Strong Tower

You are my strong tower
A shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I see

-Kutless-

You are My God

Yesterday, I was reminded of Sarai in the Bible again. Was reminded of how she was given the promise, yet she took matters into her own hand. Out of her impulsiveness and impatience, she messed up God's plan. Was reminded not to be like Sarai, and try to help God or go ahead of God. Promise has been given. God will bring everything to completion. WAIT, I must!

Later in the evening, I read a blogpost from 'The Preacher's Wife' (Blog of Holl Furtick, wife to Pr. Steven Furtick, Elevation Church) How lovely and timely! It's the story of Sarai and Hagar in Genesis 16. Read He Sees You.

Honestly the waiting has been a toil. But I have received assignment for a faith journey, the promise that God will bring everything to completion...I have to endure through this season! I don't want to be messing up God's plan! I don't want to be playing Sarai and Hagar. I want to trust God.

The assurance is knowing that my God sees my every need, every dream, every struggle....and the list is endless. The exciting thing about reading the post, chewing on the verse is that God birthed a new song (yes, it's one of my dreams to write songs) *smile*

You Are My God

Verse 1:

You are the God who sees

You are the God who hears

You are the God who holds me close

And take away my fears

Verse 2:

You are the God who cares

You are the God who loves

You gave Your Son to die for me

And set me high above

Chorus:

I will lift my hands to praise You

I will worship and adore You

All that I am and I will be

I give it all to You

You are my God

You are my God

Genesis 16:13 She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

God Will Bring Everything To Completion

Been thinking about my dreams lately. Dreams that are kept in my heart all these while. Dreams that waiting to be fulfilled.

Been questioning God a lot as well. Have you forgotten about these dreams? Are these dreams align to Your heartbeat? Will they ever come true? *speechless*

WAIT. The answer has been WAIT.

"For how long?' I asked God.

WAIT. Just WAIT. *speechless*

But God decided to say something else last Sunday during service.

Altar call made. I was already standing in the front row and prayed the congregation will respond.

A dear sister came up and prayed for me, "There will be hardwork and toils if you are building something but God will bring everything to completion! He will not leave it hanging. Every dream that you think you sacrifice is not a sacrifice. God will give it back to you. He will bring everything to completion." *eyes lit up*...and *tears rolled down*

I am holding on to Your Word and Promise, O Lord!

I wonder...

The Start Of Something New

It was October/ November 2002.

I remember my very first conversation about this new game with my Youth Pastor then, also my brother-in-law cum mentor and friend. He came back from a Sports Convention in Hong Kong, all excited.

We were in the car, and he said with excitement, “I learn this new game in the convention, and I want to introduce to the youth.”

“Oh, what game is it?” I asked. In my mind, I was thinking about indoor ice breaker game.

“It’s called Floorball. It’s very interesting game. I think you will like it,” he said, beaming with pride.

“Floorball? What’s that?” I asked. I was a bit sceptical as to how the game will be like. In my mind, I was wondering how interesting can this game be lah?

“So what is it like? Tell me lah.” I asked again. Actually, I wasn’t very interested to know but since it’s going to be introduced to the youth, I should at least know it first hand.

“You wait lah...I will introduce during youth camp,” he said.

That’s the end of our conversation.

A while later, I left for Singapore for a work trip.

While in the hotel room, I received a call from my Youth Pastor.

“I need your help to bring back some stuff,” he said.

“Huh? What stuff? Big or not?” I asked reluctantly. (Sorry! Haha)

“Floorball sticks. I need you to call this person and make arrangement to get the sticks. Tell him my name and that we will arrange payment later,” he said.

“What is it? How does it look like? If too big, how do you expect me to carry back? Do you know that I’m going back by bus? Will we get taxed or not?” I asked endlessly while trying my utmost best to convince him to drop the idea of getting the stuff.

To cut short the story......

Guess what? I got convinced to bring back Floorball sticks to Penang. It was long, bulky and heavy....but no regrets. Why? Cause that’s the start of something new! :)

Will You Marry Me?

One fine afternoon... (while Ash, Nat and I were playing Monopoly Deal)

Me: Ashton, will you marry me?
Ashton: No, I want to marry my mummy! (with a smiley, cheeky expression)
Ash, Nat & Me: BUT your mummy is married already!!!
Ashton: MY MUMMY IS MARRIED ALREADY???? (with a puzzled look)
Ash, Nat and Me: Yes, she is married to your daddy! (Ashton is still looking puzzled!)
Ashton: (Thinks for a while...) Then I want to marry Ta-Jie and Er-Jie!

A while later.....

Me: Ashton! You smell funny! You pooped!!!! Ok, go ask Ta-Jie and Er-Jie to wash your bum.
Ashton: (run towards me and hug me) I think I want to marry you! Wash my bum!!

The expressions and cheekiness of a two-year old boy! Priceless! ;)

Walk in Faith

"I have never walked on water
felt the waves beneath my feet but
at Your word Lord, I'll receive
Your faith to walk on oceans deep"
(Here In My Life - Hillsong Australia)

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1)

Trust His Heart

6 June 2010
Questions, questions, questions, questions.....

You have many questions concerning certain issues.

God is saying, don’t be afraid.

He will take care of everything.

17 July 2010
Questions, questions, questions....

God is never wrong. He has never rendered a wrong decision, experienced the wrong attitude, taken the wrong path, said the wrong thing, or acted the wrong way. He is never too late or too early, too loud or too soft, too fast or too slow. He has always been always will be right. He is righteous. – Max Lucado

“The Lord our God is right in everything he does.” Daniel 9:14

He will take care of everything!

6 August 2010
Questions, questions...

God is God. He knows what He is doing.

If you can’t trace His hands, trust His Heart. – Max Lucado

10 August 2010
Questions.

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you can’t understand,
When you don’t see His plan,
When you can’t trace His hands
Trust His heart.

(excerpt from Dreams of a Woman by Sharon Jaynes)

11 August 2010

I shall ask no more.

TRUST HIS HEART!

*silence*

Isaiah 41:10

Isaiah 41:10

My baptismal text. Frankly when I receive this verse as my baptismal text, I wasn't exactly happy. Reason? It's way too long a verse for me to memorise. :p Didn't understand why the church gave such a long verse. BUT thanks be to the one who chose thise verse for me. It has carried me through difficult times, tough times - my SPM days, my college years, when work overwhelmes me, when fear knocks at the door of my heart.....

How could I allow myself to forget this verse, and the power it has over every situation in my life? How could I allow myself to forget the very truth that God's presence is with me and that He has His hands upon me. :)

Dear Lord, please continue to embed this truth into my heart and my spirit. Forbid it O Lord that I should allow fear to take hold of me. Manifest Your presence in my life, and hold me in Your close embrace forever. Never ever ever let me go! Thank You Lord! Amen!

(Ohh...and another beautiful thing is that my whole family was baptised on my birthday, 19 July 1992)

Take Me Away...

Melbourne? Perth? Tasmania? Anywhere?

Refine Me O Lord...

Received this story via email today. A very beautiful picture of Malachi 3:3. Guess it's something I needed to hear.

Ever wonder why we women seem to be so long suffering? Whether we are married, a mom, a divorcee, a widow or a being a single, maybe this verse has some answers.

Malachi 3:3 "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it"

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

My earnest prayer is that I will be willing to allow God to refine me. O Lord, grant me the grace and strength to go through this refining process. I know it will be painful and uncomfortable, but help me see You even in the midst of the pain and discomfort. And when all is over, may I reflect Your glory!

Enduring thru...

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Hebrews 12:1

Dear Lord, I don't know how long this will take me.

The road seems long, endless.

But grant me a persevering spirit, an enduring spirit to finish a good race!

Any Road Any Cost

Any Road, Any Cost (Point of Grace)

Verse 1:
Leaving the safe and familiar

With their hearts set on a heavenly prize

There were some who laid down their nets

And some who laid down their lives

Not sure where they were going

But they did not have to know

'Cause they knew who had called them

And they said, "we will go"

Chorus:

Down any road at any cost

Wherever You lead we will follow

Because we know that You've called us

To take up our cross

Down any road at any cost

Verse 2:

It may be fear that we're feeling

We see what we must sacrifice

But You promised You'll go with us

So we'll trust with our lives

Bridge:

It's Your love that compels us

To do what You've called us to do

And be completely abandoned to You

Unrestraint Commitment

Luke 9:23 (NIV) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

This verse demands powerful and unrestraint commitment as a disciple towards Jesus, the Master. If we choose to follow the Master, we ought to deny ourselves (to be completely humble before God, and to choose to lay down/ to let go of all our fleshy desires AND take up the cross (the suffering and purposes of Christ) in our lives. And this process of denying oneself and taking up His cross is not a one-time thing. We are called to deny ourselves and take His cross DAILY and follow Him.

I remembered when I was 18 years old, I shared this with my cell group back in my previous church. We were just trying out the cell group concept then and I was put to be in-charged of the ‘Word’ part. The topic was on the cost of being a disciple. So I shared and encouraged my cell group members (which consisted leaders, and mostly being more mature in their spiritual walk) that we must always be ready to make sacrifices for God. We must be ready to let go of the things in life, and fully commit ourselves to His calling and purposes. Then, I was ready to let go of everything and do whatever that God would want me to do. I was ready to pack my bag and leave for mission etc. I was willing to do anything and everything. All I need to hear is God saying, “GO!” or “DO THIS!” or “DO THAT!" But when I shared my heart, one of them literally laughed at me. She said something to this extend, “Girl, it is always easier said than done. You are still young. Wait till you accomplish more in life etc. I don’t think I’m ready to make huge sacrifices for God.” Frankly I was a bit disheartened then. But I made a commitment to follow Him till the very end. I’d do anything for Him. I’d go down any road, at any cost for Him!

This whole week, I found myself grappling with the whole issue of commitment, making sacrifices and letting go of the things that I hold on to very dearly. Over these few months, I’ve unknowingly allowed other things and priorities to take the very place of God. And I wasn’t willing to let go of certain things in my life. I wasn’t willing to make any sacrifices. I was comfortable the way I am. I found myself telling God, “It is impossible to walk down this road. It is too long, too narrow. This sacrifice is a bit too costly. I don’t think I can afford it. I don’t think I can let go of these things. They are very precious to me. They have become so much a part of my life. It will be too painful to let go! What will happen to these things if I let go?” (I’m not saying the things I’m holding on to are bad. It was just not handled properly or the way God would want me to).

But how can I call myself His disciple unless I am willing to be humble before Him, letting go of the things that have taken His rightful place and take upon His purposes and will? I know this is something that I need to deal with. I won’t deny that it will be painful to let go of these things. I won’t deny the fear that I have just thinking of how things will end up to be. I know it will not be easy. But I want to be obedient. I want to just trust Him even though I may not know what He is doing right now, or where He is leading me to. I want to have that unrestraint commitment towards God.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, please forgive me for being selfish. Forgive me for allowing other things to take Your rightful place. Give me the strength to lay down all my fleshy desires. Help me take on Your purposes. Continue to awake my heart to have the capacity to contain You. I may not know exactly the things You have in store for me. I would not know the future but I just want to trust in You. I surrender all that I am and all that I have for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Today is the Day

Today is the Day (Lincoln Brewster)

Verse 1:
I'm casting my cares aside
I'm leaving my past behind
I'm setting my heart and mind on you
Jesus

I'm reaching my hand to yours
Believing there's so much more
Knowing that all you have in store for me is good
Is good

Chorus:
Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it

And I won't worry about tomorrow
I'm trusting in what you say
Today is the day

Verse 2:

I putting my fears aside
I'm leaving my doubts behind
I'm giving my hopes and dreams to you
Jesus

I'm reaching my hands to yours
Believing there's so much more
Knowing that all you have in store for me is good
Is good

Chorus:
Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it

And I won't worry about tomorrow
I'm trusting in what you say
Today is the day

Bridge:

I will stand upon your truth
I will stand upon your truth
And all my days I'll live for you
All my days I'll live for you

And I will stand upon your truth
I will stand upon your truth
And all my days I'll live for you
All my days I'll live for you

Chorus:
Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Today is the day you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it

Last Chorus:
And I won't worry about tomorrow
I'm giving you my fears and sorrows
Where you lead me I will follow
I'm trusting in what you say
Today is the day

My Prayer:

Lord, I echo the words of this song as my prayer.

Thank You for this day, the day that You have made.

I believe that You are taking care of every single detail of my day.

I surrender everything to You!

In Jesus' name. Amen.

What do I want?

I want to...

Cry.
Quit.
Hide.
Run away.
Sleep (but I can’t).
Hear what You are saying.
See the big picture.
Live in faith not fear.

Have divine exchange.
Let go and let You do Your thing.
Be obedient.
Do things right.
Please You.
Put a smile on Your face.
Finish the race well.
Hear You say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Daddy, help me!

Rainbow, A Promise!

I love rainbow! Every time I see a rainbow, it puts a smile on my face. Yes, a :) It simply reminds me of God's promise. In Genesis 9, God made a covenant with Noah for all generations to come.

Genesis 9:12-16
And God said, " This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on earth"

The beauty of it all does not just lie in the rainbow, but that God REMEMBERS His covenant, the promise He made. A promise is not meant to be broken, unlike what has been taught by the world. God REMEMBERS what He has promised. What is God's promise to you?

It has been a rough ride recently. Sometimes I wonder how long can I stay tough in the midst of all that's been happening. Will I see a breakthrough or will I, myself break apart?
I know I will never break apart. For He has promised and will be faithful to carry me through :)

Dear Lord, please let me see a rainbow today! :)

Life is like...

Life is like a box of chocolate - Forest Gump
I know some beg to differ.
A friend says, "Life is like a box of assorted chocolates"
While some others say "Life is like a stage of play, and we are all actors and actresses"

As for me, I would say...Life is like "cherry-looking chili".
You'll never know how hot and spicy the chili is until you actually tried it.
The same goes for life.
We'll never know how hot and exciting life is until we truly live it out!
And I mean LIVE IT OUT LOUD!
Live life to the fullest, live it right, live it well, make the most of every opportunity, make our lives count...ultimately Making God Famous!



The guys were tricked by Pr. Seria to try out the the home grown 'cherry' on the very last day of our mission trip at Sarawak. I was told...it's VERY SPICY!! *I still couldn't believe they actually fall for it...haha*

My First Mission Trip

Something I came across while preparing for the recent mission trip. A report/ testimony that I wrote and submitted to the church I was attending back then. This is an entry of my very first mission trip back in 2001. It brings back good memory, and most importantly the impact it had upon me!

SARAWAK MISION TRIP 2001 – Penny Khoo

I joined the mission trip for a basic purpose, that I will grow and move to higher heights in my walk with the Lord. I do not want to remain stagnant in my spiritual life. Praise God! He answered my prayer by shaking me off my comfort zone. He brought me to the place where I had to be totally dependent upon Him. God had been very real even when I started preparing for the trip.

I have always viewed mission trip as a trip whereby the team minister to the unreached through skits and songs. The task of performing through skits and songs is not hard, as I had experienced such things in youth groups. However, the preparation period became stressful when we were given assignments to prepare specific topic for teaching sessions at the longhouses and youth seminar. The assignment is something that I was not familiar with and at the same time, incapable to do so. The task became heavier when we had to prepare and preach in Bahasa Malaysia. During the preparation, I had sleepless nights figuring what to teach and how to teach the people. At one point of time, I wanted to give up. I questioned myself, “Why did I sign up for this trip in the first place and go through the stress when I could enjoy the comfort of each day that passes by?” I felt so far apart from God. I did not know where God was leading me and whether I had made the right choice to go for the trip. But it was at that time that I realised that I needed God more than I thought I needed Him. I realised that is in my weakness that His strength is made perfect. A lot of times, God gave us the “impossible” task so that we will learn to trust in Him and not lean on our own understanding. He wants us to be totally dependent upon Him.

During the trip, my fearful nature was challenged to do things that I would not normally do. God literally shook me off my comfort zone again. I experienced a total different culture and simplicity of life – bathing in the river, Iban food, limited supply of water and electricity and being sensitive to God in order to pray for people. I knew very well that it was not me that overcame the fear. God gave me the strength and the boldness to do so. In the trip, I also learned that I have put God in a box without realising it. I expected Him to move according to my will. He is much bigger and able to accomplish more than I could imagine or ask for. God is able to work in me and through me if I allow Him to do so. I have learnt to be dependent upon Him in every circumstance from living in the longhouses to ministering to His people. I believe God is not just interested in my ministry and how I could pray for His people. He is very much interested in my personal being.

A question was posed to me when the trip was about to come to an end, “Did you survive the trip?” Well, I could safely declare that I did not just survive the trip. I lived through and enjoyed every minute of the trip by the empowerment and the grace of God. It is indeed not by my might nor by my power but by the Spirit of God. God has been very faithful to His promise that He will always be with me, giving me strength and helping me to go through my everyday circumstances. I will continue to hold dearly to my baptismal text in Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismay for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. I really want to thank God and the team for such a fruitful and enriching mission trip.