Thanksgiving with Sun; New Year resolutions

Yesterday's Thanksgiving with Sun is simply awesome!!!
the last time we had a thanksgiving was waaaay back in 2005, the year we launched "the Cross" album, and also not too long after i came to church. I've no recollection of that party now...
Anyway, the whole event was truly amazing. We had an hour long of praise and worship, soaking ourselves in the thick atmosphere of the Holy Spirit. Present were people who are connect group ics and above, leaders of the church.
Then, there were performances by various groups, including a praise song led by the tremendous children's church! O'school danced to "fancy free".
the highlight of the show, for me at least, was the heartwarming interview of Sun by Kong.
this 2 great man and woman of God, who co-founded the church, were really the true heroes of the night. The entire ministry of CHC was built upon the vision and dream of this great couple. it was a truly inspiring tale of love, sacrifice and going after the heart of God. along the way, many people's lives were touched; as is evident from the constant "thank you" speeches by pastors and ordinary members throughout the night.
IF THERE IS ONLY ONE LIFE, LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST FOR THE WILL OF GOD.
that is how Kong and Sun live their lives.
another thing that struck me also, as i chatted with my good bro JD on the way back, is that THIS IS OUR GENERATION.
i cannot relate to many of the testimonies shared in the sense that i do not know the people personally.
however, i could see a parallel in my lives, of how the campus ministry brought me to know a very solid bunch of friends, of how my leaders have sowed and touched my lives, and i in turn, have sowed into other people's lives. this has resulted in the salvation of my brother, dad and cousin nathan. Praise God!
the work does not stop here. briefly, i would highlight my GOALS for 2010:
1. Propose to my sweetheart:) (no, i wont reveal the date;)
2. Clearing my pharmacy competency exam in Feb.
3. See my mom get saved.
4. Financial breakthrough. Save up enough for marriage.
5. Rising up as a cell leader.
Most importantly, grow more and more in love with God.
Year 2009 has its ups and downs, and if time allows, i would post a more retrospective post on 2009.

day trip to malacca; NUS laojiaos gathering

went over to malacca with mom for a day trip to get some meds:)
it was really tiring, having to wake up at 5am, and then journeying down to woodlands checkpoint, then larkin terminal, then 2hr45min journey by bus to malacca...
nathan's grandpa met us at the bus terminal, then then we proceeded to pharmacy lim's outlet to grab our meds
on our return, we were stopped by customs after i tried (very dumb!) to sneak in through the "no goods to declare" lane. we ended up having to pay tax on the goods, but the customs officer was nice to let us off the hook for the fine for trying to evade.
SO GUYS, NEXT TIME JUST DECLARE YOUR GOODS.
THERE IS A $50 "REBATE" FOR THOSE SINGAPOREANS/SINGAPORE PRS FOR A TRIP <24HRS, 150 FOR A TRIP BTW 24-48HRS AND 300 FOR A TRIP MORE THAN 48HRS.
ITS THE GOVERNMENT'S WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU TO BUYING STUFF FROM OTHER COUNTRIES...HAHAH
then after, met up with the laojiaos for a dinner gathering (long awaited) at fish n co (heeren). the place was very quiet though..how they survive with little biz???
anyways, i dragged dear along, despite her having little rest the night before...
really appreciate dear for making the sacrifice 'cos it meant to me that she gets to meet some of my closer friends.
i believe that as a couple, you should make an effort to get to know your other half's inner circle of friends, and not just isolate yourselves in your own world...
but having said that, i owe dear BIG:) will pay back in instalments hor dear;)
we had a fun time together, catching up, laughing, reminising the times past...
so quickly, and now we are all attached. present were 6 couples!
dear n myself, kenneth n peiyun, siying n zhanwei, lips n daphne, weiling n gary, myrna n titus...
time flies: once we celebrate birthdays in chalets, now we are celebrating one another's weddings in hotels, next up house warmings, maternity and then our babies birthdays?
cool stuff. i post the pics for u guys...more on FB!

happy 15th month!!

happy 15th month dear!!
in the blink of an eye, yet another month has passed...
but i really treasure each and every moment spent with you dear
we seem to grow more and more in love with each other as the days go by:)
and each passing day brings with it new surprises, experiences and moments i'll savour
i love you dear!!!:D

God is Holy

Hey guys!
Its a new week again, and just wana share something.
Just yesterday, as I was on shift at the Airport, I was taking the skytrain from terminal 2 over to terminal 1 for lunch. There was this tourist who was having his video camera with him. As the train started moving, he whipped out his video camera, went to the front window of the skytrain and started videoing.
You will recognise this as a familiar behaviour of tourists. Every single thing, plant, animal, people or animal seemed of interest and curiosity. A skytrain ride is just...a skytrain ride to any one of us. But to this tourist, it is something new, something unique. This is an experience that he'll want to quickly put into his video camera, hoping to store away for good.
Just then, it struck me. This is exactly like our Christian life! We were once young, newly saved. We had a touch of God, and were hungry for the things that are of God. Bible studies, cell group and attending service...each and every activity we engaged in with fervor and enthusiasm. We whip out our "spiritual camcorders" in a bid to try to capture every moment.
After a while, things start to take priorty over this new "conversion" experience. We start to get "used to" the Christian life. Cell group becomes just another social gathering, the service message becomes a "i've heard it", prayer and bible reading seems routine and dry...
This is the time that we should delve deep into the archives of our "spiritual recordings", and search for that one moment when God touched our lives. God does not like us to treat that which is holy as that which is common. God wants us to revere Him; offer up sacrifices of praises and worship. Let us reset our camcorders and start anew again...only then will the love not grow stale.
Looking forward to seeing you for cell group on thursday!:)

Breaking through with you,
Yuantai

my birthday!

dear gave me a wonderful birthday celebration again!!:) this time no kidnapping though:) here's some pics...the rest on FB:) i really have a wonderful dear!!:)

back to basics

its been a tumultous past 2-3 weeks for me and for dear...
however, after a good talk with Heavenly Father and dear, we've worked things out.
hence, back to basics:
radical honesty and enthusiastic agreement!
we are going to keep accountable in the various areas of our lives:
our past, present and future
our emotions
Also, we will pray with one another at least once per week.
Prayer builds intimacy!

Thank You. And you.

I'm a work in progress.
I need time, grace in bucketloads.
Thank God for you in my life, i know i have let u down many times...
But i believe what doesn't break us makes us stronger.
I will do my best for the relationship and for our future.
Thank You. And you.

Blessed to give

Hey guys!
It's the beginning of a new week!
Just to share a verse:
Acts 20:35 (NIV) In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Last weeks testimonies are very encouraging. There is a season for sowing and reaping, and now we prepare ourselves once again to sow into the building fund.
Let us remember the words of Jesus, as He said "It is more blessed to give than to receive". Truly, it is a joy to receive presents during festive periods, birthdays etc. But notice that giving always come before receiving. Indeed, the act of giving brings more joy than the act of receiving! If you don't know what I'm talking about, you should really start to bless the people around you! The Amplified Bible reads "...It is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive."
Here's a testimony, that you might have heard before, but nevertheless, worth sharing again. My brother's salvation came about as an act of sowing and reaping. Not just in terms of finances, but time, energy and effort to reach out to him. Most of you guys were involved in some way or another too. I have also a group of friends in NUS who also sowed in his life to make a difference in him. This whole project took 5 years, and along the way, there were disappointments when he stopped short of saying "Yes" to God.
But I kept the faith. It is more blessed to give than to receive. I felt joy everytime i encouraged him with a word, even though at times he appeared closed up to sharing. This persistence eventually paid off, and we can now look at my brother as a living testimony of God's faith and promise.
Most of us have been around for more than 1 year. Truly, it is time to re-examine our lives, especially in the regards of finance. Have we been faithful towards God in our finances? Have we been generous toward our loved ones? (hint hint to the recently promoted/increased pay dudes;)
When we sow, we will surely reap in due time. Let's begin sowing generously, and expect a great harvest of souls during christmas and blessings in our lives in the year to come!