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.