Can you surive a day without ur phone(s)?

brought and read this week's 8 Days with great interest..

the main story?
"will you surive a day with your phone(s)?"

must let Queen read the whole story...

crossing the bridge in 18 hours..

going to Malaysia tomorrow morning, at 5am!!
(so early... what is wrong with all the travel packages?)

just sent out all the msges to inform the team.
and now, trying to do as much work as possible,
so that i can go and relax over the next 3 days...

wasn't really looking forward for the trip,
since the next 7 days after the fair is usually the best time that we follow up with our leads.
but well...
no point complaining, and living in "what ifs".

If the clients are meant to be mine...
they will be...
Praying that God will help to screen through the leads..
and advise me how to bring in the right catch...

looking forward to spend some quality time with Queen...
Quality time...
sound so easy.. but so hard to achieve....

but more than anything,
I am expecting God to move again.
expecting with faith that God will speak and give a "new vision".

there may be no wind to sail the boat now...
but there is still the motor!!

"switch on the motor"!!!!!

God works in ways that we can never understand...
Only He know how to speak words that will turn us back to Him,
even when we thought its all over...

somewhere somehow,
i made it to service today..
Yes...its been a long time since i attended my own service...
but that is not the point here..

there was just so many things that are calling my attention...
was busy at work since morning...
met client from 2 - 5pm..

then took mrt to expo..
overslept.. reached Pasir Ris.. and made a u-turn...

and when i reached hall 6..
the booths were overflowing with clients with floorplan...
and i was tempted...

tempted to stay back, and give God a miss...
(afterall, i still have Sunday svc)..

HS prompted..
and i responsed...

in a way, when i realized that Ps Phil is sharing, faith arise.
somehow, i start to expect God to move.
to share something with me, that i need...

and it came at the start.

just a few days ago, i asked...
"what should i do when there is no more wind to sail the boat?"

God's answer?
"Just switch on the motor."

Through Ps Phil, I felt the HS encouraging me not to give up,
and dwell in frustration in the midst of the journey.

If I have lost the vision to the destination,
pray it back.

If i have lost the fire and passion,
pray it back.
and start small again.

"don't complain that the winds are blowing against me,
or blowing me off the track"

overcome the negative thoughts, and use it for our advantage.
Make a detour, sail along the wind if needed...
and if the wind stop, switch on the motor.

speak the word of God into life.

there is a phrase: motor mouth..

now... i know what it meant.
speaking words into our lives, to create our destiny.

Miss World 2028?

was suppose to update on baby Rayanne...
but guess i was distracted by what is on-going within the team...

was at the gynae yesterday...
and both the Queen and myself were looking forward to see baby...

so you can imagine how wide Queen's smile was when we saw baby's looking at us, "rubbing her face with her hands" shyly...
it was like she was posing a cute face...
(like Queen, she is already camera friendly, and always ready to pose!)
hahahahaha...
so cute.. and adorable...
*huggz*

doc said he couldn't determine whether is baby rara going to be Rayanne, or Rayner...
and Queen was a bit "ooooooooo ok"

then doc said (after doing another round of scanning)
"o wait... there you have"... "M"

M: male?

me: ok... that is great...
Queen: o.... ok....

then doc start to key in the following words in slow motion....

M..... .... .. .I..... .... .. .S..... .... .. .S..... .... .. . WORLD.

thinking back... and looking forward...

its really very very funny...

when you are at one side of the field, you will always think of the "better yesterday",
and complain non stop of the present...
and wonder how good tomorrow can be....

and when things happened, and you are at another field,
you are thinking how good that 2nd side of the field is,
and start getting frustrated with the present...

well...
if you know what i mean...

i remember bloggin how i missed the "old 4S5"...
or rather, should i be more specific...
how i missed, and will always treasure the times that EG served together...
it was fun, and i look forward to serve and fellowship with like-minded people,
week in, week out...
serving was never a duty..
it was what i will give everything for...

and then.. when the news come that i will be leaving 4S2..
i blogged about the achievements that a small section achieved...
all those great achievementst that will never be repeated again,
becoz of all the great team mates that made it happened..

thinking back... nothing can take all that from us.
from me.

there was a reason why both sections grew to be the most united, strongest, and largest.
i know i can proudly say it.

Being humble is knowing that with God, we can do great things.
Humble doesn't meant that you put yourself down, or choose to think small.

Being humble in Christ meant that you acknowledged that with Christ,
all things are possible....
In Christ meant we can always think BIG....

and this is where it set me thinking....

with Gordon & team...
there was a lot of fiction in the begining...
egos were bruised, whips were lashed out,
Some would say that the first 6 months of "pushing" were hell on earth for them....

their committment to the vision were tested,
and their character grew.

but when everyone know their roles,
and played their roles with excellence...
the section "multiplied"
not just in numbers..
but in strength, and leaderships.

someone from the team once commented that ray is like the slave master...
always whipping people into shape...

this kind of discipleship is not for everyone...
but only for those who are like minded...
who are committed to the common vision..

look at the results.
maybe, just maybe...
just like every church need the 5 fold ministry...
maybe... every team need the discipline master...
the fierce teacher, who chased after everyone...

under the new management, i was asked to be more pastoral..
to be more caring, and to give more "benefit of doubts" to people who made mistakes..
in short, to be less of a slave master, and to be a cheer leader...

i thought.. why not?
anyway, why die young from all the high blood pressure, and blood vomitting?

God encouraged, my partner agreed.

yet... with all that is happening...
it really set me thinking....

should i take up the whip, and start getting things done?
should i switch on the hairdryer again?

let others take care of the wounded, and softies...
maybe, we should allow some fire into this team now,
so that those who are not ready to run the race wholeheartly can take a step back,
before we start to drop.

maybe things are not lookin as bad as i see it.
proof me wrong.

welfare come after order is put in place.
you will never see any team succeeding, if there are no TEAMWORK.

T: Total Committment
E: Equal Sacrifice & Efforts
A: All about ONE goal
M: Momentum
WORK: there are works to be done.

Success is positive work done, multiplied by faithfulness...
not just by good intention, or playing games....

you dont see Man U winning the championship by having good intention to win every games,
or by just showing up for every games...
To win the best league in the world, they must produce wiins everytime that there is a game.

Are you playing for a winning team?
Or are you just looking for your 5 sec of fame?

Will Jesus gave that person a chance?

straight after I msged the team on the things that someone(s) forgot,
a friend replied:

"let's not forget that Jesus' gentleness is what make us great"
"We are not here to push people down when they failed,
but to encourage them to better themselves, esp when they failed"
(all in my own words, so that you won't know who wrote it)

Well....
What will Jesus do?

1. He wouldn't destroy them (that will be James' primarily nature)
2. He wouldn't kick them out of the team (that is the Pharises' nature)
3. He will be disappointed, esp since its the smallest "tasks" and they failed to do so countless time...

and maybe, 4, He will "chide" them.
For their forgetfulness... and for their lack of ugency...
and maybe... just maybe... their total lack of desire to make things happen...

You can't just "blanket state" that becoz Jesus is gentle and caring to the people in general,
He is the same for His disciples.

As people stepped higher to leadership, the more is expected of them.
That is true in any disciplines.
Be it in church, or in the world.

Ps is loving to everyone in the church,
but if he failed to discipline his close leaders,
will we ever, by any chances, grow to where we are today?

it's not just plain talks.
We have been there before.

Let's stop allowing softies to be leaders wannabe.

what should i do when the same people let you down countless time?

i am numb.
yes.. that is what i told JC..

if you make the mistake the FIRST time, its my fault.
Maybe I didn't give explain everything to you in a way that you understand, etc...
I can give you all the benefits of doubts..

if you make the same mistake the SECOND time, its our fault.
Maybe I failed to ensure that you understood your role(s),
BUT its also your faults that you didn't check back, and do whatever you need, to ensure that the same mistake is not made....

BUT IF YOU MADE THE SAME MISTAKE THE THIRD TIME.
You are waiting to be buried.
Coz its your fault.

I almost stop counting how many times have I reminded you.
its THE MOST SIMPLE task, and yet, both of you failed.

If you think you are leading, stop dreaming.
Even if you are playing balls with the leaders...
You can't even ensure that such simple task within your dept is carried out faithfully...
You think you can ensure that bigger things are carried out?

Both of you said that you HAD stored the data in your mobiles...
TELL ME THEN,
How did you forget this, again?

Don't bother to explain yourself.
You lost the only chance to explain yourself.

preparing for the party...

in 168 days, we will be welcoming MS Rayanne Chua!!!!!!!

If you watch the "Lion King" movie, you should remember the party that the "kingdom" had during the "baby dedication"...

something tell me that Rayanne's 1 month's celebration will be something that most people have not seen...

who know...
maybe we will be meeting at OCC again?

hahaha...

ROAR!!!!! (with laughter).... hehehehe

12 hours more to go..

in another 12-14 hours,
we will be able to know whether will we be expecting
baby Rayanne
or
baby Rayner...

hahaha...
its so exciting!!!!

decision time...

ok.... here i am writing this when i am runnin very late for work...
but i am just happily bloggin... writer wind...
hahaha...

after Sunday...
i felt distanced, & dis-visioned..

something just tell me that it may be time to step back..

distanced from all the hoo-ha..
distanced and even "dont care" with what is happening, or what will happened..

somehow, whatever i joined this for, became too far fetched to do.
i am never here for the tag, nor positions..

my position is very clear...
i am here to influence, and to show how ministry is not about admin, but people based.
that the great commission is not to see which ministry is better than the rest,
but every ministry is the great commission, as long as leadership is being practised, from top to bottom...

but when there is no more wind to sail the boat, what should i do?

there are other battles to fight..
more wars to plan for..

if we have all lost the plot,
then its may be time to replan our routes..

after the storm...

the storm that i "was afraid of" did not happened yesterday...

but well...
then again.. both (or rather, all 3) parties did not met...

and also partly, i don't want to blow it out of context.
esp since he himself did not made any comment, nor attempted to do so..

communication lines were kept to the "professional" kind..
KISS, & emotionless..

let's wait out this storm..
I am prepared to forget this whole incident, and move on..
but if you step too near, you are digging your own burial ground.

New Layout..

After weeks of trying, choosing, and within 4 hours,
(since my wife woke me up)...

here you have...
the new blog layout!

nothing very "new"..
just something that i am looking forward..

Death bell ringing?

within mins, i am given a choice.

to choose to lay down the lion part of myself,
and to let the human side show...
some may even want to say...
let the Christ side lead me...

let's watch...
becoz I am on a warpath now.
against many decisions that may potentially shock many people.

The hardest thing for a man to do is to let his nature self die.

The most dangerous time to be near a snake is not when he is hungry.
The most dangerous time is when he is shedding his old skin...
Come too near, and its all over for you.

let this warning bell be heard to all circles..

dont try your luck too far.
you may run out of space to run.

i love a good fight...

if you think you had won the fight becoz i made a mistake....
you better watch your own back.
and watch it real hard.

if you never need me to chase you,
if you never need me to send reminders...
if you always reply, on time, and accurately...

will i step on your toes?

you may win this time.
but i will make you pay.

i love a good fight.
esp against people who claim (and want to accuse me) that i am not doing my roles well.

a lion do not look at the stone that hit him, and be sorrowful.
a lion look at the thrower, and is sorrowful until he devour him.

you are not an exceptional case.
anyone who tried to help you is standing in my wrath.

a warning bell has rung.
you better watch your back.

You shall know that Ray is not a gentle dove.
He is a lion, who smell your blood.
And he is hungry...

flied kite to holland and back...

what am i doing in office early in the morning at 8am?

suppose to go and help out to set up booth at hall 6....
it's not even my "job scope", but since you asked,
i agreed...

and now...
changed timing to 5pm...
and no one remember to tell me...

really flied kite to holland...
and back...

saving grace?
i have a floorplan to work on..
but askin me to wake up at 6am,
come office at 8am to work?

i could be enjoyin my sleep..
especially since i spent yesterday nite attending a wedding!!!

*ROAR*!!!!!

Will you call 999 becoz Mac don't have nuggets?

Classic example of "customers from space"..
space is such a nice word, compare to the palace that S.A.Tan lives...
Even though I strongly believed that they could come from the same place..

They are not just irrating,
nor over demanding,
nor plain cheapo...

They have the special ability to induce blood vomitting when we talk to them...

Want the best designs, but only willing to pay contractor's price...
Try asking contractors to first do all the design works...
And you still have to live in doubts whether will the work(s) turn out as they promised you...

Here.. we work with you over so many meetings to come up with a design that suit your lifestyle and wants,
create numerous 3Ds before we start work,
and hand over quality works...

Interior designers build lifestyles....
not carpentry...

If you just want a contractor, go ahead.
Don't waste my time..

a revelation that cut both ways...

somewhere this week, God revealed something to me..
something good...

first... maybe I should start by sharing the "revelation"...

God said:
"Ray, you are not SO IMPORTANT to the ministry, as you think, or what people are telling you".

In fact, as long as you are the one trying to make things happen in the section, the section will not grow.

Why?
Becoz of your reputation.

Your people will do all that you asked them to do, not becoz they see the same goals, or needs as you, but becoz you sent the instructions...
and by not following it, your people know that they are counting death...

so... in order for them to stay safe,
they will ok to everything that you asked them to do...

but as long as they are not united in the things that you are passionate about..
even if its "My commission", they will not do it wholeheartly...

"You" are doin everything right.. but you had a reputation of a lion... and this has spread throughout the ministry... to the effects that even ushers that never served know who you are...

"Ray, stop leading, and its time to release others to fulfil what is good for the section / ministry"

release the leaders to be the ones to challenge each others,
release the leaders to take up the burdens,
release the leaders to run the race with Me,

You are not called to run this race alone,
nor lead the run all the time.

You are not the saviour of this ministry...
and while you may know a lot, people may choose not to hear you.

Its ok.
"I" am still in control, and i will deal with those who are not in the same waveline as Me"

But as for you...
"Release."

Well...
its not quite a bad revelation right?

i meant...it just reminded me of what my mentor once said:
"you may command every CGL to follow your plans,
but don't think they are following you, becoz of your talents."

"They follow you, becoz they understood that if they didn't,
they are not helping (me) to make the events a success.
Thus, all the CGLs chose to humble themselves,
and follow, support and play their parts in accordance to your plans,
becoz THEY LOVE ME."

Its never about Ray.
Its always about the bigger pic.

About people getting saved.
About people experiencing the love & acceptance of Jesus.
About people receiving a vision bigger than themselves.
About people doing something big for Christ that they never thought possible.

And for that,
I told God...

"ok... God, help me to release"...

And within 2 days,
I released 2 helpers to take up their depts...
and it feel good.........




UNTIL the devil attacked.

If this is what people like...

Getting Things Done..

Every now and then God gently taps you on the shoulder and reminds you of what life is all about.
I got just such a tap the other day.

It was a day when there was too many errands to run,
too much work to do
and not enough time in the day to do it.

I was rushed, stressed, and irritable.

I even snapped at my kids to hurry up and get ready for school as I worried about how I was ever going to get everything done that day.

It was then, however, that I got my gentle tap on the shoulder.
Actually, it was more of a one, two punch from my furry friends.

As I stood there frowning with worry and tensed up with stress, I felt a sticking in my left leg.
At the same time my right hand suddenly felt warm and wet.
I looked down and found one of my cats with her claws on my knee looking up with that scratch my head look in her eyes.
When I turned to my right I saw my drooling Saint Bernard nuzzling in for a few pets himself.

I smiled at my loving, furry friends and at the same time heard God’s gentle voice in my mind saying:

“You are not here to get things done.
You are here to love.”

I thanked God for the reminder as the stress disappeared and the worry faded away.

I gave each of my kids a hug before heading out to start the day.
I still had a lot to do, of course, but now I did it with a smile on my face.
I sang joyously along with the music in my car as I ran my errands.
I did my work at home happily and easily taking several breaks to pet my dogs, hold my cats, look at the Fall leaves, and to tell God just how much I loved Him.

I got everything done with time to spare and most importantly I did it all blissfully, peacefully, and lovingly.

The next time that the stress of getting things done starts to build up inside of you, then take a break and remember why you are really here.

In the end, it is the love we share, the joy we spread, and the happiness we create that matters.
Those are the things God wants us to get done.

Joseph J. Mazzella

God answers... at His own timing...

right after i publish my previous post, i received an email...
or rather, an article that God used to remind me of why am i here...
and why He sent me here..

Jesus answers...
i am His living testmony...

things are still in a mess now..
but with God, all things will work out for His glory...

i am tired...

i am tired.

tired of fighting this fight,
running this race...

i sounded the first alarm when you first proposed this arrangement,
and nobody want to listen...
why..i guess no one listen to members...

and it bring me back to what the bible said...
somewhere in Proverbs, it was written that people will rather listen to the rich fools, than to the poor wise men...

maybe God should have another proverb:
"that people would rather listen to the ranks themselves, than to the laymen"

i read a long long time in a mag that often engineers working with ships at the sites are usually the ones that help the companies to solve problems,
save costs,
reduce shortage,
handle complaints,
and all thats...

things that the "bosses" have no ideas on...
but when bosses tried to solve the problems, they often made a mess out of it,
not becoz they are not good enough,
nor they started with wrong intention...

but simply becoz they didn't understand the root of the problem...


there used to be a cartoon clip that i kept...
it should how the "thinkers" spent time & energy coming up with theories and "case studies" to try to solve a problem...

where else all it take was for a person who is working on the ground minutes to check through the problems, and find the solutions...

from recruiting, we are now doing retention...
what went wrong?

you start the mess.
i blew the whistle.
and you think i am not flowing with you.

now, solve it with your plannin..
failure which you will see more people dropping out.