Jesus, My Superman

Superman has got to be one of the best movies I've seen in a loooooong time. Well, other than Batman Begins. The parallels bet Superman n Christ were just too uncanny to be coincidental. Haha, maybe Hollywood is seeing some light from the Holy Word. The lines were classic too, such as, "The father becomes the son and the son becomes the father." Ain't that God the Father and Jesus??? God reminded me too that "u're never alone" when Superman was under extenuating circumstance. Er, like when he kena the kryptonite which he's damn allergic 2. Just as JC suffered endlessly on the cross, our 2 hour hero carried the weight of the world or meteorite on his broad shoulders even as the vicious krypt PIERCED him. And he fell like a feather...Like JC, Superman then disappered dutifully from the tomb of the hospital where death nearly sealed his deadly fate. Unduanted by the latent evil personified by Baldie, the freshly resurrected Superman continues doggedly with his mission. Why? Becos' he hears their cries...our cries. For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall NOT perish but have eternal life.

And eternal life begins NOW. Not tomorrow or when we die. Call me Healed Chong. Reinhard Bonnke is surely one guy who has grasped that with a sense of halting german urgency. Hell empty, heaven full. The man practically bellows fire from his nostrils when he preaches. When he gave the altar call for the baptism of fire, I went as well cos' he said there wld b a healing touch. Didn't feel anything per se but the exhortation was a timely reminder, "Do not fear! 4 I am w u!" The joy of the Lord be your strength! Hmm, pretty much what God has been speaking to me thro Pearl (last sunday she prophesied that one day i will preach to millions just as what bonnke said for some of us. Anyway, i took that as a confirmation tho i duno how it's gonna happen) n the sermon i just heard this morning (Christ our all in all). Jesus should b my joy, not even my calling or ministry. The devil comes to steal my joy. He tries to do it with rhinitis, the tongue allergy n their chronic pain/discomfort. With the fear that my dreams will come to naught. It's been really tough the past month. My condition declined after the dastardly chinese treatment of burning up my nasal membrane. The inflammmation got worse I feel like I have even less reasonance than before. In short, I was n m still 2 some degree, devastated.

Even felt giving up on my calling. How does one preach or sing if she can barely speak with an oppressive condition? But seeing Reinhard today encouraged me n sorta rekindled my own fire. I have a destiny, a city on that hill. Ain't no stupid devil gonna stop me. Cos if God is for me, who can be against me? No weapon formed against me shall prosper. By HIS wounds, i AM healED. Spirit of infirmity, u have no place in this temple of the living God, His beloved child. The Ling Jesus loves. By His grace thro faith, I SHALL take my testimony to ALL the places He has designated 4 me even b4 I was formed in my mother's womb. I dun even need to focus on my healing cos Jesus IS my healing. My wisdom, favour, prosperity, wholeness or whatever I lack. In fact, the Lord is my Super Shepherd, hence, I shall not be in want, simply cos He completes me!

Perfect love casts out fear. The joy of knowing how much Jesus loves me shall be my strangth. As i trade my sicknesses n lay down my pain for the joy of the Lord, i shall see my deliverance in the land of the LIVING.

Superman, pl help me!!!!!

;-)

Rest & Rejoice

This is not a shampoo ad (though the hair is wet at this remote hour of the morning).

"It's not about striving. You already have the healing, Ling" My guitarist, Dan went on emphatically, "It's not about how hard u confess either. Just ask God 2 help your unbelief. Tell Him how u feel. Enjoy the Father's love. All changes come from knowing n receiving that." M so tempted to throw in the towel (again & again) n shriek, "been there, done that" as opposed 2 resting sedately in the knowledge that it's done deal at the cross. Gawd, help my unberif leh. Dun like that leh.

Nonetheless, I thank Abba Daddy that His mercies are new every hour. Really had fun hosting n singing 4 Khee Sern n Grace's wedding dinner last nite. It's a double blessing when clients become friends. Lovely couple. ;) The gal sitting next 2 me at table 18 was sweet too. "You r a real natural on stage," she said sincerely. "Thanks. You shld see me in the schools as an Auntie. Super natural." Lol.

2b fair, God really helped me through the evening in spite of lying symptoms. Ha, ha, ha, stupid devil. The truth is I don't even need to get my healing cos' God's got it 4 me. ;P Mark Hankin's message really warms my hear...Heaven on earth. 2006, a year of acceleration. Amen. Been listening 2 the shepherd's heart by Ps Prince quite a bit 2. The word shepherd has been poppin' up these days. ok, gawd, I get the drift. U r my shepherd n I shall not b in lack. Cos U leadeth me 2 lie down on my mental matress, ie. REST. Quit strivin' in other words. Focus on desired results, not symptoms.

I wish it were that easy.

Still, it won't hurt 2 listen 2 a sermon on the Father's love now b4 i enter noddyland. Had given mine 2 an american gal when I was singing at Blue Bar, Julie. Gosh, it was only in March but it seems like eons ago. Wonder how she is now. Hope she's enjoying the Father's love 2. Gawd help our unberif.

Nite nite Daddy.

Ps. Pl work on my behalf while I am sleeping.

Tens.

Yo beloved Ling
*-)

A dose of december dreams

Gosh, it's the first day of dec...It can only mean one thing. X'mas is round the corner. Time to start buying pressies..Saw some really cool children literature in a book fair near the ofi yest. Rach n i were drooling over the Noah's Ark storybook - POPOUT some more leh! Only designers doing POP can truly appreciate it, I joked. "Ya, maybe we shld get some for the ofi 2 get creative ideas!!!" was the designer's witty reply. There was even a pop-up on shipwrecks, including Titanic. Amazing... felt like a real kid again...:D

Had a fun time at the wedding we played for last saturday (it's not everyday you get sax). The band was tight man. Heard the recording yest n was blown away. These musicians may be young but they got a brrrrright future lah. Thks guys, tt was pretty phenomenal. Will see how i can put up a track or 2 for yo listening pleasure. *-)

M pretty encouraged. Hv 2 school bookings this week so far. I m optimistic. It's His show afterall. I've done my part by sending the marketing materials so the ball is in Daddy's court liao. ;p

Uncle Ernest popped by last nite n caught us in the middle of "Silent Night." He totally loved Dan's arrangement which was superb. "Eh, u sound better, what did u do?" he asked as I managed a half intelligible, "Nothing!" N in the same breath, "God is blessing me!" If only the facts be made known, that I can barely articulate n much less sing cos' of the inflammation. But the truth, is and will be, I kept reminding myself on the stage, by His stripes I m healed! I AM gonna get better. The nose's gotta get a positive boost so let's make up for lost time.

I guess that's really God's grace. Despite the calamity that threatened to knock the wind outta my sails and dreams, He makes up for it in other ways. By engaging my heart to express the pathos, the ear hears it and the heart feels it. I trust all will be well and better. Soon.

The journey of faith is such. There are the ups and downs. But along the merry way, my Father plants flowers of love to remind this damsel-in-distress He has not forgotten. So I SHALT dwell in the cradle of today's grace n look forward to the gig later at Traders. Just last year, on one of our frequent trips to Tanglin Mall from Eng Lok Mansion (it was so "lok" that i killed at least 5 centipedes in my stay thr), Huiyi and I were walking past the hotel. Predictably, the lovable gal went, "Wahhhhh, the buffet there very nice one!!!!!" I had to practically tear away her button nose plastered to the glass. Kinda distracting for the diners if u noe what i mean. But tonight, I will be one of them cos' dinner is provided! The stupendous buffet! Oysters?!! ;P...

It's all come full circle after one year. Uncanny. Got so many things weighing on my mind but only one thing is needful. Resting in His love 4 He shall supernaturally accomplish all thincs 4 His beloved. December shall be a witness to dreams unfolding before me.

2006, hang in there 4 a bit, won't u?

Inspiring Quotes

Was looking at some quotes for work, came across these that reasonated. Best enjoyed with a spot of tea and a dash of scones:

God give us dreams to accomplish for him. Never give up on your dreams. - Anon

Your stumbling block will never become your stepping stone until you step on it. - Silton Townsend

Look well to this day. Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day. - Francis Gray

Overcoming fear and worry can be accomplished by living a day at a time or even a moment at a time. Your worries will be cut down to nothing. - Dr. Robert Anthony

"Do you love me because I am beautiful, or am I beautiful because you love me?" - Cinderella

I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about. - Henry Ford

Can things truly get better?

I m in a genuine state of despair.

Itz probably illegal 2 blog now but I just need 2 vent before i doing anything productive.

The nose has been hurting the whole day and my tongue still feels sour.

Talk about sour grapes.

It's so easy to listen to the devious voice of condemnation when one is down. "Maybe it's your _____ that's causing all these health problems." Fill in the blanks. On your own.

Rhinitis can't be treated. Acoording to my mom's friend who has it. So does her kids apparently. Some Great Physician of The The Great Wall of China said that.

Ok. I'm angry. Upset. And I feel possibly defeated.

Am i really growing roots? Do i really have to contend with such fierce trials n firey challenges in order to become the person He wants me to be so that i can do the things He wants me to do?

"Be of good of cheer for I have already overcome." says Jesus.

I'm trying, Lord.

But it's just so hard.

A life characterised by days on end of pain is really a pain in the ass. I have claimed (healing). Rejected lying symptoms. Wept. Wrung my heart and tears dry. To no avail...

God, u gotta show up.

If not, i'm dead.

Both Are Essential To Life!

Was feeling even more down, then i click on another forward...this time from tammy. Dunno who wrote it but i had tears in my eyes reading it...thks...

-----------
GOOD DAYS GIVE YOU HAPPINESS,
BAD DAYS GIVE YOU EXPERIENCES
BOTH ARE ESSENTIAL TO LIFE!

This is a very beautiful message worth passing on to everyone.
One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me..."Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo." He said. "In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit."

He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?"
"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others."

He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and bring back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. He will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life

Hope In Love

Was feeling down and read this forward from a friend...

November 26, 2005


"Hope in Love"
-- Victoria Boyson

God's passion is seeing you walk in all that He has for you.

"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight
in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put
their hope in his unfailing love." --Psalm 147:10-11 (NIV)

I know that sometimes it is very difficult to trust in God while
waiting for the development of your destiny. But we hope not in hope
itself; we put our hope in God's unfailing love for us. And His love
for us is strong enough to sink our hope into, because in the vast
creation of the whole universe, His delight . . . is in you.


Our Father's Pleasure

I love the way David expresses himself in Psalm 147. He says our
Father's pleasure is not in the great strength of a horse or the
strength in the legs of a man. Of course, He made these things and is
pleased with them, but they are not what He delights in. Yes, God has
the stars, the moon, and the sun that He could delight in, but they do
not hold any great pleasure for Him. What God is passionate about is
not the world He has created. They were only gifts He made for the one
He loves to enjoy. What He delights in, my friend, is YOU.

You are the apple of God's eye. You are what He is passionate about.
Not the great white whale, the Hawaiian Islands, or the Rocky
Mountains--but you. And when you turn your gaze toward Him, His heart
skips a beat. You are what He loves--the great passion He delights in.
And those who hope in His love for them, He will not deny.


Hoping in His Goodness

Your hope in God is the greatest honor and praise that you could give
Him; it delights Him. You could not show your love for God any greater
than by hoping in His goodness and trusting in His love. God wants for
you to really know that He is good. And when you do, He will stop at
nothing to bless you.


Unfailing Love

It is difficult to wait and hope. But let's think about what we are
hoping in . . . His unfailing love. God's love is not fickle like
man's love. No, Psalm 145:8 says, "The Lord is gracious and
compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love." His love is
unconditional. We think we understand His love, but really we do not.
If we did, we would not treat others the way that we do.

God does not stop loving us when we fail. He does not want us to fail
because He knows it will hurt us, but He definitely does not stop
loving us. His red-hot love for us does not cool either. He loves us
as much today as He will ever love us in our lifetime. He knew exactly
what He could expect from us before He first chose us, and He chose us
anyway.


Seasons Change

Flowers do not bloom year round, but do we lose faith in them because
they stop blooming for a time? No we don't, because we understand the
different seasons they go through. And God understands that we go
through different seasons and changes. Sometimes we bloom, and
sometimes we don't.

God loves us and appreciates us just as much as when we are not in
bloom because He knows all and sees all. You may be going through a
difficult time right now, but God looks ten years into your future and
smiles. He never panics when we make mistakes; He just uses our
mistakes for His glory. That is the love we hope in.

There is a time when every pot is a lump of clay, but God looks at
that lump of clay and sees a beautiful pot!

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a
hope.'" --Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

No matter what you are going through right now, God's plans for you
remain the same. When a little child is just learning to walk and
happens to fall down, his parents do not become angry with him. They
do not get upset with him because he falls. Instead, they rejoice in
the fact that he is trying to walk. They do not regard it as a
failure, but enjoy watching him learn. And your Father in Heaven sees
you exactly the same way.

God never gives up. No matter how many times we fail, His plans for us
never change. We may have to endure a time of chastisement or setback,
but His plans for us never change. He will never give up on us,
either, because He sees the finished product.


The Least of the Least

In Judges 6, the Israelites were crying out to God to save them from
the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern countries who raided
their land and left no living thing for Israel to survive on. They
were desperate and prayed to God for help. The help God sent was
Gideon. God had great plans for Gideon, but Gideon did not see it in
himself. There was greatness in him, but he felt inadequate for the
job and even argued with God about choosing him to lead Israel (v 15).

God spoke to Gideon and told him to "go in the strength you have."
When Gideon argued and asked, "How can I save Israel?" God's answer
was simple. He said, "I will be with you" (Judges 6:16). The answer to
all of Gideon's inadequacies was the same, "I will be with you."
Gideon was left with only one answer and that was to hope in God's
unfailing love for him; that was enough.

Even though Gideon was the least of the least of the tribes of Israel
(see Judges 6:15), God used him to change a nation. And He will use
you in the same way because He delights in those who put their hope in
His unfailing love (see Psalm 147:11). You may feel like nothing
special right now, but God sees greatness in you. He sees a mighty
warrior!


There is Greatness in You

As with Gideon, God sees greatness in you. For much of your life, that
greatness may be kept a secret, but it is still in you. God is
faithfully preparing you for your destiny. He is molding you into the
person He desires you to be: the kind of person who is bold enough to
know that there is greatness inside of himself, but humble enough to
know where that greatness comes from.

It can be very troubling for you to believe in your destiny when you
feel inadequate, but let me assure you, there is greatness in you. And
you will, like Gideon, fulfill your destiny in God. He will have His
way with you, if you place your hope in His unfailing love. Put your
hope in the fact that you know He loves you and that He desperately
wants what is best for you. He wants to make your dreams come true. He
wants to bless you more than you want to be blessed.

Hope in God. Hope in love. Let go of fear, for your destiny is in good
hands. He is able to do above and beyond all that you could ask or
hope or dream (see Ephesians 3:20). He is driven by love. His passion
is you and seeing you walk in all that He has for you, and He will do
whatever it takes to get you there. After all, it was His idea to call
you in the first place, and He will finish what He began in you.

You are on the adventure of your life, so remember to enjoy the
process. Enjoy every aspect of your journey with your heavenly Father
who loves you. And praise God with your smile. At a time like this,
the best thing to do is smile because you are in God's hands.

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love O Lord,
endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands." -- Psalm
138:8


Pray this with me:

Dear Father,

Help me to see Your love for me and help me to hold on to Your love. I
want to see myself the way that You see me. Help me to trust, believe,
and hope.


My prayer for you:

Dear Father,

I ask You to bless this dear saint with everything they will need to
see the birth of their destiny come to pass. Anoint them for Your
purposes and help them to succeed. Help them to know of Your great
love for them and help them to trust in that love. Please send people
to them who will represent Your heart toward them.

Victoria Boyson
Speaking Life Ministries
www.boyson.org

Divine Coincidences

Have you ever had a fleeting thought, "Haven't seen so n so for so long...". And then you bump into that person. With or without realising it.

It was just another gig at barc on wed nite.
Dan'd already started playing carol instrumentals 2 weeks ago. Remind me to get the x'mas lyrics. Great season 4 doing "Mary, did u know", "You were the reason", "X'mas isn't xmas", haha, mayb even some hard-core worship. Not forgetting an altar call 2 receive Christ. Cos when u hv JC, u have EVERYthinc. Who needs Santa?? ;P

Eh, seriously, even if u dun come down for my singing, u gotta come down just for the guitarist. I can just sit back, listen and be in awe. I'm sure even gawd inclines His merry ear and goes, "Hohoho..." He's that good loh.

But that wasn't my central thesis.
After the first set was over, vk gave me a card, "Just now a guy told me to pass it to u." Curious, I read.

"Ling, Drop me an e-mail or give me a call. Great singing, just like before."

Jonathan
Raffles Hall
Block 6

Jonathan! It was only a few days ago I thought of how we'd squabbled in the kitchenette over my incessant commentary during TV programmes. It almost got nasty. Engineering vs Arts.

Joyce crossed my mind this week as well, about how she'd got me the Stan Chart gig n reminded me to tithe...so guess who I bumped into last nite at parkway???? Joyce and her bf!!!!. "We must meet JJ and catch up!" she gushed as we exchanged numbers. Check this out, today on my way to work...a curly head emerged from the stairs of the bus.

JJ!!!!!

Things were getting real spooky. But in a nice n fuzzy way.

Was talking to another JJ over lunch about stuff and how "coincidences" happen when one is in tune with himself. Before we split, he showed me Pastor's sermon on "Expect good things to happen to u." Some pple dun expect good things cos they dun thinc they deserve it, JJ suggested. Hmm...

When I got back to my table in office, I picked up a mag one of the designers, Jess, had lent me just before lunch. The first page turned to had this to say, "If u dun develop the habit of expecting good things to come your way, then you're not likely to receive anything good. If u dun expect things, they probably won't. If all u expect is more of the same, that's all u're going 2 have. Our expectations set the boundaries (God is limited to) for our lives...Low expectations will trap u in mediocrity."

What God does to get my attention - he'll even resort 2 women's magazine!!! The sub-header of the article?

EXPECT THE BEST!!!! Fwah, Abba Daddy really does love me lah.

Ps. Oh, btw, did i tell u i bumped into Dan at least 5 times earlier this year?

Phra Yeshu Kao Jai (part1)

Jesus Understands...

It's interesting how God uses unlikely candidates to accomplish His purposes. Only He knows why I had to 2 bring a drama of hope to Thailand 2 weeks though I was feeling devoid of hope. A land plagued with prostitution, drugs n suicide. Cos' when u have children as young as 5 years old killing themselves, the Land of Smiles suddenly looks sinister...

Was feeling really stressed out the eve of departure. Primarily over my health. What if I never get healed of rhinitis? Go ahead and recoil at my faithlessness. Some call it spiritual attack. Or vulnerability. An unguarded mind. My mom was sweet though. "We'll get you a good doc when u come back girl. Oh ya, try not to eat birds with flu while u r there ok?!" So it was with a heavy heart, teary glands and blocked nose that I went to sleep with...how could i tell the kids of nong khai that Jesus cares if I wasn't sure He understood my pain?

Woke up the next day feeling more hopeful. Rhinitis ain't Aids so it can't be thaaaaat bad. With that new-found conviction burning in my heart, i packed my barang and props for the show. And off we went to Nong Khai (thks to Finair n Nokair)! The gals, Felicia and June (aka shanti n junita) were fab. Felicia is clearly born 2b an actress. As for June, she was just being herself. Versatile as usual, tripling up for 3 roles (the prostitudinal friend, doctor n yes, even the devil). Behsais, chew all rox!!! Shanti, keep pursuing yo gift in acting n Junita, chew r THE VP logistics of time immemorial lah. The immaculate heart of log sia. Prease be keeping yo solicititious red outfit for the grandchildren hor. Of kars, kudos to bavey who demonstrated extraordinaire digital mastery of the soundtrack for the show. Thanks bro! ;P

It was great seeing the hands going up after each show. 8 schools altogether over 3 days. Thank God for Deow who shared his awesome (only cos' it's all abt God) testimony of how he was healed of AIDS last year (that's rite, all 4 letters, no typo abt tt) by Jesus!!!!! For nothing is impossible with God, so what's rhinitis to Him??? But it clearly wasn't abt me. It was abt the hundreds of kids who were being ministered to through the drama. Kids from violent families, kids steeped in drugs, kids trying out prostitution to buy nice things or just one kid planning to end his life and suffering...

Jeff and Tammy were amazing, the missionaries stationed there. The unassuming gal who calls herself The Housewife is one dedicated dynamite ferrying us around, practically to the ends of the earth, with one school located in a remote village. Jeff was The Holy Terror, what an evagelist! I learnt so much from just watching him (heh, even got to preach briefly in the Boys' Technical School). But the children at the Boy's Home were my most beautiful and poignant memories. Looking at their faces, some hopeful, some bleak, I understood why I've been called to develop roadshows for developed and developing nations invaded by MTV. The angst, the sorrow and all the cyclical suffering Thailand is subject to by conspiratorial socio-economic forces of darkness. And the hope the Thais need for their broken bodies, hearts and homes.

Jesus Himself.