End of 2016 • Start of 2017

Much has transpired since the last post. I remember why I blog here. By the time I turned thirty, I have become a man of few words (compared to my younger days) and a much more private person. I remember I blog here to share my life to the public and I am to write as if to my younger self. I still write in my private journal and share the updates of my private life in tidbits-form elsewhere. You know, the various social media stuff… But in this post, I am sharing to the world.

The world still goes on. Jesus is always good to me and His grace is always sufficient. I don’t think without His grace for me, I would be enriched in these ways. A man has many pasts, successes and failures, victories and follies, but through it all, He is always with him, never to leave him nor forsake him. A man who is forgiven much understands much about forgiveness and salvation. I am thankful.

End of 2016

What happened at the end of last year?

Some of the highlights after the November Mission Trip:

[list]
[li]Church Cluster Christmas Event[/li]
[li]Gatherings with Friends[/li]
[li]New Year Eve with Church Care Group[/li]
[/list]

Had the privilege to serve with the committee of the cluster event with six others. It’s the East 2 Cluster Christmas Party. For the sake of privacy, I’m not posting any picture of the event here. Am grateful for the chance. Glad to know some new friends through the event. A moment was particularly meaningful to me: when we were simply putting up the balloons which writes “Love Came Down” on the wall of the stage. Proximity.

In the month of December is usually when many urban folks are in holiday mood. It so happened to be my lull period regarding work, so I had time to catch up with some old-time friends. Primary schoolmates for lunch at Compass One, GenRev Lights Team for dinner at Crossings Cafe in Bugis area, and Care Group gathering at a friend’s house in SengKang.

At the eve of 2017, on the last day of 2016, my friends and I chilled in the cosiness of the house. Kenneth and Sharon recently received baby Lea into this world, and thanks to their generosity, we were invited to their place for the new year cross-over together. Activities included food, games, and watching fireworks. It’s really just a casual get-together. After viewing the fireworks, which happened just outside the flat, in the open field, Zixiang, our Care Group Leader shared with us about worship as the beginning of wisdom and that we can expect many good beginnings in 2017. We ended with a prayer and next day, some of us attended Sunday service together.

Here is a series of images captured on the eve. Again, for the sake of privacy, the selected photos avoid having facial details shown.

[URIS id=4753]

 

Start of 2017

That Sunday was the first day of 2017. Pastor announced the theme of the year for the church as “The Year of Jubilee”.

He emphasised that the three keys for us to live out this year to be:

• Rest
• Listen to the preaching of gospel
• Flow with the Spirit

I considered the three personal prayer requests this church has the tradition of having the members to commit unto God at the beginning of the year. See how it goes.

This is when I am reminded to I hold loosely to how my hopes and dreams shall come to be, while holding tightly His promises to me. A man has a slightly better understanding of what it means to “let go and let God”. I am reminded of the song “Just Be Held” by Casting Crowns.

In the verses, there are lyrics that go:

“There’s freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go”

and…

“If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You’ll know I always have and I always will

And not a tear is wasted
In time, you’ll understand
I’m painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands”

In the chorus,  there are lyrics that go:

“You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place”

Ah, I remember a few years back, the song “Love Came Down” by Brian Johnson of Bethel Church encouraged me much. That time…

By the time this post is published (I scheduled this post in advance), It’d be 6th January 2017, a Friday. I am expectant of the upcoming projects in schools which I will be teaching music. It is my work and I actually enjoy my work. Moving on…