The reflecting theologian

The time has come again for my annual affair of reviewing the year that just passed. In short, it has been an emotionally charged year with so much challenges that lie ahead of me. Once again, let me look at my year month by month: January January marked the beginning of my first semester with AGBC. The year started with an orientation programme with AGBC, attending the Spiritual Emphasis Chapel, preached by the new principal of AGBC - Ps Anthony Phua. The point of the message, on the Presence of God, coincided with what Ps Jeff preached during the Christmas service and the God's Church God's Way vision that Ps Jeff has been sharing with Hope in 2012. It almost served as a confirmation that I am in the right place to receive my theological education. Attending my first few lessons in AGBC also led me to realise that all these times, God has been preparing me for all the things I needed to do well in Bible College. Moreover, the spiritual formation class that I sat through h...

On Christmas day, I had a very interesting outing to Sentosa. One question that was posed to me was the thanksgiving points that I have for 2013. Upon thinking, one major thanksgiving for me would be God's gracious sustenance in my life and ministry for 2013. As I have mentioned earlier, things have been very different in 2013, especially with my new adventures with AGBC and other places. Yet God never fails to amaze me with His grace and mercy in my life, on how He graciously sustained me through all the trials and challenges.  And I supposed it is appropriate for Him to remind me to pray continually in 2014 and continue to give thanks to Him in all circumstances. 

Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Severe any ties but the tie that binds me to Thy service and Thy heart. - David Livingstone I think I have to be constantly reminded of this prayer that David Livingstone made, and this is a prayer that I have made it my own as well. In such simple lines, I think David Livingstone summed up the desire of a Christ follower who so singlemindedly wants to follow Him, deny himself to pick up the cross and walk in the path of our Lord.

Bridge Diagram from Hope Church Singapore on Vimeo .

I am wondering what would be one thing that will make 2013 different from 2012, 2011 and other years before 2013? On the broad stroke, it has been business as usual, since I am still serving God in my church, playing a leadership in my lifegroup and guiding younger believers around. Of course, the exact things that I was doing had been different, one of the main difference is definitely embarking on a new course of study, which has made this year an enriching one. Well, one particular event does vividly make this 2013 different. As I reflect on this event, I think it is really God's call for me to quit running marathons irresponsibly and learn to be able to involve others in my own ministry. A rebuke from God mid year and a timely reminder from God end of the year as well as the event suffice to tell me that this is indeed one of the key lessons I have learned in 2013.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. - Psalm 37:7 (NIV) I think nobody likes to play the waiting game. Sometimes, we like to keep people waiting for us, but we don't like it when we are the ones waiting. But God likes to play the waiting game, with a purpose. And I must say that the waiting game is not fun to play for us initially. Yet there is reward in playing this waiting game. My trust in Him is such that I know I will turn out the winner every time I play this waiting game with Him. It has happened so many times in my life that I have lost count of the waiting game that God plays with me. And so many times, I have to force myself to be still before Him as He does the work in my life and in the lives of the people around me, only to let me see what He has in mind for us when He unveils everything. There, we see His fingerprints in our lives and we witness how much sen...

Taking some time to start reflecting on 2013 while I can afford some. Apparently, the mirror does not reflect the year fully, hence I will need to type out the reflection myself. Looking back at some of the questions which I have asked myself last year during this period, I have become aware of the direction that God is leading me towards. I am glad that I have enrolled into AGBC - the spiritual formation that takes place in the school has helped me to gain a better understanding of my own calling in my life, through the many different tools that the college taught me. And I also thought that God was done with me on mission during this season, and it turns out that this was only partly true due to the recent trip. Looking back at 2013 gets me more excited for 2014. I don't know what 2014 will hold, other than the fact that it will be my first venture into the 30s. Many thoughts remains to be consolidated. It looks something like this here:

Reflecting on my eighth year in Christ, I can only give thanks to the many adventures, fun, tears and blood in this journey of faith that God has brought me through all these eight years. This is especially so this year, as it seems that it gets more and more exciting each year. So many things have happened over this past one year, since I last typed my reflection for my seventh year on this blog. And over this period of time, I have gone through four modules as a Bible college student, went for an extraordinary mission trip, made so many new friends, tried so many new things etc. From then to now, I remain utterly amazed by how He has led me through this race.  But this year, on my eighth anniversary, I am glad to be part of the Tree of Life campaign organised by World Vision. This is an annual event that happens over the Christmas season, when World Vision Singapore will go into the different malls and set up booths to create awareness of the needs of the children in developin...

This is the song that touched my heart so much yesterday. Sharing the song with my readers, hoping that this will touch you. Verse 1: I don’t want to worship from afar Draw me closer to You Is my only desire You’re the one that I’ve been longing for Let me dwell in Your presence To worship and adore Pre Chorus: I fall on my knees Lord I am yearning for You alone Deep calls to deep Lord I know that must be more Chorus: Show me Your face O Lord Make my heart pure as gold Standing in awe of You Your love it surrounds me forever Show me Your face O Lord I want to know You more I want to stand right here with You All of my days

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. - Acts 20:24 Yesterday, I ran my 12th marathon. It was a good time of running, though I took nearly 8 hours. Throughout the run, the song, "Show me Your face", kept humming in my head and I was singing the song throughout the run (almost). What touched me was that the line, "I want to stay/right here with you/all of my days", made me tear a lot, resulting in additional loss of body fluid. Yet, I found the time of gruelling pain worth the time. Many people do not understand why I choose to run, but for me, not only running the marathon becomes a prolonged time of worship and hearing from God for me, it is also my own expression of worship to God. Indeed, during the run, I was prompted to give thanks to Him, because He is the one who gave me life (both biologically and spiritual...