Gosh. I haven’t blogged in here for another week! Which I think is a good thing cos it means that I spend more time doing more constructive matters. Been so busy lately that I haven’t had the time to blog.
Just came back from camp yesterday but I’m so lazy to talk about it here. I have yet to email Sharon my reflections on Encounter camp and MHS. Gosh. Tons of emailing. Gotta email Jang yesterday’s sermon too.
I received my first ever assignment on my job. I’m gonna be a spy. HAHA. I can’t talk much about it here, too bad. But awesomeness can. Our training has not finished yet but I’m gonna start my first assignment already. No one else has been given their assignments yet. To God be the glory. I really thank Him for the favors I have with my supervisors, I know that without Him, nothing would have been impossible. I’m super excited can. Haha. Can’t wait. Meantime, more emails to read up on this assignment………… More emails to send. EMAIL has officially become my best friend. Not.
“DEVOTION” – Hillsong United
VERSE 1
I’ve been running, trying to be one who sees
I’ve been working salvation out on my knees
There is nothing better than knowing
That we are redeemed
I’m believing, trusting in creative hands
I am praying for our world to bow to Your plan
And this one thought is unmistakable
I take up my cross and follow You Lord
CHORUS
When you stand the tall trees and mountains bow
When you speak the fiercest of oceans is still
And I see the sinner seek devotion
The lost become chosen
And I fall to my knees
VERSE 2
I’m forgiven; my Savior who did not deserve death
He was blameless and I was lost in shamefulness
I’m delivered but it doesn’t seem right
Unless I keep my eyes focused on the Savior who gave His life
In the middle of a world that denies it believes
It is breaking apart at the very seams
There is one thing to be alive for
And it’s to take up my cross and follow You Lord
BRIDGE
I will take up my cross and follow
Lord where You lead me
And I will take up my cross and follow wherever You go
(repeat)
CHORUS (X2)
3 weeks and counting. And my heart has not changed. It is still focused on You, my God. Holy Spirit, continue to convict my heart of my salvation. Continue to mold my character, help me to live out each day, to deny myself and to carry the cross. I never want to let go of this conviction in my heart having known what You’ve done for me. There is nothing better than knowing that I am redeemed. Nothing but You.
Jesus Died For Me – FCBC
My favorite holiday is here again! Wheeeee. Christmas.
In the past I loved it most of all because of the presents. BEEEEG presents. When I was still young, the financial situation of my family was pretty well-to-do (as compared to now). I remember that during the few days before Christmas, we would go to Toys”R”Us (at Parkway Parade last time) to pick out a few toys each. Then they would be nicely wrapped up and put under the pretty tree. I loved it also because of the Christmas lights in Orchard. Our dad would drive us to town to take pictures of all the beautiful decorations. I also loved Christmas because of the food. Not just Christmas dinner on the eve of Christmas at home but also parties at our relatives’.
But I’ve come to realize that beyond the food, presents and laughter, the real reason why we should celebrating Christmas. The birth of a baby boy who came for us. Who came to die for us. Today’s Gkidz service reminded me again of what Jesus did for us through the Passion of the Christ video. And this song played again.
JESUS DIED FOR ME
written by Isaiah Pang/FCBC (2003)
VERSE 1
Grace and mercy flowing freely from the throne
As I sleep, He sings to me in a gentle tone
He is my Father, the greatest King that I know
And I thank Him for His love
VERSE 2
My salvation and my King who deserves my praise
My God Almighty, who loves me and did not hide His face
He walked the road and He carried my cross
He laid His life
And He died to save the lost
CHORUS
He had no beauty or majesty
A man of sorrow and familiar with suffering
God struck His son, for me, for me!
What have I done to deserve a love like this?
The Son of God, my guilt offering
Nailed to the cross and stripped for all to see
God crushed His son, for me, for me!
Though no deceit was found in His mouth
This righteous man died on the cross
To set me free!
VERSE 2
CHORUS
(I’ve got the chords for this song if anyone wants!)
The lyrics of this song never fails to move my heart. It reminds me of how much Jesus went through for me. To exchange my sins with His life. It doesn’t matter who I am or what I’ve done. He did it because He loves us, not because of what or how much we’ve done. I saw the Passion of the Christ video again (which also had this song playing in the background) in Encounter camp two weeks ago and God reminded then of what He had done. Which is why I finally woke up from my stupor. A stupor of procastination, laziness, blindness and mediocrity. I realized during the camp that I could no longer live like I did. I woke up. This life is not mine. But God-given. It was paid for with Jesus’ blood. I can no longer waste it. I made a decision in the camp that I would live this life for God, with a spirit of excellence. Doing everything to the glory of God. For His works, for His purposes. And I will not try anymore. I will be IT. Be there ups and downs. I’m living it ALL for Him.
i simply love it when i sms people for nothing.
i simply love it when there is no reply within the next few hours.
i love it even more when there is no reply within the day itself.
i simply love it when people sms me and i reply almost immediately and it takes half a day (or sometimes even a whole day) for them to reply me. it’s like i have to be on call 24/7 for anyone.
and oh boy, i love it even more when there’s something urgent that i need to know and that information is withheld from me even though it was supposed to be given to me earlier than before.
as you can see, i truly appreciate the art of tardiness which i can never perfect and simply envy those who can do it with such natural talent.
moving on to something worth more talking about, i’m so glad that the weekend is here! work has been challenging (every single day, trust me). I’m learning new things every day and seeing new surprises pop up every once in a while and it just makes me go “awww…” when our kids are able to replicate the skill that we train them to do/say. it’s taken me sometime to get used to though, the having to wake up early and thus having to go sleep early (which I’m starting to think is good and sleeping early is absolutely necessary because I am grumpy when I don’t have enough sleep). I’m almost always drained mentally by the end of the day ‘cos we have to think on our feet all the time, both when working with the kid, during role play and also discussion. but i love it. my analytical and observation skills are being sharpened every day, along with many other things. alrights, time to hit the sack! ciao.
How true is it that we need to spend our time wisely. Especially now that I’ve (kinda) started work, I’ve come to find that I need to really think about the amount of time I spend on doing stuff. I come online for only about 2-3 hours max per day now as compared to more than 10 hours a day previously.
A day in Xiuting’s life (in these 2 weeks):
6AM: Wake up and prepare for work
7AM: Do qt
7.20AM: Breakfast
7.30AM: Leave for work
8.45AM: Reach office
9-5.30PM: Work
5.30PM: Go home
7PM: Reach home, shower
7.30-9PM: Check email, surf the net, read research papers/articles for work
9PM: Dinner and tv
10PM: Continue reading, surfing the net, do qt
11.30PM: Sleep
Even though I’m someone who doesn’t like structure, I think I’m slowly getting used to it. And I feel so much more useful now than before. Cos I’m actually using my brains and contributing to someone’s life. And I realize that I CANNOT do without God every single day. I look forward to meeting Him every morning more than I have in the past and I’d just feel so lost without going to Him or reading His word.
I was reminded of this song and worshipped God with it this morning:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning
New every morning (3x)
Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord
Great is Thy faithfulness
