D04: The Vine & the branch

Jesus + me = Fruits (Products)
Copyrighted (Designed by JP on 20th Aug 2008)

Finally I get to apply some techniques of what I learnt from my PPT 2007 course.

This is my meditation passage for the entire day from John 15:1-5, NKJV

" I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that I may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; without Me you can do nothing."

The vine -- Jesus (Ultimate source of energy, the lifeline that provides nutrients and produces fruits.

The branch -- me.

The branch is nothing and cannot bear fruit on its own. How true it is that sometimes no matter how hard we try, how much effort we put in, sometimes even by our own strength and willpower, things change but it's always shortlived. I don't have to be worried about producing fruits, it's a natural process or outcome when my life is right with Him. Fruits comes naturally with a deep relationship with God.

It's time to return to the source. It's time to set aside my busyness and the 101 things that needs my attention, just at the feet of Jesus, listening to him and abide in him.

I want this connection, deep connection with God, to be rejuvenated, to be alive spiritually in Him daily!

Personal prayer: Be connected and abide in Him every moment. :)

One month to live: Day 2 (Part 1)

The first thing I jotted yesterday which I hope to change if I had one month to live is to quit my job. The next day after jotting that down, I am back to work... LOL. (Disclaimer here: FYI, I do enjoy my work just that when you know you are about to "die", you wouldn't want to spend 1/3 of your day knowing that you only have 30 days left still at work...)

I struggled with the thought that how will this 30 days-to-live lifestyle challenge help or change me? Eventually, I had an ans to my question. First of all, I need to come to terms with the fact that it is not whether I quit my job that matters but how I use my time. And also, it's not as if I am really going to die in one month's time, God only you know. I still need to fulfill my basic responsibilities at work and for ministry.

I woke up this morning in a very lazy mode.. Not so much as if I am about to "die" in 29 days... Haha. (If you are totally lost, pls read my previous entry and you will have a better understanding)

Sluggishness overwhelmed me... the lazy and unmotivated me was greatly at work. My mind was saying "chey.. this is like any other day, so how is it going to be different?" I even had the thought of skipping my external course... (My carnal nature almost win but thankfully, I got off my bed in time)

I attended PPT 2007 training course, I was thankful to God that I did not allow my ill-discipline nature take over as I benefitted from the course to some extent. I also realise one thing about myself which is not a new relevation but a reinforcement. I have short attention span and super low energy. What energises me is when I am engaged in activities that stirs my interest or I see value in.

My learning style is not through conventional mode of learning through lecture, cos of that I really suffered a lot during my JC and Uni days... I learnt best through doing, reflecting & learning from my mistakes, I learnt most when I get to discuss with people on topic of interest, sparring of ideas when my mind is at tip-top condition (clear and active). I know myself well, no matter how hard I try when there's no inspiration, I can't work or contribute effectively. That's why I will usually give myself some buffer space to slow down, usually that when inspiration and ideas will come naturally.

The course was good in a way I can still multi-task while listening to the trainer and reply to emails and msn concurrently. My work has indeed trained me well.. hehe. :P

Supposed to meet Florence but she is down with flu. Flor, do get well soon! God has used you for Uni ESS, He will protect your health and heal you as well! :)

Finally, I had some time to slow down my pace after weeks of tight and packed schedule to breathe slower and think deeper. :) I am also glad to spend some time watching taiwan drama series with my sibilings and parents. Really treasure these bits of luxury and enjoy the moments together.

God, thank you for the day. :)

04.02.1982 - ?

Recently, I came across this book which caught my attention and I bought it. The title of the book is -- "One month to live".

My day 1 (Reflection and part of chapter one from the book)
Nothing focuses a person’s priorities in life like learning he is about to die. Many of us would suddenly realise we have spent our lives on things that were not very important. “When and then” thinking and do something for God that really matters. What matter is whether we have accomplished God’s purpose for our life.

How to experience life to the fullest by living passionately and purposefully, the way we were created to live. We need to embrace the fact that our time on earth is limited, we can live deliberately.

"Death is more universal than life, everyone dies but not everyone lives." -- Alan Sachs

Most of us if we knew we only had one month to live, would live differently. We would be more authentic about who we are and more deliberate about how we spent our time. But such a contrast begs the question: What keeps us from living this way now?



Why can't all of us live more of our life as if we are dying? Isn’t that how we were meant to live in the first place? To discover what we’re made for and to utilize our unique gifts in the limited amount of time we’re given.



What did I live for? Whom have I love? What were my passions? What were my biggest mistakes and regrets? (Questions that really cause me to ponder)

We don’t have control over many things in life. We didn’t get to decide where we were born, who our parents are, or which time period and culture we face. We don’t get to decide the dates on our gravestones, we don’t know when our time on this earth will be up. It could be next week, or next year, or decades away. Only God Knows. Our lives are in His hands. But there is one thing we have a vast amount of control over. We get to decide how we are going to use our dash. We get to choose how to spend the little dash of time between the two dates of my earthly existence. What are you spending yours on?


Ps 90:12, TLB “Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are, help us to spend them as we SHOULD.

James 4: 14 “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a while and then vanishes”



Why must we wait until we know we had one month to live, then we would look at everything from a different perspective?
Many things that you do now that seem so important would immediately become meaningless. You would have total clarity about what matters most and you wouldn’t hesitate to be spontaneous and risk your heart.

I have made a list of 5 things I’d change about my life if I know I only had a month to live.

My entire CG is journeying through this 30 days challenge (i.e. one month to live lifestyle) as we learn to revisit our priorities in Christ and to be more deliberate on what God values and what turly matter to us the most.

As expected, what was mostly shared with regards to the 5 things that they hope to change, mainly fall into 2 categories. Spending more intentional time with God and with our love ones. Learn to give more and bless others. It's no longer so much about task and projects to fulfill, achievements that we hope to see but on what we know in our heart that truly matter in Christ and to us.

5 List of things that I hope to change if I have only 1 month to live
1. Quit my job and reflect how I have been leading my 26 years of life (Recount my blessings and how God has changed me, how I have grown in Him, jot down all my spiritual milestones)

2. Spend more deliberate and quality time with my family and show more love and concern to them. (Be a better sister and a better daughter, I feel I have not done enough)

3. Through my action and verbal communication to show appreciation to the people who are very dear in my life, to love them the way they feel loved that includes my family and friends who have impacted my life especially those who have yet to know God. (As simple as catching up and have a great time spent together)

4. To jot down every single day how I spent and journalise down the moments lived each day

5. To live more for God and for others and less for myself

If you only had one month to live, what would you change?

Stellarium- 3D photo-realistic skies in real time

Those of you who are interested & into star gazing, this is a must software to download. (Btw, it's free!). It depicts the skies of different location in real time!

Download and you will know what I mean.
Here's the link,
http://www.download.com/Stellarium/3000-2054_4-10072276.html

I happened to know this from a colleague who used to work in Science Centre and very much into astronomy. It has always been my dream to go to some countries where the night sky is filled with shimmering, shiny stars. I can imagine myself getting out of hustle and bustle of daily routine, lying on the ground, gazing at the stars & admiring His Creation. This is simply therapeutic to the soul. Planning for the day to come. :)

Had a good meet up with Jo-N for shepherding, went to a familiar place for dinner at Shaw place. The Thai food is cheap and nice. We had home-made ice-cream too! I ordered chocolate stout. Yes! Stout.. Alcoholic Ice-cream. Haah I love to try new things and especially extremely big portions when it comes to food. (Those who know me well, will say Amen! LOL)

While saying grace for the food, I sensed a figure standing besides me... When I opened my eyes, I saw Eda. It was a pleasant surprise. She was my ex-colleague (good pal too) in my first job at Amdon Consulting. We chatted for a few mins where she mentioned that she is still in her current job very busy everyday, Sat teaches Piano etc. (This is sthg that I always hope to get in touch cos I used to teach piano too). When I asked, "So busy then how to rest?". She replied, " Sunday lor." When I heard that, somehow within my heart I know she has stopped attending church for really a long time. As she has lost my contact, she noted my number down. Before she bid goodbye for her swim, I said we must really catch up one of these days and she agreed. She was one dear colleagues whom I outreached and received Christ in Hope during USM days. As I was in an operational group, I brought her to another CG. Somehow, things did not work out for her and eventually she did not stay for long.

I believe it is not a coincident for her to bump into me. I must catch up with this friend soon as well as with the hope that one day, she will be re-connected back to God and this spiritual family. I was also reminded at the same time that I bumped into my secondary school friend at the same spot one month ago, one of my good friends in lower secondary school. She was the first few brave souls to outreach to me. (You must be wondering why brave souls? Well, for more information, you can ask me directly)

God, I believe that you are telling me to catch up with friends whom I have lost touch for some time. Yes, I will and intend to make a deliberate attempt despite of my busy schedule. I do treasure them cos they have played important roles in my life (Especially going through my ups and downs with me)

The time after dinner with Jo-N was great, after consecutive weeks of teachings, she requested to just talk. Ok, sheep like what you said we did. It was a fruitful time of being vulnerable to each other about different aspects of our lives and deepening our relationship. I mentioned one seemingly good opportunity that arised some time ago but I declined. Perhaps it is not His plan for me.

My relationship with Jo-N is one that I treasure a lot, likewise with my other sheep too. No amount of money can exchange the time invested to build others. The reward of seeing and witnessing the growth of the people that you mentor is unexplainable.

Jo-N, continue to keep the spiritual momentum in experiencing God and loving people! :)

Safe in Your Arms

This is my latest music composition.

https://www.yousendit.com/download/Q01GSXR3dWNLVlZjR0E9PQ

The inspiration came while I was practicing for Praise and Worship on Saturday morning, God inspired a melody within my heart specially for Holy Communion segment. I have no idea what the service leader (claramae) is going to share on that day but God gave me the inspiration to compose a melody that was light hearted, cheerful and the background was like a musical box playing. The image of a father and a little child playing joyfully at a playground was on my mind as I played the melody. I was reminded of my relationship with my heavenly father, like the child having a child-like faith before Him, purely enjoying His presence and the sense of security in His arms. I really enjoyed dwelling in His presence playing the melody that was inspired by God.

To my amazement, the song coincide very nicely to what clara shared about celebrating her 8th anniversary of her relationship wtih God!

Enjoy! :)

Apologetic is the seasoning, the gospel is the main course

TGIF! :)

Recently one of my sheep is desiring to know more about other religion in order to share more to her friends and I just came across this website, thought of revisiting and learn more as I have always been interested in apologetics as well as a resource for her to know more.

This is the website,
Is the Koran Accurate? Ravi Zacharias explains
http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DoqtISZJ1A9s

The following comments by him struck me deeply and indeed very true.

"You will find that an answer to question the biggest danger to become cerebral that we forget the source of the answer. Sometimes a relationship with Christ is far greater than any cerebral answer that we can give to a particular question. The transformation that the Holy Spirit brings in the heart is more powerful than any arguement that a Christian Apologist can give.

Apologetic is the seasoning, the gospel is the main course. You do not want too much of the seasoning or you will make the main course incibit. Support the argument justifiably, but it is Christ that you need to lift up and it is the Holy Spirit that brings about the change within the human heart. And in the sermon it is the Spirit and the Word that comes together that brings about conviction. An argument may remove the doubt but it is only the Holy Spirit to convict the truth."

This is my prayer and area that I need to grow more-- Love people with a genuine love and lift up Christ wherever I am.

Rom 1:16 "I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. "