Saturday, December 31, 2005
2005 in Review
Wow.. after logging into Blogger i just realised that my last post was over 3 months ago... hehehe I must apologise for not blogging.. too caught up in work / playing / slacking that I had no motivation to blog! =P
Anyways it's the end of another year.. what has 2005 been to me?
If I can sum up my year in a phrase, the phrase for 2005 would be "
Great Change".
Why I say so? Here's my year in retrospect:
- Dec 04 - Jan 05
I left Brisbane: the student life, university studies, the 'freedom' so to speak, road trips, house slacking, Brisbane City Church, the aussie friends, the international friends... I left all those after studying for a year and came back to Singapore. Of course with all changes, there are positive and negative aspects, but I knew I was supposed to be back... So with it came re-adjustments back to Elim Church, to the Singaporean way of life, to the Singaporean way of speaking, to the family and family values, to the company of loved ones here.
I served in my church's music and youth ministries not long after my return, and the youth had our first-ever youth concert complete with rocking guitars (inc my then new Epiphone Les Paul Standard Cherry Red), stage lightings, an attempt with the dry ice machine, and an improvised drum shield with egg trays (it's still in use!!) , and wireless mic-ing equipment... which is probably the church's first ever full-blown youth contemporary concert using all available resources in the hall! We're ever pushing the boundaries!
- Jan - Feb 05
Celebrated MAD's first year anniversary and finally being able to spend time together physically rather than over Skype, MSN and long distance phone calls... Started sending out resumes after CNY... after slacking for over 2 months...
- March 05
I started work at Inphosoft Pte Ltd (sidenote: the website is in the midst of updating, so its extremely outdated... *shrug*) after landing it on my first interview, thus migrating myself from a professional slacker to a professional programmer analyst... Managed to FINALLY catch a Planetshakers conference live in Singapore!
- July 05
I accepted and my pastor approved the move to God@Work to help out in their worship ministry. So it was back to basics from serving in a 600-strong congregation to one of just 40-50. But yet through serving faithfully wherever I was, I still think that I learnt more from the church than what I was giving to them... I served there on Sundays while I still served and spent time with the youth during the Youth Services on Fridays.
- September - October 05
I bought my new toy... the Line6 PODxt Live guitar effects pedal! This really was a dream man.. to have my own effects... hard to believe that for almost 3 years I was playing electric guitar on a borrowed guitar and borrowed effects...
And then I had the opportunity after a very long while to play with the Edge band from VFC for the J21 Prayer Concert at COOS... it was a real fun time worshipping God together with our music!
- November 2005
God@Work organised and managed the Hearts Set Free Seminar with Rev. Judy Taber at COOS together with the help of many other churches that contributed greatly to the event. It was a real blessing for me personally because I really was touched by her and she reiterated and refreshed my purpose and calling... it was a gentle reminder of where God wants me to go...
- December 2005
After 4 long years, I was finally able to go for Elim Church's annual family camp! MAD went to Malacca, Renaissance Hotel for the church camp and again we were really blessed! God again reiterated and renewed my vision... and because of it I can believe Him so much more that indeed He's going to do it! I'm excited really for the years ahead.
Yes this is a long post, but you can't expect a whole year's worth of events to be a short story now would you? With 2005 being a year of great change, I believe 2006 will be a year of new beginnings again for me... new experiences and new challenges await as I pray to move forward in my call... and trying not to step into the ditches / drains / longkangs / canals that
WILL come along my way... Lord guide my steps for the year ahead I pray...
To my dear, thanks for being there and for making the year more enjoyable! Love you!
PS: Happy birthday to me... happy birthday to me... Thanks for all the well-wishes and gifts!
~~derek~~ at 12/31/2005 11:59:00 pm
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Friday, December 23, 2005
What I want for Christmas is Peace...within my heart
Today at office isn't the best day of the week. I was emotionally wounded. Disappointed and verbally abuse for my kind intention to help.
Man can fail but God never will. Desperately need comfort and assurance from God in the decision I have to make.
Lord, I pray for a peaceful Christmas. Fully depending on you and remembering that it's all about YOU
~~Min~~
~~derek~~ at 12/23/2005 03:54:00 pm
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Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Chicken Little
I'm not doing a movie review here. But after watching this movie, it does stir up some thoughts. For those who have not and are not intending to catch this 70 min animation - The movie seems to show how this chicken has come to the rescue his fellow citizens when aliens start an invasion, but I felt that it was more about acceptance and the father's love.
I don't know why but this 70min show has trigger so much thoughts
I think this movie is more for parents than kids. Message is rather heavy on parenting! Sorry pple, I'm getting more analytical here. =P
Chicken Little surfaces the problems kids face these days -insecurity, rejection, often times misunderstood, unfulfilled dreams because of discouragement, lack of parental involvement and support, loss of a parent. It's more than a light-hearted movie with some silly dance and songs. >_<
Chicken Little's motto: "Everyday is a NEW DAY." That's his motivation whenever he encounter difficult situation. --indeed, Everyday's a new day & His mercy are new every morning, thus there's nothing too difficult that God and u can't handle
I was moved by what Buck Cluck said(Chicken Little's dad) which goes something like this "You don't need to earn for your acceptance. I love you anyway - isn't that so true? My FATHER loves me no matter what I do or failed to do. I do not need to gain my acceptance through my efforts. He already loved me.
That's so comforting. :)
~~Min~~
~~derek~~ at 12/21/2005 02:22:00 pm
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Friday, December 16, 2005
To Seek Him - Family Camp 2005
It's been exactly one week since we got back from our 5 days church camp at Melacca. Looking back, I didn't regret attending though I was contemplating in the beginning thinking that I might feel awkward. Thank God for the breakthrough, and revelations. I was filled with humility as I come before Him at the Alter.
I thankful for the friendships made. Not superficial but genuine ones. Our Ladies' nites in my room-where the gals saw the super CRAZY me. 'butterfly song', Jo's lizard extravaganza, our 'chinese wayang' greetings whenever the phone rings, the 'open flower' on jane & joanne's head. Haha!! I'm so mischievous! And of course, sharing our hearts during the night before we head off to dreamland and waking up laughing at each other...
Now back to reality - work.
I know I can find God wherever I am, not just in church retreats. In my heart, the secret place where I can seek after Him and catch a glimpse of His awesome presence.
Still learning to obey and taking little steps of faith to exercise the gifts Big Daddy has blessed me with. Though fearful at times, but I know I'm not alone. God calls, God will equip. and of coz, my prayer partner is with me, supporting and helping me fulfill my destiny. To my dear, my love, my prayer partner - Thank u! :)
This camp has brought us 'up' another level. We saw the will of God unfolded before us. We had an encounter with Big Daddy and the commitment we made not to run away from His calling, but to obey.
~~Min~~
~~derek~~ at 12/16/2005 03:34:00 pm
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