now, i really really like what DA Carson wrote in his book -A Call to Spiritual Reformation.

i was challenged to think about my own prayer life.
How often do i thank God for the signs of grace among believers?
When i see a fellow Christian growing in his faith, i'll thank God. When i see a fellow Christian fervently serving in church, i'll be encouraged. Thanking God in my heart that is. In my prayer, i'll exclude them almost certainly. it will not be that important than praying for the non-Christians that i've met for St-E; for EBS; around me. it'll be more important to pray for my co-ministry workers & students, and the content will be along the line of God upholding them by granting them strength in their daily go abouts.
Paul do not just thank God for the work of God in the Christians' lives, He prays for the continuation of such signs, which is to be protected and increased. You know, i'm more likely to pray for a Christian when i know he/she is struggling. But do i need to wait for the person to meet with something that is bad? The good news that Paul hears of the Christians does not inspire thanks alone, he prays for more of the same to be shown in their lives.

So what is the content of a challenging prayer?
asking God to fill us with the knowledge of His will - understanding how to live a live that is worthy of our calling to be Christians. And its not merely intellectual, but we're supposed to 'test and approve what God's will is -his good, pleasing and perfect will'- Romans 12:2 We are to respond to the Bible and do it. So pray for that - wisdom to understand the Bible, and to direct our hearts and minds to obeying the Bible.

praying with this purpose in mind for Christians to be found thoroughly pleasing to God. Essentially, to be able to live out a life that pleases God in every way - in speech, thought, action, deed, reaction, so that God will not be shamed

so how do we please God then? - Let learn to pray along these lines.
a skeletal frame of it will constitute of bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, strengthened so as to display great endurance and patience, and to joyfully give thanks to the Father.

It comes together as a package. We will surely be found bearing fruits in our lives when we want to please God, and this is only possible through a spiritual intake & understanding of the Bible. Its a marvellous & beautiful spiralling circle(cycle). Because as we are busy getting down to bearing fruits and obeying God, we get to know God better, which pushes you to greater obedience. Then you'll learn more about God ........

by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can take on the world's attacks. Be patient to witness how God's providence unfold to a better me and you. Be enduring when facing insults, persecutions of many kinds, so that we can triumph in darkness when we hold our composure.

Lastly, and what i really really like, to give thanks to the Lord joyfully! Because we're no longer living under the dominion of darkness but in the kingdom of light, so what can we do but rejoice!

There are just so many things to pray and give thanks for in the life of a Christian, i think we need to know what to pray for in eternal view of matter of concerns.

I'm gonna thank God for the break i've had.
Thank God for Joyce (My former Bible Study teacher) who graciously gave me a movie & meal treat, really do thank God for her, who've always enquired about how i was in camp. thank God for the many believers who've prayed for me too.
Thank God for allowing me to meet up with my old friend for lunch and to catch up with each other.

Thank God for my sole tennis session 2 mornings ago with Hannah & Clara's sister. Clara's sis is rather good in tennis.

Thank God for my new posting to SISPEC. The training there is definitely not gonna be easier, so i pray i'll do everything unto the Lord, and be trusting & obeying God.

I really like how DA Carson brought out the point that our greatest problem is sin:
If the Lord had perceived our greatest need was economic, he would have sent and economist.
If the Lord has perceived our greatest need was entertainment, he would have sent a comedian or and artist.
If the Lord has perceived our greatest need was political stability, he would have sent us a politician.
If the Lord has perceived our greatest need was health, he would have sent us a doctor.
But he perceived our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from him, our profound rebellion, our death. So He sent us a Savior.

Rejoice in the Lord
Vin

come back home

hmm... somethings crossed my mind...

you know, those people who've actually joined us for a while in church service that had left? just been thinking about the few that i know of. i mean, whatever the reason they left, i'm mourning. it isn't a happy thing, so i think we take some time to pray for them ya. pray that they will truly come to God in repentance, finding that God is the only 1 that is able to solve our problem for eternity.

Life is meaningless, without the God who gives us purpose in life.

Lord, have mercy on them please.
Vin

Being a Pinhead

so after POP, i've been resting, or rather recuperating at home these 2 days. Not fully recovered and still sneezing away, chalking up endless amount of phlegm/mucus. 90 mins of sleep the night before POP certainly didn't help at all but doubling the damage was the effect incurred. Don't get me wrong, i wasn't part of any crazy and wild pranks that occupied many, and even if so, i would have gotten at least 3 hours of sleep. Was involuntarily caught up in a whirl of emotional talking spun from relationship problems & about filling that hole in each other's heart, but only that their holes aren't the same in size and the urgency or need to fill that hole is felt differently. At times it induced in me that kind of creepy feeling. I wasn't about to say anything at all, coz i don't know what to say, how to say it, or i just don't know whats happening at all.

ok, these aside, yesterday my family celebrated my Mum's 50th Birthday! Dinner was Hokkien Cuisine at an unorthodox old shophouse restaurant outlet at Plumer Road (somewhere near Jalan Besar stadium).

just now when i was shuffling through my drawers(which has been neatly tidied up by my mum when i was away on BMT), i'm amazed how many pins and accessories i've amassed all my life thus far. A virtual sneak:

my showcase of acquisitions:

Blue Band of pins (clockwise): IOC Japan, Thailand, PRC (China), Beijing 2008, FINA, skycam

Black Band of HardRock Cafe pins (clockwise): Paris, Cairo, Surfers' Paradise-so cute this 1, HongKong, Barcelona - courtesy of Missy HueyFen, Sharm El Sheikh, GuangZhou.

some other random ones (clockwise):

Japan 2007 international swim meet, my SJI Graduation pin!, the worm!- used for sharing the gospel at a church event couple of years back, Beijing 2008 & FC Barcelona! - courtesy of huEyfen again, Planet Hollywood Bali, Orry the Oryx- the lovable mascot, a couple of communist pins from Mongolia -sandwiched between China & Russia you see. & finally, $1-ONE DOLLAR Casino token from dearest DZ :P

i've got a box of them all. But since its a sneakpeak, well...

Vin

Passing Out Parade

My parents & I.



Friends & I.

Vin

I'm edging ever closer to Passing Out Parade (POP), the significant fitting day to mark an end to this stage of training. what does this mean to me?

You know how many times i thought i wouldn't make it through to the end? So i'm thankful for God and His caring arm of support being there for me. I thank God for allowing me to find delight in being a light that shines for Christ, with having the desire to seek God's favour, in His righteousness!

I thank God for keeping me healthy throughout the phase of training, i'm surprised myself that i didn't miss any of the training, not falling out nor reporting sick. Temptation is strong in that department, whether in feigning illness or blowing up in exaggeration of minor blips in the body. Thank God, He always reminds me to be giving my best , and doing so for Him.
Thank God for speedy recovery this past week anyway. Was sneezing away on Sunday, coughing thoroughly on Monday and fever on Tuesday. Didn't dare to report sick coz it would've meant that i could miss the 24km march, and then i'll have to redo after POP.

I was sharing the gospel to my friend during the 24km march. During the 16km-20km leg, when it was night and the stretch is seemingly the longest. I thank God for this opportunity to share with him about my beliefs :)

thank God for the times when i tended to the interests of others above mine.
Although I'm unsure of the degree of brightness that i'd radiated in the past 9 weeks, but i pray that God work into goodness in His Kingdom and glory to Him.
Vin

whats next?

SOC-Standard Obstacle Course.

24km route march- thats a test of endurance.

& finally, i'm feeling a little bit under the weather.
Vin

Yesterday when i was with the younger group in the Big Group Bible study session - Mind of An Evangelist, i think the big word they learnt and managed to grasp is Justification, and with that, Redemption. It was a concept which me myself have learnt not too long ago.

Since God wants to forgive us of our sins, why can't He just make a one-time appearance and declare dramatically that all of us are forgiven?
We have broken God's law. And the punishment or consequence (wages) is death(separation from God), it is a measure of God's anger. As God is righteous and fair, we need to pay for breaking God's law by our life and blood must be shed in the process. However Jesus, who is accepted by God(can meet God's perfect standard), chose to take our punishment by dying on the cross for us. Thereby God will look on Jesus' account so that we can be spared, as God's anger is appeased.God even turned away from Jesus when He's on the cross coz Jesus bore our sins, and Jesus' blood was shed as an atonement for our sins.
So we are declared righteous in God's eyes!

Oh golly, thank You so much Jesus :)

When Alvin is feeling down, i will be happy to....
SuYing wrote: 'go Night Safari with him'
the next time when i'm down, i'll duly inform SuYing, who shall happily bring me to Night Safari & buy me Ben&Jerry's! :):):):):):)
Speaking of Ben&Jerry's, its official: Dublin Mudslide is still available here in S'pore. in pints only that is.

Awaiting the official results of IPPT to be released. I'll be overjoyed if its a Gold, i'll be so thankful even still if a Silver, coz for previous 2 times, i failed.

Please do pray for Christopher. His health is bothering him quite some bits. Going for specialist check-ups regarding his jaw and throat and upper neck area. Somemore he's having his exams these few days. Do keep him in your prayers.

Vin

I'm almost done with the basics. BMT will be over in 10 days.

I've completed my IPPT today. i thank God for His grace. i felt so anxious, fearing that i'll fail. So i prayed. I prayed & trusted in God who knows my results before i do. i prayed that i may not be heavily affected by my own expectations or the surroundings, being thankful that God has given me the ability to serve the nation with a healthy body. I pray and ask that God will tame and humble me, that i will encourage, affirm and comfort my fellow mates. I pray that i'll try my best.

Vin