A nice Thursday..

I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches.
~Alice Roosevelt Longworth ~

Furniture shopping online is massively painful to the eye! There is just too much to do. It is enough as it is to compare the make, the colour and the size. But after that, then you start surfing the net to compare the prices, and the delivery rates and times. Ouch!

And to add the icing on the cake, after I've done all that - my friend tells me that there is usually a big sale over the bank holiday so chances are I may get a better deal this weekend "in" the shops and online!

But, in a sense, maybe it was good. I usually am not online in the afternoon on Thursdays, as I'm usually in the office but today it was just horrid weather outside, and I decided to stay indoors to do finish off some packing and hunt for furniture before the big move on Tuesday. And the result - I had a good chat with a friend today on msn, and though it wasn't long or extensive content wise, I learnt something crucial. For that, I'm grateful that God is at work at all times in our lives and I have no doubt that everything happens for a reason!

I took a walk this evening, after the bulk of the horrid weather cleared slightly to buy some collapsible plastic boxes. No luck there. Decided to explore some alley ways for the fun of it since I've never done so and I'm moving out of the area in a few days. As I strolled past some small shops, i noticed the shades of people walking past me as I skipped through puddles of water, trying not to dirty my new jeans. I stood outside this meat shop, and my eyes did the rest of the talking. The words of the song "everyday the pass me by, I can see it in their eyes, empty people filled with care, headed who knows where" - this was true of every passerby as I glanced at each one who walked along that meat shop, from young kids to the elderly.

Evangelism and Missions is not a ministry. Far be it from us to think so.

I am convinced that for us to be effective disciples of Christ, we need to actively engage in evangelism and missions in one way or another in our daily lives. God put us where we are to "do his good works" and manifest himself, and God puts peoples in our paths so that He can use us as His key to make a difference in their life.

People have asked me of late, whether I have a heart for the youth here in the UK, and some even asked me if my burden is specifically for the teens ministry. I've often said yes without really thinking. My heart is for this generation yes, and my burden is for the people out of church-the lost. But all in all, what does this ultimately all boil down to - it is all about lives. My heart today as I am reminded must be as close to God's heart for this world. And, I'm going to be bold to say that none of us can limit God, or limit ourselves to any ministry or area of service because it is Him who chooses for us where He wants us not us telling Him only what we want to do.

The next generation ministries is challenging. Most of the time, I don't have a clue what it entails and I feel I lack the depth and the capacity. I've studied abit of the culture, read up and talk to several people. But so what? My focus therefore is not that I need to be an expect in this area but that in all things, to depend on God's grace more and more because I will always lack the capacity and the depth in such a cutting edge society that constantly experience change.

What is expected of us is to simply use what we have for Him - and that usually means, touching lives - not simple serving church.

Its refreshing when we look at the lives of those outside the walls of the church, and see them as God sees them. I believe the church needs to realise the redemptive power of His being (as what my cell and I have discovered in our bible studies) and answer the call of reaching out tho those who need that hope by first allowing and asking God for that personal revival in our lives to take place daily!

I'm thankful that a friend wrote about how Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper really inspired her. I recommend it to everyone to read, and read with your journal and bible by your side. Meditate and allow God to speak to you. The study guide for small groups is EXCELLENT! And, if you're in UK in late March-Early April next year, join me and others as we head to North Wales to hear John Piper and Don Carson!

Oh, I'm back to the hospital tomorrow. Hope they have better news for me....and we can finally solve the mystery!

I won't be blogging for awhile as my family is around for 10 days. And I think its only appropriate that I blog only because of a conviction. Maybe I'll have something to share when I'm back in Singapore..