Praise vs Encouragement

Lesson for today: People’s praise and opinions are INSIGNIFICANT.

“We humans are only a breath; none of us are truly great. All of us together weigh less than a puff of air.” –Psalm 62v9

Breath = puff of air = LIGHTER than air = vapor.

When someone says, “My, you look good today,” you’re thinking to yourself, “Thanks for the vaporous remark.” On the outside you’re polite, of course, and reply with a gracious, “Thank you.” But on the inside you’re not receiving the praise.

Wait a minute! This doesn’t mean we don’t encourage each other.

Too many leaders expect their people to encourage themselves. If we’re too busy to be friendly, then we’re out of balance. It can’t help build any relationship, so this is bad news for leaders who don’t go by this principle.

World renounced leader and author John C. Maxwell is said to be such a gifted encourager that everyone in the room feel SO VALUED after just an hour in his presence. Wow! I would like to work with that guy; furthermore I want to be LIKE that guy.

You might be saying: “I don’t think it works for me because I’m an introvert, I don’t really talk much, I’m not that good with people, so I guess I’m just gonna pass this one out.” Wrong! Just a simple smile can show approval to someone.

How? You’re an audience listening to an amateur speaker. That guy up there looks like he’s gonna pass out because it’s his first time, then he looks at you…If you give a smile and maybe add a little nod, I tell you, he’ll remember you till he’s gone.

Remember: Encouragement has to be made deliberately/on purpose. But once it’s done, a simple encouragement can make a difference that goes a long LONG way.

Conclusion: I do not seek/look for the praise of other people, but I do seek to honor and encourage other believers as much as possible.

Encourage and be a blessing to someone today :)

“Confessions” of a Leader

Hi, I’m a leader. I may not be a leader in a sense that I’m holding a top post, but I believe I do have leadership qualities and have lead in some ways or another in various areas.

I think I’m a capable leader, but I’m not good enough. I’m always, or not, often in the position of assistant or vice ever since I was young. Why so? I don’t know, at first. I’m still finding out, but I know for sure it’s a process God wants to bring me through in order to prepare me for the future.

My dream is to become an artistic leader. Artistic = Creative, precise, appealing. Now, ever since I was young, I was placed in the “No.2” position, whether in children church or in camps. I’m always in the supportive role. Others may see that I’m fit to be in the leading role, but in fact I’m not, at least not yet.

I remember a particular incident where I was assistant leader of a group in the children’s class of a ministers’ retreat. My group leader was Solomon King, and the other assistant was Moses. King didn’t do much work, so most was done by the assistants. Moses was a year older and did most of the organizing, while I do more of the “people stuff” like helping out the younger kids and working with them. King was like…King. He “approves” our stuff and just “sits on the throne”. My experience from the whole thing was working with people is my “thing”, and people like leaders who are knowledgeable. Like the kids was always turning to me and Moses for answers when there was a bible quiz, and I almost immediately get lotsa attention when I scored 20 bonus points answering right a bonus question. Yes, I still feel good about that, in fact, I’m a sucker for attention, typical Sanguine.

That was when I was 11-years old.

Now as I’m older, I’m still in “No.2”, like vice president in SF (Student Fellowship) and ImPACToRS (Youth Fellowship). Let’s just look at SF. The other vice was more in charge of paperwork while I’m more on people and relations. Hm…Talk about Dejavu?

Now how do I see this as God preparing me? Bible says, to be a leader you first have to be a servant. Okay, maybe that’s why God placed me in “No.2” so often. And frankly, looking back I’m somehow thankful for the roles He’s given me though it’s not top dog or anything spectacular. God knows my strengths and weaknesses, for the strengths, I praise Him, for the weaknesses, I believe He’s still working on them.

So yeah, bring it on God, wherever you place me, I’ll do my best to be faithful in it, and at the same time build others.
Be blessed~!

Title-less...

hm...I'm doing fine, not bad, not great, just good :)
everyday is a happy day, or not, hyper day.
well part of the day.

I sound emo.
OK that's enough for this post~!

RunNat 2010 -- Not Great, but Awesome

"Today while I was running ....i saw ppl running in the opposite direction....Most of them r running 4 RM3000 , but we ran for the Kingdom of God....praise God.... May You bless all the place we ran through..."-- Yeoh Ji Xun
When RunNat (http://www.runforthenation.com/) was going on here in AStar, another running event was taking place, intercepting our routes. The prize for the race was RM3000, and many people from primary school students to seniors took part in it. Because the routes were going in opposite directions and a huge number of people was from the marathon event, some RunNat runners got pushed and bummed while the marathon runners make their way through.There were many students from my school that took part in the event, either running or as patrols guiding the runners. I even saw 1 of my SF junior helping out. Seems like a pretty big and exciting event huh?

Now here's the scene: Imagine a group of runners are running in 1 direction, praying for their nation, basically running towards God. There's another larger group of people running in the opposite direction, going after the things of this world, money and such, and they're going with the flow, pushing their way through to be ahead. Some move alongside friends, some as couples, some alone, some speeding fast, some slowly taking their time, some even on wheelchairs..

Wow~ Is your imagination running already? You know where's this heading to, right? You know or you don't, please read on.

Let's compare the 2 groups. 1 small, 1 huge, but both consisting of people from many different races. 1going this way, the other going that. Its like Christians, don't you think? We are the minority, going against the flow of the world just because we want to go after God. We are being pushed at, bummed at, and while they dash towards us, we are being slowed down. Going against the flow is hard enough, but what about your friends who are running against you? You even see Christian friends taking part in the run of the World. Some are even telling you "Hey you're going the wrong way! Turn around!"

Take some time to think shall we...I'm running after God, what about you?

Sixth Form Prezzie..Votes, Anyone?

I've decided to go for a top committee post in my Sixth Form Society, its kinda like a form6 welfare committee. What am I lobby-ing for? Vice.
Okay okay, XP please don't squint at me like that. Prez. Or vice XD heheh~
I've went for an interview and I'm fortunate enough to be interviewed by the prezzie and PR/public coordinator. It went pretty well :)

I heard that the next step is to pull votes from the 6th formers, how? I'm not sure yet. I heard that the previous committee had to go to each class and campaign by doing all sort of stuff from singing to telling lame jokes or end up "chatting" with some sakai people. The "pull-votes" thingy lasted from 7.30am to 11+. I was like "Huh?!??!?" Thankfully this year they'll change the method by making it like...presenting yourself in the hall in the front of all the 6th formers.

Time to start pulling votes! I'm not telling how am I gonna do that, but I've found out 1 of the ways to cream up with the guys (especially upper6) is to call them "lengzai". Talk about cheap sugaring. But don't worry, he really is pretty good-looking. Shhhhh~

Hey Sakai Head, I learned from you k ;p

Guess what? Lee Sin Jie (SK-II model and main character for "Ice Kacang Puppy Love") will be doing some sort of activity at my school on the 28th, and the sixth form society (more accurately the lower6) will be the helpers in preparing the event! BTW, she's from my school FYI. XD
Now who says form6 ain't exciting?
God bless Keat Hwa! ^^

Back To School!

While school has started for almost 2 weeks now, i am reminded why i felt so dreadful while schooling last time.. It's all coming back again. But this time, i am more determined to do my thing, and make school a better place. And of cos, minus my burning temper which makes things so much easier.. And so, teachers have started coming into class, introducing subjects and giving us an overall pict of what we are going to bang our heads into for the next year and a half. Being from this school is an advantage for me as i already know most of the teacher's attitude and how they function. The good ones, i rejoice. the bad ones, i shrug my shoulders and study myself. It's interesting to c diff types of teachers in one school.. we have those committed and know their stuff, those committed but not really well verse with their stuff, those who r empty clanging tins, and those who just dont give a damn. What u r about to read now, is a real story...

HAH! You thought I typed that? Nuh-uh~ That was from my dear macho friend, Timmy (Go check out his blog, I think its pretty cool^^ seriously, click here)

School for me now is pretty much butterflies and flowers so far...lalalalala~ I mean seriously, I don't really have a problem with teachers, car park, clubs and societies, classes and subjects...For me, everything is pretty cool ^^ Good teachers, near-to-class parking spot, fun upper6 seniors, comfortable (and redecorated) class, nice peers...this activity that activity... plus being close to my dear SF "kaki"s!!!
Bottom line is, I'm pretty pleased coming back to form 6 ^^ too bad for those who complains about studying form6/teachers/form6 edu system...I know how to enjoy life ;)
Be in the will of God, that's the safest place to be. I can say confidently that it IS the will of God for me to come back to form6, though it doesn't seem so exciting at first. But when I'm doing my part on following His will and work my best in what He puts in my way, what could go wrong?
Plenty.

But I'm gonna be safe from the devil's plans as long as I stick to God *winks~ ;)

Wait for more updates on my school life^^(picture taken with Stella on my graduation day '09; I miss the times we take turns writing bible verses on the whiteboard, chatting about Christianity and random church/yf stuff...girl how could you change your mind and not stay back for form 6 T.T)

God bless all sixth formers!^^

Now, Only I Have The Mood..To Blog.

Blah~!

This is bad...When I have the mood, don't know what to blog...*sigh~

hm...I still think randomness rocks XD *teehee~ ~peace sign~


dumdeedumdum~
long time no use this phrase, those who know me long enough knows this.

the latest random word (and more frequently used) : ngiow ngiow.

I think its too short. Actually. Really. Sorry XP . :D

So...lets long-eth it shall we? as below:

"ngiow ngiow ngiow ngiow ngiow...
ngiow ngiow ngiow ngiow ngiow...
ngiow...ngiow...
ngiow ngiow ngiow ngiow..."

Anyone here watches spongebob? ever watched the part where spongebob and squidward "kena" mad-snail-disease and both turned into snails? then they sang with gary the snail at the end of the show. "ngiow ngiow ngiow ngiow ngiow..."

yeah u get the idea.

Rejoice! and again I say REJOICE! shampoo anyone?

Humility "Ouch"

C.S. Lewis remarked, "If any would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell them the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. If you think you are not conceited, you are very conceited indeed."

God lifts up the humble and the lowly.

Rose-y Random**

While preparing roses for mother's day at Phoeb's house...

Silas: *imitates plucking action~ She loves me...She loves me not...She loves me...She loves me not...

Pauline: I love myself...I love myself...I love myself...

A Song For Mama -- Mother's Day Special

Check out this performance by Phoeb, Liz and Charis on our church's mother's day special service!
Cool right? Now check out their bloopers XD

Haha! hope you enjoyed them! :)
God bless all moms!

Date Me? Are You Mature Enough? Forget It Lah~

Here’s some interesting stuff I got (or at least I remembered) from Impactors BGR Forum (not the teaching session).

“Do girls like pink or purple?”
“It depends.”

“Diamond ring or not?”
“It also depends.”

“How to get out of a ‘triangle’ relationship?”
“Don’t get involved in it in the first place.”

“How to get out of ‘group’ love?”

Huh???...

“Also don’t get involved in it in the first place.”

“How to reject a guy you don’t like?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t think I’m the girl for you.”

“If he’s persistent?”
“I’m sorry. You’re not the kind of guy I’m looking for.”

“What’s the suitable age to get involved in a serious relationship?”
“When you’re mature enough.”

“So that means we can have a boyfriend/girlfriend first then get married when we’re mature?”
“No. Be friends till you’re mature enough then only start dating.”

“So what’s the suitable AGE to get involved in a serious relationship?”
“When you’re already working and are independent.”

ZKang: “Huh…??? Still so long more?”
JX : “Okay tomorrow I’ll start working.”

*Laughs~

“Should I tell my parents that I like someone?”
“Again, make sure you’re mature enough, after praying and confirming, and then you should tell your parents. It’s important to receive their blessings.”

“What if the in-laws parents can’t cooperate with their son/daughter in-law?”
“Live out of your parents’ home if you can. That is why bible say man shall leave his parents and be united with his wife (Genesis 2v24)”

“Brother HH, how did you catch WW’s heart?” (HH is one of our forum panel “reply-er”, newly married)
“Erm…”

“Is there any special technique?”
“There’s no special technique, I just be a good guy…and then when we get to know each other, we know that it’s God’s will to be together.”

“How you know?”
“Erm…Find a girl who is also a Christian. You’ll know lah…There’ll be this special…Erm…Special ‘signal’.”

*Laughs~

Ibu S.H : “It’s true there’s no special technique to how to attract someone. When you’re looking for Mr./Miss Right, first, be a Mr./Miss Right yourself. When you have the Fruit of the Spirit, who doesn’t love you?”

Awesome! Well said Ibu S.H!

So what have I learned?
“你要向我告白？你够成熟吗？”
(translated: You wanna confess/Are you asking me out? Are you mature enough?”)

Hahaha…Sounds like I’m criticizing. But seriously, HH and Ibu S.H emphasized a lot on maturity whether it’s emotional or spiritual.

I think this is the best BGR topic/ session we had in Impactors. (There were lots of laughs) *teehee~
God bless!

God--The BGR Genius

Why did God took out a rib bone from Adam and not a piece of his skull or leg bone to create Eve?

1. Not from his skull because a wife is not to become the head of man;
2. Not from his leg because man is not to step on his wife;
3. From his side so husband and wife work together side by side,
4. Under his arm so she would be protected by him,
5. And close to his heart.

Now isn’t God a BGR genius? Remember, God is love.
God bless~

Seriously, Why Want A Bf/Gf?

Ibu S.H : “Jake, why do you think you want to have a girlfriend?”
Jake : “Erm…*shrug~”
Ibu S.H : “Huh? You don’t know? I mean what’s your opinion, why do you think you want a girlfriend?”
Jake : “Erm…I haven’t thought about it yet. I haven’t had a girlfriend.”
Ibu S.H : “You haven’t thought about it? You should think about it before you had a girlfriend. JX, why do you think you want to have a girlfriend?”
JX : “Erm…To fulfill God’s will?”
Ibu S.H : “Hm…Yeah, I know it’s to fulfill God’s will but that’s not the answer I want. Celina, why do you think you want to have a boyfriend?”
Celina : “Erm…”
Jed : “To have someone to whack.”
Phoeb : “But who doesn’t whack back!”

*Everyone laughs~

Ibu S.H : “Haha…Ok so Celina, why?”

Oh no what should I say? Man, this isn’t a trick question. Should I just come out with a joking answer about it? Come on now…what should I say? Think think think!

Celina : “Erm…Simple. Find boyfriend to find a husband lah~”
Ibu S.H : “Yes! That’s the answer I’m looking for.”

Huh? Really? Oh cool I got it right! Though I think Phoeb’s answer is pretty cool too.

ImPACToRS had a BGR teaching session & forum for the past 2/3 weeks. The main stuff I learnt from the session was: Don’t get involved in a relationship unless you’re planning to marry someone.

Getting involved in a serious relationship is a real serious stuff (you see the word “SERIOUS”?) The first episode in the story of humanity is about love, Adam & Eve! You see, God is love, yeah we all know that, but he’s also incredibly so into BGR too. So it’s real sad to see breakups between dating couples and even married couples.

Conclusion: SERIOUSly consider if you are stepping into a SERIOUS relationship because it’s to determine your future husband (for girls) or wife (for guys) because marriage is SERIOUS. SERIOUSLY!

God loves you…seriously :) ♥

Love Is In The Air, Is It?

Why in the world is the BGR topic getting more popular recently?
I tell you its crazy man, it seems like everyone is talking about it from my juniors to my peers to even seniors!
*sweat~
Fine!
I've decided to have a "BGR marathon" blog posting (I don't know what to call it..hehe~)
So get ready for a series of blog posts on BGR topics.
I'm just gonna go with the flow XD
*winks~

Peace out!

People Are Undependable

People are undependable.
Even Christians are undependable.
Even Christian leaders with their best and most sincere efforts are undependable.

“You can’t depend on anyone, not even a great leader. Once they die and are buried, that will be the end of all their plans.” –Psalm 146v3-4

Those who put their trust in man will always be disappointed. Either man will fail you in your time of need, or he will do something to scandalize you, or he will move away from you, or even in the best circumstances (lets say that the man of God is faithful and true throughout his entire lifetime), he will DIE on you!

You can’t put your trust in any human! The one who praises you today may very possibly disappoint and reject you tomorrow. You might as well say “Hey buddy, Jesus endorses me, so scram.” (Endorses = confirms, approves)
But hey, there’s a catch.

We need each other for encouragement, counsel, prayer support, practical help, wisdom, perspective, correction etc. BUT, our sense of acceptance and trust can only be in God ALONE.

Now would you like to put your trust in this unfailing God? Follow these ABCs to do so:
Admit –you’re a sinner/imperfect. No one can live up to the Holy God’s standard. That’s why no human being is dependable!
Believe –Jesus died on the cross for you. God loves YOU so much that He sent Jesus to take YOUR penalty to save YOU from YOUR sins. Now that’s some one I can trust my life with!
Confess –your sinfulness/imperfection to God, and turn away from it. It could be a sincere cry from your heart, or it may be expressed out loud like this: “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner. I believe that Jesus died for my sins. I trust Him as my Savior (penyelamat). Come into my heart, I make you my Lord and King.”

There you have it, welcome to the family of God! Put your trust in God today :)
God bless~

"I Also Want To Sembang!"

One day while chilling before YF meeting starts...

"I also want to sembang!"

Liz + Ibu S.H.: "Huh? What?"

Phoeb: "Oh Celina says she also wants to sembang."

Liz: "Oh ok. Lets talk about...Worms! Worms are disgusting."

*Everyone laughs ~

Seriously, there are more random people than me, and I thank God for that!
God bless the random and the chatty ^^

Hyper...High...Random!

I'm high already...
Not too hyper, but fairly high.
Getting random too...


Some readers: "That's typical of you Celina.....As usual...."

Isn't what Celina is known for? Well at least among ImPACToRS, SF, and perhaps when I'm around Christians (I don't know why) Anyway cheerfulness is good for the body, mind and spirit ^^ (Proverbs 17v22)

Do you know that smiling is the beginning of love? At least that's what I was told. haha~
C'mon, in the Middle East people greet each other with a kiss, bible says greet each other with a HOLY KISS (Romans 16v16)

So smile or kiss? I'd rather smile XD God bless!