I don't have sports cable TV. Everytime my favourite soccer team Manchester United plays, I would log into the internet, go to www.livescore.com and watch this screen.



When I started watching tonight at 50th minute it was

Manchester Utd 0-1 Blackburn

Then on the 60th minute it turned to

Manchester Utd 1-1 Blackburn

Then soon on the 70th minute it was

Manchester Utd 2-1 Blackburn

After that on 80th

Manchester Utd 3-1 Blackburn

I don't think I need to watch anymore. I'll just retire for I have a long day tomorrow in children's church. We are launching our bus routes tomorrow to faciliate kids from all corners of Singapore come to church. Our outreach teams just gave the confirmation of 12 kids on our transportation route tomorrow. Wow, that's perhaps the biggest visitor attendance on any normal Sunday (excluding Special Sundays) in HopeKids ever. Also we have someone came forward to donated the entire costs of chartering a bus in one of our bus route every week for the whole year. We are glad on the ministry front we are winning as well.

With goals and wins like these, it doesn't really matter how I watch soccer. It's thrilling to the bone. Honor and tribute to those who work tirelessly, those who pray fervently and God who grants sleep to those He loves.

Goodnight!

God is concern about His people more than about the environment. He has the hots for people's character greater than comfort.

I was at a healing conference yesterday. Many came, many were touched and many healed. One thing I notice when God speaks to his people. It is always encouragement to keep praying, to seek His Kingdom first, to keep trusting God for healing and for life and things along the line of persevering in good. It is seldom or almost never.. give up and try this other way, or go to another church you'll do better there, confront your debtor or change that guy in the corner, or try this other ministry or buy that stylish new stereo.

Brennan Manning onced said that trusting God is more important than loving Him. What love are we capable of anyway. Perhaps trusting Him is loving Him, perhaps that's all we need for a great life. A new stereo or a new church is not wrong, it's just something else. I'm not sure but to me that's shopping.

This week is by far one of the toughest week in 2007. I'll spare you the details for if not, you'll not be edified. I'm confronted with what do I do with my fears. My greatest fears that is!

From experience here is the best thing to do! "Run towards our greatest fears" ... Not move, not walk but run...

The deal is this...
1) We can just not do anything about it. But then, it'll linger and never go away. What will become of our days? It'll be living in constant fear. The sad thing is that we can get used to it and be subdued all the days of our weeks, months and years.

2) We can run away from it! Yes maybe the change our environment will help. I thought so too but I realise fear follow you. Only that it'll change form just like a mighty mutant monster. It'll still be 'fear' but I'm afraid it gets stronger than before.

3) Our only choice is to run towards it. Confront it and here what I think we'll find. Most of these fears are unfounded and its not that bad after all. Why run and not walk. The reason is because you think too much when you walk. When we run towards fear, that's when it starts to run away from us.

Some hints to help: Don't run towards fear in our weakest state. Not when you are sleepy in the afternoon or tired at night. Run towards it when you are strongest which I would suggest to start your day early and confront your greatest fear as top priority. That's the most important task for you. Pray and let the Lord be with you. If you overcome our greatest fear in the morning every single day, it'll give us the victory and confidence for the rest of the day. Keep doing that you'll develop courage.

Run towards your greatest fear and shine. Don't fear fear. Strong and courageous living is God's prescription. I suggest to do this not because its a cool idea. So far to me it's the only way to live. I don't see any other way.

Our broadband connection was down for 2 days, the tank was algae infested and the house was messy again after a wild water colour painting session yesterday. Nothing that is worth upkeeping upkeeps itself. I learned that a little bit everyday makes a lot of difference but sometimes when we couldn't do so, then a one time big effort can make a world of change.

I get daunted by efforts to run away, to lie, to pretend, to hide, to not be caught, to not be true to one's calling. I get tired knowing such efforts not only doesn't get us where we are to be but keeps us drawn from places to places with such urgency we are clueless about. And when we get there, realise that it's not it, everytime. Nothing that is worth doing works itself out without effort. We have to believe that and get accustomed to little but regular effort (and occasional big ones when necessary) Once we get the hang of it, we'll find these efforts no matter how small it is, grant us also little victories we need for a consistent great life!

Upkeep areas in our life and personal leadership that needs upkeeping. I'm glad to be online again after working out several phone calls. The fishes loved me for the sparkling clean up this afternoon and the house ain't looking too bad too. There's so much more we can do.

That guy who has leprosy came and knelt before Jesus and said "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean". Jesus reached out his ahnd and touched the man " I am willing" he said. "Be clean" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.

We sometimes do not ask good things for ourselves because we are afraid that He is not willing. Most often these so called good things are material things which add on to us.. such as a winning lottery number, a new job, some things we see in Orchard road, a new boss, a new wife..etc (and hence burden us which is not necessary the will of God). God's answer is then either 'yes', 'no' or 'wait' depending on what's good for us. Because we don't know his big plan, these things are worth asking for like a child would to his/her father. However we should be confident to ask for another group of things. These are things to be removed from us so to make us purer. Diseases, habits and limiting thoughts. Such things that when taken away help us be better and more effective human beings. Such things if you ask if God is willing, I have very little doubt that Jesus won't gladly answer and say to us "I am willing".

Going to church in half an hours time and I'm asking God to take away doubt and disbelief. To take away cynicism and pessimism. To take away impurities and stray thoughts to restore love and faith that is inbuilt in me. I have a feeling that its going to be a good good Sunday.

I read from John Maxwell's book 25 Ways To Win With People and I found this chinese proverb which says

If you want happiness for an hour - take a nap
If you want happiness for a day - go fishing
If you want happiness for a month - get married
If you want happiness for a year - inherit a fortune
If you want happiness for a lifetime - help others.

Last week Mag smsed me this message: "Hi, just went to the dentist. He extracted my wisdom tooth finally. Now I feel a bit bodoh". Bodoh is Malay for stupid.

Helping others? Yes I thought its now a good chance to exercise help. ... But I learned very fast that "helping others" is an act of humility rather than pride. I'll spare you the details, but it is always good ending when we gain a lesson.

This morning I reflected on everything I'm doing again. I look at my life purpose. I check on my debt of love. I stocktake my everyday living (and dying). I asked the Lord for why does the road towards good always hard. The Lord gave me an impression. If we want to reach the peak of a mountain, the direction is always upward. If life's too easy, it's probably because we ain't doing much.

To aim for the mountain top, we walk, we run, we rest, we work and we enjoy the journey. By God's mercy our effort brings us a bit higher everyday. We have to remember while we may progress in work and effort but we only shine by helping others along the way.

Yesterday I was caught with a meeting to coordinate and a handphone that died early in the day. So I went around the office asking for a Motorola phone charger and to my surprise not many cool people uses a Moto phone. When I asked Elaine the sister from Missions if she has one, she replied no. Before I walked away, she managed to ask further why I needed one. I told her my battery is dead and I needed to use my handphone urgently that day. She listened and thought for a while and then took out from inside her drawer a new handphone and said "use this, its a spare". I was thrilled that it was a nice Motorola V3 Red Edition, fully charged. Not only I got a working handphone, I've got a cool looking one too. I feel like David Beckham even if its only for a day.

On the same day I was at a CD shop. Being a big fan of local folks doing well world class stuff in the world arena I went to the counter to ask the assistant if they have local croner Jacintha's Autumn Leave live album?"....He gave me a quick reply "Oh, no, we don't". He was wide eyed as if shocked by my question. I looked at him expecting a follow through remark along the lines of ..." we don't but I know where you may be able to get it......" or "... we don't have, but we can order it for you ", or even "...oh we ran out but the new shipment is coming next week" .... Instead he just looked down and continued his work behind the counter. I was left hanging there, wondering... I was made to feel silly about going to a CD shop to look for a CD.

We can add value to people who come to us with questions. We may not have what is requested but we can be helpful and provide more than what's expected. It's about being thoughtful and about adding value to people. It's about shinning and making a difference. I truly learn this lesson yesterday.

Arise O Lord; save me, O my God! For Thou has smitten all my enemies on the cheek; Thou hast shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; Thy blessing be upon Thy people" - Psalm 3:7-8

One of the blessing of being God's people is that He will give our enemies a really good beating. But before we have any wild thoughts about so & so, we need to be reminded that our enemies are not flesh and blood but principalities and power, the rulers and authority of the dark world.

So join in the fight like a red-blooded young boy, stand firm and never give up on what's good. Work productively and pray earnestly... yes, the Lord will surely bash somebody up. Deservingly

Reading from Gandhi's autobiography this morning is the thought of the day "The heart's earnest and pure desire is always fulfilled. In my own experience I have often seen this rule verified". He said when speaking of his heart's desire for service of the poor. That which came to pass inevitably.

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men"

Rules taught by men will be pulled out by the roots. It's the basis for the blind to lead the blind. On why the disciples were breaking the rule or the tradition of washing hands before eating, Jesus replied that it is not that which make a person unclean but things that comes out of the mouth and of the heart.

We have to examinte the rules that we follow and decide if its from men or if its from the Lord. Do not be surprise that you are living some of them which hinders you heart from coming closer to God. Check your heart if its growing towards truth and affecting your love level beyond that of the Pharisee.

One rule that has definitely bring my heart closer to the Lord and helps me invest in making the biggest difference in others life is the Rule of St. Benedict. I've been impressed the first time I read it and have been ever since. It reflects an excellent balance of silence and work. It has helped in my appreciation and living out in community, of stewardship & voluntary poverty, of priority of God's word and the respectful way to treat all things living and not.

Why is it cool to me? Besides my bent towards everything monastic, its three vows of 1) stability, 2) fidelity to the monastic way of life and 3) obedience really resonates with me. Actually its generally how I see the Christian life to be. OK its also because I'm too chicken for the Franciscan's way (whose 3 vows of chasity, poverty and obedience)

By the way in case u don't know, I don't live in a monastry. I live in Block 921, Tampines Street 91.... and for those who like to think, I also don't worship the Saints. I honor those who are before me.