Sunday, April 27, 2008

Bill Hybels & Wayne Cordeiro

What a treat! What a feast!

When I signed up for this conference, I thought it would probably be viewing some video of Bill Hybels & Wayne Cordeiro’s teaching. At best, I thought that it could be some video conferencing. To my complete surprise, both of them actually turned up “live” to some 100 (? my estimate) pastors and leaders for a whole day of leadership training!

Both of them shared so much insights about God, church, people, family and ministry. Both of them are some of the leaders that I have learnt so much as I listened to their teaching on VCDs and DVDs. To have both of them live is simply amazing.

It was mostly in a Q&A discussion format. It was very interesting as various view oints and opinions were shared very openly.

Because of their vast experiencesin ministry and life, they shared many nuggets of great insight that are made so practical and do-able. They certainly raised my faith level and imparted much of God’s passion into my heart. I could literally feel myself grow as the day went along.

I was a bit embarrassed to be too forthright in snapping any photos. I was trying very hard to act cool about the whole deal. Anyhow, I managed to snap some shots rather discreetly. That explains the quality of the photos. One was actually taken during the prayer time when we were supposed to be closing our eyes and bowing our heads!

I will need to take some time to digest what was taught. Rest assured that I will share it with you guys at the right time!



Friday, April 25, 2008

We Will Rock You











Some really wonderful friends, Claudia & I went to see the “We Will Rock You” musical at the Esplanade on Thursday.

Prior to watching it, I have gotten a “you must surely watch it” review to a “its ok lah” review. The latter comment came from someone of much closer to my age. So I did not go to the musical with high expectation.

I have been a Queen fan for many years already. In my opinion, Freddie Mercury’s voice is one of its kind! It would be no exaggeration that he had a really really great voice. I don’t subscript to his lifestyle but I certainly enjoy his (Queen’s) music.

The opening number was Radio Ga Ga done in a chick-flip manner. I was thinking to myself that this is going to be a long evening.

But everything from that point on simply went up and up. There were parts that were really witty. You need to have a certain amount of knowledge of older songs in general in order to understand the clever play of words and pun.

For the next 170 minutes (including the 20 min intermission), I was bowed over with the music. It bought me to my growing up world. It bought me back to my old LP (old black records) and turntable days. I remember rocking to the “We Will Rock You” “Hammer To Fall” “Another One Bites The Dust” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” "A Kind Of Magic" "Bicycle" (only two lines!) etc etc.

As the show came to an end, there was just this sense of dissatisfaction as “Bohemian Rhapsody” wasn’t sung. Queen music without Bohemian Rhapsody is like Fried Kway Teow without Cockles! It is unthinkable and almost blasphemous.

But God was faithful, the musical ended on a very very high note when they sang Bohemian Rhapsody. It was great but not nearly as great as how Freddie did it with Brain May on Electric Guitar. Anyhow, my thirst for Queen music was largely satisfied.

If you love Queen, you have to watch the musical. It’s therapeutic.

If you don’t love Queen, what’s wrong with you?!?

Thursday, April 24, 2008

The Classroom for Great Leadership - Wayne Cordeiro

Below is a good article that was sent to me. Enjoy and learn much...


The Classroom for Great Leadership

Brazilian soccer players train in desperate conditions.

Their fields are bumpy and the conditions are far from ideal. All of this is done intentionally regardless of how much the young hopefuls complain. It is not a matter of money or resources available. The Brazilians have taken home the World Cup trophy several times, and players like Pele are legendary.

So why the archaic conditions?

In an article on the Brazilian method of training, the coach said that if these young players could excel in these uneven fields, they will be exemplary on turf that is level and smooth. And if they can go without water for an afternoon's practice in the hot sun, they will develop into consummate players under the lights. Playing soccer in the stadiums would become, not a task, but something they would execute with ease.

All because of uneven playing fields and training in conditions that were less than ideal.

I have often wondered about the way God used King David. Some years ago, I visited Israel and walked past the Tomb of David. It was bedecked with flowers and wreaths. People were still paying their respects to the greatest king Israel had ever known … 1200 years later!

Where did this all begin?

An Uneven Playing Field
When I have taught in the past, I have used Saul as an example of poor leadership. He exemplifies an insecure leader who spent most of his life defending his territory rather than expanding his influence. His insecurity finally did him in and caused the death of many others.

But let's rewind the tape a bit to the beginning when Samuel the Prophet was instructed by God to anoint a king.

"When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, 'This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people'." –1 Sam. 9:17 NIV

Didn't God know that Saul would be a bad King? Didn't He know that David would be forced to flee as a fugitive from his insanity and jealousy? Didn't He know that Saul's own fears would bring death to himself and his son, Jonathan?

It wouldn't be long that the tables would be turned, and David would be King. Soon, the Golden Age of Israel would be ushered in and the lineage of David established. He would still be known today as the greatest king the Jewish people ever knew (besides Jesus, of course.)

God is the greatest coach of all when it comes to building leaders.

Evaluating Our Conditions
Leadersneed to get good at making judgments. If this quality is refined and honed, it is defined as decisiveness or clear resolve in unraveling tough problems.

But an unguarded strength can become our greatest weakness.

When things don't go as we had expected, we determine that it is obviously not be the way God did either. We tend to define God the way we define life; that the way we see things should clearly be the way God sees them, too.

What I forget is that I see only as far as I can see. But God, on the other hand, sees eternity. He sees the end from the beginning.

The Classroom of Great Leaders
God knew that part of David's training would be found in the caves of the desert just as He knew that Joseph's training would be in the prisons of Egypt. Moses would be taught in the Sinai and Jacob's classroom had slippery Laban as the instructor for over fourteen years.

The result?

- David became the greatest king Israel ever had.

- Joseph became pharaoh and singlehandedly saved Israel from a famine.

- Moses led two million people.

- Jacob became the father of the twelve tribes.

Yes, God knew what He was doing.

When circumstances in my life don't unfold in an orderly manner, I react. After all, shouldn't I if things that "aren't right?” I squirm and fuss when I don't see things clearly, and I limit my faith to my understanding.

Not good.

Regrets or Gratitude?
I look back at the way I was raised. It wasn't necessarily the best upbringing … a non Christian family, divorce, broken family, failed at two high schools … But looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. These were rough classrooms with tough instructors. But God allowed them to be there because He could see my assignment and my future. He saw what I would need for what He'd assign later on.

Faith is living in advance what you will only understand in reverse.

Leadership and shepherding requires that we learn to live by faith … more sooner than later! God knows what we must develop, what character qualities we will need to cultivate in order to succeed at our assignment that is yet unrevealed at the present.

A Leader's Prayer
Here's a leadership prayer that may help us to find courage in the caves and streams in the desert:

Dear Father:

You are all wise. Teach me stay faithful and steady. Help me to trust You. I mean, really trust you. Not after I struggle but before … so I won't need to unnecessarily struggle. I am not opposed to pain. Just unnecessary pain!

As the days go by, draw me closer so I become less like me, and more like You!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Serving Others

As I have challenged during the services, I served some people around me this week. I did my best to meet their needs.

For my family, I spent some quality time talking to my dad. I could tell that my dad was really happy for the meaningful time that I had with him. We spoke about his health, his daily routine, his time with his friends and his food intake. When I said that it was great that we could spend some time talking, he readily agreed that it was indeed very nice to have spent time like that together.

I was also more intentional to connect with some of my colleagues. I took the time to help one of my colleagues in her work. I hope to be able to give her some very useful practical advice soon. I have purposely set aside time to think about her work.

I have also intentionally challenged one of my good friends towards growth. I sensed that he needed a push to get him up to the next level of play in the Kingdom. During our talk, I could literally see him grow when challenged to do better and more for His Kingdom. It was very strengthening to my own spirit as well.

Then during night, a home visitation gave me the opportunity to strengthen a long time comrade in our church. It was most rewarding to me to be able to serve the needs and play a small part in the refreshment in the person’s life.

As I had preached on the weekend, I believed these verses to the core of my being. As I go about serving God’s people, God will take good care of me!

Deuteronomy 15:10-11
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

Have you served anyone's needs this week?

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Hillsong Conference 2007 Opening

This was sent to me. It is cool! Enjoy!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Shirt Hunting

Allow me to illustrate my shopping instinct through narrating to you how I bought a shirt recently.

I needed (not wanted) a new shirt as I will be preaching more often. What I did was to go for a place to eat where they have some shirt shops.

After eating, I set a goal to be in and out of a shirt shop (one that I frequent often) in under 10 minutes.

After 3 mins
I went to the first rack and asked for my shirt size for a certain pattern that I had picked. Sales girl said no more my size. I asked her what pattern has my size.

After 5 mins
I was told that there only one pattern left that had my size. What to do! That is the pattern then (in my opinion, the pattern is quite nice)

After 8 mins
Tried the size and pattern

After 10 mins
Paid for the shirt

After 14 mins
Got the sales girl to iron my shirt (so can wear ASAP)

After 15 mins
Mission Accomplished but missed my 10-minute goal!

This may be good teaching material on how to hunt for a shirt! I don’t shop. I hunt and buy and leave.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Istimewa Nasi Padang

Since a very long time, I have also loved to eat Nasi Padang. I think it first started with the Nasi Padang at Scotts Shopping Centre (not sure if the shop still exists).

But then again, there is Nasi Padang and there is really good Nasi Padang. A good Nasi Padang dish comprises good gravy, spicy chilli, extremely fragrant redang lembu, sayur lodeh, wonderful squid, sambal egg plant, fried chicken, omelette, begadel etc etc. (spelling in Bahasa are probably wrong!)

There is this very good and rather famous store at Block 28, Hoy Fatt Road (off Jalan Bukit Merah). The coffee shop is actually called Chong Wah Restaurant. The famous shop name is Istimewa Nasi Padang (Istimewa means Special). The Nasi Padang is indeed very special. It has been featured in a few food programs.

My advice for you is to be there at around 11am plus. Any later and all the great stuff will be sold out. The early bird will get to choose from the wide variety of Nasi Padang paradise. I only go there during my day off so that I can be there early to get the best stuff.

If you love chilli like me, ask for lots of the sambal chilli. It’s so nice that you can eat it on its own. Ask for lots of gravy on your Nasi too.

By the way, this is not exactly health food but it is Istimewa food! Diet can always start tomorrow…


Monday, April 07, 2008

Mark Of A Leader 'Not In His Top Grades'

I have heard many comments over the years that the Singapore Government focuses too much on Educational Elitism in their leadership selection. Besides education, other competence are often left out or sidelined.

For your reading... if you have more thoughts, do share it with me as well. Perhaps you have some insight that will enlighten me further.

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That is the assessment of those who were top students. They value competence, leadership qualities, including EQ, more. -ST
Jeremy Au Yong

Mon, Apr 07, 2008
The Straits Times

ACADEMIC grades are a useful measure for identifying a potential political leader but it should not be the topmost criterion.

That assessment came, interestingly enough, from people who were top students, with four As in their A levels.

They were reacting to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's statement on his urgent search for a successor in an interview on Tuesday, when he also highlighted the brain drain among the 4As students. PM Lee had also indicated that based on past experience, it would take about three elections to groom a leader.

The Straits Times interviewed 10 people who had 4As, and the key traits they seek in the country's leaders are competence, capability and leadership qualities, including emotional quotient or EQ.

Top grades are not critical, they added.

Even a PM without a university degree is not anathema to civil servant Jenny Tan.

'I'm not vehemently against it,' said the 28-year-old. 'It's just one factor. Work and track record are more important.''

Another civil servant, Mr C.L. Lian, 31, put it this way: 'The person must have demonstrated intellect and problem-solving ability, but the emphasis doesn't have to be on grades. I'm sure Bill Gates would be someone you want.'

Mr Gates, co-founder of software giant Microsoft, is one of the world's most famous university dropouts.

Mr Lian added that though the current selection system was sound, the grooming period might have to be shortened.

'Currently, there is this grooming period but we may not have 20 years to give,' he said, referring to PM Lee who entered politics in 1984 and became PM in 2004.

Mr Lian said it was important for the political leaders to decide which parts of government need leaders with knowledge and experience in government, and which ministries can do with leaders without government experience.

He cited Senior Counsel K. Shanmugam - who is going straight from being an MP to Law Minister - as a case of a person who was not groomed to be a minister, but had the right skills and experience.

Some interviewed, like Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong, felt there may be a need to change the way leaders are chosen.

Said Mr Siew, who had 4As in his A levels: 'Now, we seem to be going about choosing one like we go about giving scholarships. There's this list of objective criteria.'

The answer to who should be the next PM will depend on how the question is framed, he added. 'If we are looking for technocrats and managers, then you'll be competing with the world. If you frame it differently, if you're looking for leaders of the future, you probably could come up with a different characteristic.'

MP Baey Yam Keng, another top scorer, said academic excellence was a 'necessary although not sufficient' criterion. Even then, he said exceptions could be made. 'Grades are important at the entry point but over the years, they become less and less important.'

In his interview with The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao, PM Lee had highlighted data that show one in four - 150 out of 600 - top A-level students yearly works overseas after their studies. 'This flow is going to continue. So it's a big challenge to find successors, particularly for politics,' he said.

The extent of this brain drain does not surprise those interviewed, who added that it is not at the heart of the problem.

Said corporate tax associate Sarah Seow, 26: 'I believe the greater problem isn't the brain drain, but the political apathy of my generation.

'I know that among my peers still staying on in Singapore, many of us are talented and intelligent enough to become the Government's next tier of leaders - the only problem is that we may have become so caught up in our own careers and desires that we don't see a reason to get involved in politics.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Apr 4, 2008.

Friday, April 04, 2008

Wannabe Robber Leaves Behind Photo ID

Dennis taught me on how I can create a online filing cabinet for good stories, quotes, video etc. It is so easy and so powerful.

Thanks Dennis!

Below is one of the funny story that I have collected.
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AP - Friday, April 4

WARREN, Mich. - A would-be bank robber came away empty-handed but left behind something useful for police: her photo identification.

The woman was arrested less than an hour later on a charge of attempted armed robbery, Police Commissioner William Dwyer said.

The woman filled out an account application Thursday morning, then pulled a handgun and demanded cash, Dwyer said. She panicked and fled without getting any money; police found an address on the account application, along with her photo ID.

The address was for an apartment near the bank. The manager gave the woman's new address to police, who arrested her without incident.

"We're probably not dealing with the smartest person in the world," Dwyer told The Detroit News for a story published online Thursday.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Proverbs 21:31

As shared over the pulpit, I had been spending time in the wisdom book of Proverbs. I need more wisdom in all the dealings of my life!

Loo has also been sending me regular sms-es from the book of Proverbs. Apparently, he thinks that I need wisdom as well : )

Anyhow, as I landed on the 21 st chapter of this wisdom book, one of the verses that I had memorized so much in the past struck me afresh again.

Below is that verse…

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. - Proverbs 21:31

Obviously, God is not against planning and preparation. In fact, God esteems good preparation. Being prepared and having a good plan are not acts of faithlessness. On the contrary, they are fruits of faith. We believe God so much and that is why we work so hard.

Although I live in a different era, I would imagine that getting a horse ready for battle wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. It would certainly mean lots of hard work, thorough checking, having and keeping to schedule and meeting lots of deadlines.

However, even as we go about doing our best in preparation and planning; we mustn’t for a single nanosecond think that our success and victory comes solely due to our own work. It is Jesus who helps us. Apart from Him, we can do nothing!

Lord, help me to always do my best in all my undertakings. And help me to also fully depend on you every single step of the way. Only in and through You can I have any victory!

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

What A Wonderful Weekend!

On Saturday, I preached at the Indo service as we remembered God’s faithfulness after having launched our service for one whole year already. Our first service was started on the 31 March 2007. Since then, we have grown greatly in quantity and quality. Thank you people for bringing God's dream one step towards its greater fulfillment.













Following the Indo service, I made my way to the Golden Mile Complex (famous for good and cheap authentic Thai food) for our Poly camp. I did not even know that there was a meeting hall in this complex. Having our camp there really did feel like visiting our Mother Church in Bangkok. The whole place is as Thai as you can get.

The theme is Arete (it means quality in Greek). The atmosphere was rather electrifying and the people were really hungry to learn.













After my teaching session, I was invited to have supper with the leaders. It was great to talk about church and our future over Tom Yam soup and chicken wings until the wee hours of the morning. I enjoyed myself very much.

On Sunday, I was pretty disappointed that I could not be there for our Uni service at the NTU alumni at One-North. I had to be at Nexus for the services. Joshua updated me that it was a simple and ministering time with the people. It is a great start for even greater things to come. May our University tribe be blessed and multiply greatly!

Sunday evening was a time with the Indo leaders. Yin San was giving a treat to thank for the people who had worked hard for an entire year to make the Indo service worked for Jesus. Claudia and I were there to hear stories after stories of affirmation and gratefulness to God and one another.

Alex, a care leader in the Indo group, kept asking me for hugs! (see “Thank You Indonesian Group!” entry on the 25 Feb 2008)














Thank you all for making my weekend a most memorable and fruitful one!