Charismatic

2 nights ago, the plaster of the ceiling over the living room cracked. It has major cracks in it and water is dripping everytime it rains. There must be a hole in the tiling/roofing. AHHHHHH. But praise God. I haven't been too disturbed by it. God seems to have kept me calm amongst a lot of mini trials that have been happening lately. Hope the owner fixes it fast. :( Praise God anyway. I have all to be thankful for when people in the Gap and Bardon have lost everything. :)

As I opened the door to usher in a student through the door of the studio, I heard him tell his friend emphatically, "Who cares about Jesus anyway?" I then asked him what they were discussing. He told me his friend believed in Jesus and asked him if he did. He said with a sneer on his little 9 year old face. "I don't believe in Jesus" My heart ached. And I didn't know what to say, or how to tell him Jesus loved him, or that there was God. His family is unchurched. Most of my colleagues in the workplace are unchurched. Really nice people who are polite, responsible, and moral. But all these are empty shells without God and his ultimate plan for the universe. Without the love and peace of the Lord God. I've felt the normal dillemma of a christian in the workplace. There is so much that can go wrong if I share the gospel. I can get in trouble with parents. I can't take lesson time to do such things unless it was my own studio. How do I tell kids, an...

:0 Yawn. Yes. Haven't had enough sleep on the weekend. On Thursday, I generally stay up late as I don't need to wake up early on Friday. But John rang me up at about 9am and we had some music stuff to discuss. Hence, I woke up earlier than expected. Friday, after the movie, I just decided not to sleep so early. Quantum of Solace was quite bad btw. Please don't waste your money on it. It was violent, had not Bond cliches like the 'shaken not stirred martini', the cars and gadgets, no Q, no suave and humourous lines, no style...It was mainly just violent, and there was no real plot about it. The showdown with the villian was silly [there wasn't any]. I walked out of the movie feeling like it was only half-finished, but yet very sick of all the violence. EH...DISAPOINTMENT! Let's hope AUSTRALIA will be better. Rachelle is currently staying over and marking. Since Pegs and Soph are away, it is nice to have company, even if she is busy with other things. Been qui...

I'm losing my whole life in Your purpose and for Your heart's desire These words have been ringing in my heart and head over and over again. Just thinking about seminar last weekend. I think, many a time, I've been so concerned about keeping my life good and safe and even 'purposeful'. For You all is put aside All for You and I Father, it's You I love O God. Would you make me willing, completely willing to put aside even good things for the relationship we should have?And for your purpose that no purpose can compare with... I'm devoted to You Sacred love my truth All in all I worship You... The words ring. I know I've not always been devoted to my Lord. So many things that are so silly and peripheral can distract me. But Lord, you are my truth. With everything that happens, I still want to love You and worship You. Precious God Into Your arms Wihtout blame I come Your love has saved us all God. To be able to come to You without blame, confidently,...

When God rested on the 7th day, he modeled something essential to us. Working 7 days a week[SUnday is not a rest day], even though it may be part time work, but it's been draining me. Feel so swamped with work. Even when I get home, there's invoicing, rolls and timetables, listening to youtube to learn new songs for the vocal students, concert running sheets, etc. Sub-contracting with 3 different companies has also given me the opportunity to see how good management and vision can make a difference in the workplace. So far, the company which I work for in the North is the best. What makes it good: Admin is not done by teachers . We can concentrate on teaching and not trying to fix up appointments and bookings. That is our exact job description and is strictly adhered to. We are paid fairly with 50% of the fee rate charged the students We have access to facilities like internet, microwaves, water, fridges, printers etc We have simple policies to follow. Rock up 15 min before l...

I'm coughing so badly. Sigh. Need to get better for work. 6 hours of teaching tomorrow. Non-stop. Lord Jesus, please heal my throat. I rebuke all the infection and command it to go! On a brighter note, thanks to Chrissy Bee's suggestions, I have been researching a couple of new authors and preachers. One of them is Andy Stanley, a pastor from North Point Communities in the US. I want to mention him, because I think he is a great communicator and because his preaching has brought breakthrough in my life. He has some free podcasts up on the web periodically. The series that impacted me are not there anymore, but they deal with the HEART, and DISCOVERING GOD'S WILL. I've heard many sermons on both these topics, but Andy's words were used by God to just speak into my heart and really give me encouragement to change this year. He spoke on the polluters of the heart: guilt, envy, anger etc. Listening to the sermon on guilt and accountability in the wee hours of the ni...

I believe the human soul is the most interesting specimen in this world. It has such intricacies and unexpected things in it. I never tire of getting to know people and reflecting on how God made us so wonderfully and sometimes frustratingly unique and different. Listening to Brad Mehldau as I type. If you are into fantastically improvised, yet soul-wrenching and intellectual piano music, check out his solo album, ELEGIAC CYCLE . I love the romantic and modern periods of classical period. And I love parts of jazz. He combines them so well. Sunday. For a day that I was up early for Praise and Worship, I'm surprised I'm not more tired than I am. Still coughing and wheezing though. NO GOOD! I have to teach tomorrow and the rest of the days. However, there was no woolshed today. So I went off with Nat to see a doctor. Couldn't really find one. We had tea instead. Went shopping Had a fat, long chat. So cool. At home, Allister is lending me his laptop because mine is officia...

My computer's dead. Right now, I'm on Sophia's comp. Haih. Allister kindly took it home to fix it and told me my C drive is corrupted. Boohoo...So sad....It has never died before. :(. It's 5 years old. Well, thank God for my recently purchased portable hard-drive. At least, most of my documents are backed up in there. Well, my body is not well. Haha..not it did not 'die' too. It's 23 years old and still running. But I got hit with a sudden throat infection and fever on Monday night. Called in sick on Tuesday. Still recovering. My voice sounds 'sexy'. Husky that is. I needed to teach for 8 hours today. So tired. I think God decided I need rest from work and from incessant 'computering'. I've been on so much, invoicing, emailing work related things, etctec. Feeling so wound up and stressed. But thank you to a few ppl who've been so kind recently. You guys are blessings from God. Rach, who bought me congee on Tuesday and fellowshipped on...

One dear little girls was singing 'My favourite things' from The Sound of Music. I decided to have some fun and quiz her about her favourie things according to the song. Charis: Do you like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens? SM : uh. I don't think so. Charis: Ok. Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens? Sm: : Hate kettles. Mittens like that are scratchy Charis: * scratches head . Schnitzel with noodles maybe? Or crisp apple strudel? SM : Don't like Schintzel. Apple strudel?what's that? Charis: I think it is a Danish-like thing. SM : Oh. They're ok. And that wild geese thingy with the moon on their wings? That's so annoying. Charis: *sighs and goes on . What DO you like then SM :Candy. Candy floss. Mint...Candy.. Charis rolls her eyes and wonders if her student's funny teeth are due to all of her favourite things.