Dad.

Hardworking, loving, caring, a man of few words. Your typical Asian father that loves his kids, yet doesn't really talk to them.

Deep down I know he wants to.

I'm always fascinated with listening to my dad's long stories. You see, he was born in the year 1937. When the Japanese invaded, he was only 5. He would often retell the story of how the Japanese bombers flew passed on the Chinese new year, dropping their deadly load upon the civilians of Singapore. I listened with great intent as he talked about how terrible life was back then, when hunger and fear were constant companions. I particularly remember this tag that he wore over his neck as a young boy fleeing the Japanese onslaught, the tag read - "Cantonese, Ng Peng Chiong". It was a mean of identification for others if he would to perish under a Japanese bomb. Accounts of how he would grow and eat tapioca and watery porridge that had no taste. He spoke about bowing down to Japanese soldiers, singing the Japanese national anthem in school, and bowing towards Japan. Now I finally figured out his limited Jap vocab was not acquired in a comfortable classroom.

This made me realized how amazing God is, placing a father over a son who enjoys listening to all his war stories. It made history feel real whenever he spoke of it. I was talking to a real person who's being thru a real war, not some book or some lecturer that's only perhaps a few years older than me.

On his face i could see the years of burden, of trying to provide for the family. He used to be a heavy smoker and drinker, and this led to a heart bypass in 1995. That was the first time i saw my mom cried. That was the first time i saw my backslidden sister praying in the dark of the night. I never really realized how precious my dad was until i became a Christian. God opened my eyes to see all my dad's effort and years of burden - and now it's my turn to repay him.

I don't know how many years my dad is left with, but by the mercy of God, he'll be around to receive the greatest gift that I can ever give to him.

Jesus, Hope of all mankind.

Let Us Ascend the Hill of the Lord Together.

We had a wonderful time today in cell. Unlike your typical cell where everyone goes "hi" and "bye", "how's your week?", 'fine" etc, I'm very grateful that our cell works differently.

Very Differently.

Do not underestimate the power when brothers dwell together in unity, setting their hearts on creating a transparent cell environment where they are no secrets among each other, where we could all remove our masks and be honest with one another.

Today marks another big leap forward.

Today everyone shared from our hearts, all our struggles, our fears, our weaknesses. Tears were shed, prayers were made. It was a moment of vulnerability, and for many of us, including me, a welcomed step of faith in an area where we seldom travelled.

It was a time where we layed our weary swords from all the battles we've fought in our struggle to walk blameless before God, where we come with our empty cups to be filled by our Father, and to find that moment of respite.

I've never really realized all the brokenness that surrounds me, and I asked God what can i ever possibly do? What can I say? What words can i bring forth? I'm still praying, asking God...

"Use me!"

I firmly believe the only requirement that God demands of us is an available heart. He's not seeking for strong, powerful, intelligent people...

He's looking for willing people. People who would say "Here am I Lord! Send me!"

Even as the MAD shared their lives with one another, i'm very touched with what my cell leader shared. It takes courage to admit your not a perfect person, that you grapple with very similar issues like everyone else. This is what i aspire to be; a leader who's willing to share life with those he leads.

Even as MAD shared their lives, the power of secret sin was disarmed and dismantled. The power of secret sin lies in secrecy; destroy the secrecy and it holds no more power. As many shared from the depth of their hearts, you could almost hear the screams of the devil. As the brothers determined and willed it in their hearts to seek you and to lead a life of holiness and purity, you can almost feel the shivers of the enemy that knows their time is over.

This battle every man must fight. A battle against the flesh and perverse nature that has so corrupted society and our culture. Every man must face their demons; they cannot run from it.

This is truly evey man's battle.

Watch over one another; confess your sins to one another, in order that we may carry one another's burden as we make our pilgrimage to His Holy City.

The cry of our hearts is this,

Give us clean hands; give us pure hearts.

Let us ascend the Hill of the Lord together.

Sunday Adventures.

Sunday.

Today's event can be summarized with one word - FUN.

It's been sometime since my cell did a Walk About, no not that ritual performed in the Outback, but rather just a few of us walking around with no particular aim. =)

It started out with a desire to eat something different rather than our usual sat/sun fair; almost everyone was complaining about TTSH/U Sq food and to prevent a cell insurrection, our beloved cell fuhrer made a good political move by suggesting somewhere else. And since i wanted to go take a look at bag packs, i suggested Beach Road.

And they we ended up at Beach Road. Lunch was surprisingly good. Guess it was the change in environment? =) I got my new Tatanka bag pack for 150 bucks. Plus I bought a side pouch and medic pouch for 50 bucks. What to do? The blood of medics runs in my veins. Unknowingly I have assembled a reasonable medical First Aid Kit, call it the medic nature, even Shaun has one too!

After Beach Road we headed down to St. Andrew's Cathedral. After a treacherous walk, we finally arrived at the gates of SAC. SAC underwent renovation a few months back, and the new building (or so called new extension) is simply breath-taking. The new side building is aptly named Chapel for All People, it is a non threatening structure made out of mostly glass, which amplifies the sunlight as it shines in. The marvel is in it's architectural design, very intelligent.
The new basement consists of a new sanctuary used mainly by the youth group. And as we strolled in, we couldn't help by breath in the fragrance of pine. We were all lost for words as we sat down to rest.

It was simply beautiful; you gotta see it for yourselves. Clarence mentioned that if RCC was to be like this after the rebuilding, he will break down and cry. Haha.

Then next we headed up to the main building, and as we entered the structure we realized that their mandarin service had just ended. And been the naughty MAD guys, we shook the hands of the pastors and deacons as we exited the building! Heehee! All thanks to Jachin!

Next we headed down to the Asian Civilization Museum. Yep, you heard it. MUSEUM. Weird place to go isn't it? Well, the only reason we went there was because it was free! Only for today! =) Instead of the usual boring stuff, on the contrary we were very fascinated by the exhibitions. And God spoke to us, especially about our blatantly paganistic society, and how the cross of Christ frees us from all these fear of the underworld, ghosts and so on. We were facing a greater enemy than we know, an enemy that has so vastly infiltrated our society, our culture, and our traditions. We need to up the offensive, and not rest on our laurels.

Then we headed to the Islamic section, and we had fun discussing about how similar Islam was to the Christian faith, and at the calligraphy section I promised Jachin that i will paint the word "Peace" or "Shalom" in Hebrew and frame it up for him to hang in his new house.

I shall indeed. =)

Truly, we walked for quite some distance today, but i really enjoyed myself, i didn't even feel any tiredness or whatsoever. My legs were still going strong even while the rest collapsed in sheer exhaustion. So I don't see any problem with endless hours of shopping with my future girlfriend. =) And I'm pretty sure she'll be more than "willing" to accompany me to all the weird places.

And so ends a wonderful Sunday, I pray that there'll be more.

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity..." - King David, Psalm.

The Lord is My Fortress.

My House.

Had fun drawing, but do take it with a pinch of salt. =)

Commando!

I'd just returned from watching "Commando" starring the California Governor Arnold in all his meaty glory. And I practically spent almost half the show laughing away; there's always something new for me to laugh about.

Here's a few points i noticed from watching Commando:

1. I had enough of killing!
Commandos somehow retire at the prime of their life, and it's always about family or some bad dream that keeps re-occuring, or they're just trying to escape war crimes. =/

2. He is the Chosen One!
There will always be a national crisis that requires their assistance. AND it's always the general that comes asking for help. Whatever happened to the golden handshake? Can't you just leave poor Arnie in peace?

3. Armskote Specialist
Somehow, even when they retire, they keep a cache of weapons in their sheds/basements/underground bunkers. AK47, Shotguns, Assault rifles, sniper rifles, grenades - i'm pretty sure these things are for hunting and home defence...... Yeah right.

4. Lucky Villains
Somehow the villain always know where they stay, and somehow they'll always get their hands on a loved one. Luck? Whatever happened to perimeter defence? Commando? Right....

5. Israeli Diplomacy - Peace thru superior firepower!
Away with the hostage negotiation. Arnie introduces the first example of aggressive negotiation by putting a bullet thru the head of the enemy who has his daughter hostage. I'm sure Ariel Sharon would be proud of him!

6. High lander!
Crashed vehicles, leaping off buildings, running point to point without cover when under fire. he even survives an anti tank rocket; either Arnie is still retaining the Terminator mindset, or that the stunt director hopes that no one would be smart enough to notice it. He may be right for audiences back in the 80s, but hey you can't fool me.

7. Girl Power?
Arnie ends up taking hostage a beautiful flight attendent who actually ends up helping Arnie! Now what are the odds of that happening to me? Sigh....

8. Sun Tzi.
Somehow interestingly, Arnie always seems to have the perfect solution for all the problems that are thrown at him. He manages to escape from a plane that's flying off, manages to escape hordes of policemen in a confined building, and again, knows exactly when the enemy patrol is coming, and somehow always sets the dynamite correctly. I'm sure the SAF Combat Engineers would want to hire him, heck he may even be promoted to a full colonel if he does what he can do.

9. Supermarket packed with an arsenal.
Whao, i didn't see that coming; Arnie goes shopping at the friendly neighbourhood supermarket, and finds his way into a section that sells guns. To be exact, he found plenty of assault rifles, sniper rifles, grenades, claymore mines, military grade explosives, and even a anti tank rocket launcher that reads "US ARMY", and all Arnie did was smash the padlock. haha. You'll need weapons against our friendly neighbourhood tanks that always seems to make dirt track marks on your freshly mowed lawn, and you're sick of warning them time after time. Time to bring out the fireworks, courtesy of carrefour or Giant.

10. Commando!
The highlight of the show was how Arnie takes on an entire army of professional soldiers. According to infantry tactics, the soldiers were firing thousands of hot lead at his direction, yet he gracefully dodges all the rounds, and kills them off in a spectacular display of pyrotechnics that would make Saddam proud. Commando is truly Commando as we all know it because of this aspect, everyone dies except him. Long live McCleod!

11. Magic Rounds.
His guns never jams, they never overheat, the bullet belt never see an end; Arnie just keeps on firing, firing and firing. He never seem to run out of rounds. The only times he needs reloading are at the crucial moments. Plain unlucky? Sigh. Much of my braincells are already dead by now.

12. Terminator.
Everybody dies, except him. Everyone misses; he hits them all even without any aiming. One burst of his rifle, 3 to 4 dudes die. And he never misses, never. Argh. Never. Shall i say that again? Never. never, never...

13. John Woo!
Arnie will always meet his match, some sort of nemesis that dates back to his days in unit, and will always kill them with fantastic and unexpected moves. Lesson, don't piss anyone off in army, or else they'll return with a vengence.

14. Caveman.
Arnie's never comfortable with a shirt on. He regards it as a stain on his rich neanderthal heritage, and will maintain he's original form whenever possible. "Ooooh look, i got bulging muscles" (Speak with heavy Austrian accent). Let's get him a role that is based in the Arctic region. Heehee.

15. We are the champions, my friends.
Arnie always win. Do i need to say more?

Argh. i haven't even gone to the list of lame statements he made in the show.

I need to rest from overlaughing.

Hail the Victorious Dead.

"If we do not remember our heroes, we will produce no heroes. If we do not record their sacrifices, their sacrifices would have been in vain...the greatest strength we have as a people is our common memories of the past and our common hopes for the future...For without those memories, the next generation will not have the fighting spirit to carry on."

BG(NS) George Yeo
Minister for Information and the Arts(1991-1999)
At the official launch of the "The Price of Peace" on 21st June 1997

Mansions of the Lord.

Mansions of the Lord.

To fallen soldiers let us sing
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No more bleeding, no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night
Just divine embrace, eternal light
In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep
While through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord

Dreams.

I made a comment the other day about missions in view of the mission trip that i was about to embark on. I believed that it was by divine miracle that i'm going, though i wouldn't exactly say that it's a specific calling to the area of missions.

But interestingly in recent times my church has been emphasizing on missions, especially to the nation of East Timor. Truly, as the Antioch of Asia, we must not abandon this newest nation and leave it to it's own end; but rather to show them God's love by bringing them this very love to this nation.

Think about it; how often would you have the chance to impact a nation from it's birth?

East Timor is a child of misery; born as an offspring of the evil of men, and made an orphan of war.

But now God is gently calling the nation to the shelter of His wings.

He will be a Father to a fatherles nation.

And He's counting on us.

How often do we have the chance to plot a entire nation's spiritual direction?

How often can we truly bring a nation under God's sovereignty?

How often?

But i'm not talking about East Timor alone.

There was an occasion when i had a conversation with someone, and i mentioned about missionary work, and how it would be my dream to be able to play a part in bringing the Gospel to the nations.

I'm not talking about comfortable airplane rides to big cities where churches are ALREADY established. I wouldn't really call this mission trips.

The mission fields are found among us. It is found in our schools, our family, our friends, our camps. It is found in the eyes of the social outcast, the destitudes, the orphans. If only we would allow compassion to fill our hearts instead of convienence's sake.

But i have grand dreams. I dream of going into the deep jungles onboard a 4WD, bringing the very love of God to those who do not have the chance to experience it. I'm talking about trips where we forsake our little comforts to bring this great and glorious message to the nations.

How grand are my dreams?

Tibet, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

I want to strike hard at the heart of the enemy.

And this particuler friend said, "Big dreams, but do you think it can happen? Are you able to finance such a trip?"

I admit, i do not have any idea how i would be able to fufill such dreams. I am not able. I am neither eloquent in speech, nor charismatic in behaviour. I am not rich; neither am i capable. My dreams are just dreams, this person seemed to say

But I know this very truth.

"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.""

1 Cor 1:26-31

I may have dreams, big dreams that seemed to be unachievable and unaccomplishable. But so did all the heros of faith, they all had big dreams, and it all came to past.

No matter how ridculous or insensible my dreams are, i'll never stop dreaming.

And with every God-given opportunity, i'll put them into action, prayer, intercession.

Coz i don't want to stop at words alone.

No way.

Missions.

After much effort, and by the grace of God, my leave has been approved.

Yay.

I'm taking 10 days of leave to clear my outstanding leaves before my next major ops which i have to be part of in September. (Goodness, i ORD in October)

5 days would be spent in Malaysia for my church retreat.

And for the last 5 days? I'll be away in Bali for a mission trip.

This will be my first mission trip.

And i'm really excited. I wanna leave the myopic view of my comfort zone and see the rest of the world. I don't know what to expect.

But still i want to go.

It's all about starting small. I know, this trip most properly would be to establish contacts and minister to the churches. But one day i know i'll be aprt of a bigger plan bringing the Gospel to those who have not heard it yet. A Gospel that goes beyond race or ethnic groups, beyond the limits of culture and language.

This is the Gospel I bring - that Jesus is Lord and He died for sinful men like me.

For this is the very heartbeat of Christianity; the very heartbeat of God.

That all may know, that all may hear this truth.

I'll be fearless for You...

Somehow I'm worried that I'll be just a small part in this whole trip to Bali. Nevertheless, no matter how small the role i play, i'll still go. For if the heart of God is found there in the midst of a broken people, i want to be found there.

I want to be Your hands, i want to be Your feet.

I'll go where You sent me.

And i'll try, yes, i'll try, to touch this world, like You touched my life.

There's only one life to live. I will not live and die for fame, power, wealth, or success.

No.

Never.

I'll live for a higher purpose. A powerful meaning.

I'll live for You.

Fearless.

http://www.media.wmg-is.com/media/portal/media/misc/200602/fearless_28467470.wmv

Go check this MTV out.

By Building429, this song has really challenged me that... "For the sake of the cross, i'll consider all lost, in an effort to tell of the truth...."

This MTV includes some cool footage of the life of two missionaries.

Be challenged by it.

I did.

Fearless.
No I don’t understand
And I can’t comprehend
This power that draws me to you
But I know for the cross
I’ll consider it all lost
In an effort to tell of the truth

That the world may know
That the world may know
You have been heaven sent to us

(Chorus)
I’ll be fearless for You
I’ll be fearless for You
Take me I’m Yours
I’ll be fearless for You

All the times that I’ve failed
When my doubt has prevailed
These are the moments I’m giving to you
Cause I can’t be ashamed
No I can’t fear the pain
When it comes time to be living proof

So the world may see
That the captives are free
‘Cause you have been heaven sent to us

Unwilling to bend
Unwilling to break
And Headstrong I’ll stand
No matter what it takes