I was just praying in the shower just now(oh yes I always pray while I'm in the shower- I think that's why I take so long in the bathroom... and given the number of times I shower each day, it does contribute a bit to my praying time :p ), and God reminded me of an encounter I had with someone I met at The Vine(this English-speaking church in HK) a couple of weeks ago... I was there on a Saturday a few weeks ago, and I was introduced to this girl... so we were talking, and I asked her if it was her first time in a church... to my surprise, she told me (and this is the first time I got this answer) that she was from another church and that she used to be a pastor... She explained her reason (of why she stopped being a pastor) and that was what God really emphasized to me today...

So many people, pastors included, gave up their calling, their ministry, their DREAM because they got tired of serving, because they forgot why they served in the first place... they lost their passion for it... things/situations got tough... they simply lost sight on God... it saddens me to think that a person, who once had so much fire and passion for the things of God, succumbs to the situation/problems that are thrown at her, and loses sight on the One who really matters... it saddens me to think of all the potential that she has yet to harness, all the souls she has left untouched... the lives she has stumbled... but most importantly, it saddens me to think/see a fellow sister-in-Christ backslide and draw away from the presence of God... backsliding, to me, is not just leaving church and 'stop' being a Christian... backsliding to me, is also when we stay stagnant and don't grow in our Christian walk.

and thinking of this makes me feel so thankful that I was, and am, a part of CHC... where we taught and emphasized that God is always put first, then comes family, then ministry. It is ever so important that we set our perspectives right. In a world where sin abounds, where trials and tribulations affect EVERYONE, we must constantly renew our minds and remind ourselves that the victory is already won, and that we will always be the victors when we have God on our side. We must always remind ourselves of the fact that God is in control... that although the going gets tough, the tough will get going... that every problem that we face is only temporary... the the grace and love of God prevails and we WILL get a breakthrough soon enough.

As a cell group leader, I think it is a pressing issue to teach and show the members that in every situation (whether it is good or bad), that we do not look down at the circumstances, but look UP towards God for reassurance and guidance. I pray that each and every single member will see every trial/tribulation as a test and training to grow more in the Lord, every joy/achievement as a testimony and praise to God. I pray that my members will always always put God first... will serve and be in a ministry because they want to serve GOD, and not the people... to love God with all of their hearts... to never lose sight of God even when things get tough.

I understand that once in awhile people might want to take a step back away from it all, to take a breather, to rest... but where is God in that equation? (Yes Sarah, this will sound strangely familiar to you cos you said this to me all the time once. hahahah) Its no good taking a break to "rest" because all the rest you ever need can be found in God... so isn't it a faster and more logical thing to do- to run to God when you're tired and sad? Today I ended my time with God in the shower with a prayer, for this new-found friend... and telling God that for all the days of my life I just want to love Him and serve in His house forever :D

These are my thoughts while I was in the shower... Many people love bed-time prayers... but for me personally, I love my shower-time prayers because I spend it only with God and God alone! :D

Just a fresh new start...

and just immersing in HK's culture where most people have xangas instead of blogs...

plus making good use of the fact that xanga can post private entries discreetly, unlike those from wordpress where the whole world knows that your entry is protected.

YAY!

so yes, come back occasionally if you wanna know what's happening in my life! :)