Friends, have you ever wished for success? I have! Just like the rest of humanity, I do not want to live life mundanely - just going through the motions. I want my life to count. I want to be successful.

However, success, in most people’s definition, is merely about material possessions.

Someone once said this: “He who has the most toys wins!”

I disagree… because he who has the most toys still dies!”

Success is more than just earning a status. Success is about a meaningful life — walking out your calling, your purpose with God’s supernatural competence, in a context of meaningful relationships.

Friends, are you waiting for success? Waiting for success to come your way?

My son came back home from school yesterday bursting into tears. Choking in sadness, he tried to tell us what happened. It was photo-taking day in school and most of the boys came with hair nicely “gel-ed”. He did not! During photo-taking, a small group of children and one adult commented that he did not look nice at all; just because his hair was not “neatly combed”.

He was badly hurt by the negative comments. He continued crying; wallowing in self pity.

While comforting him, Jen and I recognized this as a teaching moment. We reinforced our love for him. We reminded him that he is good-looking; much to our parental pride. We shared that God made each one special and we are valued by God regardless of what others might say. We taught him not to be affected by negative remarks but learn to defend himself without being rude.

Finally, he was pacified and was happy again.

During the time of talking with Victor, I was reminded of how easy it is for us (even as adults) to fall prey to negative remarks. All through life, we go through daily bombardments of thoughts like “you’ll never make it”, “why can’t you be as good as…”, etc. If we are not careful, we can actually believe in these lies. The moment these negative thoughts form a stronghold around our mind, our perspective of our identity is tainted and tarnished.

I had a conversation with a Christian Minister today and we had a great discussion time encouraging each other in our walk with God, our family and our ministry. In the midst of a short yet fruitful sharing, we chanced upon the topic on obeying God.

This conversation triggered my memory of what I wrote in my journal a few months ago.

Proverbs 29:18 says, “where there is no vision, people perish.”

This is a very familiar passage of scripture that I have read, preached and taught numerous times in my past 11 years of ministry as a pastor. Yet, with my new transition out from being a conventional pastor in a fast growing and vibrant local church in Singapore into an itinerant preacher cum business man, VISION has been the sole thing that has propelled me into this new destiny.

Vision has never been so real.

I felt directed to ponder over the meaning of Resurrection today.

We often hear the familiar message of the birth of Christ during Christmas; where God promises deliverance to His people through the life of Jesus. Yet God’s plan of redemption embraces not only the joyous heralding of the birth of the Messiah, they include the suffering, death and ultimately the resurrection of our Saviour.

Here are some thoughts that flooded my mind as I meditate over “Resurrection” from the scriptures in Mark 16.

Psalm 101: 1 - I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing praise.

Worship, as one author puts it, is to sing the love songs God gives.

Worship is about being consumed with the PERSONALITY of God.

Worship has the ability to change our focus - from self to God.