Monthly Retreat/Sabbath

You know what, right now, I feel very compelled to start on my half-day off per month system.

This was accelerated by my half-day off yesterday. I took half-day off to attend Moshe Safdie's talk yesterday, so as it only started at 4.30pm, I had a long break after lunch before making my way there. In that break, I had a very fruitful quiet time, writing about how GOD has changed or impacted my life (was preparing my testimony lah).

At that point I had this brillant thought (didn't know why I didn't think of it before): why not incorporate solitude with GOD as part of my half-day offs? It would be a monthly Sabbath Day to regenerate & keep in check with the Spirit; a commitment to set aside time out of work to really commune with Him. Not that we don't everyday, but really making the effort and taking time out in an environment away from work, from home, from all the various settings that distract you or can interrupt your quiet time; in a place where you can create a "space". Anyway, what is 6 days out of a year (12 x half-days)?

After that, the half-day can be used to do whatever I initially wanted - to draw inspiration; to appreciate arts, nature & surroundings; to relax; etc. Probably, will become more productive too!

Anyway, next month, will be having a cell retreat. So it would be like my 2nd half-day off (it's an over the wkend retreat).

Missionary?

I was chatting with a colleague who had just returned from a trip to Medan to teach the Word of GOD. Somehow, I thought about Jackie Pullinger and how she shared GOD's heart with the poor.

I began to ponder whether I will ever have the courage or dare to venture out this way like her. I thought about this after the conference too & even as it was humbling, I questioned my courage. It really takes a big step of faith and also stepping out of our comfort zone (you know how sheltered we are in Singapore).

A no. of years ago, I did think of missionary work...it was more like, will I ever go on missions or be willing to go? If so, where would I go? At that point of time, a destination was China. I even went to buy a book on some of the pioneers who ventured into China to preach the gospel to read about their experience (which I have yet to read).

Well, I'm not called to do this or any mission to anywhere yet, but when GOD calls, how obedient will I be? One never knows.

Talk by Moshe Safdie

I took half-day today to attend a talk by Moshe Safdie, the world renowned architect who designed many famous buildings like the Salt Lake City Public Library, National Gallery of Canada and now, our Marina Bay Sands.
All I can say is, it was well worth the going.

It was amazing as he talked about his designs and one can truly see a real architect. He was so down-to-earth and you can see the essence of architecture through him; you can see his heart and the meaning behind it all. Each of his designs had such depth in them, and he always relates to the place where the design is (contextual), such that there is a blending and his creativity is immense to bring the place, the meaning, the essence of the intended architecture together. The most touching design in the presentation was Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, which was so meaningful and significant. It's a tunnel-like structure through a mountain in memory of the victims of the horrifying Holocaust. I nearly cried when he showed how when one reaches this point after walking through the whole museum (there was a sequence "set" by the design) and ending with the Hall of Names, and you look out from the end of the tunnel into the beautiful light of the landscape. He said something in the lines of 'there is hope and light at the end'. It was beyond words. The Hall of Names is another phenomena, with it reaching to the water table. I must go visit that place some day.

He's really an architect with a heart and throughout, I could only "wow" as he presented his creations and the concept behind them, and was rendered speechless. The vision he has is ... and the keeping true to the art.

Is preserving our heritage really so tough?

Is it really so difficult to preserve our heritage?

We have people who are passionate for this cause, but yet can do little or has little support. We have those who do it for the sake of doing it as they have been tasked to do so, but are without passion.
There are also those who are passionate & have the power, but due to conflicting interests, no synergy is created, but rather rivalry. And yet, what happened to the common good, the common goal? Also, is it our society that is so, given that not every one of us value heritage or our roots? Or is the drive to do so only manifested in August?

Sometimes, we look at other countries and we're amazed at how they value their artifacts, their heritage, etc. and how they work together as a nation to do it and you see them complementing each other in collecting such valuable resources rather than competing over them.

Maybe we're too "young"?

What's my favourite food?

The other day, a colleague was asking me what my favourite food was. At that point of time, I didn't have the answer.

I'm someone who likes to eat and enjoy my food. I'm not especially picky, but whatever it is, it must pass my taste buds. I can't imagine myself going on a diet (probably wouldn't be able to stick to it) and I try my best not to waste food, i.e. finish what I'm eating, unless it is really terrible or I'm too full till I would puke if I took another morsel.

Ok, back to the topic. as I happened to think about it again today, I realised I have too many faves...probably tied to what kind of cuisine too. Here are some:

Japanese - Katsu Don. I have this (weird) measure that if a Japanese shop/restaurant can't make a katsu-don right (at least to my standard), the rest of the stuff will probably not be nice.

French - Orange Duck. Basically I like most French food, including the delectable desserts...however, if they serve orange duck, I will order it.

Chicken curry. Love to eat this with lots of potato. Mum's the best and it's always a treat when she cooks it.

Laksa. I realised I rather like laksa when I had an overwhelming craving for it before & after I went to Europe last year. Not to mention there's a rather good one near my office.

龟苓膏 (Herbal Jelly) - I like those bitter kind (but of course to be taken with honey). Am always in search of good ones...bitter & can taste a variety of herbs. So far, Toa Payoh's Crystal Jade has the better one, except I think they have changed the formula (used to be more bitter & flavorful?), so the concoction seems not so nice and missing something.

I'm a big potato fan & potatoes cooked in any way is great for me; mashed, baked, fried, chips, gratin, etc. I even have a cookbook on potatoes!

Recently I've been having a craving for the Hong Kong/Macau-style noodle soup with luncheon meat & egg. Very unhealthy, but...

Shucks...think the list goes on & on... I also like char kway teow, roti prata (kosong), etc. Well, bon appétit!

2 Olives

This is of no offence to any of my dear friends yah?

Ok, I met a friend, A, about 2 years back and found that she reminded me of another friend, V. Hence, I guess it's due to this familiarity, that we became closer friends. They don't exactly look alike or behave alike; V is of a more melancholic personality while A is more jovial, but somehow I felt they are somehow alike...at least to me. I can't really figure out what.

Well, yesterday, I just discovered that A has a nickname "Olive" (you know, Popeye's Olive) and V had told me before that she's sometimes referred to as "Olive" too! Amazing isn't it?

Jackie Pullinger: "Ministry with the Poor"

Wow, went for this conference today & it was amazing!
It was a simple message and the speaker Jackie Pullinger spoke from the heart and about exercising GOD's love in giving to the poor.

I was greatly humbled coz it was going down to the basics - ministry to the poor is not about giving money and such (the least of all worries), but it must be coming from your heart. It is something you've got to do yourself, just as Jesus did when He came to earth Himself; it is an attitude of the heart. You've got to be a part of their life. It is not "ministry" but rather a way of life. She gave a very apt reference to a scene in Peanuts where Snoopy was all cold & shivering in the cold during winter when Charlie Brown, all muffled & wrapped in warm clothes walked past. Charlie said to Snoopy "be of good cheer" and goes off, thinking he has blessed Snoopy, while Snoopy was still cold & shivering with a big question mark.
I guess we should all know this in our hearts, but we have forgotten the basics of GOD's ministry in our society & habits of ministry.

Not that it was not known before, but during the conference, I was deeply stricken by how privileged & pampered we were, and ashamed at how commercialised our society was, such that we too have been influenced. How are we to see through His eyes, love as He loved and give as He gave, so unconditionally?

ok, side-track. Today we sang Thank You for the Cross which is my fave song. It has a special place in my heart, a song which GOD put in me at the beginning of my Christian life. I had nearly forgotten it. Have not sung it for a while but it touched me again tonight.

"New" places

Today seemed to be a day of seeing new sights in Singapore.

In the morning, I had to visit someone with some colleagues at Toh Tuck Rd. On the way there I felt that we were in a different place & I've never been to the area before!

In the evening, on the way to pick my mum up, we passed the "Singapore Eye". Most of the time, if I take ECP, I would be going to City Hall area & would have exited at suntec. This time, I exited at Keppel area. Anyway, I suddenly realised how close "The Eye" was to the expressway & it sort of loomed there. Looked different.

After that, on the way to pick my brother, I passed the view of Ikea from the back (as I passed the old SAFRA there). Realised I've never viewed Ikea from that angle.

Finally, as we went to Marina South for dinner, we had to go by a new road as they had redirected traffic. I got to view the business district from a different angle with a really nice view of the buildings & lights (seems like a lot of pple were working late) closer up.

Too bad I didn't take any photos as I didn't have my camera with me...my mobile's too weak.

More Than

Recently, I "discovered" this really nice worship song in one of my CDs by Hillsong. It's not a new song, but...

Well, I can't put the music up here, but here are the lyrics.

Your eternal Word

formed the universe

And You speak to me

whisper I'm Your greatest love

You're the saving Lord

beauty in a storm

everything I need

more than I could ever want

(Chorus)

You are my heart's desire

I have fallen to the point of no return

More than my heart could know

more than in love with You

A fine day

Today's weather was really nice, and a blue sky with clouds like cotton were dominant.

Anyway, saw this postbox near the Central Fire Station the other day...think it was part of some design competition some time ago.

PS: Just realised that my last post was my 100th. :)

Blessed

I had cellgroup tonight & while sharing 1 of the names of GOD, Jehovah-Shammah -- GOD is here/present, we were discussing how we know GOD is present, and 1 response was through answers.

As I reflected, I felt very blessed that I have been able to hear GOD many times, whether in prayers answered, questions answered, revelations, just knowing in some situations that it must be Him being there, & He's there, always, seeing Him in our lives and surroundings...our dreams and also protecting us.

It's really amazing as sometimes, when I ask a question/affirmation to/from GOD, answers can appear through others even when we were talking about other things. Sometimes, He just gives the answer directly. At that point, something just dawns & you just know it must be GOD. Very strange feeling. Some more, just in case one is in doubt, He will repeat answers.
Another example would be about my job. I prayed about open doors & direction & if He promises or answers something, He will follow through till the end, even though it might not be instantaneous.
Then there's also the protection that He gives (see close shaves).

It's amazing sometimes to see or hear all these. I realised there are so many instances that I can't list them all down.

Then my cell leader talked about how we can hear GOD clearer if we have stillness of heart, to actually stop & hear Him out.
I guess it comes with a willingness of heart to listen to Him as sometimes we might make ourselves not believe we are actually hearing from Him, or we refuse to listen or refuse the answer, or we simply make Him listen to us more than we listen to Him; where we keep talking on our end, and not letting Him have a word in.