Happy New Year to one and all!
Had a good time with the cell group earlier. Dinner at Esplanade's Ichiban Boshi was a good dining experience. Good food at reasonable prices. And Xiumin refused to accept any money from us (again!) She must have spent a small fortune treating our hungry stomachs from time and time again. Hmm, maybe all of us can do a turn and treat her to something nice, for her birthday perhaps. A questionaire to find out our individual giftings was done at the end of the dinner. Apparently, I got a gift for faith, giving, intercession, help, prophecy and teaching (Word of God). Hmm, quite surprised at some of it, especially of teaching. Don't really see myself that knowledgeable to teach another person the Word. As the Lord leads, I guess ü. Will continue to pray about these.
As the year draws to a close, thinking back to the past year, I must say it's both been good and bad, but good nonetheless. Finding a cell group, being baptised, growing in the Lord, and so on. Of course, the trials also presented themselves. But somehow, each taught me what I needed to know and I can say I grew up quite a bit (Spiritually, I mean). Coming to 2006, hope to grow more in the Lord, and that I can nurture my giftings more and make them useful to say the least. Other things to meet as well. Hope to have SIMGC grow to a new strength, and better results for my studies. Need to work harder. Just found a new place to hang out and read, which is Esplanade's library. The sofa facing the bay is nice! Good comfortable spread and a view that's breathtaking, a good combination in my book. Think I'll make it my place of choice to chill out as well as study. Not much time left before mocks in march and then exams in may/june.
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23
Down again (sick)
Been a bad week in terms of my health. Seems to have taken a turn for the worse in the last few days. Been waking up with bad headaches even though I've been sleeping earlier and sleeping more, not to mention some uneasiness in my stomach. Just a doc yesterday, and he diagnosed me with some form of gastric flu. Hope it'll blow over with medication in the next couple of days so that I can enjoy Christmas. Trusting in Him for my healing as well.
On a plus note, managed to finish my IBM assignment, though I've yet to type it out and submit. Didn't go for my class cos I'm still feeling queasy somewhat. Thought of typing it out and submitting today, with a Christmas card attached. Oh well, will see how it goes later. Hope to work up enough strength to head to school for lunch with Sebastian and cell group to attend Bobby Michael's workshop later in the evening.
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:3, 9
Recovering
Been recovering well from my gout problem. Thanks to those who have prayed for me. Really appreciate it ü. Been able to limp faster now, though I still can't put pressure on my left big toe, meaning I can't really use the front of my foot to lift off my step, which is resulting in a bit of an ache in my calf. But it's still bearable. Praying for a complete healing with God's grace :)
Went for the 11am service and after that bumped into Francis where he shared his corporate experience with me and Emily over lunch. Inspiring to say the least, and pretty much a good learning experience. Siew Ming joined in later at 2.45 for her lunch before heading for the 3pm service with Francis, while Emily drove me to central for me to take a train to orchard to the library there to sit down and read and relax. Been a while since I've been there, so grabbed some comic compilations to read, then went on to finish the book I borrowed from Evelyn about finding your life partner (Christian perspective of course). A good read, I must say.
Christmas is coming up next week. So must work hard to study even though it's a holiday mood. Need to instill the focus and discipline (yes I know that I've been repeating myself over and again) to start before the 25th, else I'll never make it. Time to start applying what I learned from Francis today (organising my life and have a systematic way of doing things). First stop, finishing IBM assignment and soci assignment!
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" Psalm 37:4
Got gout..
Ok. Currently suffering from a case of gout. Which resulted in a sleepless night last night. Think I only had a couple of hours of sleep at the most, and it's kinda jagged due to the pain that's behind my left big toe. Went to the polyclinic to see the doc after I woke up and he strongly suspects gout is what I'm suffering from, which is kinda uncommon for someone my age; usually it happens in middle-aged or elderly people. Oh well, guess I'm getting old. Work had to be skipped this week cos of my condition, which is making me limp heavily, so there's no way I can manage to stand around for 8 hours without sitting down.
The last couple of days have been ok. Managed to catch up with Colin over coffee at city hall before heading for cell. He was passing me a card for christmas, and we chatted for a while before I had to go. Arranged for dinner with the rest of the cell members, but only Emily managed to turn up, which I somehow knew about before she even came (without any indication from her). Kinda weird in a way. Cell was quite good as well, though it started really late and ended late as a consequence. Went through the gist of 1 Peter and Xiu Min asked each of us which part impacted us the most. Then out came the cake for Kemin's birthday and we celebrated her belated birthday (which was on monday). Happy birthday, sis. ü
Finally managed to get my shopping done. Bought stuff for the exco members from tecman, as well as a couple of books for myself since the bookshop in school was clearing its stock. Can't believe Eliz is so "popular" there. Sebastian and I were laughing our hearts out at the whole incident, lol. Headed over to suntec to embark on a secret mission which only a couple of people know about, haha. Nothing really, just to get something for someone's upcoming birthday. Hope she won't read this, heh. Managed to get something; Eliz's getting the other part to complete the whole thing. To cut a long story short, spent a bomb on thursday night. Time to be thrifty on my spending for the rest of the month. Tired feet also, travelling from tecman to suntec and then heading back to city hall to catch a train home with arms laden down with stuff.
"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" 1 Peter 5:1-4
Can't sleep..
Right. It's 3.52am on a wednesday morning and I simply can't sleep. Not that I'm not tired or anything, but, more of the state of mind I guess. Lots of things on my mind and wondering how I can clear all of them up. Studies being one of them, started some already, but guess it's not really enough, and Christmas is coming. That's the first warning before the exams in May. Sigh. Should focus more on what's important instead of after the things that aren't, specifically my studies. Also my walk with the Lord each day. Can be a meandering path sometimes, but putting my trust in Him to make it straight for me, even though I just don't understand things sometimes.
A couple of errands of sorts to run later in the morning. Thinking of dropping by nyp to chat with Lina regarding the upcoming concert next friday. Can't really attend that due to my cell commitment, playing for worship. It's one of the gifts I received, I think. Hope to cultivate it further along in the near future. Hope to explore what other gifts I have when Terence initiates the questionaire after christmas. Gonna be the second time I'll be missing that due to things that happen in my life, but the Lord and fellowship is more important (to me). Not sure how it ranks among you, my dear reader. Also, need to drop by Epson's office to submit my timesheet for the month. Looks like it's gonna be a bleak january and a poor Jonathan before CNY. Oh well, better than nothing I guess. Have the incoming red packets to tide me over till the next one in february, which I predict is gonna be a bleak one as well. Working this coming weekend doing demos at Sim Lim. Hope it won't get too boring like the last time. Thinking of dropping it to like 2 weekends a month so that I can focus more of coming to church and fellowship after that. Wonder how it'll work out if I do follow through with this.
Christmas is coming, just received the first gift, from Elicia, which she bought for the entire exco. Some precious moments candy. Heh, yet to get anything for her. Time to do my christmas list and go shop on thursday. That and a couple of birthday presents for friends whose birthdays fall this month. Wondering what to get for the excos and cell and other friends as well.
Coming performance in january is starting to worry me. Confirmation of songs is one thing, players not responding to my smses is another. Lack of a proper plan perhaps? Don't really know. Maybe I'm just too tied with all the things around me. Seriously need someone to help me along in this, for I certainly can't do it alone. And I thought that with the experience of helping to run concerts in the past I can manage this. Guess I'm wrong. Need a team behind me. Time to list out the things to be done for the performance and act on it, and I'm not just talking about the song list. Focus, Jon, focus.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path" Psalm 119:105
Been so long since I took the time..
To share words, from deep inside...
Opening line (ok, more like a modified opening line) to MLTR's I'm Gonna Be Around. Been a while since I blogged here, not sure why also. Don't really have much urge to post up anything, though some things happened between the time.
Sitex was a tad disappointing. ¼ of the exhibition floor is given to food fair and some furniture stuff. Nothing much on offer actually. Though I did get what I wanted, namely Benq's 1640 dvd writer with 25 pieces of dvd+r discs, as well as HWZ's photography megaguide and a pair of portable speakers. Spent about 100 overall. Eliz got her netgear router, though I don't know how it is for her, not sure whether she has installed or not.
Sebastian quit his job to focus on his studies and his BB, though he did try to quit that also due to some personal circumstances, but he's still hanging in there. Take care bro. Ice skating still on?
Everything's still bout the same. Christmas is coming though. Yet to shop for any thing cept a pack of christmas cards lying somewhere on my ever messy table. Have to plan for poly friends' outing, do something about cell christmas outing, guitar club christmas celebration and such. Hmm, time really flies. Still remembered last year's watchnight service like yesterday. Already december, and soon it'll be january/february and mock exams, and soon after, finals! High time I hit the books. Sebastian's gonna do the same later today and I plan to join him. Still owe assignments here and there and hope to do something about them soon.
The Lord is really good, that I found out yesterday during MS when I bumped into Terence and he shared with me his account of the day over dinner/supper, that when he trusted the Lord for his needs, He provides. Lack of a tie for serving in ministry, Brother Timothy (church staff) blessed him with one and even tied it for him. Don't know how to pray for others, he prayed for someone he knew to start (actually, I came to mind I think) with and found me sitting in the back block of the sanctuary (and prayed for me when Pastor Rony opened a session of prayer). I'm like, wow, when I heard about it. God is good, all the time. Amen! ü
Been a while since I had any emotional turmoil, and the feelings didn't go on holiday long. A name kept resounding in my mind of late, and I don't really know why and what to make of it. Shared with Terence over the phone a few days back late at night, and well, more or less I know what to do. Shared with me a verse from Proverbs, 16:3, to commit to the Lord whatever I do and my plans will succeed. He himself is in a stage of getting to know someone better back home in KL, and he shared his experiences. Something I can follow, I think, though it may not be in the same exact way. Have to pray about it, and have to wait upon the Lord to show me what He has in store for me. Could be that the Lord wants me to help her in some way, or it could be affection or something else. Not gonna speculate but trust in the Lord for my needs. Someone keep me in prayer for focus/discipline/wisdom for my studies also, yeah? Will need that for the next few months until my exams end.
"Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
