Working and Walking

I work in advertising. Cussing, screaming, anger over deadlines, yelling, drinking, partying, alcoholic stupidity, overindulgence, pride and more. All accepted as common industry practice. What would never be allowed to happen in a normal office, such as telling your boss to go screw himself, takes place on weekly basis in the office where I work. Sometimes I think its like a cesspool of sin.

Daily, I struggle with this. I try my darnest not to swear, I try not to get angry when others make incredibly stupid mistakes, I try not to slap creatives who chose the 11th hour to have a diva fit. This is not exactly the perfect environment to be in for a Christ-follower - full of stumbling blocks and temptation, like little mousetraps just waiting for you to let down your guard. I asked God a while ago, "Why place me, such a young Christian, here?"

Two days ago, while talking to Him as I got ready for work, He helped me look at things from the other side of the coin.

Volcanoes are extremely destructive and living in the vicinity of an active one is usually considered risky and dangerous. Yet many people do. Why? When a volcano erupts, along with lava, it also throws out a lot of ash. At short notice, the ash can be really harmful to the environment, but in the long term, this ash layer contains many useful minerals, and in time, will be forms very fertile soil.

How wonderful would it be to be able to plant His seeds here! In fertile soil. I'm so happy that He's allowed me to be a part of this, to do His work through me... and at the same time flattered/stunned that He would trust me with such a major deal.

God is truly truly mind-blowing. Hallelujah. Thank you for having faith in me Father.

Love from across oceans

Mark 12:31 says, "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' ..." and Exodus 20:13 says, "You shall not murder."

I am definitely not the most patient person in the world. In fact, quite a lot of people in our little dot on the map I find downright annoying. Recently, there was season in my life where God kept teaching me about patience and love for everyone I meet. Seriously everyone.

I've come to realise that:

1. I need extra grace to love some people, but with God, all things are possible.
   
2. some are easier to love from a distance. Still loving, and no murdering.

Comparatively, our job is so so simple!

Jesus was unbelievable. After He spent all that time getting insulted, whipped, nailed to a cross and killed by people, He still loves His children so so much and even while He was hanging from the cross, He was patient and forgiving. Every day, people insult God, blame Him for difficult times, doubt His existence and do so so much evil, yet He is patient and kind and His love is never ending.

...and yet we hate pretentious people, neighbours who slam their front door too hard or sisters that hog the bathroom.

Love. From a distance if necessary, but love one and all.

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.There is no commandment greater than these."
Mark 12:30-31

A Father's Love Letter

This was read out during our mothers' day service. I know its rather tardy of me to be posting this only now, but I very much wanted to have this up before I posted anything else.

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love,
Your Dad.

He ain't heavy

The night before the cremation, I dreamt that Jordan, V and I were sitting at the back of a taxi. It was the morning of the cremation and sunlight was streaming through the windows as trees flew by. He was smiling and happy, looking oh so Jordan. He asked if anyone needed a ride to get to his wake. He wondered if his coffin was gonna be too heavy and wanted to know if his brothers needed help with it. At the back of that taxi-cab, we were happy, we were smiling and we were free. And when I woke I knew he was alright. Everything was alright.



The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother...

Thank you Lord.

10 The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Psalm 90:10

This morning, we attended the final service for Jordan. We kissed flowers and left them on his coffin, cried as the final prayer was said to commit his body to the Lord for cremation.

It was heart wrenching to see his family weeping and shouting his name. But in the midst of all that sorrow, was Jordan's mother who, as the coffin was wheeled towards the flames, cried out praises to the Lord, thanking Him for twenty-five years with Jordan. She shouted her thanks, lifted her hands in worship and wept bittersweet tears knowing that her son was with our Father. Jordan's dad did likewise with tears streaming down his face, echoing his wife in worship and thanksgiving. That was unshakable faith and God-given strength that I witnessed today. It was undeniable that God was present in the viewing hall this morning. Father just as you said you would.

11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11

So like as Exodus 15:2 goes...
2 The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.

...Father I praise you. I thank you Lord for blessing us with the time we had with Jordan. I worship you with all my heart. You are an awesome, awesome God!

I come before you today
And there's just one thing that I want to say
Thank you lord
Thank you lord
For all you've given to me
For all the blessings that I cannot see
Thank you lord
Thank you lord

With a grateful heart
With a song of praise
With an outstretched arm
I will bless your name
Thank you lord
I just wanna thank you lord
Thank you lord
I just wanna thank you lord
Thank you lord

For all you've done in my life
You took my darkness and gave me your light
Thank you lord
Thank you lord
You took my sin and my shame
You took my sickness and healed all my pain
Thank you lord
Thank you lord

Jordan Tay

Jordan was one the smartest guy friends I had. He had finally settled into a stable job that he was proud of, that he worked very hard at. He had just started seeing someone. Jordan was one of the most sensible bikers I knew. Recently he became the youngest Ducati owner in Singapore.

The last intense conversation we had was over lime sodas at the Handlebar. It was his first time to Handlebar and he absolutely loved the place. We talked about death and Jordan wanted Heaven to be like the Handlebar.

At about 3am Sunday morning, Jordan was riding home from a barbecue at a friend's place, going down a straight, smooth road, the front of his bike started wobbling severely from side to side. Friends riding behind him saw the bike shake violently, sparks flying, then Jordan.

Jordan Tay was called home to be with the Lord on 4 May 08. The wake is held at 38 Sin Min Drive #01-545. Cortege leaves on Wednesday 7 May for Madai Crematorium for cremation at 11.30am. Please pray for his family and friends. Pray for strength, peace and acceptance. But praise the Lord also, for Jordan is home now.

He left with his family and his four best friends by his side, last thing he was doing was riding on his new baby. If anything, that was the way that he would have wanted to go. He left such a deep impression on everyone who had ever known him. He made people think harder, smile brighter and live stronger. Sometimes, it seems that God takes all the good ones first.

Even though I cry over his passing, I'm grateful that he didn't suffer long and comforted that he is home with the Lord. Thank you God.

I know that when my days are over here, we'll see each other again. Bro I love you. See you when I see you.