Listening to Celine Dion and R. Kelly - I'm Your Angel

I just want to thank all my well-wishers for a speedy recovery esp mei, Jo, Jae, Steph, En, Shu and "Lurker One".

More or less, my eye has about 80% restored functionality. No worries now, just that looking around is still rather painful. But I have my sight, so that's all that matters. It doesn't matter how many injuries I sustain, as long as I don't lose my sight, that is all that matters. It feels like I'm wearing a piece of hard contact lens on my eye and my left eye just doesn't seem to have the freedom of movement that my right eye has. But nevertheless, I am very thankful.

Likewise in life, I can get hit, beaten down, pushed around, but as long as I don't lose my meaning for living, then everything is well worth it. What is my meaning for living? It is definitely the Lord. Doesn't matter even if I'm a half past six Christian, most important is that I hang on no matter what. Be proven faithful and true in excellence of character. And that can only be realised under circumstances of stress as well as testing.

Its true, though the secular world will never accept my King and chose to interpret the world in a differing perspective, through philosophy, beliefs, personal filter and past experiences. Likewise, I have to always respect that there are two sides to every coin. Differing perspectives to every situation. For this, I can't judge, nor pronounce judgement, but to just see things from the other perspective.

I've realised that many a times in my life, when God has worked a miracle, a work, a promise into my life. Almost every time, I seek to discount it due to "other reasons". I'm not ashamed of such things. Some people chose to say that its "luck" or I'm "lucky". Other would see it as "not possible" or not "probable". Other perhaps just say that "it was destined to be" or that it was "fate". Whatever means that others or I try to interpret circumstances past present and future, I can honestly come to just one conclusion.

Everytime God does a work in our life, ther will ALWAYS be a secular reason to discount it. I could say that I got into ACS in primary 1 because the Vice-Principal was more or less satisfied with my parent's appeal. I could say that I got into ACJC through my own hard work. I could say that CL B came into my world nicely because someone's son couldn't get into JC due to his E8 grade in chinese. I could keep discounting and wither away all the things God has done for me into nothingness. There will be no shortage or reasons to attribute the work that God has done in my life due to other factors.

Well, I did have dengue fever about 3 years ago and it was bad enough to warrant me being warded in hospital. I could say that I got well because I was "lucky". Or that "Western Medicine did its wonders" (although there is no cure for dengue), or say that "The Lord is my healer and by His stripes I am healed". At the end of the day, there will always be a secular alternative to whatever things that are "apparently" spiritual.

Yet at the same time, I believe that there are just too many things that the secular world cannot explain, which can only be clarified if seen from a spiritual perspective. It is strange the "secular-humanism" is recognised as a "religion" under the U.S Supreme Court. How ironic that a "religion" doesn't believe in "religion" indeed! But at the end of the day, perhaps the simple problem lies with just with the "theory of REVELATION".

After all, where did God come from? How do we know about Him? How do we know if Jesus is really who He says He is. On the spiritual perspective, He is the coming King. On the secular, He is just a "Jew who lived 2000 years ago with erronous claims". On the financial perspective "He is failure as he managed to influence many people, but still remained poor". To others, "He is just a prophet", yet some say that "He is still living in the mountains in India". I hope this can illustrate what I wish to explain to others. There will be no shortage of detractors, no shortage of other reasons, no shortage of alternative perspectives for everything spiritual.

But if we go simply by the interpretation of the revelation that the Bible (I chose to call it the Word of God, others, "just a collection of fables and fairy tales"), then either, Christians are just so totally correct, or just so totally wrong. We swing in the balance depending on perspectives of thought and sight. Either Christians really have something called the Way, the Truth and the Life worth dying for, or that Christians are just a bunch of silly fools. Too much intellectual argument usually ends up into mindless shin-kicking competitions that inevitably brings about no good. No wonder we stress tolerance, although everyone seems to prefer to fight as well to settle disputes.

Either there really is a real good God out there who cares very deeply for us. Or maybe we are just an accident in the universe that came about from primodial soup. I was told that the universe expands at 90% the velocity of light. But if the universe really expands, what is it expanding into? Space? Encroaching another dimension? Mirring around to meet another universe.

While there are verses in the Word of God that support modern day views of Astronomy. Yet the interpretation of many "contradictions" and "fallacies" and "failed prophecies" as well as "fulfilled prophecies" and the like confuse and boggle down many Christians today. I've learn simply not to get entangled within the cares of the argument of interpretation of scripture that it just boggles me down. Sometimes, I just don't understand why all the Christians have to keep arguing about whether its a "Post-Trib" or a "Pre-Trib" or Do we need one or two baptisms or do we need spiritual gifts and stuff. No doubt they are important to take note of, but not so important that they hinder our growth as Christians.

Rev. Charles once told me flatly. "The gospel is very simple, it just takes man to mess it up beyond what we can comprehend". What is Christianity all about? It actually isn't a religion. Its a RELATIONSHIP. Just a Good and Loving Almighty God who wants to relate with His creation and spend eternity together with us. Then suddenly, all the religious debates, all the legalism, all the licenciousness just seems to fade into oblivion when we realise that all God wants with us is to relate to Him and He will work his change in us. I know that I am the Christian that I want to be yet. But compared with my life a few years ago, I can say with certainty that I'm a much better person.

And that God changed me into a better person. Or could I say that "i just grew up" and "became more matured by my ownself and own experiences". You decide. Some grown men still behave like kids. Many of the character changes in my life are wrought only because of the Lord. That is what I subscribe to, although it might sound ludicrious to other people. But simply to me. Jesus is who He really claims to be. To others that discount Him, I respect their veiws. To each his own. Although it would be nice if others didn't go around with a hot brand to poke me about my faith. At least I comfort myself in the fact that it correlates with scripture that "in the world you WILL have tribulation".

And then some cult hijacks it and quotes it that "because we are being persecuted! You must hang on! We are the true religion!". But like I said it before and I'll say it again. It is really not for me to judge. Just to respect other people's views and perspectives and to be in their shoes. Perhaps clarify it with my own beliefs and perspectives, either to reject it, or use it to strengthen my own beliefs. But at the end of the day, I chose to rest on the foundation. Its a relationship. Notice that Jesus never had any kind words for all the religious authorities of His day? How interesting indeed!

As much as I avoid debate and clearly chose not to indulge in all politics and denominational fighting. I do make it a point to accept the "full and whole counsel of God" and I bank really clearly on all the essential beliefs like Salvation, Faith, Grace, etc. The "Non-Essentials" are left for open flexibility. I limiit my faith so as to not be a stumbling block unto others. Its that simple.

As I am certainly not a very intellectual person, I don't necessarily indulge in deep complex facts and figures historical debates. I do love to learn and crave knowledge, yet with the full understanding that "knowledge puffeth up". So as much as I learn and understand, I do make it a point to be more loving and open (as unloving as I might be) always loving towards others who have different views on my beliefs. So with more love and knowledge, don't we all get tolerance, which is the "ideal" that everyone seeks?

Views and Thoughts and Perspectives

The Love of Money is the root of all evil? I think writer, you have misquoted the Word of God.

"For the love of money is the root of all evil.." 1 Tim 6:10.

There is the word "love" there. There is really nothing wrong with having plenty of money. Money is simply a tool that amplifies the desires of our hearts. Sometimes, I feel that I ought not be wealthy, less the wealth corrupt me, my thoughts, behavior and character. I have seen it happen right before my eyes, how money can really transform and change a person so suddenly. Which is why I often pray to God asking that I will never love money. If money is evil. Then erm, I think ACS is evil too. Everyone is so wealthy and rich.

My purpose for money? To contribute to charity, to bless my friends and members of God's family, to give to the poor, to bring the best possible medical treatment to my family membes and loved ones if they fall sick. To give to missions work, to give to churches. Perhaps go on exotic holidays, live in a nice house and drive a nice car? I am not motivated by greed for money in order to earn it. I am motivated primarily by the love I can further show others if I had more cash in my bank account. To me, love and family is my greatest motivating factors. Along with the promise that God will Provide and that the Lord seeks to bless His children. I find no wrong in money.

Aunty Ros

For starters, I cannot being to describe how this one person has changed my life, turned it around, navigate past hazards in my life, given me much insight and wisdom and understanding, taught me an incredible deal about God. She is someone whom I look up to, respect and revere. I can safely say, without her and Rev. Charles, I will not be the person who I am today. I would have crashed in my faith a long long time ago and have become bitter and cold towards God.

Aunty Ros is a Christian Ministry Worker (CMW) at ACJC. She counsells the students and provides much spiritual support and guidance whist being a direct outreach social worker to ex-drug addicts recovering in halfway houses as well as former prison inmates. She is one person who really lives her life for God. Her character is absolutely fantastic. She has tremendous virtue as well as faith in God.

She is a prayer warrior, a person who truly worships God in Spirit and Truth, very spiritual and very sensitive to the Holy Spirit. She has this incredible ability to love people, something that I truly admire and desire, not just love, but to care for them and build them up. She is just so devoted to God that sometimes I feel that I really lag behind just too far a distance.

Highly respected in the Methodist Church, many pastors know her by name and in person. She has been instrumental in many Christian Camps in the ACS Schools, MGS, Fairfield and Geylang Methodist. Many a times, she works hand in hand with many Methodist pastors, I can safely say that a vast majority of the TRAC group of Methodist Churches as well as Scripture Union Pastors/Leaders know her personally.

My former Christian Ministry Worker at Barker, Ms Florence Chang (She is now at FMSS) once said this about her, "She is very annointed by God". She has incredible fire and passion for the lost. Many a times, she would tell me about the visions that God has been giving to her about the future of ACS. Many a times she has prophesized in front of a few of us openly. I will never ever forget the time immediately after the JAE results were released in 2002.

She told me simply that there was about 400 people appealing to stay in or get into ACJC. Another testament to show how the pricipal respects her wisdom (The principal had asked her how would she have to turn down so many people). Then suddenly, she just told us that God had given her a Word. She said that "although 400 of them cannot come into ACJC, every one of them will enter the Kingdom of God". And we are like so stunned. A "wow!" just seems so inappropriate.

I can testify that she is a person who I always want to be like. When I see her, I can see Jesus in her life just so tangibly. I could share very much more, but most of it will remain private since they are just too personal. How then, can I not listen to her? How then can I not respect her views and opinions? Its hard to put everything down in words as sometimes, words just cannot express a person like her. It is like transposing a 3D object into 2D. Much of it is just lost. But for those who know her, will probably understand what I am trying to say here.

Of course I have to listen to her. She is very wise in the things of the Lord. And I am so sure that many many people can testify about this.