The happenings on Sunday, 7 Oct 2012

As I had said before, having cancer really does change a person’s perspective in life.

Went to church today and was greeted by a lot of people, people who knew about my circumstances and situation. Very thankful to God that he had placed so many people around me who are concerned and are praying.

When I reached church and was at the car park, met a lady from church who said that she has a word from the Lord for me and had wanted to tell me about it but wasn’t sure if I’ll be in church today. And… I was there! She said that she was impressed by the Lord to tell me to read the Gospels, not sure which one but the impression was to first read Gospel of John.

During worship, various songs were sung but the one that stood out for me was ‘Hosanna’ by Paul Baloche & Brenton Brown. The pre-chorus goes like this:

Pre-Chorus:

'Cause when we see You,

We find strength to face the day

In Your Presence all our fears are washed away,

Washed away.

© 2006 Integrity's Hosanna! Music and Thankyou Music

I had highlighted the portion that held significant for me as indeed the Lord gave me strength to face the day and in His presence all my fears are washed away.

I had mentioned it in one of my earlier blog that there was no fear of the chemotherapy for God had granted me the grace and strength to go through it.

I was passing by The Central at Clark Quay about a week ago and saw a Chilis restaurant there. We had a wonderful experience when the family went to the Chilis at Tanglin Mall a couple of weeks ago and so decided to try the Chilis at The Central. Felt well enough back then to have a family outing but the main purpose was to go to Market Place at Tanglin Mall to buy Flaxseed oil that I could not find in NTUC. Subsequently found out that it was also available at Cold Storage.

Went to The Central early so that we can reserve a table and then go shopping (eh… to entertain Josie and Nathan…). When we reached the restaurant, found out that they are officially opened only on 10 Oct. I was initially disappointed but bumped into this guy who apologises about the restaurant opening and I explained that I drove by and saw the restaurant and had purposely came to have a meal there with the family. Guess what? It so happened that this guy is the restaurant manager and he informed us that today was their trial day for the restaurant and guests were invited to try the food and comment about the restaurant and since we had purposely came to restaurant, we were then “invited” to the restaurant trial. What it means basically was that we had our dinner for free except for the alcoholic beverages that Josie and my mom ordered since we pia-seh that we ate for free. We had to give feedback though and I was quite honest with my feedback and the restaurant manager was quite appreciative of it.

The nose bleed finally stopped!!!

The not so good things about today was that there was a minor altercation at home about some arrangement in the kitchen, not going to say too much as there is a Chinese saying that says, “the ugly things of the house should not be spread outside the house” and I think this saying also have significant in Christian living for we must learn to tolerate and forgive one another within the house for from the Father, every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

For as stated in Ephesians 3:14-19:

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Since generally I feel well, I need to be reminded constantly of God's grace and mercy lest I stray away from Him. There is already that temptation.  Perhaps that's the reason for the reminder to read the Gospel. Of course the remaining verses from Ephesians 3:14-19 held such significant for me as this passage contained uplifting words and that it also formed the lasting word that I had for Nathan and I trust God to grant to me as well what is spoken of in verse 16 to 19.

And thus In God I Trust

By the way, Alonso (Ferrari) crashed out on Lap 1 of the Suzuka Japanese Gran Prix… so sad. But Massa came in second… it’s a consolation. I support Alonso, not Ferrari. I had stopped supporting Ferrari ever since Michael Schumacher drove for Ferrari and if you are wondering, yes, F1 is my favorite sport. All time favorite drivers (living ones) are Mika Häkkinen, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen in that order. Had the opportunity to work for the Singapore F1 GP in 2009 as Gate Manager and all thanks to another lady in church.