Once "I Am Taken".

Now "I Am Broken".

This mug was given to me by my wifey during my birthday in our first year of marriage. That was in 8 October 2008. After serving me faithfully for close to 6 years, it finally retired from service on 21 September 2014. During this long period of 6 years, this is the only mug that I used day in and day out. Without any shadow of doubt, it has indeed served its purpose.

As I am writing down the eulogy of my mug, I can't help but to relate the life of this mug to our walk with God. We were once "taken" by God and that marked the beginning of our walk with Him as young Christians. At the very beginning of this walk, we tend to come before God in our self-made and self-justified splendour and glory. But as God begins to use us more and more, this self-made and self-justified splendour and glory slowly losses its twinkle and shine. We begin to realise that we were not so righteous and "clean" after all. But the good news is that God continues to use us and call us His own. In fact, He loves this "mug" so much because as this mug began to serve His "favourite coffee" day in and day out, the smell of the coffee started lingering stronger and stronger on this mug.

The more this mug was used, the more it experienced wear and tear until eventually it become broken! Similarly, as God continues to use us and work through us, He allows us to go through trials and tribulation that eventually caused us to become broken. 

A broken spirit and a contrived heart, this He will not despised.

The evidence of God's working in a person's life is the degree of brokenness of his spirit.  Even though my mug is now broken, I have never once despise it. In fact, till now I still love my mug and my mug will always have a special place in my heart as long as I live... Because it had served me well in its lifetime. 

My last update was dated 19 August 2011. Yes! 2011! That was slightly more than 3 years ago. Xavier was only about 13 months old (1 day before he reached 13th months) then. Time and tides wait for no man and just as much as I hope that time will come to a standstill so that I could savour the sweetness of his toddler's year, standing before me now is a charming and cheeky boy. 

Today marked an important milestone of his growing up years. Today is the first school excursion he has without daddy and mummy by his side. Since last night, wifey and myself could sense that he was rather apprehensive. Just as much as he tried to hide it, nothing escapes daddy and mummy's eyes. Asked him several times if he was ok. As usual, he replied "ok" in a barely audible voice which has become a tell-tale sign whenever he is feeling frightened.

Finally the time for him to put on his uniform and made his way to the school. Try asking anyone in the family and they will all unanimously agreed that it is almost impossible to stop Xavier from talking and asking questions for someone who is so active and curious. However,  at this point onwards, he started to become very quiet and his expression tells it all.

Simply can't describe the ernomous pride I feel whenever I see him wearing his school uniform. I am simply so so proud of my little man.

He kept very quiet throughout the journey to his school. All he did was just holding on tightly to my hand. Finally, we reached his school. Sensing that he was trying very hard to hide his fear, I knelt down and hugged him tightly, assuring him that I was very proud of him and that he was doing great. At this point, he finally broke down and cried. He said he was scared and wanted me to go with him. I wished I could but even if I could, I won't. That's because I believe and have faith in my little man, that he is a brave and independant boy who is able to overcome all odds and that includes his fear. 

To cut the long strong short, he did it and I am so proud of him. 

Before he board the bus,he was very happy to hear that I will be at his school to pick him up after his excursion. So, happily he boarded the bus. And off the bus went.

I am looking forward to his return and listening to his adventure. When that happens, he will just keep on talking and talking non-stop. Meanwhile, let me just enjoy this short-lived peace. 

Time flies...

Time flies... the last time i updated my blog was in June 2010 and that was even before Xavier was born. Today as I am writing this post, Xavier is already close to 13 months old (1 more day to full 13 months). Time really flies and everything seems like just yesterday. Dear Dear and myself are already into our third year of marriage and I must admit it's one thing to be a good husband, but a totally different ball game to be a good husband AND a good father. In the past, when it was just dear and myself, going out on a date was often taken for granted. We would go to wherever we like and whenever we like. However, that's not true anymore, at least for the next 3-4 years. Every date must now be planned in advance and Xavier has in fact becomes the deciding factor as to whether our dates are possible. Don't be mistaken because I am not complaining. In fact there's so much joy with Xavier around. It's just that I miss those time when it's just me and Steph.

Currently, I am a trainee teacher doing my practicum at Damai Secondary School. Yes, I am with MOE and I will be graduating from NIE by the end of this year. Speaking of that, time to go back to my work so that I can complete as much work as possible and free up the weekend to keep my dear and Xavier boy boy company.

Xavier 汤义恒

After months of brainstorming with my wife and finally we agreed on this name for our baby boy.

Xavier 汤义恒

Significance of Chinese Name:

义(yì) = 道义, 情义, 信义, 意义, 正义, 义士

恒(héng) = 恒劲, 恒心, 永恒

Significance of English Name:

Xavier (origin: Basque): New House, Bright and Splendid

COO0000L Name!!!

Preparing for the coming of my son.

Went to IKEA over the weekend and bought a drawer to store the clothings for my son (Expected Due Date: 14th July). Been waiting for an opportunity to fix up the drawer and finally manage to get it fixed within 1.5hr while Stephanie was away for a company dinner.

Here's how the drawer looks like before fixing:

Here's how the final product looks like:

Date : 29th April 2010
Time : 730pm-9pm
Location: Masterbedroom

2nd Year Wedding Anniversary

Our 2nd Year Wedding anniversary.

Speck & Plank

Matthew 7:3-5

3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Wonder why in God's opinion, He compared our shortcoming as a plank and the shortcoming of others as just a speck? It takes millions and even billions of specks to equal the size of a plank. When God created us, He gives us the freedom of choice and with this freedom comes personal responsibility. We are never responsible for anyone because God has not render that freedom of choice of another person into our hands. However, we are responsible towards people and others around us. If you are constantly frustrated because you are always trying to pin-point someone's mistake and trying to make them change, then get ready for a disappointment. The sad truth is no one person can change another person. Change always starts from oneself; one's own choice.

With that in mind, God has given me a huge responsibility to change myself and not to change other (Relativity comparison). With this freedom of choice entrusted to me, God expect me to spend more time reflecting on my own thoughts, my own actions, my own intention and my own words. Bible says we will never be perfect until we see Jesus. To say there is no limit to how much I can change for the better. However, sometime I spend more time pinpointing other's shortcoming than spending more time developing myself to Christlikeness. Unless I'm perfected( which is far far way off), else I should focus on dealing with my shortcomings than dwelling on the shortcomings of others. If everyone is to take more time dealing with their own shortcomings than trying to deal with the shortcoming of others, the world will be a better place, the church will be a better place, your workplace will be a better place.

Hence God equate my shortcoming as a plank and the shortcoming of others as a speck because God has given me the freedom of choice over my own life, and not the freedom of choice over the lives of others. As the saying goes, more is given, more is also expected. If God has given me full freedom to choose so more is expected over myself to deal with my own shortcoming than that of others. No matter how wrong the other person is, how nasty the other person is, my focus should be constantly dealing with my own shortcoming than pinpointing others' mistakes and trying to change them.

If God compares a plank in my eyes with a speck in others' eyes, then it must be a plank in my eyes- don't have to argue and say..." but but God, look at them, how can they do this, or how can they do that..." Common sense will tell us that if a person got a speck stuck in his/her eyes, compared to a plank, the one with a plank needs more surgeons to work on him/her. The one with a plank will surely requires more focus and more time to operate on. The one with the plank needs more help. The one with the plank need immediate attention!! Sound common sense....but we are always looking into the specks of others. No wonder we constantly get upset with others...and when God don't seems to change them, we get upset with God.

MOST EXpensive cab I ever took

Day 1- Reached Shanghai Pudong Airport and end up hoping unto a wrong cab....should I say a con man's cab. End up what cost about $120RMB cab fare became $380 (SGD$82). Felt so angry. Actually not so much of angry towards the conman, but more towards myself for being so foolish and not careful.

Day 2- Start visiting prospect. The weather was rather cold tonight and here's what I saw from my motel window.

Day 3- A very interesting side I saw inside the MRT. Taking a transport within a transport.

Also learnt from a prospect that for golfing, the lesser the "handicap" will mean you are a better player.

Day 4- A old couple try to con me money. They are dressed in formal clothings and the reason they gave was that they are supposed to meet their friend in Pudong but their friends are not around and they had lost their money. Honestly speaking I was really thinking about wanting to help them, but somehow I walk ahead and ignore them totally. As I reach my motel, i take a look and see what they were doing. They were approaching almost anyone to ask for money. But what caught my attention was that just across the street, a couple in almost the same attire was doing the same thing and I saw that this younger couple was constantly looking at this old couple. Suddenly I realised that they are actually belonging to the same syndicate. WOW!!

Day 5- Last day of work in Shanghai. Left with only $300RMB (about SGD$65) to last me till I reach Singapore this Saturday

Here's some pictures to wrap up this trip

Quotes of the Season

These are two quotes that I can relate very well in this season.

Quote 1: It(some not so nice situations) is painful but it is necessary.

Quote 2: Many a times I do it not because I love to or want to, but because it needs to be done.
(Not because I'm oppressed or what. Just that I need to be responsible and accountable to people around me)

Li Chin's Birthday Celebration 2-May-2009

Dear and me waiting for bus. On our way to meet Li Lin and Jeremy before heading down to East Coast Lagoon Hawker for Li Chin's Birthday supper. Took some pictures before the bus came.

Below are some photos taken during our makan session at East Coast Lagoon Hawker centre.

Dear & Me at Fullerton

It's been a while since I took photo with my dear. Yesterday we attended Alec & Lisa's wedding at The Fullerton Hotel and we took this opportunity to take some photos. For your info, The Fullerton Hotel is where I proposed to my dear two years ago on 13th February 2007, one day before valentine. To be exact, it's half an hour before 14th February 2007.

The proposal was a memorable one as there was many 'interceptions' by the waitress, not once but twice!!

Just like Jesus asking Peter three times "Do you love me?". My dear asked me three times in the manner below.

1st time
Dear: Is this real?
Me: Of course this is real diamond ring!!

2nd time
Dear: Don't play leh?
Me: I'm not playing, I'm serious!!

3rd time
Dear: Are you serious?
Me: Yes, I'm serious!!

It's Just the Beginning

I still remember the first few pictures that I posted on this blog are those of my rented room. That was all Stephanie and myself had when we first got married. You can see those pictures on the left column of this page. That was how we started, a humble beginning.

But now, we have a place of our own. It's our very first property. Why did I say our very first property? Because I believe we will have more than one property. We will have a HDB, at least one condo and at least one landed property. Here's some photo our first property; Home Sweet Home.

Indeed God is good. All it takes is for us to slow down and begin to look around. You can't help it but everywhere you turn to, you will see the footprint of the goodness of God.

Psalm 23:6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meAll the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

I'm Physically Very Very Tired....But..

Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint

Our Mind- Our Last Line of Defense!

Our Mind....

Strip off our flesh and biological body, we are simply just mindset walking on the surface of the Earth. What we are today is a result of our mindset. Where we are going tomorrow is also the result of our mindset. Happy or sad is also the result of our mindset. Success or failure is also the result of our mindset.

What keep us sane?

What cause a person to snap and lost his sanity?
Do we control our mind or does our mind control us? If our mind control us, how then can we renew our mind? If we control our mind, then why do people snapped and lost their sanity?




Why do some people choose to keep their sanity under pressure and why do some people choose to snap and lost their sanity.

If sanity is a choice, why did some give up their sanity? Because they no longer see hope and a future ahead? Because they see no reason to fight on?

Life is about fighting battles after battles...but why? And after one battle is fought, what's next? Another battle? After that, what's next? More battle? We fight to live and yet when we live, we spend our life existing instead of living. We end up living to fight and not living the life that we had fought for....and isn't life like a rat race?!

Our Body- The Link Between Heaven & Earth

Hebrews 10:5
[ Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will ] Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “ Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,But a body You have prepared for Me.


The Human Body, a Spirit Within.

The Spirit is what connect us to God. It's is the spirit man that understand the time, the season and what God is doing and will do on Earth. It is the spirit man that feels the heart of the Holy Spirit and carry that burden within.

The Body is a vessel to manifest the will, and the burden of God on Earth


I thank God for a good throat, so that I can lift up my voice & pray.
I thank God for a good stomach, so that I can fast.
I thank God for a strong shoulder, so that I can carry His burden.
I thank God for strong arms, so that I can lift them up and worship Him.
I thank God for strong legs, so that I can run this race.
I thank God for a good health, so that I can serve & meet the needs of the people.
I thank God for good eyesights, so that I can see the wonders of God unfolding on Earth.
I thank God for.....




AMAZING!!!
Psalm 139:14
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.





Mysterious!!!
2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.


WOW!!! More majestic than the great wall of China, more mysterious than the Pyramid, more breath-taking than the Millau Viaduct, more powerful than the Niagara falls, etc. the human body is the best architectural wonders ever known since creation.


POWER!!!!
Matthew 16:19And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

To My Beloved W347

Dear all,

This morning I was walking up the escalator at Tanjong Pagar MRT & saw the X-men Movie poster and was thinking maybe after Easter we should go out as a group and catch that movie. Hence I looked at the release date and it was on the 29th April 2009. While looking at my handphone calendar to confirm the date, I scrolled a bit too fast and WALAH….it jumped to my May calendar and for a moment the word M.A.Y just jump at me. Gosh!!! It’s coming to the month of May and to put it simply, 2009 is ALMOST half way gone. Time really flies and in the glimpse of eyes, we are left with half of 2009. It seems just yesterday when we were talking about setting goals for this year. It’s seems just yesterday when we were all ready and excited to discover what 2009 will offers; in terms of finances, relationship, career, walk with God, etc. It seems just yesterday when we had a bad 2008 and was looking forward to start anew in 2009, full of hope and full of expectation. But little did we realized that the busy-ness of our daily life simply took a toil on our dreams, our hopes, our expectation such that we had walked almost half the journey of 2009 without any remembrance of any fulfillment or any achievement. I believe despite the busy-ness of Good Friday, it is time we take stock of our lives. I believe that Good Friday is not just all about outreach. It is about Life after Death, a new beginning. It is about how Jesus died and rose again, not just for those who are still lost without God, but also a time of new beginning for Christians like you and I. To many, 1st of January seems to be widely recognized as a new year and a new beginning. But I believe Good Friday and Easter Day carry an even greater significance of a new beginning. Thus let’s rejoice over this Easter as it’s not all about outreach and more outreach (of course that’s our focus also and we should be looking forwards to the salvation of our friends, families and loved ones.), it is also a time of a new beginning if you feel that the last 4 months wasn’t really that good. For many of us who had/ or felt they had already lost 4 months and 9 days (99 days x 24 hours a day x 60minute an hour = 142,560 minutes) because of our busy-ness, I hope you can just spend the next 15 minutes (out of the 142,560 minutes that has already passed since 1st January 2009) to going thro’ the rest of this email.

Here are some questions that you might want to ask yourself so as to evaluate what had really happened the last 4 months:


Finances
-Are you financially more stable or have more financially compared to 2008?
-Is there an increase in your income?
-Are you still struggling with lack? If yes, how long have you been struggling? When will you want to stop these struggles?
-Are you giving more and are you more of a giver than a taker?
-Are there an increase in your asset and a decrease in liabilities? Or is it the other way round?
-If you know someone who have similar financial status as you are now, will you be impressed by this person or will you feel sad for this person?

Walk with God
-Are you seeking God more and loving His words more?
-Is there anyone that you are currently accepting discipleship from? Or are you simply on your own without a discipler?
-Do you allow and accept people to point out your mistake and begin to brutally evaluate your life and change from there. Or you simply think others are wrong and you are always right? Or you always feel that people will not understand what you are going thro’?
-Do you shun people who don’t agree with you and you rather hang around with people who agree with you whether you are right or wrong?
-Are you committed to grow your character?
-Are you open for discipleship? (take note: a professional Christian can appear to be open for discipleship but the thing is that they never change and always choose to stick to their way and mindset)
-Are you getting easily offended by fellow Christians or has your heart grown bigger?
-Are you more consistent in your prayer than last year? Or has your prayer life decline?
-Are you reading the bible more consistently? Or are you still reading the bible at all?
-Can you remember more or can you quote more bible verses as compared to last year?
-Are you more committed to God?
-Do you love people more and have a bigger heart to let go of offenses, even from fellow Christians?
-When was the last time you lead someone to Christ?
-When was the last time you attended bible studies?
-Are you mindful about God in your daily life? Or can anyone see any traits of Jesus in you at all?
-When is the last time you felt the presence of God/ tear in the presence of God?
-When is the last time you hear from God or sense the Holy Spirit?
-Does you being a Christian make any difference to others at all?

Relationship
-Have you been a good friend to others?
-Have you created impact in the life of anyone? If yes, who and in what way?
-Imagine today should you breathe your last (I’m not cursing anyone, it’s just imagining), other than your family, who will feel that your demise is a loss to them?
-What is the general opinion of others about you? (Of course we are not called to please people. But bible also say a matter is established in the presence of 2 or more witnesses) So if most people think you are rude, attitude, selfish, rebellious, gossiper, promise breaker, etc., then maybe it’s time you humble yourself & allow God to reveal to you the truth.
-Have you make more friends or more foes?
-Have the friends around you make you better or worse (Better not as in feel better. Bad friends can also make you feel better by always agreeing with you. Better here means become a better person; love God more, grow in faith, more teachable, humble and meek, BIG hearted, etc)
-When is the last time you do something to bless someone?
-If you know someone who is exactly similar to you, will you like to be with this person (for singles: will you like to spend your life with this person?)

Career
-Are you an asset or a liabilities to your company (Many will say that they are asset. But honestly if you think the company will not suffer any loss or the company can easily hire someone to replace your role, then you are not a asset)
-Are you more experienced and skillful in what you are doing?
-Does your boss/superior constantly need to tell you what to do?
-Is there an increase in your sales volume?
-If you own a business and you are asked to hire someone who is exactly like you as an employee now, will you still hire that person? If yes, how much are you willing to pay this person? If no, why?

Health and Presentation
-Are you healthy? If yes, why? If not, why and what do you want to do about it?
-Are you happy with your weight?
-Do you look good?
-When was the last time someone praise you for your dressing sense? Or does it ever happen to you? If not, why?
-If you are of the opposite gender, will you be attracted to someone who looks, talk, behave and dress the way you do? If no, why?

That’s all the questions I can think of for now. I hope that while you are going through these questions, don’t think of someone else and answer on behalf of that person. These questions are strictly meant for you to evaluate your own life. Be honest as you think through the answers because you shall have the truth and the truth shall set you free.

Best Regards,
Justin

Pasta Brava & China Town With Dear

HaPpY ChInEsE YeAr!!!

To me, this is not just a "NUI" year but really a NEW Year. It's the first time that I no longer wait for things to happen. It's the first time that I need to prepare to give Ang Pow. It's the first time I need to do Chinese New Year Shopping. It's the first time I go visit some long distance relatives with a new identity...with my dear.

Fateful day: 09th January 2009

It's the 2nd Friday of the year and this is when church is at a "lau" period and there's 2 weeks of break from CGM and here I am with my dear. Where? Pasta Brava Italian Restaurant. Here's some pictures of my dear and of cos a picture of the restaurant taken from their website.




The embiene is great, the service is good, the food is yummy and the price is reasonable with this kind of standard. I will give it a 8.5 out of 10

Rating:

My dear love this place and I'm looking forward to bring her to more exotic places with good food. FYI: we are both food lovers.


After pampering our stomachs, we take a stroll to china town which is just down the road and we did some shopping and here's some picture of my dear.

My dear really look gorgeous. Even after working whole day and with make up wearing out, she simply look fantastic and beautiful. That's my baby.



Of course not forgeting some photo of us together. Both of us somehow resemble each other. Both of us have high cheek bones and rosy cheek. Dear always say if our children next time resemble me, she will have headache cos I'm very playful and mischevious. Aiyah, but I know she only say say only cos she is equally playful and mischevious...muhaha...so either way, our children will surely be playful and mischevious...but of cos in the good sense. =)

Overall we have a great evening together and after all the shopping, we make our way home and this is just a small part of our Chinese New Year Shopping..

Jeslyn's Birthday Celebration

Here's our birthday girl Jeslyn. Notice she look a bit different? All thanks to our 'metro' yapster who gotten her some special eye lashes. Jeslyn looks great right? Again all thanks to yappy, yapster, uncle yap, whatever you like to call him.

We proceed to Tiong Bahru Sakae Pasta Shop and here's the people who were there.

I was there too but I didn't manage to catch myself into the picture. But here's a group photo.

Home Sweet Home (In the Making)

Hi all,


Finally here's a glimpse of my newly painted flat with some furnishing. Still alot of deco and furnishing not up yet.








Things Not Available Yet

1. TV Console (6-7 feet)- $800,
2. Full Length Curtain(Two Ply-day and night fabric)-$1,300,
3. Paintings and Wall Decoration-$150,
4. Dinning Area lighting to be replace, (The current orange one is just temporarly from IKEA.)-$350
5. Carpet below coffee table-$100,
6. Shelves and display cabin-$300,
7. Ceiling to floor Partition to partition dinning area from kitchen-$750,
8. 2 x bean bag (1 red and maybe 1 lime green)-$150,
9. 3 x Sofa Cushions- ADOPTED,
10. Accessories for dinning table-$50,
11. Photos of my dear and me-ADOPTED,
12. Floor mat-ADOPTED,
13. Re-furnishing the exterior "skin" of our built in wardrobe and kitchen cabinet (both wardrobe and cabinet sponser by our previous owner.
14. AIR-CON (MOST COSTLY....)-$1,500

For your info, steph and myself we really love.... FOOD!!! Hence the most equipped and sufficient part of our house is our kitchen. We are constantly stocking up food everywhere; in our fridge, in our cabinets, in our mouths, in our stomachs...haha...

Any generous souls out there who will like to adopt one of the piece of furnishing in the list above can make your contribution by smsing the item number to 90661240. All contribution to be strictly in cash.

What You Stand to Receive?
All applicant who successfully adopt a piece of furnishing will have the item named after him/her and it will be mentioned to our descendent as long as this Gospel...err... i mean story is being told.