Jesus Loves me this I know
For the bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The bible tells me so
Jesus Loves me when I am good
When I do the things I should
Jesus loves me when I am bad
But it makes Him very sad
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The bible tells me so
I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say
That I love Him everyday
Yes, I love Jesus
Yes, I love Jesus
Yes, I love Jesus
My life will tell Him so.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Continue Pursuit of Him Twenty and Nine
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:14
Press on is the key word in life, especially in the pursuit of God. Not because He is difficult to pursue, but because He is worthy of pursuing all my life. Then, what is this 'goal'? Not the goal to run after success as the world sees it, or sometimes people around you see it and nudge you to go after it. Not after things that do not last for eternity.
The goal is to grow in the knowledge of God, growing in the knowledge of God leads to amazement of Who He is which spirals up in intense love for Him and resulting in imbued desire for Him. And essentially with successive cycles, His desire becomes my desire.
Press on toward the goal! Press on toward the goal! Press on toward the goal!
Press on is the key word in life, especially in the pursuit of God. Not because He is difficult to pursue, but because He is worthy of pursuing all my life. Then, what is this 'goal'? Not the goal to run after success as the world sees it, or sometimes people around you see it and nudge you to go after it. Not after things that do not last for eternity.
The goal is to grow in the knowledge of God, growing in the knowledge of God leads to amazement of Who He is which spirals up in intense love for Him and resulting in imbued desire for Him. And essentially with successive cycles, His desire becomes my desire.
Press on toward the goal! Press on toward the goal! Press on toward the goal!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Jesus is .....
I did not have to go to you
I did not have to eat your food
I did not have to wear your clothes
I did not have to speak like you
I did not have to go to you
You came to me
You ate my food
You wore my clothes
You spoke like me
You came to me
You came from the highest place
You came from heaven
You came down to me
You did not have to
You did
You showed your love to me
At your expense
Love
You knew the depths of my heart yet you love me the same
You are ....
No word is enough to describe YOU.
I did not have to eat your food
I did not have to wear your clothes
I did not have to speak like you
I did not have to go to you
You came to me
You ate my food
You wore my clothes
You spoke like me
You came to me
You came from the highest place
You came from heaven
You came down to me
You did not have to
You did
You showed your love to me
At your expense
Love
You knew the depths of my heart yet you love me the same
You are ....
No word is enough to describe YOU.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Experiencing Him
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” Psalm 27:4
This is a familiar verse to many and it came to life to me last week when I was at a 5-day silent retreat at Upper Bukit Timah Road. It was a deep and unspeakable joy to experience the Lord’s presence and to be brought to mind some of the things that happened in Cambodia that the Lord wanted me to pay attention to. One such was a statement that came on strongly to me, ‘You have deliberately disobeyed me.’ I did not understand why it was so strikingly loud to me when we watched ‘The Lion King’ the first night at the retreat. I brushed it aside but it came back to me the next night. The Lord brought me back to a scene where I was with my ex-boss in Cambodia with some other people and we were having an informal meeting of some sort in a dream. I was thinking deeply about it and the statement, ‘You have deliberately disobeyed me’ continued to ring in my ears.
It came to light that while applying for a building permit in Cambodia, some complications came up and I was struggling with the go-abouts of handling the hiccups. I put into consideration not to violate God’s commands in regards to handling these hiccups. However, as the process went on, I remembered the thought of, ‘I don’t care anymore, just settle it the Khmer way and I want to get it over and done with!’. At that moment I was plagued with various issues more important to handle than the hiccups of the building permit. It was that moment I believed had offended God. It was completely out of my mind for a long time and it was immaterial to me. However, it was brought to my mind that it meant a lot to God the way things were handled. Some things which I may consider as trivial and harmless could be things that matter a lot to my good God.
The Lord was speaking to me in various ways with some help from my spiritual director. I felt so close to my Lord and there was this deep overflowing joy that came from within me.
This is a familiar verse to many and it came to life to me last week when I was at a 5-day silent retreat at Upper Bukit Timah Road. It was a deep and unspeakable joy to experience the Lord’s presence and to be brought to mind some of the things that happened in Cambodia that the Lord wanted me to pay attention to. One such was a statement that came on strongly to me, ‘You have deliberately disobeyed me.’ I did not understand why it was so strikingly loud to me when we watched ‘The Lion King’ the first night at the retreat. I brushed it aside but it came back to me the next night. The Lord brought me back to a scene where I was with my ex-boss in Cambodia with some other people and we were having an informal meeting of some sort in a dream. I was thinking deeply about it and the statement, ‘You have deliberately disobeyed me’ continued to ring in my ears.
It came to light that while applying for a building permit in Cambodia, some complications came up and I was struggling with the go-abouts of handling the hiccups. I put into consideration not to violate God’s commands in regards to handling these hiccups. However, as the process went on, I remembered the thought of, ‘I don’t care anymore, just settle it the Khmer way and I want to get it over and done with!’. At that moment I was plagued with various issues more important to handle than the hiccups of the building permit. It was that moment I believed had offended God. It was completely out of my mind for a long time and it was immaterial to me. However, it was brought to my mind that it meant a lot to God the way things were handled. Some things which I may consider as trivial and harmless could be things that matter a lot to my good God.
The Lord was speaking to me in various ways with some help from my spiritual director. I felt so close to my Lord and there was this deep overflowing joy that came from within me.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Missing Cambodia…….
I miss the cordial countenance of the Khmers. I miss the children’s noise, their warmness, friendliness and generous smiles. I long to talk to them, to hold and to touch.
The intensity of longing for them was beyond my expectation and it surprised me. A few sudden urges arose to go back and continue to work there so that I could be in contact with them. I know it was silliness and absurdity but it also astonished me for having such thoughts.
On an occasion gazing at a fruitful mango tree along Hougang triggered the thoughts of ‘how could the mangoes still be on the trees!!!’ It is such a waste and such a plentiful for survival of at least a few days for a few poor Khmer families! The fruits could have been taken to sell in the market in exchange for rice and/or meat.
Or, the mangoes would be all gone in minutes if my boys were here! How could the fruits still be hanging there to rot….
I could not resist the urge to ask a passerby who the mangoes belong to. The answer was “the government lo”, I said, “Yea, I know itz the government, the government, who, HDB? Social Affairs, or Town Council….which body?” The passerby said, “I don’t know. Anyway, these mangoes are not tasty, the other type the what what what… are the delicious ones.” Again, another cultural difference: Singaporeans go for tasty mangoes, Khmers are happy with edible mangoes. I miss the innocence and simplicity of the Khmers. And also the ‘anything goes attitude and mentality’, especially on the road!
I long for the children’s ever ready and generous smiles and I miss watching the children’s camaraderie.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Two months ago on 18 April, last day in Cambodia
Emotional exhaustion, physical tiredness and a forethought of having to part with the kids and staff had been choking me in the last few weeks of my service in the orphanage. And it got more intense on this memorable day.
I enjoyed my last moments with my last batch of children who did not get to go home for Khmer New Year at the nearby restaurant in the morning, the Cambodia province restaurant but by Singapore standard, it was a coffee shop. It was an enjoyable time to be able to be with them and see their cheerful faces for one last time in a small group setting. Bearing in mind that it will be my last time with this specific group of kids and it was their first time for most, in this restaurant.
I consider it the best time to depart. Khmer New Year is the most celebrated festive season in Cambodia and about 80% of the kids were home for Khmer New Year. Which means there were less than thirty children to part with. It was a lot bearable.
After a pleasant meal with my beloved kids, it was then packing and more last minute packing with interruptions of farewells from different people. I knew I was going to lose what I had been having for the past two years, the familiar smiles, laughter, the morning running of the lorry and the chattering and running of the children getting ready to go to school and much more. I felt like crying but the tears did not flow till the last moment.
It is still vivid in my mind he said a prayer for me by the white Ford and it was then that I could not bear it anymore and the tears came, and was glad it did not last long. I guess he knew what was in my heart and mind. I thank God for him. God has His purposes, always. I guess if not for him as the in-between and another volunteer turned friend by me, I would not have sustained till my last day. The volunteer turned friend had been with me helping me and supporting me in various ways, in ways I could not imagine how much I needed him. Or I would have had collapsed with dire consequences. I thank God for him as well and I appreciate him. Of course these are all a part of all Jesus’ sustaining grace, love and provision. He knows my needs and my limits and my weaknesses, a lot more than I know them.
“Even to your old age and grey hairs, I am He, I am He Who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4
What do I miss most of Cambodia……..?
Monday, April 14, 2008
Two Years Ago
I remember two years ago, about this time, I was full of passion and excitement about the new venture in my life, embarking into something I thought was what I wanted very much to do.
However, now, it has become a past, a pleasant past and a great experience of discovering people, different types of people and a wonderful learning experience about God and His unfailing love and presence. Jesus is always, always so so good.
Two years may seem very long. It can also be like a blink of an eye.
One of the significant chapters of my life is in the prelude stage and the new chapter opens to yet more unknowns and savouring experiences to the Only One Great God, Jesus Christ.
However, now, it has become a past, a pleasant past and a great experience of discovering people, different types of people and a wonderful learning experience about God and His unfailing love and presence. Jesus is always, always so so good.
Two years may seem very long. It can also be like a blink of an eye.
One of the significant chapters of my life is in the prelude stage and the new chapter opens to yet more unknowns and savouring experiences to the Only One Great God, Jesus Christ.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
