Dear all,
In my last update I was sharing about finishing well and strong. Today, I came across this little devotional by Pastor Max Lucado.Hope it will encourage you in your walk with the Lord who is the perfect example for us in finishing well and strong in this life.I have been reminded and encouraged - not to quit regardless of the occasional defeats to the illness and other setbacks in life. And as long as I am still breadth, I know that God has a purpose for me here on earth - for His plans are not to harm or hurt me but for welfare and peace and not for evil.
(Jeremiah 29:11 The Amplified bible).So it is the same for you - like Jeremiah,God has a planned destiny for you and me. Let us press on and persue that calling which God has for us. Yes, like Max Lucado said,"let's endure!".
dave
FINISHING STRONG - - -
by Max Lucado
Remain. Hang in there. Finish. Stick to it until it is done.
Unfortunately, very few of us do that. Our human tendency is to quit
too soon. Our human tendency is to stop before we cross the finish line.
Our inability to finish what we start is seen in the smallest of things:
A partly mowed lawn. A half-read book. Letters begun but never
completed. An abandoned diet. A car up on blocks.
Or, it shows up in life’s most painful areas:
An abandoned child. A cold faith. A job hopper. A wrecked marriage.
An unevangelized world.
Am I touching some painful sores? Any chance I’m addressing someone
who is considering giving up? If I am, I want to encourage you to
remain. I want to encourage you to remember Jesus’ determination on
the cross.
Jesus didn’t quit. But don’t think for one minute that he wasn’t
tempted to. Watch him wince as he hears his apostles backbite and
quarrel. Look at him weep as he sits at Lazarus’s tomb or hear him
wail as he claws the ground of Gethsemane.
Did he ever want to quit? You bet.
That’s why his words are so splendid.
“It is finished.”
A cry of defeat? Hardly. Had his hands not been fastened down I dare
say that a triumphant fist would have punched the dark sky. No, this
is no cry of despair. It is a cry of completion. A cry of victory. A
cry of fulfillment. Yes, even a cry of relief.
Are you close to quitting? Please don’t do it. Are you discouraged as
a parent? Hang in there. Are you weary with doing good? Do just a
little more. Are you pessimistic about your job? Roll up your sleeves
and go at it again. No communication in your marriage? Give it one
more shot. Can’t resist temptation? Accept God’s forgiveness and go
one more round. Is your day framed with sorrow and disappointment?
Are your tomorrows turning into nevers? Is hope a forgotten word?
Remember, a finisher is not one with no wounds or weariness. Mother
Teresa is credited with saying, “God didn’t call us to be successful,
just faithful.”
The Land of Promise, says Jesus, awaits those who endure. (Matthew
10:22) It is not just for those who make the victory laps or drink
champagne. No sir. The Land of Promise is for those who simply remain
to the end.
Let’s endure.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
MRI on 3 April 2006
Dear all,
I sincerely appreciate you for praying for the relief of the pain in my bones.
Thankfully, the pain killers do help though they wear off quite fast,usually in 3-4 hours. The codeine also causes drowsiness. To help in restoring the bones,I am on intravenous Zometa regularly as well as calcium tablets 3x a day. Come Monday, I will be going for the MRI of my whole body.
Interestingly, the Lord has also opened doors for me to befriend some people at the Haemological Centre at SGH. I have started to write their names down so that I can intercede for the salvation of each of them by name. Frankly,often I just didn't want to get to know people actively as I struggle with my own ailment. As much as I know I can seize every opportunity and season in my life to be a witness for the Lord, many a times I feel weak and powerless in my soul to do so. Most of the time I choose to sit at a corner to read or think while waiting for my turn to see the doctor, with occcasional 'hellos' and smiles with the familiar hospital staff and patients that have become acquainted with me.
Since Sept 2004, SGH Haemotology Centre and ward 72 have been a place I frequent at least once a week for my regular follow-ups. It's almost like a second home. In the course of time, there are many I have got to know- staff and patients.
Sadly, a few patients had also succumbed to the deadly effects of the disease they suffered. Some are doing fairly well with occasional 'hiccups' like what I have been having on and then. While here and there I see some turning frail and weak, trying to fight the warfare in their bodies and souls. Mixed feelings do cloud my mind and heart but again and again, I have to hold the sword of the Spirit/ word of God to remind me to turn my eyes to focus on Jesus, the finisher of our faith.
Many people have written to commend us as we go thru this crisis. Honestly, we don't have enough strength. Do you know what gave us the joy and strength?
For one - your prayers and words of encouragement.
Secondly,remembering how the heroes in the Bible also gave us great strength to persevere and have the sense of purpose in living each day. Particularly Job - who suffered so much. He is a great example for me to follow in such times of testing.
The Apostle Paul's uncomsuming attitude and concern for the gospel in the midst of his own suffering also taught me to rejoice in the Lord and to glorify God in all circumstances.But ultimately, it is the Jesus who had been thru the worst suffering thru the way of the cross that has provided the serenity and peace as we trust in Jehovah Jireh. Why? Simply because He knows and understands all that we are going through. That's enough for me to keep trusting; keep believing and have complete confidence in God.
Finishing well and strong in life is important. But above all, living for eternity is even more important. Talking to Dr. William last Monday was a good reminder of this fact.
We were talking about an article I read at the medical centre. It's about an interview he had with the newspapers not too long ago in which he said, "No one lives forever but there's a lot of satisfaction when you can give a patient a new lease of life. Sometimes, though, it's the patients who don't make it, who change you. Their perspective, that it's not just this life that they are living for, makes the big picture clearer."
Talking with him in that brief moment in the consultaion reminded me to stay focused on living well for the Lord. I vividly remembered him saying, "it doesn't matter whether we live for just one more day or a hundred or more. It matters more how and why we live our lives."
I want to stay strong like Job - able to stand the test of loyalty and faithfulness to my master and maker even if I suffer losses in life, including my health. I want to be like Paul - able to sing and rejoice and speak of the goodness of God even in difficult circumstances. I really want to be like Jesus - able to stay focused on his mission, who for the joy ahead endured the cross.
I feel so motivated to serve again. Regardless of the physical strength in me - I want to tell of His love wherever I am. I do not need to be in a place in full-time in the pastorate to do that. Influence is not primarily due to position, rather, where God has placed me, I can proclaim of His undying love.
please pray that God will open more doors and open the hearts of the hopsital staff and especially, the patients who must see the urgency of time to make Jesus their Lord and Saviour while there is still breadth.
Thanks,
david
I sincerely appreciate you for praying for the relief of the pain in my bones.
Thankfully, the pain killers do help though they wear off quite fast,usually in 3-4 hours. The codeine also causes drowsiness. To help in restoring the bones,I am on intravenous Zometa regularly as well as calcium tablets 3x a day. Come Monday, I will be going for the MRI of my whole body.
Interestingly, the Lord has also opened doors for me to befriend some people at the Haemological Centre at SGH. I have started to write their names down so that I can intercede for the salvation of each of them by name. Frankly,often I just didn't want to get to know people actively as I struggle with my own ailment. As much as I know I can seize every opportunity and season in my life to be a witness for the Lord, many a times I feel weak and powerless in my soul to do so. Most of the time I choose to sit at a corner to read or think while waiting for my turn to see the doctor, with occcasional 'hellos' and smiles with the familiar hospital staff and patients that have become acquainted with me.
Since Sept 2004, SGH Haemotology Centre and ward 72 have been a place I frequent at least once a week for my regular follow-ups. It's almost like a second home. In the course of time, there are many I have got to know- staff and patients.
Sadly, a few patients had also succumbed to the deadly effects of the disease they suffered. Some are doing fairly well with occasional 'hiccups' like what I have been having on and then. While here and there I see some turning frail and weak, trying to fight the warfare in their bodies and souls. Mixed feelings do cloud my mind and heart but again and again, I have to hold the sword of the Spirit/ word of God to remind me to turn my eyes to focus on Jesus, the finisher of our faith.
Many people have written to commend us as we go thru this crisis. Honestly, we don't have enough strength. Do you know what gave us the joy and strength?
For one - your prayers and words of encouragement.
Secondly,remembering how the heroes in the Bible also gave us great strength to persevere and have the sense of purpose in living each day. Particularly Job - who suffered so much. He is a great example for me to follow in such times of testing.
The Apostle Paul's uncomsuming attitude and concern for the gospel in the midst of his own suffering also taught me to rejoice in the Lord and to glorify God in all circumstances.But ultimately, it is the Jesus who had been thru the worst suffering thru the way of the cross that has provided the serenity and peace as we trust in Jehovah Jireh. Why? Simply because He knows and understands all that we are going through. That's enough for me to keep trusting; keep believing and have complete confidence in God.
Finishing well and strong in life is important. But above all, living for eternity is even more important. Talking to Dr. William last Monday was a good reminder of this fact.
We were talking about an article I read at the medical centre. It's about an interview he had with the newspapers not too long ago in which he said, "No one lives forever but there's a lot of satisfaction when you can give a patient a new lease of life. Sometimes, though, it's the patients who don't make it, who change you. Their perspective, that it's not just this life that they are living for, makes the big picture clearer."
Talking with him in that brief moment in the consultaion reminded me to stay focused on living well for the Lord. I vividly remembered him saying, "it doesn't matter whether we live for just one more day or a hundred or more. It matters more how and why we live our lives."
I want to stay strong like Job - able to stand the test of loyalty and faithfulness to my master and maker even if I suffer losses in life, including my health. I want to be like Paul - able to sing and rejoice and speak of the goodness of God even in difficult circumstances. I really want to be like Jesus - able to stay focused on his mission, who for the joy ahead endured the cross.
I feel so motivated to serve again. Regardless of the physical strength in me - I want to tell of His love wherever I am. I do not need to be in a place in full-time in the pastorate to do that. Influence is not primarily due to position, rather, where God has placed me, I can proclaim of His undying love.
please pray that God will open more doors and open the hearts of the hopsital staff and especially, the patients who must see the urgency of time to make Jesus their Lord and Saviour while there is still breadth.
Thanks,
david
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Watching sunrise together
Dear all,
Whee Ling has been back safely from Hong Kong. She was there for work till Thursday evening.
Josh and I had been going to the beach near Bedok Jetty to watch the sunrise.We had our daily devotion there too. Now he has memorized Habakuk.3:4 about God's splendor.Seeing different colours of the sunrise each day had given him, and me, a better understanding of God's splendor.
The pain on my body is still there. It will be until the bones are healed. A
MRI appointment has been scheduled in April.Meanwhile, it is relieved by taking pain killers.
Sometimes I am very intrigued by Josh.I was having pain again yesterday afternoon at home when he said to me, "Daddy, don't think of the pain, think of God." immediately, his words realigned me to the promises of God instead of focusing on my pain - physically and emotionally.It is so easy to dwell on problems we are facing instead of depending on the person of Jesus who can carry us through because He is our overcomer.
Thank God for His wonderful grace each day,
david
Whee Ling has been back safely from Hong Kong. She was there for work till Thursday evening.
Josh and I had been going to the beach near Bedok Jetty to watch the sunrise.We had our daily devotion there too. Now he has memorized Habakuk.3:4 about God's splendor.Seeing different colours of the sunrise each day had given him, and me, a better understanding of God's splendor.
The pain on my body is still there. It will be until the bones are healed. A
MRI appointment has been scheduled in April.Meanwhile, it is relieved by taking pain killers.
Sometimes I am very intrigued by Josh.I was having pain again yesterday afternoon at home when he said to me, "Daddy, don't think of the pain, think of God." immediately, his words realigned me to the promises of God instead of focusing on my pain - physically and emotionally.It is so easy to dwell on problems we are facing instead of depending on the person of Jesus who can carry us through because He is our overcomer.
Thank God for His wonderful grace each day,
david
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Psalm 6:2-4
"Be merciful to me,Lord, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish.
How long, O Lord. how long? Turn, O Lord, and deliver me;
save me because of Your unfailing love.
Psalm 6:2-4
Dear all,
thank you for sharing my pain by praying for me. The past few days had been very tough for me-bearing the pain physically and emotionally, wondering when this road is going to end. But many of your words of comfort and encouragement thru your sms-es and calls brought great strength to my anguised soul.And particularly the advice of many doctor friends who called were timely and insightful.Thank God also for the wisdom of God upon Dr. William, my transplant physician and the team of concerned and caring doctors in SGH, haematology department who explained to me about the lytic lesions in my bones. Lytic lesions are holes caused by the disease multiple myeloma. Thus, my bones are brittle and more prone to fractures.To promote healing of the holes, I'm on intravenous Zometa and calcium tablets.The good news is that the last BMA done shows no trace of myeloma cells.Do pray for speedy recovery of the bones.
Because of my pain, I brought Josh to my sister's place so that she can help me look after Josh. Josh and I stayed there last night. Josh also wanted to see the sunrise as the place overlooks the see at Laguna Park, Marine Parade.
The sunrise was beautiful. Josh loves seeing the beautiful colours in the sky while the sun was slowly coming up. It was full of splendor. In spite of the pain at night, I was reminded of God's splendor. God's splendor is like the sunrise (Habakkuk 3;4) Thus, God's sunrise is more than my disease.
I was also very encouraged by God's word in Malachi 4:2 as well that says, "The sun of righteousness will rise with HEALING in its wings." The sun is like a great golden bird rising in the morning and flying across the sky. His shining wings are sending out light and warmth. And to those who look up to Him to feel that warm light will get better and stronger. God, the sun of righteousness can make us better and stronger when we look to him. I told Josh that God will make me better and stronger - thank God for His promise and presence and protection - things could have been worse if not for His grace. Do pray for more and more grace each day to endure and persevere.
david
How long, O Lord. how long? Turn, O Lord, and deliver me;
save me because of Your unfailing love.
Psalm 6:2-4
Dear all,
thank you for sharing my pain by praying for me. The past few days had been very tough for me-bearing the pain physically and emotionally, wondering when this road is going to end. But many of your words of comfort and encouragement thru your sms-es and calls brought great strength to my anguised soul.And particularly the advice of many doctor friends who called were timely and insightful.Thank God also for the wisdom of God upon Dr. William, my transplant physician and the team of concerned and caring doctors in SGH, haematology department who explained to me about the lytic lesions in my bones. Lytic lesions are holes caused by the disease multiple myeloma. Thus, my bones are brittle and more prone to fractures.To promote healing of the holes, I'm on intravenous Zometa and calcium tablets.The good news is that the last BMA done shows no trace of myeloma cells.Do pray for speedy recovery of the bones.
Because of my pain, I brought Josh to my sister's place so that she can help me look after Josh. Josh and I stayed there last night. Josh also wanted to see the sunrise as the place overlooks the see at Laguna Park, Marine Parade.
The sunrise was beautiful. Josh loves seeing the beautiful colours in the sky while the sun was slowly coming up. It was full of splendor. In spite of the pain at night, I was reminded of God's splendor. God's splendor is like the sunrise (Habakkuk 3;4) Thus, God's sunrise is more than my disease.
I was also very encouraged by God's word in Malachi 4:2 as well that says, "The sun of righteousness will rise with HEALING in its wings." The sun is like a great golden bird rising in the morning and flying across the sky. His shining wings are sending out light and warmth. And to those who look up to Him to feel that warm light will get better and stronger. God, the sun of righteousness can make us better and stronger when we look to him. I told Josh that God will make me better and stronger - thank God for His promise and presence and protection - things could have been worse if not for His grace. Do pray for more and more grace each day to endure and persevere.
david
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
David is experiencing much pain lately
Dear all,
David was hospitalised last Fri for prolapsed piles, pain in his back. He also experienced tightness in his chest on Sat morning while in the hospital. After various tests, he was discharged after Doctor was sure his pain has nothing to do with his kidney or heart but the holes in his bones likely caused by previous myeloma cells. His bones takes a while to heal and strengthen. Meanwhile he is on painkillers to cope with the pain. Please pray for him.
Our family were supposed to go for holiday in HK last Sat but have to cancel the plan due to the last min hospitalisation. Naturally Joshua is very disappointed but he understood when explained that it is better for his daddy to travel when he is well. Though disappointed, we continue to give thanks for all things for we know our lives are in His hands.
Thanks & God bless,
Whee Ling
David was hospitalised last Fri for prolapsed piles, pain in his back. He also experienced tightness in his chest on Sat morning while in the hospital. After various tests, he was discharged after Doctor was sure his pain has nothing to do with his kidney or heart but the holes in his bones likely caused by previous myeloma cells. His bones takes a while to heal and strengthen. Meanwhile he is on painkillers to cope with the pain. Please pray for him.
Our family were supposed to go for holiday in HK last Sat but have to cancel the plan due to the last min hospitalisation. Naturally Joshua is very disappointed but he understood when explained that it is better for his daddy to travel when he is well. Though disappointed, we continue to give thanks for all things for we know our lives are in His hands.
Thanks & God bless,
Whee Ling
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Review on Fri 3/3/2006
Dear all,
Josh is much better now, except for slight cough and a little conjuctivities of the left eye.
The last BMA appears clear with no trace of myeloma cells. Dr. William is certain that there is no relapse.He has also tailed down the doasges of some of the drugs, chiefly the immuno-suppressants. As such, he is careful and will review me again tomorrow.
There are 3 areas where there is pain this week - thank God the fracture 8th left rib has lessened tremendously. But the BMA site where another dr did it is still so painful.
Of late, I have been having frequent urination throughtout the day. In order to hydrate myself myself due to my constant thirst, I drink a lot. But the output is much more than my daily intake. Besides, the output of urine each time is not very much although I feel 'urgent'. The pain around my right kidney is a little of concern although all the Xrays (KUB;IVU) and even blood tests for kidney function and glucose are all within the normal range. Anyway,I have another appointment to see the urologist tomorrow for more insights into the problem.
This morning, while waiting with Josh for my brother to fetch Josh to school, I had a good chat with Josh. We were reviewing Phil 4:4, a powerful verse where it shows us the key to real joy in life - to rejoice in the LORD always. Then an old sunday school song many of the "young people" around my age will know.The rest of you are younger peole - there are no old people in this world, it's all in the mind!
Anyway, as I sang to Josh, I changed the words to "Rejoice in the Lord and DON'T COMPLAIN, and again I say rejoice. Josh laughed and enjoyed the fun. But how true it is , that the key to find real joy in life is to be like Paul as he advised and experinced in the midst of all his trials and troubles. Indeed, he has stood the test of being a good soldier and fighter of Jesus.
Someone said, "A soldier is not a soldier until he goes to war." Likewise, a disciple is not really one until he is tested and refined by the adversities and fires in life. Sometimes, the journey seems so long and I grow weary. But these thoughts quickened my spirit to figth on and be a good soldier and disciple of Christ. And of the keys I learn to hold on to in order to have victory is to learn to rejoice, instead of complaining; to become better instead of bitter. Indeed, 'the joy of the Lord is my strength'-Neh 8:10
May you find joy in all you do this day too,
thx for reading our blog - hope you are blessed too,
david.
Josh is much better now, except for slight cough and a little conjuctivities of the left eye.
The last BMA appears clear with no trace of myeloma cells. Dr. William is certain that there is no relapse.He has also tailed down the doasges of some of the drugs, chiefly the immuno-suppressants. As such, he is careful and will review me again tomorrow.
There are 3 areas where there is pain this week - thank God the fracture 8th left rib has lessened tremendously. But the BMA site where another dr did it is still so painful.
Of late, I have been having frequent urination throughtout the day. In order to hydrate myself myself due to my constant thirst, I drink a lot. But the output is much more than my daily intake. Besides, the output of urine each time is not very much although I feel 'urgent'. The pain around my right kidney is a little of concern although all the Xrays (KUB;IVU) and even blood tests for kidney function and glucose are all within the normal range. Anyway,I have another appointment to see the urologist tomorrow for more insights into the problem.
This morning, while waiting with Josh for my brother to fetch Josh to school, I had a good chat with Josh. We were reviewing Phil 4:4, a powerful verse where it shows us the key to real joy in life - to rejoice in the LORD always. Then an old sunday school song many of the "young people" around my age will know.The rest of you are younger peole - there are no old people in this world, it's all in the mind!
Anyway, as I sang to Josh, I changed the words to "Rejoice in the Lord and DON'T COMPLAIN, and again I say rejoice. Josh laughed and enjoyed the fun. But how true it is , that the key to find real joy in life is to be like Paul as he advised and experinced in the midst of all his trials and troubles. Indeed, he has stood the test of being a good soldier and fighter of Jesus.
Someone said, "A soldier is not a soldier until he goes to war." Likewise, a disciple is not really one until he is tested and refined by the adversities and fires in life. Sometimes, the journey seems so long and I grow weary. But these thoughts quickened my spirit to figth on and be a good soldier and disciple of Christ. And of the keys I learn to hold on to in order to have victory is to learn to rejoice, instead of complaining; to become better instead of bitter. Indeed, 'the joy of the Lord is my strength'-Neh 8:10
May you find joy in all you do this day too,
thx for reading our blog - hope you are blessed too,
david.
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