GOOD news in KK

Dear brothers and sisters,

So glad to be back! We had a special trip to KK this time around. Managed to visit the Kampong where the head man stayed. The house we saw was built by his own hands!!! It's really a kampong! They still collect water mostly from the rain and for some lucky few, they managed to dig wells. Their biggest concern is the yearly two-month drought. Loriot's car got stuck in the mud but thank God for the good weather, it was managable. Please pray fervently for the head man. He has finished ALL the bible studies and am now waiting for a decision. Basically, for him to take the step of faith to give up his old belief...."he's into this traditional healing that summon certain spirits". The villagers plant their own food and we did quite a bit of walking. Up the hill and down again. My two kids were with us. Jenna is clearly a city girl but she braved through the kampong environment. Surprisingly, my boy just ' roughed it out" and fits in just like one of the 'kampong boys!". Good for him!

There have been people responding to their Bible Study advertisement. Four men have been coming regularly and studying. i must share with you one ... his name is Jonathan, middle aged guy that owns lands and he is sooooooo passionate about the Bible! Guess what his dream is?.... To preach the word to Kampongs in KK! Loriot brought him to visit the kampong and he speaks their dialect!!!!! Please, please continue to keep them in our prayers. We are soooo fortunate to be here in Singapore and going there, you just feel for so many people who wants to know God but so lost and the workers are so few. Please pray for the work there to grow.

Loriot is doing a great job inspiring the church and setting the pace but the truth is, the church needs a revival as a whole, not just depend on Loriot to do the work. Please pray for the hearts of the rest of the Christians to seek and save the lost. Kim (Seng beng's wife was there as well that weekend with a few other sisters). We saw them at church service.

Anyway, glad to be back in Singapore. Back to work and back to life. Internet access was pretty pathetic at KK. This saturday will be our HOPE work PERTAPIS. 1pm-3pm. Veron will be leading the arts and crafts. i'll do story telling and the guys will be with ZQ to play field games and if it rains, indoor games.

Can't wait to catch up on what's been happening in Singapore.

Love,
Grace and ZQ.....

on behalf of grace and zq

Walking with God

Dear sisters,

 

    I feel fired-up today. Hope you do as well.

    Today I thought of Enoch, remember him? The Bible says in Gen 5:24

 

Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

 

   I thought: wow that 's so awesome. What a way to go to heaven! He must have been someone who enjoyed walking with God and I think even more, God must have enjoyed walking with him. I hope I can be walking with God the way Enoch did as well.

 

   I knew God when I was 8. Many times, when I looked back, I see how close I was to God when I was younger. I was so much more childlike. I remembered how I used to close the toilet door in dad's room, kneeling down in sincere prayer, not wanting anyone to see because God says that " When we pray, we should not be like the pharisees" and " God will reward what is done in secret"

 

   I also remembered how I used to pray every night, and always ending up with the same prayer from saving family, relatives to saving the whole world. During those days, there was no asking of glory. I did not even feel I was "good, awesome" doing all these. Everyhing was done because I truly walked with God.

 

   Now, even if I were to do something for God in secret, there is an element of how good I am.

 

   O how I desire to start walking closer to God again.

 

love,sk

 

 

 

 

I’ve start reading the New Testament since January. Now I'm stuck at revelations. N today I happened to read Karen insights about revelations.

In chapter one.
What weapon do you wield when fighting the world every day? Is it your own wisdom? Do you have a limited arsenal? Are you even fighting? Jesus, THE WORD, literally spoke, and a sword came out! Wow!

This question convicts me. Everyday do I really hold on to the word of Sword to fight the world.?

I have been sick. First is Jason , then verdelle then me. Then verdelle again. When I’m down with bad flu and cough and fever, it can be weak and very depressing. Difficult to pray and focus on the bible. So my Qt is suffering.
Then, my gals have some changes in the school. I was very nervous and worried. And Jason was not around; I had to handle all by myself.
However, this week is better, though I still cough badly. I decided “force “myself to get with Christians to pray with me in the morning. Went to see the nature of the lord and breath in fresh air and reaching out to lost soul in park, help me focus on the lord then to be self focus.

I feel so much better. (Thank God for putting Christians in my life)

Everyday is challenging and full of trials. When we self-focus, trials and challenging situation will be look even more bigger...

But I need to focus on the word of God who will give me power and fighting aid for heart and my soul n mind. I was depending on my own wisdom instead of base on God’s wisdom.
I need to repent and surrender to God for wisdom and strength.

That reminds me of this verse: Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, in all my way acknowledge him, he will make my path straight.

I watched the 9pm Chinese drama, the housewife tale. I felt so much as I think it is real challenge and struggles for them. I think lot housewives out there are really lost and helpless without God. Their only focus is the family, kids and house chores, but inwardly they struggle with insecurity and helpless which they may have no one to turn to.

God, I pray, being a housewife and part-time tutor, please use me despite my weakness to reach out lost and helpless housewife and also the students. Who needs God in their life as they security and strength. Give me the open harvest field and use me in whatever way u want.

In Jesus name, amen.

Prayer - Guarding Hearts

Dear God,

I feel v happy today. Maybe I am relieved by 2 big tasks at work that just ended yesterday. Perhaps today is going to be a relaxing day at work (attending staff conference with tea-break provided in the morning) as well as attending team building in the pm, which should be something fun.

However, at the very back of my mind, there is a little burden I feel and I AM PRAYING to get it off complete. Basically I did a presentation for some students, together with a colleague yesterday, and guess what, at the end of it, a student commented that my presentation is not as good as hers.

On one note (trust me), I really really appreciate the student's feedback. On the other note, cannot help feeling discouraged. Somemore, my part was the only one that my boss attended. Not only, my boss but many colleagues as well ;) Actually it is good that I have the conviction that you were in charge, if not I would have been so much more discouraged hearing criticisms aka hearing the truth! But knowing you allow this to happen, I feel more secure, less worried.

The truth is my colleague is indeed a natural presenter and saleswoman, a much better one than me. So, what can I do about it? Just be humble and learn from her I guess. But it is difficult, difficult because of my schema of Unrelenting Standard. I tend to compare myself with those better. I find it difficult to forgive myself. I tend to be upset and blamed myself for not doing a better job.

Anyway, if I dwell more into it, I would have sinned against you. I want to repent quickly.

Read a verse this morning in:

Pro 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

How true. We must guard our own hearts everyday.
May I use today to guard my heart and be close to you.

Amen!
SK

Solomon's Secrets of Success

Solomon's Secrets of Success

Some of Solomon's other secrets of success can be summarized in the following 12 simple formulas:

1.       Stop Chasing Fantasies – Start Working Productively (Proverbs 12:11, 28:19).

2.       Stop Scheming For Quick Money – Start Honest Diligent Planning (Proverbs 1:30-33)

3.       Stop Sleeping - Start Working (Proverbs 6:6-11)

4.       Stop Borrowing – Start Earning (Proverbs 22:7)

5.       Stop Spending On Little Luxuries – Start Saving For The Future (Proverbs 21:17)

6.       Don't think of distant future success – make it happen here and now. (Proverbs 17:24)

7.       Diversify your enterprises. (Eccl 11:2)

8.       When making plans get good advice from many sources (Proverbs 15:22, 20:18)

9.       Plan your work and work your plan. (Proverbs 21:5)

10.   But don't fall for the paralysis of analysis. (Eccl 11:4)

11.   When dealing with governments follow the procedures even if you are upset. (Eccl 8:6)

12.   No matter how keen you are on your project Work steadily and carefully, do not be hasty. (Proverbs 19:2, 21:5)

 (On behalf of Helen)

 

El Shaddai

An encouraging song to share. Truly if age to age He does not change, is that not encouraging?
Enjoy. Love, sk

I am back

Dear sisters,
I am back from Penang. We had a great time together. We visited the parent-in-law. Seeing them getting older, feel that we have to bring Sean to visit them more often. We enjoyed the food. There is one big shopping centre nearby. We went shopping as things are cheaper in Malaysia.

Recently, my hubby & I had a fight about the maid. I complained abt her and he got upset with me. This trip helped us to have a break, shifted our focus on other things. We had a talk and got resolved be4 we went Penang. But in this incident, I saw how ugly of myself. I am self-righteous and get angry easily. My hubby doesn't know about Christianity. He is not keen to know GOD now. But he can see GOD through me...abt what I did...what I say...what I comment...how I treat others...he all see. Sometimes I am harsh towards the maid because I did not trust her and I feel insecure towards her. Sometimes when she made little mistake, I showed her a long face…
Bible says "we have to love one another..." I want to start at home to love those I feel difficult to love...I want to change in this area...the ugly side of me always at home. In Proverbs 12:4 "A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones" It is so wonderful if can be my husband’s crown…
Wendy

What Kind of a person am I?

Went over to Dennis & Pauline's place last night for the soccer match. While we were watching the commentaries before the game began, by chance I looked out of the door and I told Adrian, "Chen Meiling". Of course he blur blur lah, out of the blue a common name like that. I further elaborated that my very close friend at NUS just walked past and apparently lives next door to Dennis and Pauline. He wouldn't believe me, went to the door and had a look for himself,and true enough it was the very person I was referring to.

To be honest, I have been avoiding my uni gang for the past 6 years. Come to think of it, even back in the uni days I've never put my heart and soul into the friendships that I had. I was like an animal in the jungle, taking every single tread cautiously, for fear of arousing the predator and become its prey. Yeah, I guess the metaphors are silly, me=prey, friendship=predator. Can friendship possibly consume me?

Yes, I believe I'm vulnerable enough to be consumed by friendship. Back in the uni days, I've adways told Adrian that I don't think my closest friends understood me better than him, to them I was probably just a clown or Jack-O-Box, waiting to spring surprises at them any moment and the clown of the clique. I never would allow deeper friendships to develop for fear of future disappointments and betrayal. What gave me this idea was probably due to my upbringing, how my Dad and Grandmother brainwashed me that I can't rely on friends forever. Cannot rely forever then don't bother to have lor! Haiz... talk about schemas...

Since I was diagnosed with clinical psychosis disorder, I have completely shut my life to them. Well, not only them as in my uni friends, but also the much closer bunch from our primary school. Not only because I don't trust friendships anymore, it is also because I haven't and cannot come to terms to what has become of me. You may think I'm open and vulnerable but that's only to God and you who are related to me by Christ's blood and the Holy Spirit, the truth is I still feel too proud to allow my old friends to know the drastic changes in my life the past 6 years. More importantly, I can't let them see a 24inch-turned-35inch-46kg-turned-60kg me. To cut it short, I can't accept the changes in me, and I cannot accept myself for whom I have become.

Kevin's sermon today was indeed inspiring and an eye-opener. I can't continue to dwell upon these worldly emotions and playing hide-and-seek with myself, I have a far more important task to do: God's job. How many fruit I bear is not the issue at all, the issue here is how many people come to know of God and convert through my efforts and how I display myself. I live in a world full of Satan's temptations, but God promised that I will not be tempted beyond what I can bear. And when I meet God on Judgement Day, I suppose He won't bother to ask me why has my waistline and weight increased so much. Lord, help me to focus less on my outward appearance and more on my inward character. Amen.

Humility

Dear sisters,

 

   have been wanting to blog for quite a while but was simply too tied up with work. Something interesting happened at work. Came back from a presentation and my boss gave me some input (negative ones). Even though, as Christians, we have been told to imitate Christ's humility, I coudn't help feeling bad. There is no doubt that I reproached myself...Some thoughts that cross my head are as follows:

 

- "Why, Why did I say that?"

- "I don't like your remark. You are a critical person by nature"

- " Oh no, will you tell-tales to your boss, my BIG boss?"

- " Surely there is some good that I did worth your mention?"

 

  The reason why there was so many questions in my head is due to myself wanting to look good in front of people, esp the bosses. Also, my security is not in God. (Sisters, am I the only one feeling this way?). At home, I want to look good in front of in-laws. At church, Christians....list goes on.

 

   Christ is humble. The bible says he does not entrust himself to man because he knows what is in a man.

 

  Actually I think God allows this to happen to reveal my heart that is far from Christ. In any case, I am working with non Christians. I have to shine even in the area of taking input, yet not allowing myself to be discouraged, because I have confidence in the STRENGTHs God has given me.

 

==> reliable, responsibility, making sure that the setup is correct, prizes ready.

 

   So sisters, be praying for me to walk the road of humility yet being secure God.

 

 

 

Reconciliation with myself

This is the 5th day I'm spending at the hospital. Been doing some reflection and how I could help myself without over relying on medications. And then I realise it's anger that I'm battling with. Anger accumulated from my early years, forced deep down into the abyss and thought to have gone into the incinerator and no longer exists. No, that is far from being true, I finally realise. How can you be brought up in a certai environment and then erase it all from your memory? So this is the schema John has been talking about!

The doctor spoke to Adrian last evening. Basically he gave an option of keeping my bed and let me have an off day to see Catherine Amons with Natalie at SGH, where Natalie will be warded. And the warning that whatever method you use, be it psychology or schema therapy, you've got to dig down into the roots of the causes of the schemas and be broken before healing can begin. Interestingly he has no religion. I would have thought he was a member of our church!

The doctor also cannot decide if I should be kept in the hospital any longer. Despite all treatments, I remain enclosed in my own world, my bed is my world, I am self sufficient and there's no way they can drag me out to join them in their activities like craft work. Because I pre-empted that and brought my own water colours and pictures to paint, books to read, and a laptop with a dongle for Broadband on Mobile to continue blogging and Facebooking. I win already lor. Eat also refuse to eat at the common area. So doctor thinks I atill have lots hidden deep down which they do not know and hence can't help me even if I stay on. Yet if I stay on, they hope to dig me inside out and see what's wrong with me.

1030hrs will be the 1st session of the day for craft work. I'm going in to vent my anger on copper plates. Oh, by the way, there is an adorable sand bag here which stands on the ground, a bit like humpty dumpty but with real sand and not air inside. I think the first thing I'm going to do when I get back is to save up for this sand bag!!!

Missing You...

You must all be singing hymns and worshipping God right now, perhaps even time for opening prayer. Who is praying today? Who is doing the communion? The poor contribution? Today's sermon? Wish I could be with you, but even if I were not admitted, I would be blur blur, sleep through the service. Can't even focus on what I'm typing now!!!!!!!!!

Just want to say I miss you and look forward to spending time with you soon!

Be Thou My Vision

Enjoy this song and remember who is your vision. Love SK ;)

Our Need for God-Controlled Emotions

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. (1Peter 4:7)

Strong emotions tempt us to sin.

Since God made us to be in his emotional image, we need to seek to be like him, to express his emotions, not to be led into sin by our emotions.

We must seek to have the "mind of CHrist"

The mind of sinful man is death, but the MIND CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE. ( Roman 8:6)

Your attitude ( mind) should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Phil 2:5)

But we have the MIND OF CHRIST. ( 1 Cor 2:16b)

Now the Lord is the SPirit,, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LOrd, who is the Spirit.

What does it mean to you to "have the mind of Christ"?
IF we take on the mind/thinking/attitude of Christ, we will also respond with his emotions.
To follow Christ, then, is to take on the MIND of Christ.

To take on the MIND of Christ is to take on the emotions of Christ.

God did not give us emotions for them to control us. Instead, he gave us emotions so we could experience and express his nature- that is what following Jesus is all about.

SO we see that we have emotions to

1. experience and express the nature of God
2. experience and realize our need for the power of God( to control those emotions)

IF we don't look to GOd for his power to control our emotions we go one of two ways:

1. we are contolled by emotions
2. we shout down all emotions( which is still a form of being controlled!)

God created us to be like him emotionally.
He reveals himself to us so we know what godly emotions are.
He calls us to follow Jesus and to take on his mind and his emotions.
We are only fulfilled in life if we make this decision.
If we don not follow Jesus, our emotions will control us and lead us into sin.
If we do not follow Jesus, we will miss out on the life God has prepared for us... here and for eternity.

Decide to follow Jesus and look to his Power to bring Godly control to your emotions.

Natalie & I - Update on our condition

Hi Sisters (and brothers who login),

As many of you have received a prayer request this morning, both Natalie and I are not in a very good condition.

Natalie saw her psychiatrist this morning and has been given up to Sunday to settle her kids, thereafter she will be warded to SGH. She is showing signs of mania as she has been violent lately and hitting her kids quite a lot especially the younger one, and she has been splurging on unnecessary stuff.

For my condition, I just saw my doctor last Friday. I don't know if I have problems expressing myself or he has problems understanding my chimology English, he doesn't seem to care that I'm mutilating myself. But when Adrian called him this afternoon, he (the doctor) panicked. I will be seeing him again this Friday, after which he is most likely going to admit me.

So looks like Natalie and I will be out of action for awhile.

We know you'll all be praying for us.

Love you all.

Carol

As a Eunice Sister...

Sis,
Recently I quarrel w my hubby on some small matter. My hubby is a person who doesnt want to express himself. He doesnt show love to me. Ever since he came back from overseas, our lives are v routine. Every night after dinner, he will go to his own world either serve the internet or watch TV. I encouraged him many times to attend some family talks like parenting or marraige workshop. He just rejected me. Sometimes I am q mad w him. Thanks John & Karren, I learnt a lot in the marraige workshop. Sometimes I felt helpless as I know how to improve our marriage but the husband just not willing to work w me. The definition for his love to the family is to earn $ and to provide us w materialised things. But what I want is to spend more time w him and talk deep in our hearts. I asked him to go out have talk but he rather stay at home. If celebrate special occasion, my hubby will bring along my son. I felt like I have resentment towards him.

Soon Keow thanks for your companion. After talking to you, you encouraged me and remind me to be submissive to GOD. I felt I really have to fight against this situation w GOD. I have to be more determined to rely on GOD. Sis...I need your advice on how to be a better wife. If I am not humble, pls let me know! I know when I am not close to GOD, I intend to have a lot of complains & bitterness.

The previous Friday, the lesson was just for me. Karen shared that if the wife likes to complain, it will just ruin their marriage.

Well...I know that I am not fighting alone...Thks sis..I felt so encouraging by your love...

LOVE YOU,
Wendy

About Our Blog

Dear sisters,


I am using a new account, CCCSisterhood to post to InChristAlone. Thus far, some of you have been accessing the blog using InChristAlone's account but I think it may be more appropriate to use your individual account to post. If you prefer, you may choose to use this common account. I will send the password and username to the small group leaders.

Also, please note that after some discussion and feedback from different sisters and (by my conviction) as well, I have decided to revoke this blog back to public domain once more. The reasons are stated below:


- I initially started this blog to encourage a fellow sister, somehow the sister does not access this blog at all. Instead, many other sisters within and without our zone have found this blog very encouraging and inspiring to them. One sister I know had shared about this blog to a non- Christian friend who also found it very encouraging. (Frens who have been following this blog, my apologies that last few weeks, you were unable to access this blog. Please continue to visit our blog and join us as we SHOUT our struggles and praises to God whom we believed is our ONLY source of salvation.

- In the gospel, there was a Samaritan woman who went back to share with everyone about her sinful life and what God had done for her. As a result, the entire village was converted. She had no struggles, whatsoever, about sharing with people about her sins that no longer haunt her. I pray we can be likewise.

On that note, please contact me direct if you find any post to be inappropriate. I will remove the post if need be.The guideline should be that we share things that will inspire, encourage. They include struggles that help pp to be in awe of God, insights, beautiful songs, clips, quiet time, praises to God.

For sisters of the zone, I seek your understanding and support as well. Please post whatever that you feel comfortable in sharing and things that are edifying. And let us pray that through this, God will be glorified.

Till then, we will keep this blog public for the time being.

In Christ

SK