orchard road. Shopping is so tiring and I never appreciate how it can be therapeutic for the majority.
Tried to do some shopping for working clothes and shoes since I was back in SG briefly but was definitely put off by the crowds at the mall down orchard road. Shopping is so tiring and I never appreciate how it can be therapeutic for the majority.
Latrobe street, Findlers St, Richmond, St Kilda, Londale St, Southbank, Yarra Valley, Melbourne will always hold a special place in my heart.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Check out more photos of Nadine at Facebook!
To all Nadine's avid fans out there, go to Facebook for more photos of Nadine!!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Moving On
Increasingly, my motivation decreases at the workplace.
Don't get me wrong, I really don't think I am citing myself up to be a housewife especially now that Nadine is born. I guess I am running out of inspiration to remain excited in my current role. A matrix organisation does not help especially when you are the only person based in the local office managing such a huge project initiative. Forgotten and neglected are thoughts that run through my mind each day as I battled with unclear instructions, lack of directions and leadership in my scope of work. If you are reading this now and you probably would realise I need a fresh leash of motivation and lots of light to be shed on my path before I get refreshed once again. It is not all that gloom and doom. I just need to be able to cite myself up to know that these are all but organisational behaviours that are common in all enterprise, just the magnitude could be different elsewhere. Interestingly my desire to be be an entreprenuer was rekindled just couple of days ago when josh and I were talking about spreading our options elsewhere. I should really consider that seriously.
Perhaps, it is time to move on.
I am reminding myself : "I am the light of the world and the salt of the earth, so I believe I can make a difference wherever I am planted. " Until such time when the Lord tells me to go, I will be faithful. I just need lots of grace, endurance and motivation.
Don't get me wrong, I really don't think I am citing myself up to be a housewife especially now that Nadine is born. I guess I am running out of inspiration to remain excited in my current role. A matrix organisation does not help especially when you are the only person based in the local office managing such a huge project initiative. Forgotten and neglected are thoughts that run through my mind each day as I battled with unclear instructions, lack of directions and leadership in my scope of work. If you are reading this now and you probably would realise I need a fresh leash of motivation and lots of light to be shed on my path before I get refreshed once again. It is not all that gloom and doom. I just need to be able to cite myself up to know that these are all but organisational behaviours that are common in all enterprise, just the magnitude could be different elsewhere. Interestingly my desire to be be an entreprenuer was rekindled just couple of days ago when josh and I were talking about spreading our options elsewhere. I should really consider that seriously.
Perhaps, it is time to move on.
I am reminding myself : "I am the light of the world and the salt of the earth, so I believe I can make a difference wherever I am planted. " Until such time when the Lord tells me to go, I will be faithful. I just need lots of grace, endurance and motivation.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Star River
Supervising my ayi in the cleaning process while I work. Decided to steal some time to just jott down some thoughts.
Nice place 240sq-m in usable space : 3 bedrooms with 2 attached bathrooms, 1 study and 2 external bathrooms and 1 small ayi's room which i am using it more like a utility room. Very functional kitchen and dinning area. Cosy reading area by the balcony for evening reads and weekend lazing. Living room is spacious and already i've ideas to utilise the space. My only small complain are those chandeliers up in the ceiling, against the walls (miniature size) and everywhere...just far too many of them!!
The TVs and dryer will come in tomorrow. Probably will hop by again before i head on to the airport to pick up Josh's mom at 3pm. Just to oversee and ensure all is good. Well, landlord's secretary will be here anyhow to supervise. Yes! Shoe covers for delivery men is a must. My floor is already sparkling clean!
The apartment faces north so there is literally zero sun in the house. Given that now is approaching summer and the apartment is feeling chilly....we will all freeze during winter! Well, there is always the heating system, so all is good.
Nice place 240sq-m in usable space : 3 bedrooms with 2 attached bathrooms, 1 study and 2 external bathrooms and 1 small ayi's room which i am using it more like a utility room. Very functional kitchen and dinning area. Cosy reading area by the balcony for evening reads and weekend lazing. Living room is spacious and already i've ideas to utilise the space. My only small complain are those chandeliers up in the ceiling, against the walls (miniature size) and everywhere...just far too many of them!!
The TVs and dryer will come in tomorrow. Probably will hop by again before i head on to the airport to pick up Josh's mom at 3pm. Just to oversee and ensure all is good. Well, landlord's secretary will be here anyhow to supervise. Yes! Shoe covers for delivery men is a must. My floor is already sparkling clean!
The apartment faces north so there is literally zero sun in the house. Given that now is approaching summer and the apartment is feeling chilly....we will all freeze during winter! Well, there is always the heating system, so all is good.
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