Leonard's Enroute

The Master's Vessel

2011-10-08T08:50:00.004+08:00

The Master was searching for a vessel to use.

On the shelf there were many, which one would he choose?

Take me cried the gold one, I’m shiny and bright.

I’m of great value and I do things just right.

My beauty and luster will outshine the rest,

And for you, Master, gold would be the best.

The Master passed on with no word at all.

He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall.

I’ll serve you dear Master, I’ll pour out your wine,

And I’ll be at your table whenever you dine,

My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,

And my silver will always compliment you.

Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass,

It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.

Here, Here cried the vessel, I know I will do.

Place me on your table for all men to view.

“Look at me” cried the goblet of crystal so clear.

“My transparency shows my contents so clear.

Though fragile I am, I will serve you with pride.

And I’m sure I’ll be happy in your home to abide.”

The Master came next to a vessel of wood.

Polished and carved, It solidly stood.

“You may use me dear Master,” the wooden bowl said,

But I’d rather you used me for fruit, not for bread!”

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.

Empty and broken, it helplessly lay,

No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,

To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

Ah! This is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,

I will mend and use it and make it all mine.

I need not the vessel with pride of itself.

Nor the one that is narrow to sit on the shelf.

Nor the one that is big mouthed, and shallow and loud.

Nor one who displays his contents so proud.

Nor the one who thinks he can do all things just right.

But this plain earthy vessel filled with my power and might,

Then He lifted the vessel of clay . . . .

Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.

Spoke to it kindly, “There’s work you must do . . . .

Just pour out to others as I pour into you.

- Author Unknown

Prayer In This Season

2011-09-06T12:24:00.009+08:00

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O Lord, in this season, may You help me to:

- focus on my Inner-Life

- value authenticity

- value growth and learning

- put my character first

- do good flowing out of being good

- build depth that I may have an inward security

- esteem substance

- genuinely celebrate others

- be secure and self-effacing

- have a quiet confidence

- be steady and calm

- disciplined in my daily quiet time

- respond rather than react to criticism

- empower and add value to others

- have a restedness of spirit

And be your good disciple.

Amen.

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I Am Here

2011-07-06T00:08:00.002+08:00

Present at this moment. Present to this moment.

To remove all falsehoods and pretense

All empty hopes and temporal ambitions

All expectations heaped upon myself

And marred the image that You have made of me

Present at this moment. Present to this moment.

Slow my soul down and incline my heart to Your voice

How my soul aches and longs even for the slightest whisper

For even the softest of whisper carry the intents of Your will

Present at this moment. Present to this moment.

Shut my eyes to the worthless things and let me gaze forlorn

At things eternal, at things that matter

Awaken this sleeping sleeplessness within me

Present at this moment. Present to this moment.

Standing with You on the waters’ edge

Bid me to come to you, wind and waves submitted.

Only to You, present in this moment, at this moment, present.

There's a Fly in my Perfume!

2010-07-27T09:25:00.002+08:00

"As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor." Ecc 10:1

Came across this verse in my morning reflection. Small things can have big impact in one's life.

Perfume require a lot of hard work to make. It not enough to pour whole bunch of liquids together into a blender and wahlah - perfume. (thats juice) Perfume requires a lot of delicate preparation, study and understanding what works and what doesn't. Utimately, perfume are about making someone or a place more pleasant.

Dead flies mixed with perfume give off a foul smell. What is mean for good can quickly turn quite the opposite. A little yeast can raise the dough. A little fly can ruin everything. Makes smells smelly.

Foolishness can do that. It occurs to me that people are more forgiving towards a fool who behaves foolishly than someone who is perceived as wise and does 1 foolish act. It is because as the verse implies, we honor wise people. We hold them in esteem. Whereas when it comes to a person who consistently makes stupid mistakes, we go, 'thats just him. Expected one."

But when someone we perceives as wise does something foolish, we go, 'he should know better.'

As a leader, this is a sobering verse. It reminds me that trust and credibility built over many years can be lost in an instant of foolishness. Think Bill Clinton. Small stains can make big scandals. What was once life-giving can become a foul stumbling block

It reminds me to always keep a fly swatter over my heart and keep my conscience pure even against the smallest of sin.

Give me oil in my lamp

2010-06-06T23:43:00.001+08:00

This morning, the Lord reminded me of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. They were bridesmaids waiting for the bridegroom to come. A group of them brought along extra oil for the wait. A group of them didn't . When the time came for the Bridegroom arrived, they foolish one realized that their oil had run out. The wise one, because they brought extra could keep their lamp burning at the decisive moment.

I am reminded that I need to continually ask God to fill my lamp with oil. To not grow complacent and lazy in asking the holy spirit to fill me with the anointing. With the Awaken camp a week away, I need to continue to stay awake and filled with the brim with God's power.

Fill me today, Holy Spirit, give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning. Keep me burning till the break of day.

I love you Jesus.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

(Re) The Art of Living

2010-05-04T01:45:00.000+08:00

Recently I acquired a new appreciation for furniture. It started of course, from my purchase of my first house.

Most people would regard furniture as something purely functional. Something I put some part of my body on for a certain task. A chair is for sitting, a table for eating, writing, talking, a shelf is for books and floor is to put my feet on.

Practical. Functional.

But to me, furniture is more than that. Furniture defines the very space we live in. Not only do they allow us to go about our tasks and lives with ease, they have the ability to add beauty and creativity. As human beings, we are very affected by our environment. thats is why places look they way they do. Officers are grey and serious, fast food resturants are bright and cheery, starbucks are warm and plush and shopping malls are spacious and well-lited, clubs are dark and funky, Churches are tall and white.

Environments have the power to shape a human being's perception and well-being. They constantly communicate subconsciously to a person, affecting mood, thinking, judgment,purpose and subsequently well-being and happiness. They have the same effect as food, drink and friends - they can shape us, affect us, persuade us.

Furniture is a huge part of one's environment. We are so surrounded by it that we don't notice them anymore. But they communicate to us none the less. They can add beauty and grace into a home or it can make it ugly and frustrating. Those of us more visual are of course more affected and sensitive to it, others, well, it is doesn't get in the way and I can use it its good enough for me.

For me, furniture goes beyond just function. To me, furniture islike Art. They can make a house beautiful, pleasant, exciting, alluring, comfortable. Why do I pay $7 bucks for coffee in starbucks? Coffee don't cost that much! Its all in the interior and how one feels when one is in it. So I think to myself, why do I want to pay StarBucks $7 bucks for the rest of my life when I can create a alluring environment in the comfort of my own home?

Choosing furniture to me is akin to choosing a sculpture. Art, but functional. We are affectedby art. All human beings are. In a sense, we are artistic in nature. We create art and we are affected by it. We can appreciate it and that is a feeling of emptiness when we don't see it. We can tell what is beautiful and what is not. We cry when we see a sunrise, we cry when we see a disaster zone. What we see and appreciate is important to our souls. Art is important to life.

That is why God cloth the flowers that is 'here today and gone tomorrow', that is why He putthe Orion and the Eagle Nebular in Space, the purple orange drama that is every sunset. God makes Beauty - He is Beautiful. He is Beauty itself.

A beautiful Home is important to me because I know how it can affect a person. Art moves the soul. A chair can be four-legged wood with back rest but it can also be a piece of art, designed by an artisan and now gracing within the walls of your home. It adds a touch of grace, of beauty, a tinge of excitement of a otherwise mundane existence. It makes coming home a joy. Like how going to Starbucks feels good. But why let Starbucks earn all my money?

It does not, of course, come cheap. Beauty seldom does. Nether do things that are important and valuable. But to me, its worth it. I don't live for it, its not what I'm all about - but it I have can the means, I would. Its like buying art. A nice sofa is better than a ugly sofa. But it doesn't have to cost a lot. You just need to take time to FIND. Buying Art is like that. But once you find something at the right price, its great!

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
Proverbs 24:3

Leo

6 Months Married!

2009-05-19T16:43:00.003+08:00

I've been married for 6 months. Wow!

People ask me now and then, 'what's married life like?' I'm not sure what Married Life is suppose to be. I guess everyone's different. For me? Well, It feel like living with your best friend. Only this time, its truly true.

Cassilda is my best friend and I'm really blessed to be married to her. She has brought so much joy and beauty into my life. Exactly as God promised me she would if I continue to love, protect and be tender to her.

Here's some pictures from 6 months ago, pigging out in my place on our wedding day.

The One that got away

2009-04-29T15:24:00.003+08:00

George Nelson Platform Bench.

Home still found wanting...

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Untangle me

2009-04-17T16:51:00.003+08:00

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I Love you, Lord.
You are saving me.

You give me strength
when I really feel like giving up.
Cos' thats what I feel now.
When I feel inadequate, insufficient.
Like I'm in over my head.
When things are beyond me,
too many for me to handle
Somehow, in the midst of chaos,
You help me work it out.
You help me to slowly untangle the issues.
Like the way I untangle my ipod earphone wires
after leaving them in my bag.

Things tend to end up that way after a while.

Help me to be patient.
As your nimble divine fingers go to work.
When I hit a snag, help me to remember
Things work out in the end.
And if it hasn't work out, well..
Its not yet the end.

So I have to be patient.

I'm just glad you are with me, Jesus.
Whatever would I do without You.
Besides making my life a mess.
I don't know how to do it on my own
Untangle me Lord.

And set me free.

thanks, Jesus. I appreciate it.

Leo

2009-04-06T16:39:00.001+08:00

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Amplify Community Groups!

2009-03-24T23:13:00.003+08:00

As our community grows bigger, as God adds to the number of young people that intersects with our lives in Amplify, we need to open our tents wider. (Isa 54:2-3)

I am deeply convinced that as we grow bigger, we need to get smaller. I believe the introduction and proliferation of small community groups in Amplify is of great importance going forward.

Made in the image of a Trinitarian God, the need for community and authentic relationships is hardwired into our DNA. To be connected to another human being is intrinsic to what it means to be human and alive. To feel belong, accepted and understood are deep desires with one’s soul. Our normal society often do not naturally provide the sort of environments that nurture these needs as well as provide the opportunity to extend it to others, and we are the worse for it.

We, who are disciples of Jesus Christ need to realize that Jesus himself, on the onset of his ministry established a community with his band of 12 disciples. Which points to us that Discipleship happens in the context of community – in fact to be His disciple is to Follow him and be part of a family. Both of intertwined and cannot be separated, no one can follow Jesus in isolation.

Authentic relationships cannot happen in large group gatherings. Even Jesus would often take his band of disciples away in private. He knew that a big group setting can nurture relationship and discipleship only so far – to go deeper, one must get smaller.

Thus, it is with this in mind that I call the Amplify Community to begin the task of nurturing a Small group culture. To find ways of gathering in smaller group settings to facilitate connection, life change and cultivate outreach.

I see us coming up with a way of doing community groups that is easy and simple. So simple that anyone can do it. So simple that all people from all stages of youth can take hold and form a group right where they are.

I see people forming Amplify Community Groups (ACGs) in schools. I see students who attend Amplify who are from the same school forming ACGs who meet after school to share. I see them praying together for their needs and the needs of their friends in school.

I see ACGs forming in the Universities and polytechnics, in between lunch breaks. I see small groups of young people, 6 or 8 of them, finding community at canteens and benches all over Campus.

I see ACGs happening in Cafes around City Hall, Bugis, Orchard, Jurong point, Parkway Parade and more. I see young working adults, still dressed in their work clothes leaned over a cup of coffee, sharing the bible and how their day went. I smell the aroma of coffee beans, hear the sounds of laughter and the honest discussion of how the word of God applies to the grey situations of their increasingly complicated lives.

I see a group of guys, just booked out of camp gathering in someone’s home and exchanging stories of their week. I see them challenging each other to live out their Christian calling in a very godless environment. I see them praying for each other and the one who couldn’t book out that evening because he got guard duty. I see them sms-ing the brother to encourage him.

I see a group of sisters meeting around the living room of a home. I see open hearts and open bibles. I see the sisters coming around someone who had just lost someone dear to them. I see them rally around the person offering the support of an authentic community.

I see a group of young married couples and parents gathering around the kitchen table of a newly renovated home. I see couples who have been married for long sharing stories and lessons. Exchanging tips on parenting and thoughts on what God says about an enduring fruitful marriage.

I see 2 or 3 community groups taking the initiative to come together to visit a home, help raise funds for a cause or just take a mission trip together. I see lives outside the groups being touched by the kindness of a group of Jesus followers who had challenged each together to really love.

I see people who showed up and at the end of it, were glad they came. And they look forward to coming again.

I see people experience connection, even if a bit, for the first time.

I see people who are usually socially awkward , find a place of acceptance and encouragement.

I see a place where people can be honest about their doubts about the faith and find their answers in a safe environment.

I see Groups where real life change happens.

I see a whole network of ACGs, hundreds of them throughout Singapore, proliferating everywhere, in every parish, campus and school. Everyday of the week.

I see Amplify becoming a Community of communities, comprising of people from every place and phase of life, spreading a passion for Jesus Christ in togetherness.

“Everyday, they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47.

O Lord, it is your will that we your disciples be in community. It is the pattern you have set for us as your disciples. We thank you Lord, that if it isn’t enough that you gave us your love, you also give us each other. Help us as a community in Amplify, to love more people and love people more. Help us Lord, as we lay the gound work for Community groups in Amplify. Bless our efforts, increase our understanding and give us the courage to take action. May you grant us good leadership in this lasting endeavor.

Rise up good Community Group leaders who are godly, wise, compassionate, responsible and hospitable. Help stir up the hearts of those you are calling to be shepherds of their people. May they imitate you, the Good shepherd in taking care and feeding of your flock.

May you cause Community Groups to grow and flourish in Amplify and in our diocese. And reach the emerging generation for your glory.

In Jesus name,
Amen.

A Christmas Poem

2008-12-22T10:44:00.000+08:00

What If Christmas Never Happen?

What if Christmas never happen?
Would there still be jingle bells and silver bells
Would Frosty still exist?
Would Rudolph be the one we love
Couples linger mistletoes above

Would we get our two front teeth
And Partridges in pear trees.
Would we deck the halls
Or kiss Santa Claus
And still be home for Christmas?

well, probably...

But what if Christmas never happened?
What will we see?
What if God didn't love the world
And the Child never came to be
With the world in sorrow pining
Will hope still sail the seven seas

If Christmas never happened
What glad would tidings be?
Will shepherds still prolong their strains
Will Nations come on bended knees
Will there be rest for merry gentlemen
Had not the Herald Angels sang

In this season that came to be
Silent night of our Savior's birth
Tucked away in a manager
Lies our soul's great worth

So come celebrate the love divine
Join the Angels heard on high
Leave the trample of the Sales
And join the Triumph of the Skies.

- Leonard, written on 12 Dec 2006

Have a Blessed Christmas!
Leonard & Cassilda

A Peek at the Crib

2008-10-29T11:01:00.006+08:00

A preview of my new home!

The Art of Living

2008-10-25T00:36:00.010+08:00

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Recently I acquired a new appreciation for furniture. It started of course, from my purchase of my first house.

Most people would regard furniture as something purely functional. Something I put some part of my body on for a certain task. A chair is for sitting, a table for eating, writing, talking, a shelf is for books and floor is to put my feet on.

Practical. Functional.

But to me, furniture is more than that. Furniture defines the very space we live in. Not only do they allow us to go about our tasks and lives with ease, they have the ability to add beauty and creativity. As human beings, we are very affected by our environment. thats is why places look they way they do. Officers are grey and serious, fast food resturants are bright and cheery, starbucks are warm and plush and shopping malls are spacious and well-lited, clubs are dark and funky, Churches are tall and white.

Environments have the power to shape a human being's perception and well-being. They constantly communicate subconsciously to a person, affecting mood, thinking, judgment, purpose and subsequently well-being and happiness. They have the same effect as food, drink and friends - they can shape us, affect us, persuade us.

Furniture is a huge part of one's environment. We are so surrounded by it that we don't notice them anymore. But they communicate to us none the less. They can add beauty and grace into a home or it can make it ugly and frustrating. Those of us more visual are of course more affected and sensitive to it, others, well, it is doesn't get in the way and I can use it its good enough for me.

For me, furniture goes beyond just function. To me, furniture is like Art. They can make a house beautiful, pleasant, exciting, alluring, comfortable. Why do I pay $7 bucks for coffee in starbucks? Coffee don't cost that much! Its all in the interior and how one feels when one is in it. So I think to myself, why do I want to pay StarBucks $7 bucks for the rest of my life when I can create a alluring environment in the comfort of my own home?

Choosing furniture to me is akin to choosing a sculpture. Art, but functional. We are affected by art. All human beings are. In a sense, we are artistic in nature. We create art and we are affected by it. We can appreciate it and that is a feeling of emptiness when we don't see it. We can tell what is beautiful and what is not. We cry when we see a sunrise, we cry when we see a disaster zone. What we see and appreciate is important to our souls. Art is important to life.

That is why God cloth the flowers that is 'here today and gone tomorrow', that is why He put the Orion and the Eagle Nebular in Space, the purple orange drama that is every sunset. God makes Beauty - He is Beautiful. He is Beauty itself.

A beautiful Home is important to me because I know how it can affect a person. Art moves the soul. A chair can be four-legged wood with back rest but it can also be a piece of art, designed by an artisan and now gracing within the walls of your home. It adds a touch of grace, of beauty, a tinge of excitement of a otherwise mundane existence. It makes coming home a joy. Like how going to Starbucks feels good. But why let Starbucks earn all my money?

It does not, of course, come cheap. Beauty seldom does. Nether do things that are important and valuable. But to me, its worth it. I don't live for it, its not what I'm all about - but it I have can the means, I would. Its like buying art. A nice sofa is better than a ugly sofa. But it doesn't have to cost a lot. You just need to take time to FIND. Buying Art is like that. But once you find something at the right price, its great!

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
Proverbs 24:3

Leo

2008-10-20T12:17:00.005+08:00

These are the final days of single hood
Life as I know it will forever change.
As I take these steps toward a new Dawn
I recount the blessings that has been.

I am grateful...

1. that God has given me the most beautiful, wisest, devoted and God-loving woman to be my wife, lover and best friend.

2. that He gave us such a long, wonderous and challenging courtship. We have been through so many seasons together and have learn to love each as we discover more and more the beauty and imperfections of each other. I am sure I want to spend the rest of my life with Cassilda.

3. that God gave us an opportunity to spend a year at Hillsongs College, Sydney for a year. Learning to do life together, cook, study, explore, pray, serve, give, suffer and overcome together. Through it all, we have learn much about fighting together and not each other.

4. that we have the most wonderful community in Amplify, whose passion, love, friendship, support and belief has mould us to be who we are today, together. Our community will always be a part of our lives, the air we breathe and on which we mount on wings.

5. that we had the most memorable wedding proposal. One that I have been dreaming about since I was a young boy. One day, I will propose to my girlfriend with a 1000 roses and fill the entire place with it. Iggy, Josie, Linus and Ann helped make that dream come true. and most importantly, she said 'YES!'. and Life was never the same again. I will never forget.

6. that we got our flat sooner exceeding faster than we expected. We did not expect to get a flat until 2010. I had already made plans to move into Cassilda's room after the wedding. Guess what? Last I checked, they have finished installing the doors on our kitchen cabinet - in our very own flat - in Bedok Central.

Every time I step in, I am in awe. I still can't believe God's goodness to us. How can it be? Except that every good and perfect gift comes from our heavenly Father!

7. that we got a english speaking Contractor who so far has done a pretty decent job. We are quite happy with the work so far...and so fast. I think I will be ready before the wedding!

8. that we found a beautiful dining table after searching every corner of Singapore. (serious!) A Restored import piece from Holland. It was love at first sight for the both of us. Can't wait to move it in.

9. that we got our good wedding wine at great prices!

10. that my Father sponsored my air-conditioning and lights.

11. that our caterer is a generous man

12. that we settle our March In music 9 months before the wedding

13. that we found the perfect wedding bands. I absolutely love them! Simple and meaningful. I really can't wait to wear them on Cassilda.

14. that our parents have helped us a great deal in setting up the home.

15. That through it all, these months of intense preparation, I have grown to love and appreciate Cassilda more. We have grown closer and happier as we plan our home together, as we make decisions and faced down suppliers together. She has been so loving and patient with my obsession with every house and furniture detail.

16. And that God, whose mercies are New every morning, never fails to be faithful. Our Jehovah Jireh has given us so much and I can feel his Love from everything that has transpired so far. I can only bow my head in gratefulness for my God who love me and takes care of the both of us.

"Surely goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life."

Praise and Glory to You. My God. My All.

Leo

St. Bartholomew's Church by Qubus Studio

2008-10-16T00:47:00.003+08:00

O.M.G...

The priest can preach as long as he wants...

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Reno Rants (4)

2008-10-08T08:50:00.014+08:00

Our Home is coming together!

In the midst of a flurry of activities, avalanche of choices and impending decisions tearing at our insanity and the every present gravity of the race towards the Big day, the home is taking shape and form.

Deck the Halls
Rough cement floors are dressed up in (almost) white tiles, slate and laminates. The ceiling is a stage set for various lights to make their brilliant performance by next week. The kitchen foundations are laid, the counter is elected and I can almost smell the pasta cooking. (seafood marinara)

The air-conditioning is being installed even as I am writing this and the painting works will start tomorrow. I did not choose any crazed colours in case anyone is expecting us to. Keeping it simple.

Basically the renovations part of the house is like the backdrop of a stage. It should be a background that sets the context for the drama, not the drama itself. I don't like renovations that scream - "I just had a renovation". It should be functional, consistent and subtle in bringing out the best of the furniture and the stories of life unfolding within its embrace. Too loud and it becomes an end to itself and not a means to an end.

The Shape of Things to come
Next will be Carpentry. Jesus' own forte. The cabinets, the shelfs, the consoles and the cupboards. I'm pretty excited and at the same time nervous about it. Unlike going to a shop where I know exactly what I'm buying - Carpentry works in renos, you don't until its done. what looks good on paper may not look too fantastic when its standing before you. Or, it could look even better than you imagined it to be. Going to leave it in the hands of the Carpenter of Nazareth to cause all things to work out for good. Especially good ABS trimmings.

Furnishings is a 4-letter Word
IKEA is the name of the game. Every new home owner's savior. The rock on which more expensive and lasting furniture will replace in the near future. The sweet smelling air of swedish affordability and cheap practical brilliance line the walls of the mammoth blue and yellow building, holding out promises to people who hope they don't have to that rich to be clever.

"Buy from Ikea lor" is the mantra. ("Buy from EKia" if you are born before 1975) But seriously, if you take time to study the catalog, which I know sounds kinda strange to you non-house owners, you can pretty much pull off a decent looking house you'll be proud to bring your mother home to.

Furniture, my friend, in the real world, is expensive. I was brought up on a furnishing diet of IKEA in my current home and naively thought that all furniture companies cost like that. They don't. And not all sell great hot dogs and meat balls either. That in itself is pretty sad. What next? That Santa Claus is not real? Sheesh. So sad. Which is how I feel when I look at the price tag on most furniture shops I...erm...fancy.

While you don't have to be rich to be clever, it certain would help a bit if you actually are.

Frankly, I blame my expectations on Interior books with their slick Photoshopped interiors and designer furnitures conveniently placed in the background. I should have seen through it! Come on! there is no way anyone can affort SIX pieces of Philip Starck Ghost Chairs and even if they do, why on earth do they leave it in the grimmey kitchen!

Planting Seats
But I do need to admit something at this point. I've found a new hobby - chairs. I love chairs. I don't know why but these little legged things you put your butt on has captured my heart. After days of pouring over furniture books and websites, I now know the history of at least 15 chairs and can call them by name. Chairs are to the furnishing world what Tee shirts are to the fashion realm. They are the main stay of every home and common as dust. Yet, they can be art pieces - just sittable.

Some of the chairs we take for granted, stack, kick when we are angry or thrown when someone insults our mother (I've seen it.), took years to develop. I know I know. Whats so hard putting 4 legs on something. Well, its the same why Giodano can sell black tees for $10 and Simon Cowl can buy his for $270. (yes, all three hundred of them) Its all in the details. The material. The angles. The finish. the ergonomics.

Okay, I think I better stop here before I sound mildly obsessive, won't want you to think that I really am, although I really am. Ask Cassilda. She will be more than happy to demonstrate some of the most amazing eye-rolling you'll ever see in this part of the world. she has gotten a lot of practice lately.

K. So I'll end here. For you guys reading this and could potentially be invited to our house warming held somewhere between this century and next, better start sourcing for gifts. Appliances, chairs and pillows are welcomed. Sofas, spare beds, lamps are advised. Fridges, 42" LCD Flatscreens, Herman Miller furniture and MacG5s come highly recommended.

Just let us know in advance so we know what to do with all the extra LCD Tvs.

8)

Leo

Standing in my freshly painted Study
with my photoshopped Eames Chair.
Exactly the way our ancestors did it in interior magazines.

2008-09-23T17:32:00.004+08:00

God save the milk!

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Reno Rants (3)

2008-09-14T22:34:00.002+08:00

I'm pretty excited about how the house is turning out.

After the incredible night in the City on friday, we turned out attention back onto our house and wedding preparations. Saturday morning saw us making a trip down to the Pines to meet our Wedding Banquet manager for a short meeting. After which followed up a meeting with our contractor.

I had expected the meeting to take about 1 hour max. Ended up, we were there for 3 hours. Phew! But it was all good. This is the part where it gets reallllly exciting. Work is scheduled to begin this week with the electrical and lighting parts of the renovations so we had to confirm where our lightings are.

I think our house is brilliant. Like literally. By the time we were through agreeing where and how many lights we wanted for the living area, I think I would need to wear shades at night. Well, at least it looks to me. We will be installing false ceilings and cove lighting, which I so totally love. Lighting is extremely important in the way your house looks, the way it is used will, in fact, change the way you see everything, the presentation of space.

Moving from the ceiling to the flooring was interesting. After long and hard considerations, I finally ceded the idea of duo-material flooring for the living area- much to the relief of the contractor, the interior designer and I think Cassilda as well. In the end, fuss-free maintenance and sheer practicality won the day and homogeneous tiles now would grace the feet of those who enter the house. Oh well, I'm pretty excited about the kitchen tiles.

Next stop will be carpentry. This includes our kitchen cabinets, living area storage, TV Console, bookshelves and wardrobe. Our kitchen is kinda tiny and choosing to hack down a wall and installing a oven isn't making the situation any better. Space is a premium in our tiny kitchenette and figuring out our configurations of drawers and shelves is a bit like playing the last level of Tetris.

Personally, I'm kinda excited about my living room cantilever storage and Tv Console. The Tv Console design that the designer showed me was kinda freaky. I had mentioned the week before to the interior designer that I saw one (well, a few) from AIR that I liked. I wanted to send him a picture during the course of the week but had been too busy to. Saturday morning, Cassilda and I decided to go to one of the AIR outlets at Park Mall to grab a catalog to show the designer. There, we saw the actual console that I had been eyeing and it cost a whopping $5000. I nearly died when I saw the tag.

But I took the catalog anyway. When the designer showed me the design he had gone ahead to proposed, without my input, I nearly fell off my chair. I pulled out the AIR catalog to show him and it was similar to the one I had wanted! And maybe a bit nicer! WOW! By now, I was sufficient impressed and freaked out at the same time.

At this point I must praise God and say that I'm rather happy with the contractor we have picked. Besides mind-reading, his quotes, professionalism and the 'un-contactorish' command of the english language is making this whole process quite pleasant. Left to see is his workmanship. I pray to God that He will make the following 6-8 weeks wonderful and that He watches every tile, paint, pipe, drill and wire.

Thank you Jesus. I know you will cause all things to work together for the good of all who love you and are called according to your purpose. Cassilda and I entrust our home to you - both to delight and receive the desire of our hearts.

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2008-09-13T02:15:00.003+08:00

Tonight was Amplify In the City.

What started out as a dream and an idea a week or two after the last YISS, saw it gave birth to an awesome night! I cannot thank God enough for the amazing grace He has shown us all tonight and the months leading up to it.

I especially want to thank the leaders of Amplify for their courage in taking a big dream and making it into reality. I know for a fact a lot of effort- emotion, spiritual and mental has gone into this. I know many of them has sacrificed weekends, weekdays, sleep and play time to put this night together and splendidly at that. Josie, Lydia, AnnMarie, Don, Adrian, Ignatius, Flo, Larris, Kieth, Eunice, Rachael, Marissa, Kevin, Evan and Justin. I honor all of you and you have my deepest respect and gratitude for the passion and dedication put in. What you sow, you will reap many times over!

The 70-over strong volunteers force we had tonight, every young man and woman who came forward and gave of themselves so freely and wonderfully, is one of the BEST volunteers team I have ever been privileged to be a part of. I am amazed at the level of joy, of enthusiasm, of passion, responsibility, initiative and what-ever-it-takes attitude everyone extrude. I know how much effort was put into put together the Slide show for God in the city. I am very blown away by the love put in the painting of all the glass candle holders, by hand - all 550 of them. And for transforming Raffles Place into a tunnel of Love!

I am very encourage and moved by all the volunteers, you guys are absolute stars! Thank you for being so incredibly wonderful and showing us what it means to 'serve the Lord with gladness, with all of your heart and soul and strength.' You made all the difference in the world tonight and I want all of you to know that you are an inspiration to me.

The worship tonight was wonderful. There was such a atmosphere of honesty and earnesty in seeking God. The hunger clearly seen, cannot be faked or performed - can only come from people who have genuinely tasted the goodness of God's presence and are hungy for more. Your hunger has made us whet our appetites for God. Thank you Worship team for taking us into God's presence and leading the way in the passionate, unashamed, amplifed pursuit of God.

The crowd tonight, the gathering of the emerging generation was amazing. When we did this, we had no clue who was coming and how many - we only know, God's fame has to be spread - so we just find the biggest most affordable place we can find and let God call His people.

And come did they. It was such an inspiring sight to see the emerging generation worshipping God with such abandonment and listening to His word with such attentiveness and hunger. It was such a joy to share! I believe in the vision that Cassilda cast for us tonight - that we be a generation that is marked by our love for others, looking beyond our own wants and needs and being a blessing to others. I so believe this vision is possible in this generation, to whom is given much - much is expected. I believe we will see more and more, this vision come to pass.

Most of all, thank you Holy Spirit. For showing up and doing what our best efforts can never do - allowing us to encounter the God of the Universe revealed in the dear Person of Jesus in whom we offer the entire night to. May you be pleased with this offering and that tonight brings a smile to your already joyous Face.

Thank you for meeting us at our wells, thank you for your relentless tenderness and Your unbelievable inclination to use incredibly flawed people to bring about something that is nothing sort of magnificence.

Not to us, O Lord, Not to us, but to your Name be all the Glory, for your Love and Faithfulness. Ps 115:1

Amen.

2008-09-08T09:44:00.004+08:00

Monday. Friday is Amp In the City. 4 days.

I'm pretty nervous about it. This will be the first time I'm speaking in a setting like this. Although I know that one day this was going to happen, God had already given me sense prior, it doesn't make my stomach any less queasy.

Now? What about when I'm more ready and less all-over-the-shop?

As I type this, I'm reminded in the spirit, of the bible-study that the teaching team did about 2 weeks ago. 'Be ready, in season and out season, when it convenient and when its not.' BE READY.

How does one be ready? I suppose being 'ready' is not the same as 'not nervous'. Again, I'm reminded that nervousness is a Gift from God. It helps me as a speaker to desire to do well - as long as the feeling don't get to me. Handled, it becomes a motivation to put in the effort needed.

I feel on friday, I'm not there to share an abstract theological lesson rather its introducing my listeners to someone who changed my life. It is deeply personal and relational. I pray that they catch the love, the begging, the assurance, the intimacy in my voice and thoughts as I share about Jesus. May there be tears in my voice - Know Him! Love Him! Serve Him!

There is nothing else more compelling, more meaningful, more beautiful, more worthy of my life than to follow Jesus. I was once lost. But now am found. Was blind but now I see.

I'm not the best of all person. I'm a sinner, if you could open up my mind, dissect my intentions and question how I spend my time- you will know I'm not always who I project myself to be. I'm mean, unloving, selfish and sinful. Countless time I've repented, countless time I've fallen again.

Yet. God continues to love and forgive me. He keeps saving, interventing and blessing. I don't understanding. He fills my life with light, with good friends, with a mission, with love - exceedingly abundantly more than I could ever ask or imagined. Or even come close to deserving.

Amazing Grace. My God who found me love me lifted me.

I talk about the Woman At the Well, not because it such a great story but because its a personal story. Its the story of my life. He found me when I least expected. And I've never been the same since.

Reno Rants (2)

2008-09-04T23:38:00.007+08:00

I think we are just about ready to start our renos.

After about two months of planning, drawing, meeting contractors and combing through quotations, we will be taking the plunge in making one of our biggest purchase of our lives, second only to the actually flat.

It is truly an exciting time albeit crazy-busy. Dreaming about our home and finally seeing it taking its first baby steps towards reality is amazing. I am excited! Cassilda is elated. I pray and hope that everything works out well. And at a affordable price.

The contractor we will be awarding to seem professional enough compared to some we have seen. His quotes are pretty affordable which leaves us room for a bit of fancy designs. And his office is pretty near our home, present and future, so it will be good. I could show up in his office in my running shorts to ask why my air-con leaking, only that I don't actually do any running, then again seeing how the stadium is nearer to my new house, the above scenario could actually happen.

But I've been learning a great deal about putting a house together. what color schemes go well with what, what are the 3000 types of wood in the world and that the position of the sun has a direct impact on interiors. I must say I pretty enjoy the whole process. It is one thing to design a layout for a Ad or a brochure, quite another to design a layout for a house. about 1000 times more exciting. I mean you actually get to design something you can touch, feel, open, see, smell and interact for as long as it last. It doesn't get kept in some file somewhere or some website, its real, solid and takes up space. It cannot be ignored. It touches our lives and greet us when we wake up, its the last thing we see before the lights go off.

Its very cool.

Well, for all the young people reading this. I know one day you wish to get your own house too. Just want to let you know: enjoy the process. Cass and I have heaps of fun through this all, it has been an absolute joy building our new home (Love Nest) together. It has brought us closer and taught us to appreciate the strengths of each other so much more.

I just hope and pray now that we will make it in time for our wedding date on the 15th of Nov, 2008.

God, you who created and furbish the Universe, you said in your word- 'Wisdom builds a house, Understanding establishes it, Knowledge fills it with wonderful things.' Ps 24 Guide us, grant us wisdom, understanding and knowledge of what it takes to build a House that glorifies you and blesses others. May you guide the heart, imagination and integrity of our Contractor and guide the hands of our sub-cons, fill them with a spirit of excellence, honesty and diligence. May we do a work and offer you a place worthy of your Majesty and Excellence.

Cass and I thank You, for all you have done, your faithfulness and how you have guided us every step of the way. We trust in you and know you will cause all things to work together for our Good. thank you Heavenly Father. In Jesus Name, Amen.

leo

2008-08-21T14:16:00.005+08:00

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Getting to Amplify In the City (NTUC Centre)

By MRT- Raffles Place Interchange
(Follow the exit F sign and take the Lau Pa Sat exit at end of underground passage)

By Bus- Collyer Quay / Clifford Centre
(Service Nos: 10, 70, 97, 100, 107, 130, 131, 162, 196)

By Car- Drivers can park their cars in the cash-card operated multi-storey car park besides the building.

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Not to be missed series!

2008-08-15T15:42:00.004+08:00

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Sabbatical

2008-08-10T10:00:00.003+08:00

Today marks the first day that I'm not the coordinator of Amplify ministry.

After yesterday's exco meeting, Cass and myself have stepped down from our current roles in the community to focus on our wedding preparation and house renovations. Its has been something of a long overdue and as our preparation phase enters into a crucial 3 more months, we have decided it is time. So, we will be on a Sabbatical break until the end of the year and then we will resume our roles. If the community will still have us lead, that it. 8)

In my place, Josie will will take over the helm as the interim Coordinator of Amplify.

so, today marks the first day that I'm not the coordinator of Amplify ministry.

It feels kinda strange. Yesterday for the first time in years, I said the words, 'I'm no more the coordinator, ask Josie.' It felt strange saying them, but I guess I'll be saying it a lot more from now on. Its strange to be in charge and then, suddenly, no more.

Before you think me as some power-hungry-loves-to-be-in-charge person, the honest truth is my role as coordinator has been one of the greatest undeserved joy and privileges of my life. I cannot tell you how much of a joy it has been leading the kind of awesome people we have in Amplify. My leaders, team-mates, the volunteers, the community serve and live with such passion, dedication, love, humor and honesty that they make my work an absolute joy. I don't know how many times I'll prayed in gratefulness for this undeserved blessing and how humbled I feel by it.

Sure there have been plenty of times where it has been a struggle. The issues that come up in a 70 strong community can be overwhelming, heart-trenching, time-consuming and burdensome. In the words of St. Paul, 'we were pressed from every side.' BUT. Never impossible. Together, the Team always gets through no matter how big the challeneg. We will encourage each other, shoulder each other burdens, we will pray for each other, talk to one another, brainstorm ideas, have difficult conversations when need be and we always pull through by the grace of God. It is amazing!

I know I'm bias, but I really think I have one of the best teams and communities in the world! And I cannot think of a better people I want to do my life with. Amplify is my family.

So it is with great joy and excitement that I hand over to Josie, not because I'm feel relieve of this burden, because its not. I'm excited because I don't know if she knows what awesome people she will be leading. I'm excited to share the joy that has been my privilege the past three years and unleash this wonderful community to her leadership.

I have a deep confidence in Josie. Her leadership is a wonderful combination of a strong set of conviction, a deep compassion for people, the character to keep those in balance and the courage to live them out. I hold her in deep respect. Her earnestly before God and her disarming sincerity is underlined with a inspiring what-ever-it-takes attitude and love for people. I've seen her make difficult but necessary decision and stick by them. This reveals to me a strong consistent set of internalized biblical values which is essential for Godly leadership - the kind people will gladly entrust their lives with.

The kind I will entrust the community to.

I want to thank my Community, Josie and her leadership team for releasing Cass and myself to focus on entering the next phase of our lives. We are so closely knitted as a team I know when we leave it will take a bit of adjustment but I know we will pull through and like always - emerge stronger! I love all of you and I'll be praying everyday for the good work you are doing for the young people of Singapore and for the Renown of our glorious God!

Leo

Passion KL Days

2008-08-06T13:09:00.022+08:00

Just got back from KL, went to the Passion World Tour with about 26 friends from the Amplify community. Just the sheer number of people going for a trip like this and you know you’re are guaranteed an unforgettable experience and truly it was.

Day 1 - Singapore to KL

We left for KL at about 8 in the morning, departing from LeMeridien Hotel. Half the bus was occupied by us so you can imagine the racket we were making for a whole Singapore leg of the trip. Well, they don't call us 'Amplify' for nothing.

So after we made across the Causeway, the Bus Captain decided to show mercy on the rest of the passengers by injecting a sedating device commonly known as ‘inflight entertainment’ into all onboard. Even Stefan himself was eventually subdued. Why they call it 'inflight' when our wheels were on the ground, at least when my eyes were opened, is anybody's guess.

We arrived at the Crown Princess, Kuala Lumpur at about 2pm Malaysian Time. Every one amassed into the lobby that was to become our assembly hall for the next three days. While dealing with the usual Malaysian efficiency, we sardined into Josie/Iggy/Don's room for a short briefing and prayer. Everyone was excited, full of energy and anticipation. It was great!

First destination was Bukit Bintan, KL's shopping tour de force. I was with Stefan, West, Cassie and a random taxi driver in Convoy 1. First, was lunch at Nandos. Obviously they did not anticipate 20 hungry young people from Singapore appearing at the doorsteps of their fine establishment. So settling in, ordering and waiting for the food was quite a drag. And finally when the food did come, I have to say it wasn't fantastic. Bernard of course made a big deal about it, which I secretly agree but I do remember it being a lot better when I ate it in Sydney. I’m guessing maybe it’s the water they use to wash the chicken. Yah. That’s must be it.

Thus begin the Great-Malaysian-shop-till-your-kneecaps-give-way-and-your-toenails-scream- for-mercy-spree. It would have been totally worth it, considering they have excellent medical therapies these days for serious leg injuries if not for the fact that I basically ended up not buy anything! Well, two T-shirts at the last minute so that I could get rid of some loose change. That was about it.

So I decided that I was going to redeem the experience by having us a great dinner at the roadside stalls in ChinaTown. And boy did we! We had 'Loklok', which was basically raw food on sticks in steamboat marinated in carbon monoxide courtesy of passing cars. It was awesome! Accompanied by Char-BBQ seafood, Fruit juice and hearty company, the day ended on a great note with a short behind-the-scene look at Night Market evacuation procedures.

Oh, we also were treated to a Laser show before heading back to the Princess performed none other by the Amazing LaserPen Becky That was pretty cool. Free some more. Malaysia Boleh!

Day 2 - St John's Church to Sunway Convention

I can't believe its already Sunday. So after a rather hurried Hotel breakfast with Stefan, Poon and West who obviously wasn't in the hurry having been eating since 7:30am, we convoyed over to St. John's Church.

Attending mass there was like WYD - Africans, Caucasians, Philippinos, Malaysians, Philippinos, Singapore and did I mentioned some folks from Philippines? The Sermon was good. The priest actually looked like he prepared it. The church was vibrant and noisy - the way I like it. Like it says people matter here. Like people is why we have and are church. Like it pleases God the Father when people talk to each other and share lives. and food. and cab fares. Love it!

After lunch at Lot 10, which is not at CCK, and incidentally also where I found the cheapest best tasting coffee-in-a-bottle for an amazing price of 1RM, (=50cents sing) we set off in two MAXI-cabs and a normal red one to SUNWAY CONVENTION!

Passion, meet Amplify. Amplify, meet Passion.

The KL Passion World Tour

Sunway Convention Centre turned out to be like an inland Sentosa Resort-style place and descended upon by hoards of Middle Eastern Tourists. M.E.Ts. I just made that up.

Like good Singaporeans, we were there four hours early. Which meant we could get free stuff like Passion Posters and flyers. (yes, Malaysians... watch and learn, its all not just about getting front row seats...its about the free goodie bag as well..) So we had the chance to...do more shopping. Weeey.

About 3pm, the whole lot of us did the Singaporeans thing and started queuing up at the stairwell leading to the Auditorium entrance. Playing cards, entertaining ourselves. Half way thru, Kevin Kong started jumping up and down and squeaking like a girl. I turned to see what was the commotion about and saw Charlie Hall walking by, probably doing something totally glamorous like looking for the toilet.

The gates opened at 4 and the whole gang basically ran like mad groupies to the auditorium doors. It was fun, Lydia later reported that it was the best workout she had in months. Bern said he never moved so swiftly in his life!

In the Singapore Army, we have a saying, "Rush to wait, wait to Rush." It seems like our Malaysian counterparts have a similar concept except they also added, 'Stand to wait, wait to stand." So apparently after all that Olympic-standard athletic showcase, the doors of the auditorium would not be opening until 6:20! So we had to continue to stand outside. We were however strategically located at the front of the line. Oh, there were like..8 other lines.

Then at 6:20pm, the running started again.

6:20pm (Malaysia Time) - 10:00pm (Singapore Time)

Semi-dark, lighted stage, huge cool Passion screen-saver going on...(got to get me one of those)...rows and rows of seats. those were filling up fast. I was pleasantly surprised to discover other youth groups from Singapore that made the trip as well. Youth Arise, Living Stones, Zion's joy...so it was like attending a class reunion. It’s very cool.

I also met Adrian from Lifeline KL and his fellow Lifeliners who apparently coming to Singapore last December for ‘Illuminate’ learnt more than just ministry when they were here. They were last seen dashing in a rather un-Malaysian way to the front row. *sigh..what have we done?

The entire night was simply awesome. Chris Tomlin lead a great worship, the video loops were kinda cool and Charlie Hall, was kinda..well..taught us a new tune to "Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again."

Louie Giglio.. (*jump around like a Kevin Kong).. well, he was amazing as usual. Awe us all with God's grace. The reading of Ashley's diary was a real home run for an incredible message. I was really turned on by God's unbelievable grace and was reminded once more of living life for the only one worth living for: My God.

Praise God for the evening and the encounter with God through Passion. It was an eye and heart opener for me. During worship, I peek around to my community - I know God was touching them too. I can't wait to hear about it next Saturday when we meet to share.

Oh, Kevin and Sharon had to leave early to catch the bus, but I was glad they stayed till the second last song so they didn't miss much after that. well, except for the totally amazing photo-taking in front of the stage consisting of all the catholic youths from Singapore, only to learn that they had turn off the screen-saver and we were asked to take photos outside instead because we were getting in the way of the bump out. Other than that, not much.

Josie, Iggy, Cassie and Andrew had to leave to go back Singapore at about 11pm. So after that, we made our convoy back to the hotel where I had a scrumptious feast of KFC whip potato and 3 strands of cup noodle.

Day 3 - Hotel lobby to KLCC to Singapore

Woke up in the morning. Don had shifted into my room together with Jem Tan. He was afraid to sleep alone. (just kiddin..) We had stayed up a while talking about books and break-ups... you know, the usual guy talk.

There was the slight confusion over the waiting time in the morning and so we ended up waiting for about an hour plus before we finally left for KLCC. Cass and I decided to take our chances at Bukit Bintan for some authentic street food. We had the best chicken rice, and then circled back to KLCC in a bus.

By that time, I was already exhusted, shopped and worn out from watching out for 26 people. But my heart was full and I was very happy to be on this trip with my community. Learned a bit more about myself, discovered new things about others. In all, it was a very rich experience. Praise God for this opportunity!

Was glad to have the bus come pick us up at the hotel and drive us back to Singapore bringing a close to an unforgettable trip with an unforgettable community.

Thank you Jesus.

Leo

2008-08-05T16:56:00.006+08:00

“A bruised reed he will not break”
Isa 42:3

Bruised but not broken
Where suddenly, violently torn,
Now His fingers finds purchase
The gentle hands of the Savior
Holds forever
Slowly, patiently
He sits, He waits
Eyes never leaving
Faithfully holding
The Savior attends
Till the season changes
And time and love restores
The reed once bruised and broken
Now stands tall and whole once more...

-leo-

written for those whose hearts are broken.
The Savior is holding your pieces together, He will never let you go.

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2008-07-31T22:58:00.002+08:00

29

I turn 29 today.

wow. Last year to enjoy my twenties before the big 3 comes in.

So as I sit here reflecting on my life and how it has been so far, I begin to think about some important questions.

In all my 29 years,

How many plates of chicken rice have I eaten so far?

How many packets of Yeos' Chrysethmum drink have I drunk?

How many cups of coffee have I consumed?

How many times have I been sick and have to take MC?

How many times have I ask the aunty to Jia La in my Meepok dry noodles?

How many tons of chilli have I eaten?

How many Masses have I attended?

How many bowls of Laska have I eaten?

How many movies have I watched?

How many songs have I heard?

How many bus trips have I taken?

How many emails have I sent?

How many emails I have written and not sent?

How many steps have I taken?

How many times have I topped up my ezylink and how much so far?

How many times have I open Microsoft Word?

How many lies have I told?

How many weddings have I attended?

How many TV advertisements have I watched?

How many 'Hail Marys' have I said?

How many people have I hurt?

How many people have I known?

How many friends have I had?

How many dreams have come true?

How many time have I asked God for forgiveness?

How many times have I slipped back after asking for forgiveness?

How many times has God forgiven me?

How much money has pass thru my hands?

How many people have I touched?

How many trees have I killed?

How many people's lives were better because they came in contact with me?

How many people loved God more because our lives intersect?

How much of myself have I given to others?

How much time have I spend on myself?

How much of God have I known?

How many questions have I asked?

How did I get here?

Where am I going?

Who am I becoming?

29. A door to the rest of my life.

Jesus, thank you for this life.

Leo

2008-07-25T09:32:00.002+08:00

Note to self,

I can do All things through Christ who strengthens me.

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2008-07-24T15:54:00.004+08:00

Piranha moment.

I'm having a Piranha moment.

You know, like you are being swarmp by 10,000 things, coming at you all at once wanting a piece of you? I felt like I need to take sometime to blog this before I go crazy...

This week has been one of the most demanding weeks of this year. There are some days that are like 1 huge thing that eats at the hours demanding your full concentration and emotions. Then there are days like these where its not 1 but 10,000.

To-do-list this week:
1. Meet house contractor
2. Do up floor plan for house
3. Prepare for session on friday
4. Give session on friday
5. Take my IPPT...and hope for a miracle that I'll pass without training. yah right...
6. Chair Exco meeting
7. Celebrate birthday and plan birthday
8. Take care of my dear Japanese friend who is in town for three days
9. Clear a website project
10. Clear a property development marketing presentation
11. Plan for photo-shoot for another property development
12. Plan Amplify Fridays
13. Suppose to meet worship team leaders

3 Processes to Reduce Task Saturation

There are 3 processes that fighter pilots use to reduce task saturation:

Checkklists.
Cross-checks.
Mutual support.

Jesus, please help me make it through this week....

Leo

2008-07-23T09:23:00.002+08:00

Amplify's going to the City!

Lifting up the Name of Jesus and calling
the emerging generation to worship and live lives worth of the gospel!

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2008-07-20T23:37:00.007+08:00

And with our hands lifted high...

Was in church this morning for mass. Stood at the back of the church with Cass when one of the church wardens, came up and stood beside me during the Gloria.

Then from the corner of my eye, I saw the warden lifted one hand with his palms facing the heavens. I turned and looked, and was surprised to see a familiar expression of worship during a Mass. I thot, 'wow'.

I looked up and thats when I realised, his hands were actually facing the aircon on top and he was testing whether it was on or not....

8)
Leo

2008-07-11T00:16:00.005+08:00

Accepting my Identity

My true identity is a child of God.

This is the identity I have come to accept. Once I've claimed it and settled in it, I can now live in a world that gives much joy as well as bring much pain.

I can receive the praise as well as the blame that comes to me - as opportunities for strengthening my basic identity, because the identity that makes me free is anchored and found beyond all human praise and blame. I belong to God. And it is as a child of God that I'm sent into the world.

I am always in the need for spiritual guidance. I need people, community who keep me anchored in my true identity. The temptation to disconnect from that deep place in me where God dwells and to let myself be drowned in the praise or blame of the world always remains.

But I haven't always saw myself as a child of God. In fact, for most of my life, I did not. I know I'm leonard. I'm a student. I am from the Koh Family. I'm baptised a Catholic and will probably die one. But as a child of God? To know it in the deep places of my heart? It was an identity that was unknown to me for a very long time.

So those people who were able to touch me, come into my life or whom I let into the deepest depths of my heart often had a sudden and overwhelming power over me. They become a part of my identity. I could not live without them. It was painful to lose them. I felt like a part of me died. And, turns out - it did.

But that's because they could not fulfil that divine role, so they left, and I felt...abandoned. But it is precisely that experience of abandonment that called me back to my true identity as a child of God.

"There is one Love left, Leonard.... My Love."

Only God. Only God can fully dwell in the deepest places in me and give me a sense of safety. But the danger remains that I will let other people run away with my sacred centre and throw me once more into anguish. And confusion.

It will take me a great deal of time and discipline to reconnect fully to my deep, hidden self and my public self, which is known, loved, and accepted but also criticised by the world.

But...gradually..I will begin feeling more connected and become more fully who I truly am - A Child of God.

And therein..lies my real freedom.

-reflections from 'Inner Voice of Love'

2008-07-09T09:30:00.005+08:00

Bosko

On Saturday, we had the privileged of having the previous student Dean of Hillsong college, John Ollis come speak to our leaders in Amplify at CSC. John is a dear friend and a mentor to me and to have him come and speak to my leaders was a dream and a prayer come true. Thank you Jesus! He spoke for two hours over two sessions on the subject of Mentoring and building a Bible-patterned ministry.

I went away, as usual, with alot to chew on. I begin seriously thinking about the ways we shepherd and disciple people in the Amplify . John spoke about two kinds of shepherding from John chapter 21.

In the familiar exchange between Jesus and Peter, Jesus asks Peter to both feed (greek: 'bosko') and shepherd ('poimaine') His sheep:

Jesus: "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
Peter: "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus: "Feed (bosko) my lambs (young believers)."
Jesus: "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
Peter: "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus: "Take care of (poimaino) my sheep."
Jesus: "Simon son of John, do you love me?'
Peter: "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus: "Feed (bosko) my sheep (older believers).

Jesus gave Peter two distinct instructions on shepherding. One is "poimaino" which is general caretaking that a shepherd does for the sheep - feeding, caring for, guiding, guarding, and protecting.

The other one is "bosko" means simply "to care, to feed." John pointed out that its a picture of the shepherd going in close to the sheep, running his hands through the wool and picking the lice out. Its the shepherd holding the sheep so close that its smell gets on him.

John pointed out that as leaders we need to tend to people in a general way - outreaches, big meetings, socials, talks, P&W etc. But we also need to move in closer to where individuals are and 'bosko' them. Its not enough to simple care from a distance, we need to draw nearer to each other. As he said, teaching on prayer is not the same as journeying with someone until they really become a prayer-er.

I think in Amplify we are good in the general tending of the community God has entrusted us, but we need to work on the moving in more personal, closer and caring for the individual member where they are at. (older or new believers) And more importantly - NURTURING their intimacy with God.

I think it relates perfectly with our theme for this year: Wider, Deeper. As we grow in our capacity to 'poimaino', I think we need to consider seriously how we can break the community down to smaller bits so Bosko can happen.

I think I will devote some time thinking and praying about this.

2008-07-07T15:12:00.009+08:00

My Reno Rants

Happy are the meek, they shall inherit the earth. In the mean time, the broke, 30 year-in-debt, shall get at least 97sqm.

Since the day Cassilda and I received the keys to our flat in Bedok Central, we have been busy putting together a picture of what we want our future home looks and feels like. True to our prayer in the earlier post that we want a house where we could offer hospitality to people, Cassilda and I have set out to plan it this way.

Making spaces for conversations is what I have in mind as I scour the earth and numerous libraries for interior design ideas. The most important spaces for this will be the kitchen, the dining area, the living room and the study.

The Living Room
Definitely white tiles. Dark wood beams and neutral colored sofas. No bigger than a 32 inch TV, if there is some way to conceal it I would like to. Sofas need to be comforty, those you can sleep on undisturbed through the night if for some reason, martial situations calls for me too. 2 accent chairs. If possible I would like sitting spaces for at least 8-10 people - a good cell size.

Having warm lighting complimented by a nice arched lamp will be nice. A small dark oak grain rectangle block of varnished wood for a side table between my two accent chairs will be perfect.

Seamless connections: Dining table and Kitchen
Cass and I were having a conversation about how most conversations tend to happen at the dining table. We were trying to recount the times where we would gather at people's living room to talk - seldom. We think its for the following reasons:

1. Some living room seem to have a 'family-members only' feel about them

2. the TV is usually on. nothing kills conversations faster than TV.

3. Sitting on a chair with a table in front of us seem to be the most natural position for many people. We spend most of our lives in this position - class rooms, work cubicles, eating. I think psychologically, we feel secure with a table in front of us and people can only see the upper half of our body. Being able to hide behind the table I think brings us some extent of comfort. Thus, the living room can be a very disarming and exposed place.

So for the dinning and kitchen area, I envision a lot of wood being used. Dark wood dining table backdropped with a colored wall (left). I would like the Dinning area and kitchen to be seamless.

I remember when I was at Hills, we have many meaning conversations during cooking. Usually someone will be cooking and someone else will be hanging out on the counter area or at the dinning table. I love conversations during cooking! I want my home to be able to do that! Not the poor person stuck in the kitchen all alone and only comes out when the food is done. SO BORING!!

So I was thinking of knocking down the small wall that divides the dining area and the kitchen. The cabinets will continue on as if the wall is still there so that it transforms into a counter/bar area. Someone can sit on the the other side and talk as someone else is cooking. yay!

Another way to create the connection is the flooring. I was thinking of dividing the flooring of the Living Room and the Dining area. Technically they share the same floor space. But I am considering having a interesting mix of flooring - White tile living room and dark wood laminate for dinning area.

The kitchen will be very dark uneven feel tiles. Dark grainy wood for cabinets, not sure at this point dark or light counter top. A chrome fridge, three flame hob. If possible, I would like one induction point. Small appliances for small kitchen. Maybe a colour for one wall of the kitchen.

I always wanted a red kitchen....

Study
Books are a huge part of Cass and mine life. They will play a prominent role in our home. Surely. The ministry of the Word is also something I know God has called us to so a study is the kitchen of our messages.

We hope to build a white floor to ceiling open bookcase with closed storage at the bottom. A workstation, MAC computer, of course and a comfortable two sitter sofa. Wood flooring.

Improving our Stage Environment at Amplify Fridays

2008-06-23T10:21:00.010+08:00

We had a great turn out at last week's Amplify Friday praise God!

I think got 130 - 140 people who came. The atmosphere was simply incredible. The passion in the room was amazing and the worship vibrant, heartfelt and intimate. To top off, the speaker Alfred Pang gave what I thot was a wonderful and challenging message: Fall deeper in Love with Jesus. Personally, it challenged me to not be satisfied with where I am now with God and to press deeper with Him.

Speaking of pressing deeper, I was thinking about the atmosphere of our auditorium at CSC and was wondering if we could improve our stage design. Currently, well, we have like..erm...no stage design whatsoever. What we do need a this point, is a stage. As the crowd gets bigger, its getting harder to address everyone on the platform. I hope we can get a platform for the worship leaders, vocalist, emcees and speakers at least.

So anyway, I googled environment design for Youth Worship settings and found a couple of ideas for it. It is important to me that we make the place attractive for young people. If they are not embrassed to bring their friends, then they will. And we can reach more people with the gospel. Hope these photos inspires us to do something more with our stage to make it more attractive.

Leo

okay lah, maybe more like this lah.

okay lah, like that okay can lah....

nuff said?

Anyway, we would need to raise funds for it. If there is anyone who is reading this feels you would like to contribute, let me know. Amplify is committed to reaching young people and presenting the good news of God's love in a consistent, fresh and relevant way. Your contribution will go a long way in creating environments to that end.

If you would like to support our Cause, please drop by CSC on fridays or contact me.

Thanks,
Leonard

2008-06-21T09:22:00.004+08:00

Sixfold definition of maturity.

Maturity is:

- to stick with a job until it is finished.

- to bear an injustice without wanting to get even.

- to carry money without wanting to spend it.

- to do one's duty without being supervised.

- to know God loves and is with you even when you don't feel it.

- to obey God when its difficult.

..man...I have a lot to grow.

Leo

Its all coming together

2008-06-10T00:14:00.002+08:00

Just received a letter from HDB in the mail.

It says that we will be able to sign the possession of our Flat and get our keys on the 17th of June 2008. A week from this entry.

Oh My GOD! How awesome are You?

My jaw dropped when I saw the date. We had been expecting it in August or later, but its next week?! In a week's time, we are going to be standing on the untiled floor of our new HDB, walk through our soon-to-be cookin' kitchen and starring at the walls that are going to be silent witnessness of our future together. Next week.

Phew... we had planed to start renos like after our wedding in Nov. But at this timing, we could actually get married and move in the next day! I cannnnot believe it how goood God is to us. He has really taken care of everything beyond what we could ask or imagine!

I know I'm gushing. But I really cannot help but feel so grateful to God. Every step of the way He has outdone us in his generosity. I can feel his smile upon our lives, like a Father who loves to gives gifts to his children because He is just loves doing that and it makes Him happy.

God, our provider, supplying all our needs according to his riches and mercy in Christ Jesus.

Thank you Lord. thank you for the home, thank you for the nice honest obliging contractor that is coming our way and thank you most of all, for loving us.

Leo

On Team Leadership

2008-05-19T23:16:00.003+08:00

One of my greatest joys in life is being involved in Team ministry. Linking arms with others to accomplish some far greater than any of us could ever do on our own and have a lot fun while at it. In Amplify, Teams are foundational in everything we do and Team leadership is therefore essential to every leader, positional or non-positional.

There are many qualities of a Team leaders. But I just want to share three qualities that I feel are essential to successful team leadership.

Clear Vision
The first quality that is essential to Team leadership is having a clear Vision. Bill Hybels describes vision as ‘the leader’s most potent weapon’. The Bible says that “Without vision, the people cast off restraint”. Without the leader having a clear end in mind and communicating it effectively, there will be frustration and confusion.

When people do not have a clear idea of what they are working towards, there is little motivation and efforts will be diffused. However, like a magnifying glass that focuses the sun’s beam, vision acts as a point of focus, increases energy and drives people into action. A clearly articulated vision also increases ownership and ‘gives people the freedom to strive for maximum quality – true excellence”.

In addition, a clear vision helps a leader in occasions of uncertainty to make explicit and precise direction in spite of limited information and unpredictable outcomes. Effective team leaders understand that vision leaks and they stand ready to recast the vision before the team whenever necessary.

Character counts
A good team leader understands that not only must he have a clear vision, he must possess the second quality which is good character. Character is defined as the ‘will to do what’s right even when it is hard’.

Character produces trust and makes you a leader worth following. Leaders who lack character cannot be counted on to perform consistently. When there is inconsistency, it damages a leader’s influence and hampers his ability to lead the team. But when a leader’s character is strong, people trust him to lead and help them release their potential. This arouses hope in the future and promotes a confidence in themselves and the team.

John Maxwell is right when he says that people buy into the leader before buying into the vision. In a Christian context where most teams are made up of volunteers, it is on the basis of the leader’s moral authority that makes people buy into the vision. When they do, the team will follow their leader no matter how bad the conditions are because they know they can trust him.

Empowerment
The last essential quality of a leader is the ability to empower his team members. A team’s capacity to achieve is determined by their leader’s ability to empower. Team leaders must dedicate themselves to setting up their team for victory. This is not possible if he takes the best opportunities, assignments, and credit for himself. When a leader doesn’t empower others, he creates barriers within the team and limits the growth of the members.

A good team leader however, gives his people the permission to take up responsibility and allowing their gifts and talents to flourish. He provides the resources, the encouragement and direction to help his team members reach their potential. Jesus sent out his disciples to practice what he taught them and when they came back, encouraged, corrected and remaindered them of the big picture. (Luke 10) He leads by lifting his disciples up and doing whatever it takes to set them up for victory. Likewise, an empowering leader creates an environment of opportunity, responsibility, accountability and trust.

These are what I think are the 3 basic qualities of Team Leaders. My prayer is that I continually grow in them and become a better leader for the people God has entrusted me.

Leo

The Most Expensive Day of Our Lives

2008-05-08T23:53:00.017+08:00

Yesterday Cass and I were on leave. We went out shopping, got a Tee-shirt, both a haircut and then bought a House.

Typical day.

O.M.Gosh!!!! We bought a house!!!! Cassilda and I are today, proud owners ofa-next-to-the-MRT-and-interchange-NTUC-swimming-pool 4-RM HDB flat!!! We got it! Praise the Lord!

This is a follow-up from the previous post below and a testimony to our Father in Heaven who have graciously granted Cass and myself a home to build our future together. Words cannot express the joy and the gratitude we feel towards Abba.

Taking Care of Business
When we first started out this whole marriage preparation process, we decided that we would continue to put God and His work first. It has always been that way with us and we saw no reason why our service to Him should get any less because we were preparing for our marriage.

We prayed to God and told Him that we were going to take care of His business and that we would trust Him to take care of ours and I tell you, it has been really like that so far throughout our preparations.

Whether it was finding a banquet restaurant, a bridal package, a bridal Car or the church, what had usually taken months and months for many couples we know, was settled faster than you can say "I do". I can't even begin to tell you of all the small miracles and extraordinary arrangements that has transpired, the only thing I can say is that it was very obvious that God's hand has been in it.

Finding a Home
Our new Home will always be a reminder of God's providence. The HDB flats in question are the new ones build right next to the Bedok Central.

For years, Cass and I will walk past the construction site talking about how nice for anyone to live here. Never in our wildest imagination would we expect to one day do so. These blocks of flats are under the SERS programme meaning it was meant for Enbloc-ed people. So whatever is left after they had chosen would be put of for public ballot.

Home Delivery
The Ballot was in January. Cass and I decided to give it a shot. It was our very first ballot. We submitted and prayed like mad. (see below for the prayer we prayed). We prayer- walk the void decks, lay hands on pillars etc. We wanted those block of flats because it was near the MRT and bus interchange. This was important to us because we wanted our home to be a place where we can host people for Cells, parties, get to gethers, meetings or just hang outs. We felt that living near the MRT would make a huge difference to people coming.

After that, we balloted another time in feb for another site but came up 9700 over! The results of the January ballot was due out in April. And when April came, out of the 199 4-Rm flats that were available, our queue number was 196!!

We couldn't believe our eyes!! This was our first ballot! Charles Yee later told us that he knew couples that waited for 3 - 4 years before they could even get a number so close - and we got it on our first try!!

So it was very obvious that God was taking care of things for us. So yesterday, we went down to HDB to choose our flat - there were more than 40 flats to choose from and we even got our first choice of what was available.

Because it was a new flat, everything could be paid by CPF and we didn't have to fork out any cash at all, which means we have the means to pay for our wedding, renovations and furnishings. Not only did we save money but we saved all the time and hassle needed dealing with agents and scouting around for resale flats.

Our doorsteps were delivered to erm...our doorsteps. just like that. And now we would live within walking distance of both our parents' home. Perfect.

To top it all off, the block we chose was one of the few ones that had keys already available, which means we can actually start renos, if we choose to, in 3 months!! UNBELIEVABLE!!! All our friends who had experienced buying property are amazed. Us, the most.

Gratitude
Cass and I want to thank God from the bottom of our hearts. It has been beyond obvious that He had indeed hear our prayer and moved on our behalf. The best part is that we have never, till now, had to let up on our involvement in ministry - everything have been given unto us, as we put His kingdom first.

"Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever." Ps 23:6

We want to give God all the glory and encourage you in your faith. Seek First the Kingdom of God and the rest shall be added unto you. Give God His due and God will give back to you, turn the water into wine! Don't let up in your pursuit of Him and His kingdom, take care of His business and He will take care of yours!

Praise you Lord!

Black Tee shirt, $39
Haircut at Kelly's, $60
4 Rm-HDB Flat at Bedok, $322,300

Knowing that your heavenly Father is taking care of you?

Priceless...

Leo

Postscript- Cassilda and I would like to thank everyone who has prayed for us. Your prayers have yielded a blessing beyond measure. We are very very grateful to you. Stay tune for the housewarming! 8)

Prayer for a 4-Rm HDB Flat

2008-04-10T16:18:00.008+08:00

Written on January 29, 2008 at 1:26am

Dear God,

I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ, whose blood washed away my sin and guilt and I stand before you without condemnation or fear. I know you are my Father and Jesus is my brother. Even my desire to come before you in supplication comes from you. I am, before you but a beggar. To whom do I turn to if not You?

So I ask, Lord that you grant me a 4-room flat in Bedok for me and Cassilda to live out our soon-to-be sacrament of marriage. I prefer that the ballot we put in last week yields a favourable result. If not the ballot, then somewhere and some means that is better. I remember how you arranged for Cassilda and I to stay side by side in Hills so I can see no reason why you won't take care of our lodgings again.

Here are some reasons why I feel you should answer this request.

1. Both Cassilda and I want desire to live out our lives to glorify you and make your Name be Hallowed by as many people as possible. A home that you give us will be surrendered to that end as well. We hope to use the home to show hospitality to people, a place of refuge to others. We want to share, teach and listen to people and to help them develop their relationship with you in our home when we use it for cell groups. We can host get-togethers, meetings, prayers or counselling.

2. Should the ballot fall on someone else and they get the flat, there is no telling what they will do with it. We on the other hand want to use the flat to live out of sacramental life to serve others and glorify you. The flat we are balloting is very near the Bus interchange and MRT station, thus it makes it more convenient for others to drop by. And I really think that makes a difference.

3. Both Cassilda and I have been serving you faithfully all through this years. Even if you do not grant us this prayer, we will still continue to serve you because that is what You deserve. But please look upon our faithfulness, our desire for you, Heavenly Father and reward what you see. We have given the best of our youth to you and we will continue to give the best of our remaining years. You are Faithful God and all good things come from you.

4. It is our desire that we raise up children that fear and love you. We are willing to accept from your hands, children that you bless us with. We hope to have a home by then to be good parents and steward your gifts of life well. We pray that our children will be strong and wise in the Lord.

5. It is my desire, Lord, that I can provide a place of security and protection to my lovely wife to be. She is your greatest earthly gift to me and I thank you that you have entrusted her security and protection to me. As you will for me to do - protect her and treat her tenderly - a home is important to that end. To live out our vocation and deepen our intimacy with each other as husband and wife.

6. Because you can, Lord. As you promised in your Word:

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. Ps 16:5

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. Proverbs 16:33

For what is man's lot from God above, his heritage from the Almighty on high? Job 31:2

At the end of the day Lord, we want a home that can be canvas on which we can paint a picture of Your presence and goodness to all who stay or visit. If possible, may we get our flat through the ballot, but not our will but yours be done.

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

written on January 29, 2008 at 1:26am

Postscript: Cassilda and I want to testify of God's love and power. On the 5th of April, we received our ballot results. Out of the 2400-plus applicants for the 199 units of 4 room flats at Bedok, we got a queue Number of 196! (this means we got it!!!!)

We want to praise God from the bottom of our hearts for His great gift and providence. For hearing our prayer and taking care of us and our future together! Thank you God! All glory to You!

2008-03-25T00:29:00.013+08:00

Thoughts on Catechism

They say that insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting different results. I’ve lose track of the number of times someone has pointed out the fact that out of the eight
thousand youths who get confirmed each year, only an estimated 5% continue to serve and contribute actively to the church. Yet year after year we continue to see the same agonizing results

If the Holy Trinity is one of the greatest mysteries of the church, why our catechesis seem to bearing so little lasting fruit probably comes as a close second.

The emphasis I find in today’s catechism, (having also been through the system) is to present the reasonableness of the faith. Somehow, Catholicism has been reduced to a system of propositional truths.

In my opinion, it seems like orthodoxy is the chief end of catechism. So at the end of the whole system, you have an entire generation of young people who know the right things but don’t care a thing about them. If they did, we will see many more young people directing their time, energy and creativity into building the church. But the fact is – many don’t. Its merely a result of reaping what we sow. Don’t expect apples trees if you planted durian seeds.

I would know. I went through the same system myself. I stood on my confirmation day like proud graduates, waiting for it to finish so I could have my Saturdays back to do the things I cared for – like shopping, clubbing and hanging out with friends. So here I was, with the ability to recite the 7 sacraments, the ten commandments, the corporal works of mercy and the names of the 12 apostles and all I could think about was visiting the latest club in town. Did I know the faith? Sure. Did I care?

Nope.

I was a believer alright. The same way I believed that hydrogen exist because someone taught me that it exist and that’s part of how we get water and air. But whether it has any real implication on my life and how I lived it – nothing.

Simply put. I didn’t care. Most of our young people are bored with Catholicism.

Sometimes it is more important to change what people care about than what they believe. We have many young people who believe all the right things but don’t care a thing about it. But you can’t care for something without believing in it.

The question I think that needs to be asked at the core of catechisis is this:

“Is God a belief to be remembered or
a Person to be experienced?”

The answer given to this question I believe will profoundly impact the paradigm on which the entire catechsis of our young people is build upon.

One’s faith, one’s concern and expression of it is directly proportional to the position Jesus takes in one’s life. Let me state it every clearly: There is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God.

Much of my experience in going for catechism is like the experience of the poet E.T Elliot who one day walks past a bakery and sees a sign hanging outside that says “Fresh hot loafs for $1.00” He excitedly walks in hoping to be greeted with the aroma and warmth of freshly baked bread only to find the entire shop selling shelves and shelves of the exact copies of the sign outside that says “fresh hot loafs for $1.00’.

Sadly, my own experience of catechism and church resemble that bakery too much. We hang our signs outside of church saying that God can be found yet most of the time young people leave unfulfilled. Something is not altogether right or we are missing something.

Why are we so reluctant to grow young souls takes deep breaths of God’s goodness or to let people savor the person of Christ? Why do we hold God away at arms length when Jesus himself said, “suffer the children come to me?” Why are afraid to allow people to intimately experience Him?

While it is important that truths (orthodoxy) be communicated, we have to remember that the Holy Spirit who reveals himself as Fire is both light (Truth) and warmth (Affections). Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full of indifferent Christians. Emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates flaky people who reject the discipline of rigorous thought. True Religion comes from people who are deeply emotional about God and who love deep and sound doctrine. I feel this should be the aim of religious formation.

Truth is not an idea. It is a Person.

These are just my random thoughts, what do you think?

Leo

P.s : I would like to thank all my Catechism Teachers especially Joseph Tan and Jerry Kasiler (from OLPS) who more than taught me the faith, incarnated it for me. You planted the seeds and laid the conduits for the Holy Spirit to touch me in a very deep way some years later. Thank you for putting up the noisy and rebellious student I was. Thank you for not giving up.

2008-03-24T12:33:00.002+08:00

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2008-03-18T18:21:00.003+08:00

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2008-03-17T21:47:00.002+08:00

The Amplify Culture & Core Values

Culture is the most important social reality in our community. Though invisible to the untrained eye, its power is undeniable. Culture gives colour and flavour to everything we our community is and does. Like a powerful current running through, it can move us inland or take us further out into sea. Have a unhealthy culture and it can prevent our community from ever realizing our mission, or be used by the spirit. If we build a healthy culture, it can draw others in and reproduce healthy spiritual life along the way. Culture matters and the primal essence of leadership is to create and shape it.

An important tool is shaping culture in Amplify is our 8 Core Values. These Core values inform our culture, decisions and aspirations of our community for the last 4-5 years.

Here they again, in a shorten-to-the point form with key questions: G.R.A.C.E.S.I.S

God-treasuring Life
Cultivating a life that pursues God and places Him as the chief purpose and highest good of our lives

Is your relationship with God growing?
Are your priorities consistent with the Word of God?

Relevant Environments
Every environment should be designed to effectively connect with its target audience.

Are our environments appealing, engaging, and helpful?

Authentic Community
Creating a culture of acceptance, accountability, care and honesty. We believe spiritual growth happen best with relationally-connected believers.

Are you investing in friendships within the community?

Character Transformation
Becoming like Jesus in our thoughts, word, deed and attitudes to live the kind of life Jesus lived.

Are you producing the fruits of the Spirit in your private and public life?

Excellence in Ministry
We believe that excellence honors God and inspires people.

Are you giving God and people your very best in ministry?

Supernatural
Fostering a faith that believes in the supernatural manifestations of God

Are you operating in the Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit to meet the needs of others?

Strategic Service
Serving either in an area of need or an area of gifting in support of the Mission and Strategy of Amplify with the understanding that needs must always take precedence.

Where are you serving?

Intentional Apprenticing
We are responsible to pass along to others the knowledge, skills, and opportunities that have been entrusted to us.

Who are you apprenticing?

2008-03-12T11:47:00.001+08:00

The Pursuit of Happyness

It is observed that the people who always want to be happy and pursue it above all else are some of the most miserable people in the world.

The reason is that happiness is a result. It is sometimes the result of having good things happen. But usually, it is the result of our being in a good place inside ourselves and our having done the character work we need to do so that we are contented and joyful in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

Happiness is a fruit of a lot of hard work in relationships, career, spiritual growth and a host of other arenas of life, like in a marriage.

2008-03-09T09:42:00.003+08:00

Leaders' For Christ Convention

Recently I read a report on the Leaders' for Christ Convention organised by Saccreyouth of which I was privileged to also be a part of. It was very encouraging and I would like to share some personal thots on it.

I think we should do this convention more often. I think it really helps youth leaders in a very practical and encouraging way. I've been personally following up with a couple of the youth leaders who came for the sessions. Listening and talking thru some challenges they are facing. It has been good.

Really, any ministry can pull off a Big Event (Rally), with enough money, talent, prayer, trust in God and organizational ability. easily do-able, Heck, even Ad hoc committees can pull them off and have been doing so for as long as I know. (see last years' 070707)

But...how to build a youth ministry that last. How to affect incremental, consistent and lasting change in young people one-life-at-a-time? that takes wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established

through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength;

for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers."

Proverbs 24:3-6

If I were to try to point out what I think is the greatest quality the groups in Saccreyouth, individually and collectively have, it will be this:

Resilience.

The ability to last the distance and still continue to bear fruit. Even if it's in ebb and flows, there is a strong sense of mission and purpose. This produces resilience. With that - experience, wisdom and knowledge that comes from simply the refusal to give up, learn from mistakes and grow on!

In conferences like LFC, we get to share our real life experiences, lessons from mistakes and offer real help if not encouragement to youth leaders in parishes who are really struggling. This is something very few youth organizations can do.

You read the feed backcomments from the leader-participants, of the last LFC, you know - they are hungry for guidance! They don't need just another big ra ra event to give a temporary jolt - they need some people to come around them and advise them what they can do next week! How to handle that difficult youth. How to deal with the discouragement of low attendance. And how to conduct a core team meeting! Set goals for the year? How to start an intercessory team?

Give a boy a fish, feed him for a day, teach them to fish, feed him for a lifetime.

Conferences like LFC is an efficient and effective way to impact youth ministries at a grassroot level. But we must do it often enough to see visible results. So it gives youth ministries in Singapore something unique and useful to look forward to on a consistent basis. This may give Saccreyouth, the unique positioning in the Archdiocese that no other organizations can.

Any youth ministry can pull off big events. And we have lots of it through the year.

But it takes lasting ministries to raise lasting ministries.

Leo

2008-02-18T09:49:00.001+08:00

In my weakness

Though God is an almighty lover, he can find himself shut out, and he longs to find an open door of vulnerability in us. It is extraordinarily hard for us to realise this, conditioned as we are by a secular ethic of success and a religious ideal of moral perfection, which may owe little to the gospel.

God calls us, implants his life in the deepest centre of our being at baptism, and loves us into growth. He does not propose to us some lofty, rigid ideal to which we must attain by our own unaided human resources. We are more sinful than we know, more deeply flawed than we can recognise by any human insight; but grace works in us in the deepest places of body and spirit. We must live from our weakness, from the barren places of our need, because there is the spring of grace and the source of our strength, as Paul discovered: "When I am weak, then I am strong." When we can stand before God in the truth of our need, acknowledging our sinfulness and bankruptcy, then we can celebrate his mercy. Then we are living by grace, and we can allow full scope to his joy.

For many of us it is difficult to live honestly from this place of failure and weakness. Even if we know with our heads we should, we may still slip back into the old attitudes and behave as though God were expecting us to succeed and making his love conditional upon our achievements. If we have become hardened in such an attitude it may take some deep experience of failure to disabuse us.

When a crisis occurs I may find in myself the sheer moral impossibility of obeying God. It is not simply a matter of emotional rebellion, or of knowing that "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"; the will itself is unwilling. I am rebellious to the core and do not even want to want God's will. Perhaps I can push it one stage further from me, and say with a kind of tortured effort, "I want to want to want your will," and then ask myself if there is even a grain of honesty or good will in that. I am helpless; and as the father of the epileptic boy cried out to Jesus, "I do believe, help my unbelief," so I can only say to God, "I am rebellious down to my roots, help me."

Here, as we teeter on the edge of despair, beset by every kind of temptation and feeling as though we had already fallen, the Spirit is released. This is his own place, the deepest place of our being where he is wedded to our spirit, where he can act and give life, where he can free us from all that hampers the true thrust of our will. God himself creates our freedom; he gives us freedom as his continuing gift of love, and he alone can influence it from within, in no way violating or diminishing it.

Entombed Lazarus is a sign not simply of a certain group of people who have obviously closed their hearts against Jesus, but of each one of us. In this hopeless situation, where you are nothing but stark failure, you know the miracle of grace. This tomb is the place of resurrection, and if you believe, you will see the glory of God."

(Maria Boulding OSB, Gateway to Hope, London 1985, pp.109 - 10)

2008-02-04T16:14:00.000+08:00

It's Too Late to Apologise
How can I reconcile with my loved one when he or she has no desire to?

The word 'reconcile' means two people getting together to work out issues, differences and problems. So if one party is not willing to do so, it is impossible. But there are things I've found I can do to make it easier for it to happen.

1. Give up the desire to be seen as right or as a good person. Whatever your spouse/loved one feel about you, whether she feels hurt, betrayed, stop trying to show you are good and begin to enter into her world.

2. Arrange a meeting, or an email where you can say to her, "I want to know what it is I've done and how that made you feel, how it affected you."

3. As she tells you, don't say anything. Give her her day in court. Let her say it all out. What the hurt was, what it felt like. And you don't say anything. Don't defend, edit or correct. Don't say what's not true or real or your version of the story. Just LISTEN! Let her pour her heart out about what you did. (or didn't do.)

This is not the time for truth or clarification. Its about her experience and feelings of her own reality. Its seeking to sincerely understand not to be understood.

5. A lot of the time, when one party feels like he or she is listened to and understood, it makes it easier to build a bridge for reconciliation.

6. On then you can talk about what is true, how much is communication or perception problem. Then apologise what need to be apologised. Stop the fault finding, who's right or wrong. Whatever is true, well, apologise sincerely for it and see what needs to change.

7. Commit yourself to working on change so the relationship can grow. And do the hard work that it takes. Don't underestimate the effort and time it really takes to change. But do so because you can become a better person and not just so you can save the relationship.

I've found this way useful when there is a distant in a relationship. I've found that it goes a long way in helping to work towards reconciliation.

I just want to say is that I think the most important step is for me to stop trying to be in the right. And thats tough. Especially when I really think I am. But I know many people who win the argument but end up losing the marriage, the relationship.

Is it really worth it?

Leo

2008-01-30T10:54:00.000+08:00

Things I've learnt about prayer

1. Prayer is intentionally conveying a message to God.

2. Its possible to pray without words. Sometimes when we are speechless before God, the Spirit in us prays - 'in groaning too deep for words'.

3. It pleases God that we ask. God is never too busy to listen. He is always in total control of the universe. His prayer cache never crashes, his inbox is never too full. And He reads all our mails.

4. We should complain to God. Ps 24 'I pour out my complain before God'. Our heart complain and doubt God anyway, the least we can do is do it in his face. Classic example, "God, help my unbelief'.

Hey, He knows what is in our heart anyway, might as well come clean and not add to the sin of unbelief, the sin of hypocracy.

5. Prayer should be unceasing.
Wake up in the morning, press the green 'call' button on your heavenly handphone to God. Then press 'speaker mode' on and don't press the red 'end call' button. Leave it on the whole day and go about your business. Mindful that the speaker is on and God can hear you and you can hear God. Keep the conversation going. That's praying without ceasing.

6. If God doesn't answer the prayer that I have made, He will answer the prayer that I should have made.

"there was given me a thorn in my flesh...Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:6-9

7. God only answer prayers that are according to His will. Before we bring our request before God, we need to ask ourselves, 'why am I asking for this?" Is what I'm asking for in alignment with what I know to be God's purposes?

8. When in prayer, you are in doubt about God's will for a particular situation, it is okay to present to God what you think it's best, in the light of His known purposes. Give Him the reasons why you think He should answer your prayer in this way. Then tell God that if there is another way He thinks its better, then He should to do that instead.

"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

9. What kind of requests God will not answer?

2007-12-27T11:47:00.000+08:00

God in us.

God in us! But He doesn't take over as would be His right as God. It is for us to turn our heart-house over to Him.

As we do He changes us.

2007-12-17T09:54:00.000+08:00

A Vision for Amplify.

I would like to share my vision for Amplify and CSC. The reason why I am so optimistic about dreaming big because I know we have a Big God and great people in Amplify. I know if we put our shared efforts, experience and enthusiasm, there is nothing we cannot achieve.

We need to create environments that are relevant and attractive to Young people. Make inroads to their hearts before so we can later share God with them.

This entry is a re-post of an entry I did in May 2006. Its has been coming two year already and much in Amplify has changed since then, Praise the Lord!

This posting is especially for the wonderful youth leaders who attended the Team Leadership Workshop at the Leaders for Christ Convention. (Hi guys! Add me on facebook to stay in contact!) Cheering you on!

Thank God It's Friday!

Imagine.

CSC is such an quaint old place. Which means it has an incredible charm about it if we can spruce it up.

Think 'CHIJMES. '

A beautifully restored place that blends the modern and the old resulting in an environment of absolute wonder and charm. In CSC, fix up colored spotlights on trees, light them up with electric pink, smooth blue and lively green. Wash stairs and walls with a touch of color. Darken the place and release an array of lights and color, sights and sounds. Irresistable.

A beautiful balcony we have that overlooks the field. Can it not become a site for a Cafe? Serving up designer coffee enjoyed with chill out furniture, a blend of conversation and a touch of pool and cues. A tea light on every table, cane chairs, a solo guitarist and whiffs of cookie and cream. A charming setting patroned from 6pm to midnight? The young and old can hang out before prayer meeting and chill out after that? Amplify partners adorn aprons, serving in cheerful labour. Why not?

How about wireless internet? X-boxes? Manicure. Board games. Why just settle for a prayer meet? Make it an experience. Get young people down and half the battle is won. Provide an alternative to clubbing and other unsavoury places. A night of Praise and Worship, lively relevant talks, video presentations, Dance and Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. A place where God meets real life.

I imagine a huge crowd of young people gathering at the ghrotto, praying the rosary before meeting starts. Our talks recorded and podcasted on the internet. I see young people hanging out and bringing their friends and colleagues.

"I didn't know church could be like that."

It can. If we make it happen.

Saturday Surprise!

Saturday, awash in daylight brings myraid possibilites. CSC transforms into a youth Centre. The cafe business still opens. Leadership Meetings can be held at dawn. Ministry training can happen at noon. Band practices or cell groups.

Nothing new. Think further.

But what about a tution centre? Can the massive wood tables we have be converted into a study corner? Can those of us, with higher education offering free tution? Maths, Chinese, Econs etc. What about All-nighters? Man the Cafe through the night, offering fresh hot brews to students cramming for their exams?

And if Coffee is not enough to boost confidence, the Adoration Room is always open for last minute supplications!

What about screening movies or a monthly flea market?

What about football matches? We have a wonderfully big field for all our sporting needs. Interchurch soccer? Paintball?

What about a Speaker's Club? A Christian Toastmaster's Club to help young people build confidence in public speaking and raise more youth speakers.

What about a counselling centre where youths can talk about their problems in an open and friendly environment? Can more of us be able to get ourselves trained in counselling?

Worship workshops, baking classes, leadership conferences. Poetry Recite, Art explosions, guitar classes. What can't we do?

What about a Day where youths can spend the whole day with host of activities to enjoy and partake? Or a launching place for missions and acts of justice?

Imgaine the friendships can we form and the influence we can have with young people to lead them slowly to Jesus who inspires us to make all these happen?

There is so much we can do to reach out to young people. We need to look beyond simply the platform and prayer meetings. I know not all of us are called to be a speaker or a worship leader or an event planner, but surely we can put on an apron and a smile on your face to serve coffee? What about a Pool ministry or an X-box ministry? Tution ministry? Sports?

Any inroads to the hearts of young people, we can create, let's do it.

Amplify's Vision is make CSC an Epicenter of Youth Spiritual Awakening. And it starts with us making inroads. "Become all things to all men to save some." The possibilites are endless. We need more people to come forward with fresh ideas and make them happen. Rise up, initiate and take lead and make dreams come true.

Anyone want to join me?

leo

2007-12-04T08:30:00.000+08:00

If God is good, why is there evil and suffering?

There is no question that the world is filled with an appalling amount of evil and suffering. We are impacted by this reality every day on all levels: emotional, intellectual and practical. As such, it is not surprising that people have a difficult time reconciling this harsh reality with the idea of an all good, all powerful God.

According to Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli’s Handbook of Christian Apologetics, the problem can be summed up by the apparent contradiction between the following four propositions:

1) God exists

2) God is all good

3) God is all powerful

4) Evil exists.

If we affirm any three of these propositions, it seems we must reject the fourth. For example, if we accept that God exists, is all good and that evil exists, we must reject the idea that God is all powerful, otherwise He would put a stop to evil. Or, if God exists and is all powerful and yet evil also exists, then God must not be all good, because He wills or allows evil to exist.

Kreeft and Tacelli suggest five possible responses to this problem.

o Atheism solves the problem by denying proposition one, that God exists.

o Pantheism, the belief that God is everything and that everything is God, denies proposition two and allows that God could be both good and evil.

o Polytheism, the belief in many gods, denies proposition three, and reduces God to just one of many gods.

o Idealism, the belief that reality is a product of the mind, rejects proposition four and states that evil is just an illusion.

o Christianity, on the other hand, affirms all four principles and denies that there is any inherent contradiction between them.

How is the Christian solution possible?
Because it is always feasible that God could have a good reason for permitting evil; a reason of which we are not aware. And as long as this is logically possible, there is no contradiction between the existence of an all good, all powerful God and the existence of evil. Just because we may not be able to figure out what that reason is does not mean it does not exist.

However, God has not left us completely in the dark.

This world is clearly not the best of all logically possible worlds, but it is the best world God could create given His commitment to create genuinely free creatures like us. Free creatures are the only beings who can love and experience love. Since one of God’s main purposes in creating us was to have a reciprocal love relationship with us, God created the best of all actually achievable worlds. God cannot make people freely choose to good or freely love Him. If He makes them do it, they are not free. If they are genuinely free, then He can’t make them do it. That would be a contradiction.

Therefore, the possibility of free creatures choosing evil is not something God can control without eliminating free will. And a free will is not just a nice addendum on human nature, it is an integral part of who we are. This being the case, if God were to eliminate evil, He would also be eliminating free will. And in doing so, God would be perpetrating the most horrendous evil of all: the annihilation of the human race.

Moreover, God has done something about the problem of evil and suffering.

For most people the problem of evil is not an intellectual problem, but an emotional one. They want to know why God allows evil and suffering. When they can’t get a satisfactory answer, they become angry. They don’t like a God who would permit them or others to suffer. This is not an atheism of refutation, but of rejection. A child who is hurting needs reassurance, not an intellectual explanation. Atheism cannot supply this reassurance. It does not reduce suffering one bit-it just removes hope. In an atheistic universe, there is no ultimate accountability or justice. Evil people will get away with what they’ve done.

But in the Christian worldview, God has done something about evil in the person of Jesus Christ. He does not just say, “Okay, I created you. Now prepare to suffer!” He has given us a clue, a deposit, a down payment that He does have good reasons for allowing evil and that He does have a greater good in store. By appearing in human form, He showed us that we could trust Him. And what did He do while He was here? He suffered!

Jesus endured a suffering beyond all comprehension. He bore the punishment for the sins of the entire world! For all the evil that everyone of us from the beginning of our species has perpetrated, He paid the penalty. None of us can comprehend that suffering. Though he was innocent, He voluntarily took upon Himself the punishment we deserve. And why? Because He loves us. It is like He was saying, “I know you don’t understand why I permit every evil. It’s not possible for you to understand yet. But just to show you that you can trust me, I’m going to suffer with you.”

When we comprehend his sacrifice and love for us, it puts the problem of evil in an entirely different perspective. We see clearly that the true problem of evil is the problem of our evil. Filled with sin and guilt before God, the question we face is not how God can justify himself to us, but how we can be justified before Him. And it is through Christ’s payment for our evil by his death on the cross that we can be justified before God. Through Him we have forgiveness.

Many Christians will also testify that Christ provides inner resources to cope in the midst of difficulty and suffering. He promises that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28).

Ultimately, He promises victory over death, the ultimate evil. Those who genuinely choose to accept and receive his forgiveness will rise from the dead with a transformed, immortal, imperishable body to be with him forever (1 Corinthians 15:42, 52). Death, pain and suffering have been dealt a fatal blow; they have suffered a crucial defeat.

So paradoxically, God is not banished because of the problem of evil, rather God himself is the solution.

(extract from: 'The power to change.com")

2007-11-30T12:39:00.000+08:00

Recently I learnt...

1. that I need to give people the permission to fail. I seem to be more patient with myself than other people.

2. that its easier to be patient with people when you know they are also being patient with you.

3. that sometimes I love God only to the degree I feel he loves me. That at the end of the day, my love for God is not centred on His infinite value but that He makes me feel good about myself.

I love God in a self-centred way. Which makes me an (oxy)moron.

4. that by the grace of God and the passion of a people committed to a cause, nothing is impossible.

5.that fixing my eyes on Jesus requires discipline. I need to train my spiritual eye to focus on Jesus and not on the worries of the world.

6.that I am only as close to God as I choose to be

7. that discouragement is a result of seeing something in a negative way.

8. that simply being positive encourages people around me.

9. that I became a better leader the day I gave up trying to prove myself.

10. that prayer takes hold of the invisible and fasting lets go what is visible.

11. that repeating a matter separates even the closest friends.

12. that running a ministry with 20 people is very different from running one with 50. It requires a new courage, new perspectives and greater reliance on God and Teamwork.

13. that great leaders get more out their people because they think more of their people. They see what their people can become.

2007-11-16T17:19:00.001+08:00

sian.

2007-11-01T18:59:00.000+08:00

5 Fridays to Fuel Up

red version

white version

YISS, here we come! Please feel free to grab these and post it on your blogs and website! Spread the word! It's going to be fuetastic!

cheers,
Leo

2007-10-24T12:37:00.000+08:00

A Life that Matters.

About 8 or 9 years ago, I did something that has ever since, changed or rather directed the course of my life - I wrote my personal Mission Statement. After reading "The Success Journey" by John Maxwell, I decided that I wanted to live a life that mattered. After, you only get one shot at life - might as well make the very best out of it.

One of the most intriguing advice from the book was the practice of writing my personal mission statement. Till then, I haven't met anyone who had a personal mission statement. I know many companies and ministries that have one. (Amplify's one is "We exist to spread a passion for Jesus Christ and a love for the church to every young person) But the idea of writing one for myself was new.

But I realised that the idea of writing a mission statement is simply saying 'This is how I am going to spend my life." Time is like money. Imagine if I gave you a bag of 1 dollar coins and say, this is all you have for the rest of your life, how will you spend it? Won't you be very careful and focused in what you spend it on?

Similarly, Life is like that. God gave us our life and said, "You have X amount of time to be alive. Thats all you will get. How are you going to spend it?"

Here's a quote explaining what a mission statement is:

Mission statements represent your belief system—the priorities, values and principles that measure your decisions. It provides overall direction and clarifies your purpose and meaning. When you clearly know what you want to be and to do in your life, you feel strong in your sense of mission. You’re no longer driven by everything that happens to you. Rather, you feel a deep and complete commitment to following your innermost values. And you’re excited by it! People sense your strength and direction—you become a powerful, positive decision maker—in your professional and personal lives.

Life's Compass

I found above quote just a few days ago only while preparing for this entry and it is so true loh. My mission statement has been like my life's compass as I trek through life's jungle, all the twist and turns, valley's and heights, storms and dry lands. As long as I know where the north point of my life is, I just keep heading towards that direction. And somehow, not only do I live life with greater confidence and purpose, it seem to give confidence to the people around me - just by knowing what I want to do with my life.

I think there are two kinds of people in the world, those who allow life to take them and those who take life. The former simply follow the system, whatever society has marked out and prefabricated. They go wherever life takes them. The latter however determine how they want their life to be like and go for it. And to the person who knows where he is going, the world makes way.

I really believe that in everybody there is a deep longing and a cry that says 'I WANT TO LIVE!'. To move beyond mere existence and to the kind of life that joins in with what God is doing in this world, to fully live out the mission by which we have been crafted and created for. Jesus knew his mission, his purpose. He didn't try to do everything, He just did what He had come to do - save us from our sins. Which is why on the cross, before he took his last breath he said, 'It is accomplished.' (...my mission)

Jesus didn't live 1 minute pass the moment He completed his mission. And I think that's the way we should live - die when we complete our mission.

A Mission statement brings that into focus for me what I'm called to do. Its not everything of course, but it does help me to keep whats most important, most important.

My personal mission statement can be found on the left hand column of this page. The next entry I will try to recall how I crafted it. Perhaps it will inspire you to start thinking about writing one for yourself.

cheers,
Leo

2007-10-22T09:13:00.001+08:00

My Humble Breakfast

Nasi Lemak. One of the humblest of Asian Food and available on almost every street corner and makan place. Common, unassuming but utterly indispensable to the asian gastronomy.

Usually cost no more than a $1.50 per packet ,the Nasi Lemak is the enduring breakfast (& supper?) chow of the ages and the unofficial national food of Malaysia. Fragrant rice, fried egg, fish and delicious Sambal ikan billis enjoyed on a background of natural green, what's not to like?

The name literally means 'rice in fat' and is derived from the cooking process whereby rice is soaked in rich coconut cream and then the mixture steamed.

Of course, the Sambal ikan billis has to be right. A delightful bland of saltiness and sweet where the tamarind and tomatoes are a right balance layed with sliced onions. I personally tend to favor sambal that has a brighter red to it. Nothing perks me up more than finding the perfect Nasi Lemak sambal. It just makes something so humble taste so royal.

The best I've eaten so far is sold from a small news stand inside Tanjong Pagar MRT. The sambal is a bright orangy red laced with ikan billis that is so not overcooked, it's almost still white. The fried egg is only about half the size of your ezylink card and each packet of Nasi Lemak only cost $1. But mine...what a treat.

Small, yet satisfying.

Thinking about the humble nasi lemak reminds me that it doesn't take a lot to be happy. It's often not the man who has a lot that is happy, but the person who makes the most out what little he has. Am I thankful for what I've been given and the grace I am shown by God to even enjoy it? Or am I looking for more, more, more, thinking that when I have more I will be satisfied?

I want to be more grateful and savor every moment of life, knowing that every second I live, I live on borrowed time from God and should make the most out of everything with gladness. And a heart of worship.

Even if that thing at the moment is all wrapped up in banana leaves.

"Go, eat your food with gladness...for it is now that God favors what you do." -Ecc 9:7

Tucking thankfully,
Leo

2007-10-19T13:22:00.001+08:00

. . .

Werk.

A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction
in his werk. This too, I see, is from the hand of God.

- Ecc 2:24

2007-09-24T17:29:00.000+08:00

A Sandalous Affair

Sunday. Sunny and Humid.

Yesterday I went shopping with Cassilda. She was looking for a pair of watch so we went to HMV to check it out. While we were there, I though I would go up to the shops upstairs to see if I could find a pair of sandals or flip-flops. My previous one was recently stolen.

I was thinking of getting myself a pair of Havana's because rubber flipflops are quite in vogue now. But the price was beyond what was willing to pay for a pair of sandals. So I went over to another shop next to NewUrbanMale, RE - I think it was and I saw that they were selling rubber flipflops for only $7.90. So I picked up one and paid for it.

After i had given the money, I turned around and saw another brand of Flipflops, Ipanema, I think, hanging on a shelf that I had previously missed. They looked so much better than the one I just bought! I tried out a pair and found out that they also cost 10 bucks more! Without even bating an eyelid, I asked the sales assistant if I could exchange this instead and pay the balance. It was more expensive so naturally I could. So I immediately whipped out 10bucks and left the shop with a new $17 rubber flipflops. I was quite happy with my new buy.

It was getting late and we had to rush back to OLPS for evening mass. On the way, I was waiting at the junction to cross the road on the way to the train station. As I standing there, this old indian lady approached me. She looked very needy and sure enough, to tried to sell me a bunch of tissue packets. She looked at me with such sad and desperate eyes. At that moment, I had a choice. Do I respond to her? And guess what i did?

I looked away and said ' don't want.. don't want.'

Sadly, she turned away and approached someone else. A few seconds later, I was wondering to myself, 'why didn't I help that old lady?' And like a tunnel, the truth echoed back- It was because I was too lazy to reach in my pocket to take out the one dollar. Too lazy to whip out a small amount of money, its too much trouble.

Honesty, that was the reason. Too lazy.

Its amazing how quick I'm willing to fork out $10 bucks more when it comes to me, but suddenly when its for someone else, the journey from my heart to my backpocket seem like a thousand miles. I coulda, shoulda, woulda.....didn't.

Incidentally, during Evening mass, when all this was running through my head, here was the First Reading from the book of Amos:

Hear this, you who trample the needy
and do away with the poor of the land,
saying,
"When will the New Moon be over
that we may sell grain,
and the Sabbath be ended
that we may market wheat?"—
skimping the measure,
boosting the price
and cheating with dishonest scales,
buying the poor with silver
and the needy for a pair of sandals....

ouch..... nuff said.

"Lord, I repent of my selfishness. I ask your forgiveness for my lack of compassion. That after being given so much, I've gave so little away. Help me Lord, to love the poor as you loved me. And be generous as you are generous. In Jesus' name...amen."

Leo

2007-08-23T16:45:00.000+08:00

Dear Amplify Worship Team!

Praise God for all your dedication and passion week in and week out in this sacred ministry of Praise and Worship. Your ministry has lead to the glorification of our awesome God and the transformation of many lives including mine's. Know that you belong to a tradition of worship teams that have been instrumental in bringing thousands of young people before the manifest Presence of God, to the praise of his Glory!

Until Jesus comes again, till every knee shall bow and every tongue confess before the unveiled glory of God, we will continue this work of calling people to worship. And as we lift Jesus, He will draw all men to Himself.

I would like to, in this entry, to offer some thoughts and values on how we can keep growing as a worship team. It may be helpful as you think about the next time you lead worship or play in the band.

God-centeredness
God-centredness is the first Core value of Amplify. A high priority is the God-ward focus of our gatherings. The ultimate aim is to so experience God that He is glorified in our love, repentance and surrender towards Him.

Expecting God to show up in power and love
We do not just direct ourselves toward him. We earnestly seek His drawing near according to the promise of James 4:8. We believe that in worship God draws near to us in power, and makes himself known and felt for our good and for the conversion of the sinner in the midst.

Thus the worship leader helps people connect the love and power of God to where they are at in their lives. What does the greatness of God got to do with my life, my struggles, my sorrows, my anxieties? The good worship leaders offers space for deep conversations and 'moments' between the creation and the Creator.

Based on God’s Word
The content of our singing and praying and welcoming and exhortations will always conform and flow out of the truth of Scripture. The content of God's Word will be woven through all we say and do in leading praise and worship.

This also mean that a worship leader must be a person that loves the Word of God more than music. Remember the illustration of the furnace – the expression of worship (fire) is fueled by the Word of God (coal).

Rightly interpret scripture by enquiry, studying, meditation and prayer before declaring it. If you wouldn’t play a song without first hearing it, studying the chord charts and practicing it till it gets into your spirit, do the same to the verses of scripture.

The Word of God used hastily without understanding on the part of the one declaring comes out empty and worse, in error and out of tune. Be diligent in your study of scripture, theology and church teachings.

Earnestness and intensity
Avoiding a trite, flippant, superficial, frivolous atmosphere, but instead setting an example of reverence, passion and wonder. Our audience is not the crowd we lead but of the One.

Authentic Worship
Renounce all hypocrisy, pretense and showmanship. Not trying to imitate Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, 7:22 or making it into an artistic performance but striving earnestly to create a faith-filled intimate atmosphere where people can have a genuine and radical personal encounter with God.

The manifestation of God in the expressing of Love for one another
We expect and hope and pray that our focus on the manifesting of God is for the good of people and that therefore a spirit of love for each other is not incompatible with, but necessary to authentic worship.

The bible tells us ". . . speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord." Pay attention to the 'speaking to one another.' Some songs sung in P&W can be used to addressed not to God but each other. It is perfectly fine. The lyrics are usually comforting, edifying, uniting or inspiring. Some songs urge each other not to give up.

These types of songs are very powerful and affirming and I urge that they be used regularly and in right places in the worship set. Remember the vertical and horizontal directions of the cross in worship- reaching to God and reaching out to one another in love.

Mingling old songs and new songs
"And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old" (Matt. 13:52)

Avoid the mentality that avoid old songs because they are old or using new songs because they are new. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Do the hardwork of reading and meditating on the songs before you use them - there are treasures in every song that comes from heaven whether old or new.

Undistracting excellence
We will try to sing and play and pray and exhort in such a way that people's attention will not be diverted or distracted by shoddy ministry, lack of preparation nor by excessive finesse, elegance or refinement.

Natural, undistracting excellence will let the truth and beauty of God shine through.

Worship Leading 24/7
Worship Leaders lead not only in our love for God but also in the way we love others. Often time people are not convinced because our love for God is not substantiated by our love for others.

Remember that our best moments of worship leading may not be on stage. In fact, it is often our love for others privately that will truly establish us as a worship leader in the eyes of others publicly.

Pay attention to the way you live your life that you do so in a way that is worthy of your high calling in Jesus Christ.

Amen.

To the Greater Glory of God and the good of people,
Leo

2007-08-22T14:41:00.000+08:00

It's Official

It has been confirmed by a trained health specialist I know that eating before going to bed makes you fat. I just learned that today. Apparently its not just an old wives tale. Clinical Studies have shown that 100% of all food consumed 3 hours before sleeping is converted into FATS. Which only means....I am going to have suppers from now on.

In fact, I'm going to get myself a bedside fridge well stocked with donuts and chocolates, pop a couple into my mouth and flop back into bed...

Good news for me, bad news for some.

Leo

2007-08-21T15:12:00.000+08:00

Places I would love to visit before I die

Okay, this is a sequel to my previous post. I started thinking of the top few places I would love visit if I had the chance.

So here's my list:

1. London
2. Berlin
3. Tokyo
4. Dubai
5. Los Angeles
6. Santorini

I realised they are all cities huh? except Santorini. hmmmm... I think I'm quite the urbane. Must be my Singapore upbringing, makes me uncomfortable around wide open spaces of pure and pristine nature.

I feel more at home with traffic lights, architecture, good interior designs and great shopping shirts and people walking into each other.

Hope I can see these places one day.

Leo

2007-08-20T09:34:00.000+08:00

If I could go anywhere

This morning I was listening to Class 95. The radio is constantly on in my office. Its great especially with Glen and the Flying Dutchman in the mornings. Today they were having a discussion on air about places to visit in the world.

So it got me thinking if I had the chance to pick anywhere in the world to go for free where would I go? If I had a free ticket to anywhere, where would I end up?

hmmm...I think it will be London, UK.

I've never been there before but have heard a lot about the city from people who have. They say either you hate it or you fall in love with it. I think I'll be one of those who will love it there. The rain. The design culture. The famous architectures. The shopping. The music. The city life. The Shopping. (did I mentioned that already?) The flea markets and bargain places.

Yup, London will be it. Would love to have an excuse/chance/opportunity to go. Wonder when can.

What about you? Tag me! where and why!

Leonard

2007-08-14T14:27:00.000+08:00

The Great Malaysian Escape

Over the National Day public holiday weekend, Cassilda and I went on a short holiday to Penang and then KL for two days. The whole trip can be basically divided into two parts - Eating and Shopping - our two favorite past time!

Here are some pics:

2007-07-25T16:37:00.001+08:00

This Week at Amplify Friday 27th July

I'll be giving a session this week. You are invited!

Leo

2007-07-19T14:26:00.000+08:00

Its my imagination!

I think one of the great duties of the Christian mind is imagination.

It is not the only thing the mind does. The mind observes. The mind analyzes and organizes. The mind memorizes. But imagination is different. It does not observe or analyze what's there; it imagines what is not seen but might be there and might explain what is there (as in the case of most scientific discoveries). Or it imagines a new way of saying what is there that no one has said before (as in the case of creative writing and music and art).

I say that imagination is a Christian duty for two reasons. One is that you can't apply Jesus' golden rule without it. He said, "Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them" (Matthew 7:12). We must imagine ourselves in their place and imagine what we would like done to us. Compassionate, sympathetic, helpful love hangs much on the imagination of the lover.

The other reason I say that imagination is a Christian duty is that when a person speaks or writes or sings or paints about breathtaking truth in a boring way, it is probably a sin. The supremacy of God in the life of the mind is not honored when God and his amazing world are observed truly, analyzed duly, and communicated boringly. Imagination is the key to killing boredom. We must imagine ways to say truth for what it really is. And it is not boring. God's world - all of it - rings with wonders. The imagination calls up new words, new images, new analogies, new metaphors, new illustrations, new connections to say old, glorious truth. Imagination is the faculty of the mind that God has given us to make the communication of his beauty beautiful.

Imagination may be the hardest work of the human mind. And perhaps the most God-like. It is the closest we get to creation out of nothing. When we speak of beautiful truth, we must think of a pattern of words, perhaps a poem. We must conceive something that has never existed before and does not now exist in any human mind. We must think of an analogy or metaphor or illustration which has no existence. The imagination must exert itself to see it in our mind, when it is not there. We must create word combinations and music that have never existed before. All of this we do, because we are like God and because he is infinitely worthy of ever-new words and songs.

A community - or a church - committed to the supremacy of God in the life of the mind will cultivate many fertile, and a few great, imaginations. And O how the world needs God-besotted minds that can say the great things of God and sing the great things of God and play the great things of God in ways that have never been said or sung or played before.

Imagination is like a muscle. It grows stronger when you flex it. And you must flex it. It does not usually put itself into action. It awaits the will. Imagination is also contagious. When you are around someone (alive or dead) who uses it a lot, you tend to catch it. So I suggest that you hang out with some people who are full of imagination, and that you exert yourself to think up a new way to say an old truth. God is worthy. "Oh sing to the LORD a new song" - or picture, or poem, or figure of speech.

Let flee from the the sin of boring people with God.

written by John Piper

2007-07-16T16:46:00.000+08:00

Amplify Ministry Core Value 1 :
God-Centredness

“Not to us Lord, not to us but to Your name be the Glory”

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.”

Our first and highest value of the Amplify Community is God-Centredness.

This value goes beyond merely saying a prayer at the start and end of all our activities or saying "Praise the Lord!" as often as possible. God-centredness is people going through nothing sort of a Copernicus revolution in their thinking and way of life.

Fostering a God-Centred Worldview is a mindset that starts with the assumption that God is the centre of reality. God is the basic given and absolute reality. He was there before we were in existence – or before anything was in existence. From Him came everything and everything is sustained by Him for His goals and purposes.

The God-centred mindset moves out of this centre and interprets the world, with God and his rights as Creator and His goals as the measure of all things.

This is opposed to a Man-centred worldview which starts with man as the given reality of the universe - his rights, his needs, his expectations. Therefore a Man-centred worldview moves out from this centre and interprets the world, with man’s rights, needs and goals as the measure of all things.

To foster a God-Centred worldview challenges us to live our entire lives to serve the purposes of God. God doesn’t exist to make much of us, we exist to make much of God. It is in glorifying God that we find our soul’s fulfillment. It is in living for Him that we truly live.

We believe authentic Christianity begins with this ‘renewal of the mind’ – moving incrementally from a Man-centred worldview to a God-centred one. We want all our activities to be centered around communicating that God is worthy to be treasured, pursued and given all of our lives to serve. This makes Worship the central and highest activity we can ever undertake as a community.

Another reason why this value is important is because it guards against the exaltation of Self. When we build a culture that esteems God more than man, we guard against ministry politics, selfish ambitions and self-promotion. We focus on God getting the glory and not us. Its not about getting the name of Amplify ‘out there’. Its about exalting Jesus, for His Name and His Renown in the world.

It is not about us and its all about Him.

Leo

2007-07-11T14:58:00.001+08:00

Amplify Amazing Race 2007

Click to Enlarge!

2007-07-10T10:02:00.000+08:00

The Bible Story In a Durianshell.

One of the most daunting (but fulfilling) task in the world can be to read the Bible. Often, it can appear to us as disconnected pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and we aren't sure what the picture looks like when the pieces are assembled.

Sometime ago, I managed to complete reading the entire bible. It took about 1 year & 3 months. (In the midst of living a normal life, not in one sitting...) I managed to do it only after I attended a 'Walk-Thru-The-Bible' conference where I got the Big Picture and saw how all the pieces fits together. That really really helped.

So if you wish to read the whole bible from cover to cover or just start reading it, I've provided a short 'Walkthru', the whole story in a nut..erm...durianshell, to help you start. (It won't take you more than 10 - 15 minutes and I assure you it will be well spent.)

Ready?

Let's go!

The Bible opens by telling that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and that everything God made was good. Sin enters the story when human beings want to become like God, and disobey God's command by eating fruit that God had told them not to eat. The effects of sin become evident when one man slays his brother out of anger toward God.

Violence multiplies until God determines to purge the earth by a flood. God commanded Noah to build a boat that could preserve animals from every species from destruction. After the flood, God put the rainbow in the sky to assure people that he would not destroy the earth again. Sin persisted, however, and people sought to make themselves great by building a tower that could reach to heaven. God responded by making people speak different languages, so that they could no longer understand each other, and they scattered over the face of the earth.

A new phase of the story begins when God calls a man named Abraham, who lived in the area near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern day Iraq and Syria). God told Abraham to go to a land that God would show him., promising that Abraham would have many descendants and that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through him. Abraham responded to God's call, and with Sarah, his wife, he finally settled in the land of Canaan (modern-day Palestine or Israel). There they tended their flocks and herds. The period was about 2000-1700 B.C.

Abraham and Sarah became old and had no children until God gave them a son, whose name was Isaac. Isaac in turn had two sons, Jacob and Esau. By means of trickery, Jacob obtained a special blessing from his father. When his brother, Esau, became angry, Jacob fled to the home of an uncle, where he married and became wealthy before returning to Canaan. Jacob--whose name was changed to "Israel"--had twelve sons, but because of family rivalry, his son Joseph was sold as a slave and taken to Egypt. There Joseph managed to become a high-ranking official, and when famine drove the rest of the family into Egypt, the brothers became reconciled and settled there permanently.

The descendants of Jacob, who were called Hebrews or "children of Israel," continued to live in Egypt from about 1700 to 1275 B.C. During that time they were enslaved by the Egyptians and forced to make bricks and mortar. A Hebrew named Moses saw an Egyptian beating one of his kinsmen. Moses killed the Egyptian and fled to the desert regions east of Egypt. There he was called by God to return to Egypt and deliver his people from slavery.

Israel's deliverance from Egypt is commonly known as the "Exodus" and is one of the pivotal events in the Old Testament. The biblical account says that Moses returned to Egypt and told the king that the Hebrew people must be freed. When the king of Egypt refused, the Egyptians were afflicted with various plagues. The water of the Nile River became foul, frogs and insects multiplied, and diseases and darkness made life miserable for the Egyptians. Finally, after the firstborn children and animals of each Egyptian household suddenly died, the Egyptians momentarily relented and the people of Israel fled eastward by night. The Egyptians pursued them, but the Israelites escaped recapture by miraculously crossing a sea while the Egyptian chariots were swept away by the water.

The people of Israel began their new life of freedom by remaining in the desert regions east of Egypt for about forty years, from approximately 1275 to 1235 B.C. The central event of this period was establishing a covenant relationship between God and Israel at Mt. Sinai. The covenant reminded the people that it was God who had brought them "out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (Exodus 20:2), and called upon them to honor God alone and reject the deities of other nations. The primary provisions of this covenant, known as the Ten Commandments, became Israel's charter as a nation. After departing from Mt. Sinai, the people gradually moved north and east into what is now the kingdom of Jordan. The generation that escaped out of Egypt, including Moses himself, died out as the people of Israel approached the Jordan River and prepared to enter the land of Canaan once again.

The details of Israel's entry into the land are unclear, but the biblical account suggests that conquest began about 1235 B.C. under the leadership of Joshua. Military victories apparently helped Israel gain possession of part of the land, but the westward movement of the Israelites was halted by the Philistines, who held sizable portions of the country. For generations the twelve tribes of Israel led a precarious existence in Canaan, often subjugated by neighboring peoples until a leader arose to liberate them. One of these leaders or "judges" was Deborah, a prophetess who led the people to victory over the Canaanites. Another judge was the strong man Samson, who fraternized with Philistine women and then avenged himself against Philistine villages when the relationships turned sour.

The continued threat of being dominated by other nations finally led the people of Israel to clamor for a king who could lead them. Samuel, the last of the judges, designated a man named Saul as Israel's first king. Saul was a tall and handsome man. Soon after becoming king, Saul demonstrated his ability by leading the Israelite army to victory. But later Saul was plagued by sharp mood swings and became jealous of the popularity enjoyed by David, a promising young man from Bethlehem, who was a member of his court. David fled for his life and lived as the leader of an outlaw band at the periphery of the country until Saul was wounded in battle and committed suicide.

David became king about 1000 B.C. and ushered in Israel's golden age. He helped to unify Israel by capturing the city of Jerusalem, which was in the middle of the country, and making it his capital. Under David's leadership a series of successful military campaigns secured Israel's borders against the neighboring peoples. One of David's own sons (Absalom) tried to seize his throne, driving him into temporary exile, but David managed to regain power. Another son named Solomon was designated as David's successor.

Solomon's outstanding achievement was the construction of a temple in Jerusalem, which became the religious as well as the political center of the country. International commerce was expanded, the arts flourished, and an opulent palace was built for the king. To carry out his building projects, Solomon enslaved some of the non-Israelite peoples within his realm, and to secure his political position, he entered into several foreign alliances. He sealed these pacts by marrying women from the various allied peoples, and he permitted shrines to foreign deities in Jerusalem, even though worship of other gods had traditionally been condemned in Israel.

After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam ruled harshly and the kingdom split in two in 922 B.C. (1 Kings 12) The northern part was still called Israel, the southern part was called Judah, and relations between the two kingdoms shifted between uneasy coexistence and open hostility. The northern kingdom entered into close relations with the nations to the north, and the worship of the god Baal and goddess Astarte became common. The prophet Elijah protested the worship of these deities and challenged the priests of Baal to demonstrate the power of their gods by calling down fire from heaven. When they were unable to do so, Elijah prayed to the God of Israel, fire fell from heaven, and Elijah's followers slaughtered the prophets of Baal (I Kings 18:17-40).

In the eighth century B.C., the prophets Amos and Hosea joined the protest against the idolatrous and unjust practices of the northern kingdom (Israel). Finally, in 721 B.C., the army of Assyria, a powerful nation to the northeast, conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and exiled its leaders.

Meanwhile the southern kingdom of Judah also struggled with issues of idolatry and injustice. The oppressive practices of Judah's leaders were denounced by prophets such as Micah, who came from a village in the foothills, and Isaiah, a resident of Jerusalem. Some reforms were undertaken by King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18) in the late eighth century B.C., but his successors reverted to patterns of corruption. The prophet Jeremiah, who came from a priestly family, railed against Israel's attraction to foreign cults, some of which included child sacrifice. He warned that if Judah did not repent, it would be devastated like the northern kingdom had been. Major reforms were made in the late seventh century B. C., during the reign of King Josiah. Pagan practices were rejected and worship was centralized at Jerusalem, but in the decades after Josiah's death, the Babylonians brought Judean sovereignty to an end.

The Babylonians destroyed the Jerusalem Temple in 586 B.C.. Judah's leading citizens were exiled to Babylonia far to the northeast, leaving only a remnant in the country. The Babylonian exile was one of the great crises in Israel's history. People questioned how God could permit the brutal destruction of Jerusalem and the loss of Israel's homeland. Nevertheless, the prophet Ezekiel told the exiles that even though Israel seemed as lifeless as a field of dry bones, God would revitalize the people and take them home again (Ezekiel 37:1-14).

A turning point came when Cyrus, king of Persia, conquered Babylonia. In 538 B.C., Cyrus declared that the exiles, now known as Judeans or Jews, could return to their country. Some of the exiles chose to remain in Babylonia, but others returned and began the slow task of reconstruction. Urged on by prophets such as Haggai and Zechariah, whose writings appear in the Old Testament, the people eventually established a new temple and rebuilt Jerusalem. The scribes Ezra and Nehemiah called for renewed commitment to the laws and traditions of Israel that were being assembled into the form in which we now have them in the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Together, the temple and the law became the two institutions that gave the people their distinct identity while living under Persian domination.

A significant change began when Alexander the Great swept down from Macedonia and Greece to conquer Palestine in 330 B.C. Alexander envisioned a grand world city in which people would not belong primarily to a given tribe or local community, but to the Greek Empire. The new vision of one world city differed significantly from the conviction that Israel was God's chosen people. Some of the Jewish people liked the new vision and began adopting Greek customs, but others rebelled and insisted that to do so would be to commit apostasy. The governor of that region tried to suppress the revolt by forbidding observance of Israel's law and by turning the Jerusalem temple into a shrine that he dedicated to Zeus in 167 B.C.

A group of Jews led by Judah Maccabee successfully recaptured the temple and purified it in 164 B.C. Soon they regained control of the country and set up their own government, the first independent government since Jerusalem had been conquered by the Babylonians four hundred years earlier. This Jewish kingdom endured for a century.

In 63 B.C. a Roman general conquered Jerusalem and brought Jewish independence to an end. The Romans eventually designated a man named Herod to rule Palestine. An ambitious and masterful politician, Herod accommodated devout Jews by transforming the modest Jerusalem temple that had been rebuilt after the exile into an imposing structure of gleaming white limestone adorned with gold.

New Testament

It was into this unsettled world that Jesus was born. He taught and examplified to all who listened, the way to live a life that pleases God. He went everywhere, preaching about God's Kingdom and healing the sick. He was then crucfied and died to save all of humanity from their sins. And on the third day, He rose to life. 40 days later, He acended into Heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to His Disciples. And on that day, the Church was born.

Belief that Jesus would return in a short time gave great urgency to the spread of the good news about him. Enlivened by the Spirit of God, they gathered in homes for prayer and fellowship. Many of the religious authorities opposed the new faith and some of Jesus' followers were imprisoned or killed. Others fled to places outside Judea, where the gospel message was received by Samaritans and Greeks as well as by Jews.

One of the Jewish leaders who persecuted the emerging church was Saul of Tarsus, better known to us as the apostle Paul. Near the city of Damascus he encountered the risen Christ, who called him to be a proclaimer of, rather than an adversary of, the gospel. Paul set out on a career as a missionary, proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ in the cities of what are now Syria, Turkey, and Greece. His preaching centered on a vivid proclamation of Jesus the crucified Messiah, a message that kindled faith in the hearts of many hearers who were stirred by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul became a leading figure in the mission to non-Jewish people, who were known as Gentiles.

Paul was imprisoned because of his missionary activities. The book of Acts tells us that Paul eventually was taken to Rome as a prisoner. Later Christian writings also say he was executed there in A.D. 62, during the persecutions that took place under Nero.

The last book in the New Testament is Revelation, which is a letter written in about A.D. 95 by the Apostle John. The book calls Christians to renewed faith in God and in Jesus Christ, confident that God will triumph over evil. The final chapters bring the Biblical story back to its beginning. In the beginning, people were barred from the tree of life because of sin (Genesis 3:22-24), but in the end the redeemed come to the tree of life in God's new Jerusalem (Revelation 22:2).

And the rest, as they say, is His-tory.

Postscript:

I (Leo) want to testify that upon reading the Bible from cover to cover, my Faith and Spiritual life grew so much and went to the next level. The bible itself says "Faith Comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Its true. As I read the bible into my spirit, it grew stonger and stronger.

Try it.

It will be the best thing you will ever do.

Do drop a comment to tell us what you think!

2007-07-10T09:53:00.000+08:00

I DREAM OF A CHURCH

I was thinking. When Jesus was on earth, He was irresistible. People flocked to Him, Children loved Him, the sick wanted to be near him. Jesus was Irresistible.

I believe that the Church, being Jesus' Body and him the head, has to reflect that same irresistibility on earth.

As I look at our Church today and honestly ask myself -
IS OUR CATHOLIC CHURCH IRRESISTIBLE? Are we reflecting who Jesus is? Are people flocking to church? Or do they can't wait to get out of there?

I believe change is needed. The worlds needs the Church. But they will not darken the doors of the church if we continue to be what we are. Already we see an Exodus of our own young people out of our church.

I believe a generation of Spirit-Filled Catholics can make a change. We are the Future of the Church. What we are is what the church will be in the Future.

That is why I dare to say...

I DREAM OF A CHURCH ...

I dream of a church in the future that is Irresistible.

I dream of a church where everyone is passionately satisfied by Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit.

I dream of a church where every man, woman and child would rush in every Sunday. An environment so irresistible, there is no better place to be.

I dream of a church that is relevant to culture. That sees culture not as a foe but as a friend, not as friction, but traction for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I dream of a church where people are real. Where perfection is not expected and grace is extended. Where we warm hearts and not pews. Where we are friends and not strangers.

I dream of a church where joy, not just knowledge, is the measure of faith.

I dream of a church where clergy and laity are equal, even partners.

I dream of a church where the Word of God meets Real Life. Where what is heard on Sunday can be used on Monday.

I dream of a church where the presence of the Lord is tangible and the joy of the peoples contagious.

I dream of a church where there are signs and wonders, healings and miracles, prophecies and deliverances.

I dream of a church that doesn't just have small groups but will be of small groups. Where people live shared lives and care for one another.

I dream of a church where character is the measure of maturity. Where people fear the Holiness of God, love Righteousness and do justice.

I dream of a church where every person discover their purpose and is released into ministry.
Where everyone is released to be everywhere.

I dream of a church that is irresistible to the lost, the hurting, the broken and the skeptic.

I dream of a church that is bold and dangerous enough to capture the imagination of the leaders, achievers, the artistic and the intellectuals of our society.

I dream of a church that change lives, impacts society, blesses the nation and touches the world practically with the Love and the Spirit of God

How?

We need to see a rising generation of radically God-Centered Catholics whose passion for Jesus will ellipses the pervious generations.

Students and young people so sold-out to the Kingdom and so broken for lives who do not yet know Him that they are willing to risks all. A people of great resolve to prudently challenge the present and forge a framework of a Future Church that will be able to speak in the culture in the most effective way possible. These people go on to establish communities and ministries that will embody the very blueprint of the future.

An Irresistible Church - as Jesus was when He was on earth.

It can happen. The Dream can become Reality. We have to start now.

One Generation. That's all it takes.

The Irresistible Church.

The BEST is yet to be.

Leo

2007-07-04T09:25:00.000+08:00

Recently I learned...

1. that freedom is the right of all sentient beings. (Optimus Prime)

2. that it was for freedom that Christ has set us free. (Saint Paul)

3. that the Letter to the Hebrews in the Bible commonly believed to be written by St. Paul wasn't a letter at all. In fact, it wasn't even addressed to the Hebrew people. And... scholars don't even think it written by Paul.

It is actually a sermon written to Christians in Rome, possibility by St. Clement, the first Pope or someone around that era. It was addressed to 2nd or 3rd generation Christians.

So even though it wasn't written by Paul in a form of a letter addressed to Hebrews, it is the very words of the Holy Spirit to us.

4. that If there's anything necessary to your eternal happiness but God, you're not the kind of Christian that you ought to be. For only God is the true rest.

5. that evil is not a deficiency, a lack of something. If someone is ill, we say he lacks health. If someone is poor, he lack money etc.

But when we speak of evil, we need to realise that it is not caused by a lack oof something. Evil is not a deficiency but a efficiency. When we face an existing evil, we face a person. Evil is not a corruption of goodness but a personality. His name is devil.

"We must actively fight this enemy, terrible and invisible, who set snares for our lives and against whom we must defend ourselves." - Pope Paul VI, 1972

6. that Jesus came to undo the works of the evil one.

7. that I can make a difference in this world if I allow God to use me to bring His love and reality to as many people as possible.

Even if it demands a lot from me. Because its what Jesus gave His life for - it demanded His very own life.

God, teach me pray -

"Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will."

- St. Ignatius

God Bless,
Leo

2007-06-22T08:54:00.000+08:00

Tired.

Very tired. Need to get away.

From everything.

Only be alone with the Alone.

Bear me up Lord, till I reach my rest

You have been my Strength

You only are my Nest

Silence the clamor

Dispel the crowd

Dismantle the sun

Hide me in Your shadow

Call me away

None and no one can satisfy like You.

You are enough for me.

All my fountains are in you.

My Rest.

Leo

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