Woke up puking the first night home...knew I'm in for a bad GE. Spiked fever, barely even able to walk to the clinic (thank God for Andrew). Suffered a day or 2...But it was a blessing in disguise.
Had extra time to sort things out, the other many things in my life that I had nicely chucked away under the pressure of work. Spent time looking through facebook, seeing how all my old friends are...some I almost could not recognise after the many years since we met. Ah, such friendship...and such a pity to have moved on without them. As life goes on, we make new friends...but does that mean we leave our old ones behind? Yet we all have only so many hours a day, how can we keep up with all our friends?
Boracay was beautiful!!!! And we can only thank God and praise Him in view His glory. The clear blue sky, crystal clear water and white sandy beaches. I almost could not believe the photos I took. They were so beautiful it looks almost artificial :) But God brought us physically there, to enjoy such wonder, to bless us with great sun and beautiful weather, and openned our eyes to witness His creation. To creation, the bible has it "And He saw that it was good"...AMEN!!!!
But above the beauty of nature, God has blessed me especially, with dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. This trip, through Sam, Jon and Dawn, God has taught me so much and openned my eyes to see the flith inside me, the dirtiness which I have been blinded to or chosen not to acknowledge. Indeed, true friends point out your darkest mistakes hoping that u become someone better, and I praise God for blessing me with such friends.
Some lessons
1. As much as I have always advocate critising one's motivation, I realised just how little I qns my own motivation in doing things. Like bargining, realised how petty I can be to try and under cut others for the fun of it. Need to learn to respect others for the goods they provide, recognising that this is their means of living. Eg One gave above the bargined price cos he felt that the handmade goods were worth paying for, though I emphasised that the cost price is probably much lesser.
2. Had lost my passion and sensitivity for envangelism/bible reading/regular devotion until this trip, when I witnessed once again just how being deeply rooted in the word produces the fruits of the Spirit...and yea, my tree was definitely dying. Thank God for the reminder and for reigniting the passion and discipline (thru worry for my own Spiritual well-being and urgency before it is too late I must say). Need to start reading again...no more excuses!!!
Need to be more sensitive to opportunities to share. Realised just how many chances to share the gospel had slipped pass me and also just how bad a testimony I have been. Hyporite!!!! Oh God, humble me and shape my heart to be like yours, to be eager to be a blessing and direct others to you!
Need to be more prayerful...spontaneous prayer. For God hears!!! Better to pray NOW then say I'll pray later and forget all about it.
3. Not everything in life can be explained. Not every explaination fits every situation. We are all different, from different culture/background/situation...and thus being diverse, we cannot assume that everyone, every situation is the same. But nonetheless, our God never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, everyday! And thus it is important to hold on the His principles and work things out from there.
What a trip, of physical resting and Spiritual revival. Praise the Lord!!! Father, I pray that the lessons you have taught me will not be forgotten. Please continue to shape my dull and broken heart, revive my spirit so that my life will scream JESUS CHRIST!!! and not me. Amen.
Had extra time to sort things out, the other many things in my life that I had nicely chucked away under the pressure of work. Spent time looking through facebook, seeing how all my old friends are...some I almost could not recognise after the many years since we met. Ah, such friendship...and such a pity to have moved on without them. As life goes on, we make new friends...but does that mean we leave our old ones behind? Yet we all have only so many hours a day, how can we keep up with all our friends?
Boracay was beautiful!!!! And we can only thank God and praise Him in view His glory. The clear blue sky, crystal clear water and white sandy beaches. I almost could not believe the photos I took. They were so beautiful it looks almost artificial :) But God brought us physically there, to enjoy such wonder, to bless us with great sun and beautiful weather, and openned our eyes to witness His creation. To creation, the bible has it "And He saw that it was good"...AMEN!!!!
But above the beauty of nature, God has blessed me especially, with dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. This trip, through Sam, Jon and Dawn, God has taught me so much and openned my eyes to see the flith inside me, the dirtiness which I have been blinded to or chosen not to acknowledge. Indeed, true friends point out your darkest mistakes hoping that u become someone better, and I praise God for blessing me with such friends.
Some lessons
1. As much as I have always advocate critising one's motivation, I realised just how little I qns my own motivation in doing things. Like bargining, realised how petty I can be to try and under cut others for the fun of it. Need to learn to respect others for the goods they provide, recognising that this is their means of living. Eg One gave above the bargined price cos he felt that the handmade goods were worth paying for, though I emphasised that the cost price is probably much lesser.
2. Had lost my passion and sensitivity for envangelism/bible reading/regular devotion until this trip, when I witnessed once again just how being deeply rooted in the word produces the fruits of the Spirit...and yea, my tree was definitely dying. Thank God for the reminder and for reigniting the passion and discipline (thru worry for my own Spiritual well-being and urgency before it is too late I must say). Need to start reading again...no more excuses!!!
Need to be more sensitive to opportunities to share. Realised just how many chances to share the gospel had slipped pass me and also just how bad a testimony I have been. Hyporite!!!! Oh God, humble me and shape my heart to be like yours, to be eager to be a blessing and direct others to you!
Need to be more prayerful...spontaneous prayer. For God hears!!! Better to pray NOW then say I'll pray later and forget all about it.
3. Not everything in life can be explained. Not every explaination fits every situation. We are all different, from different culture/background/situation...and thus being diverse, we cannot assume that everyone, every situation is the same. But nonetheless, our God never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, everyday! And thus it is important to hold on the His principles and work things out from there.
What a trip, of physical resting and Spiritual revival. Praise the Lord!!! Father, I pray that the lessons you have taught me will not be forgotten. Please continue to shape my dull and broken heart, revive my spirit so that my life will scream JESUS CHRIST!!! and not me. Amen.
