Asia Conference

Asia Conference started on Wednesday.. and I must say that I am very impress and proud of what my church is doing and glad that we are under the leadership of Pastor Kong, who has such foresight and passion for the lost. It's been a long time since I was so excited about a conference. I told myself that I will avail myself for whichever sessions that I can attend.

The opening night was a night of inspiration and assurance of what I'm gonna pursue in the next few years. Pastor talked about most Christians staying in the 1st space where we are only comfortable with communicating with Christians in the church. Christians whom non-Christians would "classify" as weird and fake in the real world. Christians who are critical and judgemental about non-Christians and even their own fellow bros & sis-in-Christ. He challenged all those with such mentalities to move to the 2nd space-The Marketplace. More than just staying in the Marketplace, we should excel in it and be invited to the 3rd space, where the governors and people of high authorities are. It confirmed my goal of switching from the teaching track to leadership track. It's not that I want recognition and prestige, but rather I strongly believe it is only when I have reached the 3rd space, that my voice will be heard and I can do more for God and the kids. I want to be like Paul in the Bible (Acts 17:16-34).

Yesterday I went for my elective-Effective Counselling. And I am blessed by what Pastor Mike Connell had shared. He told us that everyone of us need to learn to take responsibility of our own actions, feelings and consequences. A lot of times, we like to blame others for things that had happened. We tend to say things like, "He doesn't like me, that's why he's always not happy with my performance." "It's useless to talk to him because he will always insist that he is right." We fail to realised that although we can't change the other party, we could have done something to change ourselves (mentality and actions etc) to change the situations. I can't change others, but I can change myself for my own good. I'm living my life, not other's life. Other's life is not within my control. But my life is in my hands and I can feel empowered when I am in control. People who refused to change themselves will always live in misery because they'll always feel that others are against them. They will always feel victimised by others. I must take responsibility and stop shifting the blame to others if I truly want myself to be happy.

Pastor Mike explained his point by giving us an example of Adam. When God asked Adam whether he had eaten the fruit of the tree, Adam refused to take responsibility of his actions and he shifted the blame to Eve and God by saying, "The WOMAN whom YOU gave me, gave me the fruit to eat." From that moment on, God stopped talking to Adam and the whole of mankind starts to experience the consequence of that irresponsibility. Wow! I didn't realise that God actually stopped talking to us when we refused to take responsibility. At that instant, I immediately told God that I was sorry for what I had done previously. I am responsible for what I've become. I really pray that God will give me another chance to do His will.

I still have many other thoughts in my head.. But I should be preparing for tonight's session. It's gonna be another impactful and blessed night for all of us! Praise the Lord for what He is doing!