Thursday, September 20, 2007
A very meaningful story that I would like to shareSunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts. This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain.
The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said,
'OK, dad, I'm ready.'
His Pastor dad asked,
'Ready for what?'
'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.'
Dad responds,
'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain.'
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking,
'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?'
Dad answers,
'Son, I am not going out in this weather.'
Despondently, the boy asks,
'Dad, can I go? Please?'
His father hesitated for a moment then said,
'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son..'
'Thanks Dad!'
And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract. After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT.
He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted. Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered. He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer. Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!
He rang again and this time the door slowly opened. Standing in the doorway was a very sad- looking elderly lady.
She softly asked,
'What can I do for you, son?'
With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, his little boy said,
'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that *JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU*
and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.'
With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave.
She called to him as he departed.
'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'
Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit.
As the service began, he asked,
'Does anybody have any testimony or want to say anything?'
Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.
As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face,
'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live. So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me.
I thought,
'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'
I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly.
I thought to myself again,
'Who on earth could this be?
Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.'
I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder. When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes,
for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice,
'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU.'
Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand. As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.
You see---I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.
There was not a dry eye in the church.
And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated. He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son...
Except for One.
Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named. Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.
Don't let this message die, read it again and pass it to others. Heaven is for His people! Remember, God's message CAN make the difference in the life of someone close to you. Please share this wonderful message... 'Faith is the affirmation and the act that bids eternal truth be present fact.'
10:53:00 PM
Monday, September 17, 2007
I have been actually searching for an answer. An answer that I know only God can give.
Recently, or I should say starting from this year, I have many friends of mine whom came to me and mentioned to me about my captivating smile. In the past, there are people who shared about my smile, but there are not many, maybe I could count with my hands, but in just the past 6 months, the number grew rapidly. Well, like many people who know me, I will be courteous by saying thank you but you know the fact lies about me not heeding into the truth. I am not humble to take every compliment into my life, but this time round, I guess it was different. Friends upon friends coming up to me saying those same phrases, “Daphne, I really like your smile.” “Daphne, your smile is really captivating.” “Daphne, I just love your smile so much.” Some of them are my new-found friend while others are my long “lost” friends.
I really ask God, why out of a sudden, there are so many people who mentioned to me about my smile? You know what, God never answer me! So in my wildest thoughts, I thought I have grown prettier, I thought there are more people who care to take a look of me, I thought and thought, but still the thoughts of mine, never satisfy my question of why was it a sudden rise of people mentioning about my smile. Well, I could only continue to pray for an answer from God, and God hears it all. He gave me an answer and I am sure to assure every one of you, I will bring my smile to your heart.
God’s answer for me!A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six pack of root beer and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons.
The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted.
They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied,”I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before her son responded, she added,”You know, he's much younger than I expected."
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
My smile is really dedicated to You, God. I thank You God for giving me such a wonderful smile.
1:37:00 PM
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Looking upon the past 19 years, there are indeed many things that had happened in my life. Good things that worth the remembrance and bad things that needed the grace of God to mend. I doubt I will want to elaborate what’s all that, but rather looking across the years to come, how am I going to live a life for God which is pleasing to Him. Even as my teenage years come to an end, I believe is just another linkage to a new path and journey which God has for people who shares the same age as me. I am rather afraid as the 2 approaching but on the other hand, I am pretty excited to see more changes in my life.
I am waiting to hear from the Lord, because I am waiting to stomp the cultures and the traditions around me. I am willing to make that difference for the Lord this time round. I told time that he shall not be the hindrance to my serving and I told age, that it will never be a barrier anymore. Most importantly, I told myself I am going to make it for the Lord and I told God, I want Him to guide me through.
Stay tune for the differences she is impacting this time round.
LORD HERE I AM, SEND ME! Upon all the promises You had made in my life, Father allow it to come to pass by Your Grace.
3:38:00 PM
Monday, September 10, 2007
Ever since I was back from China, many of my new found friends and I had to move on into our different busy life, from school projects, to home and to many other commitments that we have, catching up with one another was simply tough. We had many opportunities to say greet each other in school but I really miss those time when they are just simply beside me. As our project came to an end, I thought we may have more time to meet up with one another but to only realize all of us are heading on with our part time jobs. Yet I am thankful, my 4 angels are willing to fork out time for all of us to meet and catch up with each other’s laughers and smiles. We met up with each other after office hours and we had our dinner in Bugis and it restaurant’s name is Blu Jaz. We spent a few hours in that place; it was a really very comfortable and romantic place to dwell in. Like what we always do, after a fulfilling meal, we definitely will make pictures as a sign of remembrance.
HuiMing – My Guardian Angel
She is a girl who happens to be my cousin’s best friend and surely she has had become my best friend too. She was the one who stood with me when I cry, smile and also in those times when I was in pain. She was all along there for me. She saw the unjust tears that fell, the unreasonable comments that I received and all the unbearable pain I have to go through. Above all that I had to go through while I was in China, she was there to walk with me. She was there to motivate me and encourage me each time I was down. She was really the Angel I know God had set for me in my life. I love her so much and I love her being just her. She works very slowly, but she does her best every time she does something. As I look back at all the times she was there, I understood, I will never be able to thank her enough. My gratitude will never be sufficient so I hope through the many days of our life ahead; I will use my actions to thank you.
LiTing – The Angel
She is the girl who gives her best in everything she does. She was willing to try no matter how tough the battle before her is. LiTing is the best student any teacher can have. [I am out of point] I named her The Angel because both of us faced almost the same kind of problems while we were in China. To mention those problems now, I just felt is all THEIR FAULTS for making our life so tough. (hee) It was her that taught me to see those “problems” from another perspective of life. We motivated and encouraged each other through our many talks and I know where she stands in what she is fighting for. Thank you for sharing with me the perspective of viewing things in a different way and how with that stand, I was able to fight on with what I want today. Girl, I thank you so much that even when you know I had fallen, you were still the same you there to move on in life with me.
Ivana – My Smiley Angel.
With her braces, she still smiles no matter what. She is one person whom I known smiles all day long, maybe not when she is sleeping. I am loved by her smiles and all her nonsense talks. She has a smile that gives me the chance to forget how problems are spelled. She is indeed someone very cheerful and easy-going, yet I understand that in this world of ours, there is such a person without problems. She has her own set of it, but she chooses to let her smile forget what they are. I admire her courage to take up difficulties in a different way. Thank you for your ever-there smile in my life, it has been imprinted right through my heart.
Shi Hui – All-Time Favourite Angel cum the Silent Angel
A girl with who words will never be able to comprehend nor to describe. She was really the angel for me. She took care of me and trusts me, whenever I think of her and all that she had done for me, I know tears fill my eyes. She gave the best for me and she is also known as my bread kaki! I dare to say, she was the one I gave my best for because her love through her actions had made me willing to give. She offered money for me to see doctor, goodness, it was something I will never understand, but because she cared for me, she trusted me that she will get her money in return. ShiHui, is really a sweet lovely angel who give her best to anyone. What’s make us click closer was because our birthday is just a day apart from one another. This year, I really hope I can give her the best birthday she should receive. I can’t promise much but I just hope I can give you the best of what you have given me all these while. Thank you my dear and I promise you will receive the best of me. I love you my best friend.
Mr Goh Chin Seng
This young man is someone who had inspired me throughout my Secondary School life. He was there for me when I needed someone; he was indeed like a physical father for me when I was lost with one. He gave me the chance to be a teenager I wanted to be, he gave me the space to demand, to study, to play and to be who I am in me. As I look back through the times, 7 years ago, I know he had impacted my life too much. Every year, as his birthday draws near, I can’t expect much to give, because I know I have nothing better to offer than the many successes I have in life that makes him proud. Thank You and Happy Birthday to you.
Anyway, I had a very special chance this year to celebrate my favorite teacher’s birthday over at his place with him and his family. It was a day, of which I had never expected to come, but it came but I asked him, if I could visit him in school that very day on his birthday. Instead of replying yes, he invited me to visit him over at his place but knowing the reason was because I could spend some fruitful time with his little ones. I guess those pictures speak a thousand words. This year in his 35th Birthday, I just wish him all the best and praying for him that his family will receive the best blessings God can ever obtained for them.
As I close the chapter of Teenage Years, I am thankful there are many people who are willing to summarize with me. I know if I have to write my story, it will be too long but still I want to thank God for the many people whom He had sent upon my life, to walk with me. This very year was indeed a very crucial year for me as many changes took place, but still I am standing tall and firm with the grace of God. I was strong enough to fight through not all but almost all the battles. Thank You God. Anyway, I had my first birthday treat by the 611 team. They are the group of people whom I really appreciate because they are the God sent Angels to watch me grow in Him. They gave me the space to enjoy myself and to learn, they gave me the assurance that they will be there for me even in times when I fail, they are the small family whom I met up weekly and they are who they are. It was in them that I realized God created us differently and specially. Surely, they are the one that knows the best of what I want; they brought me to Pizza hut for my birthday lunch. I thank all of you so much, because I was touched and was once again reminded by God, the best people in my life always have the first of it. Thank you for being the best group of people to welcome the 20th year of my life.
Jestyn is one of my new found friend of whom I got to know while I was in China. He went to China too, but he was in the first batch of students who went, while I was in the second. I got to know him better was because I got to interact with him as his group had to pass on their project to my group and moreover we shared the same lecturer who is in-charge of our project. This is how our path crossed. I am really thankful for a friend like Jestyn too. It was because he gave me the space to be optimistic and to really look at oneself differently. Umpteen times he had mentioned I had a very pretty look and a very captivating smile, but I never accepted the truth because I never thought I was, but his consistent effort had really drilled those words in. Today as I look at myself, I can’t say I am the prettiest girl around, but I dare to say, I am the beauty God created. He is really a gem who is always there to light up that negative way of mine, recently.
He asked me out a few weeks ago, as he would like to celebrate my birthday with me this year and he promised that he will make it all special for me. I accepted his offer and we met up with each other on 8/9/07 night. He brought me to this restaurant called Changing Recipe in Marina Square. It a place selling American food and while he had his steak, I had my Fish & Chips. After a heavy meal, we precede on to get me a cake. I was so full that I can’t eat anymore, so we decided to just get a slice of Cheese Cake. We walked to Kallang River and it was there he surprised me. I know he had been practicing hard on his guitar and it was time for him to show me his skills. He played the song “Time of your life” from Green Day. It was really meaningful when he mentioned how much he wished that I had the best of my life now as I enjoyed the celebration. I did enjoy myself. Thank you Jestyn for the celebration and the presents, it’s all gladly appreciated.
Not forgetting, TomSumJo, Michelle and Jie Gillian for your wonderful T-shirts on my birthday, though is too big for me to put it on, but nevertheless, thank you.
1:47:00 PM
