"There is a spiritual diet without which no Christian can be strong and healthy and fruitful. And that is a diet of the word of God."
John Piper

How much wisdom is in that statement. Though I don't know this man personally. He's an anointed servant of God whom I very much look up to and am mentored by through his books and teachings. There is such a reverence for God in him that I'd only learn to have.

Thank you Pastor John. You have taught me the one thing that's truly needed.

"Teach [me] to make the most of [my] time, so that [I] may grow in wisdom."
My prayer, quite often, is this. I'm just passing by, so I hope to make the most out of my time here loving people and letting them know that. Eventually so that they may know the love of our heavenly Father, whose love is an anchor through whatever difficulty of any magnitude. To have that in perspective, it's grave. But it's good.

the lion city

Cambodia teaches me to love my own country. It's funny how the affections for a foreign place could ignite a deeper wealth of emotions for where I was born and raised. There's a kind of pride that everyone possesses for their nation. It commends and honours the people, culture, government, laws and so on. And it gives honour to people of other nationalities as well. I believe that if we don't love our country, criticise and loathe our fellow countrymen, we can't begin to love people of other origins.
Loving Cambodia by praying for them, ministering to the locals and embracing the physical conditions, I questioned myself if I do that for Singapore. I should be doing the same, if not doubly so. Over the years, God made me see how essential Singapore is to me simply because I am Singaporean; my destiny is linked with hers. She is a beautiful city, and a representation of His power. I wanna love my country even more this year.

my bread

It was easier to have longer, isolated time with God when I was younger. I could go for extended afternoon runs and I'd worship, talk and pray. It became a very regular thing to the point when I'd run everyday. Running was my rendezvous with Him.
It still is. The regularity and quality of it however has taken a dip and I've known it for a while. Times when I'd reminisce, I'd cry. I think I've romanticised God to some extent, but all I can say is romance with God is as real a romance as any can get. I love Daddy, my Father.
I can either love Him only as much as I did, or more and more and more. This is my reminder from Pastor John Piper: He is my daily bread. I cannot go on without Him entering and surrounding my every morning, every night. Now that I'm older with possibly more to think of and accomplish, I want to strengthen this bond at all cost, not let it weaken.

Do not labour for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." -------- John 6:27-29

to you with love

Remember how you used to dedicate your blog segments to certain people especially on their birthdays? Here's one from me :)

Firstly, thank God for you! Getting to know you and who you are deep down has been such a blessing to me 'cos you're so beautiful as a person, strengths and flaws. You exude a warmth that comforts me and tells me your heart is open to know and there are no barriers up to restrict and wear me out from pursuing this friendship- thank you. You're a raw example of someone who's kept her heart tender and childlike, something I admire a lot, and we both know how important that is, how often it is threatened. So on this birthday, I especially celebrate that with you. You're definitely someone I wanna be standing beside with when He comes. :) Praise God for His abounding love and grace in your life, so evident. Love you dearly..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAREST JOETTE *hugs*

"Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be in the will of God." - Jim Elliot

He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realise just how beautiful You are and how great Your affections are for me
Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so.