I found my resolve in Christ. What about you?

BLOG MOVED.

2008-05-29T21:53:00.000+08:00

I have moved to www.liaujianhao.wordpress.com

Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian.

2008-05-29T01:58:00.003+08:00

The cast of the movie are good actors and good-looking too. Haha. Prince Caspian is handsome, at least to me. Hmm. The plot is good and the christian content is also very touching. I cried. Thank God for reminding me of His love and His power. God, please bless this ministry of yours, because I am so limited on my own. Goodnight.

Tension grabs me by the neck.

2008-05-26T00:29:00.001+08:00

I fear, yes indeed, I fear the incorrigible O Level Chinese Paper. Just like most people, I can't believe it's tomorrow. Even though studying gives me confidence but it doesn't diminish that anxiety that boils within me. Gees. On the other hand, there are many other things to consider. By that, I meant pastoral ministry. Oh well. Anyway, thank God for the popping course today - it went well. Goodnight.

What went wrong?

2008-05-24T02:05:00.000+08:00

I didn't have a very fruitful week and service confirmation was not very good either. God, help me to evaluate and work on a solution. I must be more specific in my planning and with my actions. Word-centered and Kingdom-minded. Looking forward to service. It's 2.11am already, better get to sleep. Goodnight.

A Holy Discontent.

2008-05-21T23:42:00.000+08:00

I'm so disappointed in the contact drive today. Things did not go smoothly and the land of Yishun was really dry. I found myself and my team to be wandering around for hours of unfruitful efforts. Never mind that. In the late noon, we sneaked into Northland Sec with the intent of friendship evangelism but wasn't very successful either. We ended up playing basketball together to end off the day. The time of fellowship was great though.

Thanks guys, for being with me today. Wei Loong, Nicholas and Elton, but not forgetting Bernard who joined us the latest. Haha. God, I pray for You to work a miracle in Yishun tomorrow. Have favour on us, Lord. Goodnight.

A Penny For My Thoughts.

2008-05-20T23:56:00.000+08:00

As I grow more humble each day by the grace of God, I start to identify many improvement points and issues. Some are revealed by God, some are found by self-evaluation, some are pointed out by people. I'm not gonna try to achieve a change overnight or in days, for that's just impossible. I need time to amend them one at a time. God, please help me to grow in You. What a short post but, goodnight.

Beyond Normal Christian Lives.

2008-05-19T23:25:00.000+08:00

I suppose it is no doubt that most of us have heard of this simple teaching Reasons For Living A Normal Christian Life. Indeed it is a direct lesson and defines the basics of a normal christian. To deny yourself, to take up the cross and to follow Jesus. However, I don't think it ends here. Am I here to lead a normal christian life for Jesus or could it be something more? I shan't write any further but conclude one thing... An end-times christian.

Another conviction that set me thinking this week, which I usually don't as I am not much of a thinker, is "What wrecks you?" It is rather true that there is injustice in the world. But I believe even more that there is a just God in the midst of injustice. Therefore, I'd like to take a few more days to muse about this, and let this wrecking desire stir up something in my heart that could give me a level-up in my passion for God and compassion for people.

Due to my recent lack of sleep and sheepish events, I shall stop here for now. Goodnight.

Wonderful Wednesday.

2008-05-15T00:03:00.000+08:00

Yo. Today was our first ever unit caregroup. We evaluated that it was a good start even though there's still room for improvement. "The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement." Haha. Okay, I'm so thankful to God today. Let me explain it in a series of fortuante events.

Firstly, in the morning I woke up late and was supposed to meet Yao Yang for breakfast. My instant instinct was the convenient and costly cab. So, I waited by the road at 6.40am and prayed for a cab. For five minutes, for ten minutes, for fifteen minutes - No sight of an available cab. Checking the time - it was 6.55am and I prayed again! "God, this time I pray more sincerely... Please grant me a cab so that I can meet Yao Yang and also not be late for school!" (Not to mention the ridiculous 30% extra charge past 7am.) A cab came by at another road and I ran towards it, flagged it, boarded it and took off. I counted my wallet and amounted to $6.80. The cab fare at the end of the ride was $7.75! Panicky, I explained to the driver. He turned to me with a stern, fierce or somewhat angry look. I leaned back. Then he said,"Boy, I'm returning you $2.70 in case you don't have enough money okay." Thanks a million to God.

Secondly, Desmond's parents wasn't willing to pay for Oasis Camp. That was due that he came from an average family and his dad ain't supportive of his christian faith though his mom is fine. I always knew Desmond indulgded long hours in his MapleStory fantasy. But this time, he told me, "Jian Hao, I'm selling my MapleStory account away for $200 to $300 so that I can pay and come for camp." What can I say? I affirm his priority and maturity in this decision. Thank God.

Thirdly, Nicholas and his caregroup did not register for WFL within the deadline. That's partially my responsibility because I was in-charge of that but I didn't monitor closely. I called Yong Kang, explained and pleaded with him to help me. He agreed to help. Even though his reply was, "I'll see what I can do about it." I still want to thank God, I already have the faith it's gonna be possible.

My Father in heaven, God

Thank You for this day

For you made things happen

Even though I had only little faith

I did not regret for persevering

Because in the end, You gave.

Goodnight.

Here I am, once again.

2008-05-14T01:06:00.000+08:00

Here I am to post again! I'm glad that I'm becoming more faithful and regular with this blog. Whenever I think about God's unfailing love, His blessings showered upon me and all, I can't help but thank Him. I still need to grow in my thanksgiving though! Thus, I'm quite convicted to post on a daily basis, to express my feelings for God, my reflections about the day or some convictions and learnings.

Okay. About 6 months ago, I took the Personality Test and guess what? I'm a IS person. (Influencer, Stable) Today during ULC, I took the test again and guess what? I'm now a DI (Dominating, Influencer) person. What has caused such a change? Honestly, I don't know - but probably the circumstances and my decisions have shaped me differently. Strange, isn't it?

Alright. I last took the Spiritual Giftings Test 4 years ago and guess what? My top gifts were Administration, Teacher, Pastor. Today during ULC, we didn't take the test and guess what? No test, of course no results. I think I'm going to set aside some time by this week to take the Spiritual Giftings Test again. To be truthful, I've not been very faithful in my gifts therefore God might have removed some, or diminished according to my use frequency. Too bad for me, it means I got to move on, grow and acquire/discover more spiritual gifts. They must be used for God's purpose and ministry, not for personal benefits.

Jian Hao is a task-oriented leader. Good or bad? Haha. Goodnight.

Grandma's birthday today.

2008-05-13T00:04:00.001+08:00

What a heading for a post? Haha. It doesn't matter. I went to my grand's place today to celebrate her birthday along with my family and relatives. It's been ages since I last set foot in serangoon or her place. So, we were there enjoying lots of food and the kids enjoying the Iron Man movie on the DVD.

Before going to my grand's place, I met up with my immediate team - Wei Loong, Nicholas and Bernard. I was giving some directions and sharing some convictions. After the restructure, my current unit is a mix of different people. I admit that culture is an issue but I don't believe that it can set limits on our unity. Our unity should be based on God and not on similar interests, though having similar interests is a good thing nevertheless.

"Lifestyle of integrity. Dependance on God. Basic yet essential."
Nine words, but a simplistic powerful reminder for me. As I continue to walk with God, I must not forget these things. Many times, I stumble and fall, I lose credibility, I lose sight of God because I'm not careful. I'm not mindful enough about the essentials, the foundations, the Word of God itself.

I feel utterly wrench sometimes, I feel disappointed sometimes. But through it all, people who never gave up on me and God who always forgive me - they are disappointed too. I don't know what else I can do but adjust my life with more of God and less of me each time I commit a grave sin. Small sins I often repent but a big sin I might choose to dwell. The devil would never tempt us with something useless, his temptation would be something tingle in your heart, something that would rend you to reconsider your faith. Sometimes, we just need a simple faith for God. Perhaps I am too complicated, or try to be too logical at times that I forget about a simple faith. Thank God for reminding me all these. Goodnight.

Integrity.

2008-05-12T03:25:00.000+08:00

A lifestyle of integrity. That is an aspect I want to grow in. More and more self-integrity and aware of God. Goodnight.

Blessed to be a blessing.

2008-05-08T00:54:00.000+08:00

I was talking to my shepherd, David, over the phone today. He mentioned that sometimes when we set about accomplishing a task, we would say "We want to set a standard." That is not wrong, but David defined another interpretation of it, which is "We want to be a blessing to others." Yes, I am blessed by God and I ought to bless others by sharing to gospel.

Every single pre-believing person deserves an equal chance to hear about God.
Jian Hao, go and tell him, him and him.

Alright. That was a random reflection. Now, I want to spend some time talking about people. The Northland Sec caregroup now consists of myself, Bernard, Desmond, Yao Yang and Ceeric. (Not forgetting Chin Keong, Brian, Kelson, Boon Chong and Chuan Qiang who are either disconnected or struggling to get right with God.) I see a lot of potential in these people, my people, God's people. They may be playful and wilful at times but they are sincere souls for Christ. Sometimes I tend to be so inward-looking that I forget to implement the outward aspects which is also of equal importance. I believe together we can do great things for the Kingdom. Let me hold back some of my masculine impression and say this - Guys, I love you all. Thank God for them in my lives.

I wonder how, I wonder why.

2008-05-07T01:10:00.000+08:00

Recently, I've been engaging myself in plenty of thinking. Well... I'm not a thinker by nature, I'm a doer just like the majority. Hence it is more difficult for me to discipline myself to conduct an evaluation without breaking my line of thoughts.

In God's ministry, there are often than not - many options that appear. According to your personal conviction and God's priority in your heart, would then reduce the number of options to a minimal. Nevertheless, you shall not escape the painful or joyful chance to decide your pick. The contenders are "the tempting - I think this is best for me" and "the obligating - This is what God says is best for me". Even though I have much to say, I shall not spell it out. I can sum up in one verse, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Mark these words carefully. God will also provide "a way out" which means there is only one way that would attain Godly results but it would definitely not be easy. God's way for us often surprises us with the timely here-it-comes and the tough consequences that binds with it. The seemingly consequence is that it always tests us to step out of comfort zone. Get out, let go and let God. A simple measure but a decision requiring the faith of at least a mustard seed.

God, here I am to pray.
Speak to me as you would.

I want to hear from You.

Today I answer two questions.

What do I want to see in a month's time?

Who do I want to become in a month's time?

I want to see a healthy, stable caregroup in Northland Sec.

I pray that the people would be Word-centered christians.

Governed by Your Word, guided by Your truth.

I want to become twice as Word-centered.
First to ensure that I set the standard of being Word-centered.
Second to love the Word of God because it's spiritual food.

It won't to easy to attain that.

But I have faith that Your grace is sufficient for me.
Please guide me, oh Lord.

Goodnight.