Shepherd or Task Master

A thought came to me while driving to work this morning. Am I a shepherd or a task master?

Shepherd tends the sheep; take care, love, concern, make sure they are well fed (eating the correct food), have enough sleep and protect them from harms (by warning or direct confrontation with the dangers).

Task master, is like a farmer, placing a yoke and expecting the ox to work the ground minus the care and love.

In the season of reaching out, lets not forget the role of a shepherd. We could get carried away and keep sharing about responsibilities, roles and what we should do to reach out to the lost; and forgetting to care for the sheep.

ps : After all, the ox works best when it is well taken care of ...more strength, more willing, more able to carry the yoke.....

Preaching in Hokkien Service

This morning went to share in the Hokkien service. It was supposed to be a normal service till about 2 weeks ago, the church decided to change it to a Chinese New Year outreach service.

Sad to said, the turn out was poor as some of them have gone to a bigger gathering somewhere else. However, looking at the commitment of the helpers, like Rose, Jane and Bro Leong, it challenges me to love the Lord, loves His people....and convert the love of both to serving.

The mainly elderly congregation was very encouraging too. maybe the pictures and the Chinese New Year related topic that I used, this time lesser elderly fall asleep. Thank God for His grace.

Let's continue to pray for a revival in this group of people.

Sleepless night again

Yap, last night couldn't sleep again......the stresses at work I guess. But what was ridiculous was I had nightmare of Nathan getting bully in Malaysia.....hahaha.

I need to learn to give him and Yvonne to the Lord, trusting God will take care of them : o)

Worshiping God as who we are

Read this morning in a certain devotion sharing that we should worship God as who we are. The devotion encouraged readers not to self examine when we come into the presence of God; and get discourage to worship Him as we find faults (which means sins) in our life, its also mentioned Luke 7:36-50 about the prostitute. She "worship" Jesus first than her sin was forgiven.

On the whole it was a very encouraging devotion. But I think not to self-examine, is like sweeping dirt under the carpet. After all, the prostitute did knew about her sins yet she came to Jesus, knowing that He has the power to forgive.

I suggest we should instead examine ourself, give our weaknesses and struggles to the Lord. With the forgiveness of the finished work on the cross, we should not be discouraged when we see faults(sins?) in our life. God loves us; why should we than get discourage by our weaknesses (unless we are consciously unwilling to let go of our sins).

We should come into His presence knowing He does not condemn us and face head on with our sins (faults as the devotion mentioned), give them to God. We should celebrate His grace, mercy, the work of the cross, giving Him praise, glory, honor and the victory over our sins.

In Him there is no condemnation.

New addition to my workstation

Bought these 10 beach boy figurines in Hong Kong. Suppose to distribute it to colleague but later change my mind and keep it for myself......

Photofunia

Here's a few pictures using Photofunia, an application for iPhone.

Pic taken after hair cut, when I could not find a mirror to look at my new hair style.

This pic was taken at the farewell dinner for Andrew and Karen, before they went to Doha.

Taken in a Jap restaurant in Malacca, Malaysia

my wedding pic.....

Chinese new year deco at home

Took a few pictures of my new plants, 2 pots are for Chinese New Year only, and the other pot should last longer

Pussy willow is a name given to many of the smaller species of the genus Salix (willows and sallows). Chinese word .银柳(留) has a meaning of "retaining the silver". Which literal mean "money stay".

A green plant I like, so bought ......suppose can grow it indoor and can survive better.

This is what my wife likes, "daisy" look alike............but it's a seasonal plant...meaning can't last too long.