A Two-Year-Old!

We're proud to announce we've got a two-year old (marital relationship)! It's been anything but plain sailing. All around, people say that the first year or so is the 'honeymoon' year, where all is lovey-dovey wide-eyed wonderment. I've been wide-eyed and in wonderment why it didn't happen to me. I'll have you know that the ride gets worse from when you say "I do" before it gets better. There is hope though.

Time isn't the source of hope, though getting to know each other's idiosyncracies and inner motivations become more familiar. It's really going beyond knowing the likes and dislikes into the 'Who are you really?'. You might find this amusing but while courting my then girlfriend, I never did make it officialese that we were an item. I just thought we were and expected the fairer half to know that. But before we started moving towards formalising plans to wed, she sat me down one evening and asked, "So what is THIS?" She meant the status of our friendship. She wanted an answer. She wanted to know where we were.

Since our vows exactly two years ago, I want to say, "I know where God is". And that's most pivotal, because I can creak, crack and crease but our Heavenly Father who initiated our relationship has been a rock solid anchor Who will not slumber, slip or have a shut-eye. It is this God Whom I must base my relationship on.

My wife gave me a card tonight. In it, she recapped how we'd had to make adjustments over the past two years to be where we are today - interlocked and entwined in marriage. Truly without adjustments, without each of us losing a bit of our former selves to find that groove where we both fit into this wheel called 'marriage', there'd have been major breakdowns. It is our common faith in Christ, our abiding in Him that allows Him to keep this wheel well-oiled and running. I admit I've sometimes go off course and have had to be shaken up, all for the purpose of getting me back on track.

Marriage isn't about the first and last letters, it's about the emphasis and elevation of the other person. Being the self-serving being that I am, I continue to work in abasing myself even as Christ gave Himself for His church.

May the Lord find my wife and I faithful in marriage through to a ripe old 'age'.

And about the subject heading, in His time. :o)

Under Pressure

Call me paranoid, but it's all precautionary really and for peace of mind. Incidentally, peace of mind wasn't quite the outcome after attending today's health screening at workplace.

Why did I go for it? Simple. When you hear of people in the prime of their lives coming down with one disease or dropping dead when they have no previously known medical condition, I thought a health screening would be a good stocktake on how your body's holding out.

It was prompted by my company bringing a service provider into the premises to offer their services at a subsidised rate, and so I signed up for an Executive Package.

The results of the blood and urine tests will be known later on, but on site, I was bewildered by my high blood pressure reading. It was 144/88 when normal healthy readings would be 130/80. Not good. Not good at all! It could have been because I'd rushed down for my 1pm appointment. I also confessed to the young lady manning the station that I'd just come from giving a security personnel a piece of my mind. So maybe my blood was still on the boil and I needed to simmer. I was then instructed to make my way to the other stations before coming back for a second reading. I did. No difference to the first.

I'd always felt fit and have been healthy. I exercise at least once a week, which I thought was sufficient. But apparently not. Was I under stress? Not anymore than would the average person I believe.

Have I been eating foods rich in sodium? Not deliberately. In fact, I think my threshold for salty foods is very low. Nor am I big on dried or preserved food. So what could be the cause?

I did an online search and read that in most cases, it is inexplicable why one has high blood pressure. My mum suspects genes play a part. Now that's something you can't change or alter. You inherit both the good and the bad.

Those with high blood pressure are at risk of suffering a stroke and heart attack among other complications, and I'd surely like to steer clear of these.

What can I do? Make small deliberate decisions to exercise more regularly, be more selective in what I eat, learn to live and let live and pray for His watch over my blood pressure. I feel the pressure and pleasure to pray for His mercy over my health.

Death & Life is Black & White

Behind me, I hear one of the two glass doors open. He saunters into the office, his feet heavier than most mornings. I could hear the drag. Still waiting for my PC to load up, I turn around and in typical fashion, bid him "Good Morning". With a quizzical look on his face, Justin asks, "You know Michael Jackson's died right?" "Yeah, I heard it in the news on my way in", I replied.

It wasn't the kind of reaction he'd expected. To make sure I knew just who has passed on, he added, almost as if delivering an eulogy, "Michael Jackson's a legend man." I tilt my head, shrug my shoulders and under a sigh to convey at least some hint of empathy, breathed "And he's human too. We all have to go one day."

My nonchalance to the news of the death of someone whom the world touts as 'The King of Pop' could have been interpreted as being utterly disrespectful. Should I be in greater distress on news of his death? I can say I know of him but I can't claim to know him enough to care, to grieve, nor care to grieve.

He had some trend-setting dance moves, hundreds of stunning mega concerts, participated in charity projects and set up funds and foundations. I'll not take that away from him. He had hopes to 'heal the world' and 'make it a better place'. He had Neverland Ranch for a time and had his time in court. I suspect he felt prejudices about being black and being white, to which he rationalised that it really ought not to matter in one of his songs. Michael has been a man whose life has been a spectacular thriller for millions around the world.

Should I grieve? No. Do I feel anything at his passing? No. Will I pay tribute to the man? Only as much as I have in the paragraph above and not a word more.

Life on earth isn't forever - that we know. The brevity of life is recognised. There's so much truth in how life is described in a book I read every evening - like a flower, like water spilt on the ground, like grass, like a shadow, like a mist or vapor, like the wind, like a sigh. That's for the here and now.

What next? Is life the 'be all' and death the 'end all'? While the world celebrates the life of Michael Joseph Jackson and perhaps reminds itself that life on earth is but for a time, let's also seriously ask ourselves if life on earth is the only life we're prepared to live, because life doesn't stop here. And because it doesn't, where we go once in and through death's door would be essential to know - as essential as your very next breath.

More thoughts soon...for while I have breath in my nostrils.

AGAPELLA presents...SEVEN @ 8

Agapella's Youtube video of its rendition of Pachelbel's Canon in D has been viewed more than 20,000 times and has attracted rave reviews from around the world for its smooth blend of harmonies. Yet the home grown contemporary a cappella group has never performed the song in public... until now. Be among the first to hear them perform this song and many other contemporary numbers spanning a plethora of genres, all this in a two-night only musical fiesta on 10th & 11th July 2009!

In celebration of their 7th anniversary, Agapella presents their biggest concert yet, Seven @ 8. The group will serve up fan favourites like "I Will Follow Him" (popularised by the movie, Sister Act) and "Testify To Love", on top of brand new arrangements. Among the new numbers, don't miss the re-written lyrics to the tune of the classic "Good 'Ol A Cappella". The concert will be a delight for the entire family with Agapella's own unique brand of music and tight harmonies, together with a zany dash of theatre for a toe-tappin' good time!

Agapella's debut album, "Follow That Star" was released in 2007 to much acclaim. The album will be made available for sale at the concert. Don't forget to stick around for the post-concert refreshments (included in the ticket price) and hang out with the members of Singapore's coolest vocal band!

Agapella presents... Seven @ 8: the birthday concert
10th & 11th July 2009 (Fri & Sat), 8pm
NAFA Lee Foundation Theatre
NAFA Campus 3
151, Bencoolen Street
Tickets at * $7 (excluding ticketing fee), on sale now at all SISTIC ticketing outlets, online at http://www.sistic.com/ or call the ticketing hotline at 6348-5555.
* Every 5 tickets purchased in a single receipt will entitle you to a complimentary copy of the album, “Follow That Star”. Please present receipt at the door on the evening of the performance for redemption.

Torn Between A Love & A Lover

It was one of things. It's like you have your right feet and hand shackled one way and your left side clamped and pulling in the opposite direction. What a position to be stuck in, but it was in my stupidity that I put myself there.

You know that Bible verse that talks about what you're supposed to do, yet that is the same thing you wouldn't. And what you're not supposed to do, that is precisely what you do? It was a near miss for me.

It involved my colleagues who are my fellow team players for a tennis tournament that begins this Monday, 6th April. Already a lean team with the bare minimum of players required to face off with those of other companies/government ministries, I was getting excited, physically and mentally prepared for the matches ahead. BUT.....

I have cut and paste (almost wholesale) the email I sent to my team members, so I save myself from retelling the whole story. Read on.

"Like you, I’ve been waiting so long for the STAR Games to come around. I’d been practising and doubling my court time by hitting with residents in The Florida. And the 6th of April was etched in my mind after Stella sent out the fixtures! The 6th of April it was.

And then I was brought to the realisation about ‘the importance of being earnest’ in keeping a diary/PDA and jotting/entering my appointments in it. So it goes two nights ago and minutes to drifting into slumberland, I tell the wife how we were all excited about starting the tournament next Monday.

She suddenly sits up. Silence. With forced composition, she mutters, “Dear, that’s the same night as our gig.” Silence. I sit up and slump my head into my hands. What had I just done?!

I’d committed to the gig on behalf of my a cappella group last year and now, the clash! The clash bothered me most of the night; I took some time to overcome my tortured mind like a ship buffeted by the storm in the open sea. Twas only yesterday when I texted two members of my a cappella group, finding ways and means to see how someone could cover my vocal parts. You see, I have solo pieces to be sung that night that didn’t have an understudy. And so I shocked two members with my suggestion of them covering me while I pulled out of the gig and swung wildly at fluorescent yellow balls.

I still wasn’t at peace. The wife last night wasn’t either and she made it clear. I bear no grudges she did, because she set it straight that it wasn’t the right thing to pull out of a committed gig we’d planned and rehearsed for these many months. I weighed in the matter. She looked at me and wasn’t thrilled to be in my position. She knew I’d been looking forward to the tournament and she knew I had obligations to the gig. She said whichever way I chose, I’d ‘make enemies’ because I’d disappoint one group.

The gig comes only once, but next Monday’s game won’t be the only match the team will be playing. I’d committed to the gig long before the fixtures were released. And I know you guys will understand it’s not an easy decision, seeing how I love the game like you do.

The bottomline is – I wish you guys a winning streak on Mon evening and know you can give the singles a walkover.

I’ve made my decision with a heavy heart, but I know I can bless many more with my songs in the lead-up to Good Friday and Easter."

I thank God no less than four of my fellow team members understood my predicament and replied with blessings to sing my heart out!

But the choice ought to have been obvious to a believer right at the on set. Apart from taking into account which activity had been confirmed earlier, one was obviously a ministry I was called to be part of and it was God on High whom I was serving and testifying of. The other was a pale excuse for competitive recreation, with nothing more than self-glorification to be sought.

It's Passion Week and a most timely reminder to re-evaluate where my passions lie, and the depth of passion that drove Him to send His Son for me.

Man on a Mission

But what? Where? Why?

Last Thursday, I boarded a plane at Changi bound for Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where I caught a connecting flight to Vientiane, Laos. It was a work trip primarily to interview an 'in-field' Singaporean volunteer who was serving a one year stint teaching English to government officials in an institute there that's equivalent to our Civil Service College here.

The secondary school teacher in his early thirties had chosen to veer off a comfortable secure career he'd held for six years in the education sector to do something radically different. As if taking a pay cut and going on no-pay leave was a harsh enough trade-off that would deter most from contemplating becoming a volunteer teacher, the young man must now also serve out a two-year bond thereafter with the Ministry of Education.

A travelling companion asked me on the trip if I'd be interested in becoming an in-field volunteer for a time like the young man. After a moment's reflection, I said, "I would, but not for a humanitarian mission like this". It wasn't that the work wasn't good enough for me or that I felt there's no room for going beyond oneself to help others in practical ways. Were I still a swinging single with less financial obligations to meet, it would have been a different story and the option would be there - but that's the rational side of me speaking.

But the well of purpose that stirs from deep within would have me contemplate a mission and serve as a volunteer only on the premise that it's soul-focused. However I am not ruling out the possibility that souls can be led and won to the Kingdom through practical demonstration of love and help. But if it were strictly on the premise of a humanitarian mission for a medium to long term, I'd pass.

Will I heed when God calls me to be where He wants me to be when He wants me to go?

May I never turn a deaf ear to His prompting if He wants to send this man on a mission.

OXymoronic (Happy?) New Year

Since Monday, Chinese around the world have been bidding each other a new year of prosperity, abundance, wealth, longevity and happiness. The Ox has booted out the Rat but no one it seems is hitting the bull's eye and charging towards those things. Despite the well-wishes, this year's fancies seem to drift like cotton in the wind. Don't they know an 'economic tsunami' has hit and more wicked aftershocks threaten to cause even greater destruction?

No wonder people dread reading the newspapers, it's bad news cover to cover. Yesterday's papers reported how an African-American man took the lives of his family of seven after he and his wife lost their jobs. The pressure was just too much to handle. Seems like they'd rather be spared the shame and guilt of being unable to provide for the family. The incident may be isolated and further investigation into the killings is underway. Regardless of the motivation for the murder, 'prosperity', 'abundance', 'longevity' and 'happiness' remain deeply buried and elusive for this family and millions of others around the world.

As I read the news on air this morning, the number of workers being made redundant continues to climb steadily. The unemployment rate is rising as sharply as losses incurred by banks and businesses. Governments are making calls for their economies to make more concerted effort to pull the world economy out of the doldrums and to get the markets moving (in the right direction) again. The effects on the macro scale has finally been felt by the man in the street, whose impact will stretch for a long time to come.

Almost overnight, the things that people held on to for security and as strategic pieces to grow their money - their shares, their life savings, investments and property, took a beating. Your possession may remain intact but numbers count for nothing when they lose their value. When values are drastically slashed, the wrist for some will be next on the edge.

Happy New Year? Hardly. If money, investments, savings, property and assests have been motivations for us, the phenomenon currently gripping the world clearly proves nothing physical and tangible in this life is worth holding on to. Nothing is secure.

God's Word tells us in 1 Timothy 4:17

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant
nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,
but to put their hope in God,
who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Where is your hope in a world where the only thing of value is your soul and your destiny?

Organisations that rely heavily on charitable donors to help meet many social needs they're striving to provide for the beneficiaries they serve are bracing for tough times. They fear the giving will stop. What then lies ahead for the people whose basic needs have yet to be met? The verse that follows in Chapter 4 of 1 Timothy reads,

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,
and to be generous and willing to share.

It's the new year and it may be time again to do a stock take. Where is our hope? What matters to us? And how can we bless others with what God's blessed us with in these challenging times?

Remember the story of the wise man (who built his house on the rock) and the foolish man (who decided the sand was to be his home's foundation)?

Well the floods came and only one house stood firm.

Which house on the left is befitting of yours?