The Root?

This morning after doing my devotion, as I was preparing for work...showering, I got my "Eureka" moment. Hmm...now I realize, recently I have been having a lot of "Aha" moments in the washroom. Good sign, good sign....at least it shows that time are well spent. Not wasted into nothing box or zooming into the blank sheet zone.

As I was saying, I was having this "Eureka" moment...All because I was thinking of someone very dear to my heart, currently doing what she is most passionate with in her job, doing what she knows best in different parts of the world. Haha...Yesterday, a few of us got in touch with this very person, and she was telling us about the culture shocks she experienced as she was travelling. Kinda cool to know.

Then as I was bathing, I was thinking to myself of the different cultures around the world, then I begin to think about mine! And I got in touch with the term "China man mindset". Now, not being discriminative, I love Chinese people (because I am obviously Chinese) and I have nothing against China and its way of doing things. It is just, differences in culture. And I appreciate that.

Then, I begin to think of the way my family is structured. Wow. This is really cool....the term "China man mindset" does not only apply to the business world. Talk about my family, I grow up in a very controlled, proper, well-disciplined family. Come to think of it, running a family is like running a small country, eh? My family could be adopting the methods of the China government. Haha. But then again, that's just a thought. (Don't wanna get sued for writing statements without basis in public :P)....

Recently I got to know that it is still a practice in China that boys and girls aren't allowed to sit together! They have to divide themselves. Wow...that sounds like my dearest daddy! Haha...even until I was 15 or 16, hanging out with boys in a GROUP is most of the time an offense to him! Or a guy friend offering me a ride, is totally unacceptable to him! He even claim that I can only get attached at the age of 25 (obviously I broke the rule :P). But then again, I know he is just being protective over his beloved daughter. Hee *love you daddy*

Then, there are rules and regulations, like girls having have to be more homely, learning to cook, wash the dishes, doll up, be pretty, have to be seen at home most of the time...in my family, guys can escape any house chores...but girls..or I would say GIRL (I am the only daughter) has to do most of the chores! Mom wouldn't mind if brothers doesn't wash their plates...but mom make a big fuss if daughter didn't wash hers. Haha...Good discipline I would say. According to mom, I need to serve my husband in all these in future...which is true to an extent. I wouldn't mind serving my husband, but I wouldn't mind a little help either!

Then it comes to guys being the head of the family, which is true...it is very biblical...but guys get to order the ladies around! Woot! Not that it happens all the time in my own primary family...most of us are modernized and received education on equality so on and so forth (well, at least I would fight for my rights...no chance for bullies ;P)....but I realize it happens in my extended family! The girls, being reserved and submissive...but to the extent that men get to have their says, and girls shouldn't comment so much. This is especially practiced by my Grandpa...and when girls have too much opinion...he would say: girls shouldn't talk so much....or my uncle saying: you are a girl! what do you know! Even my mom do agree to it occassionally...."we are girls, what do we know"...hmmm...I refuse to succumb to that. Yes, we are girl, yes we need to submit to the head of family, but I believe in the freedom of speech and opinions too. Haha..Oh well, as much as I would love giving my opinions, I still speak less in respect to my grandpa and uncles....Like what my mom always say: When you are under my roof, you succumb to my rules. Hah!

Haha...not complaining here....but I come to realize all these things....they are so related by the places we come from! I realize that not only in families, but also in certain nation, culture, schools, groups of friends...etc... it is hard to just come in and bring change, shake their boats a little, shake their faith a little, with something new. They can be so attached to old practices, that they find comfort sticking to it even when it is no longer effective in the modern times. Perhaps, people do find security in rigidity? Hmmm...something to think of.

And in a lot of places whereby freedom are not exactly easily found like the developed nations, the more you deprive the citizens of something, the more hungry they are for those things in their lives. In fact, it is most impactful to them because they don't come easy. Likewise, in my family, things are the same. The more our parents try to deprive us of something, the more desperate we are to cling on to it, and fight for it. For instance, the more my parents try to stop us from getting involved in BGR, the more we were desperate for it to try out! Or the more they try not to mention what they called "sensitive issues" (lets say forbid to eat ice cream..LOL) the more we want to find out (or the more we want to have it)! And boy....what chaos it was when information were discovered! We go underground, craving more once we got our hands on it (eating ice creams non stop in schools!) haha...this is ESPECIALLY TRUE for rebellious boys...*ahem*...and I won't deny, it has been true, even till today for me in certain areas of my life. Areas I am not accepted for, areas that I am not given liberty, and by force was obliged to submit... Hmm....ain't it a great thought? Maybe I should try deprive my members of certain things for them to be hungry for it. Haha!

Just kidding. I think I should send them to certain places for them to observe culture, differences, and start appreciating what they have currently.

No wonder, attending Piper's Ministry, they actually teach us that there are certain spirits you will inherit coming from different nations! Now I understand why. It is true to certain extent that where you come from, does affect your upbringing, your mindsets, your thoughts, the things you find security in. And especially if it has been a practice for a long long long long time....you would find it even hard to break away from this rigidity. But as a believer, I am glad, I discover this truth....and I find that breaking away from rigidity, is a constant thing we need to do as the world evolve. As things improve. Now we wouldn't want to be labeled as backward, or irrelevant, would we?

Understanding this, makes me have more compassion for people around me. And I admit sometimes being human, I can disagree and really dislike certain values in my very own family. But understanding all these, it makes me realize why certain thoughts are being wired that way....and that I need to give more grace and compassion. I need to understand, the kind of emotions, the kind of wavelength that goes on in the brains, and what kind of anxiety they go through....I begin to love my family more. I begin to have more compassion, more grace, more understanding rather than judgments. *sweet sigh*

Thank You, God for this "Eureka" moments.

No wonder Chinese are so grounded to sticking to their roots. It makes them feel really belong to one another, and more than that, understand and love one another even more. Haha.

I LOVE MY FAMILY!

Birthday Celebration 2010

Those who knew me very well, knew that this year, my birthday didn't start off good, with loads of things, matters, troubleshootings piling up. I don't know why, but somehow, things happening on your birthday makes you feel a little worse than usual. Haha.

It was easter weekend, all of us were rather busy with many things. And in the midst of all these busyness, there were a few issues to deal with, and boy I was so upset with the enemy sowing unnecessary seeds and hassle into the lives of the people I care the most. I was outright UPSET! Nonetheless, I refuse to allow it ruin my birthday and emotions of course, and still CHOOSE to be happy anyway!

My members, especially my interns, went through a lot with me for the past weekend during easter. Those were the times whereby they began to understand my heart, I began to draw out the bigger picture, and help them see beyond just surface....and focus on the BIG PICTURE. Nothing was in vain. We all learned through these process and a lot of us grew to become more and more matured.

Today, I had a delayed, elaborated and wonderful celebration with my cell members. They lied to me....saying that they were suppose to celebrate Charis' birthday...and lied to Charis that they were suppose to celebrate my birthday! Haha...Ok...I thought to myself...that is quite a smart move, eh? However, this is what my cute members did. They rented the Station ONE stage, and made a deal with station one that they can sing a few songs. Melvyn, Yi Zhen and Kevin Rimas were present too!

So the moment we stepped in, they sang some "jolly fellow" song to welcome us. And that was finally when we realized they were celebrating both our birthdays. And then...sat us down directly in front of the stage. Jireh and Grace, emcees of the night.....Jireh fill up the gap of time onstage with some other emo songs. We had personal waitresses (Tress and Grace), getting our orders (fuh...talk about efficiency, we acted before the waiter comes to take order). WUAH...felt like a princess honestly! All needs MET!

Then, while waiting for our food...my members went up onstage again and sang the song....The Climb...by Miley Cyrus....this song touches my heart the most, looking at everyone of them singing with all their heart. Those who are close to me, they would indeed know this song means something to all of us as cell group members. Haha...:) So touched!

Then each of them, went onstage one by one, shared their testimonies and hearts out about how they truly appreciate Charis and me (will upload their testimonies soon). We were both beyond speechless. Didn't realize that they could remember all the things done together! Some I couldn't even remember if I did :)....Truly a touching moment. Huhuhu~ T_T

Then, after some singings, makan, we played some game (Sabo people drink weird drink), then present presentation!!! tanaaa...

speaking about present. my choir member celebrated my birthday last Saturday too! With the sampat people...and boy!! They gave me a super wonderful big present!!! See...see...xP

Not only them, Shirley, my beautiful, anointed, special leadear...and some few close people in subzone were there to celebrate Anna and my birthday too! Gosh...we are so blessed and honored!! :) Feel so LOVED! :D

So back to my cell members celebration, after everything, some sharing on my part...touching touching...singing that's what friends are for...(so cute right?...we actually sang it so loud in station one....competing with the stereo...haha)....Kevin praying for us....we went home.

I really enjoyed the birthday. Beyond the celebration, the thing that cause me to feel really loved, blessed and honored....is looking back at their lives before...and now...how they came a long way to where they are today...how they fought, struggle through, decide, fall, get up...and just keep going......I feel so privileged to be loved by these amazing bunch of people.....they do not know this, but it is truly an honor that I am given the opportunity to be part of their lives...I wouldn't want to have it any other way...They are indeed my family! :)

Love all of you. Keep shining, keep smiling knowing you (I) can always count on me (you)...for sure! That's what friends are FOR!

:)

Empowerment Meeting!

Last Sunday, I went to Chinese Church to draw from my ever beloved leader, Shirley Boon. Boy, her message yet again so relevant and so.......NECESSARY!! I think I need to do that whenever I am free on Sundays. Her ONE word always changes life.

After listening to her message, immediately that Sunday itself, I decided, I need to have an empowerment meeting. I need to preach and motivate my core about this! About seeking God. It is so important.We often know the why, but not the what...not how to do it....we are too used to the routine. Becoming robots, that we lose the true reason behind it all. The truth is, you don't pray because you have problems, you don't pray because you are a Christian, you don't pray because you have to fulfill a religious duty....you pray TO LOVE!

Ok, I cannot begin to tell you the sermon now, else I would be violating her copyright XP....hehee...anyway....I wrote everything down that Sunday morning....and I was eager to start an empowerment meeting that very day. My members couldn't make it on Sunday night, so we shift it to Wednesday. That Tuesday night I was in Shirley's place just chatting away with few others...etc....and then I told her I need to prepare my empowerment meeting material for Wednesday night. I didn't even tell her I was going to share what she preached last Sunday. She just told me...let me send you my last Sunday's material in English Version! I was SOOOOOOO shocked. How did she even know my heart? Haha... and I nodded eagerly of course! That would make life SO MUCH easier!

So last night, we had empowerment meeting. The presence of God was so strong. It was such a joy to see these people experiencing continual revival in their hearts, drawing and clinging on to the presence of God...Just worshipping Him...and that's it! No agenda. A lot of time core members always have to rush this rush that for cell group, for service, make sure things are taken care of.....it is good...but there are TOO MANY NOISES. Rarely, people would take time to just sit down and listen...and just enjoy the presence of God. Sometimes, they don't even know how....or forget how to draw from the presence of God again. But last night....it was just us...soaking in the presence of God. Period.

Last challenge I left for them to ponder....and for all of you as well.....

Truly to seek God, you need to die to yourself. But would you rather leave everything that you DESIRE and WANT to just be in the presence of God.....or decide to pursue your dreams, achieve success, go after everything you want....but lose the presence of God forever? :) sometimes you cannot have both. Sometimes, some things need to be sacrificed. What would you do?:)

Jeng Jeng Jeng.

Let's be empowered ourselves by seeking God's face every single day. That you will not move or go anywhere without the presence of God with you. You do not need an empowerment meeting to experience God time in time out. You just need one thing....desperation for God.

toodles!

Internet Down

Won't be able to online for many more days to come in Taiping. In fact, haven't been really onlining for 3 weeks.....pfftt

Currently in dad's office trying to load myself with the countless numbers of email. woohoo! fun. Anything urgent, do not hesitate to call me or sms me peeps. Till I see all of you again (very soon)....Happyy Chinese New Year!!!! :D

Blessings of Faithfulness

Ruth 4

Here, Boaz, the gentleman, went and ask his other relative who had  the rights first, whether he would like to buy over the property of Naomi's children, and marry the widow, Ruth so that their family would have a descendant. Well, the relative agreed to buy over the properties at first. Nonetheless, when it comes to marrying the woman in order to allow the name of Elimelech, Killion and Mahlon to continue on (for they died without descendants, or children). Hearing that, the closer relative who had the rights first, did  not agree because he was afraid that his family name might be jeapardized.

Well, Boaz on the other hand, a man of  his own words, did not back out fearing that his family name will be jeapardized. He made the decision to marry Ruth the moment he realized that his closer relative who had the priority first, did not want to marry Ruth. Boaz was indeed an honorable man. If his other relative can be fearful of his own family name being jeapardized, didn't it mean that marrying Ruth, Boaz might face the same possible consequence too?  Definitely Boaz knew what he was getting himself into, but I believed deep in his heart, he just knew, this was something right to do. And he did it. He married Ruth.

And Ruth, out of her  faithfulness (just a decision to be faithful to Naomi, her mother-in-law), found a great husband, a gentleman, a man of honor, of great respect from people, a wealthy man, and a responsible husband. Because she chose to be faithful, she became a woman, that the bible would specifically mention of. She wasn't even a Christian to start of. It was just because of her pure, faithful character....she was so blessed in her life. And after her marriage, she bore a son called Obed...who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David....Through the bloodline of Ruth, it was where Jesus came about as well. Ruth had the honor to be the great great grandmother of Jesus, as well as the great grandmother of King David. Such honor and blessing....just because one choose to live right, and live to be faithful and to honor her leader.

As the saying goes, as how you have honored others, you will be honored in return :))

I truly love the story of Ruth, and I wished to be like her. I hope you guys are inspired as well :)

I will do just as you say...

Ruth 3

Here, Ruth once again, act out of obedience to Naomi. Naomi, knowing that Boaz is a kinsman-redeemer (in other words, the closest relative who was not married in those days, can marry the widow of a relative - custom back then)...so Naomi was suggesting that Ruth go to meet up Boaz (and she stage up a plan for her to lie near his feet while he is asleep and so forth). Naomi knew that, at that time, that was the right time and open door for Ruth to remarry again.

So imagine, if you were in Ruth's position, your mother-in-law asked you to go and lie at the feed of a man you didn't even know very well in the first place! What would you feel? Naturally your first reaction would be, "what are you crazy?", "are you serious? I don't even know him." , "what if he doesn't like me and send me home? I would be embarassed!", "it is awkward. how can i do it?"......correct? But look at what Ruth said:

"If you say so, I'll do it, just as you've told me."

Ruth did not question, nor doubt, nor debate, nor say anything to refuse it! She just said one thing! Whatever you want me to do, I will do it! And she did! That is one radical way to show faithfulness! If there is a member that say that to a leader, goodness, what great things they can accomplish! No conflict, no politic, no question, just run the vision! And Ruth honors  her own word. She did not chicken out, try to bargain, try to come out with conditions....she just do it! Because she knew that was what Naomi wanted her to do.

And as a result, her act led her into Boaz's favor once again. Boaz felt that Ruth had shown kindness to him that she is willing to be married to an older man, like him. However, note that Boaz was also a gentleman. A great man (proven Naomi did not pick the wrong husband for Ruth). Not only was he the boss, and was wealthy, but as much as he favored Ruth, he did not just reserve her for himself totally. He did the right thing, asked the permission of an even closer relative first, before deciding to marry Ruth. And how do we know he favored Ruth? You can see it when he expressed how everyone knew that Ruth was a noble woman, and in the message bible, it even exclaimed that Ruth was a prize! Meaning, everyone in town would love to have her as wife. And Boaz the great gentleman, didn't want Ruth to go back to her mother-in-law empty handed, and gave her barleys to take home.

See, Ruth's faithfulness had not only brought her recognition in Bethelehem, but also favor and a good husband. The right character, always gives birth to the right fruit, and attracts the right people / opportunities. Ruth had all these just because of one thing. She chose to be faithful, and she chose to honor her leader (her mother in law : Naomi), and followed whatever she instructed, despite whether she agrees or not.

Therefore, you can too attract the right things in life, by making the right decision to develop the right character. Again, the choice is yours :))

God bless!~

Stop Striving!

Ruth 2

I like this chapter very much, because it shows a very clear picture. See, Ruth clung on to Naomi, and then she went to this particular field that belonged to Boaz, to pick some leftover grains. Note that the instant  Boaz noticed her and knew who she was and WHAT SHE DID, Boaz immediately had favor on her. Proof? He asked his men to not embarass her, allow her to "ta pao" food back for Naomi, allow her to take more grains back, allow her to eat with him and so forth.

The enitre chapter showed Boaz favor upon Ruth. And Ruth went home having so much, that she even said this:

13 "May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord," she said. "You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls."

See....Ruth was nobody. But because of the kindness she shown to Naomi, she became famous for her deed, and people like Boaz, liked her alot. He even asked her to stay with his servant girls. And Naomi hearing all these was overjoyed, and also urged Ruth to go with Boaz as it would be safer. See...Ruth was capable of stepping into a field shortly after she arrived and find favor with the owner of the field, without having have to go through tons of trials and errors, or bad encounters with other owners of other field. She was that blessed! Simply because she chose to honor Naomi, and clung on to the right principles and character, she was very blessed.

The same goes to human today. See...Ruth needn't have to strive to get to where she should be back then. Likewise, as people of God, we needn't  have to strive to be noticed, to be accepted, to be loved, recognized, understood and so forth. What is the key to a prosperous fruitful life? It is when you honor God the right way, show faithfulness to God, and truly just serve God without ulterior motives (this applies to your leaders as well), then God would bless you! I always remember the one word that Shirley told me. Promotion comes not through striving, but when you purely choose to honor God and His appointed people. It will come when you least expect it.

Therefore, stop doing things to be seen or recognized. The world may perceive you as sincere, but God is the one who will truly read the true intent of your heart. Stop striving, and start serving. It is when you humble yourselves to do the will of God, serve Him, and do the right thing....that God will honor you with promotions and abundance.

Have a great day! =)