Just yesterday,I was exchanging smses with Denise about Christian Singspiration, or loosely put, worship.

It was on the basis of encouraging people to sing out their hearts and not to be discouraged if they are not as good as others or they are just.. out of tune.

When i was younger(Early teens), my officer(Mr Seow), always emphasize not to name our Singspiration session as 'Worship' and i soon learn why when i finally entered Poly.

The theme during then was 'What is worship' ?
On further investigation, the conclusion, was that worship is a lifestyle.
Everything we do, to the obedience of God, is worship.
Saying that, in the engineering sense, Singspiration is a subset of worship where we declare his goodness and grace.

Below is an illustration:

Whereby, we have many other ways of worshipping of which some examples:

Disclaimer:Smaller circles doesn't mean it is less important or whatsoever. Also what is illustrated is not comprehensive and is just to give a slight idea what other things are also considered as worship. There are plenty more other things you can do that is worship.

Which daunts upon me that it may be necessary to see Singspiration as that and not think that we are worshipping just because we sing songs. Just like how going to church every sunday is going to make you a Christian like going to the Car Repair shop will make you a Car mechanic automatically.

Yet, however, in everything we do in Worship, the heart and the mind is as important as the action. As the bible records that God looks at the heart and i will readily assume with great confidence that we will be judge not just by our actions but also by our hearts too. Look at the past records in the bible where people give their offerings through sacrifices, God sees the person's heart on whether the sacrifice is favourable or not. It is a mockery that we give him our second best.

In saying this, i am going to take a daring step to come to a conclusion:
I feel that when we sing and declare how good the Lord is, we are to lose ourselves and sing as loud and as best as we can. In doing so, when people around hears it, and out of christian love(if the person is really quite a bad singer) or out of good unity(Of nice flowing voices); people will be encouraged to sing and unify their voices as a good offering to our God. Listen to the children sing, how beautiful it is. Even then, it is not us to judge whether our singing is a worthy or pleasing offering to God. It is for God to judge that on the basis of the capacity he has given to each and every one of us. *Remember the parable of the widow's offering? she was judged to have given much more than the rich man*

So now, i ask of everyone who is reading this or has this idea to put it into execution and just lose yourself in declaring God's goodness and grace(We can't declare enough) and sing out your soul to encourage one another(And not to overpower the congregation). If it is in the correct context and culture, dance like how David danced before the Lord(Don't ask me if he did an Elvis or whatsoever.. let the Holy Spirit speak to you for that) and declare his glory. It would not end up with a good feeling all the time, but there is no where in the bible to record that it does.. because remember, we sing not because it is all about us, we sing because it is all about God.

Who do you sing for?
Why do you sing for?
How are you singing?

I can't help but to sing this in my heart.
Especially when i look out to the sky and to how nature smiles at me. I know he is there.

That was a good break from reality.

Lets be in good spirit and take life for all it is.

Enjoy the present for there is no benchmark other than the benchmark of finding joy in this adventure God has given us.

I will be flying off later to another country.

Can't help but have mixed feelings from this trip.

Exciting, yet it does feel like i am leaving quite a bit of my self behind.

Am not sure whether i should hope for time to quicken so i can be back or to let just enjoy the trip.

Not sure whether i can find the time to find myself during the trip.

Firstly, What is Success/Failure?

Using Einstein's quote:
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

It is clear that everyone's definition of Success/Failure may be different. Depending on what a certain individual value most, you judge a person accordingly.
To some principals, the teacher whose class scores the most distinctions is the most successful. This is when Academic results are valued most.
To some parents, the child who holds a high paying job is successful. This is when money is what is valued most.
etc, etc.

Which is why, sometimes they say, you can never please everybody. (Because everyone's expectations are just different!)

So what is your definition of Success?

Personally, I am glad with the Rise of Jeremy Lin.
Your classic underdog tale.

In that limelight, he certainly took a lot of courage to reveal how his Faith was so important to him and how he stuck through it.
I applaud him for his humility, his faith and his love and it has certainly given many people hope and inspiration.

Though more than 75% of our stories will not be as great as Jeremy Lin's, does that make any of us any less successful?
My definition of success is a person's Character and obedience to Christ.
Though we may not be in the limelight, there is still some things money can't buy directly, your obedience to Christ and the influence and impact in people's life.

You want a well lived life?
Start by obeying Christ and loving people the right way.

Don't think you can do it?
Look at the list below:

Don't think you are too much of a failure that God can't use you.
As it turns out, the main people that God uses are failures.

He didn't come for the well and healthy.
He came for the unwell and sickly.

And if you didn't know. You are not too big or not too small for YHWH to breakthrough:

For Singaporeans, Look to Li NanXing, Chew Chor Meng and Jacelyn Tay who has stepped out and gave their testimony.

It may sound absurd or tacky at times.
However, it does not change the message that there is something more to life.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:36-40

So.. What are you investing in?

It does seem like my body has broken down.

Usually, i should be up and recovered in 3 days.

It has been more than 4 and my left ear is still blocked, i am still phlegmy and i don't feel strong at all.

Being sick sucks. Staying at home sucks.

It is rather depressing and i just seem like i don't want to do anything anymore.

This. Sucks.

Been sick and out lately.
A clogged ear has not helped either.
So i remembered an advice that i've heard.
To feel better instantly, you've got to start giving thanks.

So here i go.

1. I give thanks for my inner ear, because i realized today that it is of great importance to my balance.

2. I give thanks for hearing, because without it, i wouldn't be able to appreciate sounds, voices, music, especially now when i am listening to this really smooth number, Little Light by Clara C x Sam Ock.

3. I give thanks for the salary that i am getting even when i feel crappy compared to the high flyers that is drawing an insane amount as compared the majority of the world who is working so hard just to put food on the table.

4. I give thanks for the pain i feel, it allows me to know that my body is unwell.

5. I give thanks for the trials that come my way, it teaches me strength, determination and patience

6. I give thanks for the Boys, sometimes it shows me the hope in the future of the younger generation

7. I give thanks for the girlfriend, it lets me know that i've got a tolerable body odor, breath, face, body, hair, height, weight, snort, personality. Esp Humor. ha

8. I give thanks for God, i wouldn't have the above 7 if it weren't for him.

9. I give thanks for friends and people who care. Thank you even when i can be quite a horrible friend.

Guess what? This actually works.
Why don't you give it a try? It shouldn't take more than 20 mins.

God.Loves.You! 

Another Christmas; another end of the year.
2010 is coming to an end; so is my 25th year in this world.
There are so much to think and so much to do.
It feels like life is so suffocating and that time have been prolonged and my life has aged quite a bit this year. 

Average life expectancy in Singapore is 80, which is 29,200 days.
Of which, i have already spent 25 years, which leaves me with 17,045 days.
Taking away 1/3 of the time for sleep, i've got only 11,383 days left.
As Poignant as it sounds, death seems to get more and more real in my life.
Are we prepared?

So what have i learned in 2011?

15 things i learned from 2011.

1. Being OC of a BB company is no easy task.
Sometimes, it is really lonely.
Sometimes it is very discouraging.
Especially when you see your friends around you using the spare time to progress themselves in their career and whatever dream they have, while i've got to put in my effort for something i am not paid for(Or even have to spend money) and sometimes the boys just don't learn or listen. Sometimes to hit requirements to justify our existence to the governing body at the expense of rest and quality time.

So why continue?
Because i know God wants me to.
Because i know we all(The officers and primers) love our boys.
Because i want to believe in our officers, primers and boys. 

2. Building a home in Singapore is really expensive.
It takes $420,000 to buy a 4 room HDB flat.(Public housing)
The average income of a person is $3,000/month
of that, the average savings is $1,000/month
You need 420 months, thats more than 30 years of savings. [it is mind-blowing already.]
We haven't added in the wedding cost, the children cost, the renovation, the stamp tax, the lawyer fee, etc etc.

3. Budgetting is important.
Why? Based on point 2.

4. Leadership is influence.

5. Business Trips alone aren't all that fun
(Even though everything is paid for you) 

6. Social skills and language is important in life.
Though you may have the highest IQ, you need your social skills to make it successful.
Such skills can move the world.
Such skills can unlock many paths for you. 

7. At 26, i am still young in the corporate world. However, Time waits for no one. Take the opportunity when it comes.

8. There are a lot of lazy and stupid people out there.

9. Succession planning is very important.

10. Sometimes, one person working is not enough. Be humble and ask for help.

11. Life is hard on everyone.

12. Music is very powerful.

13. Rest is extremely important

14. All is lost, if you lose focus of God.

15. Listen and act fast. 

Merry Christmas!

It is shocking that it has been more than a month since time i updated.

Much has happened, much needs to happen, much has to go on.

I have been quite tired and uninspired lately.

I wonder.. why

"This is the essence of relativism: no one standard of true and false, right and wrong, good and bad, or beautiful and ugly, can preempt any other standard. No standard is valid for everyone." - John Piper (Think)

Relativism, is a very dangerous thing.

I've been talking to some friends and i could not help but to compare my current state to them. The job they are holding, the pay they are drawing, the countries they are going to, the lifestyle they have, etc etc. I wouldn't think of those people who have talked to me about how bad their work hours are and how bad the management can be on them. It gets so bad that i would be discouraged and fall into a bit of self pity so much so that it makes me wonder sometimes whether if i am making the right decisions, listening to the correct advice, trusting God and believing that this is all it is for me.

It is so easy to say that I want to trust the Lord and the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I am constantly reminded of people that has it much tougher than me and also reminded that more than 60% of the world is dreaming of this life i am living. If we relate my standing to the world, it sure puts me well in the rich category. Life, is really that tough? Should we really expect so much more than a roof over our head, a table, a bowl of rice and a cup of water? What then is safe? John Wesley was proud to own only a spoon at the end of life. How do we make of all that?

I have no ready answer right now since i am also still in the pudding proofing process(experiencing). But the trustworthy saying is this, God has given you what you have and you are to be a steward to do the best in investing it the way God would wants you to. I wouldn't know whether this is a lazy way of saying and simplifying things but i would trust in the Lord that he still has the most awesome plans for me and i shouldn't be greedy. If i tried my best and it comes to pass, let it be. If it doesn't, let it be too. 

At the end, God will also judge us by the fruit of the Spirit not the money and prestige that we bring to him.

At the end, there is no point about worrying about it when you can not do anything about it. There is no profit it it.

Finally, At the end, life is not about hoarding but about living.

Firstly, I've got my Mac book air(intel core duo,2gb ram, 11'') for $800.
It was only opened once and used once before it was sold to me. So i am really glad of the buy and i am thinking of exploring iWorks and xcode in the near future. I heard iWorks is excellent for presentations and Xcode would probably be good for me as a programmer to explore programming iphone apps.

Secondly, James and Lanie is married.
A lovely wedding of which i did brother and sword bearer duty. Thank you letting me participate in this lovely and memorable wedding; giving me the chance to experience sword drill and wear the Number 1 uniform again. Wishing you guys the best of marriage.

Thirdly, the changeover and promotion parade.
We can only look to see the change to be something that refreshes the company and inspire them to greater heights. As for the promotion, there is always this promotion conundrum going on with the promoting officer on whether to promote the boy. The tension of whether the boy deserves it and whether giving the boy the rank cheapen/insults the rank. We would love to promote all boys if it is possible, however in doing so the rank will no longer hold any unique value to be proud of. We pray and put all promotions into serious consideration with a matrix of factors such as Attendance, Officer holder, Badgework, leadership skills, attitude and more. I would think that promoting a boy is much easier than not promoting a boy and realize that the value of non-promotion could very well give a stronger lesson than promotion itself. For the reaction of the promotions would then show the true character of the boy in which is more important than whatever promotion that can be given and that would show how much the promoting officer care in developing the boys correctly to each of their benefit. A rank is nothing if the boy is unable to grow from strength to strength. A rank can be easily stripped if the boy is not worthy of it. A rank is just a piece of cloth if at the end of the day, you cannot lead or garner your pack in different situations. My goal is not to bring up as many founder's men as possible. My goal is to bring up as many young upright disciplined christian leaders that is equipped with integrity and love for whoever they will lead in the future.  

Fourthly, the learning journey.
Everyone has something to learn and needs to always continue to learn.I always think that the 5Ws and 1H framework is one of the best in planning and executing something. It is in my personal belief that it should be answered with the Why first. If the Why is not answered, then the thing that you are planning or executing may no longer be valid anymore. After you answer the Why, everything else will slowly follow suit and be easily answered. My framework guide is : Why,What,Who,Where,When and How. 

Anyway, it does seem like nothing is slowing down and there is always work to manage and execute each day.

Lets continue to do our best in all that we can.