Getting back to writing

I never was a writer to start of with but there's something about writing that calms me and transforms me.

I took a break from this blog simply because I felt that I had nothing worth talking about. That break was definitely much needed and helped me to figure out what I needed as a person who wants to start a journey in writing. A lot has happened since my last entry, and I hope that I could include some of them here.

A bit of this blog title "Crows and Crossroads". 

Every person I know are in transition. We all are or will be. One day, we will stand before the crossroads of our lives deciding what exactly it is that matters. It is at those crossroads we would have made the most important and significant decisions of our lives.

That is the purpose of this blog - to bring some thought to those crossroads and decisions we are to make. I hope that in my writing, and possibly the articles I put up, would help many in their journey. Crossroads are never easy, but with some help and encouragement, I am certain that we can make the best decisions together.

The "crows" part of the title speaks of the fears, pains, worries, and in some cases "darkness" that looms over us. I hope through this blog I to be able to identify with your struggles, your "crows", and find a way to chase them away.

With that, I will begin to make my plans to write and write, and hopefully develop thoughts that will inspire you to act with courage to overcome any crow that may come your way, and make the best decision when faced with a crossroad.

God bless,

Stephen Chin

Happy New Year 2013

The journey thus far has been awesome.

In 2012, I came home from New Zealand after finishing my diploma studies there and begun my ministry as a pastor with my church. The training alone had given me so much to work with that I admit that my preaching is a lot better now than before I had gone studying.

Apart from that, it was this time last year that my wife and I found out that we would soon be parents. Yes, it was exactly a year ago that we found out our daughter would be joining us in this world. We were thrilled. Now, we are both proud parents of Zara Elizabeth Chin who is now already 4 months old. And in the same line of thoughts, we ended u p being home owners as well.

Now, what will 2013 be for us? I pray that God's favour would be with us continually as we seek to know him and make him known. It is also in my desire that I would be a better husband, father, son, pastor and friend. This year will be quite a challenge on its own but there is truly nothing I can't do that which God can't do for me and with me.

So Happy and Blessed New Year to all. May this year be ever more fruitful and joyful. May the grace  of God be with you. And, may his peace, shalom, be made known in all earth.

God bless.

My Adventures with God

When I first start this blog, I had intended to use it to describe the challenges I had been through in life. Thus, I named this blog "Crows ad Crossroads". "Crows" were what I imagined that picked the joy and laughter out of my life; and the "Crossroads" were what represented the decisions made to continue in this journey called 'life".

Today, I sit in the student lounge of Laidlaw College while pondering on the journey I had taken with the Lord for the year 2011. I have embarked on the Diploma in Biblical Studies in this college since February 2011. I've learnt a lot here that has helped me understand my faith in Christ more. Furthermore, this theological studies has given me a tremendous appreciation for tradition and Scripture. Being here has been a blessing and a challenge. I look forward to finishing soon so that I can return home and be with my wife, Lorene and my family.

I have much to express and describe about my life, however, as usual I lack the creative writing skills to do so. Despite of the lack of literacy ability, I will attempt to expound on my thoughts for the year and hopefully nuggets of God's creativity will flow into my writing.

Unfortunately, I will have to return to my books to prepare for my exams next week. This blog would be updated once in while, depending on the inspirations I have received to write.

God bless.

Living On Purpose: Ministry

Living on Purpose: "Ministry flows out of an intimate relationship with the Creator". Inasmuch that worship is an overflow of the same relationship, what we do is the natural respond to our love for Him knowledgeably (mind, soul & spirit) and experientially (heart).

Living On Purpose

Living on Purpose

God never intended us to live without a purpose. Life is purposeful and wonderful. We are created with a purpose, for a purpose. Today, I have decided for this season to consider my life and begin living it with a deeper sense of purpose.

I've have gone through the "40 Days of Purpose Life" by Rick Warren, Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church in the USA. In the process of it, he summarized life in 5 simple points. If you are interested about it, go and get the book and read it. Good information and wonderful for application. However, we must take it further and begin pondering upon the truths of living purposefully.

Here, I would dedicate most of my postings with snippets of wisdom from scriptures, authors, newsletters and other sources of inspirational truths of Living on Purpose. Some might be long essays while most would be short inspirational truths from great thinkers of past and present centuries.

It is said that all truths are divinely inspired regardless of culture or religion. As long as the truths resonates with the scripture, they are truths to be expressed. You might ask, "What does truth have to do with Living on Purpose?" Well, everything! Truth allows us to find our purpose and to have it with clarity. Hence, the journey of Living on Purpose is actually a journey of truths. Truth is not relative. If it was so, it would not be consider a truth.

So, I pray that as I wait upon the Spirit of God, and read the scriptures, books, novels and more, these wisdom and truth would materialize into words. Words that are from Eternity and would continue into eternity. Words that would propel us into a life of wonders and profound joy, hope and love.

Let me therefore encourage you to seek Truth for it would result in true freedom and a life of great purpose... one with a destiny. Begin Living on Purpose!

You can't be what you don't see, Joycelyn Elders

You can't be what you don't see. I didn't think about being a doctor. I didn't even think about being a clerk in a store—I'd never seen a black clerk in a clothing store.

Joycelyn Elders (b. 1933), U.S. pediatrician and educator; first woman (and second African American) Surgeon General of the United States. As quoted in the New York Times Magazine, p. 18 (January 30, 1994).

Elders, who was the U. S. Surgeon General at the time, was noting the importance of professional role models for African American children. Explaining why, growing up African American in Arkansas, she wanted to be a lab technician, she said: "That was the only thing I'd ever heard about." Eventually, she met Dr. Edith Irby Jones, the first African American woman to study at the University of Arizona Medical School, and was inspired to become a physician.

Adapted from Dictionary.com - Quotes

Inspiration comes from many places...

I was on my lap top preparing my message for YDM (a Youth Service) when I discovered the video. I'm certain that many people have viewed this video, but this was my first time.

Music is really inspirational. In fact, music is in the heart of every created being. We all have a sense of rhythm from the beating heart, pulsating veins. While we might not sing, dance or have a tune in our minds... deep within us is an expression like a song, like music... powerful, unpredictable and inspiring.

This video is another one of the inspirational expression of a human heart.

Song Story - Brooklyn Tabernacle Miracle of Hope

"Because this place try to mind you of who you used to be but God has never spoken to me about who I used to be...never... God has my eyes and my heart focus on where He's taking me." Gary Norris (2:00 - 2:13)

No Record of Wronged by Our Daily Bread

“Love . . . keeps no record of being wronged” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

One of my school textbooks had a mother-and-son story that I still remember. The mother was a harassed housewife with so many things to do, and she expected the boy to help her. He had his own priorities in life and resented doing what the mother wanted. One day he decided to ask his mother to pay for the services rendered by him. So he prepared a bill and placed it under her pillow. It was something like this. Drawing two buckets of water from the well: 2 annas; buying groceries from the market: 3 annas; dusting the furniture: 3 annas; going to the neighbour’s home to borrow sugar: 1 anna; and so on. He could easily earn a rupee for just a day’s labour, he thought, or mother may just stop asking for his help. He went to sleep dreaming of a better future for himself either way. When he got up he was delighted to find a rupee coin under his pillow, but along with it was a bill. Carrying you for nine months prior to birth: nothing; giving you birth at the peril of my own life: nothing; nursing you for a year: nothing; teaching you to walk and talk: nothing; caring for you when you were sick: nothing; and so on. It was a long list but the total bill was nil. The son rushed to his mother and wept in her arms.

I Corinthians 13:4-5 says that love does not keep an account of other people’s wrongs, nor does it flaunt or boast about one’s own good deeds. But the human brain maintains a detailed log of every event in our life, records every conversation that we have had, retains every image that our eyes have captured. We can recall words that hurt us even many years after they were spoken. Nations go to war over issues that are centuries old. How convenient would it be to selectively erase our memory like that of a computer!

I Corinthians Chapter 13:1-13 talks about the great strength of love, but it also cautions us about its fragility. Resentments, grievances, ill-feelings, complaints, and hurts have no place in the record book of love.

(Note: In the old Indian currency, 16 annas made a rupee. Now one rupee is made of 100 paise.) —Submitted by R. R., India

Link: http://www.ourdailyjourney.org/2011/01/11/no-record-of-being-wronged/

It's 2011

It's 2011! I can't believe that the year has gone by so quickly. Happy new year everyone and God bless!

So what are we in for us this year?

Just wait and see....

Grace... it is sufficient

In the past weeks I've been pondering upon the grace of God. I know it and in fact I believe that His grace is sufficient. One morning, while having breakfast with a friend, I noticed a bible that he had gotten from London. It's more like a magazine compilation. As I began to read through some of the interesting articles in the bible, it struck me that I didn't really quite understood this grace of God we often claim as sufficient.

I felt an urge to find out more about His grace and spent time reading Romans and several books. What I began to understand have begun a transformation in my thought and life. What used to be a concept and partly an experience is now becoming a life style and also a true experience of His Amazing Grace. It is true when they say that you don't quite understand it until you've experienced it.

A lot of us have a concept and a knowledge of truth. We stick to it and would believe it whole-heartedly. But when concepts travels from the head to the heart, truth takes a whole new perspective. Our experience solidifies the truth we have gained in knowledge into true knowledge (one that is both experienced and understood rationally).

Grace - undeserved favour of God. I would love to express it more but I think I'll do that another time. If you have time, spend it reading the book of Romans. Ask yourself, "what's so amazing about Grace?". There are many books you could read, but nothing beats discovering it first hand.

Nothing in Particular

Everything's going pretty fast in my life at the moment with loads of events and projects to coordinate. When I look at my schedule, I feel overwhelmed but each day is a sense of accomplishment.

God is taking me through a journey and what I need to do is enjoy the ride and experience it.

I've now been married for 6 months. Each moment is precious and I know that I'm blessed. God's been watching for our every need. We have seen Him in our relationship and our growth. It is a joy to have such a wonderful wife to share this life with.

I'm also currently planning my studies. I'll be going off either to Australia or New Zealand to do my Diploma in Theology/Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry. I look forward to equipping myself and gaining more experience while I'm there. I'm not sure what to think about being away for one year, but I'm sure I can handle it. One year will go fast enough. I might actually even go longer than one year.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2010 everyone!

2009 has ended and reflecting on the year that has gone by so quickly I realized that I'm so blessed! Last year was a BIG year for myself and Lorene. Getting married was an experience on its own. Let me share a little of the experience with you.

Lorene and I were in Singapore in August 2008 for a conference. We didn't expect anything more than spending time with her family there after the conference. Her Aunt Elaine had gotten us two tickets to a bridal show. Funnily enough, we were not engaged yet until 6 October 2008. So we decided to go to this bridal show. The banquet team from Raffles Hotel took us to view the banquet hall, the flower arrangements, honeymoon suite and offered us cocktail. Ok, the thing was every other couple there was engaged and the ladies ALL had their engagement ring on except the two of us. The highlight came during the catwalk bridal show itself. Beautiful models twirled up and down the elevated catwalk for everyone to view the bridal gowns they were wearing from Silhouette, which apparently is a reknown boutique to my own ignorance. At the end of the show a name was called.

"Lorene Fong", and there was a pause. Again they called out, "Lorene Fong". I looked at Lorene and said, "I think they're calling you." She began to scream(according to MY memory-she denies screaming) and she pulled me up onto the stage... She had won a lucky draw for a bridal gown! It was a miracle! We could see the green-eyed ladies with their diamond studded rings reluctantly congratulating us, but they applauded anyway. From there we began to see miracles after miracles til the day of our wedding.

The wedding was phenomenal. I thank all that gave so much to the wedding and celebrated with us on the 07.08.09. especially my mommy and daddy, Grace and John Chin, Che Ming and Dex, Che Ching and Johan, my younger brother Raymond Chin, Che Mei and Abang Jap, Che Na & Abang Jamal, Che Wendy and my late brother Koko Chris, Nenek Riman my Grandmother, my parents-in-law B.J & Judith, my nephews and nieces, The Woo Family, Best Man Chester and Maid of Honour Denise, the Pastors, Rev Johnny Chin and Karen, Uncle Andy and Aunty Dona, my care group-20 something, Dawn, Sophia, Imam, Felicia and their CG, YDM, Church Office i.e. Tiew Li, Linnie and again Dawn, Christina Chong, my stag nite gang (hehehe), Vely, Tim, Nick Thein, Joel Ang, Ron, Koko Frank, Sonia, Jerome Wong and Jen's Studios, Ken Florist, PCC and the list goes on and on. I was very touched by all their efforts and act of love toward myself and Lorene making our wedding and marriage such an enjoyable time. I will always cherish this and remember it for the rest of my life. Thank you for making our wedding memorable and 2009 an awesome year for us!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I pray that this year will be a year of breakthrough, revival and transformation for all.

FOR UNTO US A SON IS BORN...

Christmas is upon us. Oh how exciting to celebrate our Saviour's birth. I wish you all a blessed Christmas as we remember the gift of love God has given to all mankind... "for unto us a Son is born... and He shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor...." He is Jesus Christ!

CUTS AND BRUISES

16 December, on the way back from Miri, I was at the Sg. Tujuh Immgration Checkpoint waiting for the passport clearance to enter back into Brunei, I fell into a 'long kang' i.e. a drain. It wasn't a big drain at all. A very small narrow drain.

Basically, I was just standing at the immigration booth waiting to get the passports back from the officer when I noticed my wife. So I decided to walk back to her. However, instead of walking, I ran. My eyes were locked on my target. I had only one intention. It was to get to her. Unaware of my surrounding and the impending doom that awaits, there it was the 'long kang', able and ready to lure its victim into its pit of darkness. In a matter of seconds, I was caught in its trapped. I've fallen in the pit that claimed my leg. My reflexes caused me to react without any hesitation. I leaped out of the 'long kang' and freed my leg from being devoured. There I stood in front of my wife, feeling rather humiliated that I was easily entrapped by such a thing as a 'long kang', acting cool not noticing the horror that I've received; a deep wound inflicted by the 'long kang'.

FIVE STITCHES was all I needed to patch the wound... but how fortunate I was, I didn't fall on my face!

I'm glad all is well and Praise Jesus for keeping us safe! :) Amen.

Going for Mission

Heading to Sipitang for a Mission Trip there. It's gonna be a great time of adventure and just seeing God move in His ways. Exciting! I'm gonna be missing Lorene while in Sipitang.

The Wicker Basket

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, 'Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?' The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, 'Take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.'

The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, 'You will have to move a little faster next time,' and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the old wicker basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was 'impossible to carry water in a basket,' and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, 'I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough,' and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, 'See Papa, it's useless!'

'So you think it is useless?' The old man said, 'Look at the basket.'

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it was clean.

'Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible.. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.

Moral of the wicker basket story: Take time to read a portion of God's word each day; it will affect you for good even if you don't retain a word.

God's love is like the ocean, you can see its beginnings but not its end.

I really like this story because I don't remember things like I used to....but then I think God isn't just concerned about my brain, He's more concerned about my heart.

Married and Loving it!

I can't express it but I begin to understand why God blesses marriages. Coming home and being able to be close to her... to hear her and to hold her close. It's still like a dream. A dream come true!

I'M GETTING MARRIED!

I'm blessed and excited!

God is faithful and in every circumstance may we ever praise His glorious name! Amen!

It's been a tough week....

There's much that happened in such a short time... I just need to remember that God is good. His ways are not my ways, His thoughts are not my thoughts.

It's been a tough week... my elder brother died in an accident last week. We will miss him ... koko Chris.