today...
Friday 11 March 2011
Has it been that long?
As the title suggests, has it really been that long since I last blogged?
Well, much of my time has been taken from tumblr and I've been so busy and caught up with so many other things. I can't believe how busy the life of an adult is! (By the way, I've been attached since October 2010 to a wonderful man :) He makes me smile everyday, and laugh at his lame jokes AND he's so chubby! *pinches cheeks*... !)
But I felt the need, and finally had the time and energy tonight to write up something in my heart that's worthwhile to document my journey in life.
What I wanted to write today was about Ministry.
I have been thinking and contemplating for a long while now when would be the appropriate time to step down from the Passion Events ministry. Not foregoing my responsibilities in this area, but I had a chat with some of my leaders and I really feel that my season in Passion Events has ended and it's time to move on.
In reflecting back, I've learnt so much and grown so much having to depend on God so much during this period of stretching. God has really pulled me through the good and bad times in ministry... But I can't say that I've been a good or effective leader... since I still don't have a successor!
I really had to make time to pray about this matter and I wanted approval from God to be "dismissed" from the events ministry and move on.
So I prayed asking God whether the timing was right, He knows all my emotions towards this. I asked for his approval, and how long would I have to wait for his answer. Was it going to be a blatant sign, is someone going to tell me? What what what? Too many questions. Then a verse came to my mind out of the blue - too random! Luke 2:28 .. so I flipped through the bible and it reads:
Luke 2:28-29 (New International Version, ©2011)
28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
Huh? Did He just say I could be dismissed in peace?! I pondered on what this verse meant, and read it over and over and over, wondering if this is the answer to what I had been thinking about for so long, and what I had just prayed about.
The context of this passage is that there was a man named Simeon, who the Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would see Jesus before he died. In the end, he did see Jesus and thats when he said the above "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace."
In a sense, what I got from the passage is that the season of being in passion events is over in a way, and God is perhaps telling me to move onto the next big thing he has planned for me. *hallelujah music*
It came at good timing in the morning, when my leader texted me and propose something to me. It seemed like clouds were parting...and perhaps a way is being made for a new beginning.
I just was reading through my QT and came across the passage for today, "The Peace of God." I am always so amused by our God. He is so .... funny and smart! Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts." Let the presence or absence of God's peace be the spiritual umpire within you whenever you need to make a decision over a matter. A lack of peace is the clearest sign that God's will is not in a particular course of action.
So with the approval from God, I met with my leader and we sorted things out for this transition period and how we would go about it. I felt REALLY relieved afterwards. The next morning driving to world, I literally felt that my shoulders felt lighter. The burden had been lifted and I felt peace.
It has been a difficult week for me this past week, anxiousness about work woes, the bf's visa processing, the ministry aspect - the end of the week is finally here (and I'm having my ME TIME!)... The week has ended well. God is good all the time.
On another note, Japan 8.9 Earthquake. Pray for them. When are you coming Lord?
♥ weiwei
today...
@7:12 pm
Saturday 5 June 2010
DISC - Classical Profile Patterns
On Friday, our Admissions team went for a half day session to do a personality test! How fun.
It was really interesting though and very thorough. We did the DISC Personality Test (Dominant, Influence, Steadiness, Conscientious).
We found that, our personalities change depending on what situation we are put under and what positions we hold. For example, I refer to my colleague who is the Karen Ooi of her church.. haha.. she scored a Steadiness personality, but in church she would be Dominant.
Anyway, I scored steadiness... as did 90% of my other colleagues. I think the nature of our job has conditioned us to be that way...
So a steady personality, your strengths as a co-worker or team member:
- are a good team player
- are sensitive to others needs
- approach meeting agendas methodically
- listen well
- are likeable
Others may see limitations because you:
- can be indecisive
- may be indirect
- resist change (by the way, I like change!)
You can be more effective by:
- becoming more assertive and direct
- coping better with change
- not carrying the burden of everyone else's problems.
At the very end of it all, my classical profile pattern (for work only) is AGENT PATTERN!
This is what the personality says I am. I would agree with 90% of it!! :) (Keeping in mind, this is me in the workplace!) 9 of my colleagues are the perfectionist pattern, I was the only one who scored agent pattern. In some ways, I feel special... haha... but not sure if that's a good thing!
Emotions: accepts affection, rejects aggression
Goal: group acceptance
Judges others by: commitment to tolerate and include everyone
Influences others by: empathy and friendships
Values to the organisation: supports, harmonises, empathises, focuses on service
Overuses: kindness
Under pressure: becomes persuasive, using information or key friendships if necessary
Fears: dissent, conflict
Would increase effectiveness through: strength in the realisation of who they are and what they can do, firmness and self-assertion, ability to say "no" when appropriate
Agents are attentive to both the human relations and task aspects of their work situation. Empathetic and supportive, they are good listeners and known for their willing ear. Agent make people feel wanted and needed. Because agents respond to others' needs, people do not fear being rejected by agents. Agents offer friendship and are willing to perform services for others.
Agents have excellent potential for organising and completing tasks effectively. Agents naturally promote harmony and teamwork and are particularly good at doing for others what they find difficult to do for themselves.
Agents fear conflict and dissent. Their supportive approach may enable others to tolerate a situation rather than encouraging them to engage in active problem solving. In addition, the agent's tendency to adopt a "low profile" - instead of having open confrontations with aggressive individuals - may be perceived as a lack of "toughness." Although they are concerned with fitting into the group, agents have a fair degree of independence.
♥ weiwei
today...
@3:19 pm
Thursday 3 June 2010
being called to Jesus
Just something I want to share when I was doing quiet time... some food for thought about being involved in ministry and serving Jesus.
There is a big difference between being involved in ministry and serving Jesus. Ministry is what you can and like to do for God - using your talents, gifts, skills and life experience. Ministry is saying, "Jesus, this is what I want to do for You."
But serving Jesus is asking Jesus, "Jesus, what do YOU want me to do?" You freely avail yourself to Christ with no hidden agenda, no ulterior motives, and no preconditions. You just want to please God and follow him unreservedly. (Ps Kong Hee, 2009)
Remember the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42?
Mary was the one that chose to sit at Jesus feet, whilst Martha was caught up in the busyness of being hospitable and making sure everything was in order that she lost her focus on what was more important. Mary understood what it means to be called to the Lord. Your first calling is not to ministry, but to Jesus.
The example of Martha speaks of Christians who have their priorities all messed up. They are more concerned about the busyness of their ministry than the God of ministry, and I must admit that I'm sometimes caught guilty of this too. As much as I love what I do for Christ, sometimes I can really get carried away with the busyness of it all. We must always remind ourselves the purpose of what we do and why we do it. We must always have our focus on the One who gave us life.
Something my friend told me in recent months really got me thinking. He said, there was a particular person who's life was based completely on ministry. Of being involved in various various ministries keeping him busy, yet at the end of it all, he ended up worn out and burnt out. He had no solid foundation built in Christ to sustain him and I was sad for him.
Much like we have to put in time and effort with friends, to get to know one another and know each other's characters, we also need to spend daily time with God to hear His still small voice speak to us.
Rediscover the beauty of our Lord. Do your quiet time daily! Read His word. Sit and soak in His presence. Pray. Worship and sing Him praises. You are His first love and He's waiting for you :)
♥ weiwei
today...
@7:40 pm
Saturday 29 May 2010
tumblr
Check out:
My new micro-blogging website :) so addicted!!! I'll still be updating blogspot, but perhaps only when I have REALLY long things to write :)
♥ weiwei
today...
@1:07 am
Why didn't Jesus just come down?
Golgothia is the site of the crucifixion. It is situated at a major intersection outside the city. Those who passed by stared at Jesus, the condemned King of the Jews, hanging on the cross.
Slowly He began to sag down more and more. The downward pull of His weight, held up only by nails pierced through His wrists. caused excruciating pain to shoot up his arms. In an attempt to relieve the pain, Jesus pushed up on the two wounds in his feet, resulting in even more agony. Hour after hour, He endured wrenching pain in His arms and legs. After awhile, the pain made it impossible to move at all.
Dr Truman Davis analysed the gospel account and came to the following medical conclusion. By now, cramps would have swept over the muscles, knotting them deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps came the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles were paralyzed and unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream, causing partial asphixiation. There would now be a deep crushing pain in the chest as the pericadium slowly begins to fill with fluid and compresses the heart. All this would lead to a certain, inescapable and excruciating death.
The critics and cynics around were hurling insults at Jesus, shaking their heads and saying, "If You are truly the Son of God, save yourself! Come down from the cross!" Why didn't Jesus, the Son of the Living God, the Creator of the Universe do that?
Jesus could have come down. But He stayed on that cross because:
1. He loved us so unconditionally
2. He wanted to free us from the bondage of sin
3. He wanted to take our infirmities and bear out sicknesses
4. He wanted to set us free from every curse of poverty and defeat
5. He wanted to reconcile us back to Father God and give us a home in heaven.
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hew 12:2
On repeat: Brooke Fraser: Soon (Hillsong United, 2009)
♥ weiwei
today...
@12:52 am
Wednesday 19 May 2010
Arms Open Wide
This song on repeat. I ♥ Hillsong United - Arms Open Wide.
Take my life I lay it down
At the cross where I am found
All I have I give to You oh God
Take my hands and make them clean
Keep my heart in purity
That I may walk in all You have for me
Oh here I stand
Arms open wide
Oh I am Yours
And You are mine
Take my moments and my days
Let each breath that I take
Be ever only for You oh God
Oh here I stand
Arms open wide
Oh I am Yours
And You are mine
My whole life is Yours
I give it all
Surrendered to Your Name
And forever I will pray
Have Your way
Have Your way
Oh here I stand
Arms open wide
Oh I am Yours
And You are mine
♥ weiwei
today...
@10:18 am
Sunday 16 May 2010
i got water up my nose but i'm happy :)
Your love is never ending
To Your Hands we surrender
Where all our sins are washed away
Your grace beyond reason
Has paid for our freedom
We're made alive in You
Ziech and Jack doing the honours of dunking me!
So I finally have taken the plunge to get baptised (for real). I was actually really looking forward to get baptised after speaking to Jack about it earlier on in the year. It has been a decision I knew that I would make and God had been prompting me for over a year to get baptised, properly and for the right reasons with full understanding. During the past year, I had been deliberating whether or not to get baptised, speaking to several leaders. I knew I was not at peace with God about this matter, because every time I thought about it, I had this unrest in my heart. I knew that I wouldn't be complete not having done baptism the "right" way.
So I'm the last person to get baptised out of 16 people! :D Erwin and I were the only Curtin people! We fly the Curtin flag HIGH!!! ... haha not really... :) But yeah, we try.
*Grabbing my neck* grrr.
I felt honoured that Jack, my ex-cell leader and someone I respect, trust and look up to so much was the one that dunked me in the water! It was supposed to be Pastor as well who would dunk me in, which would have been double special, but Ziech is just as good! I got in the spa and fell all over the place (pai seh) -- cannot see a thing because there was some weird groove when I stepped into the spa. Then some more, both Jack AND Ziech went to grab my neck! Oh no super sensitive and ge-li cannot take it! *squeal* It's not that I hesitated to get baptised, my neck was too ticklish! So when I got dunked, ahh... I got water in my nose immediately!!! Heheheee... and I knew it so when I was in the water, my nose hurt a bit, and when I came out of the water, my nose still hurt. (Garry reckons I sinned with my nose, so it needed to be cleansed. Eejit.) Funny thing, the first thing I thought of when I got out of the water is, "I think my make-up is sliding..." hmmm...
Jacklyn, me, mum and brother
So happy also my mum, brother, Aletheia, Jacklyn and Roy could come as well to witness my baptism. ALSO, my colleague and her family came to witness my baptism and they stayed for the whole thing! They must've been starving (pai seh) but, I'm glad they were able to witness it. My prayer is that her family will come to know the Lord as their saviour one day :) I sms'ed her after baptism, and thanked her for coming and she said, "Pleasures. We are happy to witness this auspicious moment! Praise the Lord." Wow... she said PTL! PRAISE THE LORD INDEED!!! She also recorded it on video... HEHE... I look stupid squealing and falling all over the place like a child! Perhaps all the delays were for a reason. If I had done it any earlier, Aletheia and Jacklyn may not have been here to witness it... and neither would have Michelle. So in hindsight, this was the perfect time. :)
My wonderful cellies, ex-cellies and bffs and a couple of randoms who were there to support :)
So how do I feel after the baptism? Well... I definitely have peace with God about this now :) and even though I got water up my nose, I'm really happy. Things just look and feel brighter (maybe the water got to my brain)!... I feel an even greater and stronger sense of hope, I feel clean... even though I know I have already sinned since! hah.... but my old self has died and the new me is here! :) I just feel so undeniably where I should be and where God has longed for me to be and I wake up with His praises on my lips every morning.
I give thanks to God for all the good things he has done in my life, all the wonderful people and leaders he has put in my life to guide me and to be my friend, and to my family for their support :) God is GOOD, ALL the time!!!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
I grew up going to church. I learnt about Jesus and read stories in the bible; however, I realized after all these years growing up in the church, that I didn’t really know who Jesus is. I never had a personal relationship with Christ. Going to church was a Sunday routine and when it was time for Word, that was the time I started to day dream. When we prayed, I often wanted to fall asleep. I rarely served in church and rarely stayed back after church to fellowship with the people or attend cell group and church outings, so to me, church life was just another obligation I had every week.
It was in the summer of 2007 after doing Curtin Orientation that I came to meet some wonderful Zion Praise Harvesters who invited me to their church! I still remember the first day I stepped into the service. It was strange to see all these people singing, dancing, praising and jumping for Jesus – it was something I had never seen before. It was exciting and I could feel the passion and zeal these people had for Jesus – and I wanted a piece of it. It was as if, a blindfold had been taken from my eyes and I was able to see that our God really is alive. Since then, I made a commitment to attend and serve in ZPH and God has been so faithful to me. I’m amazed at how much I have grown in the past 3 years compared to the last 10 years of my life and how God has been able to use me for His purposes.
I was baptized in a Methodist church and as far as I was concerned up until that point, I had been baptized (although, not with very much water!) When I was baptized, I don’t believe I truly understood the true significance of baptism. It seemed like another ritual that a Christian had to do. However, in recent months, there became an unrest in my heart that grew daily about baptism. I went to on to read in the bible more about baptism and how Jesus was baptized in the river. God has been prompting me for some time now, and eventually I was convicted to take the plunge and get baptized (for real). I want to do this in obedience to God and also to follow in Jesus footsteps.
This will be the second time I get baptized and this time my baptism will hold so much more significance because I now understand what full repentance means, consciously turning away from my old ways and looking ahead to really living a life that is pleasing to God. Baptism is just the beginning of honoring and giving my life to God, and vowing that my future will be lived out for Him and His glory.
Today and everyday is still a day to learn and grow and to invest in that personal relationship with Christ and it will be a life long journey. I’m excited for what God has in store for me because he says in Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future, and I believe when God promises to prosper us, and to give us a hope and a future – it’s sure going to look very bright on the other side.
@10:43 pm
Wednesday 5 May 2010
my kiddo :)
I got a letter from my kiddo, Jaime, the other day.
He's so sweet. :)
It translates, "Hello Sue-Anne, How are you? I greet you with a lot of love and affection hoping that you have a lot of health. I'm very grateful with you for the money that you sent me $22.50. I tell you that I bought a pair of pants. I bought milk to eat with cereal. I bought many candies too, to share with my sisters. Thank you, I'm very happy and grateful with God because to Him you sent me that gift."
It bought a smile to my face and made me realise living in the world we live in, we take so many things for granted. Things like eating cereal with milk, things like eating candy. I'm glad my money could buy him temporary happiness even if for a day and yet above all those, he gives thanks to God because of me. *My heart warms*
We ought to give thanks to God for everything He has given us!
Thank you Lord!
today...
@7:19 pm
Thursday 29 April 2010
We will crown You
King forever
Living savior
Jesus redeemer
Lord of heaven
Robed in majesty
Crowned in glory
Creation adores You
Holy, holy
God almighty
And forever
The Lord is exalted
Hear the angels
Shout His anthem
Ever living
God we adore You
♥ weiwei
today...
@9:46 pm
Saturday 24 April 2010
highlight from malaysia trip
I was in cousins car...going back to the house to get my phone because I forgot it...
Got one plump aunty wearing pink top, pink pants, holding pink umbrella on pink bicycle. Other aunty next to her wearing red top, red pants, holding red umbrella on red bicycle. They are both talking, oblivious there is a car behind them... with me laughing inside the car!
It was a sight I have never seen before... couldn't stop laughing everytime I think of that. My cousin thought I was wierd. But true... you never get to see that kind of thing in Australia!
*highlight of my trip to Malaysia*
SAD I couldn't take a picture since I forgot my phone... it's only a memory now.
♥ weiwei
today...
@1:04 am
This song on repeat. I ♥ Hillsong United - Arms Open Wide.
*Grabbing my neck* grrr.
Jacklyn, me, mum and brother
My wonderful cellies, ex-cellies and bffs and a couple of randoms who were there to support :)
