It's been awhile since I blogged. I thought perhaps I'll start with announcing the start of my D300 fund! :P Alright, kidding! Exams are around the corner. 6 exams this semester.
3 weeks to exams and there is most definitely a need to start going, planning and studying now.

On a more joyful note, I'll be headed to Chiangmai once more in December for a mission trip. Pray all will go well.

“Now, Lord, not my will, but thine be done. I know not what to do; I am brought to extremities, but I will wait until thou shalt cleave the floods, or drive back my foes. I will wait, if thou keep me many a day, for my heart is fixed upon thee alone, O God, and my spirit waiteth for thee in the full conviction that thou wilt yet be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower.”

Spurgeon, C. H.: Morning and Evening : Daily Readings. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. August 30 AM

Nikon's full-frame answer! the Nikon D3! 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor at speeds of 9 frames/s. The fastest full-frame DSLR. My my....

Operation Chiangmai

I haven't been blogging on this blog for awhile as it is largely concentrated on the operation chiangmai team blog.

Thank God for the end of exams! God is faithful.

Now all time and efforts are focused on getting my life back in order(including my room) and also focus on operation chiangmai as we head towards the last 1 month of preparation ot the trip. More prayer, more planning and more steadfast faithfulness. God is good, no matter the circumstances, God is good!

Just praise God I survived today and for the many prayers of people around who care. 2 papers down and 1 more to go on friday.

The Lord give peace and is faithful til the end.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Here I am, Lord.

Tonight an old sweet hymn came back in my mind. A hymn that spoke of the faith of generations past, of men of great faith, of God's blessing far stewn along the way and a desire to be found faithful amongst a cloud of unseen witnesses who represent generations gone by.

Our Father, by whose servants,
Our School was built of old,
Whose hand has crowned Thy children,
With blessings manifold;
For Thy unfailing mercies,
Far strewn along our way,
With all who passed before us,
We praise Thy name today.

They reaped not where they laboured,
We reap what they have sown;
Our harvest may be garnered,
By ages yet unknown.
The days of old have dowered us
With gifts beyond all praise,
Our Father make us faithful
To serve the coming days.

Before us and beside us,
Still holden by Thy hand,
A cloud of unseen witness,
Our elder comrades stand;
One family unbroken,
We join in one acclaim;
One heart, one voice uplifting
To glorify Thy name.

One family of Saints. in one acclaim and one voice uplifting pursuing a single vision of glorifying the name of God. Well, if you've rightly guessed, this is Saint Andrew's Junior College Hymn. Oh the height and the depth of meaning in this hymn. This hymn came to mind as I thought of the great cloud of witnesses of men and women of faith who have passed on to glory. As I'm studying the Kings and Prophets, I studied the unfaithful kings of Israel and some of the outstanding Kings of Judah who did right before the eyes of the Lord, who walked steadfast with the Lord, whose heart were entirely His and I cannot help but ask for a steadfast heart, boldness and courage to walk as the kings of Judah and not pursuing after things that seem right before mine own eyes.

"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. -2 Chron 16:9

God is looking and calling. May we be constantly found saying the same words as many great men of faith.

Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, " Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." -Gen 22:1

God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, " Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am."-Gen46:12

When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." -Exo3:4

that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, " Here I am."-1Sam3:4

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"-Isa6:8

"But if He should say thus, ' I have no delight in you,' behold, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him."-2Sam15:26 (David speaking concerning finding favour with the Lord)

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."- Acts9:10

"Here I am. Send me!"

Never Too Young

An article I read tonight that was encouraging. I hope we will aspire to do great things for God, regardless of our age. Don't wait til you're older, coz you'll probably be have missed out of all those years when you could have made a greater difference. Beginning to assume a conscious leadership now is the right time.

It's summertime here at the Atlanta office. And with summer comes the heat. With summer around the EQUIP office, come the interns. You should see them. About a dozen collegians with smiling faces and energy to burn, trying to learn more about leadership development in this unique ministry - birthed by John Maxwell less than five years ago.

One of the things I enjoy so much about daily working in a leadership culture like EQUIP, is the constant focus on mentoring young people in leadership. In fact, EQUIP's devoting a lot of time and resources these days to preparing tomorrow's leaders (from junior high to post graduate students) to be the best leaders they can be. Leadership mentors like Tim Elmore and Dick Wynn speak, write, and represent EQUIP all over North America pouring their experiences into the lives of students who want to be people of influence.

For cynics whom believe today's emerging leaders are categorically not leaders at all, or simply disrespectful, inept, or lacking poise, Tim Elmore is putting the brakes on that kind of thinking. In fact, Tim's research in his new book "Developing the Leader Within Your Child" (Thomas Nelson Publishers) uncovers a "millennial generation" of kids (born since 1984) that believe they can actually change the world. Tim says, "This is a generation of kids which has seen the selfishness of their parents, personally experienced the heartache of mom and dad getting divorced, the absence of their parents from home life, the short-term high of materialism, and generally fuzzy-headed ideas about life. The millennial have concluded, 'Their must be a better way.'

Tim and Dick are talking to kids all over North America. In fact, last year they spoke on dozens of high school and college campuses driving home one basic point: You can make a difference as a leader wherever you are! They tell me that the kids are responding positively representing a generation which thinks it can change the world!

Not too long ago, Dick gave me a list of what he called "emerging leader accomplishments." If anyone thinks, today's leaders can't make a difference tomorrow, they need only look back at some of history's handful of influencers who rolled up their sleeves, some even as teenagers, and made a difference. For instance:

- Einstein wrote his first paper on the theory of relativity when he was 16

- Mozart compose his first symphony at age 6

- Joan of Arc led 300 French knights in the Battle of Orleans when she was 17

- George Williams founded the YMCA when he was 23

- Lloyd Braille developed the Braille system for the blind at age 12

- George Whitfield drew thousands to the church he pastored at age 21

- J. Hudson Taylor started China Inland Mission when he was in his early thirties

- John Wesley birth Methodism at 17

- John Calvin started pastoring at age 17

- Josiah revitalized Israel at age 20

- David was anointed King of Israel when he was 15

Walking around the EQUIP office today are young interns who want to make a difference. They're hungry for leadership development. For them, the future is bright. But equally bright is the future of those of who will take the time to mentor and love them. Only God knows, but just a few feet outside my door today, is another emerging leader God's preparing to make a difference in this world.

I think I'll take a walk around today, find one, and offer them encouragement. It's what leaders do!

Dr. John D. Hull

President, EQUIP

4725 River Green Parkway

Duluth, GA 30096

678 225-3308 PH

678 225-3349 FX

John.Hull@equiporg.org

www.equiporg.org

Reflections on Sin

Sin in life is like a miry bog, a quick sand that threatens to devour me more completely the more I struggle. With each failed attempt, hope wanes dimmer as my heart is crushed in fatigue and paralysed in fear and worry.

Perhap akeen to being caught in a bog, unless someone comes along and offers a helping hand - there is no hope, not in my effort. Yet it takes great humility to accept such help. How often have I took the long route, fell til I am broken, before I was willing to take up the hand that is always there for me - ready to help. Such is sin and such is my pride.

Change my heart O, Lord
Make it ever true
Change my heart O, Lord
May I be like you.

You are the potter Lord
I am the clay
Make me and mold me
This is what I pray.

Sunrise Service 2007

have not blogged in a while since I started my own japanese journal.
僕の日本語が悪いのに、もう決めて書いた。頑張るつもりだ。

anyway, check out the new operation chiangmai blog, courtesy of Bro Nat who allowed us to be hosted on his gen12 site. There you'll find prayer updates and events in the days to come.

Operation Chiangmai Blog

This week looks to be terrible as the last week leading up to reading week. Tomorrow is my Japanese oral exam, Friday is my game design project due and presentation, also got a gaming essay due then. Followed by a Game Lab due next week. All relatively undone. Pray for strength, peace, courage and a sound mind.

１リットルの涙

been watching "1 Litre of Tears" lately. It's a japanese drama based on the diaries of a Kitou Aya, a 15 year old girl who was diagnosed with the incurable neural disease that would slowly but eventually waste away all her ability to perform everyday tasks. From being clumsy, slowly being unable to walk to not being able to talk or enunciate her words anymore. She kept a dairy till she was unable to write with her hands anymore.

I won't talk about how good it is, but all I'll say is it really speaks to the heart. And I would like to read her diary which is published in Japanese someday.




Someone tried translating some of the entries of Aya's dairy into english here.

早稲田渋谷高校のプロジェクトの感想文

今年日本語四のプロジェクトだから、早稲田渋谷高校生と会える機会があった。二月六日楽しみに早稲田渋谷高校へ行った。学生はフォーマルドレスに着ていた、見て驚いた。あの日に私の服は略式すぎると思った。最初に、女の子の学生は開会の辞を言って、皆を集団にした。学校の案内前に、先ず茶道を参加した。彼女の動作は全て優美だし、お菓子が甘いし、それからお茶がおいしかった。でも、長い時間で跪くから、足が痺れた。いい経験だと思った。

茶道のあと、私の集団が早稲田渋谷高校の学園を見学した。歩きながら、後のクイズは答えられるように、学生がたくさんおもしろい豆知識を伝えた。途中で、ドラムの声が聞けたから、声をたどっていたと、学生のバンドを見つかった。バンドの鼓手はグリーンデイが知っていると言った。それで、私たちに演奏してくれた。実は私たちがグリーンデイの曲があまり知っていないのに、私たちを楽しんでくれた。早稲田渋谷高校の皆は優しい人と思った。集団で有馬さんを知れていた。有馬さんはシンガポールで１０年ぐらい住んでいたのに、なかなか英語で喋れると言ったので、ちょっと信じられない。だから、有馬さんいつもシンガポールで日本人友達しか喋らないのだろうと思った。残念だと思った。

早稲田渋谷高校を案内した日の一週間後、NUSの順番だった。高校生が来る前に、楽しい案内できるように、いろいろなことを準備したり、パンフレットを書いたり、自分のShow And Tellのスピーチをしなければならなかったりしたので、随分大変だと思った。開会辞後で、２０００年建てられたUniversity Cultural Centreへ行って、シンガポール美術の展覧会を見学して、中国語図書館で読んで見て、それから原点に戻って、Show and Tellをした。早稲田渋谷高校の皆はNUSが大きすぎるので、迷子になりやすいと思っていたのに、毎日NUSで勉強なので、そう思わないんだった。早稲田渋谷高校生はNUSが好きなのに、NUSで勉強のことをあまり考えてなかった。原因は、NUSになかなか入学できなそうのだろうと思った。

NUSツウワは楽しかったのに、日本語でなかなか私の思うのが言えないので、ちょっとがっかりしたと思った。自分に「よく頑張っていたら、いつかきっとできる」と言ってくれた。

Ginger Flower

Banana Flower, originally uploaded by 楓 kaede.

Macrophotography last year. I think it's a ginger flower.

advance calculus came and passed(ok, it was bad...). japanese mid-terms tmr.
good news! flash lab dateline on thursday has been postponed to monday! Thank God, I think the game deserves more.

Support Raising Seminar is coming up this Saturday. I'll need prayer on how to present this. I'm sure we all approach raising support in fear and uncertainty, but God is more then sufficient for all our needs.

We continue to look for speakers for the weekly Operation Chiangmai Missions Seminar. Pastor has kindly agreed to speak on the 10 March on the cross and what it means in our lives. I don't know who will come, and how many. But I know my God has a plan far better. Beyond looking at the situation at hand, I praise God for opportunity to show how He is able to work the hearts of people and is always in control and at work in every situation I am in. Praise God!

Missions month is coming up in March. (and so is mid-term exams... haha) but anyway, had steamboat dinner with YF and Sunday School. Somehow, we ended up talking about missions again. haha... I think it's terrible for anyone else, because our topics are so predictable.

Anyway, the missions workshops and seminar topics list with rough dates are done.

tomorrow(technically today) registration for Operation Chiang Mai 2007 ends. Who will God send? Please pray.

just got my blogger stats and I realise how "cold" my blog is... haha.. just an average of 1 view per week. My theory years ago about people not being interested in the things going on in your life seems to be right... at least for mine. haha...

Anyway, had a fantastic chinese new year, with late nights, hong baos, great fellowship... and of course the nice chat with the missions sub-comm we had at Uncle Kok Wah's place. I think God's heart beat is always upon our minds.. and it does seem that no matter what we do, it still upon our hearts. I do wish, God willing, that more would share in the same passion.

Just did up a 1st draft of the topics for the missions equipping workshops/seminars. Praying for God to continue to give wisdom in this area.

I really feel inadequate to do the work, but somehow I'm not so afraid, knowing that it is the will of God. I hope to pray unceasingly in every manner possible as we seek to glorify God in this area.

An essay due this friday, and a flash animation lab, a calculus mid-term paper and a japanese mid term test all due next week. Don't like doing this work... haha..

Today we learnt 2 things.

1. God's plan of salvation and forgiveness of sins for mankind involves all the nations.
2. Every Christian in the body of Christ is placed in a positioned thought best by God and is important and interdependent on the other members of the body of Christ.
   

Thank God for all the faithful ones who continue in studying the word of God, in prayer and in fellowship through this Great Commission group. Though we've known each other for a while now, through this, I begin to feel a deeper sense of friendship and unity amongst us. Perhaps, its just me, but it's still very real, when we work together towards a single goal - to obey God to promote the Gospel to all the world and pray one for another, there is a gladness uncomparable to normal friendships that runs in me. Thank God.

A great reunion dinner tonight, where I learnt many interesting happenings going on. Won't comment too much about it, but suffice to say they are "gossip worthy".. haha... I continue to thank God that I'm in the hands of a God who is constant and loving, that I don't need to depend upon horoscopes, lucky numbers and etc to ensure I have a good year ahead, when I know The Great Shepherd is looking out for His own little sheep like me.

Featured on Waseda Shibuya High School's website. Our little visit to their school and the tea ceremony we had there. 　小さいだけど、いい所だよ！ with an excellent canteen that made good tiramisu @ $1.50!

http://www.waseda-shibuya.edu.sg/s-events06-20070206.html

Today we brought the Waseda High School students around NUS for a tour. As a whole we spent a rather good timetouring parts of NUS that even I have never been to.

For me though, I had an unbearable time with myself... or my lack of ability to speak with them in japanese... The words keep escaping me and it got a lil fustrating. Came back home and prayed about it. I know our Lord is the one who makes the tongue (just as He told Moses in Genesis) and that He was the one who created different languages to scatter the people gathered around the Tower of Babel... He'll still be the One who will give a person ability to converse in a language. I asked that He knowing the desires of my heart, would allow me to be fluent in His time, for His purposes.

疲れている時に誰かに行ける？
罪がある時に誰かに行ける？
泣く時、誰かへ行ける？

Attended a japan missionary's mum's funeral last night. It was quite elaborate, with all the marks of an expensive chinese funeral. Perhaps, what would be sad is to see him at a corner observing his other siblings performing all sorts of rites for the dead. I pray that God will use this for His glory.

Tired out from school and debates. Don't have much desire to do anything... except read the word of God and pray... a sign of burning out. I need rest, will sign out and rest early.　お休みなさい！

Me Church... Where it is all about you.

Anyone shopping for a church?

thank God for a blessed time of studying the 5 part great commission studies, discussion and fellowship. God is indeed at work in our every situation, if we take notice to give thanks to the things occuring around us.

Memorised Matt 28:18-20. God's calling for born-again believers to "Go... and make disciples of all nations..."

I heard of Japan missionary friend whose mother suddenly passed away and he needs to come back to Singapore today. The 2nd such sudden death of an unbelieving parent I've seen in the past 4 weeks. Makes me reflect on my family...

The 5 Great Commission Studies

Well, after coming back and recovering from a cough... thank God for renewed strength to do His work.

I am thankful to God for the many brothers who have agreed promptly at the idea of studying God's word regarding the great commission! We're going to use material from Brother Nat who passed it to us in Chiang mai - 5 Great Commission studies by Jerry Bridges.

It's about the right time now, where I thought we can all come together to investigate the height and depth of our calling in the Great Commission. I pray that God will bless our hearts to His glory and that many more will be able to have the opportunity to join us.

Thank God for His mercies that I'm back in Singapore. Will continue to update the last few days of the blog in Chiang Mai where we went up north and had not net access.

I'm suffering from cough for a few days now. Taking cough medicine. For for the Lord to heal.

So many things to do for the Lord, and so much discipline needed for them...

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God... Psalm 143:10