A Reflection On Leadership

I can only be your leader if you allow me to influence your life. In my few years in church, I have worked with and observed many leaders. So many have come and gone. I've learnt that at the end of the day, it's really not about the 'L' behind your appointment. I will not consider myself your leader if I have been appointed whatever 'L' over you but have not gained the permission to speak into your life. CL, UL, SDL, DL, RL, GL, DHL, who cares? Rather, it's about the influence you have over another person that is important. How you gain that influence is a different story. If however, you decide to step up to the challenge to lead another person, you would have to do whatever it takes to win that influence, that open door to another person's life for you to enter. Sometimes, we can lose that ticket. In such circumstances, we have to ask for grace and patience with our weaknesses from our followers and start to work at it. It will take time, but in this time whether the door is still open or not depends equally on the leader as well as the follower. At the end of the day, a shepherd should always remember that influence is merely a vehicle to lead people to God and that it requires a selfless love for people to keep giving. Unless a kernal of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remain only a single seed. I honour all you who have been giving of yourself faithfully to people, many times denying your own rights, your right to be loved, your right to be heard, your right to be understood, so that someone else can be loved, heard and understood. He who never sleeps nor slumbers is not blind and will not forget all you have willingly and lovingly given.

ROAR!!! (don't make me eat you alive)

Carnivore's a crazy place. My advice to gals is dun even bother visiting the restaurant unless you have not eaten in years. The meat just keeps coming. Justin, Seng, Gerald, Hen and I ate so much yesterday we could hardly walk. Trying to eat your 45 bux worth is almost impossible. We ate all kinds of roasted stuff. Lamb, beef, pork, chicken, fish and even roasted pineapples. For each kind of meat, they had different parts of the animal. It's quite crazy I tell you. I must admit, all of the meat served was very nice. I particularly liked the lamb. The beef steak was good too. And the fish, and everything la... I've heard about it many times from many people, so I decided to give it a try since I had ang pao money. I doubt I will go back in the near future. It's quite a nightmare, the amount of meat they serve. Porridge for now...(makes me feel less guilty)

Elusive Jesus

Matthew 14

An interesting side of Jesus.

Matthew 14:1-12 describes why John the baptist was beheaded. Then, in verse 13, it says:"When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place." In verses 22-23, "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray."

I wonder what Jesus was feeling. He seems to be trying to take time out. He comes across as tender hearted. Amidst all these, He still took time to heal the sick.

hehehe

Lelong lelong!!!

When we think we know better...

From a book I've been reading:

"Disobedience dishonours God. When we choose to rebel against His commands, our actions say that He doesn't know what He's talking about, that His Word is outdated, and that He isn't trustworthy. But when we say yes to God in our relationships-even in the small areas-we bring Him glory. Our actions say that His commands are good and that He deserves to be obeyed."

Familiar Faces

Celebrated Joyce's birthday today at her place. Saw her graduation photo. Can't help but be reminded of Mona Lisa.

WHAT!?

I went to buy something from Unity pharmacy with my brother yesterday after lunch at Eastpoint. As we were paying up, I read the name tag of the cashier and nudged my brother. The name tag read: Michael Angelo. My brother burst but tried to hide it.

At the wake, I overheard a conversation between my uncles. It caught my attention as I sat there staring into space. They talked about how it was good that granny was taken away and not fall into a coma and continue to suffer. I agreed with them, however the tone in which he said it struck me. He said, "We all have to go anyway". It struck me because he talked about life as a trivial matter. As if there was little meaning in life anyway. It was strange because before me stood a man who was a very successful and well-esteemed business man. He seemed to have everything one would covet.

Jesus said, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The Crash From Within

I've been reading The Winning Attitude, a book written by John C. Maxwell. It was given to me by Tony on my birthday last year. He told me this was one of the few books that changed his life. Here are a few quotable quotes from Chapter 9, The Crash Within-The Fear Of Failure

There is no security on this earth. There is only opportunity. -Douglas MacArthur (don't ask me who he is)

Accepting failure in the positive sense becomes effective when you believe that the right to fail is as important as the right to succeed. -John C. Maxwell

It is impossible to succeed without suffering. If you are successful and have not suffered, someone has suffered for you and if you are suffering without succeeding, perhaps someone may succeed after you. But there is not success without suffering. -John C. Maxwell

But risk must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, grow, feel, change, love, live. Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave, he has forfeited freedom. -John C. Maxwell

Attitude is the determining factor of whether our failures make or break us. -John C. Maxwell

Recently, I've been wondering how powerful it'd be if I could just get past the fear of disappointment. I'd dare to try new things. It'd open up a whole new world of opportunities.

When It Looks Like I have Failed

Lord, are You trying to tell me something?
For...

Failure does not mean I'm a failure;
It does mean I have not yet succeeded.

Failure does not mean I have accomplished nothing;
It does mean I have learned something.

Failure does not mean I have been a fool;
It does mean I had enough faith to experiment.

Failure does not mean I've been disgraced;
It does mean I dared to try.

Failure does not mean I don't have it;
It does mean I have to do something in a different way.

Failure does not mean I am inferior;
It does mean I am not perfect.

Failure does not mean I should give up;
It does mean I must try harder.

Failure does not mean I'll never make it;
It does mean I need more patience.

Failure does not mean You have abandoned me;
It does mean You must have a better idea. Amen

Acts Of Righteousness

In the first half of Matthew 6, Jesus talks about giving, fasting and prayer. Activities that can cause us to display or give a certain impression about ourselves. Many times we are very concerned about our external appearance, how we may come across to people. Though this is important, it can sometimes mask the true self and its desires which is deep within. At the end of the day, God looks at our heart and its desires. So, are my "Acts of Righteousness" really an accurate reflection of a genuine desire to please God within? Forget about the acts for a while, and invite the Holy Spirit to evaluate the heart. Let there be integrity.

TWAM Worship Night

TWAM worship night was awesome. Long time never lead like that... I'm glad to hear the testimonies. "Just like the good 'ol days" uttered one brother after the session. Thank you Holy Spirit, for fellowshipping with us, renewing and re-strengthening us. Your Word never fails to encourage me. Thank You.

Latest Accomplishment

MONGSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy now, suffer later.

The Giver And The Gift

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

To understand the intention of the gift, you need to go to the giver. It's hard to imagine a gift without a card or any trace to it's giver. What do you do with it? What occasion calls for such a gift? Will you still use it without knowing the giver's intention or who the giver is?

Robbing God

“I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-the whole nation of you-because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

Christmas '06

Market value down to 50%. Looks like a mouse doesn't he? So cute.

Wa Seh, wee u wits, Eugenes Armani Model. Market Value up 100%.

Ooo, Nice Pic!

Ghost Buster in the Toilet. This is such a precious pic :) Why am I holding a toilet roll?

Jesus

The song that captured my heart again this christmas. Jesus, my beautiful Savior. I adore You. Be exalted.

Beautiful Savior
Planet Shakers

Jesus, Beautiful Savior
God Of All Majesty, Risen King
Lamb Of God, Holy And Righteous
Blessed Redeemer, Bright Morning Star
All The Heavens Shout Your Praise
All Creation Bows To Worship You

How Wonderful
How Beautiful
Name Above Every Name
Exalted High
How Wonderful
How Beautiful
Jesus Your Name
Name Above Every Name Jesus

I Will Sing Forever
Jesus I love You
Jesus I love You
I Will Sing Forever

Jesus Beautiful Saviour



One thing I was reminded of this christmas. We should not lose sight of the supernatural.

The Joy Of Giving

In 2003, Oprah spent an entire year preparing for a filming to be done in South Africa. This episode was about Christmas. She wanted to let the children of Africa experience the joy of Christmas by holding huge celebrations where gifts were given to the children with each of their names printed on the boxes. The gifts were unique to each one as she wanted every single one of them to feel special. At the celebration there were game stations where the children could temporarily forget their troubles and BE children for once. You see, many of these children are ophans because their parents died of AIDS, which is hitting South Africa like a plague now. Many of them have to take care of sickly parents suffering from AIDS or other diseases. At each station, the staff were equipped with polaroid cameras to take polaroids of the child beside a christmas tree. She said something that stirred something within me. "For many of these children, this is the first picture ever taken of them."

You could see the joy on their faces. This little gal, whose mom passed away few months after she was conceived and was handed over to her grandma to be taken care of, could not smile because of all the trauma she had gone through. When Oprah gave her a pair of new shoes and fitted them in for her, she just let out a very natural smile. It's so nice to be able to give someone hope. It produces joy that's unspeakable. I want to experience the joy of giving. I don't need to be a millionaire to give. What have I to give then? Give me wisdom and show me how.

:)

RT Saga

About 2 months back, I was asked to report to CMPB for not taking my IPPT. It is an offence to not take IPPT. I did not take IPPT seriously as my brother has ORDed for a few years now without MINDEF calling him up. I tried the stunt as well. Didn’t train, didn’t take. After I reported to CMPB, I was asked to attend remedial training (RT). I didn’t think much of it at first cos I wanted to focus on my exams.

After exams and my holiday to Bangkok, I returned with a certain SIAN-ness… RT. Twice a week. Tuesdays 6pm, Sundays 8am. It certainly interrupted a lot of the things I wanted to do. Inconvenience is an understatement. I looked forward to the test at the end of phase 1 and thought to myself ok, just treat this as training for my own fitness. I hoped to clear the test so that I wouldn’t have to proceed to phase 2.

I failed the test at the end of phase 1 with a certain sense of disappointment. Phase 2, thrice a week. Tuesday 6pm, Thursday 6pm, Sunday 8am. Now, it really got on my nerves. It was so inconvenient. I tried to make the best of it, making new friends, taking training very seriously. I hoped to clear the first disruption test somewhere in the middle of phase 2.

Today was the test. I didn’t really have high hopes to pass as my arms were still a little tired. Just went up to the bar and tried. To my surprise, my training and personal chin up bar paid off. I managed to do 6. I was so happy. When I dismounted, I said YES! with a indescribable sense of relief. The rest of the stations were not a problem so I got a pass for this IPPT.

As I walked out of Bedok camp, a few scenes flashed across my mind. As I tried to link my thoughts together, I’ve learnt the lesson of the importance of hope.

Passing IPPT after 2 months of training really made me very happy. I felt ashamed at first to not be able to pass. But hope kept me going on. (Other than, of course, the possibility of being charged and thrown into DB for not taking RT)

Hope is very important. Hope makes all the difference. As I finished my 2.4km run, we waited for the entire detail to finish. The last guy was obese. He tried very hard, at least, he didn’t stop. We all clapped for him. At the bus stop, I really felt a sense of pity for those who failed. Some of them really gave their best. The look on that obese guy’s face made my heart sink. The feeling of spending all you have, feeling so tired and still failing the test really sucks. He looked extremely disappointed, and so did many other familiar faces at the bus stop. I heard some of them saying: ”At least there’s not much of phase 2 left”. Sometimes consolation is also a form of hope. Something to look forward to. In this case, the end of RT. The end of inconvenience. I can absolutely understand, though not identify with that particular obese guy. It must feel very cumbersome to have to leave the workplace at 5pm to attend RT. Perhaps he had work to finish. Perhaps his boss was not happy with having to release him early, thus not being able to finish his work. Perhaps his colleagues look at him differently. Perhaps he left feeling like a failure.

Amidst all these, I’ve come to understand what a vital role hope plays in our daily lives. Something to look forward to. A goal to reach. Perhaps, a consolation… Something to press on for. I can’t imagine how anyone can live without a regular dosage of hope.

Good Ol' Dayz

Can't even begin to describe how I feel...

Conviction

Platoon Outing, 11th December '06

What can I offer you other than the hope Christ offers? You are searching but you will never find when you search in all the wrong places. I wish I can give you an answer from the world but I know none.