The Power of Significance

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It's to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived well." - John C.Maxwell: The Power of Significance

You can be happy but not useful; If what you're doing is useful, it will lead you to happiness; It doesn't ask us to be unhappy. But being happy shouldn't be the main purpose of life. 

For example, some people just want to have sufficient food, a job, extra money for shopping, that's all. Their whole lives are just about themselves, maybe extend a little bit to what their family need. Most of the time they do things that are not important but definitely bring them joy.

Being useful can be defined as what are your contributions to your family, company, society and country. If one day you're not alive anymore, will people miss your presence? Or will your absence means no difference to them?

If you choose to contribute to your family, company, society and country, no matter how you do that, as long as you're doing something good for their sake, you're being useful and the things that you do make things better, you'll be happy because you know it's fulfilling. Else your whole life will be wasted doing nothing.

And before you die, will you wish that you can make a different choice and achieve something different when you have the chance to? I bet I will.

To be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived well, will take another post to elaborate, But meanwhile, just to be useful alone need a lot of thinking. 

There's always a purpose in living. 

Psalm 57:2 says, "I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me." 
This is key in understanding God's purpose for our lives. God has numbered our days and will fulfill every purpose He has for us.

Productivity

2nd month of MCO has just passed. Well, not the whole 2nd month. But as at 30th of April, it has been a 44 days of MCO.

Throughout this 44 days, what have I done?

Basically thanks to my nature of job, and my boss of course, there’s no excuse for me to stop whatever I’m doing. First of all, we can always work from home, especially when we don’t have appointments. Second of all, my boss is 24/7 available to push us to keep going and never slow down.

In the beginning we were all excited to have “holidays”, so when we need to attend 2 meetings a day (book session in the afternoon daily including weekends and case studies at night, yes at night!) we struggled so much. After a month, we have gotten used to the habit.

But just one Sunday of no book session, our habits fall all over the place again haha.

Looking back, even though it’s MCO, but I’ve learnt a lot. From learning to cold call customers (we usually cold call property agents, hardly customers), to learning how to create videos with InVideo, analysing books and studying Douyin videos (books are not meant to be read, but analyse and apply on your own situation, while Douyin videos are all about business models that the Chinese are using), to training our brains on how to think and not focusing on doing only.

Not to mention, on what you will do, if companies around are closing down, and even the banking sector might not be able to survive, at least not our mortgage segment. So many things to learn, which are not foreseen by most of us. Our parents say that even the 513 incident is not even close to what’s going on right now.

For myself, I spent most of my me time reading. I’ve read The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story, and currently reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. First book is based on true story of a North Korean girl who had to change names several times to escape North Korea. You can’t imagine an 18 year old girl having to face so many challenges ahead. Her journey to freedom is so risky it can just take her life and her family’s lives anytime, but again and again, she met someone who’s kind enough to assist her. Now that she had finally achieved her freedom in USA. And she’s not the only one who escaped from North Korea. 

The 2nd book though not a real story, was said to be aspired by the true story of Elizabeth Taylor. It brings you to understand what a glamorous life that a Hollywood actress is living. And many of the true stories are not surfaced to the public. So it’s quite an interesting read, even though it’s fiction. Though I believe it does happens to a lot of celebrities in real life. 

Of course other than reading during me-time, I also read Christian books and books related to my job. Mostly on sales. It’s interesting to apply the Christian ways on my career. Sometimes I feel what I’ve read or what I’ve taught is towards the extreme way whereby life is not always, and not all about money and being successful. So I need to relate back the Christian way to make it balance back.

Other than reading, I also tried to make mango smoothie and scrambled egg! Mango smoothie was ok, but the scrambled egg, hmm, something weird but couldn’t figure out what’s weird. Hahaha.

Also I wanna try to learn more in shares investment, but seeing the ups and downs candles, so technical I just couldn’t understand how they really function. And those free seminars in FB.. I also couldn’t analyses who is really professional or only know how to blowwwww. Haha.

If one day MCO is really lifted up for good, I’ll be lazy to drive out already. From being ok staying at home, to the phase where I think I can go crazy, until now, getting lazy to go out. What’s the new norm? Everyone can stay at home because not everyone can fly already. 😅

I’m considered very blessed that I still have a job, and companies are still finding for ways to keep business running. Even if one day, come to worse, banking sector has huge changes that stop us from finding sales, I believe that with the skills we have learnt, we still can survive. But for those whose companies are considering shutting down, or even already closed down, I really do not know how are they are going to survive without income, now that demand is more than supply in terms of employment.

But no matter what happens..we always have hope everyday.

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Words

These 2 months are a roller coaster for me. Not related to my career, God has somewhat helps me to stabilise my job to face another challenge.

The “do not judge” challenge.

It all started when my colleagues knew that I was away during CNY, not accompanying my parents but I went to Husky’s hometown instead. They were shocked. Like, really. They made a huge fuss until I felt 莫名其妙 and 委屈 at the same time. What in the world are you guys thinking?

I tried to explain, but it made things worse. I felt so, so terrible that day. Other than being stress for work and used to be stress with my mum regarding my job, I’ve never felt this terrible before.

It’s like I was drowning, and nobody was there to rescue me. Things got worse when I was being lectured by my boss, and I was so disappointed till I had no emotions left.

I kept asking myself, the definition of being a good daughter. How does not spending CNY with my parents made me a bad daughter? So all the good things that I’ve done as a good daughter were instantly swept under the carpet and are not surfaced anymore?

I just felt so bad, so terrible. Having the pressure of being the only child in the family is stressful enough and I had to force myself to not overpressure myself, and yet this statement? Am I really a bad child for not spending CNY with my parents? Am I?

Besides the emotional side, my rational side also got me thinking: Have I ever judged other people when I do not know the whole story? The answer is yes.

One of God’s commandments is do not bear false witness. As humans, we often perceive what is on the surface. Those worldly eyes... when will we learn to see things the way God sees things?

After 2 weeks, I thought I had put this incident aside, until that day I just broke down and cried for more than an hour in front of Husky (poor him, see me cry almost every weekend ahahaha) and didn’t know the reason of crying. Until I stopped crying and realise that I didn’t let go of this incident at all. I was holding the grudge, the resentfulness inside me was so deep that it’s eating me up. I was angry, upset with my colleagues. I understand that they were concern over me, but their concern made me worse, and my boss being his usual self, did not ask for more details but had labelled me straight. I was disappointed because as a boss I had expected him to have more mature thinking by not judging, but...it’s him. So yeah.

I didn’t tell my mum about this incident until one day, she was sad over an old incident. Only I spilled it out to her, she said it was very ok for me to go to Husky’s hometown, and my colleagues were just not understanding because CNY to us is nothing, especially when my grandparents are not here anymore, and Christmas is more important in fact. Trust me, my CNY holidays are always so dull it looks like an extended weekend because I’ll be going to the places where I go usually during weekends.

I kept having this resentfulness towards one of my colleagues because I had told her not to tell my boss but she still insisted. I felt that she did not respect me as a colleague or even friend. Until that day I read Mark 11:25 - And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

It’s so tired if you’re having this grudge onto someone. I hate that feeling so much, because it seems that no matter how good that person treats you, everything just seems so wrong. It seems like God is nudging me to have courage and talk to her bout this situation, because the following week we need to work together as a team. So I waited for the right opportunity, and I spilled how I felt to her, and she told me her opinion as well. 

Conclusion was, nobody is wrong in this picture, just that our directions are different, I wouldn’t want to force them to accept my situation, at the same time I wouldn’t like it if they use their ruler to measure my shirt, which they did. Lol ok that’s a direct translate from a Chinese proverb.

I still do make quick judgments/statements nowadays, but I’ve learnt to stop my thoughts quickly, and try to think in a different way. Sometimes I still need people to remind me, I still do. But I think that in this season of life, God wants me to learn on not judging people with my worldly eyes. And to offer as a listener and show compassion to people who are upset for being misunderstood. 

I always say this, and I still do: being a Christian is not easy at all. Especially when I’m still not walking the ways God wants us to walk, and I’m still not being able to show the love and compassion God wants us to show. Especially to Husky. How is he going to accept Christ when I'm not doing the right thing? With my bad explanations on certain things, sometimes he misunderstood Christianity but I’ve failed to let him see the clearer picture. 

Nevertheless, it’s a good lesson for me to guard my mouth and be wise with my words. And also I wouldn’t know that Husky is so protective to me that he wants to sort things out with my boss HAHA. Being someone who doesn’t like to trouble others, this is indeed a different side of him. 😝

“God wants you to know that sometimes God allows us to go through certain difficult times, even as a result of wicked actions by others. Yet whatever we have to endure, no matter how unfair or unjust , we can be sure that God will use it for good.”

Not in Vain

A lot of times we feel that the things that we do are in vain.

For example, I'm someone who like to bury myself for the mistakes that I did, and if I were to be given another chance, I would do it so differently so that I won't feel so wasted on the opportunity given.

But instead of that, I should be grateful that I had the experience, and if the same thing were to happen again, I will be careful and not repeat the same mistake. Of course sometimes I do need a few painful lessons to remind myself.

1 Corinthians 15:58

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Psalm 127:1-2

Unless the Lord builds the house,

the builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the guards stand watch in vain. 

In vain you rise early

and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat—

for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.

The disappointments that we have often led to discouragement, and that's what I'm going through right now. I feel that the things that I've done are all in vain, makes me feel resentful to do anything the next day and even wanted to escape from the reality. From discouragement it will lead to disillusionment, which makes Christians back-slided and not trust in God anymore. 

For me, I'm not till that stage, but sometimes I do wish that God can help me to produce fruits like immediately. That's a wishful thinking, but we all know God doesn't work that way. Patience and perseverance are the keys.

I do like this Bible verse as below: 

Psalm 73:16-17

16When I tried to understand all this,

it troubled me deeply

17till I entered the sanctuary of God;

then I understood their final destiny.

Me always trying to figure out what's God's plans for me, but as much as I try to understand, it in turn trouble me even more. Hopefully I'll learn to submit everything to Him and trust Him fully.

How Great Is Our God - World Edition

This Christian song is so famous, and it's by Chris Tomlin. But this world edition is like whhhoooaaaaa, my whole body was shaking. The goosebumps were so great it was scaaarrryyyyy.

When I went back home, watch the video, I saw ehh so familiar this guy. Sidney Mohede is inside also hahahahahaha.

[Verse 1: Chris Tomlin] The splendor of the King Clothed in majesty Let all the earth rejoice All the earth rejoice [Verse 2: Sidney Mohede] Terang-Nya bersinar Kegelapan t'lah sirna Sujudlah pada-Nya Sujudlah pada-Nya [Verse 3: Roma Kasevich] Наш Бог так велик! Пой со мной Наш Бог так велик! Пусть видят все Наш Бог, наш Бог так велик! [Verse 4: Chris Tomlin] Age to age he stands And time is in His Hands Beginning and the End Beginning and the End [Verse 5: Marcos Witt] Los tres en uno son La santa trinidad Cordero y el león Cordero y el león [Hook: Marcos Witt & Fernandinho] Cuan grande es mi Dios Quão grande é o meu Deus Cantemos Cuan grande es mi Dios Y todos lo verán Cuan grande es mi Dios [Verse 6: Chris Tomlin & Zulu Choir] Name above all names Nkosi yamakhosi, Baba (King of all Kings, Father) Worthy of our praise Sithi uyingcwele, Baba (We say you are Holy, Father) My heart will sing, how great is our God You are the name above all names Somandla Somandla, Baba (Almighty, Almighty Father) You are worthy of our praise Somandla Somandla, Baba (Almighty, Almighty Father) My heart will sing, how great is our God [Bridge: Chris Tomlin] How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, and all will see How great, How great is our God How great is our God, How great is our God How great is our God, How great is our God How great, How great is our God [X2] [Interlude: Zulu Choir] Yebo Nkosi yethu (Yes our King) [Outro: Jing Hui] 我神真偉大 歌頌祢聖名 真偉大 全地都看見 我神真偉大

Karl Wallenda

I'm currently reading this book Be All You Can Be: A Challenge to Stretch Your God-Given Potential by John Maxwell. One of the stories gave me a very, very deep impression till I always think of it whenever I feel fear or doubt.

So this guy, Karl Wallenda was a tightrope artist who performed daredevil stunt performances.

I read up his history in Google, find his biography quite interesting.

In the book, John mentioned that he read an article which Wallenda 's wife said this:

Sorry, I'm so lazy to type the whole thing, I just searched for the ebook and screenshot from there hahaha.

As a 73 year old stuntman, he had experienced near-death experience, where they failed the 7-man stunt which resulted in few deaths. Yet he went on to perform for so many years without fear.

His death stunned people, as not only is he a famous stunt performer (having recruited even by the Barnum circus, which I think is the same circus in The Greatest Showman), the whole tightrope performance was also broadcasted live.

I can't imagine how was it like being a spectator there, having seen so many of his performances, never in their minds ever crossed that one day he will die because of a fall. And the fall is due to fear. How to not fall, instead of focusing of walking the tightrope.

How we think often leads to how we feel. Think negatively, and we'll feel doubt and insecure. It's all linked. But when we visualise our success, it leads to feeling passionate and excited to keep on going.

For God always wants us to have a joyful and fruitful life.

A Korean Odyssey

This Korean drama is the Korean version of Journey to the West with characters greatly linked into romantic relationship.

I'm quite fascinated with the relationships that are twisted. In Journey to the West, Monkey King needs to listen to the Monk, otherwise the crown on his head will be tighten and cause him headache.

Whereas in the Korean version, Monkey King needs to listen to the Monk (who's a girl) because there's a crown bracelet on his wrist (quite cute) and only the Monk has the power to take it out. And because of it, they fall in love with each other hahahaha!

There are also morals to learn in the story.

One of it is a guy who drives after drinking alcohol, alongside his wife who's pregnant. Then there's this devil who enters the car (humans can't see them) and tempted the driver to speed which almost caused an accident to happen.

Monkey King came in time to stop the car (let it spins few rounds somemore) and cast out the devil. He told the driver to not drink before driving to not let the devil to successfully tempt him to do things that he should not do.

Another incident is where the Devil of Swears (lol the name) tempts people to write nasty comments in social media about a shop which result in the shop closed down due to the critics. It is due to jealousy in humans' hearts which caused them to be easily tempted to speak harsh words to each other.

I find these scenarios so true in reality.

Just last Sunday, Pr Eric talked about Overcoming Demonic Influence, it is exactly the same theory as told in the Korean drama. It happens to all of us, even to me.

My weakness is anxiety lately, where I'm anxious of doing cold calls, calling customers to know more on their profile and to give advice on mortgage loan. I always mess up especially the part where I'm supposed to give solutions to customers and not giving them more problems hahaha. And also because my banking info and experience is not enough, I tend to have hiccups when it comes to advising. Not forget to mention, the way I speak is still very direct and not in a better way which will make customer more comfortable talking to me.

I can say that this job really stretch me more than my previous 2 jobs. The job before this stretched me too, but in a super stress manner which will make me cry due to pressure. This job however is more to discipline and focus.

I know that I always focus on the wrong things. I focus on problems not solutions. And also often I forget to focus on God who is much more bigger than my problems and challenges. Hence I need to learn to cast away my anxieties, and not let the devil to overcome my daily life.

From Here to There

Everytime I start a something new, no matter is doing acrylic painting, or starting a new job, sorting out a puzzle, I just can't wait to get from point A to at least point M (half of the alphabet sequence) in a very short time.

I admire seniors who have already succeed in doing what they do, and I can't wait to be like them. But I haven't even master the basics and yet I want to skip all those painful process and wish to have achieved what they are achieving.

Impatience, and always wanting to avoid the bumpy roads, are stopping me from walking any further. Hence, the failures.

On Sunday Pr Eric talks about The Dynamics of Growth, where we can grow in 3 different ways:

1. Growth Begins with Humility
2. Growth Progresses with Intentionality 
3. Growth Accelerates with Risk-Taking (Faith)

We must be humble enough to know where we are, and be humble enough to learn continuously. Also we need to be intentional when we grow, otherwise our excuses of doing something might just stop us from growing. Last but not least, we have to have faith to step out from our comfort zone, to be able to do something different. Yes we all have fears in changes, but we ought to have faith in God that He will provide us the things that we need to glorify Him by serving His people and His church.

Philippians 3:12 

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Churchgoers

There are 2 outcomes after you went to a church.

It's either you have accepted the fact that we're all imperfect, and church is a place where every day, normal, flawed people come to learn how Jesus takes away their flaws. (Click here to read more). Once you understood it, wherever you go you'll have the heart to treat everybody with kindness. (Maybe not so with Malaysian drivers hahahahaha just kidding!)

Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." 

Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

OR

You have accepted the fact that even Christians do ridiculous things. Things that we think is unacceptable if it's done by Christians but it's kind-of acceptable if it's done by non-Christians. And we tend to think that the Christians are not so holy after all, listening to sermons after sermons, going to church on every Sundays, at the end do they make a difference? Some yes, some no.

And you feel hopeless in them.

Such an irony. 

Power in Weakness

Post copied and pasted from The Daniel Plan (Click here):


But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  —2 Corinthians 12:9 

Any process of change exposes our weaknesses. We want to make changes, but when we bump up against our weaknesses, we can get discouraged and think change is impossible. And it may be impossible—if we were on our own.

But we’re not on our own. God has given us his free gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in us and empowers us. We only need to ask, “Holy Spirit, please help me to accomplish this,” and he is there with us in power. 

Don’t expect him to make the process effortless or smooth, because he wants your weaknesses to show off the fact that his power is accomplishing everything. So don’t demand perfection of yourself; aim for progress in little steps, and celebrate your weaknesses. When you are weak, God is strong. His grace truly is sufficient.

Food for Thought: You can boast of your weaknesses when God is providing the power to overcome

Worship & The Presence of God

- Worship is not just about performance/singing before the 'real deal' (preaching)
- Worship is worthy. God is so worthy that's why we worship Him.

Psalm 103:1 

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name

Genesis 22:2 

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

Genesis 22:5 

5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

- Worship is surrendering to God
- When we have good things happening, it's easy to worship but when we're at our weakest point, it takes sacrifice to worship
- It has nothing to do with our circumstances
- Worship is not the starter/dessert, it's the main course
- Worship is the highest most intimate posture, to encounter the presence of God

- Attributes of God that cannot claim:
  1. God is powerful
  2. God is all-knowing
  3. God can never change
  4. God is present everywhere

2 Chronicles 5:12-14 

12 All the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. 13 The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:

“He is good;

his love endures forever.”

Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, 14 and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.

1 Samuel 16:23 

23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

- When we worship, we expect tangible presence of God to show up.

Acts 16:25-26 

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.

Psalm 22:3 

3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;

you are the one Israel praises.[a]

Psalm 34:3 

3 Glorify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together

Luke 1:46 

Mary’s Song

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

- We're inviting God to come into our lives because He is worthy
- Nothing that we do can make God stronger, but through worship we're taking our attention off our problems and surrender to God, allowing God to come into our situation with greater intensity.

God of Miracles - Easter Sunday

Matthew 27:50-51

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split

- Torn veil: way to God is opened, no need any sacrifice of lamb needed anymore

- God first reaches out to man

- Earthquake = judgment of God

- Mercy of God triumphs the law

- We cannot beat death but Jesus conquered death

1 Corinthians 15:55-56

55“Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”[a]

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

- Although we die, the next minute we live

- We died to our physical death but are united with God

Ephesians 1:19-20

19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

- Zombie life = Alive but some deadliness in our lives

                      = No sense of purposes

- Whatever will be, will be = posture of death

                                            = give up life, follow the flow

Resurrection of Jesus Christ:

1. Power to Start Over

    - If you can't pass your past, you can't get on future now, and you will not have success in future

2. Power to help us keep going

    - Life is challenging, our strengths keep depleting

    - Stay on right track, and always do the right thing

3. Power to experience the miracles

    - There are things in life that we just cannot do, that's when we come to God

    - Nothing is impossible with God

The Secret to Greatness II

- Passion = in built desire that we have; need little motivation to do what we do because we absolutely love it

- God has put you in a passion ministry

- Talent comes from God

- Natural ability given by God

1 Peter 4:10 

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

- Think about what we are passionate about and talented to do

- Calling = God's pre-planning in our lives

               = General calling is glorifying God

               = Specific calling is passion + talent

- Experience = Good bosses/jobs, bad bosses/jobs; They shape and sharpen our characteristics for calling. Don't be bitter, but learn from experience

Matthew 25:21-23 

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.Come and share your master’s happiness!’

The yellow spot is the Destiny Sweet Spot.

And the result is:

1. Fulfillment

2. Excellence

3. Significance

Stickerrific

After church me and Husky went to Damansara Jaya to get my contact lens and we went to Jaya One to get my brush pen.

The first time I went to Jaya One was the first time I accompanied Husky for his badminton session on Sundays. That time was like almost 2 years ago. Wow hahahahaha.

We had difficulties finding the shop Stickerrific as there are so many blocks in Jaya One. The customer service guy directed us to a place where we can only see abandoned buildings. I mean buildings which are currently undergoing renovation hahaha. We went a few levels up, feeling a bit eerie because basically there was noone there and I felt like we just entered some ancient places.

Finally we found it! And the environment is so much different than the abandoned buildings. It's like a totally different world by itself. Full of pretty and various types of stationery until I just want to buy the whole shop and bring it back home hahahaha.

After talking to the girl in charge, I bought this:

Supposedly I wanted to buy something cheaper than Tombow which cost RM10.60 but ended up buying this dual colour brush pen which cost RM 14.00 haha. But it's so much different than the Miniso brush pens that I bought. In China. 3 for ¥ 10.00. Which is like, RM 6.00. 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

There's a cat in the shop too, and when I first saw it I thought it's from Japan. Really good quality cat haha!

Credits to owner (Got it from Google Image)

Such a pwettie cat, isn't it? xD

Can check out their website Stickerrific before you decide to go to their physical shop!


In the evening I went to Pr Eric's house with around 15 more other young adults age ranging from 24 - 27 years old. It was for dinner and also discussion on what we are concerned with our lives right now, be it at work, relationships, ministry in church and also financial planning.

I found it really, really useful and appreciate Pr Eric for organising such gathering to listen to our opinions, especially when the issues that we face are real-life, and the very in-depth discussion just show that we are not the only ones facing these challenges in our lives.

By the way, this was my dinner and dessert. I'm so gonna get one mini waffle-maker in the future! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Homemade (not by me) spaghetti with grilled chicken and salads!

Waffle with ice cream, Hersheys chocolate cream, white chocolate, and a mini fruit tart!

Such a day well spent! 😄😄😄

The Secret to Greatness

Mark 10:42-45 

42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

- First ≠ Last

- Weak ≠ Strong

- Great ≠ Servant

- Receive ≠ Give

- We are blessed to be a blessing

- Whatever God gives us is for ministry purpose

- It comes out through service

- When we serve, we grow spiritual muscles

James 2:14-16 

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?

- What good it is if there is no action in faith?

James 2:17-18 

17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

- Faith without action is death

- Spiritual checkup -> How much you serve?

                               -> How much you give?

- Serving God = Serving people

Luke 14:11 

11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Mark 10:45

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

"We don't serve God to get his blessings, because God loves us so much we just want to love Him back by serving other people. It is an act of humility."

Flow

Lately I've been seeing things way lot different.

Just like last week, when I was an hour late for training in Pudu because the MRT bus was off the schedule, and the MRT stopped longer than it should at every stations.

Instead of feeling panic, I was quite chill and felt like, okay la, since I'm late already, nevermind la, 5 mins and 10 mins late don't make a difference.

Especially when I'm always so much earlier than others every single day, I feel like I have the rights to be late for a day hahahahaha.

Of course I got a little panic when I had just one more station left to reach my destination, thinking oh c'mon, just move and I'll be alright, doesn't matter if the MRT stops for very long again in the next station because well, I wasn't in it so it's alright hahaha!!

And when I took the MRT bus to the station I had the chance to look out and just you know, really absorb whatever I see, rather than looking at my phone and of course, sitting in a bus gives you better view outside because it's higher than normal vehicles.

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Whereas regarding my job, I've found the solution in handling stress, which is to equip myself more with techniques and knowledge, and also to find out customers' needs rather than trying to sell something. Prayers work too, as I ask for joy and passion in my workplace knowing that God will provide me whatever I need to fulfill the purpose that he has placed me there.

Also, working effectively and efficiently is very very important because that means no staying back, as I already done the things that I should do during working hours, and that I can have more time with my parents. I do realise that I have done very minimal housework helping them out since I started this job, making me feeling guilty because by the time I have my dinner and bath, it was quite late and I will spend remaining hours doing my own stuff which includes doing homework for work.

And when I have more time, I can sleep earlier and get more energy in the next morning otherwise I will feel super grumpy going to work wondering if I could just stop working and sleep all day long.

But to date, I still fail to go back on time, spend more time with parents, help them out with housework and sleep more as I still feel that I can spend more time in office using the system to do things that I need to do and of course, your work will never ever end.

That is why I need to learn more, learn faster, just to be more efficient and productive. I want to enjoy my working life as much as I enjoy my life knowing that this is God's gift for all of us.

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They say that working in bank is very pressure. I totally see the reason why, but I also look up to those who made it to the top and feel that if they can do it, there must be a reason why I can do this long term too.

As long as I understand the purpose why God put me here, there will be no mountains that we can't move.

Reaching Out, Touching Lives

What is church?
1. Worship
2. Equip
3. Disciple

Matthew 28:18-20 

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

- When we have relationship with God, we will know the goodness of God
- Mission is reaching out to the lost and tell them about the goodness of God

Matthew 15:21

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

- Step out of our comfort zone
- Show grace and mercy of God
- Do what is right, and surrender the result to God


How can we fulfill reaching out, touching lives?
1. Go intentionally
2. Give generously
3. Pray passionately

Hillsong United - Oceans

Verse 1
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep my faith will stand

Chorus
I will call upon Your Name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Verse 2
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now

Bridge
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour

Last Chorus
I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Unleashing Power of Prayer

- Prayer + Word of God = comes together

- Communication is key to dynamic relationship

- Prayer = Communication between us with God
              = Inviting God into our lives
              = Revoking God's presence into our situation
              = Contact of a living soul with God
              = God stoops to kiss man, to bless man, and to aid in everything that God can devise or man                   can need (E.M Bounds)

- The Word builds Faith + Prayer activates Faith = Activated Faith brings results

- When we work, we work; when we pray, God works (Hudson Taylor)

HOW TO PRAY
1. Address God as Father

2. God = Jesus, Holy Spirit

3. End prayers with Jesus name + Amen (an affirmation)

TYPES OF PRAYERS
1. Prayer of PETITION (Requesting)
- Present your requests to God
- Ask God for the things in our lives

Philippians 4:19

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

- God will 100% supply what we need

Matthew 6:9-11

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

- God wants us to ask, which makes us depend on God

- Prayer is our 1st respond not our last resort

- God gives us wisdom and courage, strength and perseverance 

- God changes us and alter the circumstances

2. Prayer of CONSECRATION (Setting ourselves from the world)

- Genuine prayer is a relationship

- Merely asking for things in any relationship is immature

- Surrender to God, let the will be done in our lives

Luke 22:42

42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Jeremiah 33:3

3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Ephesians 3:20 

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

3. Prayer of THANKSGIVING

Philippians 4:6

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Colossians 4:2

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

-God gives grace to the humble but resist the proud

- Thank God for our past, present and future

HOW TO STRENGTHEN PRAYER LIFE

1. Pray daily

2. Pray different types of prayers

3. Pray for others

4. Use a prayer list

5. Pray in the Spirit

Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) - Hillsong Worship

All these pieces
Broken and scattered
In mercy gathered
Mended and whole
Empty handed
But not forsaken
I've been set free
I've been set free

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind but now I see

Oh I can see you now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life

You take our failure
You take our weakness
You set Your treasure
In jars of clay
So take this heart, Lord
I'll be Your vessel
The world to see
Your life in me

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind but now I see

Oh I can see you now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
[2x]

Oh I can see you now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
Was blind but now I see
[2x]

Oh I can see you now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
[3x]