What Christmas means?

"A timeless truth which will remains in my heart regardless of where I am or what I do because His love remains the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever!"

Having Christmas at a different place doesn’t really make Christmas any different I supposed. That is if the meaning of Christmas has a special place in your heart. Sad to say, it didn’t snow since the 9th of December so I didn’t get to try out what it is like to have a white Christmas. I did go out for a walk in the afternoon to feel the winter breeze and the ambience of Christmas. The Christmas lightings at Shibuya, Daikyuyama and Shinjuku were pretty but it was still a little disappointing. To add to it, Christmas day isn’t a public holiday here in Japan.

I spent this Christmas Eve having dinner with my host family and close friend's family after which, we attended a church service. After all, Christmas is a time of sharing and most importantly, the day of remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ who being God was born in the form of the human being to be with us which explained why He is also called Emmanuel. This is so that many through Him can come to have a loving relationship with God. For it is through Christ that Many Are Saved which explains why it is known as Christ.M.A.S. For it is written:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him (Jesus) should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The existence of Christ is not only written in the Living Word of God, the Bible. It is also recorded in the books of history. However, what draws me to Him is that Christ came down to die for us, sinners so that His blood can cleanse us from all our sins. Not because we deserve it but solely because of His unconditional love for us. To me, this is already beyond what I can image for the love shown is indeed the greatest love ever exhibited!

As a friend, this is my way of sharing my love with you and to give you my best wishes that you too may come to a loving relationship with God! May the peace of Christmas be with you next Christmas wherever you are and whatever you do. God bless!

P.S. The above is written on Christmas of 2002 when I was in Japan. Hope you had a Blessed Christmas!

The First Snow

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” Psalms 19:1-2

I couldn’t really remember what I was doing then but I knew I had a busy day. I was rushing from one place to another as I had two appointments side by side. It was good to be able to reach home before it started pouring. By the time I was home, all I wanted to do was to have a good hot shower as I could feel the fatigue after traveling out in the cold weather. I thought I will sleep earlier than usual but I didn’t as the weather forecast reported it will snow in the middle of the night. But the truth is the weather forecast reported the same yesterday and it didn’t. Once bitten twice shy? It didn’t work on me as I foolishly sat by the side of my bed reading at 1 plus in the middle of the night in the hope of catching the first glimpse of snow.

In the stillness of the night, out of a sudden, the mobile buzzed. It was my phone’s message tone. It was a message from my friend asking me a question, “Have you seen snow before?”. I rushed to the window and to my delight saw white little fakes flowing down from the darkness of the night. The first snow I got to see in life.

I can’t help but to open the window so as to get a better view of the snow from heaven. It was freezing cold indeed but I couldn’t care less anymore as it was snowing. A view or should I say an experience I have never ever had before as I grew up in Singapore. I stretched out my hand to reach for the white flakes that were falling slowly to the ground. Those that landed on my hand melted eventually but those that were left on the sleeve of my sweater took a while before it melted away. I reached for my camera to try to capture the scene but it was just too cold that the camera lens had frozen. So, all I can do was to give up and enjoy the beautiful sight of seeing the pure white snow flowing down in the midst of the darkness. There was just peace and serenity in the midst of it all.

I woke up to the morning light and the very first thing I did was to rush to the window to see if the snow had stopped. To my surprise, it had not but the scene before me was even much more graceful as the rooftop of the houses had been covered with layers of white snow. The snow continued to flow shiftily to the ground in the midst of the sunray. It was totally different from the night, as the day drew a picture of heavenly grace. Like angels with wing dancing in the midst of the clouds. At that instance, I cannot help but to stand in awe of the creation of God! It was then I realized, “How wonderful indeed it is to be alive!”.

It is not even the mid of December and it is known in Tokyo that it will only snow in January. It has really been years since it snowed in Tokyo in the month of December. However, miracles do happen. Even if it is a short while, a miracle is still a miracle to those who bear hopes and believe.

It snowed for a day in Tokyo, on the 9th of December in the year 2002. This is the day which I got to encounter my first snow.

An Eye for an Eye?

"If it is always an eye for an eye, then we will never get out of it, WILL WE?"
Mr. Michael Puhaindran, whose wife was a victim
of a Terrorist Attack

"Vengeance for Vengeance, will only continue in a vicious cycle."

-In Forgiveness, There is Healing-
ray or rei

In the Stream of Dalylight

What do you see when you look into the still water?

Learn to Still your Heart
Take Time to Reflect

How do you Treat others?

Last Thursday night after a day of hard work on the project I am on, I got on the bus and right at the end at the last row of seat was a man seated like a king. He was sitting with such strive in his posture with the body straight up, his eyes gazing, two legs spread wide apart that the 2 seats besides him were left empty. Not because people do not want to sit but only because he was seriously hoarding the other 2 seats with his legs. Then I reflected on myself, “Do I live in a way that there is no consideration for others?”

The bus went by a petrol station and I saw a man with his hand tucked on his hips supervising 4 Indian car washers who were polishing his BMW. Never have I seen in a car wash that there are 4 car washers needed to attend to a car. Then I asked myself, “Just because we are paying for the service of others, does it gives us the right to lord over them?”

After which I recalled about my friend who in the afternoon did a heroic act not out of pride but selfless sacrifice. As we walk pass a large canal (picture of the canal can be found on the right of the blog titled “Can you see it?”) and to our surprise, there was a dog in it. Without a thought, he just climbed down from the side ladder of the canal and proceeded to rescue the poor dog out of the puddle of dirty water the dog was in despite he having to go to a class later. Then I pondered to myself, ”How many of us will go out of the way to the extend of dirtying ourselves to help others?”

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13

He, who made the above statement did exactly as what He had said as He laid down His life for all mankind 2000 years ago.

Do you know Him? Do you know He really loves you?

What is IT?

"There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death."
- Proverbs 16:25 -

Many times in life, we think we got IT?
But have we really got IT right?

A chapter of Proverbs a day
Keeps the Foolishness away
rei or ray

the Poster & the People

FEEL IT
TASTE IT
LIVE IT

is this REALLY ALL to IT?

The Brevity of Life

“Man is like a breath; His days are like a passing shadow.” Psalm 144:4

One of my friend was diagnose with a heart problem – “Wolff-Parkinson-White” last week. It is genetic and causes rapid heartbeat. Life still pretty much goes on the same except that there is a risk of sudden death which is relatively low (incidence of 0.6%). However, being me, I started to put myself in the shoe of my friend and asked, “How will life makes a different then?”

Living in a considerable blessed and safe country, do you find that many of us have actually taken life for granted? Just last week, there was the news of a gentleman who got married and the following day after marriage, he was found dead at the hotel lobby. The gentleman happens to be one of my acquaintance’s friend. Small world, isn’t it? It is a tragic in which no one would have expected it. It only goes to show that life is just so vulnerable as the next instant anyone of us can be gone! The question then lies with, “How many of us live as we are living each day as our last?”

I have to come clean and say that I yet to fully grasp it daily and thus, should I have to live with the consciousness of a heart problem, perhaps I might? But must we really resort to such a situation to be so? You might ask, “Is there really such a need?”

Supposed we live as such, many of us perhaps will no longer be caught in the rat race of the city life? Or no longer let the petty little issues of life bother us? Or learn to treasure others in a greater extent? Most importantly, we will start to see things in the light of eternity?

Living this life is important but preparing for the next is perhaps more important. Not being prepared and having the mentality that you will always have a next day, putting off decision after decision is as good as gambling because the truth is life can be taken away in a blink of the eye. Why take the gamble then?

At the end of it, all of us still have to ultimately face this question which we all tend to avoid – “Are we ready when the time has come to depart from this life?”

Are you?

Take Time

How many of us will Take Time to
Reflect rather straightaway
React through life's journey?

Have you taken time to reflect?

Serenity

When was the last time
you took time to
Be Still
&
enjoy the Serenity of Nature?

The Night I got Lost - Japan IV

On the last night, we had my departure dinner with some of the close friends (mainly the older folks) at my host family’s place which I was staying at. In the midst of dinner, I rushed off to the supermarket to buy some peaches for my family and partially because I wanted a walk. On the way back, I was talking to God (praying), “Are You sure You want me to come to this country? This is a hard ground and I can really fall big time any moment in this country.” Having been there for 5 days, it was quite obvious to me that the Japanese are just difficult to reach due to their culture which is traditional yet I may just also get caught in immorality (if I am not careful) as they are also liberal in many ways. As I continued in my prayer stroll, I started to realize I might not be in the right route back. Yes, I was lost! There was a low wall right beside the path I was on without any house build in it (which means I will have a view without any obstruction) and my first instinct was to peek over it to see where the house is. Well, the next moment when I peeked over, the 1st place I saw was actually a CEMETERY!

I was caught in shocked for a little while but shortly after, I answered, “Yes Lord, I got the message! Wherever You call me to go!” I was reminded of the fact that every second of the day, people are dying and it doesn’t matter if the people are hard to reach or not. My role is to be the messenger that brings the Good News of Jesus Christ who saves us and gives us the love and hope which the world is looking for. Most importantly, what matter most is everyone is precious in the sight of God and He loves the world!

I am actually quite uncertain when God would have me go to Japan and if that is where He would have me go in time to come. It might not be Japan initially but I should continue to press on to share the Good News be it in Singapore or any part of the world.

For my family in Christ, do we really see the people around us as God do? If we do what are we doing about it?

For my friends, do you know that God loves you?

Ape to Human?

(The above is a picture of one of the smallest monkey - Philippine Tasier)

Last Friday there was an article on the linkage of ape evolving to human. This discovery was founded about 150 years ago on a research by trying to study what happened millions of years ago. However, think with me, “Does it make sense to you that a man born 150 years back will be able to trace back to what took place in the beginning when he wasn’t there?”

If we, human beings are really from apes, why aren’t gorillas and chimpanzees turning into human beings today when we are facing the population “aging” problem in our world of today?

Shouldn't we be going about being even more busy with our monkey business then?

Common sense?

A rainbow in Paris

If you want the rainbow,

you have to first bear with the rain.

The Unease of the Funeral – Japan III

Being 92 at the age of the grandmother’s death, it will also mean that her family members are also of certain age as Japan is also heading into what we call the “aging population” in which by 2015, it is projected that there will be 1 in every 4 Japanese citizens being 65 years or older. Thus, about one third of the people at the funeral were perhaps in their late 50’s to the 70’s. The unease in the body language portrayed and lack of peace on the face can be clearly seen in the faces of many as they too have to face the eminent of the future which awaits them – Death.

It is always when the death of someone close occurs that we too are reminded of the final appointment – Death, which all of us will inevitably attend to. Looking at those elderly folks during the funeral, my heart goes out to them as death seems even more real for them. However, the truth is death can knocks on our door and visit us anytime of life. Age is not a guarantee of the length of our life which we will live but just a mark of how long we have travelled through this temporal world.

“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapour that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:14

Since young, I questioned about life after death as I ventured into the possibilities of what might happen after we die: Will we just vanished and disappeared into non-existence? If so, why did man have the concept of spirit then? How did man also have the concept of heaven and hell then?

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.” Ecclesiastes 3:11a

In and out of ourselves, we know that life doesn’t end at the very last breath of our life. I am clear of my eternal destination and thus, have found peace in the face of death through Jesus. How about you?
http://y-jesus.com/index.php

Mere Coincidence?

One creepy Dust Storm,
One devastating Typhoon
and
Two Earthquakes plus
One Tsunami!
All in One week!
- Heading of last week News Article -

"We have the tendency to think, but not to act.
We have a tendency to feel, but not to act.
If we go on thinking and feeling without acting,
we soon are Unable to Act."
~ C.S. Lewis ~

How have the recent events happening around the world
affects you?
ray or rei

Is this for Real?

Can Pigs Fly?

Well, there's Swine Flu~!

The Formality of Funeral – Japan II

Japan perhaps has got the most formal funeral ever in the world besides the States. The moment I touched down from Japan and reached my host family home, I had to wash up and get changed in the black suit which I brought along. Not long after, the “Okuribito” undertaker came and the grandmother was send to the funeral parlor. The parlor was nicely decorated and all who attended had to be in formal attire. The usual routine will then be performed and at the end of it, the MC recited a brief story with a background instrumental music of the Carpenter’s song – “We only just begun” started playing. The visiting guests are also handed a gift bag for the 1st night which is the wake. After the wake, the guest then proceeded to the 2nd floor in which a dinner reception is served.

The next morning we had the funeral which the final routine is performed and flowers and gifts were placed into the coffin as people said our final “Goodbye” in which the body is then sent for cremation.

“For dust we are and to dust we will return.” Gen 3:19

Ever wonder why when the body is cremated it will be become ashes? Simply because we are made of dust.

I often questioned why so much effort has to be labored in the departure of a person be it in our cultural in Singapore or in any other countries alike? Why do we not put in more effort to show our concern in the life of others while they are still alive then?

Is there something you have not tell your love ones today?
This is my most important message to you today:
http://www.harvest.org/knowgod/

Caught Ya!

What do you see?

A Father's Love?
or
A Playful Girl?

Jesus Loves Me! - Japan I

3 weeks has passed since I am back from Japan. I am finally able to take a breather from the busy schedule since I am back in Singapore. I am still busy but not as tight as I was the last few weeks. It’s been a long time since I had come in direct contact with death and I must say I have my regrets for not going to Japan earlier. The truth is I was prompted to go to Japan in June but I just brushed it aside as I wasn’t sure if I can take it physically knowing then I will be soon be flying off for the Evangelistic Campaign in Philippine. I have learned though that if a thought does come to mind, commit it to God in prayer and don’t just brush it aside!

Frankly, I am uncertain if I will ever get to see the Grandmother again. The only hope that I bear from the trip was that the Grandmother’s favorite song was “Jesus loves me” and she lived in the World War II era. I have learned in this trip that after the war, 5,000 missionaries did enter into the country to share the Good News except that they did not do the necessary follow up. And this is the lyrics to the song:

Jesus loves me!

Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak but He is strong.

Chorus:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! He who died,
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay,
Close beside me all the way;
He's prepared a home for me,
And some day His face I'll see.

This song is dedicated to all who is reading this post, hope you like it! May this song be so real to you as it is to me!

Jesus really loves you!

Sunset @ Clark Quay

What attracts you more?

The City Landscape?

or

The Beautiful Sunset?

Recalling other accounts in Philippine – God is Real!

Here I am once again, doing a final recall of what God has done and how He has shown Himself real to me!

God knows Best!

God is good to me because out of my prudence (just my lame excuse), I bought a pair of shoe which I was hoping will last for the initial 2 weeks which I thought will be the length of my stay in Philippine. On the 1st day when we touched down in Philippine, we were given time and thus, I was able to buy a pair for shoe which lasted me for 5 weeks as I extended my trip and even back to Singapore!

The heart of worship lies in your Heart!

We were travelling back for the Gospel night from another town and I started to play a role of the DJ by selecting and playing songs from my mobile phone. We started to worshiped God song after song from our heart. It was not a big group and we were just singing to the tune of the music but the presence of God was so strong that it was one of the best nights I ever had. It is simply because all of us were just simply pouring our hearts sing praises to Him!

A Real God that Cares!

The Lord has placed a Sister-in-Christ in Singapore on my mind when I was in the bookstore. She continued to be on my mind the next day and I decided to check on her. Turn out that she was not doing well. However, God showed her that He is real and He cares about her by using me to be an encouragement! It only goes to show how real God is to me as well!

His timing is Perfect!

A sister-in-Christ was deeply troubled and God moves in such a way that only this sister and me were going out to buy lunch for the rest of the team we were with. We waited longer than usual to be able to finally collect our lunch but for a good reason – so that we can talk through what was in her heart. God used me to share my past experience and she had a breakthrough that day as I see how her countenance changed.

The Shepherd who treasures the 1 sheep!

We were travelling back in the jeepny and it breaks down when we were 20mins away from where we were staying. It was rather late in the night but I thank God for the breakdown as I was sitting in such a position that I knew my left knee will not be able to take it anymore throughout the journey. God looks into the very need of every individual! If 1 sheep is missing, the Shepherd will indeed leave the 99 and look for the 1 sheep!

God who comforts Heart!

My sister was awoken in the middle of the night in Singapore as God just impressed her to pray for me. She started to pray really hard for me! It was the night when prayer was needed. It was the night when I had started to come down with fever. A night when I really dragged being sick.

I only knew about it when roommate make a trip back to the Philippine and told me about it. We have a God who comforts Heart!

God moves the Heart of people!

I got a call from 1 of the sister-in-Christ in the other Philippine island. God impressed her to pray for my family member on a Wednesday the week before. She wanted to find out if anything had happened and indeed it was that same fateful day that something did happen!

Weeks after weeks, God showed me that He moves the heart of people because He cares!

God rearranges for what is Best!

We were supposed to return to the pension house (motel) but were unable to locate my roommate. Thus, the few of us left first as we asked the local folks to send him back in a taxi. After showering, I opened the door to see if he was back and there at the door way, I saw him approaching the guy with a feminine outlook who wasn’t there when the few of us first returned. My roommate was the best person to reach out to him as they have been interacting for the past few days as he had requested for hot drinking water from him and most importantly, he has been praying for him as he had a burden for this guy!

When things does not turn out as it should, fret or worry not! Trust that God rearranges for what is Best!

The God who Protects!

On our rest and recreation day, it was raining. If I was in the first pair of shoe which I had brought with me from Singapore which no longer has got any friction, it will be impossible to maintain balance. This is because even in the new pair of shoe I was on, as I was walking on the park towards a hut, I lost my balance and should have fall really hard! But miraculously, I did not! It would have been a major injury if I had fell!

He is watching over us and the God who Protects!

You know, you too can know and experience Him!

Sometimes, our vision is just so marred as we are caught up by the world that we fail to see!

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7,8

All it takes is a heart that is willing to let God shows Himself real to you. Why not make this choice and ask Him to do so?

The God who hears and rearrange - Philippine V

Here is a recap of the 5th week of the Evangelistic Campaign in Philippine. It is the final stop for our campaign and we thank God for the opportunity to be able to share the truth with so many souls in this beautiful island. Our 5th stop - Davao!

10 Aug, Mon
We touched down safe and sound at Davao and had durians for breakfast as Davao is known to be the kingdom of fruits as it produce many kind of fruits to the many part of Asia. It was pouring heavily in the evening as if the Lord will do a mighty work in Davao! On the way back to pension house from the center (office), a few of the roads were flooded to knee level and above. The van was basically swimming but I was praying that God will protect the van knowing that if the van's engine failed on us, we will have to walk back to the hotel with our pant and shoes wet. The Lord is ever so good to us as we managed to hit the dryer roads and headed back safe and sound!

11th Aug, Tue

Our schedule for today was classroom evangelism. I managed to speak to a smaller group on a more personal level as special attention was needed for this guy, Alvin who is a bit feminine in his ways. Through the grace of God, he made a profession and is willing to change from his old ways. Do keep him in prayer that he will be able to break from the bondage that he is in.

12th Aug, Wed
I was burden to speak to driver who has been driving us around. At about 3pm, I decided to make a trip out even though I was not scheduled to go out. Upon entering the van and having a short conversion with him, I knew this was the moment to be talking to him about his salvation. We had a long conversion but the God just clear his misunderstanding and he was willing to trust in Jesus 100%! After the prayer, he just looked up and started saying with a still small voice and gratefulness from the heart, "Thank you Lord! Thank you Lord!" I asked him how he felt and he replied, "I feel happy!".

The joy which only God can provides! If only many others understand that this joy can only be from Jesus!

13th Aug, Thu
The last group I spoke to in the morning was a smaller group of guys. I am thankful for meeting them as after having accepting Jesus as their Savior, they came forward to me and said, "Thank you Kuaya (Brother)!". My heart warmed to what was being said and I can only thank God for using me as His mouthpiece to spread the truth!

Will you also not join in so that you can also taste the joy of seeing another soul entering into eternity?

14th Aug, Fri
In the evening, I had wanted to invite 4 girls who were just hanging around near the center up to our Gospel night but was rejected. I then handed the Good News tracks to them and hang around a bit myself till one of them finally asked, "What is this about?". 1 of the girls I spoke to rejected the Good News initially and thus, I decided to lead the other 3 to make a profession for Christ first. I got back to the girl and started on a more personal level to find out the reason - family problem!

It was at that point of time I came to realise why I have been meeting all the girls with family problems as I was from the same background and thus, will be able to relate to them or should I say be able to understand.

I began to share on a deeper personal level about my life and how life would have ended for myself if God has not been with me through those teenage years of my life. God just slowly peel off the layers of her heart as she then also accepted Jesus as her Savior! Praise the Lord!

Perhaps like her, you do not know why you are in the situation you are but trust me, you will one day. If I had not went through what I have through in my younger days, will I be able to relate to those young ladies who are hurting?

The presence of God was greatly felt that night as I shared the Good News with the 4 girls because the Philippine SMCI teams - Ven, Joanna Fe and some of them were praying as I was sharing. If it was not for them praying, the girl's heart would not have soften and neither will I be able to relate so well to her.

Do you know that it is through prayer that the hands of God move hearts?

15th Aug, Sat
I volunteered myself to go with my Philippine buddy - Ven from Bohol to do classroom evangelism. In my 2nd class, there were supposed to be 10 students but turn out that only 2 students came. Thus, I got to speak with the 2 students and the teacher in a personal level. God knows best that this have to be a small group as 1 of the girls was from a cult. The moment I knew it, I started crying out in my heart to God, "God, you have to help me on this!".

At the end of the sharing, I went individually to ask them for a decision and the girl from the cult 1st reply was, "I think I am beginning to understand!" At her reply, I can only thank God for opening her eyes but I knew she was struggling. Thus, I gave her time to think through and let God continue to work in her heart. Upon returning back to her, she replied convincingly, "Yes, I will want to trust in Jesus!". I can only be so thankful at that instance on how God removed the veil so that she too can receive the truth, the truth which sets her free!

Likewise, my heart-felt thanks to the Philippines SMCI team who were praying while I was sharing!

To God be the Glory!

16th Aug, Sun
It was a normal Sunday service and the campaign has ended yesterday. God has been really good to us in working out all the details, opening doors and simply just bringing us to the people who are seeking Him! I am sure many of the team members have their little stories. Though the campaign has ended, evangelism has not! May the team continue to seek those who are lost as people need the Lord regardless who and where they are!

Do keep the Negros, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte and Davao team in prayer as they continue on the follow up work with those who have made a profession in Christ!

17th Aug, Mon
This is it! We were heading home but frankly, there are still so much more souls unreached in the Philippines especially in Davao.

Will you come and see for yourself the harvest which is so white and ready next year? Pray about it, will you?

In Davao & Leyte
Number of souls who heard the Gospel: 3,835
Number of souls who trusted Jesus: 2,260

Total Number of souls who heard the Gospel thus far: 43,405
Total Number of souls who trusted Jesus thus far: 29,838

I personally thank God for allowing me to come for this Evangelistic campaign for 5 weeks as I needed it! Through the trip, I have learned many lessons and perhaps I might share it with you some other day.

My host family who is like a family to me called me yesterday morning. Their grandmother - Michiko whom I also know passed away on Sunday morning. Thus, I will be flying off to Japan tonight.

Do keep me in prayer:
a) That the Lord will continue to keep me in good health and give me the strength that I need.
b) That the Lord will quicken my mind and tongue that I will be able to share the Good News to many in His wisdom and love.
c) Do pray for especially for open door for me to share with the Mogami family which is my host family that the Lord will be soften their hearts that they too will come to know Jesus personally as their Savior!

Life is short! Eternity is long! or should say eternity is forever!

For those who know Jesus, will you not share with others about Him who loves you deeply least you regret?

For those who do not, if you truly seek, you shall find. Will you not seek to know Jesus personally?

The God that touches hearts - Philippine IV

This is the 4th week of the Evangelistic Campaign in Philippine. The harvest indeed is plentiful and so ready! Will also come and see the harvest field for yourself? Our 4th stop - Leyte!

3rd Aug, Mon
The morning ferry at 5.45am still did not depart for Leyte. We were set to sail at 11am and the Lord was good as we were allow to sail on the condition that if the sea gets rough, we will have to turn back. We managed to set foot on Leyte at last but we had a rough ride as some of us got dizzy from it. The good part was there wasn't any other activity today.

4th Aug, Tue
We started off with the colleague with room to room evangelism. In my first room was a teacher who actually recognised me as I have spoken to his other batch of students last year. It only goes to show that the ground here has yet to be penetrated and contaminated.

Pastor Mike and Benji went to the Southern part of Leyte in which many of students probably have not heard of the Gospel before.

Since last year after my visit here, I always felt the harvest here is ready to be reap. Do pray for laborers to be raised that more can listen to the Word in Leyte!

5th Aug, Wed
It was a nation wide holiday as it was the burial day of the ex-president. Everyone of us does have this final appointment - Death. This is perhaps the reason why I am here as the reality of perishing in eternity remains real to me.

We went to a colleague to do beach street evangelism instead as they were having a carnival. I wasn't with them but at about 4plus we started to do group evangelism as the crowd was starting to settle down on the big football field. The time was up and we were supposed to head down to another church for their prayer meeting but I just felt led to stay on and continue as the time for harvest was right as the crowd had begin to settle down.

Jesus loves them all, right?

6th Aug, Thu
In the 1st colleague and 1st classroom I spoke to, there was a girl who said she could not believe in Jesus a 100% but 70% only. I asked her why and she started to teared as she replied me that she couldn't understand why she is in her current situation - in a broken home. It broke my heart as I understand how she might have felt as I am from the same background. I started to spend more time with this class than my usual rounds letting them know that God has a plan and really loves everyone of them which is why I am here in the Philippine now. Do keep her in prayer.

In the afternoon, 1 of the high school class actually came searching and invited me into their class. I asked them if anyone has shared with them and it turn out that it was Daphne who spoke to them last year! It was good to see the fruits of last year as they were pretty sure of their way to Heaven! Do you?

I just spend some time to reassure them again. It will be good to see these high school students growing in the grace, love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus. Do keep the follow up in Leyte in prayer.

The next class was a year 1 class which consist of students as young as 12. I had to be really simple but it was just a joy to see them coming to Jesus in child-like faith!

7th Aug, Fri
We split up into 2 teams and managed to cover 7 high schools! It was a major hectic day as we were fighting for time as well. The last high school was a tough group as their 2nd to 4th year students had some students who were just unable to pay attention. However, the Lord still works in the midst of it as 1 girl was simply tearing away when I asked for decision to be made for Jesus.

All are precious to Him!

8th Aug, Sat
Our campaign in Leyte ended today with a few mass and a few classrooms evangelism. The Lord was good to us in land of Leyte as we see how He just open doors for us to preach the Gospel and see many coming to know Him personally. We had a good time moving forward on our knees in prayers which was much needed as well. Do keep this place in prayer!

9th Aug, Sun
It was a full day of church activities. In our Uth Group meeting, it was encouraging to see how the Lord had worked in the heart and open the eyes of Jeremy, Jill and Melody as they shared their testimonies. We took a night ferry to Cebu for our flight to Davao. It was a big ferry and there was bed for us to sleep in. It was pretty cool and fun to me.

In Leyte, Cebu, Bohol & Negros:
Number of souls who heard the Gospel: 9,307
Number of souls who trusted Jesus: 6,802

Total Number of souls who heard the Gospel thus far: 39,570
Total Number of souls who trusted Jesus thus far: 27,578

We are currently in Davao in which it is a very different ground. Do keep us in prayer that many doors will be open as we continue to labour to share the Gospel in truth, simplicity and love that many more may come to the saving knowledge of Christ! It is our last week and do keep the health of the team in prayer!

It has been 4 weeks since I am away. If you are from GLCC, do say, "Hi!" to my sister if you see her! Thanks!

The Goodness of God - Philippine III

God continue to shows His goodness as He look into all our individual needs as we continue to hit into the 3rd week of the Evangelistic Campaign! 3rd stop - Cebu!

27 Jul, Mon
We entered into a day of rest which means that there is absolutely no travelling (which is consider as work as it can be rather taxing) not to mention any form of evangelism. It was a much needed rest as Yu Fei was down with fever, cough and flu since Saturday. My buddy Benji share the Good News to a guy from Syria though and he made a profession in Christ! All are precious in His sight!

28 Jul, Tue
God knew we still needed the rest as there was no schedule lined up for us. We had to send Yu Fei and Jeremy to the clinic as it had been getting rather bad for them. Moreover, Jill and Melody seems to have caught the bug too. A good time was spend in prayer in the late afternoon.

29 Jul, Wed
We had to send Melody and Jill to the clinic as they too have caught the bacteria that has been spreading around Philippine. However, in the afternoon, doors were open for classroom evangelism. 1 of the high school we went to made me ponder how much they can really learn there? It really goes to show how fortunate we are back home in Singapore!

30 Jul, Thu
My body started to ache as we travelled to the mountain area. Yes, the bacteria has caught up with me. We started evangelising to the students who were having their free time. The Lord was good as I managed to talk to a good bunch of people. I managed to talk to a few group but by the end of it, I knew my body was going down. The truth was I was crying out to the Lord for deliverance as the bacteria was just deadly!

31 Jul, Fri
I woke up with a mild fever and had to rest for the day. We traveled and stayed in the hostel of the University in the southern part of Cebu the night before as we were going to do our evangelism there. The people were just hungry for the Word of God as they were receptive and many responded to the Lord in this campus! It seems that the Spirit of God is moving in this Campus mightily! Who knows a revival might just break out from this campus?!?

1 Aug, Sat
I have got a sweet surprise in the morning and am thankful for everyone in the team who made it quite special. "Us" taking photos in my sleeping attire. Really appreciate it - Thanks to all who gave me a surprising morning (Though some of them might never read it)!

Ben and Ven went to Leyte and Bohol respectively the day before as we had mass evangelism there. They preach to 2 big crowds and we thank God for it. The rest of us are on a day off and I managed to finished the book, "Calvary Road" by Roy Hession. I supposed the Lord had me to rest so I could finish reading this book. May the stiff necked "I" continue to be bend to the loving "C" that it is not I but Christ that lives in and through me!

Every believer of Jesus should read this book!

2 Aug, Sun
We went back to the University of Cebu and it became a classroom evangelism instead of mass evangelism just like the previous year. Somehow, the Lord is also working in this school as we preached to the ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Cadets) students and got great response! In addition, we have also found great favor with the officers there as well. Praise the Lord for the good week we have in Him!

In Cebu, Bohol & Leyte:
Number of souls who heard the Gospel: 8,640
Number of souls who trusted Jesus: 6,219

Total Number of souls who heard the Gospel thus far: 30,262
Total Number of souls who trusted Jesus thus far: 20,776

We were supposed to be on our way to Leyte right now but because of bad weather, our ferry has been re-schedule to tomorrow, 11am. Kindly pray for good weather as we will need it especially from this coming Thursday to Sunday as we have special travel arrangements!

Continue to keep the spiritual and physical health of the team in prayer!

The personal God who loves all - Philippine II

This is a different approach from my last write up on the Evangelism Campaign I am on as it is more of a personal account of what has taken place for myself in Bohol as I have got more time for personal evangelism. However, the Lord has been good as doors were open for the 1st time on Bohol for class room evangelism. 2nd stop - Bohol!

21 Jul, Mon
I managed to speak with the driver who was driving us around for the first 2 days. To begin with, we prayed for his Salvation and half way through the journey, I got to sit besides him and started to talk to him about God. Our conversation was cut off as we had to buy lunch. After lunch, I managed to catch up on where we left the conversation and God is always good as the driver made a profession in our Lord Jesus Christ.

22 Jul, Tue
Our amplifier broke down due to our carelessness but the Lord is good as He showed Himself strong by providing us with another amplifier. This is the night where we see the mass evangelism packed to the brim for the movie night and many entering into the Kingdom of God!

23 Jul, Wed
The Lord lead me to talk to a waitress who served us dinner and I found out that she is a Pastor's daughter. She has been discouraged by some events and people which many of us find ourselves in at times. God was gracious as He used me to be an encourage to this sister-in-Christ. In the midst of encouraging her, I am reminded that I too need to fix my eyes on the Lord regardless of the circumstances.

24 Jul, Thu
My knee started to sore on me due to certain reason and the fatigue was running in. I didn't managed to do much but God is still good as I managed to talk to 1 guy and 2 gals respectively. It is always a honour to be able to do personal or to a smaller group evangelism as joy will fill your heart upon seeing their eyes light up after they received the Lord as their Saviour.

25 Jul, Fri
I didn't managed to do much today as well as I had to go extend my visa in the afternoon. However, the Lord is good once again as He led me to this girl who had wanted to join our Gospel night but couldn't make it as she is staying rather far away. She is definitely seeking and had wanted to know the truth hidden behind the traditions in which she is brought up in this country. Immediately after accepting Christ into her heart, her face light up with appreciation as she tells me, "Thank you". The truth indeed will set us free!

26 Jul, Sat
I went into a classroom by the invitation of the students as their teacher had not arrived yet. Half way through the sharing he came and I asked him for permission to continue. He graciously allowed me to continue and even joined in to listen to the Gospel. He too chose to depend solely on our Lord Jesus!

In the midst of another sharing, at the end of the invitation, a teacher came and wanted to stop it all. By the hands of God, I managed to round it up at the right timing and only to find out about this incident after we left the school.

Our God is a Sovereign God!!!

27 Jul, Sun
We said our "Goodbyes" to the SMCI and their Uth group in Bohol as we headed to Cebu. If there is anything I can say about this Uth group, it is passion! Without passion, we will just continue to be luke warm and not be able to excel for the Lord! Continue to keep this Uth group in prayer!

In Bohol:
Number of souls who heard the Gospel: 8,640
Number of souls who trusted Jesus: 6,219

Total Number of souls who heard the Gospel thus far: 24,032
Total Number of souls who trusted Jesus thus far: 17,437

Half the team has left us on Saturday. We are taking a 2 days break today and tomorrow from the campaign before we start work in Cebu followed by Leyte and Davao.

Prayer Request:
a) Recovery for Yu Fei down with fever
b) Recovery for Jeremy down with cough
c) Recovery for PM down who just hurt his toe today
d) Recovery for myself as I am down with a headache as I am writing this

Continue to keep the whole team in prayer especially for strength and good health. Will try my best to keep you updated next week.

The Faithfulness of God - Philippine I

I am at Philippine now on an Evangelistic Campaign with a team of soul winners to proclaim the Gospel - the Good News that our Lord Jesus loves you and He wants to have a relationship with you! My 1st stop - Negros!

13 Jul, Mon
We prayed for rain in 1 of the Campus because we needed them to go to the shelter as their cleaning up of the school compound schedule was changed from last Friday today due to the heavy rain. God answered our prayer immediately after we prayed - raindrops just started falling from the gates of heaven!

14 Jul, Tue
1 of the bridge that was washed out due to the rain last Friday and it usually take longer than usual to fixed the bridge which will result in a longer travelling time. But God is good as it was fixed and fit for travelling and thus, we had a shorter travelling time!

15 Jul, Wed
We see more than 3,000 souls making a profession for Christ as the Gospel was preached to around 4,000 souls! Pentecost?

16 Jul, Thu
The Gospel campaign night was packed up to the brim at the last moment which God once again showed Himself strong as it was expected to be a night of low attendances as the next day, the school was in preparation for a major event!

17 Jul, Fri
Saudi, a guy who we spoke to last year appeared and we had a heart to heart talk with him. Do pray that he will be able to break free from the bondage of sin that he is in and that he will be able to trust the Lord whole heartedly with his life.

18 Jul, Sat
We had opposition form 1 of the school for our mass Evangelism campaign. We prayed and once again, the Lord opened the door! At the other campaign, it started to drizzle a little but we prayed, and once again God holds back the rain so that the Good News can be preached!

19 Jul, Sun
We got on the ferry which was supposed to be on servicing. Without the ferry, we would have to do a midnight ferry or take a 8 hour bus ride on Saturday to our next destination. Once again, God is just faithful and so good to us!In Negros:
Total Number of souls who heard the Gospel thus far: 15,372
Total Number of souls who trusted Jesus thus far: 11,218

This week, God is good to us as we see how He shows us miracles after miracles and most importantly, that He loves the people in Philippine which is why He did what we asked of Him!

I am currently in Bohol, do continue to keep us in prayer as we continue to share the Good News to a harvest wide and ready!

Recap – The 1st of July

“Yesterday marks the end of half a year. Today marks the beginning to the end of the year. Is life all there is to what we see of it?”

Date: 1st July 2007, 12:22am

It is approximately 1 and a half hour when I started writing this journal in which the last day of half a year will pass. Like the saying goes - times really flies! Just another half a year more and we will bid this year goodbye and welcome another brand new year. Half a year consist of 184 days which is 4,416 hours which is 264,960 minutes which is also 15,987,600 seconds. That's a lot of seconds if you look at the figures but seconds are just like the air we breathe; the air which our hands are unable to grasp; the air that will just slip us by.

How will you like to live this 2nd half of the year then?

I have come to realise that through the past few years whatever I have achieved in life such as how I managed to move up with the ranks on the corporate ladder of my career or the few relationships I have been through or etc. I have never been able to solve the mystery of the heart. Thus, returning back to ground zero once again. To the origin and beginning in a search for what lies in life itself? Where will it lead to? What is the meaning to it? What is the purpose of it all?

After writing this, I might again bury myself in the midst of the busy and hectic schedule in this little city. However, I am sure this will come and hunt me again. For I have been running away from this for years only to find myself returning to pose the same questions over and over again. Perhaps I do know the answer but am just unwilling to conform to it. Human nature, we just want our ways, don't we?

Sometimes, we just have to get ourselves slap in the face in order to reckon the truth and answer which we have already know since a long time ago. We just choose to ignore or to find a thousand and one reasons there are to put away what we should do. Because we like to think we are wise enough to know what is right or good for us. Or maybe we are just pure wilful? Will I finally be able to put an end to the merry-go-rounds which I have been running about? I am not sure but I guess it is time. This time, hopefully I will submit my heart to put things right and will it in the direction it should go.

The Last Day of June... the Last Day to which Half a Year will be gone... How will you want to live the next half to the year? How will you want to live this life from this second on? For the minutes and seconds of the First Day of the second half of the year has started to tickle away...

Date: 1st July 2009, 10:10pm

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:13-14

I would love to continue on what exactly happened a year later but this entry will be far way too long. Thus, I should leave you with an ending question:

Have you ever felt the same way like what I have written 2 years ago?

(If yes, I will greatly encourage you to continue to my previous entry which is just below – “Life’s Answer” and please read on)

Life's Answer - Because You love me

“Ever felt lost in life and unsure of where you are heading?”

Well, you don’t have to be suicidal to wonder if your life is worth living. You don’t have to be deep in debt to feel bankrupt. You don’t have to be locked behind bars to be imprisoned by your own desire. You don’t have to be walking down the streets to sell your body to others. You don’t have to be a millionaire to be in bondage to the love of money. You don’t have to be living in the garbage to think that life stinks. You don’t have to be homeless to feel lost and out of place in this world. At one point or another in our life, everyone – rich or poor – struggles with the meaning of life!

The above is an extract of what I read which is very true as this has been a month through the connectivity and the power of internet network in which I saw friends struggling in the search for meaning and purpose of life.

The reason why we are so connected in this day and this age is also because of loneliness and we try to fill this loneliness in whatever ways possible but failed again and again. There is this God-shaped hole in everyone’s heart because we are made to have a desire to know the One who made us. We want to discover the purpose He has for our existence in this big world we are living in. We might try to deny against having this loneliness or emptiness but it will only surface again and again. Just asked yourself how many times have you feel more miserable after a short time of temporal time of craziness and fun? This is because this is a “loneliness” for God and can only be filled by having a relationship with Him.

I am going to leave you with this song which I wrote on the exact same date last year:

Because You love me

I was lost and wandering
What am I doing?
What’s life is all about?

My heart feels empty
With lots of maybe
With darkness all around

Then You came and save me
Reach out Your hand, and show me how You love me
You give me hope to live again
You died for me, because You love me

Now You’re all I am, for who You are
Cause You made me who I am
You’re all to me, and You set me free
Cause You gave Your life, and now You live in me

And I was asking
Where I’m going?
Not knowing you are just around

When life seems nothing
Without a meaning
You show me what it’s all about

Cause You came and save me
Reach out Your hand, and show me that You love me
You give me hope to live again
You died for me, because You love me

Now You’re all I am, for who You are
Cause You made me who I am
You’re all to me, and You set me free
Cause You gave Your life, and now You live in me

Now You’re all I am, for what You’ve done
Because of what You’ve done, I am Yours
You’re who I am, cause You live in me
Your life You gave, so that I will live, a life of love in You

So that I will live, a life of love in You
Jesus, I will live, a life of love in You
Jesus, I will live, a life of love in You

Lyric / Composer: Rei

Then Jesus said to them, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b

God loves us and He wants to have a relationship with us. He also desires that we can have a rich and satisfying life in the plan He has for us. But only by knowing Him who has created us, are we able to know the plan He has for us.

If you are interested in finding out how you can have a relationship with God, you can either contact Me or click on the link on Left Side – “two ways to live: the choice we face”.

Now a choice is set before you now...

Choose life, that you might live,

the life that He gives!

define LOVE

“Just like the teddy bear lying on the sea shore, so are the view of True Love slowly disdain with time by the views and deceits of the world.”

“… and they live happily ever after.”

This is the common ending of the fairy tale stories which we have read so many times in childhood after the prince having overcome many obstacles finally was able to save the princess destined to him from the hands of the evil ones. This is also the ending which many when in their marriage have desired to accomplish once they finally ring the wedding bells but I have seen many of my friends ended otherwise. So, what exactly went wrong?

I used to conclude in the younger days of my observation that the generation of this age no longer knows how to love. Or should I say we perhaps love ourselves more than anyone else which results in many failed marriages. Love is the essential key in a marriage. It is not only the essential key in marriage but also the key to all kind of relationships in life.

“And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” I Cor 13:2b

If love is the essential key to marriage, why is it that so many have failed to love then? Perhaps it is because we have a disillusion of what love is all about? We have been reading too many romance written by great novelists be it the present or of the past into having a wrong expectation of an experiential life about love. Even authors of the past have confirmed this truth in their writings:

“Writers of novels and romance in general bring a double loss to their readers; robbing them of their time and money; representing men, manners, and things, that never have been, or are likely to be.”
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, 1689-1762
British Society Figure, Letter Writer

“And what's romance? It is a usually a nice little tale in which you have everything as you like it. In which rain never wets your jacket and gnats never bite your nose and it's always daisy-time.”
D.H. Lawrence, 1885-1930
British Author

We have been greatly duped by the screens we have been watching and have mistaken love to be even lust just to please ourselves for a moment of the pleasure which will only lead to further emptiness and disgust in life. TV drama series and movies of this age has only brought more pollutions to our mind sending the message that it no longer matters if relationship can be taken lightly all for the sake of fun or one can just betray one’s partner due to the consummation of the selfish desires within. And believe me, the list can just go on and on of what we have mistook love for.

So, why don’t we look at what is LOVE then?

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” I Cor 13:4–8

This is the best expression of love and to cut the explanation short, the opposite of what is written of the above is definitely not the definition of love. However, one may question, “How can we be able to love as what is written above then?” The truth is we CAN’T. Not till we have developed a relationship with the Author of the above. It will only be by knowing the Author then will we be able to have a better understand of what the Author is writing about. Make sense?

The Author is none other than God Himself in which He has chose to reveal His love towards us with the Bible.

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13

Jesus Christ has demonstrated this love towards us when He came to this world 2000 years ago and demonstrated this SELFLESS LOVE towards us by laying down His life for us on the cross so we can enter into a relationship with Him! Have anyone ever done that for you?

He sure did!

Thus, if you so desire to truly love as He has loved us, why not come to a personal relationship with Him so that He can teach you how to love?

Looking Beyond

“The frog said to the other frog in the well, ‘We have the biggest reservoir in the world!!!’. But it is only because all the water that they have ever seen is the one they are living in.” Rei

4pm – I was struggling if I ought to continue with the topic which I had wanted to write since the week before but yet just couldn’t find my brain and fingers working well with it. Took a 15 seconds time out, said a little prayer and here I am writing on the contrast of the lives of people just by reading the paper today.

I read with much regrets how the ex-president of Seoul had committed suicide due to corruption scandal involving his family and how the police might put charges of fraud against him. How this man had put in “tireless effort “ for the country in the past years and retired last year in the rural home town only to commit himself to such an end.

I also read with sadness about the state of Colombo where houses were shattered, vehicles fell to its side or overturned due to the shelling of the warfare between the government and the rebels. The result of the war in which at least 7,000 were killed and at least 300,000 people living in refugee camp which people are staying in tents.

Then I read of how our government is putting in $68 millions boost for the students. How the government is aiding families with kids still going to school to cope with the recession which has hit globally. How blessed!

The contrast between the 1st and 2nd account – there are people who are fighting to survive and yet there are people who simply take their lives. Some people take their lives out of the pressure they created in it and some out of purely the root reason of the emptiness of live.

The contrast between the 2nd and the 3rd account – While other people are suffering in a condition beyond our imagination, there are also people who are ignorance of how blessed we are in a condition that people can never imagine.

I am not making comparison here but am challenging all of us (myself included) to look beyond being the frog in a little well that we might be in.

It is simply because of how blessed we are that we sometimes no longer count our blessings. We take it for granted that there will always be enough food and go on wasting it out of the abundance. Sometimes, do we not buy things not out of necessity but just out of “wants” or maybe it is just “cheap” to us?

“Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15

It might be because we are living in a country of access, we are never satisfied with abundance that we have. Or maybe it is because of our upbringing, due to the competitiveness of the system, we have developed the attitude of wanting to be better than anyone. Regardless the case, do you not realize that at the end of all that you can contained or have attained in this lifetime for yourself alone, you will not be able to bring it along with you when your time is up?

"A generous man will himself be blessd, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9

Will you open our eyes and look beyond where you are? Will you start to look out for all the little blessings that you might taken for granted and give thanks for it?

Will you learn to treasure the little that you have and in turn be a BLESSING to others by sharing with them what you have instead of wasting it unneccessarily?

What are You Living for?

“Just as the number in age goes up and never comes down. So it is with TIME. It slips us by and never returned. Are you too busy for the wrong reason?” Rei


3rd of May 2008, it was work as usual, but the headline on the newspaper had an impact in my heart as a Cyclone had hit Myanmar the previous day in which we saw many thousands dead, homeless or helpless. Perhaps then even as I can recall now, I have tried to live life as it is just by following up with the news and having a sense of sympathy for the people. But on the 12th of May, the plates of the earth moved again. This time it is China, Si Chuan. It was a horrendous sight as we see many young lives taken, homeless, disabled or orphanage due to a major Earthquake. My steps grew heavy as I stepped out of the door having read the headline with many thoughts running through. But once in the office, I had to be back to the usual self as I battled through the day once again in the corporate world of sales with a team I was leading. It was just the usual routine in which the clock ticked away late into the night with myself all exhausted, longing to be in bed and putting all my thoughts or feelings away.

The next day, as I was having lunch with one of my colleague and I asked if her husband is fine as he works in China that I came to the realization – “My dad is in China!” Yes, he is not staying with me and we don’t communicate frequently. Even so, that was not a reason for me to forget that he is in China. Shocked – I was. I remembered tears were piling up at the tip of my eyes even though I did not cry. Those tears were not because of shock, it was simply because of disappointment. Disappointment with myself as how can I forget my own dad’s where about?!? I quickly picked up the phone and tried to make contact with him but both the China and Singapore number didn’t work. It was only in the later part of the day that I managed to contact him to know that he is safe and sound and just returned to Singapore! At the end of that uneventful day, I was frustrated with myself. I had to face the question which had been asking me for the past 2 months or should I say be avoiding for the past 2 years or more – “What am I doing with my life?”

As the news of the tragedy continued to escalate, at the end of the month – I left my job (I have state clearly that this is not the main reason why I left my job then though it did play a part of it). It is not that my boss doesn’t pay me well. In fact, I must say I must be thankful for the salary given as it almost doubled my previous employment (not to mention I still had commission and bonuses). Within a short period of corporate working experience and with the qualification I possess, I must say I went up the corporate ladder rather fast to attain the position I was at and I was thankful for it. But it was also clear to me that I know how I have chose to allow myself to be robbed of the time and energy in things which I know one fine day, will just be of no value and vanished away. Was it worth it all then? In addition, have I become a salve to money or follower of the trends of the world? Isn’t there a more meaningful way in which I can devote myself in?

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that we have to quit our job or it is not good to work. In fact, we are made to work! We should also give of our best at work but work should not be all that there is in life. We do not live only to work! It is the balance we have to attain that matters. Is your work getting so overwhelming that your mind thinks only about work? Is all your time so consume with work that you have time for nothing else? If it is, it is a major out of balance! It will be good for you to question about the motivation in which you are working for? It is perhaps good to take time and sit down and re-evaluate your life. I am not cursing you but think with me. At death bed, is work all you want to recall at the final moment of life? Are you going to regret over the people you have failed to treasure more?

You have to remember that all that you can attained, be it wealth or accomplishments or recognition or success cannot be brought along with you when it is time to depart from this world. In this world that we are living in, it is so often said, “Time is money”. Time is indeed the greatest commodity in our hands because it can never be reverse.

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15,16

How can you spend time more meaningfully then? Would you then invest your time more wisely in the light of eternity?