I am too blessed to be stressed! The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen!

Lent Reflections

 
Don't  walk in front  of me, I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me,  I may not  lead.

Just walk beside me and be  my  friend.




Lent most often is referred to as “a time of renewal.” I prefer “a period of recovery.” In A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, Eckhart Tolle emphasizes: “You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you, and allowing that goodness to emerge. But it can only emerge if something fundamental changes in your state of consciousness.” Lent offers the opportunity to recover that goodness, to allow it to surface in thought, word and action.

Lenten Reflection, Commitment, Repentance

Lent Lived After the Ashes

Social scientists say it takes 28 days to change
a habit.  Lent asks us to change more than
a habit.  We're invited to change more
than a habit.  We're invited to
change our priorities and
focus of our lives.
Maybe that's why
Lent takes a full
40 days and
happens
every
year

 

This Lent...........

Give up complaining.....focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism...become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments...think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry......trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement.....be full of hope.

Give up bitterness......turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred.....return good for evil.

Give up negativism.....be positive.

Give up anger......be more patient.

Give up pettiness.....become more mature.

Give up gloom.....enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy....pray for trust.

Give up gossiping.....control your tongue.

Give up sin.....turn to virtue.

Give up giving up....hang in there!!!!!

HE did something for you, now do something for HIM

HE did something for you, now do something for HIM....spread His word, and you'll be rewarded. "Whoever acknowledges Me before men,  I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns  Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven."

Matthew 10:32-33

Prayer Experience Retreat (7-9 Jan 2011)

I attended this weekend programme for CSC ministry members (Jan 7-9, 2011) conducted by Rev Fr William Goh and the ministering team from the Intercessory Prayer Ministry at CSC designed to help individuals further deepen their prayer experience. It was especially meant for past CER retreatants who are seeking to further grow their spiritual and prayer life after their Conversion experience.

"Draw close to God and He will come close to you" - James 4:8

My conversion experience testimony can be found on http://saintpaulmissionministry.blogspot.com

Parish Retreat BSC conducted by Divine Retreat Centre (24-28 Nov 2010)

I've attended this wonderful and spirit-filled Parish Retreat organized by the Blessed Sacrament Church and conducted by Rev Fr Augustine Vallooran from the Divine Retreat Centre in India (formerly known as Potta Ministry) from 24 to 28 November 2010. During this retreat, I've received a lot of peace, joy and experienced the loving touch of God.  I also experience physical healing, as I've not had any sinus attack since the retreat in  Nov 2010 until now.  I can wake up every morning without any nasal irritation and watery eyes and forgo the surgery recommended by the ENT Surgeon. Praise the Lord - Alleluia!!

Quiet time with Jesus

Jesus loves YOU and wants to spend some time with you every day.  Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.  There is no cost just blessings.  Let's always pray for one another.......

The prayer:

"Father, Thank You for each and every day You have blessed us here on earth.  Thank You for Your tender mercies.  Thank You for giving us friends and family to share these joys with.  I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those I care deeply for.  Where there is joy, give them continued joy, where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy.  Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence.  Where there is need, fulfill their needs.  Bless their homes, families, their goings and comings.  In Jesus' name - Amen."

Lent Reflection - 2010

 
Don't  walk in front  of me, I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me,  I may not  lead.

Just walk beside me and be  my  friend.

 



Sometimes, God breaks our spirit to save our soul. Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.  Sometimes, He sends us pain so we can be stronger.  Sometimes, He sends us failure so we can be humble.  Sometimes, He sends us illness so that we can take better care of ourselves.  Sometimes, He takes 'everything'  away from us so we can learn the value of 'everything' we have. 

Daily Prayer

Go not to the temple to put flowers
upon the feet of God,

     First fill your own house with
     fragrance of love.... 

Go not to the temple to light candles
before the altar of God,

    First remove the darkness of sin
    from your heart....

Go not to the temple to bow down
your head in prayer,

    First learn to bow in humility
    before your fellowmen....

Go not to the temple to pray on bended knees,

    First bend down to lift someone who is down-trodden....

Go not to the temple to ask for forgiveness for your sins,

    First forgive from your heart those who have sinned against you....

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

              During happy moments, Praise God.

              During difficult moments, Seek God.

              During quiet moments, Worship God.

              During painful moments, Trust God.

              And at every moment, Thank God.

OLPS Family Camp @ Austin Hill (27-30 Nov 2009)

Chennai Mission Trip (27 Oct - 5 Nov 2009)

Emergency Telephone Numbers

"Our worth is neither increased when people praise us nor diminished when they criticize us.  Our real worth depends on how GOD SEE US no more No less."

WHEN 

 You are sad, phone  John 14
   You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91 

People have failed you, phone Psalm 27

It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139

Your faith need some stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
 You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23

You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34

You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13

You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18

You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39

You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30

It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90

You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30

You are leaving home for a trip, phone Psalm 121

You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Your investments are in doubts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small compare to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity / discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12
ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, phone Psalm 47
For security, phone Psalm 121:3
For assurance, phone Mark 8:35
For reassurance, phone Psalm 145:18
ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONE DIRECTLY
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED
ALL LINES TO HEAVEN IS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY

FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBTS WILL BE STARVE TO DEATH

God Always Answer Prayer

When an idea is not right God says, "No"

   No -  when the idea is not the best

   No - when the idea is absolutely wrong

   No - when it may help you, it could create
           problems for someone else

When the time is not right, GOD says, "Slow"

What a catastrophe it would be if GOD answered every prayer at the snap of your fingers.  Do you know what will happen? God would become your servant, not your master.  Suddenly God would be working for you instead of you working for God.

Remember: God's delays are not God's denials.  God's timing is perfect.  Patience is what we need in prayer.

When you are not right, God says, "Grow."
   The selfish person has to grow unselfishness.
   The cautious person must grow courage.
   The timid person must grow in self-confidence.
   The dominating person must grow in sensitivity.
   The critical person must grow in tolerance.
   The negative person must grow in positive attitudes.
   The pleasure-seeking person must grow in compassion
    for suffering people.

When everything is all right, God says, "Go."
Then miracles happen:
   A hopeless alcoholic is set free!
   A drug addict finds release!
   A doubter becomes as a child in his belief.
   Diseased tissue responds to treatment and healing begins.
   The door to your dream suddenly swings open and there stands
   God saying, "Go!"

Always Give Thanks

Although things are not perfect Because of trail or pain, Continue in thanksgiving. Do not begin to blame Even when times are hard. Fierce winds are bound to blow God is forever able Hold onto what you know. Imagine life without His love Joy would cease to be. Keep thanking Him for all the things Love imparts to thee. Move out of "camp complaining" No weapon that is known On earth can yield the power Praise can do alone. Quit looking at the future Redeem the time at hand Start everyday with worship. To "thank" is a command Until we see Him coming Victorious in the sky. We'll run the race with gratitude Xalting God most high. Yes, there will be good times and yes some will be bad, but Zion waits in glory....where none are ever said!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

"May my prayer be set before you like incense, may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."

Psalm 141:2

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, give thanks to Him and praise His name."

Psalm 100:4

Jesus Painting - Above All

This is an awesome painting of our LORD Jesus. Enjoy the video

Ulu Tiram MissionTrip (25-26 Apr 2009)

I went on my second follow-up mission trip to Ulu Tiram with the mission group in April 2009.
 

Friar Vernon in Pakistan

Vernon Chua is my brother-in-law. He is into his fourth year as a Franciscan friar and left Singapore in February 2009 for Karachi, Pakistan as part of his formative experience training.

Vernon Chua is in the front row (fourth from left). He is also god-father to my eldest daughter, Vanessa and son, Ryan.

Ulu Tiram MissionTrip (16-18 Jan 2009)

I went on my first mission trip to Ulu Tiram, Malaysia with the mission group in January 2009.

Growth Retreat (6 - 9 Nov 2008)

One year after attending the Conversion Experience Retreat6 in September 2007, I was somehow "prompted" by the Holy Spirit to attend a follow-up Growth Retreat conducted by Rev Fr Gino Henriques in November 2008 at the Catholic Spirituality Centre.

I've learnt from this retreat that being transformed and converted in faith alone is not enough. I need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and go out to spread the good news in order to grow in holiness. At the invitation of a fellow conversion retreatant friend, I joined a mission group, whose mission is to help transform lives through prayer, worship and evangelisation.

Quote: "The church is not a college for the saints. It is a hospital for sinners. Therefore, we need after-care treatment by attending talks, seminars, growth sessions and retreats."

Conversion Experience Retreat (30Aug-2Sep 2007)

I was invited by a friend to join him for a retreat he had signed-up as he needed a room-mate then. Since I was not working at the time, I saw no harm in joining him for the retreat with an open mind. I signed-up for the stay-in Conversion Experience Retreat 6 from 30 Aug ~ 2 Sep 2007, conducted by Rev Fr William Goh at the Catholic Spirituality Centre.

My Testimony

What I experienced during the retreat had totally changed and transformed my life. No words can attest or described the feeling of experiencing God's love and being touched by the Holy Spirit during that 4 special day.  My smoking addiction of almost 32 years "disappeared'"on the second day of the retreat, when I heard the word of God that we should treat our body as the Temple of God, without any withdrawal syndrome. Praise the Lord!  I've also never cried in my adult life, not even at my father's funeral when he died of cancer.  But during the process of Examination of Conscience, I realized how sinful I was and I cried for almost an hour and right into the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The grace of the Lord has truly touched my heart. Alleluia! I would encourage anyone who wishes to experience God's love or who wishes to rejuvenate their spiritual life with the Lord to sign-up for the next available CER.

"Before attending the CER6, I felt like a porcupine, a rodent with sharp erectile bristles - horny and thorny. Dislike by people. But after a thorough and stringent process of the Examination of Conscience and Sacrament of Reconciliation during the retreat, I felt like a puppy. Born again and can be cuddled by anyone and being loved again."

Sacrament of Confirmation (27 May 2007)

I received my Sacrament of Confirmation on 27th May 2007 from Archbishop Nicholas Chia at Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour assisted by Rev Fr Paul Goh.

Having led a paganish life prior to my baptism, I found it hard to adjust to my new life as a Catholic Christian. Besides adhering to the 10 Commandments, there are also many other "unwritten rules" that I had to observe in order to stay true to my new faith. Even after  my baptism and confirmation, I continued to feel empty inside somehow as I did not experience the presence of God in me. The Conversion Experience Retreat changed  my life and had  showed me the way to HIS kingdom!

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, and who judged me faithful enough to call me into his service even though I used to be a blasphemer and did all I could to injure and discredit the faith.  Mercy, however was shown me, because until I became a believer I had been acting in ignorance; and the grace of our Lord filled me with faith and with love that is in Christ Jesus."

                                                                                                                                   1 Timothy 1:12-14

Sacrament of Baptism (26 Nov 2006)

I was baptised on 26th November 2006 at Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour by Rev Fr Gregoire Van Giang, after being married to my catholic wife, Vinifred for 20 years at Holy Family Church on 20th December 1986. She waited patiently and prayed hard for 20 years for this day to happen. Her prayer was finally answered, through the power of The Holy Spirit. Alleluia! The following events unfold my "baby steps" towards my spiritual growth and journey. (God-Father: John Wee)

Life before RCIA and encountering the Lord

Before my Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) journey, I thought I was living in a perfect world. I've spent almost 28 years of my life in the corporate world (1978 - 2006) chasing after worldly pleasures and gains. Making money, drinking, dining, smoking, ktv entertaining were the norm then. I saw nothing wrong with my life as I perceived I was making a "positive contribution" to the economy. I thought I was "sinless" as long as I commit no crime and did not harm anyone. However during the process of the RCIA journey, oh boy, did I realised that I was dead wrong. Not only was I destroying my health, I was also destroying relationship and my soul. I realised then what a great sinner I was.

My journey in the RCIA (Journey 54) lasted almost 15 months at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (OLPS) before I was finally baptised on 26th November 2006.