Faith is a huge aspect of life. At the very moment when you see your close ones taking that step forward to search deeper into their faith by faith, it gives you the warm feeling because you see the Spirit working in their lives and inspires you yourself further to draw closer to the one and only God. I would love to share this note typed by one of my close friends, Sean:

"Find your freedom in the music
Find your Jesus, find your cupid
You will never fall apart Diana
You're still in our hearts
Never let you fall apart
Together we'll dance in the dark"
- Dance in the Dark by Lady Gaga

I like you people to focus on "Find your Jesus". I'm not sure whether Lady Gaga is Christian, Catholic or a freethinker, but she has made a point in this song: We all want to be free. Free from darkness, free from sin, free from the fiery pits of hell.

If you haven't realised, this is a religious post. A post I rarely do, and forgive me for sounding awkward. But I have but a lot of thought while I wrote this. What do I want to feel at this point? Confirmation is 12 days away, the dress rehearsal is in 5 days and I am still confused. And I am afraid. I don't want to stand up on 5th December not believing the words I say. And when the Priest confirms me with "Nathaniel", I want to feel different. To feel new. To feel special and that I have received the grace of God.



Here I am, reading the Tumblr of my friends. One in particular is not even a Catholic, and yet he can visit the Stations of the Cross and not feel awkward. And he felt the pain Jesus did as well. There he is, more ready to be a confirmed Catholic than I am, with 15 years of Cat class, bible sharing and singing the songs. There is a hint of jealousy, more so that I thought I put in more effort trying than he did. I obviously, did not consider the grass on the other side. Not many non Christian would get up to go to mass like he did, while I idle in bed, not caring about the Sabath day.

Now again, I ask myself, what do I want. What do I want to feel at this point. I don't think I know yet, maybe I will through prayer and guidance. To my fellow L9s receiving confirmation, ask yourself what do you want. To this non-catholic I speak of, you should know who you are, I think you are more ready than I am to receive Christ, but ask yourself that question as well. To all my Christian friends, do the same. Thought our goals are different, the road we walk is the same. We still carry the cross on our backs.

And of course, remember. "I am God's Masterpiece"

Response

Being a big brother to the next generation of leaders is never easy.












BUT! You have the choice of making this learning journey one of their bests.

Well it has been a rather cooling and cosy Saturday morning. It thundered a little this morning but that kept me snuggling in bed for one hour or two. I still have to study for 4 papers which are spreaded over 3 days next week sooo yeah, but 'hell week' has just passed and I'm glad I did competently for this week's papers, or at least I thought I did. I kept others in prayers too and I hope we'll all do well, if not score excellent results that was the specific supplication I prayed for. We're all just dreading the exams to be over and once we're done with them, we can finally return back to our favourite pasttimes and play.

I've been itching to return to photography and the joy of bringing life and thought to my photos. My sister too has been taking plenty of photos, while I'm away at the library studying my butt off... Here are a few of theshots she captured during one of her photography outings.




Snapping away at the Esplanade

This was part of Chinatown

The lady was asking for directions








Great aren't they?

I yearn to be a preacher. One who travels to different churches and preaches the Word to people of different races and skin colour, but people still of the same faith. I yearn to be a preacher. A preacher of the gospel to the youths, helping them see the importance of standing up, waking up and speaking out for God in their generation. Opening their eyes to the world around them- the poor, needy, broken and the lost. Helping them realise their part in the Body of Christ to reach out to these people. To be the hands and feet for God, running His race for the least of those. I yearn to be a preacher. Not just a preacher but also a friend to many. Someone whom the youths can talk to and share their experiences with at a more personal level. Guiding them to see the light of Christ and His plan and calling for them when sometimes things may seem cloudy or grey. I yearn to be a preacher. One who equips his youths with 'proper tools', cultivating the heart of prayer, they themselves can intercede for others and help build up the church.



I yearn to be a preacher. I want to tell the youths today that this faith is not just about them, because if they do think that way, they're just as good as being the living dead. There is no use in believing in the Word if we do not do the Word. I yearn to be a preacher. One who ensures that his youths run after God's heart and seeks His face, reminding them that no matter how enjoyable the experience of any worship event may be, no matter how beautiful the music is played, there is absolutely no use if they do not worship Him in spirit and in truth- that would be plain lip service. I yearn to be a preacher. The one who challenges his youths and himself, if they truly believe in what they sing, then its also time for them to make a difference in the world that they live in today. A preacher who pushes his youths forward and wakes them up, telling them that it is important not to be entrapped by the works of the master of all lies, but to seek God's grace, knowing that only His grace is sufficient to overcome any temptation or obstacle. Even in the darkest of days we can and will be His light.

I yearn to be a preacher. Maybe one of great charisma or wit, someone with the likes of Joseph Prince, Judah Smith or even Brian Houston. I yearn to be a preacher, but a preacher of my own league. A preacher who reminds his congregation to constantly rely on the the blood of Christ and nothing else. Because only His blood cleanses His people as white as snow. I yearn to be a preacher. One who isn't as great as he might actually be, but one who humbles himself in the face of God, knowing that even though he is the one winning souls for Christ, all glory is given to God for God loved him first and rescued him. I yearn to be that preacher. And maybe one day, with the faith that I entrust in God, I can be that very preacher God has called me to be.

I think I'm going to miss the lifestyle of a student liaison officer at the Asian Youth Games. Waking up early in the morning, skipping lessons and heading straight to Swissotel to sign in and have free hotel breakfast :) On certain days, breakfast was good. The others were alright, like fried bee-hoon that was really dry. Nonetheless the bread's fresh and butter's good!! Then I would meet Kiat and Mr Khoo and head off to Singapore Table Tennis Association to watch over the vietnam team and also free seating in the spectators' stands :) That's what I like about being a volunteer, you won't have to pay any entrance fees, just show your card, step right in and you'll get a glimpse of Asia's talents.

After table tennis, we would take the shuttle bus back to the Games Village for lunch. Lunch provided has usually great food, well to be specific, great DESSERT. The other day I was having mango pudding it was mmh mmh. After lunch, we would report to Mr Tahir and meet the Vietnam Athletics team. We would then take a bus down to RI(JC) where the athletes would do their warm-ups before their actual event at Bishan Stadium. There we would stone and look around, smile at the Vietnamese athletes and give them some needed support.

When all the athletes have been called, we would then take the shuttle bus back to Bishan stadium to catch the day's races and events (well, for free of course) We would do some cheering on for the athletes and get 'live' action. The rest are all of my facebook- the athletes, events, running and everything we've experienced.

Sorry if I've not been able to talk to you for the past few days. It's just that we reach home at nine at night and we're really tired after the long day... so yea just don't feel like talking much online or on facebook. The games will officially close next Tuesday and everything will be back to normal again. Alright i'm having a bad cough I'm going to rest now. Till then take care everyone!