the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom . What is wisdom ? I read somewhere - wisdom is the ability to execute the right thing at the right place at the right time, but i prefer wisdom is the ability to make the right judgements at the right time, avoiding the pitfalls , and gauging the matter at the back of your hand ,
In this world today , many people are doing things that unknowingly that got pain and regrets , maybe i should say this wisdom is the safety net that protects you from hurts ,regrets , .'it prevents you from doing things that hurts you. "Is wisdom philosophical ? " Can you assess wisdom?" well i guess not, it will only show how much you can handle undera crisis ? it's like your lifejacket , it will only come in handy in during aircrashes. but it's our responsibility to keep it clean with air . It is like an axe, it helps you to chop down obstacles in life, .
Next how to get wisdom ? how to get wisdom , it comes through work , your own work, your self-evaluation , what applies for you maybe nt be applicable to others . Does it comes through experiences ? maybe , maybe not? For me , i learnt through other experiences , but my own experiences are the greatest lessons taught , . Does it hurt , yes pain, stupidity, maybe that's where you learnt wise.
C.S Lewis once said the moment you think you are better than others , you have a problem of pride , " I think i know this he doesn't know", I have more money than him, I think i can do better than him, " . Many times our questions towards people sometimes it's just simply assessing others and i know i am under the scrutiny of others? Jr please be secure , I am .
Back to wisdom , it's the most powerful tool for your life, my success is built on other ppl success , if ppl are successful i am successful , empowering others is the same means as empowering yourself.
Hmm my personal nviction is , what i learnt or experienced i tend to release it fully , no holds ba to that extent , i will not rehold, held back i will go all out to protect it even it costs my hurt, . my personal belief is i won't want another person to experience the same pain i had, i won't want to protect him.
you may ask , if he won't experience it he won't learn , but i believe if it's possible i won't protect him. but i would give my piece of advice to help him ,seeing a person going through the same thing and getting that kind of nonsense is unbearable for me, Jesus and his disciples leh? i'm sure Jesus will not want his disciples to feel the pain , however Jesus suffered , likewise , we like suffered too. "not my will but yours be done" Even the savior suffered , are we greater than him?
" now you understand how i feel" i guessed each and evry one and a set of sufferings to go through , lol , not " Journey To the west " i think he won't wants us to get hurt , but through each ordeal every trial there's glory behind it , and we comes out victorious and I believe that Jesus is the greatest cheerleader of your life , because he gave up his life so that you could run and finish it.

Hey peijin, i like the analogy that your sister gave. Wisdom is from God. Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Truly when the curtain is unveiled, what you see and receive comes from God.

But there's something about that analogy which i disagree with. Your sister mentioned, "you only attain wisdom when God choose to unveil the curtain and let you see whats beyond it." Does it mean that it's only when God chooses to give you wisdom that you receive it? Does it then mean that we should just wait and hope that one day God will decide that it's time to unveil the curtain so that we can receive wisdom? And even right now i just decided that my usage of the phrase "receive wisdom" is wrong. Yes! Wisdom is not received, it is obtained.

Proverbs 2:1-5 says, My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.

There has to be a certain crying out and a lifting up of your voice. There has to be a seeking and a search from you. Yes! The unveiling of the curtain has to be done by someone. But that someone is not God. It's you!

So can i make some tweaks to your sister's analogy? Perhaps it would be better to say,

You will attain wisdom when you choose to step up and unveil the curtain, and see the treasures that God has stored up for you behind it.

And so now we ask, what are the practical steps we must take to "unveil the curtains"? Maybe we can start by understanding what is written, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Anyone wish to provide their views?

"In all your getting, get wisdom."
my sister told me this sentence and got me thinking about what really is wisdom.
anyhow, i was simply thinking about it.
and when i asked around for opinion, someone told me this.
"wisdom is anointed common sense".
not exactly the answer i was looking for.
i was thinking, wisdom probably has something to do with being able to deal with people's emotions.
but i havent exactly get the gist of it.
when i was conversing with my sister one night,
she was telling me that wisdom is somewhat like an uncovered curtain.
so she gave me an analogy.
she said that normal people can only see the curtain when they step into this certain room.
you only attain wisdom when God choose to unveil the curtain and let you see whats beyond it.
i agree.
my opinion: wisdom is definitely not pragmatism, neither is it simply logic or intellect.
could wisdom be the ability to look into the long term goal even if in the short term, others might think its stupidity?
what do you guys think?

what are your strengths are your weakness overcome.

Insecurities?

For the past week, i was pondering about the word insecurity. Why do we feel insecure? What must we do to overcome them? Is this an emotion that will stuck with us for our whole life?

As i was thinking through, i felt God remind me the first time man felt insecure. That was in the garden of Eden. Both Adam and Eve had transgressed God's commandment and were afraid. So they hid themselves in the bush. I believe running through their minds were thoughts such as "What if God won't accept me anymore? What if God punishes me and kills me? What is going to happen to me? What if i had said no earlier?... The list could just go on and on and on..."

I realized that the premise for insecurity is based upon two words. "What if" Insecurity plagues us when we start to worry about what would happen to us; many times, we allow our negative feelings to cloud our sense of judgment. Instead of looking at reality, we choose to look at despair. Very often, worries and despair really do not happen. Research has shown that most of our fears are actually unfounded.

Let me bring it across now. For example, "What if, my parents will hit me when i confess?" "What if i cannot serve in ministry anymore? When they find out about my weakness?"

I believe at the point where Adam sinned, if he choose to confess to God, rather than to hide in the bushes, things might have turned out quite differently today. Maybe, they might not have been driven out from the Garden of Eden. While yes, it would all seem to be imaginary possibilities, we can only find out the answer when we get to heaven. But the thing is this, when we realise that our fears are usually unfounded, and that in Christ, EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT.

Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

If everything is going to be alright, then what do you need to be afraid of?What do you need to feel insecure about? If today you struggle with insecurities, why dont you put your trust in God? He will never let you down!

something interesting which i came across while reading....

CAT'S IN THE CRADLE
Words and music by Harry Chapin and Sandy Chapin

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it,
and as he grew he's say
"I'm gonna be like you, Dad
You know i'm gonna be like you."

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you comin' home Dad?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then; you know we'll have a good time then."

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play.
Can you teach me how to throw?" I said, "Not today,
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's okay."
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed,
it said, " I'm gonna be like him, yeah,
you know I'm gonna be like him."

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you comin' home Dad?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then; you know we'll have a good time then."

Well he came from college just the other day
so much like a man I just had to say,
"Son I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and he said with a smile,
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
see you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you comin' home Son?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then; you know we'll have a good time then."

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day.
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time.
You see, my new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu,
but it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad, it's sure nice talkin' to you."

And as I hung up my phone, it occured to me,
he'd grown up just like me. My boy was just like me.

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
little boy blue and the man in the moon.
"When you comin' home Son?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then; you know we'll have a good time then."

----------------------------------------------------------------------

How is our relationships with our parents right now? How is our relationships with our kids in the future going to be?

This is a special entry.. dedicated to my friend Angeline Har :)


We were classmates and cca mates.
She find my need and met it, find my hurt and heal it.

I still remember the first time I stepped into CHC was on a week before Easter 2003 Sunday and the Preacher was Pastor Tan. I couldnt remember what he preached, all I could remember was the tangible presence of God as I stepped into the hall with unbelief in my heart. I never knew God existed.. I never knew Jesus could be so true.

She started just simply being a friend to me, being there for me.

The drama touched my heart even as I watched it through rehearsals and drama. Look at so many of us and people around, we all beneifitted from the Caring System because of the one person in our life who is willing to make a difference.

Our past doesn't tell our future, it is our present that create our future.

I am so touched because I am one of the benefitter of the Caring System. Sometimes as I think and reflect back, I would often think who will I be right now if I hadn't accept her invitation to go to church that fateful sunday and responded to altar call with tears..

Because I experienced God myself 4years back at Jurong West and it changed my life. I finally experienced love that gave me peace.

Never belittle the power of one! :D

Hosanna, Hosanna?

Matt 11 9-10
Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest

How the people of Israel hailed and exalted Jesus, when he sat on the colt, riding into the streets of Jerusalem. He was esteemed by all, as they laid their garments and palm leaves on the road to pave the entry of the Messiah.

Come three days later, and all the praise was turned into curses. The people did not welcome Jesus with kind words and a warm embrace, but with curses as they spat at Him. Mocked Him. Despised Him.

This is a damning account of the ephemerality of men's praises and emotions. On Saturday, we can praise Jesus, jump up and down, cry buckets of tears. Yet, come monday, and for all we know, profanity and expletives may fill our mouths? Hatred and strife abides in our heart, rather than love and peace?

Will we have transformed into the most un-Christ-like person we can ever imagine? To be the very person we seem to urge others not to become?

As humans, we all mess up. Peter messed up. He denied Jesus three times that very night he swore that he would not deny Christ. The issue is not whether we will mess up or not. It is a given, we will all mess up in our life. Rather it is following Jesus all the days of our lives. If we make a wrong turn, we can always turn towards Jesus again.

Jesus told Peter this, upon His resurrection.

John 21:18 Most assuredly, i say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish... Follow Me

When we were young, we make all sorts of foolish mistakes. But when we grow up, we put away our childish thinking. Allow God to carry you, even to places where you do not wish. Will you carry your cross today? Obedience is better than sacrifice.

Happy BIRTHDAY

Michel !
You are finally 13 !

On Sat we celebrated for Michel her bday which was a
week's late but nonetheless, we hope you like the gift
we bought and had a good time with us :D

Just wanna say, we are so glad you came to join us.
Thanks for so much joy you've added to N246.
Continue to Shine for Jesus :D

N246 WISHES YOU HAPPY BDAY !

Agape & God Bless

HAPPY 20TH BDAY
FOO KAI!

2 weeks back we celebrated for our dearest FooKai his 20th bday!
@ Cafe Cartel.
Followed by a loooooooong breezy walk along Esplanade.
It was all good and fun :D

We just wanna say, we are so thankful for you in our Cg.
Continue to be a blessing with the songs you've written and more
to come. N246 is so blessed to have you!

Wishing you a HAPPY BDAY!

Hey girls!

Exams over! Happy?

Van and Rhoda - Continue to PRESS ON for O's ! Believe you can do it!
Jin - Aim for all As!

And everyone else.. GAMBATTE.

Don't let your circumstance freeze you, it is a cycle, it will keep coming but don't give up. Anchor yourself in the the faith of your standing in God :)

Love you all plenty.

Pay it forward

I hope and believe that you would have enjoyed the show as much as i have.
But there must have been something that you would have brought back with you.
The idea of living a life greater than yourself.
My friend Kenneth would often say, a life worth living is a life worth dying for.
Consider this, if life is solely meant for self-indulgence and enjoyment,
then the world would be a truly sad place. The world is beautiful, not because of the objects we own, but for the relationships that we have, the memories we hold dear.


A Wonderful Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all 'mean it'. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

I Will

May you find serenity and tranquility in a world you may not always understand. May the pain you have known and the conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with courage and optimism. Always know that there are those whose love and understanding will always be there, even when you feel most alone. May you discover enough goodness in others to believe in a world of peace. May a kind word, a reassuring touch, and a warm smile be yours every day of your life, and may you give these gifts as well as receive them. Remember the sunshine when the storm seems unending.

Teach love to those who hate, and let that love embrace you as you go out into the world. May the teachings of those you admire become part of you, so that you may call upon them. Remember, those whose lives you have touched and whose have touched yours are always a part of you, even if the encounters were less than you would have wished. It is the content of the encounter that is more important than the form.

May you not become too concerned with material matters, but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart. Find time each day to see beauty and love in the world around you. Realize that each person has limitless abilities, but each of us is different in our own way. What you feel you lack in the present may become one of your strengths in the future. May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience. May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, and not be dependent on another's judgment of your accomplishments. May you always feel loved.
- unknown