pieces from my heart

Here’s a piece my friend commissioned me to do.  In it it holds a prayer, that I pray that he never gives up, always keeps dreaming.  Title: Tomorrow comes with today’s dreams.  Acrylic on canvas.

Tomorrow comes with today’s dreams

Here’s another one for my friend’s graduation.  I pray that it’ll be a reminder to her, to never stop living life to its fullest. Title: Love, Live, Give Life -  John 10:10.  Acrylic on canvas.

Love, Live, Give Life – John 10:10

Here’s another one done for another friend’s graduation.  I pray that he’ll always be reminded that strength comes from waiting upon the Lord.  Title: Wait upon the Lord – Isaiah 40:39.  Acrylic on canvas.

Wait upon the Lord – Isaiah 40:39

new season!

Seems like, looks like, feels like… a new season approaching!

First the job move, then the leaders move, next the house move, coming up could be a country move! It’s all in God’s Hands… just believing and praying.  I pray that Lord I’ll not only look to your Hands, but always look to YOU.  You are all I need.  Thank you for everything that I have…only because you gave…because you love me.

In times of uncertainty, He is my Rock.  This I am sure.  Even though there is uncertainty, there is in me, that surety, that assurance that all will be good.  Because He is Good.  I’m soooo ready for this new change, this new season! Love you Jesus… xoxo

environmental systems

So had coffee with a girlfriend a couple of days ago… somehow we ended up discussing about different educational systems between different countries.  As a teacher trained and taught in Australia, who later went to India to teach… she was struggling.  The educational curriculum, the programs, the emphasis, all different – she said.  And it made me think…

I was brought up in the schools of Singapore.  Great programs & curriculum, no doubt about that…..but the emphasis on results & scores… the pressure to get high grades, otherwise you were deemed by teachers and peers as ‘not good enough’… was intense.  It trained me well to listen, not ask questions, and to regurgitate everything the teacher taught.  That was my schooling environment.  The environment, the culture pushed & pressured… it’s all about the scores, all about the grades.  If you didn’t score well in Secondary School, you couldn’t join the rest of the ’smarter’ students, who would go into the ‘express’ stream – instead you’ll posted to the ‘normal’ stream… the ‘normal’ stream!!! So if you’re not deemed as ’smart’, you’re ‘normal’??!!  Because it was the way the system was, you just accepted things as they were.  I never saw the irony before…. yet now, the more i think about it, the more ironic it is!

And we never had a choice as to what subjects we could study.  You were meant to accept it, just as it is.  Just as it is with everything else in Singapore.  Oh no, I love Singapore, am very proud of my home nation, very proud of the Government that is running the country.  Yet, there is this tension, that exists, where I think as a nation, it must be relevant.  It must allow the People a voice.

As my Aussie-teacher-girlfriend explained, she was trained to assess the entire class, and assess individuals from the time they started to the end of Term, and grade & assess them based on how much they have improved since.  But it’s not like that in India.  It’s all about the grades.  I would think it could be quite similar to Singapore’s system.  While Singapore’s system trained us to be achievers, and top scorers, it didn’t allow for individual success.  If you didn’t make the standard ‘cut-off’ – you’re a failure.  It can be a little harsh for the youth trying to figure out who they are, what their interests are, don’t you think?

As I think about it now…. the education system, that environment trained & shaped the way I think, and process information.  Well, my grades & scores were pretty good… but does that really mean anything?  In the context of the environmental systems that I grew up in, what do these high scores really mean? Does it just mean that I’m smart & I used my brain, or that I’m really only good at memorising & then incredibly good at regurgitating everything during the exams?

She said, the system created very good imitators, but not creators, hardly any innovators.  wow… never thought about it that way before.  So I sit here and think – have I ever used my creative brain- esp during my school days in Singapore?  Maybe I need to re-learn some things.  Undo the set ways… allow myself to be more creative…not accept the status quo… be different, make a difference, lead the change.

The environment I grew up in and its systems, affect me in more ways than I realised.  Time to re-learn, and keep learning.

Did You Know?

wow….
let’s lead the change!

Activate Conference
www.activate09.com

Blessed…

Been awhile since I last blogged… lotsa stuff happened in-between… am now just sitting at home reflecting on all that’s happened… and am feeling very blessed.

I went to Bali in early Feb.  My first visit to Bali!!! It was amazing… i loved the people, the culture, their way of life… totally loved the surf!! was surfing all day, every day for 5 days…wish i had more days!  got to hang out/ quality time with my friends… but also learnt alot about myself… had time to just wind-down, be away from the busyness of life, and just chill and do nothing but surf… LIFE!! I love the way the waves curl, that power turns into white wash, but yet still has so much energy, so much strength. I love sitting out on the horizon, meeting other surfers (love you friendly surfers, dislike the snobby ones), watching the calm in the horizon.  I love sitting on the sand, listening to the sound of the waves ‘meeting’ the sand on the shore.  I love squinting up into the sky, watching the form of the clouds, watching them move with the wind.  I am so blessed.  God created all these! Everything He created… just because He loves me… am so blessed.

Spent 2 weeks in Singapore.  Love my family… celebrated my parent’s 30th Anniversary… I thank God for my awesome Mum & Pa…for never giving up on me, their unconditional love.  I thank God for my bros… for always standing by me, praying for me, loving me.  We’ve been through sooooo much, but I thank God for His love…kept all of us going strong.. Love my family soooo much. As they say, a family that prays together stays together – so true!!! No weapons formed against us shall prosper, and we will refute every tongue that accuses us.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is the vindication from the Lord (Isaiah 54:17)… I am so blessed.

Met up with alot of my old school friends, had alot of reunion dinners, caught up with my beautiful ex-colleagues, did alot of shoe shopping, ate and ate and ate…all my fav food: Sup Tulang (bone marrow in gravy), BBQ stingray, Roasted Chicken Rice, Fish Head Curry, Cockles, and more!!! yummy! I thank God for life-long friends!! Doesn’t matter where we are in the world, what season of life we are in, we’re life-long friends…. I am so blessed.

Came back to Melbourne, settled back into work.  I work with an awesome group of people. Even though things are tougher, I love seeing people uniting for the same cause.  I love the challenges that it brings.  It’s all about people.  The right people… makes all the difference… I am so blessed.

Went for a swim with wild dolphins & fur seals! Took the Moonraker Cruise, snorkelled and swam with seal pups and older fatter ones too.  Love the way they circled around and under me.  It was amazing to see them in the water.  There were a few times when a pup came really close, and looked straight into my eyes.  Quite amazing.  Then we were so blessed to have a large pod of about 15 Common Dolphins, i spotted a juvenile one amongst them.  But they were swimming only a metre away from me.  Training dolphins and being in the water with them every day (which i did for 6 years), and watching wild ones in their natural environment is quite different all together.  These animals, so full of power yet so full of grace… never ceases to amaze me.  Swimming with wild dolphins… the exhilaration, the joy it brings to my heart, undescribable… all created by the One who loves & created me… I am so blessed.

I love my church, my pastors and leaders! Am so blessed to have such a ‘family’ that loves, encourages, and believes in me.  Life Groups, Communications team, Conference team… just some of the teams I’m with @ Church… alot of time goes into these… but i love it…it grows me, stretches my faith, equips me… its such an honour and privilege to be able to work with incredibly great minds on these teams… such a joy… all for the Glory of God.  I pray that our church will stay strong and united, that we’ll continue to lead the change & impact people for eternity, that we’ll never give up on people, love on them unconditionally, and may the light of Jesus shine through, so that every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Christ the Lord! I am so blessed.

Just got home from a meeting at church.  My heart delighted with joy as i saw the number of people who showed up tonight, gave up their time to be there… for a volunteers summit for Activate Conference.  So proud of everyone.  Yes, the reason for the hours and hours of planning and organising for the Rallies & Conference is so worth it.  The reason simply to: Activate the Body of Christ to lead the change in the world.  There you go, made every hour, and every minute worth it.  That’s the heart behind it all.  Well, 2 more weeks to Activate Conference!!!! It’s gonna be awesome!!! Can’t wait!!! I love my church, my pastors and leaders…am so proud of them.  I am so blessed.

May you be blessed too.

p.s. all photos on facebook  [charity faith/ cha_faith@hotmail.com]  ;p

我的快樂 – My Happiness

Just finished watching another Taiwanese TV drama : 命中注定我爱你 or Fated to Love You.  (oh btw, the english translation of the Title is such a poor representation of the real meaning behind the Mandarin Title).  Here’s the second theme song of the Drama.  Love the song.  The simplicity of the words seem to capture the complexity of the story so beautifully. Love the Drama.

The Drama’s storyline tells of 2 strangers making really big mistakes, seemingly like they’ve screwed up their entire lives.  But towards the end, it tells of how although it seems like they’ve made huge mistakes, it’s like it’s all part of a bigger Plan, bigger Picture… like ’someone up there’ is looking after them.

Why I like this Drama so much? Maybe cos somehow bits and pieces of my own life is portrayed in it.  When I think of how I’ve screwed up big time, yet it somehow it worked out all okie.  I thank God for second chances.  Where would I be without His Love and Grace?  I thank God that He turned everything around for good.  I thank God that He holds my world in the palm of His hands.  No matter what happens, God is always in control.  Most of all, I thank God that He loves me.

something old, something new…welcome 2009

Welcome 2009!

Another’s year gone past… the closure of another chapter, yet with it brings the beginning of another.  I ended the year with a supermad, adro pumpin, totally sick skydive.  The rush of the free fall combined with the silence of parachuted glide, summed up the year’s months, weeks and days.

I read a quote that says, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away”.  That skydive was a moment that took my breath away.  Up 10,000 ft, looking down and across, the view of the ocean was magnificent.  It was a moment that reminded me of how much God loves me.

I sang a chrous that goes, “You walk on waves, You run with clouds, You paint the sky for me to see”.  In the last 29 years so far, I have loved deeply, I was loved much, and I am still loved.  It seems like a roller coaster ride, but in truth, nothing has changed.  Life is still an adventure.  The truth is that I have a God who created the entire universe, who holds the world in His hands, yet who loves me, little me.

So I thank God for an awesome 2008, and am looking forward to an even bigger and better 2009!

Shifting Seasons…

Have you ever watched the Japanese Anime “Rurouni Kenshin” (or sometimes titled as “Samurai X” in some countries)? It’s one of my favourite animes, and this is the 4th time I’m watching the series again.  Totally love the sword fighting scenes and also the portrayal of Kenshin’s strong sense of justice and loyalty in the series.

But this time round, as I was watching it again, I saw something I didn’t see before.  See, “Rurouni Kenshin” is about the story of a peaceful wanderer, Himura Kenshin, during the early Meiji period in Japan.  However, before Kenshin became a peaceful wanderer, he was an assassin (known as Hitokiri Battosai) during the Bakumatsu war, in the final years of the Edo period in Japan.

After the war, Kenshin quits being an assassin and lives as a peaceful wanderer instead.  He reverses his sword into a Sakaba, and uses it now to protect the innocent and those in need. However along his journey, he meets many enemies, both old and new.

In the many fights that follow, it suddenly dawned upon me that many of Kenshin’s old enemies were not only challenging him to settle old scores, but also because they were not willing to give up their old way of life.  They refused to accept the changes that came with the new Meiji government, instead they were desperately trying to hold onto what was familiar and known of the Edo period.

Kenshin on the other hand, embraced the change fully and moved on.  Using his superb sword skills for new purposes.  He saw what the others couldn’t see.  He saw the new possibilities (of a peaceful Japan) and new opportunities. Even though he was a wanderer, Kenshin lived the rest of his life with great purpose.

In those 99 episodes of “Rurouni Kenshin”, I am reminded that the only thing that is consistent in life is change!!!  Time flies!  We can either embrace change or resist it.  Change is never easy.  It often requires steps of FAITH to move into the unknown, into the unfamiliar.  However that choice is ours.  So my question is this: When you look back, what do you see?

Are you one who watches things happen, or like many who wonder what happened, or are you that someone who makes things happen?

Lord, I pray that in the shifting seasons of my life, may I always embrace change and always be learning.  May I live my life according to the purposes You have for me.  Help me to see with Your eyes.  Help me to take those steps of FAITH and to lean on You, trusting in Your Faithfulness and in Your unfailing Love.

I love you Jesus, with everything I am.

“Here I stand my life before You,
Can’t believe the price you paid,
Gave it all just for me.
I lay my life upon the altar.
Take me now, I place my life in Your hands.

King of Heaven, You’re my Saviour,
You left Your place of glory,
Giving Your life just for me.
How could I ever repay You?
You came into my life, Lord,
You set me free.

Chorus
Everything I am I give to You,
For You are holy, holy.
Take my life and everything I do.
For You are holy, holy.” … Planetshakers

Faith to Carry Through

I’ve been listening to Jaci Velasquez’s new album: Love Out Loud, and am absolutely loving it. Clearly the album carries with it the message of where she’s been and where she’s at right now. Through her music she shares her life’s journey.

Yet somehow the song “Nothing But Sky” seems to resonate deeply within my own heart. It seems to speak of where I’ve been and where I’m at now. Every word, every note struck a chord within my inner being. Such is the power of music. The power to influence and to affect. And I love it!

“I’m here
With all the scars and the tears
I’ve survived
It takes time
To find forgiveness
Get on with my life

(Chorus)
I’ve gone through the heartache
Learned from the pain
Walked through the broken, and all that remains
Is a heart that’s wide open
Ready and willing to fly
Now, there’s nothing but sky
Nothing but sky

It’s clear
That what doesn’t kill you
Makes you strong
I’m here
Right where I should be
In your tender arms

(Chorus)

Nothing but blue sky around me
Nothing but sky
Nothing but this moment now
Floating high above the clouds
It’s all I need, You here with me

(Chorus)

There’s no sign of rain
Ain’t no clouds in my way
Nothing but blue sky around me
Nothing but sky” … Jaci Velasquez: Love out Loud

Oh Lord, in your tender arms I find rest. In your tender arms is where I belong. In your tender arms there is faith to carry me through.

最美丽的第七天：The Most Beautiful Seventh Day

Just finished watching Hong Kong TVB’s drama series 最美丽的第七天 (The Most Beautiful Seventh Day). It’s a romantic drama focusing on the love that develops between 2 couples. Both the male character leads, Kevin Cheng (郑嘉颖) and Bosco Wong (黄宗泽) were both born on the same day, yet their outlook in life and perspectives on love and relationships are vastly different. The story unfolds and reveals the love that develops between Kevin Cheng and Niki Chow (周丽淇); and between Bosco Wong and Natalie Tong (唐诗咏).

Well, I shouldn’t tell you the ending, if you haven’t watched it, you should! It’s beautiful…. and true. We’re all different, yet inside every human heart, there is the same deep longing to find that special someone to journey life with.

Oh, and this is Kevin and Niki’s third collaboration together as a couple on-screen! They’re sooo cute together! I can’t find out if they’re together in real life (if you know, please tell me!!!) If they are, I wish them all the very best and hopefully their story will last forever as they journey through life (and the crazy showbiz industry) together!!!

Enjoy the vid clips! The top clip is the ending theme song 抱著空氣 (sang by Kevin & Niki). In this clip, look out for the cute doggie, Jack, who also “acted” in the drama series as Niki’s “best friend”! He is soooo well-trained!!!

The bottom clip is the opening theme song 最美麗的第七天 (sang by Kevin). Enjoy!