Last 2013 entry

Last 2013 night in Brisbane. 

Thought I might write a little something since I stopped in July. 

Yes, the second unmentioned blessing I wrote, if you already knew through other avenues, was the promise of the rider.

The year has sped past with a couple of blinks. I would classify it an intense year, both at work and in my personal life! Initially I thought it wasn't that fast, but as the second month knocked on, I found myself on the rocket path. 

God promised lots of breakthroughs in my life last year. And this year was also a continuation of that. I first finished last year, thinking why God hasn't fulfilled the promises. But encouragement came along the way. God wasn't finished yet.

 I thought when a brother prayed for me last year regarding breakthrough and success coming at work, I thought our paper would be published. Yet right after, we got scooped. Unhappy moments, yet still holding on that breakthrough would come. Last month, our research had amazing breakthrough and not just a mediocre publication, but in an high impact factor journal (issue cover page also featuring our data), and also our work was reported in the media internationally. All glory to God!

Great friendships along the way... Learning to grow in communication, wisdom, leadership and security in God. Learning to push away from set backs and discouragement, communicate issues in life and ministry, and fight carnal desires and temptations to remain in comfort. 

Tomorrow I fly to New Zealand. Hoping to experience some intense activities and relaxing time.

Oh it's today already. Merry Christmas!! Remember and celebrate Jesus! :)

July... 2013 Blessings and promises :)

July 2013.. :)

7 years ago, July, I touched down in Brisbane.

7 years later... I got my PR. :)

And a new chapter of my life has just begun.

What's two blessings, gifts, in a week...? In 3 days...

Only my God who ordained it all.

7, such a beautiful number. :)

Thank You Lord.

Don't Give Up!

Don't give up!!

In 2008, one of the first verses I learned and one of the first few God spoke into my Christian journey. It jumps back into my mind today.

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces persevereance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." - Romans 5:3

Was at prayer meeting tonight. God spoke straight to my heart.

Many things have been drawing me down. Yvonne says I always look happy so it's hard to know what I'm feeling.

There's been good, and there's been the not so good.

I've been wanting to give up.

To give up on the successes, the ministries, the callings, and the dreams. Too many disappointments. Some resentment. Some questions. Some discouragements. Was once labouring with hope. Now labouring seemed tough. Was once filled with faith. Now the faith flame is dying.

Was fired up to do it together. Yet together seemed far away.

But having said that, this season, I am constantly reminded by the prophecy about me. I looked at my life now, and find it far from what was prophesied. Because I've been thinking of giving up...

No... no give up Shannon!

Once again, this day, I was reminded of the verse a prisoner in Manila City Jail gave to me. Just as I was going to leave, he approached me and shared this verse with me. And I shared it in one of my earlier entries this year.

"...I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

- Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

It seemed as though God already prepped me up for this year's challenge.

Two weeks ago I embarked on one of the hardest mountain hikes I've ever done in my life. According to the Department of National Parks QLD, I climbed a Class 5 mountain. Whao!

In a quick summary, I would say I learned a lot through that hike. Prior to the hike, I was all excited about conquering the mountain! It would be awesome.. breathtaking, and rewarding. But just when I embarked on the first kilometer up, I saw how high the mountain was, how steep the climb to begin, and there were no tracks...!! I was already thinking, I can't do this.

Pant pant pant... puff... help...

And though there were the months before where I have been physically training for it, at some point in time, I did decide to give up long hours of cardio training in exchange for shorter spurts of strength training, thinking that I needed the strength to climb that mountain. So, the cardio did drag me down. Had I persevered through the ritualistic and long hours of cardio training, I might have been able to do the mountain easily.... maybe.

The gear - I was in jeans! Alright, I had proper hiking shoes, and that did work to my advantage eventually. Jeans... not the best choice, but I found out that as I persevered the jeans did eventually do its job, maybe got more scratches than it needed to.. and got pretty dirty.

Every rock is steep and high...

Surfacing and making it through two big rocks to smile at the camera.... lol.

Not even halfway, I decided.. I might stop and let my friends climb up. But they didn't abandon me. They stood by and I told myself, we are a team! I need to tell myself I can do it, and keep going. 

Rarrr, c'mon Shannon, you can do it!!

Roar!! Go go Shannon, you can do it! I kept shouting to myself, literally. Yes - it was a pretty quiet mountain, so no one except my friends, could really hear me...

I even ran out of water... and didn't carry any food up there! Thank God, my friends  had them....

Had to do this... when you get up there... that's what you should really do. LOL

Eventually, I made it to the top. It was rewarding.. and it would have been a shame if I gave up. Would I try it again... yes, after more training and preparation too.


Lessons learned:
1. When God gives us a vision, and shows us the promised reward, it can definitely be exciting.
2. Things get hard... we start to want to give up.
3. At times, during the process of getting there, we wondered... if I trained a bit more for it... like, persevered through the lessons God was trying to teach me back then, maybe it would be easier now!
4. God gives us the skills and talents necessary for the journey. Take them with you and use them the right way! (don't wear jeans for hikes!)
5. God brings people to help you along the journey! Don't abandon on yourself, when others haven't given up on you! If you are a friend, don't give up on others who are weak and need a bit more motivation!
6. We all need water for the journey! Jesus is our living water!
7. The reward, is worth the sacrifice.

Much as I constantly sink into the mode of giving up, I'm holding on... cuz the enemy wants me down, but I'mma show him who's on my side. God is! :)

If our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against!

Thank You Lord, for the lessons learned in this hike.

God, is faithful, through all the seasons.. of my life.. even when I'm faithless.

She teared many times today. Some times it feels like she's all alone and there's no one who really understands what's fully on her heart.
In times like these, the King reminds her that He sees the tears and they're collected in His jar. And He reminds her of His promises.
All she really wants is everyone to plough the field together. Paint the beauty and victories together. Yet everyone else is caught up with their own agendas.

This world will soon pass and dissolve like snow. She doesn't want to run this race alone. But if that's how it is gonna be for now.. She will.

She's thankful for the few who are running hard with her. And the prayers of those who cared enough to ask.

Yet her heart longs for the rider who would truly make her fly...

May it straighten all out.. And may she keep focused. She knows, she already can't give up. Whatever is the King's is hers. She can't bear to give up what's really really important.

The reason behind all her invested time and money and tears.. Are just so in all she does she might save some.

Pray... For her.

Faithful through the Seasons

Hello March?
Bye March..

I'm walking out on you. It's been such a sprint.
Breeze contact's been cool. Just like popping a mint.
Maybe another few hectic weeks will bring me closer to winter...

Time seems to fly by as age catches up, so they say. Well, maybe on a different tangent - I'd say the doors have flown open and the bull is kicking. Kicking real hard...

Last week was a memorable week for many in my group. God's faithfulness highlighted in all three significant events in the lives of the people close to me.

We attended William's Dad's funeral. It was a privilege to help and be there for our bro and his family. The first funeral I've consciously attended and helped out in my life. God's faithfulness have brought uncle into His loving arms.. Walking by the coffin, I told uncle to have a great time in Heaven. :)

Then a day later birth sprung forth. Elysaa popped Caleb Ang into the world. Both his fists clenched in one of the photos, faith filled, reminding me of the countless times I've seen him kicking in response when pastors were preaching in service. :)

And then the next day, the holy matrimony of Adam and Steph. Whao.. Thankful to God once again for the privilege to help out and film too.. Play a song.. And attended my first Aussie Chinese wedding reception too.

Blessings upon blessings on the lives of those around me.

A lot more to come. Praying for passion and the love of God to fill our lives even more. More breakthrough. More God focused decisions... God is awesome. Without Him, I don't see how can live be better.

Signing off.. At Indooroopilly, sorting out private health insurance stuff.

:)

Oh... And Shannon's Winter Syndrome is not a made up...! I just found out today that its real!

Angels rejoice in Heaven

A slice of heaven touched earth today. William's Dad received Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour this afternoon.

It's been such a journey, but today we clap our hands, shout Hallelujah, praising God for His love and amazing grace that touched his dad's life.

Everything happens in God's timing. Thank you Lord, for you are faithful even when we are faithless. Let the heavens rejoice!

Let us keep William and his family in prayers. :)

The Time Is Now

Jesus the lion roaring with power and strength. Victory and success follows him. For I'm made in the likeness of my creator. I'm called to be that lion, that bull to charge forth. To launch forth for now is the time. The Lord promises His Presence. "Don't hold back now,", says The Lord. "I will be with you, and you will see great success."

"The shoes once too big to wear has now been filled. You have unknowingly, because of your faithfulness, grown into wearing them. The crown for you is massive. Once you were too small to wear it, and it fell straight past your neck. But now you wear it, almost with such strength. There is more to come. Your faithfulness is the key to unlocking all that is to come. Remain in me and I will remain in you."

Beyond the Blues

Post M writing came the blues. The blues that kept her from penning down the whirlpool of thoughts that were sinking and twirling in the endless pit. She picked herself up and out, by once again remember the advice she gained about two years ago. The true meaning of agape, and then to be honest with oneself.

Doing my body justice, I promise to write within 15 minutes, so as to get ample rest for a new work day tomorrow.

Beyond the blues, life indeed has been hectic. Leading up to her trip back home, she was running on gear six, turbo charged engine to complete the many tasks on her plate... and at the same time juggling the turmoil of emotions within her that were arising from certain things that caused her so much pain. Didn't help to reduce the oxidation potential at all. Looking back, it was only the grace of God that enabled her. Liking this to the different fuel types provided at the petrol station, maybe God's grace was many grades higher than the V-Power fuel supplied by Shell Petrol.

In the midst of all that, she managed to churn out a new year's first production. A pilot of such a production, and also an encouraging experience, just with the King. Once again, taking steps back into the purposes called of her.

Here goes, my latest production:



And.. the long awaited... Chinese New Year!


With two other travelers-in-crime, I went home for a short trip. Good family time... and met up with Alvin and Jace too.

Time was short, but felt like every moment was well spent. No photos of my sister!! Oops.. heehee.

Parents and Grandma :)

Our family and uncle's family. :)

The Princess is now back in wet and rainy Brisbane, and today is the 10th day of the Chinese New Year. Life is starting to pick up pace again. For all that has once been spoken forth about her, she's about to step in to embrace it. It's really scary not knowing what will come. It's fearful, making decisions to honour the King, and risk losing what she really holds dear. But the King has time and again reassured and encouraged her of His Presence with her in this journey. And the King only has good for her.

Yesterday, Monday, was good. In the King's presence during worship at a WAM Theology in Worship workshop, she found herself re-capturing the season in her life that the King touched her the most, and led her to Him. She thought back to the day she received Him into her life, and the life transforming years He's brought her through... and the foundations that He's laid for her.. and the call in her life.

She does not desire many things in her life. But time and again, there are certain things that she wrestles with the King about. And He knows her, and He has even verbally promised her, through the prophetic presbytery and through many affirmations. She walks this journey, growing in faith, and making daily choices... so that she won't look back and find herself having lost too many moments grappling onto the things of this world that has no eternal value... as much as she wants them.

"...I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

- Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

To seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness... and trust that He would provide the rest.

She loves comfort, but shouldn't get too comfortable... because the greatest comfort she can have is from Him who gives Comfort, and the presents that come along with it.

The pages of the book continue to write since the gloomy last chapter. This chapter reveals the warmth in her heart arising from her recent gift from the catalyst. She is as noob as anyone else in the league but that's okay, because the King would paint it for her.

With that, she ends with a thank you to the Giver of Gifts and prepares to enter dream land.

....and this entry eventually didn't take 15 minutes.. but 50 minutes.

A Pat On Her Back

A war zone has developed in her head. Many questions emerging as a result of what happened today. Of what meant to be a good intent soared into a series of nasty outcomes. In this age, she realises a new route is required to deliver rations for the training warrior. New challenges and obstacles. It's not new to the human mind that the world has kinda gone flop-sided. The former doing the latter and the latter doing the former. She jokes with the King regarding position descriptions. The swap of roles, but yet the inner desire of something else innately built still flashes. The problem where one yearns with an inner craving to be in the light surfaces... yet a reluctance still stands. A true friend and honest companion is no longer popular. Instead, one who showers kisses seems to win favour over a true friend who inflicts wounds. Yet she understands an increasing need to contextualise with pleasant words like a honeycomb, to bring healing to the bones and sweetness to the soul.

A work in progress for all it seems. All her good intent this evening seem to come plummeting down upon her, like a worker lifting the boulder for the pedestrians to pass safely. Yet instead of personally returning to safety, the boulder fell upon her. Imagine lifting the boulder meant you saved one dying person, yet injure five other, and no one died... would you point the pistol at the worker for the one pedestrian saved, and five injured and acclaim the mistake hers? Yes, the public would say she could have done better, but at that moment in time, that was the best she could do.

It's tempting to just walk away from everything and choose to not care anymore. But she can't. Tomorrow is going to be a better day with the Lord. She will learn to rejoice, and be strong, because there is a greater purpose. The circle seems to get smaller each day. It might be another lesson of Gethsemane to learn. Level up?

Well, this outlet receives her ranting. As for her emotions now, and how things are going? She learns to be thankful to what God has done in her life.

So the words from brother David, "I'm okay, by the Grace of God", resounds in her mind.

Yes, by the Grace of God, I'm able to pick up and carry on labouring for His harvest.

M Writings... + 2 great MTVs

Seemingly, an environment meant for the thermophilic has eased its way into different major cities of Australia... Despite the surroundings of warmth, an empty coldness runs in her heart. Launching the new calender with a series of history that can never be erased, she finds her emotional storehouse drained. Liquid prayers have been collected in the King's jar. A jar for the catalyst once mentioned.

She picks up the book from His shelf and re-read the pages. The pages highlighted the hopes and desires, thoughts and memories that filled the pages so quickly. So much have been written in such a short time. Yet, as the pages hit the new year, a rock bottom storyline has been enacted. The appearance of once again, the same trigger that previously ignited an oxidation potential. Or maybe it never left. Whether or not it was meant to be, she has decided for now to retreat from the catalyst.

She once conveyed the important information to the catalyst, not to erupt the dangerous volcano. The volcano hasn't erupted, yet a lot of dangerous molecular interactions have been occurring within... and in that, causing damage to its host. She doesn't understand the boundary breaking intentions of the invading catalyst. Well, maybe now she does. It might just have been how the catalyst was created, exhibiting both its strengths and weaknesses.
 
She gathers increasing insulating material and begins the route of protection, with hopeful intent that recovery might take place and sedate the volcano. The process of insulation has re-calibrated her abilities for encountering catalyst interactions - still being extra aware and concerned of it's well-being, yet not delving deeper than processes may require. Difficult, but has to be done.. at least for now.

Questions surround the princess as her mind replays the journey in the pages. She places the book back onto the shelves, returning to a conversation with the King. What will the future pages write? What will the insulation bring about? More fluid flows from the lenses of her being... the trees might suffer a little more these few nights and early mornings, but maybe they would feel good to offer that slight comfort to her needs.

Well... enough of melancholic writings for now.

Here's a sequel of two songs, with a same story. I love them.... the MTV of both are one of the bests stories I've seen. Enjoy..

Part one... watch till the end, that's the most amazing story..


And what happens after that... (watch only after the first video)

Starting the Engine

Happy New Year.... yes, a bit over due.

It's been a little tough getting the engine started this year. I feel like I'm trying to push into second gear but there's a bit of rust lost in relaxation... and thoughts. Nevertheless, it's going to be a good year ahead. Maybe the first month is going to drag a little bit, counting each second tough to handle.

Why?

Well.. The princess thought she could handle it better than she really can. She has made herself vulnerable once again... Sad face. Maybe she could channel all her energies elsewhere more productive, rather than fuel the melancholic system more than it deserves.

今晚她忍不住掉下眼泪了...

To redirect some light in this oncoming fog, the King draws her towards His voice.

"...I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

- Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

And the resounding encouragement once again reminded from the prophetic presbytery last May...

"And you know, work was always meant to be a pleasure. Many people never realise that work is pleasure. And you love doing the hard stuff. You love achieving and not because you have a pressure to succeed, or pressure to perform, but because you love doing the difficult stuff. You just get a joy over winning. You have that real spirit of an over comer. The words, ‘You are more than a conqueror really means something to you.” But you say, “I am a conqueror, give me something to conquer. Give me someone to beat. Give me someone that no one else is game.”
 

"There’s been those times when you’ve been frustrated, and that frustration has come out. And then you started beating up yourself – “Can’t have that attitude, can’t speak that way, can’t think that way!” But this courage, and this strength and this fighter within you is not just yourself. It’s not a flesh thing. The Spirit of the Lord is truly upon you and He’s on you for victory."

"Because of what you sense in the realm of the Spirit, that’s transmitted into your being, and you are contagious. You wanna make sure that others get it, so that you know, it’s what you’re hearing from God, this is the ‘now’ word. It’s not yesterday’s word, it’s not tomorrow’s word. It is the now word. This is what we are to be doing NOW, this is what God is saying NOW, this is where we put our energies NOW. And out of that comes spiritual activity."

"You’re not one that sit to let the days grow between your toes. You wanna make sure you are up and doing what needs to be done. Now some people misunderstand that and they think that she’s just hard driving. And the Lord says that this is how He has made you for a purpose because He wants you to be able to be infectious, so that you share this with others, and that you actually provoke them into love and good works. Spiritually alert. Spiritually alive. And spiritually active."

"I’ve called you to be one that will hear my voice and that would understand the purpose and would initiate the purpose. Don’t hold back says the Lord, even as I speak to your heart , launch forth and you shall see good success, says the Lord. 

Now, I cause there to be even a creativity in working out my purposes, says your God. You shall be one that shall understand what it is needed to happen at that time and you will encourage others to flow along with it, says the Lord. And you shall have good success. 

Sister, I just see that God’s calling you to be an initiator. He’s calling you to hear from heaven and begin to step out in faith on that. And there’ll be others that you’ll need to encourage to be a part of that."

I can't begin to title the year yet... but maybe, the nice title to 2013 will come soon. Till then.

For now... here's a song that comforts and refreshes.