Life Worth Living

Masters in Catholic Theology

2011-08-30T18:03:00.000+08:00

Peace of the Lord be with you all. As some of you might already be aware, Dominic and I have embarked on our Masters in Theology. Yesterday was the 1st day of the course. Unknowingly and without making any prior arrangements we ended up attending the same evening Mass together. There were also other factors that pointed to the fact that we have actually made the right decision. It was not easy to embark on this program due to all the other challenges that we are facing and might continued to face in life.

We need your prayers. Please do lift us up daily.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Catholic: Jesus is Alive

2011-08-27T01:55:00.000+08:00

May the love of the Lord Jesus Christ bless your amazing hearts. I'm glad that I have this opportunity once again to update this blog. it seems that it is been more than a your since I wrote something on this.

nonetheless, it is great to update this blog once again. Now that I've got a new computer maybe I may be more inclined to update this blog or maybe not. well, time will tell.

Just to let you know, Jesus is truly alive and working in our lives even if you do not feel his presence. Let's continue to be faithful to our call just as God is always faithful.

God bless.

Catholic Prayer

2010-03-17T08:26:00.000+08:00

May the love of the Lord Jesus Christ penetrate our hearts today. May He guide and light up our path. May today be a day filled with blessings. May He continue to mold us everyday to his image and likeness. Thank you Jesus for this beautiful day.

Thank you Jesus for giving me the opportunity to reach out to your people today. Holy Spirit guide my words so that it would be filled with your love. Make a difference today, Holy Spirit. Thank you.

Catholic Prayer: The Love of Lent

2010-02-17T09:57:00.002+08:00

Good morning Jesus, I praise and bless your mighty name, the name which is above all other names. It is truly a privilege that you have revealed yourself to me, a nobody. I marvel at your love, a love that knows no boundaries. A love that surpasses all understanding. A love that all of humanity with all its worldly wisdom would never be able to comprehend. So great is your love for unworthy creatures like us. I am truly undeserving of such immense love. Yet you still choose to love me.

Trusting in your love, I come to you as I am because of the simple knowledge that you love me even through I would not be fully able to comprehend the depth of your love. You love me even as a sinner. Thank you Jesus for your unfailing love. There is no meaning in love unless love draws its strength for the source of all love: the Holy Trinity.

As I start lent this year, grant me the grace to dwell into the depths of your love. Reveal your love more and more to me so that I can be mesmerized by your love. May these forty days be days filled with love. Love for the Father. Love for the Son. And love for the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Surprise!!!

2010-02-16T22:11:00.000+08:00

My family got together to give me a surprise birthday celebration today. Thank you all. You made my day.

From My New Home

2010-02-16T21:56:00.002+08:00

Praise the mighty name of Jesus. I am glad to be able to start blogging again. It has been probably three weeks to a month since my last entry. As some of you might be aware I was busy shifting to my new home. The most demanding part of it is now finally over. It is not easy having to work with contractor, electrician, movers, etc. I am glad that most of the difficult tasks of moving this behind me now. Finally, I can go back to the routines of life.

I have to admit that one of the main thing that took a setback due to the moving was my prayer life. I’m not gonna make any excuses and I’m just gonna decide to continue developing my relationship with Jesus.

In a few hours time it’s going to be my birthday. Wow another year has passed by so quickly. Now being at the mid way point of my life all that I can think of is that there is not much time left. At the blink of an eye the earthly life that I am living right now will be gone just like over millions of life that has come and gone. I am wondering whether I would be proud of myself when I look back and read that chapters of my life. More importantly will Jesus be proud of me.

The worldly values that we are confronted with are truly shortsighted. The need for comfort and material wealth seems to be of great interest. As parents providing our children with among the best quality education available seems extremely important. Training the child in other areas such as music, swimming, etc also seems to take the high priority.

While some of these persuits seems rather noble, at this stage of my life I am asking myself are these of utmost importance. When Jesus looks of my book of life is he going to say that he’s proud of me because I have been a good husband and father? Because I’ve provided for the needs of my family? Is he gonna go on to say well done Freddy because you have not only provided for the needs of your family, you have taken another step and provided for their wants?

Well, in my heart of hearts I am rather certain that these things are not gonna make Jesus proud. Even the pagans do all these things. A life without Jesus is a wasted life. I could provide all the needs and even wants of my family but if I don’t impart Jesus to them than it would be a wasted life. I should start focusing on the things of above and on building riches there. These riches that could never be stolen away.

I should be writing more about Jesus in my book of life rather than about myself because it is no longer I who live it is Christ who lives in me.

Catholi Prayer: Rise & Shine

2010-01-11T09:44:00.002+08:00

Thank you Jesus for this glorious morning. Thank you for this new day that you have created. I praise you and glorify you for all the amazing things that you’ve done for me and my family. You are our source of strength. I’m so glad I’m able to depend on you and your faithfulness all the days of my life. I’m glad O Lord that you have given me that the insight to know that living in you and through you is the strongest foundation on which I could live my life by.

Lord Jesus, today I come to you as I am a sinner. I am weak when I try to lead my daily life on my own strength. There are so many temptations all around me and it is so easy to just give in to them. I’m truly weak O Lord. So many times I feel it just throwing in the white flag. To lead the Christian life with my own strength seems impossible. Lord I come to you as I am. And thank you for giving me the knowledge that whatever state that I am in you still love me just as I am. I need your strength O Lord.

Jesus I give you the truth of my heart. Take all this weaknesses that I have and feel it with your strength. I remember the scriptures that say that when I am weak you are strong. Thinking about it while I’ve been constantly using the word strength I’m just starting to realize the power of this simple prayer. The strength of the Lord. I can’t even imagine the magnitude of this simple prayer. Lord I am asking you to fill me with your strength. The strength of that creator of heaven and earth. The strength of the Lord God Almighty. The strength of the Supreme Being. Give me your strength O Lord. Wow… yes. Praise the lord. I am being strengthened at this very moment in your presence.

I surrender my entire self to you. Everything of me Lord I give to you today. Yes O Lord. Take me O Lord and mould me more and more and work your wonders in my life. May your life will be reflected in my life. May my way of thinking and being be entirely yours. So that I could say together with St. Paul that it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.

Thank you Jesus fulfilling me with the Holy Spirit again. Yes Lord continue to fill me now from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. Jesus I want to be penetrated by you. Penetrated to the entire fiber of my being. Yes Lord thank you for starting this humble work in me. Praise the Lord.

Catholic Prayer

2010-01-04T09:36:00.000+08:00

Praise the mighty name of Jesus. It is with great joy, Jesus that I come into your presence this morning. Today I start the new year in which I reach out to as many people as you put in my path. I dedicate today and the rest of the year into your loving arms. As I reach out to others, grant me the grace to reach out with your love. May every opportunity be an occasion where your love can be made manifest.

May this year be a year of great impact as I depend completely on you. You are the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. Everything was created by you. You created us and saw it was very good. Only you are good and since we were created in your image and likeness, we were able to reflect your goodness. Father of Goodness, may your goodness in me radiate through out my entire being. Let it shine O Lord and may your Name be exalted through out the nations. On my on strength I am nothing and I believe that with you all things are possible. Jesus, I trust in You.

Christmas Mass

2009-12-30T09:21:00.000+08:00

Christmas Mass with family & friends at St. Teresa's Church.

Catholic Prayer: Morning Cry Unto the Lord

2009-12-30T09:02:00.000+08:00

Praise the mighty name of Jesus. Jesus, thank you for giving me another day to just bless your holy name. You are the creator of all things. As I carry on with my day’s activities today let me be reminded of your creation. The simple things in life that I have come to take for granted, be it the clouds in the sky or the trees that I walk pass everyday. May these simple things in life remind me of you.

Today, Jesus I come to you as I am a sinner, a truly weak person when I try to live life with my own strength. The lures of the world are too enticing for me. I am weak O Lord. I need you today more than ever and I come to you as I am.

I give you O Lord the truth of my heart. I am feeling rather tired today. I was woken up to six in the morning and I wonder why? I do not have any morning appointment today and I could have slept until a later time. As I sit in the balcony of my home and praise your holy Name, at a distance I notice an eagle soaring in the sky. It reminds me that the eagle continues to soar every day of its life whether it feels like it or not, in season and out of season. This teaches me Lord that I’ve got to continue to depend on you and that indwelling of the Holy Spirit in my life everyday.

Lord Jesus I surrender my entire life into your hands are once again this morning. Take my life O Lord and remove all negativity, all tiredness and everything that hinders me from drawing myself closer and closer to you. Only you know what is good for me. Only you can offer me eternal life. Cultivate my entire being, O Lord, so that I’ll be able to inherit the home in heaven that you have prepared for me.

Fill me with the Holy Spirit once again. I want to be saturated with you from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. Make a difference in my life again Holy Spirit. Come on the spirit come. Take charge, take control of my life. Only you can make me a whole. Do your work in the right now. I want to live a life led by the Holy Spirit. Thank you Holy Spirit. Thank you for filling me up and refreshing me again this morning. Amen.

Making a Different in Bandung, Indonesia

2009-12-25T11:12:00.000+08:00

One of the greatest gift that Jesus has given me during this Christmas season is the joy of reaching out to about 170 youth in Bandung, Indonesia. The love of God for all humanity was clearly evident during the five days program. The participants came on the first day weary and bogged down by the demands of life. On the last day they left as champions with hearts filled with love.

The participants recognized that we, created in the image and likeness of God, are filled with goodness as all goodness comes from God the Father of Goodness. They recognized that we were born to be winners and that we are to live the life that God has given us to the fullest. This is possible when we learn how to love ourselves just as God loves us.

Besides loving ourselves, we also had to learn how to love others. Loving others is in a way of reflection of how we love ourselves. It is sometimes difficult to love others when we do not love ourselves. Loving others also requires the need to be true to others. This is often difficult as we do not want to hurt others or by any chance create a negative impact on the friendship. Nonetheless, true friendship is when we recognize that the friend is more important than the friendship. While many of us recognize this, it is not something that is easy to practice even with close friends. Hence, the environment was created for them to be true to each other and I’m glad that many of them took the opportunity to do so.

Loving others was brought another step forward when we recognized the importance of loving our parents. Many a time as we go through life especially during our teenage years, there is a tendency to take for granted all the sacrifices that our parents have done for us. We need to always be grateful for what they’ve done for us and what they will continue to do for us. I think one would never recognize the depth of the love of parents until we ourselves become a parent one day. That is what I experience in my life. Only when I became a father I recognized the love that a person would have for another. He was only then that I recognized that kind of sacrifices to one person will be willing to do for another. The participants realized the love that their parents have for them and how much they truly love them.

Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be part of this camp.

Christmas Joy

2009-12-25T09:35:00.000+08:00

Heavenly father I praise you on this joyful day. At creation itself when Adam and Eve fell into sin you have already planned to save humanity by humbling yourself as a child in the human form, fragile and vulnerable. So great is your love that you do not even hesitate to redeem us from sin.

I rejoice with all the angels and saints who are rejoicing in heaven right now. Thinking about it the rejoicing probably goes on for eternity in heaven. Father, your love is everlasting. Help me comprehend some of its depth so that I’ll grow closer and closer in love with your son Jesus.

Jesus, thank you for willingly coming to earth as an infant child more than 2000 years ago. As a child you were totally helpless and dependant on the help of others. By the amazing act, you are teaching me how to be totally dependant on you. We are the children of our heavenly father. Just as joy captured my heart at the knowledge that my wife was pregnant nearly four years ago, I am flabbergasted at the thought of the joy that must have filled your eternal being when you had the plan of my birth for the longest time. You love me so much that you even know the number of hairs on my body. Being a hairy Indian, wow, Father that is truly amazing. Hahahaha.

Because of the amazing love of the Father and the Son I’m able to come to you today as I am sinful and sorrowful. I am weak O Lord. It is impossible for me to walk the Christian walk on my own. I give you Lord the truth of my heart. Any negative emotions that I’m feeling I lay it at the foot of the cross. I surrender my life completely into your hands. Every part of me, I open it up totally to you. Take control of my life O Lord. I have been controlling it for a very long time and I’ve been doing a terrible job. By my own strength, I am weak. By your strength, I am complete.

Feel me again with your Holy Spirit. I need more and more of you. I need your love. I need your joy. I need your peace. Transform me O Lord. Only you can make the transformation in me. Only you can truly change me completely. Thank you Jesus for the joy that you are feeling my heart with on this blessed Christmas Day. Amen.

Catholic Prayer: Rise & Shine

2009-12-20T09:27:00.002+08:00

Good morning Jesus, I want to praise and bless your holy name. It is a joy to wake up and at the moment of awakening to think about you. Thank you for granting me the grace to recognize that you are the most important person in my life. Your love for me never ends and you even decided to die for me when I was your enemy. A man would be willing to give up his life for a good friend but to expect one to give up his life for an enemy is unthinkable. Yet you chose to do it for me. Hence, when you tell me to love my enemy, it is not something that you have not done. In fact, you have led by example.

Lord, sometimes I even find it difficult to love my friends let alone love my enemies. I am weak oh Lord, in my attempts to what this Christian life with my own strength. The more I try with my own strength, the more I end up in failure. I am weak oh Lord. I am unable to walk this Christian life by my own strength.

I come to you oh Lord just as I am because you love me abundantly. It is only by your love that I will be able to love others as you love me. Fill me one more time with your spirit of love. Fill me to overflowing. As you penetrate and radiate true my entire being I’m sure with your life in me I’m able to reflect your unfailing love. Thank you Jesus.

Training in Bandung, Indonesia

2009-12-19T08:36:00.000+08:00

I'll be in Bandung (near Jakarta), Indonesia until 23rd December 2009. There are nearly 200 participants in the progam that I'm training in and there are two programs current concurrently. In other words, a total of 400 participants. I pray for God's blessings on all of them and for an infilling of the Holy Spirit to empower me during all the sessions.

Catholi Prayer: Rise & Shine

2009-12-15T09:57:00.002+08:00

Lord Jesus Christ, good morning. I come into your presence today reminded once again of your glorious love. Thank you for your unfailing love. Thank you for your unconditional love. My human concept of love is so limited oh Lord that I draw strength from you to really comprehend what love actually is. In you there is fullness of love. I could only depend on you to understand the true meaning and depth of love. Nonetheless I come to you as I am because you love me and I look at you discover more and more of your love each and every day.

I give to you today the truth of my heart. All my limitations, all my shortcomings and all my sins I lay them all at the foot of you cross knowing that you love me just as I am. I see you embracing me right now with your loving arms and as you embrace me your love just radiates my entire being. It reminds me of the source of my life. It is you. It is you.

I surrender my entire life into your hands once again today. All my thoughts, emotions and feelings of every kind, I surrender them completely to you. Direct and control my life oh Lord, as a surrender it fully to you.

Fill me anew with your Holy Spirit. Yes Lord do it one more time. Come and feel me up to overflowing. Let your love just radiate my entire being. Lord I am only a branch, you are the vine. I trust in you completely for my growth. I hope to be able to echo the words of St. Paul that it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me. Amen.

Scripture Studies: Phil 4:4-7

2009-12-14T13:23:00.002+08:00

Phil 4:4-7

⁴ Always be joyful, then, in the Lord; I repeat, be joyful.

⁵ Let you good sense be obvious to everybody. The Lord is near.

⁶ Never worry about anything; but tell God all your desires of every kind in prayer and petition shot through with gratitude,

⁷ and the peace of God which is beyond our understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

At Mass, yesterday we heard the above Bible passage as the second reading. This is indeed an interesting writing of Paul to the Phillipians. Hence, I just wanted to take some time to reflect and expound on the passage.

I’m sure we all have come across this scripture passage a number of times as we journey in our Christian walk. While it might be tempting to just glance over it, I think it would do us a lot of good if we seriously apply this passage into our Christian walk.

In Phil 4:4 Paul tells us to be joyful and he went on to repeat it again, be joyful, as if it was a complex statement that he was making. Be joyful –what could be so difficult or complex about the statement that he had to repeat it again. Upon reflection I suppose he understood that this simple message of joy is not something that people would be easily ready to embrace.

How in the world can we be joyful? Come on let’s get serious. Look at all the challenges and problems that we face even on a daily basis. If you’re working person, there are so many meetings to attend, datelines to meet. We are in a rush all the time. Time never seems to be enough. We don’t even have enough time for our own. Having time for our own is a luxury rather than a norm.

If you are a homemaker, how in the world can there be joy. Keeping the home clean and taking care of the children is so demanding. Wanting our children to have an early start via various enrichment courses so as to also ensure that they are not left behind creates a huge amount of stress. Imagine the stress that parents go through in order to get their children into a good school. It is not unheard of that parents shift home so that their new place will be closer to the school of their choice and hence the probability of getting into the school would be higher. What joy can there be in such a stressful life that we lead?

Let’s take a look at students. Almost everyone would agree that the education system in Singapore is very stressful. Many parents pity their child because of the amount of homework that they have to do and in the process the high stress that they face from an early age. Where can there be joy in all this?

Paul probably did not even have a small glimpse of the kind of lives that we will be leading in the future when he made that statement about 2000 years ago. He was unreasonable to expect us to be joyful at all times. He was demanding for something that is practically impossible. Thanks Paul for your suggestion. I suppose the intention of your heart is truly to be admired. Thanks but sorry your suggestion does not work in today’s context.

Wait! Let us do some background check. Where was Paul when he was writing this letter to the Phillipians? He was actually in prison. He was in the dungeons. His hands and his legs were probably in chains. He was probably very smelly not having taken a shower for a few days. His life was completely restricted and he was in so much discomfort. Yet in such an atrocious situation he is crying out to the Phillipians to be joyful. How can a man in so much distress be filled with joy so much so that he is able to spread the message of joy? Where did this joy come from?

If we take a look at that verse once again we realize that the joy comes from the Lord because he tells us to always be joyful in the Lord. In other words, when we are in the Lord there is fullness of joy. No situation, circumstances or demands of our lives could ever rob us from this joy that comes from the Lord as long as we are in the Lord. What does it mean to be ‘in the Lord’?

The scripture tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all else shall be added onto us. In other words to be in the Lord means to seek the Lord on a daily basis and to pray for the continuous infilling of the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit alive in us, in season and out of season, day in and day out, we can claim that we are in the Lord.

The scripture tells us that those who are led by the Spirit, are the children of God. And to be led by the Spirit we need to be in the Lord by being in the Holy Spirit. This is possible by praying for the infilling of the Holy Spirit everyday. How do we know that we are in the spirit? Just look at the fruits. Are the fruits of the Holy Spirit being displayed abundantly in our lives? That would be the surest gauge of us being in the Lord is one of the fruit of the Spirit is joy.

.... to be continued

Catholic Prayer: Rise & Shine

2009-12-14T08:41:00.002+08:00

Praise be the mighty name of Jesus for another glorious day he has created. I come to you with joy this morning a joy that only you can give. I sing praises to your holy name and it is indeed a privilege to be called your son, heir of the kingdom. A sonship so undeserving and yet you so lovingly bestowed it on me a sinner. Your love for me is everlasting even when I drove myself far away from you. You were there patiently and lovingly awaiting my return. So great is your love that even when I sin and fall while you hate my sin you continue to love me.

Would I in my earthly life ever comprehend the depth of your love? I think probably not. But Lord I pray that you grant me the grace to start to slowly but surely understand your infinite love. Reveal it to me oh Lord. Let me get to know you more and more. Let me get to understand at least some depth of your love. Jesus you are love. There will be no purpose nor meaning in life if I do not understand your love. Jesus you said draw close to me and I will draw close to you. Today Lord as I take another step closer to you, I know in my spirit that you are taking a thousand steps closer to me. Praise the mighty name of Jesus for his love endures forever.

Holy Spirit come and fill my heart again with your love. Oh come Holy Spirit and kindle in me the fire of your love. Fan the sparks in my heart into a big flame, a flame that is engulfed with the love of Jesus. Jesus you love me so much you filled me with the same spirit that dwelled in you. Thank you God for being in me right now. With God in me all things are possible. Praise the Lord Amen.

Catholic Families: Celebrating Aileen & Gilbert's 3rd Baby

2009-12-13T10:15:00.000+08:00

Yesterday evening we had the joy of gathering at the home of Aileen & Gilbert. It was to celebrate their 3rd child. It was great to meet some of the people who were involved in youth ministry together. Now we are all with family and kids. Wow, you should have seen the number of kids running around.

Aileen & Gilbert shared with us the initial scare they had when they found out from the doctor that the child might not be growing properly in the womb and there is the possibility of some complications. They started seeking the Lord Jesus Christ earnestly and at a prayer meeting they attended, they received a prophetic message that Jesus would take care of the child. Praise God for his faithfulness. They received a healthy child from Jesus.

Catholic Prayer: Rise & Shine

2009-12-13T09:56:00.002+08:00

Good morning Jesus, thank you for this brand new day. Your glory shines on this day you have created. I think of your love. I think of your goodness. A great morning indeed you have created. What joy it is to come into your presence and to be your presence every moment of the day. What greater joy is there in life than to dwell with you all the days of my life. Praise you and glorify you and magnify you. All glory and honour and power belongs to you for even and ever. Lord, I dedicate this day into your hands. Mold and refine me so that I would walk closer and closer to you.

Catholic Prayer: Rise & Shine

2009-12-12T08:20:00.001+08:00

Good morning Jesus, I run to you today knowing that the fullness of love comes from you. What joy it is to be in your presence and to know that you truly love me. I praise and worship your holy Name, the Name above all other Names, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. I sing glory to holy Name and honour to your holy Name. I love to be in your presence and sing joyfully of of glorious Name. You are the lily of the valley, the bright morning star.

I run into your presence and I come with the knowledge that you love for me is everlasting. Where can I hide from the love? Or rather why should I ever hide from your love? You have a plan for me and I thank you especially for preparing for me a glorious home in heaven.

I give to you oh Lord the truth of my heart. All the negative emotions I’m experiencing or will experience today I lay it at the foot of your cross. Why should I even want to carry all this negativity when you’ve clearly told me to cast all my burdens unto you for you careth for me.

I surrender myself totally into your unfailing love. Not only parts of my life but my entire being. Let your light shining in the dark areas of my life and remove everything that is not of you.

Fill me with your spirit Lord, and let me live in the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Feel my heart with love, peace and joy. Let me continue to experience the fruits of your Holy Spirit all the days of my life.

Thank you Lord for loving me a sinner.

Catholic Charismatic Meeting

2009-12-11T23:33:00.001+08:00

Went down to Lady of Lourdes Church today for the prayer meeting. My wife, Sandra, has been going there regularly as she enjoys the praise and worship there. Today was the last prayer meeting of the year and it was praise cum food.

Towards the end, they got the children to go up and sing. I heard from Sandra it's a very kids friendly place. God Bless.

Sorry for the blurrrr photo.

Catholic Prayer: Rise & Shine

2009-12-11T08:05:00.003+08:00

Thank you Jesus for this glorious day. I seek you as I rise up this morning knowing that all creation came into being because of you. As the sun never ceases to shine every morning, you love for me is also statefast from generation to generation. Even before creation I was already in your plan. Hence, Lord, I come to you as I am knowing that you love for me is everlasting. I lift up to you the truth of my heart, all my sins and all my shortcomings knowing that only you can forgive me and set me free. You take my sins and cast it away as far as that east is from the west, never remembering them ever again. Remove oh Lord all have guilt feelings from my heart as I know when the Son sets me free, I am free indeed.

Lord I surrender my entire life into your hands. Let your light shine into the areas of darkness in my life. So that I could boldly proclaim like St. Paul that it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me. Fill me anew with your Holy Spirit Lord. May he search my heart and mold me every day into your image and likeness. Continue oh Lord to guide me closer are closer to you.

Catholic Reflection: Christmas Love

2009-12-10T23:19:00.000+08:00

It is just two weeks to Christmas and I’m sitting down and asking myself what is Christmas really to me? Just going down Orchard road it seems that all of Singapore is celebrating Christmas. Yes, Christmas has become a commercial time. Even non Christians are soaking in the atmosphere of the festive season. And it just seems like one of any other celebrations in Singapore. During Hari Raya Puasa, Geylang Serai glitters with light. During Depavali, little India is glittering and during Chinese New Year Chinatown becomes alive. It seems like different parts of Singapore a set aside to mark a festive season. Orchard road being the major shopping belt in Singapore gets a lot of attention throughout the year and the decorative lights of Christmas probably makes it even more exciting.

It is easy to get caught up with the hustle and bustle of the season. Buying gifts for loved ones seems to take the top priority as everyone rushes around to ensure they get a pleasing gift. Next, we’ll be all the parties that either we host or we get invited to. Amid all the rush, I wonder whether I’ve missed out on the true meaning of Christmas. To be honest, there were times that I missed out on the true joy of Christmas.

Jesus is the reason for the season. Without Jesus any Christmas gathering is just a social event without any true purpose. At this Christmas, I now reflect on God the Father’s great love for each and every one of us individually. We were trapped in sin and there was no way out. It was in the divine plan of god, from the beginning of time to set us completely free from this bondage to sin. His ultimate plan of love is that he should humble himself and come in to the world as one of his created being. Imagine The King of Kings the Lord of Lords, the creator of the entire universe who created it out of nothingness should humble himself and come as a child fragile and totally dependant on others.

The depth of his love we were never fully understood. Imagine a King allowing his only son to be borned among the poorest of the poor and even that illustration would be a very weak comparison to how much God humbled himself for us. I suppose I will never be fully able to comprehend the depth of his love. Are we missing out on the true meaning of Christmas? I think I have been missing out on it.

God grant me the grace to understand some depth of your love as I wait expectantly for the coming of Jesus into my heart this Christmas.

Catholic Evangelization: Bring Your Friends Back

2009-12-10T20:59:00.000+08:00

I’m sure you have come across people who have stopped going to church. What is interesting is that there are different categories of people if I may categorize them. There is probably the extreme group that has renounced their faith all together. They stop believing that God exists. There is another group that continues to believe that God exists. At the same time they have chosen to stop going to church. Let’s focus on the second group.

Today, I meet an interesting friend. All along I knew she was a catholic and I just assumed she was a practicing catholic. While we were having a chat this afternoon she revealed to me that she does not go to church anymore. It is not that she does not believe in Jesus but rather she didn’t see the need of going to church. She told me that Jesus is a friend to her and she speaks to him yet strangely she has chosen to stop going to church. I discovered that although the entire family is catholic only her mother still goes to church. She told me she is very close to her mother and her mother has actually express concerns that she stopped going to church. Well, I wonder whether she’s inspired to return to church or not. I later found out that he was not even planning to go to church for Christmas.

I suppose that this incident that I encountered this afternoon is not something uncommon. I’m sure you have probably come across people in the same situation. And sadly some of these people when they go back to church once in awhile they are among the first in the queue to receive holy communion not knowing that they are in the state of mortal sin. What is truly disappointing is their unformed conscience. All the years of catechism probably did not help much. They have learned about Jesus just like nonbelievers who also know about Jesus yet they choose not to fully embrace him.

This is the reason why it is important to re-evangelize the church. If we leave the situation as it is do not be too shocked that a hundred years from now, the church in Asia would be a reflection of the church in other parts of the world where only a few elderly people attend Mass.

Hence, it is our responsibility as given by Jesus to go out there and make a difference in the lives of people around us. Reflect Jesus to them by the way we lead our lives. Speak to them about Jesus and guide them the way home. We can truly make a difference through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless.

Catholic Family: The Joy of having a Child

2009-12-10T10:07:00.003+08:00

Thank you Lord for the joy of a Catholic family.

Catholic Prayer: Rise & Shine

2009-12-10T09:13:00.001+08:00

Good morning Jesus and thank you for this glorious day. As the sun rises every morning I am reminded of your love. It reminds me of your creation, where you created something out of nothing. And on the sixth day, you create that man and you thought it was very good. Indeed it was very good until we allowed sin to enter our world.

But so great is your love that you wanted to set us free from sin and that was only possible by sending your Son to pay the ultimate price for us. Oh what amazing love, what amazing love. You allowed your only beloved son to die for us all on the cross. A brutal death he had to face. Not a death due to his own wrongdoings but rather a death for my sins. Thank you God my father for loving me so much that you are willing to send your son to pay the ultimate price for me. You are indeed love as scripture tells us God is love.

Making A Comeback

2009-12-10T01:17:00.002+08:00

Well, I think it is time to make a comeback. I started this blog a number of years back but as you can see the number of entries has dwindled tremendously. I could cite a variety of reasons for it such as not having enough time, not knowing what to write, and I suppose many others. It is easy to find an excuse when we need one. So I’m not going to dwell on all the possible reasons why I have not been updating my blog. I’m gonna have another go at this and I know the main challenge will be being consistent.

I am inspired to restart blogging hoping that it will be able to reach out to as many people out there s possible. I still have fond memories of friends tell me how much they appreciated some of my entries. I hope and I pray and I suppose we all are going to see how far this building is going to go. HA HA HA HA HA.

I hope you pray for me so that this site will be able to inspire others in their journey here on earth before they reach the heavenly glory that God the almighty has prepared for all of us.

I was thinking of categorizing my entries into areas such as catholic reflection, Bible study, catholic renewal and others. I’ve not finalized it at the moment but rather than looking at how to make this a possibility by touching on different aspects of our Christian journey.

Oh Holy Spirit come and fill me know. Be my inspiration. Be my source of strength. If this is a tool that you want me to use on a regular basis inspire me with your thoughts and guide me to blog about it on a regular basis. Amen.

Amplify at St Peter & Paul

2009-08-13T00:36:00.002+08:00

Hi all,

Get yourself ready for an amazing session on 'Family - Where is the love'. Be ready to be empowered.

Praise God I'm able to make it to deliver the session.

He has set the doors wide apart... open ... for you to come in.

I've been in the Charismatic Renewal for the longest time dealing with the youth but have have hardly heard a taly on the family. Time to make the change.

- St Peter & Paul.
- 7.30 pm

See you there.

Freddy

Amplify in the City

2008-09-13T00:57:00.006+08:00

Dear Friends,

Were you there 2nite? It was amazing!!!

More than 500 youth / young adult were there 2nite just praising God. Wonderful worship led by Kevin Kong and the worship team. If you are not aware, Kevin and his better half spent abt a year in the United States to hone in into their God given musical talents. It was amazing to seem him lead the crowd into an wonderful time of worship. Wow, it was just... mmmm .... just marvellous! I mean... I have been out of touch with all the latest songs in the P&W arena but there I was singing as if I have known it for the longest time. Well, I suppose it was bec he was easily able to lead us to our maker.

The preacher for the nite was Leonard Koh. I knew him from his younger days as a teen passionate abt God and at the same time looking up at us from Youth Praise Ministry. Today I look up at him as he has grown to be an amazing preacher of the Word of God. The way he expounded on the Word was ... WOW! I have not heard such wonderful preaching for a long long time.

It was truly inspiring to see a laity having such deep insights on the Word and being able to deliver the Word as he did. Delivery is the key. You might have an average message but the way you deliver it makes a whole lot of difference. Leonard has learnt the art.

Another remarkable thing was that this was a youth laity event ran by the youth laity for the youth laity. Mmm... Amplify seems to have learnt the art of attracting the youth.

Meet them at the Catholic Spirituality Centre on Fridays. CSC actually sponsored the entire event. Praise God!

Missing Information

2008-08-29T12:46:00.001+08:00

I was playing around with my template and it seems that I have lost some links. So sorry about that.

Amplify in the City

2008-08-29T12:10:00.001+08:00

Jessica 6th Mth

2007-04-08T04:19:00.000+08:00

Hi Again

2007-04-08T02:21:00.001+08:00

Wow! I did not realise that it has been more than a month since I last blogged. March was a really busy month for me. Well... but busy is good... it means being able to provide more for my family.

If you did not know by now, I have changed job I have left MOE to join Adam Khoo Learning Tachnologies Groups. The decision was not easy and at the same time not that tough either. I just happen to come across too many teachers who are dissillutioned and at the same time dedicated. So much so that they are willing to spend the rest of their lives in the system.

As for myself, on the other hand, I decided otherwise. I don't want to look back 20 years from now, if I am alive till then, and tell myself what if... what if... I have chosen another path. I think it is better for me to venture out and find out for myself rather than be in the state I just mentioned.

Don't get me wrong. Students were great... being in a junior college... the system has already got rid of all the trouble makers in secondary school. It is just the rigidity of it all.. it just does not gel with my personality type.

More details another time. Happy Easter, one and all.

Joy & Prayer

2007-02-22T18:47:00.000+08:00

One day a novice in Rome came to me. She was crying. I asked her, "What is the matter?"

She had just come back from a family and said, "Mother, I have never seen such suffering. They had nothing in the house. There was this terrible sickness, the terrible cancer, and I could do nothing. Please allow me to do a little bit of extra penance. I want to share in that suffering."

She was a young sister, scarcely three years in our congregation, but it was painful for her to see the suffering of the others.

Joy is prayer, Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. God loves a cheerful giver. He gives most who gives with joy. The best way to show our gratitude to God and the people is to accept everything with joy. A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of Christ risen.

This I tell my sisters. This I tell you.

~ Mother Teresa

Chinese New Year

2007-02-18T12:18:00.000+08:00

Happy CNY to one and all. Hope your days will be filled with red packets. Hahaha.

It is a great time of the year once again, for family members and extended family members and friends to come together and to share love with one another. Have we ever wondered what is the best way to share love? Some of us share love by winning money from each other… well not everyone is going to feel loved especially the one who goes back with an empty pocket. Hahaha… I know, it has happened to me before. So what is the best way to share love?

Frankly, I am still on the road of discovery and look forward to find more insights to the question. As of now, I feel that one of the best ways to share love is to PRAISE. Yes, praise.

Go and say something good to someone. It would make a whole lot of difference to the person. In a society that is filled with negativism, you have an opportunity to make a positive change is a person’s life. No matter how blatantly the negative aspects of the person may be staring at your face, search out for the positive one and praise the person.

Praise will do marvels. Test it out for yourself and you will be amazed.

Hearts On Fire

2007-02-11T23:40:00.000+08:00

There is a first time for everything and yesterday we experienced the first rally organized by the NUS Catholic Students’ Society outside the confines of its campus.

In a bold step to reach out as many youth and young adults as possible, NUS CSS decided to bring an interesting twist to its annual Catholic Awareness Week. Catholic Awareness Week was never done on such a grand and large scale as it was this year. It is really heartening to see our NUS catholic students on fire with the love of God and the intense desire to share the love with others.

The climax of the Catholic Awareness Week was the rally ‘Hearts on Fire’ held at Catholic Junior College Arts Centre. As early as 6 p.m. a huge crowd was already gathered at the centre waiting for the doors of the auditorium to open. By the time the doors opened already three quarters of the auditorium was filled and by the time the rally started the auditorium was filled to its maximum capacity.

More than 800 excited and enthusiastic youth and young adults spent an awesome time of praise and worship with the worship team from SACCRE Youth. They were led from the gates to the courts and into the holy of holies where they encountered the immense love of the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit. Their hearts were set ablaze on fire with the Love of God, a love that goes beyond our comprehension.

After the praise and worship, we had the privilege to hear the testimony of Theresa and Jeremy. Therese shared on how she experienced the love of God in a recent mission trip and how it has transformed her relationship with her family members, friends and herself. Jeremy shared on how despite having a medical condition, the love of God drives him on regardless of the setbacks he faces in life.

Rev. Fr. Simon Pereira, CSsR, was the preacher for the night. His immense interaction with the youth was immediately evident from the moment he started. He understands the challenges that the youth today face and was able to relate to them. At the same time, the importance of the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of each and everyone of us was strongly put across. ‘Our hearts need to be on fire for Christ,’ he said.

This was followed by a time of Eucharistic adoration followed by healing. The Power of God moved strongly in the hearts of us all. Praise be the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you NUS CSS for going out of your comfort zone and making it possible for us to experience God in a powerful way.

Ultimate Power

2007-02-01T15:12:00.000+08:00

We are given the ultimate power in life. Yes, it’s free will. With this free will, if we were to just sit down for a while and reflect, we would realize that free will ultimately gives us the power of choice.

Everyday we make choices. Each morning when we wake up we have two choices. We can choose to be in a good mood or we can choose to be in a bad mood. What choices have we been making every morning when we wake up? Or do we not even realize that we have a choice and just go through the routine of daily life and let the events of the day influence our mood?

Each time something bad happens, we can choose to be a victim or we can choose to learn from it. How did we respond to the events of today? Did we choose to learn from it? Every time someone comes to us complaining, we can choose to accept their complaining or we can point out the positive side of life. What did we choose to do? I choose the positive side of life.

Is it easy? Yes, it is. Life is all about choices. When we go into the core of the situation we are in, every situation presents us with a choice. We choose how we react to situations. We choose how people will affect our mood. We choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. At the end of the day, it’s our choice how we live life.

So what choices are we making today?

Words of Wisdom

2007-02-01T11:13:00.000+08:00

"What we need is to love without getting tired. How does a lamp burn? Through the continuous input of small drops of oil. What are these drops of oil in our lamps? They are the small things of daily life: faithfulness, small words of kindness, a thought for others, our way of being silent, of looking, of speaking, and of acting. Do not look for Jesus away from yourselves. He is not there; He is in you. Keep your lamp burning and you will recognize Him."

-- Mother Teresa

Say A Prayer

2007-02-01T10:54:00.000+08:00

There may be times when we wake up in the morning and things aren't the way we had wished they would be. Say a prayer and we will know that things will get better.

There may be times when people dissappoint us or maybe even we dissappoint ourselves. Say a prayer and keep life focused on believing in ourselves.

There will be challenges to face and changes to make in our lives. Because the challenges and changes will only help us to move closer towards our goals and to tap into the great potential within us.

Always remember it is not the event that determines the outcome, it's our response to the event that ultimately determines it.

Say a prayer and let the spirit guide us.

Lessons From Failure

2007-01-15T22:39:00.000+08:00

Lord, are you trying to tell me something?For...

Failure does not mean I'm a failure;It does mean I have not yet succeeded.

Failure does not mean I have accomplished nothing;It does mean I have learned something.

Failure does not mean I have been a fool;It does mean I had enough faith to experiment.

Failure does not mean I have disgraced;It does mean I have dared to try.

Failure does not mean I don't have it;It does mean I have something to do in a different way.

Failure does not mean I am inferior;It does mean I am not perfect.

Failure does not mean I have wasted my life;It does mean that I have an excuse to start over.

Failure does not mean that I should give up;It does mean that I should try harder.

Failure does not mean that I will never make it;It does mean that I need more practice.

Failure does not mean that you have abandoned me;It does mean that you must have a better idea.

Mary Magdalene

2006-12-27T19:47:00.000+08:00

For most of her days and nights, Mary Magdalene's life had been a mess!

If she was alive today, she might be a resident of a mental institution. The reason I think that is because the Gospels record she was inhabited by seven demons. Mary Magdalene could also have been deeply depressed and suicidal as well.

Mary had no hope for a bright future and was probably deeply ashamed of the way she was living. Trapped in a sinister lifestyle, she couldn't rise above what she had become -- a deeply troubled woman rejected by most people. But then everything changed instantly!

She met Jesus one day and He did not reject her like almost everyone else did! In fact, He welcomed her and gave her the best gift of all -- the gift of a brand-new life. She found -- to her great joy -- that she had peace of mind instead of tormenting thoughts! The degrading passions that drove her unmercifully were replaced by a deep self-sacrificing love for other people and especially for Jesus! What a transformation! When Jesus gave her a brand-new life, He probably gave her a number of true friends as well -- including some other loving women.

They along with Mary Magdalene ministered to Jesus and His friends. Soon personal tragedy overwhelmed her! Jesus -- her Savior and Leader -- was arrested, convicted and nailed to a Roman cross beside two criminals.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two wealthy and highly respected Jewish leaders, exposed themselves to public ridicule by giving Jesus an honorable burial in Joseph's own new tomb. Crucified criminals were often thrown into a common burial pit. These two men tenderly took Jesus down from the cross and carried His body to the cave tomb. They wrapped His corpse around and around with yards of expensive linen material saturated with ointments and sweet-smelling spices. The ointment acted as a kind of glue which transformed the long cloth into a cocoon. Then they laid Him in the tomb and rolled a large stone over the entrance.

Mary Magdalene and her friends went home and rested when the sun went down that day in order to kept the Sabbath that began at sundown, so they didn't have time to anoint Jesus's body themselves. However, early the next morning while the sun was just rising, Mary Magdalene and her friends brought sweet spices to add their spices to Jesus's burial wrappings. While they journeyed to the cave, they questioned among themselves who would roll the stone away since it was too heavy for them. Imagine how astonished they were when they arrived at the cave to discover the huge stone had already been moved!

Deeply disturbed, she discovered the body of her Lord was gone. Mary Magdalene quickly found Simon Peter, who had betrayed the Lord, and John. She broken-heartedly announced, that they have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher and they don't know where they have taken Him!

Immediately Peter and John rushed to the tomb to see what had happened while Mary followed at a distance. Since John was younger, he outran Peter and arrived at the tomb first. John didn't go into the tomb, but Peter did. A wondrous sight awaited their gaze! The linen wrappings wound so tightly around Jesus's body were still on the shelf where His body had been, but the long burial cloth had collapsed without being unwound.

Most amazing of all, Jesus's body was no longer in the mummy cocoon. No one had unwrapped the glued together layers of cloth! The resurrected body of Jesus had simply passed right on through the burial shroud! When John observed the collapsed mummy cocoon, he believed Jesus had risen from the dead from the evidence right before his eyes!

Peter and John left the cave, but Mary Magdalene stayed behind. She was deeply grieved since she still thought Jesus's body had been taken away. However, her grief soon turn to ecstatic joy when not long afterwards she was visited by Jesus Himself!

This is how she met the risen Lord face to face. First -- as she turned to go home, she noticed a man standing in the garden near the empty tomb who she assumed was the gardener. Put yourself in her place and imagine the glorious thrill that came to her heart when Jesus gently called her by her own name -- "Mary!" It was then that she recognized her risen Lord!

Jesus gave to Mary the awesome commission of telling His disciples this earth-shaking news -- He is alive forever! And Mary Magdalene became an evangelist to the apostles.

Jessica Again

2006-11-21T21:34:00.000+08:00

Sori... can't help it

she can swim... yes!
her play pan... yes I know it's rather big. Mummy likes big size.... u know why she got me... hahahah

Learning From David

2006-11-20T12:51:00.000+08:00

The story of David's victory over Goliath has inspired millions of people to believe that, even though the odds were against them, they could win. It is the story of a young shepherd boy who no one had ever heard of, but who defeated a giant with a single stone from his sling, and who rocketed to fame, fortune, and success.

We might think that David was simply lucky. Maybe he just happened to be at the right place at the right time. But are there things we can we learn from David that will help us do what he did? Can we learn from David's victory over Goliath how we can slay our own giants and become overnight successes?

Build Your Confidence - Face The Daily Challenges

When the king told David that he would not be able to defeat Goliath, David answered, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:34-37)

David's confidence that he could defeat Goliath came from having overcome similar challenges while simply working for his father. Because David had learned to trust God in his day-to-day life, just doing his job, he had developed the faith to overcome any challange. Becoming an overnight success requires that we have confidence when our big opportunity comes. That confidence is built over time as we learn to trust God and overcome our daily challenges.

Face The Criticism

In 1 Samuel 17:28 it says, "When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, 'Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.'

When we realize that Eliab had just spent forty days being afraid of Goliath, it's easy to understand why he got so upset when his little brother said, "I'll kill him." Eliab was embarrassed that David had more faith and courage than he did, and it was Eliab's doubt and fear that made him so angry with David. In order for us to become overnight successes, we will have to learn how to face criticism. And even if the people closest to us are the harshest critics, we need to understand that the fears that have kept them from pursuing their dreams can cause them to be hard on us.

'A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her.'

David Brinkley

Use Your Creativity - Face The Giant

When David first announced that he would kill Goliath, he probably didn't know how he was going to do it. As we read the story we see that he tried to wear the king's armor, but realized that it would not work (1 Samuel 17:38-39). But something that we learn from David through this incident is that it's ok to make mistakes, as long as we don't go too far. Once we realize something isn't working, we need to change what we're doing. We don't have to give up on our dream; we just need to change how we have been trying to reach it.

We will need to be creative and use our strengths if we want to become overnight successes. The king's armor would have been fine for the king, but not for David. Instead, David looked at his experience and skills, trusted in God, and found a solution to his gigantic challenge by using his sling.

Prepare For The Long Haul - Face The Facts

There was an interview with a famous rock musician who had catapulted to success after releasing a live album. The interviewer asked, "What was it like to become an overnight success?" The rock musician replied, "For me it was carrying my equipment in and out of dingy, smoke-filled bars, night after night for fifteen years, until we released that album."

David's goal was to become the king of Israel. His victory over Goliath played a major role in helping him accomplish that goal. But defeating Goliath was not all that he had to do. Many people have big dreams for their lives, but few of them see those dreams become a reality. The time and effort that it takes to overcome the obstacles that every successful person must face, the Goliaths that they have to defeat, seem to be too great.

Everyone who wants to be successful will have to build their confidence, stand firm in the face of criticism, find ways to use their strengths, and commit to reaching their dreams no matter how long it takes. Because the simple truth is, it takes time to become an overnight success because success is the natural reward of taking time to do anything well.

Baby Jessica is 2 Months Old

2006-11-20T11:58:00.000+08:00

Loving Yourself

2006-10-29T21:50:00.000+08:00

The best way to rebuild self worth and in the process your self esteem is to love yourself and become your own best friend.

In order to do this, it very helpful if you first truly forgive. Once you have truly forgiven everyone in your life, including yourself, you are free to truly move forward and create a new destiny for yourself.

Remember, the world in which we live reflects back to us how much we value ourselves. You can be the best artist, the best writer, the best engineer, the best mother--you can be absolute great at something, and yet receive no appreciation from anyone. Because the world will not honor you, until you first honor yourself. Many of us have been taught not to honor ourselves.

Whoever you are, you would probably hear statements like these in your life: “You’re not good enough. You’re not smart enough. You’re too smart for your own good. You’re too ugly…or too pretty. You’re too fat…you’re too thin…You’re lazy…you try too hard.”

So depending on your environment and how often this happens to you, among other factors, most of us grow up not valuing ourselves. Even those who put on a good show, and act confident are often putting on a front to gain approval. They usually listen to others first, and themselves last.

This is one reason many people never accomplish their dreams. Of course, there are varying degrees of these feelings of worthlessness. Some people still manage to have a descent life, although many feel as though they are “imposters.” Some, who have been destroyed, just can’t wait to die. No matter where you are in your life, it is possible to change this.

So…where do we start? One of the best places to start is to value who you are, right now, by loving yourself. God already loves you, do you?

Blood Covenants @ Christ The King Church

2006-10-29T21:00:00.002+08:00

About 60 participants attended the 'Blood Covenant' series over the the last 4 Fridays at Christ The King Church. Over the four sessions they learnt that 'Life is in the Blood', 'The Hebrew Covenant Ritual', 'God's Covenant with Man' and 'The Passover & the New Covenant'.

The sessions were an eye openner to many of the participants. While some of them found it heavy going at certain points they realised the need to start consuming solid food and move away from the liquid spiritual diet they have been having. And were they glad they faithfully attended the sessions.

Here's a testimony...

Hi Freddy,

My shallow mind told me that your final talk was to be a summation of it all and probably it is all I already know. But what a tremendous surprise it was for me last Friday.

You showed the connections very well especially when you talked about "drinking the fourth cup" and Jesus' passion from the agaony right up till the cruxfixion itself - the consummation (it is finished) - how Jesus' back was torn and exposed, the nine cat -tails, etc. I think I lost concentration a little as I was affected by those torturous moments that Christ went thru. (I have been meditating on that in my private Divine Mercy devotion, but your message came on quite strongly).

I also like the part where you linked with with marriage and talked about sexual activities outside marriage, marriage as a consummation of covenant.

It is a pity that my wife missed your final session as she is away in Germany. I would be sharing all that I can with her.

I would like to invite you for a talk for our yearly retreat of the lectors ministry. I hope we can work something out for the good of my fellow lectors.

Thanks in advance

God bless us all.

Andrew Tok

Go Forth

2006-10-19T10:24:00.000+08:00

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most.

We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?'

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us.

And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

- Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech

- Written by Maryanne Williamson

More of Jessica

2006-10-16T21:26:00.000+08:00

For Things To Change, I Have To...

2006-10-15T23:22:00.000+08:00

Many people think that we have to accept everthing life throws at us. They believe that it is their fate and it cannot be changed. They claim that they have done everything to improve it. So what's the lifestyle of such people?

They wake up in the morning, goes to work, comes back home, relaxes, chats with people, watches TV, then goes to sleep. Next day, the routine is the same. So is the next week & months to come. Is this what they call doing everything to improve it? They believe they have tried their best and just accepts it in their heart that this is the life that God has intended for them to live; that their luck can only change if God wills it.

Of course God wants us to be happy and live our life to the fullest, but we have to do our share of exerting the effort to live the life of our dreams. For things to change, we have to change. We know we don't have to suffer needlessly because our destiny depends on us and not on any other external factors.

We reap what we sow. We just don't sit around and wait for a million dollars to fall from the sky. We have to get off the couch, get our eyes off the TV screen, get our hands off the phone with those useless gossips and get our mind and body to work!

If our life is not going the way we want it to be, don't just say: "Our time will come." or "Things will get better some day." Don't expect our situation to change, unless you do something about it.

If something goes wrong, don't just regard it as a temporary setback; but use it as feedback. Learn our lessons, make the most of the situation, and do something to resolve the challenge.

It's not enough to think positive; we also have to act positive. If someone's life is in trouble, do we just hope and pray that things will turn out fine? Of course not! We have to go out of the way, get our feets wet & hands dirty to save the person.

So it is with our own life. It is not enough to hope for the best, but we have to do our best.

So lets set our goal. Work out our strategy & get into action.

Jessica & Mum

2006-10-14T19:45:00.000+08:00

Discovering Your Purpose

2006-10-09T00:42:00.000+08:00

It seems clear that some people are born into life with their purposes clear: a Michelangelo, a Mother Theresa, a Dr. Edward Bach. These are the people whose burning torches cast a light which brightens all of humanity.

Most of us, however, feel that we've arrived with a pack of wet matches. We want our lives to have purpose and power; we want to travel our paths with joy and confidence, but we can't seem to find a direction. We may use up physical, emotional, and psychic energy following paths of duty which our hearts cannot embrace. We may stand at a crossroads, so desperately afraid of making a mistake that we go nowhere. We may scatter our energy by trying to travel several paths at once.

The beginning of a new year is a traditional time for making new resolutions about one's life. But today will do too! One of the most important resolutions we can make is to begin a journey of self-discovery. In order to do this we need to understand how we got detoured in the first place.

From Soul to You. The soul is that aspect of our being which has never forgotten its purpose. It attempts to give travel directions to the personality, that aspect of ourselves which functions in physical reality--but the personality doesn't always receive the message. We may have learned not to believe in the soul, and also learned either to tune out its messages or to interpret them as a sign of lunacy. Thus, the first and most important step on a journey of self-discovery is to believe that there is a self to be discovered, that the map of possibilities we need is within ourselves, and accessible. It isn't enough to plant this belief; it must be nurtured as well, because in the beginning we need to trust in our souls without having any actual evidence of their existence. Faith, however, goes hand in hand with good works, and there is much we can do to help restore the interrupted lines of communication.

Paths and Patterns. Often when we play detective and investigate our own lives we find valuable clues. When you were a child what activities made you happiest? With whom did you have your most rewarding relationships? (These questions may also be asked about your present life.) By looking for patterns you can discover both the shape of possibilities in your life and the ways in which you've blocked them. For example, someone might discover that all her life people had told her that she would make a wonderful therapist, and that she, from lack of self-esteem, had never believed them. She might remember opportunities for doing counseling which she had refused. Someone else might remember a place he had always longed to visit, and how its name always seemed to come up--in conversation or in the books he reads.

In your search you will find your dreams valuable. Dreams are an important vehicle through which the soul communicates with the personality. In the dream state we're free to experiment with various possibilities for our lives, finally choosing the ones most suitable for physical manifestation. Our dream images express our deepest feelings and wishes as well as the beliefs which may prevent their expression. Pay close attention to your dreams, recording them, and re-reading them to discover messages and patterns. Receptivity to your dreams will enhance your ability to be receptive during your waking hours.

Be alert as well for the clues which may come up in day-to-day life. You may be intrigued by someone's description of a Polynesian dance class; you may have a sudden urge to learn to play the oboe. Playing the oboe or dancing the hula may not be your life's purpose, but following the impulse which pulls you most strongly can only lead you in the appropriate direction.

Getting Specific. You can also clarify your possibilities by asking these questions: If I didn't have to work for a living what would I love to do? If I were given $1 million, tax-free, what would be the first thing I'd do with it?

In doing this exercise be careful not to censor yourself. Don't worry if an idea which comes into your mind just seems to ridiculous or too impossible. These are the reactions which helped us to get off-course in the first place. What you write down isn't your final life plan, but--as in the case of your impulses--various attractive possibilities. Next, look at each possibility you've written down and ask yourself what value you will get from it. Do you want that boat because you love sailing and the sea? If so, what feeling does that give you? Do you want to sail around the world because you'd like to learn about other cultures? Why does that interest you? Keep adding to the list. As you study it, in combination with the information you've received from dreams, etc., you will find that you're clarifying both the nature of your gifts and interests, and the commitment you feel to contribute to others.

Another way to get to the latter is to ask yourself a third question, "How would I like to be remembered when I'm gone? Do I want people to say I was brilliant, considerate, generous?" How you would like to be remembered is really how you would like to be right now. Translate this feeling of commitment into a statement of purpose. Remember that no one is grading it; there's no deadline, and you can rewrite and refine it as many times as you want to. You'll know when it's right for you; you'll have a feeling of resonance and attunement. The next step is to align your life so that it's an appropriate vehicle for your purpose.

When Michelangelo was asked how he sculpted his works of art he said that he simply cut away everything which wasn't the statue. This is good advice, but let's go easy on the drastic, sweeping changes. Call on Turtle medicine and remember that slow and steady wins the race. The more surely you integrate your purpose into your being the easier change will be. Remember too, that as you begin to nurture your purpose you will find it growing. You'll discover that it's not the end, but the beginning, not a traveling away from yourself, but your journey home.

Life Unfolds

2006-10-08T23:14:00.000+08:00

Wow! It has been 2 weeks since I last blogged. Life has been real exciting. So many things happening at the same time.

Firstly, having a new life at home has filled mine with intense joy. I look forward to spend time with her everyday. At the moment she sleeps most of the time and wakes up for meals or when she needs a change of diapers. During the time she is awake, besides playing with her and exposing her to black and white stimulus, we also give her a lot of tummy time on her crawling track. Yes... you will be surprised that even a 2 weeks old baby can crawl. What! 2 weeks old & she crawls! You will be shocked at the capability of infants. Some of the research I did a few months ago revealed the potential within an infant even before she is born.

Next, I removed my wisdom tooth. Oh my, I did not know that it would ache so much. I had to go back to the dentist last Monday because the pain was getting worse instead of getting better. Now, even after 2 weeks later, it still feels uncomfortable. Mmm … I sure hope it would heal completely asap.

Thirdly, all the prelim marking I had to complete in the midst of all these events in my life was a real challenge. Nonetheless, I had to give my 100% focus. If for nothing else, for the love of my students, I had to complete it. Yes, I pushed myself & am glad I was able to complete it although I was on course for the last two weekends.

Finally, if you have missed out on the Blood Covenant series conducted in July, you have another opportunity now. A new series has just started last Friday @ Christ the King Church 8 pm onwards. It would be running for the next 3 Fridays. So don't miss out on this opportunity and I look forward to seeing you there.

Praise the Lord!

Baby Jessica

2006-09-20T15:12:00.000+08:00

A healthly 3.97 kg & 53.5 cm baby Jessica was delivered yesterday morning @ 8.50. Everyone says she looks like her mum. Great!:) Thanks for all your prayers and support. It really means a alot to us.

Exciting Times

2006-09-18T23:44:00.000+08:00

I rejoice in the Lord this beautiful nite for his love endures forever. Tomorrow morning Jessica will be a new addition into our lives. The fruit of our love. I thank God for blessing us with new life. Wow! It's real exciting.

Life is surely going to change and I look forward to it. Thanks for all your concern, support and prayers. It really made a big difference in our lives. God Bless!

ABLAZE!

2006-09-13T08:44:00.000+08:00

SACCRE Youth Ignites Ablaze Youth Rally

More than 350 young Catholics in Singapore had their hearts set ablaze with God's Love as they took part in the Ablaze Youth Rally. The event was held on 9 September 2006 from 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm at the Ignatius Hall of St. Ignatius Church. Its overriding theme was "Experience the Deeper, Higher and Longer Love of God".

During the first half of the rally, sonorous praise and solemn worship were led by a combined music ministry from youth groups such as Amplify Ministries, NTU-CSA Charismatic Prayer Group, Living Stones Campus Outreach, SJ Connectors, and John 10:10. Despite the hall being filled to its maximum capacity, the young congregation was undaunted by the standing-room-only space and spent all their energy to praise God. This unexpectedly huge turnout speaks in favor of the truth that God's Love proves to be an even stronger crowd-puller than Saturday night clubbing for many of today's young Catholics. Ria Anggriani, 21, who led the organizing team for this rally explains the phenomenon thus, "The need of youths to experience Christ's love is shown through this event. We are no longer afraid to show to the world that we are God's children, and that our joy is in gathering together to worship Him."

After praise and worship, Freddy Gomez from Amplify Ministries passionately delivered a spiritually enriching talk. Filled with conviction, he spoke of how God imparts the gift of self-control to his people and how this gift enables them to re-frame their concerns and challenges in life with a Christian paradigm. Furthermore, he said that having this frame of mind helps them to respond to any situation in a Christ-like manner and to influence its outcome to be more reflective of God's Love. Referring to the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Church in Philippi, Gomez expounds on the rationale for his talk saying, " Just like Paul's response to his imprisonment, we too have to recognize that we have control over our response to an event in life which would in turn determine the outcome of the event. By exercising control over our emotions through the power of the Spirit, we would be better able to reflect the love of God in all our challenges of life."

The young audience took home the message. One of them was Erwin Siow, 24, a student of The National University of Singapore Business School. When asked what aspect of the speaker's talk gave him a better understanding of God's Love, he vividly recalled, "Freddy's talk illustrated how we can use our God-given ability of self-control to re-frame our responses to bad situations so as to derive positive outcomes from them." Furthermore, he commented on his overall experience at Ablaze. He shared, "The passion for Jesus displayed by our friends from SACCRE Youth is simply infectious. Aptly enough, it has set ablaze my desire to deepen my relationship with God through a community focused on Christ."

The Ablaze Youth Rally is organized by the various groups that comprise the Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal Youth (SACCRE Youth). The next Ablaze Youth Rally is expected to take place sometime next year. More information on Ablaze can be obtained from the SACCRE Youth Website http://www.saccre-youth.org , the Ablaze Blog http://ablazesingapore.blogspot.com, by E-mail to info@saccre-youth.org or by contacting Marcellus at 98781601.

- Miguel

Rejoice!

2006-09-10T22:59:00.000+08:00

Morning!

The week is almost over and tomorrow's yet another Monday. It's super fast, how time just fast forwards almost too quickly. Mondays can be rather daunting because it means more work (if you're working) or more classes (if you're studying!). And for some of you, it's back to school after the 1 week break ya?

Instead of facing this new week with a frown, do chin up and smile for the sun is shining brightly and there's no reason for you to not feel cheery too! :)

And here's just a recap of what we covered at the GOD & Me session helmed by Freddy Gomez (www.freddygomez.blogspot.com) this Friday:

_____________________________________________________________

Phillipians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again, Rejoice!

If St. Paul can rejoice despite being imprisoned, so can we.

Your response to challenging situations will determine your outcome. It's about being victorious for Christ. We are more than conquerors. Undesired events might deter us from being positive but our response is detrimental. It decides what state you'll get into.

It's always easy to blame it on the environment and to complain or get upset but it only leads to more grievances.

Ultimately, the way you react to situations determines the state you'll be in. So try to be resourceful and see the upside of events that might not necessarily be too rosy and you might not feel so miserable.

- Cherly

Getting a Maid

2006-09-06T15:08:00.000+08:00

Jessica Faye Gomez would be arriving on 19th Sept 06. To prepare for this beautiful new life, my wife & I decided to get a FDW. Being 1st time employer, it was challenge identifying a new maid. Moreover, we had some standards that needed to be met.... Indonesian, Catholic / Christian, experienced in infant care and English speaking. And hence, the challenge.

I identified a transfer maid a few months ago only to find out in August that she preferred to go back. So I went back to the internet to search for more maids & also down to Bukit Timah Shopping Center. It seems much easier to look for a maid online. mmmm obviously.

I prayed ... asking for God's direction and finally went to meet a maid on Sunday. After interviewing her, my wife and I decided to get her services. Just before I could make a down payment, the maid said she had to discuss some matters with the agent prior to agreeing to work with us.

So I received a call the next day and I was informed that the maid wanted every Sunday off. So off I went in search of a new maid. Checked online.... none suitable. Went down to Bukit Timah Shopping Center again. This time just walking into every agency stating my requirement. Came across a few but England very weak.

Finally... yes... I found her! Simply amazing. She can speak Bahasa, English, Hokkien & Mandarin... wow! Loves looking after children and ex - Singapore maid. What more can I ask for? Oh there was more alright. She used to train maids who were coming to Singapore to work. Hahaha ... she is a trainer just like her employer. Praise the Lord

1st Sept 2006 - New Begining

2006-09-03T00:13:00.000+08:00

1st Sept marks a very special day for me. Besides being Teachers' Day, it is also my wedding anniversary. 4 awesome years with my beloved wife Sandra and this year is extra special as new life is going to be brought forth into the world. On 19th Sept Jessica Faye Gomez will see the light... hahaha. Yes, what ultimate joy and a great opportunity to become more responsible. Life is indeed worth living.

I hear from friends about the struggles of having a new born and at the same time I see the joy in their eyes. A joy that overcomes the struggles. Why focus on the struggles then? I just have to keep replaying in my mind the joy of new life. The opportunities that await baby Jessica. The challenges she has to go through and the ultimate victory in life... which, by the way, is already won by Christ.

I pray Jessica will be on fire for Christ from a very young age... mmm... let me correct that... from birth. All glory to God.

WWE

2006-08-22T19:32:00.000+08:00

Most of us enjoy WWE. Some of us can even name the 'actors' and are ardent supporters of some of them.

A study was conducted on "The Relationship Between Watching Professional Wrestling on Television and Engaging in Date Fighting Among High School Students." The survey of 2,485 students from North Carolina, found that there were significant correlations between frequency of watching wrestling and engaging in fighting and weapon carrying for both males and females.

The authors commented that "numerous studies have revealed a consistent association between adolescents' exposure to violence and victimization and their risk of carrying weapons, having attitudes accepting the use of violence or aggressive behaviors to resolve conflict or achieve goals, and actually using violence."

The recommendation: "Reducing children's and adolescents' exposure to violence from media sources should be an important component of any violence-prevention strategy."

So to there parents out there: 'What are our children watching?'

To the youth & adults: 'What are we watching?'

Sex in the City

2006-08-22T11:56:00.000+08:00

Recent studies confirmed concerns about the influence of media on children and adolescents. A journal article in 'Pediatrics', entitled "Exposure to Degrading Versus Nondegrading Music Lyrics and Sexual Behavior Among Youth," was based on telephone interviews with 1,461 teens aged 12 to 17. The group was interviewed three times: in 2001, 2002 and 2004.

The average youth, according to the article, listens to music 1.5 to 2.5 hours per day, not counting music videos. Sexual themes are common in much of this music and range from romantic and playful to degrading and hostile. The authors found a strong justification for the notion that listening to sexual lyrics may influence adolescents' sexual behavior. Their study foound that "Teens who spent more time listening to music were more likely than those who spent less to initiate intercourse."

The results showed that the more teens listened to degrading sexual music content, the more likely they were to subsequently initiate intercourse. By contrast, exposure to non-degrading sexual music did not lead to changes in sexual behavior. "Reducing the amount of degrading sexual content in popular music or reducing young people's exposure to music with this type of content could help delay the onset of sexual behavior," concluded the article.

So what music do you listen to?

My Prayer Today

2006-08-20T21:51:00.000+08:00

Dear Jesus,

Peace be with you. It is with great joy that I come into your presence today, knowing that your love endures forever. Though mountains may tremble and valleys may run dry, your love endures forever.

What is your love, O Lord? Your love is your commitment to us. Committed to ensure that even if I walk thro' the valley of darkness, no evil need I fear. Your staff and your rod are there to protect me.

Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth. You rule the world with love and your love endures forever. Your mercy reigns over your justice. We would never face your wrath as long as we repent and come back to you and dwell in your love. Yes, indeed the love of God endures forever.

You have chosen me, useless that I am, pulled me up from the pit of death and nourished me with your life. The 'zoe' of God. The life that has overcome death. Yes, victory is yours. The world is yours. Let all the inhabitants of the world praise your holy name … for your love endures forever.

SACCRE Youth to set Youths Ablaze

2006-08-20T21:45:00.000+08:00

As part of a growing awareness that something must be done for our youth, SACCRE Youth is organising the ABLAZE Youth Rally for young people aged 16 – 30 in Singapore. Teens as well as young adults in Singapore will have the chance to set their hearts ablaze for God on Saturday, 9 September 2006, at the Church of St. Ignatius from 7:30 pm – 10:00pm.

As a body of various youth ministries across the diocese, SACCRE Youth is a newly formed youth body under SACCRE (Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal Experience) with a huge vision, of building and inspiring a growing desire among youths in our parishes to enter and experience a real and deeper relationship with God.

Young people today are being pulled away from the church by numerous factors. SACCRE Youth believes that we need revival and to be set ‘on fire’ by experiencing the love of God in a radical way, even more than what we’ve always known. Youths today need a catalyst for renewal and for turning back to the church.

ABLAZE is therefore aimed to be a nationwide youth rally where young people from all over Singapore gather and be inspired by other young Catholics on fire for God. It aspires to give every participant a new, exciting experience of God's love and presence. At this Spirit-filled event, young people, especially youths from the West district, will be challenged to live out their faith in new ways and to contribute their talents, instead of watching the church at the sidelines.

Though this September event is held in the west district, young people all over Singapore are invited. Expect a lively praise and worship scene, and a spiritually revitalising talk on the theme -- The deeper, higher and longer love of God.

The rally’s guest speaker is Freddy Gomez, who is experienced in engaging with youth in spiritual dialogue, helping them encounter Jesus in their lives by sharing his own journey towards Christ. At the end of the talk, all will be invited to request intercessory and healing prayer for any personal need.

The various youth ministries sharing the vision of SACCRE Youth include Amplify Ministries, Jesus Youth (Christ the King), Living Stones Campus Outreach, NTU CSA Charismatic Prayer Group, and Youth Arise Ministry (OLPS).

If you are interested to be part of ABLAZE you may get there via bus services 48, 93, 153, 165, 174, 186, 855 or 961 to Farrer Road and walk towards St. Ignatius Church along King’s Road.

More information on the rally can be obtained from the Ablaze Blog at http://ablazesingapore.blogspot.com, by email to info@saccre-youth.org or by contacting Marcellus 98781601.

-by Samantha Chan

More information:

http://www.saccre-youth.org

The Situation in Singapore

2006-08-17T09:58:00.000+08:00

Aug 17, 2006
Rise in sex infections hastens need to educate the young
Threefold increase in cases among those aged 10-19; over 40 have HIV

-The Straits Times

_______________________________________________

I'm so glad the unmarried youth & young adults committed themselves to sexual purity during the last instalment of the Blood Covenant series. Marriage is a blood covenant and true love waits.

Victorious Living

2006-08-15T09:05:00.000+08:00

Have you ever wondered … wondered why many Christians do not live victorious lives. The go around all day gloomy, bored, uninterested & seemingly defeated. I mean… come on aren’t we supposed to be victorious in Christ? Living a life filled with purpose and meaning? Yet sadly, many Christians live a very miserable life. Was the price paid on the cross not enough? Mmmm … well, probably they just do not know the covenantal blessings that is available to them and the rights of a believer.

When we become Christians we are born again. We are born again as we take on a new nature, the nature of Christ. We are exchanging robes with Christ as we enter into covenant with Jesus.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He was operating under the old covenant and that was why he was circumcised when young. All the signs and wonders that Jesus performed, he performed it operating under the old covenant before he could establish the new covenant with his own blood.

That is probably the reason why Jesus said that we would do the things that he did and greater things then him. Can you imagine … you can do greater things than Jesus. Do you believe it?

To be continued.

Beautiful Day

2006-08-15T08:36:00.000+08:00

Today is another beautiful day. A creation of God. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and there are new every morning. I bless the Lord this day dedicated to the Assumption of your mother.

It was a joy to start the day with Mass & reflecting on the life of Mary. She is indeed a humble and powerful instrument of God. The vessel that was to bring God into the world. In all of humanity, she was chosen. She must have been real special in the eyes of God to be chosen for this role. Hence, we should always look to her as our role model in Christ. Many saints have look at her as their role model in life and achieve exemplary results. So can we. As we dedicate our lives to Christ, it is indeed a life worth living.

Blood Covenant Part 4

2006-08-14T18:45:00.000+08:00

Blood Covenants is truly an amazing revelation of God’s love that all believers should learn more about. You would discover the depth of God’s amazing unfailing love.

Last Friday nite, we focused on the Mosaic Covenant & the New Covenant. In the Mosaic Covenant, we zoomed in on the Passover Celebration, which was the bonding agent of the covenant. Since, the actual Passover, the celebration has been carried out for centuries even until today. Yes, Jews today still celebrate the Passover as a memorial of the great and mighty works the Lord had done to set the people free from slavery.

We looked at the salient points of the Passover and proceeded to see the New Covenant in the light of the old. It was an amazing eye opener to those who were there. They discovered in depth, how Jesus, the lamb who takes away the sins of the world, took our place at the cross.

When, Jesus sets us free, we are free indeed. The blessing and promises of God are there for us to claim as we are now his covenant partners and can come boldly into the presence of God. Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always.

What a Nite!

2006-08-06T21:18:00.000+08:00

There is a new generation of youth / young adults arising. Those who know the value of time and know the best way to spend their Friday nites. It's exciting, it's refreshing & it's life changing.

People from all walks of life are coming together to dwell in the presence of God. Be it secondary / JC students, teachers, lawyers, civil servants, budding entrepreneurs, accountants, etc... they are all at the Catholic Spirituality Centre worshipping God & being nourished in his word at Amplify Ministries prayer meetings.

The nite started with an amazing praise and worship to the mighty Lord led my Dominic Chan.He led God's people thro' the gates, into the inner courts and into the Holy of Holies. God's anointing filled the entire hall & his strong presence was felt by all.

The third installment of the Blood Covenant series started 'in the beginning' - Genesis.
We went thro' God's covenant with Adam, Noah & Abraham. Not only that, we also look at varies characters such as Cain, Abel, Seth, Methusaleh & Enoch. It was simply amazing as testified by many after the prayer meeting.
We also finally understood why we take on a new name at Confirmation. We were given an opportunity to reflect on our Christian walk so far & recommit ourselves to the Lord!
Friends, next week is going to be the last installment of the Blood Covenant Series. It is not to be missed! Prioritize this event and you would realise that you have made a very wise choice. See you this Friday. God Bless.

Watch Out for Tomolo Nite!

2006-08-03T22:30:00.000+08:00

Yes! Blood Covenant part 3 is going to be mind blowing! We going to expound on the scriptures. We going to look in detail into God's covenant with Adam, Noah & Abraham. Come & increase your knowledge about God's everlasting love. So be there on Friday nite @ 8pm @ Catholic Spirituality Centre. God Bless.

Interesting News

2006-08-03T07:32:00.000+08:00

Shock rocker to build Christian centre
Thursday Aug 3 08:17 AEST
Shock-rock grandaddy Alice Cooper, best known for his macabre stage antics and songs about hell and booze, is helping build a Christian youth centre in Arizona, his foundation has announced.
Cooper's Solid Rock Foundation is to develop the centre for teenagers at Grand Canyon University, a non-denominational Christian centre of higher learning in Phoenix, according to a statement by the foundation, a Christian nonprofit group.
The 1858sqm project, nicknamed "The Rock," will offer after-school programs and special events for area youth.
The site "is designed to provide a safe and fun place for area teens to gather and participate in program activities that will make a difference in their lives," the statement read.
The foundation's "primary goal is to honor Christ by helping to meet the spiritual, economical, physical, and social needs of teenagers and children within our community," a statement from the foundation website read.
Cooper, 58, is one of the godfathers of American hard rock. His stage acts, often inspired by horror movies, included using outlandish makeup, liters of fake blood, and often a live boa constrictor.
Born Vincent Furnier, Cooper is married, a father, and also an avid golfer and a great admirer of Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=119512

Partners of Amplify

2006-07-30T15:51:00.000+08:00

The Partners of Amplify got together for a nite of fun yesterday.

And to celebrate the birthdays of Leo, Cass & Cheryl.

This place had so many games to pick from. Wow! Most of them, I have not even heard of.

The partners had a great time enjoying the company and games.

Some decided to stick to good old UNO. While others ventured into new grounds.

Would you like to be a partner of Amplify? Come join us this Friday @ 8.00pm @ Catholic Spirituality Centre to find out more.

Blood Covenant Part 2: Hebrew Covenant Ritual

2006-07-29T12:00:00.000+08:00

Wow! The Amplify prayer meeting yesterday was simply awesome. We learnt the 9 Steps that 2 Hebrews would go through when they make covenant with each other. What better way to bring to life than seeing it happen right in front of our very eyes.

Here we have King Ignatius Goh of Singapore exchanging robe with an ordinary 8 years old Singaporean schooling girl, Marissa Decruz.Here comes the bull, the animal that would be split down the middle as they cut the covenant.

A blood sprinked plant was planted to always remind them of their covenant. They have now become friends. 2 persons would only become friends after going through the entire ritual unlike today.

Marissa is no longer an ordinary 8 years old Singaoprean girl. She has become extraodinary. Why? Because she has got friends in high places.

You are also special. You too have friends in high places. Come this Friday, 4th Aug, to discover more about your covenant partner.

Happening Friday Nite!

2006-07-23T19:48:00.000+08:00

"Just want to share that my fren who came last Fri said she'd never attended a session like that before, that it was different from the talks she's gone to before, very lively! She sounded intent to try to make it down next Fri again, praise God!
And best of all, during the 'altar call' she stood up to recommit herself to God! She's a newly baptised Catholic. Imagine if even she already needed a renewal of her commitment to God, how much more would many of us Sunday cradle Catholics!

Freddy, I just want to affirm you for the altar call last Fri. For me, that was the highlight of the night as I see so many take that step to turn their lives over once again. It was by God's Grace that none of the intercessors knew abt the altar call that night, yet while we were having intercession before the prayer meet, many of us just kept lifting up petitions for those who had drifted, were broken or in bondage, the very people I believe were called to respond to God during the altar call!
I also want to encourage all of you to encourage your frens, esp those whom you know are in need or searching, to come for ministering so we can pray with them! It is a vital part of our ministry at prayer meets.

On Thurs, Dom was praying and had an image of a fren who'd come and he'd be praying over her, and lo and behold, praise God, that was exactly what happened! She ended up coming to him at the Jesus room where he was ministering at the end of the prayer meet. And she also shared how thru a strange twists of events (no doubt orchestrated by God), she had come for the prayer meeting.

The numbers we have at prayer meet are a wonderful reflection of the potential for lives to be transformed by His Word, His healing, His call and His Love."

- Daphne Koh

Amplify Ministries @ St. Joseph's Church

2006-07-22T06:49:00.000+08:00

St. Joseph's Church, Bukit Timah, is currently conducting the Life in the Spirit Seminar with an amazing 180 participants hungrily awaiting the renewal in the Lord. Last Tuesday the participants experienced the healing love of Jesus.

It started with a wonderful time of praising and worshiping the Lord led by Nat form Jn 10:10 of SACCRE Youth. Wow! She was real good and was able able to bring all of us into a deep worship.
The guess speaker was Martin, the ex-cordinator of Amplify Ministries and loving known as MM of Amplify. He shared the word of God with many real life examples as he prepared the people to encounter the healing love of God.
This was followed by a time of ministry where each participants were prayed over individually by various active members of St. Joseph's Church and Amplify Ministries. The healing love of God moved powerfully and many were emotionally, spiritually and physically healed. Praise the Lord!

Amplify Ministries F.C.

2006-07-20T23:10:00.000+08:00

The newly formed Amplify Ministries F.C. had its first game on Sunday, 16th July 06. We were matching ourselves with Bandung United, two times winner of Catholeague. After some warm up the two teams united themselves in prayer just prior to the kick off.

We had Dom making a comeback after 2 years of layoff due to a knee injury. He was miraculously healed by the Lord a few weeks ago. He initially thought that he would not be able to play a competitive game for years to come but God had other plans. Look out for his testimony soon.

The latest signing of Amplify Ministries F.C. was Don, who just attended the Youth in the Spirit Seminar in June 06. He is a great signing.

Nonetheless, after the match we realised we really need more new signings. So, if you are interested to join us, come to our prayer meetings on Friday nite @ 8pm to introduce yourself to us.

And if you have a team at wants to test your might with us. Feel free to tag me and / or come to the prayer meetings as well.

God's Moving @ Amplify Ministries

2006-07-16T03:08:00.000+08:00

"I am extremely edified by the way our ministry has grown, through the formation of new ministries, rising up of new leaders and more so, the way each person has gone about executing their roles.

There's certainly a fresh annointing amongst us all and a renewed zeal in building authentic and God-centred bonds. I personally believe that this is truly a heightened desire to gather more people to join us in celebrating the love of our Father, whom we're simply so in awe of.

Let's continue to put in our hardest and best efforts, knowing that Harvest time is near!"

Grace Lin

Blood Covenants Part 1: Life is in the Blood

2006-07-16T02:50:00.000+08:00

Yes! We are fast approaching part 1 of the blood covenant series starting this Friday 21st July 2006. I just finished preparing my powerpoint slides and I was so excited just doing it although it took me hours.

I believe you are truly going to be blessed as you go through this series. The content of the first talk itself is going to blow you off your seat. You going to discover so many truths that it is just going to be simply amazing.

I look forward to seeing you this Friday. To be blessed by your presence and to bless you in return. Praise the Lord!

P.S. No matter how young or how old you are, you are most welcomed.

My Reflections On SACCRE Youth

2006-07-13T00:16:00.000+08:00

SACCRE Youth exist for a purpose. We are a united body of youth / young adults who shine the light of Christ in the Charismatic Renewal in Singapore. Unity is of utmost importance and that is what we will shine.

There are many youth / young adult ministries that see SACCRE Youth as a form of competition to their own youth / young adult ministry in terms of resources, etc. We have to change this mindset and see SACCRE Youth as complementary to our youth / young adult ministry. We must see ourselves as part of a body and SACCRE Youth can unite this body.

SACCRE Youth is a place where resources are pooled and made available to assist the growth of the body. For e.g. speakers, praise & worship leaders, musicians, cell group training, pastoral guidance, publicity team, etc.

Instead of building up new ministries at the moment, we should focus on helping our current ministries grow with the available pool of resources. We need to adopt a macro view and see the big picture instead of having a microscopic view…. Thinking only about our own ministry.

By adopting a macro mindset, we will be able to hold evangelical events for the larger body of Christ to bring them into the fold of youth / young adults ABLAZE for Christ.

We need to come up with a calendar of events which highlights key events of all our partner ministries so that the events do not clash and that every partner ministry can promote each others events.

We are the Church. What we do now will influence the future generations of Christians in Singapore.

P.S. Look out for the next SACCRE Youth Rally 'ABAZE.' Coming your way in Sept 2006. It's going to be a blast!

Blood Covenants

2006-07-11T17:02:00.000+08:00

Upcoming Event: Blood Covenants Trailer

2006-07-11T08:53:00.000+08:00

Blood Covenants

2006-07-08T19:57:00.000+08:00

YES! It's finally here. After 6 years of not preaching on this subject, I was prompted to do it again. It's going to be real exciting. You are going to discover that life is in the blood, the Hebrew covenant ritual, God's covenant with man and the New Covenant. It's truly 'A Love Story of Epic Proportions.' View the trailer... mark down the dates... be there for a life changing experience.

God & Money

2006-07-05T18:10:00.001+08:00

For a number of years I have been struggling with the concept of God and money. I have gone through life asking myself questions such as, 'Is it ok to be rich? Does God want me to be rich? Or is it better to remain poor or with average income so that I don't allow riches to tempt me? The list went on and on. Hence, the following reflection.

'I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him.'
Luke 16:9-14

Verse 9 - 'I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth…'

Dishonest wealth here means money. How do we make friends for ourselves with money? Clearly, the parable prior to this scripture tells us that it is done by giving money away. We have to recognise the importance of giving money away and helping others. That's how we reflect our trustworthiness with money. The money given to us is meant to be given to others especially the less privileged or for the spread of the Gospel of Christ. This does not mean that we give all our money away as we also have to be responsible consumers and savers.

So how much should we give away? The Bible recommends that we give our tithe and offerings. A tithe is 10% of our income and offering is an undetermined amount as we are prompted.

Note that God does not have a problem with the amount of wealth a person has as long as we are giving part of it away.

Verse 9 - 'I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.'

What is Luke referring to when he wrote 'when it fails'? When does money fail? Money surely seizes to be useful when we die. When we die, we would never need money again. Hence, that is when money fails.

Hence when we use the money as required, when we die, we would be welcomed into eternal dwellings, that is we will be welcomed into heaven.

Verse 11 - 'If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth?'

Dishonest wealth = money
True wealth = heaven

Verse 12 - 'If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?'

Money = belong to others
Heaven = belongs to you

The money we have belongs to others and if we do not give it away we would not be trustworthy with it. The consequence of it is that we would not be given what belongs to us, that is, we would not inherit the kingdom of heaven which is rightfully our as it is prepared for us by our Father.

Verse 13 - 'No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

It is important to recognise that what belongs to us is more important than what belongs to others. Hence, heaven created by God is more important than money. God and money should also not be seen as of the same importance. God must always be more important than money in our lives.

If money is more important to us than God, we ultimately would not be able to love and follow God simply because God wants us to seek him first but we are doing the contrary of it.

Verse 14 - 'The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him.'

Money in itself is not evil, it is the love of money more than God that is evil.

In conclusion, God has got no problem with me being rich as long as I give away part of my income. By giving part of my income away, it reflects that I am trustworthy and honest in this very small matter and God will reward me by having me in his presence in heaven when I die.

Youth Prayer Rally 2006

2006-07-03T15:53:00.000+08:00

Peace of the Lord be with you. Were you there at Christ The King Church for the Youth Prayer Rally 2006 last Saturday? Wow! It was simply amazing.

The event was organised by Maranatha Prayer Ministry with the intention of bringing more vibrancy and life to the prayer life of youths, no matter their spiritual level, inspiring youths to take the step to establish a more active personal prayer life and a closer relationship with God and instilling in youths a sense of belonging in the Catholic community.

Hence, the objective of event was to inspire youths to develop a stronger relationship with God through a personal experience of God’s love. They invited me to be the guest speaker for the event.

The nite was filled with an array of events such as video presentation, dance, praise & worship, mime, talk and ministry. As the preacher for the nite, I was very edified with the level of commitment of the organising committee. They initiated and met up with me twice prior to the actual event and ensured that every angle was covered.

I preached on the 'Renewal of the Mind' with a greater focus on prayer. It was just amazing! The anointing of the Holy Spirit was strong and I felt that even my preaching was going to another level. It was no longer I, but Christ who lives in me. Yes! From the testimonies I got after the rally, it was clearly evident that the Spirit had a unique message for each of the 500 youth & adults there at the rally.

The anointing was so strong that I was able to move freely in the gifts of healings, prophecy & word of knowledge. God was in charge and I was just loving it being his unworthy vessel. Praise the Lord!

Be on the lookout for the upcoming series of talks I'll be conducting on 'Blood Covenants' at Amplify Ministries starting 21st July 2006. God Bless.

Welcome To My Blog

2006-07-03T12:52:00.000+08:00

This is my first time at blogging. Hence, forgive me if there are some mistakes along the way. For a start, maybe you can read my profile to get to know me better. Thanks & God Bless.