Sinner's Guide to Holiness

New book by Matthias Media. Title of book struck me. Thought that it would normally be titled "Christians' Guide to Holiness". But really, I am still a sinner. The only difference is that I am a sinner saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. I have not read the book. Will be buying it soon.

The review below is taken from Matthias Media website. Not sure if this is available at church's bookends yet. It is available for AUD $12 on the MM website. John Chapman may be one of the speakers at Church Camp 2006.

What is holiness? Why do I need it? And why is it such a struggle for me to achieve holiness in my everyday life?

In A Sinner’s Guide to Holiness, well-known evangelist John Chapman explores what the Bible has to say about holiness—where it begins, how it makes progress in our lives, and its ultimate fulfilment as we are changed into Christ’s glorious likeness on the Last Day.

This book is a timely publication in this day and age, when we have often lost sight of the holiness of God. And when we do, it seems like an impossible task to achieve our own holiness. But ‘Chappo’ tells us that becoming holy is a vital, worthwhile goal for every Christian—even though the first 60 years may be the hardest!

This is the first title in a new series from Matthias Media: Guidebooks for Life. As the series unfolds, it will deal with the important nuts-and-bolts topics that Christians need to know about as we walk each day with our Master.

Read the first book in this new series, and rediscover the joy of being a sinner on the path of holiness.

Chill Out Time

One nice place to chill out by the waters: Pasta Fresca at East Coast Park.

The open-air sitting Italian restaurant is located just beside the East Coast Food Village. You can dine by the beach overlooking the waters. A great place to chill out with loved ones or a group of friends. It is such a relaxing place, you won't feel like you are in Singapore. It reminded me of my holiday in Bintan where I can totally relax and need not think about work.

There is also a massage service provided by Dolphin Care. One can choose to sit on a massage chair facing the sea and someone will provide head and shoulder massage.

Check it out! :)

This World & Revelation

Surprisingly, I am tired again. I remembered I blogged about how tired and stressed out I had been just last Thursday and a week later now, I am feeling tired again BUT this time, it is not the same...

I am tired of having to fight work politics. This surfaced from time to time. I am tired of having to be careful of everyone around me, to be on my toes to be careful what I say or do, in case I get stabbed on my back. I don't like to be in a culture of "tai chi" where people do not take ownership and bully those who seems more bully-able (like me). It seemed like the one who makes the loudest noise, wins. I don't like to deal with hypocrisy and pretence. I don't wish to climb up the ladder but there're people who think I am a threat. I'd prefer to be left alone to complete my work, excel in completing my tasks and remain low profile. I don't like to have to deliberately do things just to please someone just so as to be in his/her good books and to gain favour. I don't like to be in this "dog-eat-dog" world and to deal with all these...

Depending on how one views this, I may seemed immature, naive, unambitious, unrealistic of this world that is around me. Whilst it could be somewhat true, I just don't like this and I am tired of fighting and defending against those who are 'attacking' me.

Whilst I was reflecting on my 'tiredness', I was reminded of the book Revelation. We are more than half way through studying the book, understanding God's eventual judgement for mankind. I'm thankful that I have that Hope to look forward to, where I can just worship God all day long and need not be wary of anyone around me.... where Sin will be totally gone! It probably gives me some comfort to know that God will surely judge those who are against Him. The Day of Judgement is no joke and it would be unimaginable, unlike movies like Armageddon. God's wrath is REAL. It also calls for me to be faithful to the end, no matter what. It reminds me that I need not fear those around me who may stab me in the back. Who else I should fear but God Himself?

Who cares about work politics? I should just be faithful to God and bearing a good testimony. But it is easier said than done. How to even pray for the salvation of those who 'persecute' you? How to repay goodness with evil? How to love the person who harms you? How to love your enemies? Lord, please grant me grace to love people and to bear with injustice in this sinful world.

Playing with Fire

It was the 15th day of the eighth lunar month yesterday. It is also the Mooncake Festival or Lantern Festival. I have surely eaten quite a bit of mooncakes and hopefully not gaining weight from the eating!

Had a bbq gathering with some friends last night and since it was the actual day of the Mooncake Festival, I bought some lanterns for the 3.5 years ago Cha Cha to play. I bought a Nemo lantern for her thinking she'll like it. Well she did like it because of the pink tail but she later preferred the pink Hello Kitty lantern... just because there was more of her favourite colour on the lantern. Sigh, kids...

As for me, I'd rather prefer to play with candles. I wonder if its the arson-nature in me to like to play with fire? Since as young as I remember about myself, I don't mind walking around my home vicinity with the beautiful lanterns, but I much prefer to light up candles and see them burn away.... I guess its rather therapeutic for me. Watching the burning candles somehow calms me... hmm, maybe it has a bit of the hypnotism effect...

Tired & Stressed

The sun has set and I'm feeling drained out mentally and a bit lack of sleep. Shouldn't complain about sleep because I wilfully slept late. I shall attempt to catch up some sleep from tonight onwards. Or else my eye bags and panda eyes really is beyond hope.

Stressed out at work because I seemed to not find enough time to complete my work. Work's coming in from all ways and ironically they're all not from my boss. To top it, I just had a new admin assistant whom I've to trained to do things. But so far she's been able to help relieve some things. But being sucked into this world of instant gratification, I do wish that she can just read my mind and do the things I wish can be done without much supervision from me. There're just so many things to be done and followed through!!! Had an internal audit just now made everything worse because there are areas of deficiencies identified to be improved and to be done before my organisation go for some international accreditation. Those who work in the same industry as me would be able to understand how stressful this international accreditation makes everyone to be!!!

Besides work, the thought of things to be doing for ministries also makes me further stressed. I used to be able to have the brains to think about ministry work and care for others. But now my work just makes me unable to do so. Still gotta go through leadership training every week and have to possibly lead a couple more bible studies because my other co-leader has to go overseas for work. It doesn't help when I really truly feel very inadequate to lead bible study. I don't think I'm gifted to lead bible study. I really wonder if my DG members are benefitting and learning from my leading, or it makes them more confused. And I still have a wedding to plan and coordinate for. I feel drained out overall, such that with whatever time that I have left available, I'd rather just stone out. Hmm, is this called burnt out?

I really don't know. But all I know is that my brains have reached a saturation point that I contemplate thoughts of giving up everything and do nothing. No ounce of energy left. I tell myself this could be something short term, since I just came back from a short holiday so I've more work to catch up. Yet I can't help it but feel everywhere and everyone is needing a piece of me (Messiah syndrome??). How do I cope with this?? Arrhhhh........ maybe its time I go do Body Combat to box and kick it all out!!! But yup I know this is also telling me that I should focus on God and not on all my stresses. He is greater and mightier than everything. What can happen outside His control?? Nothing.

Love Unites

Am back!! Was overseas to be a bridesmaid at my close friend's wedding.

Thank God that it was a pretty restful trip. Met many people at the wedding, such that I realised I actually know many of my friend's (the bride) relatives and friends!

Had chance to do back massage, hair spa, manicure and pedicure... sounds good isn't it? I don't normally go for such luxury but it was truly a relaxing and well-deserving treat, since I had been so busy and tired out. Surely the price we pay there is much cheaper then what we will get in Singapore.

Thank God for reminding me that He is in total control of all things. I saw my friend through her relationship with her ex-boyfriend (now her husband), from the time they knew each other and knowing all their ups and downs. There were times that I was happy for her and I rejoice with her and also times when I 'scolded' her for unnecessary behaviour in the relationship. I'm glad to see her grow through it all and how God brings 2 persons together when the odds seemed overwhelming previously. It was also amazing in the way how God has provided for them in this wedding - the finances, the gifts, the people. The blessings outweighs the glitches that occurred at the event.

The wedding venue was beautiful! It was held at an outdoor cafe completed with marque and airconditioning. The backdrop was a waterfall (man-made of course!) and there was greenery all around. With the flower decor, the entire place was really ideal to hold a wedding! But of course at the end of the day, what matters is not the wedding, but the marriage. A wedding is to celebrate the union of 2 persons, bounded by a marriage covenant. It is only the beginning. The couple has a whole lifetime together, to help each other grow in godliness. Everything can go right, romantic and perfect on the wedding day, but if the marriage is not centred on Christ and the couple gets self-centred and do not love by being other-person-centred, everything can go wrong. It is easy for me to say but difficult to do, given our human sinful nature. This is when we need Christ and to be centred on Him and His word.

Enough said. Pray that I will have the grace to have a Christ-centred marriage when God decides to exchange my gift of singleness with marriage. Congrats again, my dear friend... May he (your husband) be able to project godly love for you. And you my dear, be able to submit to him out of reverence for Christ.

I'm Off!!

I'm flying off!! Won't be blogging for some time. Shall share some interesting details about my trip when I'm back :)

Burdensome Ministry - 'Toil' & 'Labour' Part 2

(I actually blogged this entry during lunch today but somehow the entire entry got lost and I have to re-enter this again. By now, I've already lost most of my thoughts.)

I didn't think that my sharing about my ministries would cause Neonangel and Mrkaif to share and reflect about their service. Coincidentally, Ron also shared how he was strengthened by God in the past week as he served too.

Sadistic as it may sound, but I'm happy to know that I'm not alone in this. I'm not the only one feeling tired, exhausted and fustrated in service. It comforts me to know that I have fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who also persevered, toiled, cried, sacrificed, laboured for the sake of the gospel. Come to think of it, my ex co-DGL and current co-DGL had also prepared bible study, attended clobs and led bible study every week for one whole year! How many hours go into that every week!! My pastors and church staffworkers also pressed on day after day... all for the joy of serving our great God, and to proclaim the good news. Paul in the Bible has also toiled and laboured for the gospel. He even went to prison because of the gospel and finally served till his death. My 'labour' is nothing compared to others.

I also take comfort in knowing that efforts would be worth it when I see God in heaven. No I'm not working my way to heaven. I don't need to because Christ has already died for me. I have my assurance of eternity because of Jesus Christ. I take comfort because when I go heaven, I only will engage in worship of God day after day. No more need to toil and labour. (Hopefully I can play the harp without much learning :P)

To end off, I would like to share a song which I had chose to sing last weekend. I found myself holding back my tears as I personally responded to the song as I sing it. But I had to control my emotions so that I could carry on to lead the congregation to sing. I hope this song will continue to remind me to fix my eyes on Jesus and let nothings distract me from Him.

Compared to Knowing Jesus

(By Mark Peterson)

Nothing I can offer to heaven, nothing I can do to make peace

Nothing in the way that I sing his songs, nothing in the way that I pray

Though I can say that I love Him, though I can lift up my hands

Though I have actions and words of grace, though I hold my head up high

There's nothing in the world or in my life, that doesn't disappear or fade away

Everything I've come to know I count as loss

Compared to knowing Jesus, my Lord

Compared to knowing Jesus, my Lord

If I am right with my Maker, it is through faith in my Lord

If I have goodness it comes from Him.

If I am pure I give thanks

I want to know Jesus my Saviour

I want to know His power to rise (from the dead)

I want to have fellowship in His grief

I want to be raised up with Him

'Toil' and 'Labour' - The Past Week

I'm so so tired after a 2-week packed of work and ministries. It felt like so many things had happened in 2 weeks.

My work's usually uneventful. But because of helping uncle last week, its something different that I don't normally do. I'm not complaining, really! But its really a joy and privilege that I can be of help to him. Another couple came for their routine gynaecological checkup and I was happy to be able to sit down during my office hours to catch up and be part of their journey to parenthood. Its both work and personal. Work - being there for my employer’s customers and helping the couple find a good Paediatrician. Personal - being there for my DG mates and the 2nd little one joining my DG family :)

Other ‘exciting’ things at my work was to undergo 2 days of training on “Innovation”. My new assistant also just joined us 3 days ago and I’ve lots to orientate her before I go on leave. All these occupied my entire week.

In the last 2 weeks, I led songs at service last Friday and again this entire weekend, spent time preparing to lead bible study, led the bible study, planned a wedding, practiced song to sing at friend’s wedding, attending potential leadership training... sometimes I feel like I’m a full-time staffworker. In my weakness and sinfulness, I have had thoughts of “Why do I have to serve all the time? Why aren’t there nobody else to do so?” I feel physically tired and hardly have time for myself or for other people. I admit I’m not indispensable, neither am I super capable that no one else can do it but me.

I was reminded of what I had learnt on the 1st session of PLT – that ministry involves toil and labour. What is ministry all about? It is about serving God’s people. I have ever served till I am burnt out. But I guess I have not regretted because I know that God’s people are ministered at the end of the day. And all these are only by His grace and strength. For example in the past week, after a weekful the previous week, I had to pick up myself again to prepare and to lead bible study, then select and confirm the songs to be sung this weekend, followed by music practice. I truly only had time to prepare my song-leading session on Saturday morning for Saturday afternoon’s service (and I had to do it in office since I was working that morning). I had no other time to prepare, not as compared to previously I would prepare days in advance and fine-tune at the last minute. I prayed and prayed many times, for Him to sustain me by His grace, to do all that by His strength so that I can be His instrument and people will be ministered to with the songs. I know that I have done all that only through Him and I am once again humbled because I am weak but He is strong.

Don’t misunderstand that I’m complaining about service. I am not. But I have been quite discouraged because I get the impression that I should not be spending too much time in church ministries that I don’t have time to help/minister in other forms. I am trying not to be too specific here lest I becoming finger-pointing. Sometimes I really feel misunderstood. But it really just coincident timing that things just happened together such that they all fall in the same period and I have to prioritize. And I’m not even considering time with family, with friends or for myself to factor in. I am talking about prioritizing my ministries, yet I feel misunderstood.

I was reminded that I should not be discouraged by the 1 or 2 people but instead be encouraged by the many who has supported me and cared for me. I cannot please everyone and if it happened that I get misunderstood, I can only pray that things would get better over time.

I was reminded that although I serve God’s people, I serve to please Him only and not to please men nor myself. I should not thrive on the praises of people but honestly I am encouraged and even more so when I know that I did not do it by my own strength. I am thankful and praise God that there have been many accounts of people who had been a blessing to me over the weekend as I served. It can be as simple as a smile with a word of concern to ask how I am (especially when I was lined up with ministries from 8am to 4pm today). That in itself is encouragement to me and it had came from more than one person. I’ve also had people making sure that I have food and cared for my well-being. I’m touched by God’s love for me shown through these people. I am glad that I have been used as an instrument as people tell me how they had been ministered by the songs that we sung. Not only then I realized I should not be discouraged by those who do not understand the time and effort I put in my ministries, but be joyful in service simply because this is God’s work. It is a privilege to be able to serve so I should not be discouraged. I also consider it a privilege that I can have a job which allows me to have time to serve and minister.

I shall carry on the work, not for myself but because Jesus my Lord has died in my place already. Surely He can sustain me as I continue to ‘toil and labour’ for His Kingdom-sake...

Cool One

Saw this car outside my office building. Quickly fished out my handphone camera to take a shot! Although I'm not a big fan of beetle, still think that this Herbie is cool!! (Car plate number has been deliberately smudged to protect the car's identity)