Back Home

We are finally back home. Indeed, we went through a sandstorm in Taiwan, though it was not that bad, except that we did not get to see a blue sky, or clear view at 101. The only setback is the flight back on SQ. On my return trip, I was planning to finish  watching a movie filmed in Canada that I could not finish on my flight to Taiwan. The unfortunate part was that the multimedia set was spoilt, even though the air steward had tried to reset twice. Why? Not just my set was spoilt, but my mom's and sister's sets were spoilt.... Guess I might not have a chance to complete that movie.... Could not Singapore Airline did a thorough check before the flight and move us to a new row? By the time we were told that there was no other way except to split us up was almost 2 hours later... Sigh... We paid for SQ, but we did not receive the kind of entertainment quality we should have on a SQ....

Thank God I have my netbook and camera with me, so the above photo was one of the things I tried to do to keep myself occupied.... maybe SQ should compensate me with a free trip... dream on.... keep on dreaming...

4th & 5th Day

4th Day
We have finally come to the end of our holiday in Taiwan. On the 4th day, we visited SYS memorial hall, and 101, followed by Wufenpu wholesale market and Raohe Night Market. It was quite unfortunate, for the weather was very foggy, and we didn’t get much of a view at 101. However, we did buy lots of things at Wufenpu, one of my favourite shopping spots.


5th Day
On the 5th day, we were so free, we bought our pork floss in the morning, visited a few places, such as Yongkang street, Zhongxiao Fuxing etc. A few of us went back to Wufenpu, and we visited Shilin together again. Since it was our last night in Taipei, we listened to the advice of several taxi drivers, we visited the night market near Longshan Temple. But much to our disappointment, there really was nothing much to that place.

We have visited most of the places we wanted to visit in Taipei… hope everyone had a good time, I did. Praise the Lord! We are flying home tomorrow.

3rd Day In Taiwan

We booked a car with driver, Mr Zhang, for another day on the 3rd day. He fetch us from the airport to hotel on the 1st day, brought us around to Yehliu and Shihlin on the 2nd day, and brought us around to buy the local products, such as Fenglisu, Laopobing, Taiyangbing, etc on the 3rd Day. We went to CKS Memorial, visited Martyr's Shrine, Dihua Street, Danshui old street and Keelung food street as well. We ended the 3rd day shopping at the underground shopping mall at Taipei Main Station. That was our itinerary in short.

The good problem is that as we booked a car for 2 days, we visited all the places I planned to bring my family over 3 days within 2 days, leaving us with one day free, not sure where to go on the last day.... Daddy God will lead us....

Have not reported on our hotel room, not too bad... we are staying at Royal Castle, not fantastic, but good for the location and very near Ximending, we have a family suite. It is fun staying together, except for the bathroom, we have to take turns... but staying in the same suite is fun and rowdy...

ok, time to go and visit 101 today. 再見！

In Taiwan, In The Beginning

1st Day
We are finally here in Taipei, and we have started one of our favourite activities on the first day, shopping.... pretty tiring.... Staying near Ximending is a plus point, as the ladies can go shopping there while a few of us can just go back earlier to hotel to rest.

2nd Day
It is a busy day. We visited Yehliu yesterday, a beautiful natural site at the coast, with interesting landform due to erosion. We then proceeded to Jiufen old street and Jinguashi. This is my 3rd visit to Jiufen, a place I like very much due to its culture and architecture, but strange, my family did not seem very fancinated by the place. At Jinguashi, we did not attempt visiting the gold mine.... too lazy to climb.

We dropped by the Gold waterfall, it was beautiful, and we headed to Yangmingshan late in the evening to see the flower festival. And our last stop was at Shilin Night Market. A very packed day. I was not feeling very well, likely due to lack of proper sleep the night before. A good sleep will do me good, by the healing power of God, and indeed it is so.

cheers... Today we are embarking on the 3rd Day, a day of shopping for local products....

Shalom to my family back in Singapore, we will enjoy ourselves... Jesus loves you!

Finally A Family Holiday

I remembered several months back at our family gathering for Christmas, I briefly mentioned I wish this year we would be able to go for a holiday together as a family. This is quite a task as my family is huge, close to 20 persons, therefore we could have filled up a coach if we go as a family not to mention the cost... Yet I was not imagining something of that magnitude, though it will be great, but one that comprises of several of the family members.

And before Iong, this is coming to pass. We are going to Taiwan Today, a family of 5, my mum, my brother and sis-in-law, and my sister. This is really exciting! We are visiting the country where my mom was born....

May we have a great trip together, and I know without a shadow of a doubt, that My Daddy God is ever with us, and He is always with us, enjoying the trip with us and blessing us! Jesus our Shepherd shall lead us!

Hopefully some updates from Taiwan soon....

Shalom to my family here in Singapore!

Build Things of Eternal Values

Been asked to ponder on this, am I building things of eternal values? In fact, hasn’t this been a question that is constantly on my heart since I can last remember? Yet as life moves into a routine, this is slowly forgotten, or rather, push to a later date, thinking I still have time.


I was asked 2 months back on my future plans in the company. In fact, it came as almost a shock to me.

Today I was asked how long have I been registered as an architect? When I realized the number of years, I was again quite shocked, rather than surprised, how time flies, it really seems like only yesterday when I passed my exam…

So what have I been building for the last few years? Building my career? I was doing that few years ago, and it was a long tedious, unfulfilling journey. Since, I have ceased on climbing the ladder 3 years ago… I realized I am not good at taking stress.

Indeed, suddenly I realized, I don’t seem to have a target in life, according to the world’s system. I just want to enjoy my daily life, live one day at a time, finishing my daily task on time and well, doing beautiful, good design, for the betterment of mankind when I am given opportunities. And also able to share the Lord’s love with others, whom God may bring along my path. I thought and still think this alone should be enough, in fact, any firm should be glad to have staffs like this. I would be very happy, if my employees think as such. Selah.

As I was looking through my family photos taken during Christmas last year, while uploading photos online a while ago, I realized, who said I am not building things of eternal values. I have a huge wonderful family, everyone beloved of the Lord, my dream once upon a time, to see my family coming to know Jesus, can be said to be fully realized now. Who said this is not of eternal value? I would not dare to take credit for this, but I am grateful to the Lord that I played a part in this. If the bigger the family is an honour from the Lord, then my honour from Him must be great.

Building things of lasting values, people, it is about people. It is about the people whom Jesus loves. My dream? To see all my dear friends, my old classmates, my colleagues, clients, consultants, partners in every area, etc, come to know Jesus and receive Him into their lives. This is my dream. I am not really a terribly good example of my beloved Lord, I know how imperfect I am in the flesh, but I still hope I can be used to point them to Him. Selah.

My dream. A life worth living for Him.

He Will Carry You

Just the last Sunday, I heard the song “He will carry you”. And this tune stays in my heart, and I have decided in my heart to share this song with some folks tomorrow. As I was pondering on this song, my mind flew back to many years ago (not too many…), when I was in Secondary school. Then, I did not really know Jesus, though now I know I was very much on His heart then even as of now. A dear friend of mine wrote in my autography, the entire story of “Footprints in the sand”. Ever since then this story has occupied a place in my heart, and even at this moment, when I think about this story, it still warms my heart, knowing that my Saviour is ever with me, carrying me through every challenge that comes.



It was about a man who had a dream, of him walking with the Lord. And before him flashed scenes of his life, and they were always represented by 2 sets of footprints. However, he noticed that during his lowest and saddest times, there was only 1 set of footprints. And he was very upset and questioned the Lord, why when he needed Him most, there was only 1 set of footprints. The Lord said to him, during those times, it was Him who was carrying him through and there is therefore only 1 set of footprints.


Remembering the story of Jacob, like what Pastor was sharing, many a times while we are going through difficulties and challenges, especially when people around us seem more blessed and some are not even in covenant with our beloved God, we have a cry in our heart, why are all things coming against me? Why am I not receiving the blessings? Forgetting that Jesus never leaves us nor forsake us. Yet we are not aware that God has already gone ahead of us to prepare the way for us. Even when the storm seems huge, ever ready to capsize the boat we are in, and Jesus seems asleep, not doing anything, the fact that He is in our boat, how can my boat ever go under, so long as He is in it? We can rest assured in His promise towards us, He will never leave us nor forsake us.


Therefore let us all, having already arrive in this new year, keeping our eyes steadfast on Jesus, knowing that He is always with us, He never leaves us nor forsake us, ever present to help us, our joy and peace are wrapped up in Him and Him alone. With Him, all things are more than sufficient.

JESUS

It has been a really long time to finally decide to just pick up my mini laptop and write. I just want to write on the Person who loves me most, always, relentlessly, fully, totally, never giving up on me. Sometimes events of life bog us down. Sometimes, the necessity of living, the many issues arising out of daily living cause me to lose sight. But Jesus is always here with me.


I am not troubled by anything now, if I sounded so above. I just learnt ever since coming to know Jesus many years ago, what a long and tedious journey I have walked. Yes, indeed, I studied and read a lot, yet now what really thrills me is, simply the Person Jesus, not about what to do and what not to do, not about what is the fruit of the Spirit or the gift or calling, not about how to reach the world for Him, not about how to be more successful by applying the word, though all these are good, but simply Jesus, only He can satisfy.


I am reading a book by Watchman Nee, “The Normal Christian Faith”, causing my eyes to see what I understood in my heart. I am quoting from his book. Hope you enjoy them. He wrote the following:


…You can see clearly that the whole issue is not about doctrine but about a person! Our basic concern is not doctrines. Rather, it is seeing who Jesus is! Once we have the Lord Jesus, we will have real satisfaction; we will be filled with the sense of having acquired everything…


…What Christ proclaimed persistently on the earth was not His doctrines but Himself. The focus is not the doctrines but on the person…


…It is not the practice of His teachings that makes a Christian. Rather, it is a relationship with Christ that qualifies us as one…


…This is the work of the Lord Jesus. His work is just to bring men to realize who He is. He never let go of the fact that He is the Son of God. This is the essence of our faith. It declares that Jesus is the Son of God…


…Christianity does not emphasize doctrines. Rather, it emphasizes the person Christ. Even when some doctrines are mentioned, they are few in number, and when you go about expounding them, they always point back to a person…


The above are just some statements from the book that I underlined while reading. Why do we always love to complicate matters? Come back to the simplicity of thing, everything is about Jesus, because of Him, through Him and for Him only. Life is so simple, everything fades away, cos everything that matters is Jesus, and Jesus alone. When we keep our eyes on Him, everything becomes of no matter anymore. Life becomes simple and meaningful, life is worth the living, just for Him and Him alone. Shalom. May you find out how much He loves you, and enjoy a wonderful intimate relationship with Him always, from now to eternity.

People Who Move You On

It is completely quite interesting to go for a 2-day architectural conference and realized that 2 of the speakers taught me before. I was drawn by the title of the seminar “Architecture for Humanity” and not so concerned about who the speakers are, when I wanted to attend.

It reminds me of God’s goodness to me many years ago when I was in school, that’s what prompted me to write this now. Suddenly memories of the past streamed right before my eyes.

I remembered I had a very difficult time studying in architecture in year 1, though I had a little fine art background. Therefore, most would think that to assimilate into architecture would be simple for me. But I really hated architecture after one year of school, especially doing design. For it seems that nothing I designed seem to please the tutor, and my subconscious aim then was trying to please my tutor. I had no idea what design is, what is a concept, worse of all, what architecture is for, I totally did not understand the fundamental basics of architecture.

While I was struggling through life during this period, I stumbled unto the narrative module, and the content was to produce a piece of architecture out of studying 2 artworks, one by Escher and another by Mondrian. That to me was the beginning of architectural enlightenment, I wanted to create a building that resembles Mondrian’s on plan, but carries the essence of Escher in space. It was the first time I saw something I had never seen before. Roof unfolded to become wall, and then to become the ground etc. This kind of concept was nothing special now, everyone does that, but about 15 years ago, this was totally quite unthinkable. Yet, despite of the fact that the idea was pretty unique, I failed to present it well to the examiners. Much to my surprise, my part-time tutor stood up for me then, and explained on my behalf. I was touched till this day. Thank God for that. I could not say I did well, but it was one of the better grades I had gotten so far for design.

Several years later, after I had escaped from my fear of design and returned to architecture to finish up my additional degree, I met another tutor that helped me. (I seemed to have a tendency to run off from problems….) it was the final year project. By then, I knew within my heart, that something seems to have dropped into my life, a small little seed of passion for architecture, a seed only possible to be planted there by God and not by myself. I got my first “A-“ in design. I remembered this tutor telling me, a good architect will also need to look into the details, something very simple but stayed with me till this day, and he was the first one who gave me an “A-“ and wrote sort of a commentary for my design.

The reason why I thought of these 2 incidents was, in life, there will be people that we will meet, some will affect us in a negative way while others, unknowingly will give us a push and move us to the next level. Perhaps they never knew what they did, but I was helped, and I thanked God for them. What a coincidence, both are speaking at the same time. Thank you Father God for You certainly can use people to help us through in lives. Thank God for reminding me again. I could never have understood and appreciate these incidents then, but now I do.

Encounter

Wow, it is life back to normal supposedly, after I finished my 10-month full time study, with a personal study trip to China with my classmate and a personal rest trip to Tokyo. Life's so good in the Lord! There are so much to talk about for the past 1 year of my life, yet I shall not bore you all with the details unless anyone of you are really interested to hear my story. It was a wonderful journey, or rather, the beginning of a wonderful journey, which I am still in the process of walking. The last one year was to get me started on it.

I really thanked God for this period of time, a time almost totally spent with and in the Lord, enjoying Him, almost every single day, this is life, this is life indeed! There is no way to explain it, and one has to experience Him for oneself, indeed, taste and see that the Lord is good, and only Him can satisfy, nothing and no one else.

The last trip to Beijing was an eye-opener, the trip to Tokyo was a wonderful trip with the Lord, though I travelled with my good friends, I did have some personal moments, just the Lord and I, walking the streets together, enjoying the architecture, shopping in the supermarket, on the subway, etc. Strange as it is, I really enjoyed all the little moments of solitude. Though I still enjoy being with my friends, of course. Yet, only His presence satisfies truly. I realised and learnt that I don't have to do what is supposedly considered godly activity to enjoy His presence. I don't necessarily have to be reading and praying every moment to enjoy Him, though these are really really very very good activities. In the midst of our busy schedule, normal life, we can simply enter into His presence, by just knowing that He is ever with us, and engage Him in your activity and commune with Him. At that moment, you just simply know that He is there with you. What a wonderful truth we have.

Yes, indeed we don't go by our feeling, yet, somehow that feeling will just come when you realise that Jesus is always with you, and when you start conversing with Him. It is so wonderful, life in Christ! Engage Him in your life, you will love every moment of it! This is life indeed!

Rivers of Living Water

While reading a book by Watchman Nee yesterday, a present from a friend, I came across a portion that the author said he knew of someone who when one came into her presence, one is changed. The bible says that out of the believer shall flow rivers of living water. Therefore it should be normal for one who comes into the presence of any Christian that one be transformed, as the living water should quench the thirst of anyone.

This reminded me of someone I met recently in China. I knew not her name till this day, though we stayed in the same house for 2 days. While I was in China, I stayed over at someone’s house, and this lady was always serving us, preparing meals, and also praying. We hardly held any conversation except that we exchanged a few smiles. On the day when we were leaving to go back Beijing, she sent us off at the airport, and gave each of us a huge long hug, while at the same time praying for each of us. I can never forget that moment of hug. I actually felt the tangible love of God flowing from this woman unto me, which I am unable to describe, but simply amazing and it went right into my heart. Later on, my friend told me that she felt the exact feeling too, that something so tangible went right into her when that lady hugged her and prayed for her, she sensed the love of God.

Today while reading the book, this incident was played again in my heart vividly and I was touched all over again. That woman knows the love of God. That woman is constantly in the presence of God. She has rivers of living water flowing right out of her that can impact the people around her.

We have rivers of living water inside us. We quench thirst by His living waters. My desire. Only God can. Shalom.

Stocktaking

Back from China to Singapore 4 days already. it’s been busy at work, and also needed time to rest my body, I have yet settled down to take stock of what happened in the trip.

I learnt a valuable lesson over the 12 days in China. A question that floated into my heart, “How can a man has so little yet felt he has so much? And how can another man has so much yet felt he has very little?” I realized that it all matters in the heart, what one’s heart is filled with. When one’s heart is filled with love, it doesn’t matter what you have outside, you simply felt you have everything you will ever need in life. The love of God.

I saw lives that live passionately for One, their beloved Savour, Jesus. They give whatever they can afford and much more. They know with all their hearts that they are the beloved. They serve relentlessly, without holding back.

The hospitality of the people I met there was tremendous, way beyond what I could imagine. Their passion and zeal are contentious. In fact, I felt they have received more spiritually than I thought possible. Their trust and faith were strong. I am impacted. Their love and zeal are infectious.

I have learnt much, by the grace of God. Selah.

Thank you...Jesus

Wow! I have almost forgotten that I have a blog! Good to record down some events of the last 2 months since I last wrote.

1 more week, and I would have finished school. Really enjoyed greatly the last one year, it's been a very wonderful journey. And to know that I have actually finished my course while working at the same time is a miracle, all praise to God! Got to know several good friends, though we worship in different churches, yet it is so so good to have friends who know they are the beloved of the Lord and have fun times fellowshipping, though I hardly have time to fellowship with them, as I had to rush straight off to work after school, but whatever little time we spent together, I cherished. Felt there is a special destiny for us to meet and be classmates.

But most of all , I have received, had my mindset changed, and something has happened to my heart which I am not sure how to describe, it is simply great! It was a time of great reflection into life... and a time of just pondering on the One who loves and knows me best, my Lord. Thank You, Daddy God for this opportunity, Thank You Jesus for the grace that has helped me through, in the midst of work, big family events, etc etc... truly it is His grace, I still find it amazing that the assignments can be completed on time, have time to do new projects at work etc, time seemed to have multiplied during the last year, each day has lengthened just for me... though at time lacking in sleep... Thank you Lord!

I thank God first of all, for my mum, ever so supportive of me going to school...
I thank my brother for always buying me breakfast... sending me to school for taking graduation photos...
I thank my friends for being my reference, and also attended my graduation... and my family members for attending! So touched!
Definitely I must thank my boss for giving me favour, allowing me to study in the morning and work half day...
I thank all my teachers for revealing Jesus more to me... ever so precious... so so good to just hear about this every day for a few hours... so so good... so soooooooooooo good! So privileged!
I thank God for all the above, and many things that He did for me of which I am not aware of... Thank you for this precious present and opportunity to study... with no worry about finances, etc etc...

I sure will miss school... I am not sure what's next, but I am really excited, cos I am in Christ, and He is my Shepherd, He leads me... So blessed am I!

I Miss You

It was in 2007.

Have you ever had a continual sense of loss and discontentment despite all seems going well outside? You could still be going about your daily chores, reading the bible routinely, attending church, listening to sermons on a continual basis, reading Christian materials, doing what others felt a devoted Christian should be doing. Yet in the midst of it, that sense of loss and frustration increases daily, unknowingly.

It was in the year 2007. The industry was booming, everything around me was doing well, including career, family, and all. Yet there was an increasing, surging unrest within me, a point of tipping over, of going under, of breaking down. Perhaps it was the increased workload, or perhaps it was the promotion and seemingly added expectation from people, perhaps it was the unconscious self-imposed pressure of proving myself more. Perhaps…

The condition of my heart began to take on a change, and soon I was in a state of great confusion and frustration. My thought took on a toil on my physical body, and it started reacting to my thought life. I lost my peace. I was irritable and was horrible to be with. I felt working with myself unbearable.

I slowly lost sight of my Shepherd, the one who has equipped me all along. I fell out of grace, trusting in my own effort and achievement, into the world’s mode of thinking. I cannot see good even when good came.

Voicing my frustration, justifying my terrible behavior became a norm, trying to find comfort in friends. One thing I did learn was that, the more I talked about my problem, the bigger the problem seemed, somehow it magnified by my speaking about it. The more I expressed my anger towards someone, the anger seemed to increase. (I personally felt the idea of expressing one’s hurt and frustration vocally to friends does not work. I pray that the Lord will always teach me to refrain my tongue from speaking evil.) Yet, I could not remember now, if I ever really spent some time confiding to the One who loves and cares about me most, perhaps I did, but for sure I didn’t let Him speak to me.

I quitted my job finally, blaming my workload, bosses, colleagues and all, but never myself. I felt I needed rest. I did what I thought will bring me peace and contentment, I drew, I read, I designed on my own, I travelled, yet that emptiness didn’t depart. I did that for almost 5 months, feeling that that should do the work of removing that frustration, discontentment within. Yet that feeling lingered on even when I was already in my 5th month of rest.

It was finally at this point that I realized I should seek the Lord. I finally asked Him why. It was then I heard the least expected reply, or rather, the answer.

“I miss you.” He spoke.
It was a tender voice, not audible, it came from within, but it was more than enough to impact me. I finally understood. I had gone about living life as if the life I lived was mine.

That was in 2007. Yes, I am back working, and coping with my studies. Today, I realized it is not the workload. I am still loaded with work, yet the workload did not carry with it frustration. I also realized it is not the people or circumstances around us that affect us. It is the state of my heart, that needs continual recharging, and that can only comes by spending time with Him, talking and hearing from Him. Life without Jesus being involved, will end up being in frustration for sure, it is just a matter of time before it has gotten so big that one realized. Frustration happens when we lost sight of the One who loves us most and gave His life for us.

“I miss you, I love you”. The voice of the Shepherd speaking to His sheep.

My Neighbour

It’s been a month since I dropped by! Having my short school break now, that explains why I drop by…

More than a week ago, was my Mum’s birthday, when the entire family of 21 persons were gathered together for dinner, as the yearly custom was. On this particular day, after dinner, we all decided to head to my place to take a family photo together, and also to sing the birthday song over the birthday cake with my Mum. Therefore while the other family members were heading home, a few of us rushed to the nearby shopping mall to get a cake. While the rest were waiting for us in the car at the roadside, my niece and I headed to the cake shop, very focused on attaining our purpose, after all so many people were waiting for us at home.

On the way, we saw a crowd gathering, and like most curious Singaporeans, we passed by quickly while at the same time took a quick look. To our dismay, a man, probably in his 50-60s, must have fallen down, and there were some blood on the floor where he was lying … (and to write the following, I am being vulnerable to all who are reading this) At that instant, I was already engaging my mind, looking at him, in an attitude of “judging”, my mind was already faster than my heart could take over. Perhaps, trying to look concerned, I began debating with my niece if we should consider calling the ambulance (of course we should call, that goes without asking!), and what numbers to call. Yet, we still headed to the shop after a short pondering, after all, a car was waiting for us at the road side, and a huge family waiting for the cake at home. Moreover, there were so many onlookers, surely someone must have called the ambulance by now, I reasoned within.

As I held the cake in my hand, we passed by the injured man again, this time, a lady was already wiping the blood off his head, and at that very moment, I could hear my heart crying out, saying “ You could actually do that, offer that little bit of help… that isn’t difficult”. Doubtless, my reasoning was faster than the compassion of my heart earlier on. Selah.

Why am I sharing this tiny fragment of my life recently? Because as I was reading a certain book recently, there was a mention of the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible. When Jesus was asked who was our neighbour, He shared this story. Our neighbour is whoever is around us and who is in need. The Samaritan fulfilled the role of a neighbour when he stopped in the midst of his busy schedule, to help someone who was in a position in need of help. Both the priest and the Levite, people highly regarded in the society, perhaps, after considering too much about their roles and positions, viewed it not befitting to offer help. It is as if at that moment, God was asking 3 persons, who is available? And only a Samaritan answers the call for help. Two responded with their brains, while only one responded with his heart.

I suddenly realized, how often in life, I acted more like the priest and the Levite, though many a times when I read this passage from the Bible, I almost despised the attitude of the priest and the Levite, trusting that I surely would act like what the Samaritan did. I finally understood, I identified myself with the priest and the Levite. I saw my self-righteous attitude…Selah. Yet, in the midst of all these thoughts, to my surprise, I felt loved, and not condemned, being very thankful to Daddy God. In and as of myself, truly there is nothing wonderful, for without Him, I am nothing. At that moment, I am reminded again, this is how Daddy God chastens His beloved child, through His loving word of life. Again I realized how much I must be loved by my Daddy God that He bothers to teach me with His loving word.

Heaven & Earth

A whole new year has begun, my school has started on a new semester. It is again a time of adjustment for me, after a one month break. In fact, I was really tired out for the last week, going to bed as early as 1030am as and when possible. Soon, I will get used to it again, praise the Lord!

Recently I have been pondering, and also at the same moment, very grateful for the time I am in. I am glad I am of this age. I am glad I have the opportunity to receive an education, the ability to read, the freedom to study, able to write, design and draw, to express myself and my belief. Much more, the freedom to love, to share the One I love, it may not be big gestures, but as simple as writing on this blog. Thank you all for coming here occasionally to read my thoughts, enjoy my art, and hearing me speak of my beloved Shepherd, this is my little platform of expression that I have been blessed with. And thanks for all the comments, I receive them with joy.

Reading on the history of the church, I am thankful. Thankful for those who have gone on before us, those who have given up their lives to give us what we have today. I read of the early church, how many were persecuted for their faith, how many chose to hold on to their belief and be killed, how many have preserved writings, risked their lives for the Word, so that we get to enjoy it today. I am indeed very blessed. We stand upon those who gave up their lives to give us what we have today.

Just last week, I heard someone said this to me, and my heart was moved, I believe I will remember this for a long time to come. He said the following:

Earth is the only hell we Christians will ever be in, yet Earth is the only heaven a sinner will ever know.

Take some time to ponder on this and be blessed. Indeed, this place where we are now, is the only place where we as Christians will ever experience sorrowful tears, heartbreaks, disappointment, frustrations, etc. However, this is also the only place a sinner will ever catch a glimpse of heaven through our lives, we are living advertisements for our Shepherd in this place in whatever field or influence we may represent or have. We are the Rep for our Shepherd here. Selah.

I am grateful that I can play a part. Guess no one is in a better position to reach the people around me than me, and no one can reach the people around you than you. What a blessed position and honour we are each given to play a part in. Thank you Shepherd. May You work in our lives, not of us, but all of Christ! Cheers!

The Most Beautiful And The Ugliest

This blog has taken me days to write, perhaps with so much to write, yet finding no word appropriate to describe. Pondering on the cross. I have come to one conclusion, my own conclusion. The cross, the most beautiful expression of the love this world has ever witnessed, but is also the ugliest human act ever performed on this earth.

The most beautiful expression of the love of God, that God Himself would actually send forth His only begotten Son to come and die for mankind. My puny human mind still cannot understand why should the Creator send forth His One and only Son to come and save a group of rebellious creation? I have done many models of buildings since trained as an architect, much as I love my design and creations, I still cannot bring myself to die for them. What I will likely do is that I will abandon the old and create a better one.

Looking at the expanse of the universe, I wonder why would the Greatest Being, the Creator, bothers to come into this earth, unto this tiny planet, to be confined to the dimension of time, body and space, to live among us, and yet the most unfathomable part of it all, His destiny is to die, His purpose, one great mission in His life, to die for His beloved - us.

This is love. I believe it will take me the whole eternity to discover...

The ugliest human act. We put our Creator, the One that brought us forth into this world, to death. We turned our back against Him, the One who gave us everything on this earth to enjoy. This act alone is worse than any war or human act that we human beings have ever performed.

The ugliest human act in History ever, putting the One who created us to the cross.

What a moment in history, when the most beautiful expression of love and the ugliest act coincide!

When I ponder on this, everything around me fades away, every fear and cause of worry, every undesirable circumstance no longer seems threatening, for if Jesus loves me enough to die for me, what is there to fear anymore? Frustration comes, disappointment surfaces, fear appears, worry invades, when I lose sight of the cross... The cross, where my Lord shows me how much He loves me. The greatest Being loves me!

As I ponder, the perspective in life becomes clearer and clearer. The reason why there are times I still feel frustration, disappointment, betrayal, let down, anger, all these happen in one form or another when I lose sight of the One who died on the cross for me... All my loved ones and friends out, there, do help me out with this. If (whenever) I ever fall into these traps again in the coming days, do remind me instantly that I have again lost sight of the One who love me and gave Himself for me, this is the best thing you can ever give to me then, friends.

As for now, I endeavour by His grace only, that this vision will never be taken away before my eyes. I pray the same for you too.

Blessed Christmas! Jesus loves me! He is the reason for this joyous day!

(I finished the painting above last year during my 6-month long break, titled "behind the cross", this is where I am living now, enjoying all that He did on the cross for me.)

Holiday Holiday

Enters into my first week of school holiday this week. Just immediately after the final day of school for this semester, I flew off for a really short holiday to Taiwan! And before I know it, the holiday is over, and I am now sitting down before my laptop, typing this.

Going to school is really fun, for the last 5 months, attended school in the morning and rushing off to work in the afternoon was a daily joyful routine. Not sure how to put this into words, it was something I enjoyed doing daily. Despite the full day of concentration required, despite the little flexibility to my time management (I used to be able to decide when I want to go holiday, and for how long, normally for about 3 weeks), despite lesser time for entertainment, watching TV, etc, it is truly fulfilling. It is almost like I have lived my day to the fullest, with little to regret.

Now that I enter a month of school holiday, back to a full day's work. Today is just the first day. Still adjusting, at least for today, it is truly quite hectic with 2 meetings, and several hours at site, climbing up and day, solving issues and problems, still it was fun.

Quite amazing, for the last 6 days, I went Taiwan with my nephew, our free and easy trip, actually more like a shopping and eating trip. I like Taiwan, though this is not my first time there, I still like Taiwan, and will likely go back again in a few years time. Shopping is great, at Wufenpu and Ximending, fashion and style that I love! Food is really not expensive. Way finding is easy, afterall, we stay in Ximending, a great location to stay! Besides visiting the "must-visit" such as 101, museum, and memorial halls, we venture slightly further north to Danshui, Yangmingshan (lots of hiking), go down to Wulai, and go east to Ruifang by train, visited Jiufen, one of those lovely scenic streets that I loved, has a little flavour of Kyoto. Finding the way around was not really tough, but the road names are a bit confusing, and taking buses are not easy if one cannot read Chinese.

The whole trip has marks of Daddy God's blessing. We have such wonderful pleasant weather throughout, there were no rainy days (though internet weather forecast said it was likely to rain for a few days), the weather was cool except for the last day when it was hot, however, that was the day that we also learnt how to take bus to lessen walking and it was our shopping day anyway.

The journeys out of Taipei was planned really quite last minute, one day before the actual day, simply relying on brochures and lonely planet (though the latter was not really reliable, some important information was missing, such as not informing us that visitor's centre at Yangmingshan is closed on Monday, some buses that brings one around scenic areas only run on public holiday and weekend, etc, etc.) But still, thank God, we made it to those places and made our way back too. And we managed to save a substantial amount as we did not take on any package tours which I initially was planning to, and therefore save more money for Christmas shopping!

This trip will likely mark the last oversea holiday for this year for me, till I finally graduate in May next year, before I go for my next holiday, not sure where.... But definitely, something to look forward to. However, meanwhile, I will enjoy my holiday, and look forward to school reopens! Cheers!

What Is Your Song?

Recently i encountered two heartwarming episodes, that I know I must write down, so that after some years when I looked back, I would still remember these 2 almost insignificant yet powerful episodes.

Just today, as I had to visit the bank, I reluctantly went to have my breakfast at the market with my mom. (Actually I don't really like wet market since young, I dislike the wet feeling that gets on the slippers which is always associated with it, plus the rain today, it is likely to be wetter.)

Anyway, as I sat down waiting for the food, sharing table with 2 very young children, the older brother, I think is about 9 to 10 years of age and a little sister, maybe 6 years old or younger. The brother, though still young, bought the prata breakfast for the sister and himself, after which he went to buy drinks. As he sat down, unconsicously, he push the curry gravy as close to his sister as possible even though he is also sharing the gravy. Then he opened the lid of the Ribena that he has ordered, and pour for his sister first and then himself. All the while, the sister had already started eating even before the drinks have arrived. Finally, when the sister had been well taken care of, he proceeded to eat his own prata. The sister had an egg prata, whereas he himself had a plain prata. I was speculating, perhaps he gave the better one to his sister? Yes, love is displayed right before my eyes, an unselfish love, expressed by a young little boy for his younger sister, a very touching scene that I witnessed. Thank God for the breakfast I had at the wet market. I almost wanted to commend the little boy, but I decided not, after all, it is something so natural and so beautiful, anything that I attempted to add to it will spoil the beautiful scene.

Last Sunday, as usual, I would spend my time from 9pm to 1045pm watching the Taiwan singing competition (similar to American Idol, but to me, much more watchable, and heartwarming). Each week they will come up with a theme for the competitors to select their songs to sing. So it happened during that week, the topic was to choose a song that represent their lives or an important episode in their lives. Each chose different songs, several chose songs that are sad, sentimental, be it in memory of a lost loved one, the difficulties in life, etc. At that moment, I felt in my heart, a question popped up, if I am one of the contestants, what will be my song. Almost instantaneously, I said to myself, "Amazing Grace?", for surely I was once a wretched sinful soul, saved only by grace. Yet just then, I caught myself, who in the world will choose a Christian song for such a renowned secular singing competition? (I was ashamed of myself for thinking those thoughts.)

With that I went on watching. Just as the show had come to the final few contestants, this guy came forward, and he told the compere the song he chose was "Amazing Grace", revised version by Chris Tomlin, one of my favourite rendering for this song. My eyes were almost overwhelmed with tears. The guy said, as he was listening to his other peers singing their songs, he realised indeed how blessed he is, with his family always with him, and that is why he chose the song, no really sad episode in life, just a heart of gratitude for his blessednesses. I was touched by his choice and his singing. What I least expected was that, after his singing, the judges said they were very touched by his singing and the way he expressed the song, almost felt that sense of love in it, despite it being a Christian song. And much to my surprise, he had the highest point of 20 among all the contestants in that episode, praise the Lord! I almost forgot one can choose to praise the Lord in such a public assembly, yet received such glory and also touches life! Indeed love can be seen!

I am awed.
I am touched.
So what is your song today?

Father's Love

I was reading a newspaper article today, on a Myanmar father saving as much as he can for his son to come to Singapore to study. One of the things that he said really cause me to ponder for a while, he said he and his wife do not have much...but they will sell their home and work for the rest of their lives, if they have to, to send their children to Singapore.

This really causes me to think, I must have been in such a blessed position, that all I have in life, education, family, a job, a place to stay, are blessings that I have taken for granted, perhaps sunken into a subscious thinking that it is my rightful rights to have them. Selah.

For another family, the parents' desire is to send their children to Singapore to study, and as for themselves, they have no plans to move here, so long as their children have a good future, they will be happy.

Selfless love... what do they benefit from slogging so hard to save for their children's future? After all, they are not likely going to share their children's success? Unconditional love... A love that sees not of oneself's need, but looks beyond, and only sees the desires, needs, the dreams of the one whom one loves. Selah.

If we mere human beings can have this kind of love, this love that only exhibits a greater love, (love comes from Father God for God is love), how much more will our Heavenly Father who loves us, desires to do even more for us? His sending His only begotten Son is the evidence... Selah.