I'm fine and dandy...

How forgetful I tend to be... especially after the Lord has seen me through such a patch.

Well, I'm glad to be alive and kicking. God has really blessed the Crusade Blast Off camp and I'm very thankful to all the friends made in my group and also for all the freshies and their enthusiasm to be involved in Crusade activities. Youth Worship Service was good also. I knew that God was working through me.

My Lord saw me through last week and for that, I'm thankful.

My camera remains unsold. Can't seem to fetch a reasonable price for it. And when I could(and i even lowered the price further), the buyer did not get back to me. The other 70-300mm lens has no reasonable offers either. This is really odd. It's like God doesn't want me to sell the rest anymore. But I remain unconvinced. I pray that God will show me what He wants me to do, not what I would do.

feeling exahusted... worship rehearsal, debates training, blast off camp, prayer comm meetings, SM retreat... that's just some of the things happening next week... and still being asked for more things... scary isn't it? I honestly don't want to live through next week if the Lord is not my strength and my portion..

please pray for me (oh and it'll help a lot if you not ask me to be involved in more things too :) ).

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God
said, "Ask! What shall I give you?"
...
9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your
people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this
great people of Yours?" 10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had
asked this thing. 11 Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this
thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for
yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself
understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your
words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has
not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.

13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and
honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.
14 So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as
your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."

Another verse came to mind when reading what Solomon asked of the Lord.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (Jam 1:5 KJVR)

God is well pleased at our requests to ask for wisdom, discernment of heart, understanding of justice. Is a lesson further reinforced into my heart. Is it possible that a God so great as ours is interested in giving a man wisdom in life and judgement of all things? I cannot begin to understand how God is interested in even this aspect of my life.

I used to think wisdom came with age(of course until I realise how some old people behave childishly). I used to think that wisdom came about faster for some people who were more observant and intelligent then others(until i met intelligent but foolish men).

Now I know all good wisdom is from above. From the LORD, who alone can give and is willing to give unabraidedly. Being well-pleased that we should even ask for wisdom above life and riches.

came back from a long day of work...

Am packing my 50mm f/1.8 lens... and I really am going to miss it... it really hurts to part with photography indefinitely... 3 years ago I wouldn't be saying this or even understand what it means..

The world was created beautiful and much of its beauty lies to be discovered. I pray the Lord wills that one day I'll see the world through those lenses again... yet not my will, but His.

wisdom... what is wisdom? and what does it mean to be wise?

James 3:17 "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peacable, gentle, full of mercy and good fruits[good results], reasonable, and withou hypocrisy."

8 characteristics of true wisdom to meditate upon...

Started on Precepts Kings and Prophets Series 1 today. Am excited, at the depth of knowledge and application as I study the old testament books.

Adonijah tries to establish himself as king when David was old, by roping in Joab the commander of the army and Abiathar the priest. It's never wise to put yourself in opposition of God's word, as God had already told David to appoint Solomon as king and how God Himself would be a father to Solomon... As the story goes, Solomon was anointed as king by Nathan the prophet and Adonijah's coup attempt failed, as his "friends" left him terrified at what Solomon would do to them. And Adonijah himself was so afraid to return home as well.

What was most interesting that Solomon said "If he is a worthy man, not one of his hairs will faill to the ground; but if wickedness is found in him, he will die"1kings1:52

and finally when Adonijah the mastermind-of-the-failed-coup was brought before Solomon, he only had these words for Adonijah, his brother, "Go to your house." Such wisdom Solomon has exhibited from the start. Sounds much more interesting to come...

Please come and join me in Precepts class every Monday Night 7.45pm-10pm @ my church in pandan gardens if you stay in the west ya? I have so greatly benefited from this Precept study, that I cannot begin to express my desire to share this with more people, to see more of God's people be rooted in His wonderful word for us and seeing lives changed in accordance to the word with all prosperity and victory in living the life we've been called to in Christ Jesus.

Finally, want to praise God thus far that He has indeed been my provider by allowing pretty good offers for the various camera parts. But thus far the main body and another lens are not recieving good offers to sell... but it's good to wait upon the will of God even in this area.

Just recieved in my mail box an invitation to attend the SYPA(Singapore Young Photographers' Award) prize presentation and photo exhibitition on 27th July evening. In it there was no announcements of results. The website did not include results either... so did I win or not?

Haiz.. I was so happy when I saw the invitation card when opening the envelope, I thought I had won! but i don't know...

Realise that I need to commit this to the LORD too. And not just commit it to Him to win. But also to give thanks for not winning, for it would be the good and perfect will of God also! Given that I think there are tons of people taking better photos then me in Singapore who are younger then me even... my chances are... slim to say the least.. but I can still hope!

So, I'll say in advance... if I did not win... "Thank You Lord!"

 

Hi guys, I'm developing this photo to be given as thank you cards to my supporters. If you'll like to do the same, you can get the original high quality copy from me. 

My favourite actress while in Japan. 小西真奈美 konishi manami。Here she is doing an advertisement for Singapore!

Tonight I took the most difficult step I had to do in a long time... I put up my Nikon and all its lenses, flash, accessories for sale...

But yet it is a step I must do.

Am back in Singapore. Will attempt to blog the highlights of the trip as I review my journal over the next few days.

Many things to do after the trip... keeping in touch with friends made in Japan. Sorting photos, gifts, etc...

Aya chan, 3 day old Christian when we took this picture. Please pray that the Lord will cause her to grow!

Grace Covenant Evengelical Church At Shibuya

Please check out the Gen12ii Tokyo team's blog @ http://tokyogen12.blogspot.com/

posted a latest update in there. Also, you can pray for us as we prepare and make ready plans for Tokyo.

If you'll like to be in my prayer support mailing list, please drop me an email or message. I'll be glad to keep you updated on the work, the team, the prayer needs of myself, and the land.

Long term fascination fulfilled

After a year+ long fascination... tonight it was finally fulfilled, albeit at a high cost.

I'm finally a proud owner of a Nikon DSLR - D70!!! together with a 24-120mm Vibration Reduction lens.

Now I'm terribly poor... please don't ask me out the next few months... haha :P

Zone Final Last Concert

An emotional concert, thanks to Alex for the link.

Japanese Garden

P1050853
Originally uploaded by my fascinations.

Yes, i know this is the Chinese Garden. just a picture of it's silhouette that i caught while on my way home from a photo shoot in the Japanese Garden.

I lie awake thinking of you,

meditating on you through the night.
I think of how much you have helped me;
I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.
I follow close behind you;
your strong right hands hold me securely.

But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin,
They will go down into the depths of the earth.
They will die by the sword
and become the food of jackals.

But the king will rejoice in God.
All who trust in him will praise him,
while liars will be silenced.

- Psa 63:6-11

How much more to think of God...?
"Oh my soul, much much more..."

What's a miracle?

Today, pastor was speaking of what had happened to me regarding the bidding of my modules and he said,

A miracle is what God does that separates us from disaster.

that's a pretty good definition. If I could in anyway have saved myself in my situation, then what God had done would not have been a miracle.

Had dinner to say farewell to Joel and Benjamin... Gave both of them an NASB inductive study Bible from the combined counsellors group. Seeing many brothers and sister off to Australia these days.

I pray that these few years would be time where they will grow ever closer to the Lord and greater in faith as they trust the providences of God in a foreign land.

Reminded of Daniel, when he was held captive in Babylon, a land foreign and hostile to him. Many Israelites forgot the Lord and worshipped the Babylonian gods. When we are separated and in foreign lands, only 2 things can happen... either we slip away from God as we no longer feel accountable to anyone or like Daniel, we can purpose in our hearts to honour God... in a foreign land when we are out of our comfort zone or even where God's name is scarcely mentioned, we thirst more for our God. To honour Him yet higher and greater then we ever did.

call unto me in the day of trouble... Psa 50:15

Saturday night while bathing, it dawned to me that I could be quite a "joke". There is this man, who claims that his God can provide for Him, blind faith... led him to only have 3 modules this semester... some kind of God... perhaps this would be what some of my non-Christian friends would think, after all the bidding rounds have closed. God had been gracious in providing me all my core-modules, yet the modules of Introduction to Jap Studies and Japanese 2 i've consistently been unable to bid succesfully. Even to the extent of forgetting to bid for the japanese module when it was 140+ in the 3rd round, which was uncharacteristic of me since I've been praying and thinking about it regularly. It was getting clear that God wanted to show me that if He were to give these modules to me, it would not be through my human effort... but truly by the grace of God.

Perhaps the reality of going through this semester with only 3 modules could not be any nearer, but that night I was reminded of God's grace to the Israelites despite disobeying Him. For His name's sake that the nation of Egypt will not mock at God because God who led His people out of Egypt, destroyed the people in the wilderness instead. God spared the nation of Israel for it's rebellion time and again, for His name's sake. I prayed that night, afraid of the uncertainty, that for His name's sake that He would preserve me... Nevermind if I don't get what I want, just don't let me be put to shame because I trust in Him...

Psa 119:31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.

In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. (Psalms 31:1)

God is true to His word... and the whole time Psa50:15 kept ringing in my head and was spoken to me by 3 different people...

Psa 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Am glad that I did call... And it was putting my faith in who God is to the test... when head knowledge will become heart knowledge...

Monday morning, quiet time reading was on Numbers. The nation of Israel was ready to stone Caleb and Joshua for trusting God to give them the land of canaan. Then the Lord spoke and said He would disown Israel and send a plague to destroy all of them and through Moses will He make an even greater nation. Yet Moses pleaded with the Lord to spare Israel so that the Egyptians would not say that God destroyed them because He was not able to give them the promised land. And God relented, but punished them to roam the wilderness for 40 years. Wow! Yes, we can plead to God for His name's sake.. and for the 1st time I really did...

Reading Joy's blog at12pm in the noon and again I saw Psa50:15. God's promise to deliver me in the day of trouble... that in so doing I will glorify Him... and not be put to shame...
Amazing... isn't it? I've never really known of the existence of Psa50:15 until this experience...

Thereafter I checked my cors website and noticed that I had japanese 2 and intro to jap studies tutorials to bid for! wow!! can't believe my eyes! that means I got them both by appeal!! 110+ pts for japanese 2 and 349 points for Jap studies!! that's real cheap!

Praise God most high! His word is true... and I know it.. because I've experienced it. Those who trust in the Lord will never be ashamed. He will deliver thee. that's a promised that's true because it is said by God who doesn't change and is able and wanting to keep His promises.

Yes, God opened another 2 doors to Japan. This time perhaps the most difficult 2 doors thus far... I wonder what's ahead? but I take delight in knowing my God is ever present, guiding me in the way everlasting!

My God is so good, so strong and so mighty,
there's nothing my God cannot do.

Kids song- thanks to Allvina for teaching.

Lordship over my relations

Praise You for Your Lordship!
Praise You for being the One that I run to, sorry for what I've done.
Praise You for when words and reason are better left unsaid, that yet You know.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
(Psalms 139:23-24)