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We are all discoverers... travelling the world, learning its truths, its people and its meanings every single day. Grab your backpacks and let's embark on this journey of mine, one that holds a lot of meaning to me... Lilypie Kids birthday Ticker

Friday, January 27, 2006

 

Where's the Mission Statement?

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Something really upsetted me quite a bit today, to the extent I had this pounding headache which lasted all the way till the night when I had cell. Really really made me very "sian"

What happened was that: I took the initiative to start a volunteering newsletter to help feature volunteering opportunities in my organization so volunteers can better know how they can contribute to the care of the beneficiaries and spent a good whole few days working on it.

However, hours after sending the latest issue, I received an email from my director, who responded to a email from an officer complaining how I have missed out the mission statement of my organization and bible verses on volunteering despite having emailed me a couple of weeks ago (when I sent my first issue) to include them. I had since included the mission statement, copying it from the organization's website (but apparently, she was referring to the international mission statement, not the Singapore one) but have decided to not include the bible verses since I work with volunteers from all walks of life, racial and religious background. Didn't really want to perpetuate the perception that we only welcome christian volunteers since all volunteers, regardless of who they are, are welcome to come and work with our beneficiaries. But then came the complain email to my boss (and I wasn't even in the receipient list, only know about the email when my director replied and carbon-copied to me).

It is a fact that I missed out the international mission statement and thought that she wanted the Singapore one and that I left out bible verses on volunteer, for above-mentioned reasons. But I was upset with the manner the email was sent, direct to my boss (not even with me in the cc list). I was also upset how the officer asked for affirmation that "'we' are not ashamed of the gospel", somehow implying that I am ashamed of the gospel? I am not, I repeat, I am not ashamed of the Word of God, His scriptures and in fact have bought a study bible to learn from His word. OK, maybe I will be blamed for not fulfilling my purpose of evangelism.

In fact, to be frank, I had re-drafted this blog entry because I might have been to emotionally affected by the incident I might not have been objective.

One thing positive from the incident: I went to the bible and looked for verses on volunteering and somehow the verses helped me with my view of things since I always seem to have a low self-esteem. It assured me of my worth as a child of God.

1 Peter 4:10 says:
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.


Romans 12:4-8 says:
4. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5. so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith.
7. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
8. if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.


Indeed, aren't we all the same but yet different in the way that we have different giftings, or strengths and talents and so should we use it to bless others and do good work.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

 

Stars in Serangoon Gardens

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Seems like it has been sometime since I last stepped foot into Serangoon Gardens... think they renovated the place and it looks so much nicer now... like a small town.

Was there to celebrate my director's birthday with my department. Had initially want to fast and have quiet time with God (as agreed at last week's cell) but guess I have to postpone till next week :D We had a feast at Serangoon Garden Country Club.


I love the roundabout with a big tree (I think pine) and many stars on the grass patch... wonderful sight...

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

 

The Great Pasta Sauce Workout

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Had a wonderful workout at work today, was doing weight lifting with none other than pasta sauce :) Yup, pasta sauce...

You see, a sponsor kept us in mind and donated like some thousand bottles (well, I don't have the exact numbers but remember kept making countless trips to and from the truck to unload the cartons for storage). It was indeed a great workout as the 15-20 of us heaved the load off the truck, loaded it onto the trolley, struggled with getting the trolleys with cartons and cartons of pasta sauce over road humps and drains, unloading them off the trolleys and stacking them up... all while in office wear! Yes, me and some of my colleagues were like in long-sleeve shirt and you can imagine how drenched I was in perspiration by the time I finished (and I had an appointment in the evening!)

But what really left a great impression in me is how everyone, despite being from different departments and being in inappropriate attire... all selflessly came down to help with the unloading... There is even one officer who was in shirt and tie and he came along to help as well and moved the stock together with us... really makes me glad to be amidst these people who are so passionate about doing God's work...

And guess what? At the end of the day, I was rewarded with a T-shirt for all the hard work (and considering I was drenched in perspiration beyond words). But the problem is...



It has these big big words printed on the front of the T-shirt, proclaiming "It is all about Jesus' Love". Now, I wanna express my love for God and our Lord Jesus but I tend to be a little shy when it comes to T-shirts with big big words... which explains why my Tees all have simple small logos or wordings... :) Well, it was either this or a perspiration-drenched long sleeve shirt and well, I chose the former... Was kinda paisay at first but I soon got the hang of it :) Was even thinking to myself: how could you! Proclaiming Jesus' Love so shameful meh?"

Today's devotion was on Psalms 118:15-24 on how we should rejoice even in times of trials and tribulations because of God's goodness and glory; because

"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

As there was deep sharing among staff, I suddenly came across this verse in James 1:1-4 and shared with everyone:

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

It spoke about how we should also rejoice when (not "if") we face difficulties as this also helpes us develop resilience...

For the first time, I have also found courage to pray aloud in a group, Amen!, although still not very confidently... I have also commenced on my bible study with my new bible and I managed to finish Genesis 1... hahaha... a long way to go :)

Sunday, January 22, 2006

 

Off to Auditions!

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The Reason I Wanna Sing
Hahaha, OK... I didn't sign up for Singapore Idol but I finally made the decision, garnered courage and signed up for the Church Choir today. Remember I mentioned that I had wanted to serve in Church ministry sometime back and since I love singing and worshipping God through songs, finally made the decision to join the Choir when they started their recruitment today. Now I have to prep for the audition... nerve-wrecking...

The Reason We Sing
He has brought us together
Each of us a different gift to bring.
We’ll serve Him forever
Even if the cost is everything.
He has called us to be faithful,
So with one heart we give this offering.

CHORUS
The reason we sing,
The reason we lift our voice,
Is more than just making harmony.
The reason we sing
Is to praise the one who gave His Son to be
The reason we sing.

It's more than just an emotion,
His spirit gives us joy that we can't hide.
We will not be silent,
We've got to let the world hear what's inside.
And as we praise Him with our music,
Jesus is the one we glorify.

CHORUS
CHORUS

TAG
The reason we sing

Studying His Word
Guess I took another step in faith and went to buy myself a study bible. Wanted to know and apply the Word of God and especially since I want to minister to my friend who is with a cult now, I am making effort to strengthen myself in the Word and hope I can sustain it.



Ichtus
Found this on Wikipedia:


Ichthys (Ichtus) Icon for Stub

One of the symbols used by early Christians (prior to Constantine) to identify themselves to each other, when to be identified as a Christian could result in death. The symbol of a fish (ΙΧΘΥΣ in Greek) was used, because in Greek the letters of the word are also the first letters of a key Christian concept. I = Ιησυς (Jesus), X = Χριστος (Christ, Messiah, or Anointed one), Θ (the Greek letter theta) = Θεος (God), Υ = Υιος (Son), Σ = Σοτηρ (Savior).


Hmm, fish :)

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