Prayer Answered by Crosses By John Newton

Dear Reader,

Thanks for stopping by. The following poem is very true in the life of a Christian! God answers prayers by sanctifying him/her. 

Prayer Answered by Crosses

By John Newton

I asked the Lord that I might grow 


In faith and love and every grace, 


Might more of his salvation know, 


And seek more earnestly his face.

’Twas he who taught me thus to pray; 


And he, I trust, has answered prayer; 


But it has been in such a way 


As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that, in some favoured hour, 


At once he’d answer my request, 


And by his love’s constraining power 


Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, he made me feel 


The hidden evils of my heart, 


And let the angry powers of hell 


Assault my soul in every part.

Yea, more, with his own hand he seemed

Intent to aggravate my woe, 


Crossed all the fair designs I schemed, 


Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this? I trembling cried; 


Wilt thou pursue this worm to death? 


This is the way, the Lord replied

I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I now employ 


From self and pride to set thee free,

And break thy schemes of earthly joy, 


That thou may’st seek thy all in me.

To listen Online:

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/devotional/morning-and-evening/0915m

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards

Nancie

3 July 2024

God moves in a mysterious way

Dear Readers,

Thank you for stopping by. The following poem is called "God moves in a mysterious way". This poem also reflects my experience and I believe that of many people. God works His ways in our life!

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea

And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never failing skill

He treasures up His bright designs

And works His sov’reign will.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace;

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break

In blessings on your head.

Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan His work in vain;

God is His own interpreter,

And He will make it plain.

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flow’r.

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards

Nancie

2 July 2024

The Weaver : My life is but a weaving between my God and me.

Dear Readers,

Thank you for stopping by.

Recently, someone reminded me of a poem called "The Weaver". This poem reflects my experience and I believe that of many people. There is a purpose for everything in our life....

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned

He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards

Nancie

1 July 2024

Thank God for His mercies and faithfulness

(First posted on 21 Feb 2008)

Dear Readers,

Thank you for stopping by.

This morning, the Lord brought the following verse to my mind:

"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

I am thankful to God for His mercies and faithfulness throughout my life. As I considered afresh how He provided and led me through this part-time job assignment that just ended, I am once again amazed by God's love and mercies to unworthy me.

When I was first diagnosed with proneness to bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), it was a relief to me. I finally understood my confusing past where I have experienced some 10 or 11 episodes of severe depression that usually lasted between 3 months to 6 months or sometimes longer. I struggled to get through each day. I used to wonder what sins have I committed that I have to go through these punishment time and again. Whenever I am well, I do love the Lord, love His people and love to serve Him. It must be a great sin that landed me into severe depression each time, that was what I thought. Yet during such an episode of severe depression, no amount of soul-searching, repentance and cries can bring about deliverance. It was usually 3 to 6 months later that I began to get better and more functional. I thank God for preserving me through those very very difficult times and now finally enabling me to understand why.

My diagnosis helped me to realize that my severe and prolonged depression episodes are due to my proneness to bipolar disorder which is a medical condition that can be treated. No doubt various factors, internal and external, has brought about a relapse in depression. Most of the time could be due to stress and overstraining as I am some kind of a perfectionist in my character and though I have tried hard to change, it is not easy. So unknowingly I sometimes set rather high expectations of myself or goals that are unrealistic and I am doomed to fail in my own eyes when I don't meet up to those high expectations. These often happened unknowingly as I always strive to do my best. I just can't seem to understand my limitations and how much I can really do. This has something to do with the other side of bipolar ie. hypomania. Whenever I am well, I am usually on the hypomania side. Which means I have more energy, more ideas, more creative, more talkative, more friendly and tend to take on more projects than I can handle (without realizing it) and sleep/rest less. I also will be so engrossed or occupied with various things that I neglect exercise, breaks, recreation, hobbies and sometimes regular meals or healthy meals. After weeks or months of such hypomania, a severe depression will surely follow for another 3 to 6 months or so.

My diagnosis helped me to realized that bipolar can happen to anyone. And thank God for preserving me through those very difficult times in the past and delivering me each time. Each experience, confusing though they were, have been used of the Lord for my eternal good. Through every prolonged depressive episodes, I was thrown completely upon the Lord. I have no one else to turn to. No one understood what I was going through. I thank God that through those times, He led me to seek and search His Words and Truths to understand the importance of a right relationship with Him and the great work of sacrifice our Lord Jesus Christ has done when He laid down His life on the cross for us to redeem us from sins and eternal damnation. I thank God that these Truths became very precious to me through my darkest days. I wanted to know what I must do to be saved. During a depressive episode, all my thoughts and feelings became distorted and not functioning properly. I often couldn't feel my love for God, His Word or His people. Actually, I can't feel aright generally, but I didn't realize it. I thought I was surely not a sincere believer and probably even a reprobate. So through each difficult experience, I learn afresh to look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, to seek Him afresh and to know His love and forgiveness. So those very difficult times became great blessings as the Lord sanctified me, drew me closer to Him and enable me to experience His love and faithfulness experientially. God is very real to me because of these difficult experiences. Now I understand why the Psalmist said in Psalm 119:71:

"It is good for me to be afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."

It was through my afflictions that I understand the true meaning of some of God's Words and promises.

But my diagnosis also brings about some difficulties. In the past when I was looking for a new job, I have had difficulties finding one due to my asthma condition. It is a requirement to declare my health condition in the job application form. There were times when I was rejected because they said my asthma condition is very serious as I am on long term medication. They didn't want me to be a liability to them. Actually, my asthma is not very serious. It is mild and persistent, and that is why I have to be on long term medication as I will be in danger of sudden asthmatic attacks that can lead to sudden death otherwise. But as long as I continue with my medication, I am fine most of the time. I only get asthmatic attacks during very very cold weather in December as it rains heavily in Singapore during that time. Or if the office's aircon is too cold, I will feel uncomfortable too. But I have made it a point to wear my sweater and so in the recent years, I have very few attacks. But even then it is so difficult to get a job because of my asthma.

God in His faithfulness, provided a job for me through my good friend, Dr Chin Ming Shu, who is a child psychologist helping children with special needs such as autism, dyslexia, speech delay, etc. Ming Shu is a Christian and a very kind friend. I was with her for the next 4 years plus until I left the job recently when I was severely depressed and could hardly work. At that time, providentially she had to scale down her work to attend to some family matters. I am thankful to God for Ming Shu's kindness to me over the years as she allows me flexibility in terms of my working hours and work. And she lightens my load whenever I went through depressive episodes. Being a child psychologist, she understood depression. So she never condemn me and she sympathized and prayed and encouraged me during such distressing time. I survived a few episodes while working with her and it was because of her kindness that I was able to continue working despite my depression. It was also through her promptings that I finally sought medical help in Dec 2006, and now able to manage my condition better with medical plus other helps. Thank God!

End of last year when I started to look for a new job, I encountered the same difficulties where my health declaration is involved. Now I have to declare not only asthma, but that I am on medication for manic-depressive illness or bipolar disorder. Once I declared that, I don't hear from them anymore. Mental illnesses is still very much a stigma in Singapore. But I thank God that through my friend, Grace, that I was offered this part-time job recently. And because it was a part-time assignment, I was not asked to fill up any application forms. So no one know about my medical condition and I was not rejected because of that. Thank God! Truly with Him all things are possible. Great is His mercies and faithfulness.

As I pray, look and await God's provision of another suitable job, I thank God for the assurance in my heart that He will provide for me in His time despite the great difficulties. I pray that He may enable me to once again testify of His goodness and mercies in His next provision of a job, and that I may continue to know Him and serve Him in my new job. Meanwhile, I really appreciate this little break once again.

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him." Psalm 62:5

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards

Nancie

1 March 2024

愛祢到底 歌詞 ài mí dàodǐ Love You Till The End with Lyrics Words 歌詞

Dear Reader, 

Thank you for stopping by. 

Recently, I heard this encouraging Chinese Mandarin Christian song 愛祢到底  (ài mí dàodǐ) Love You Till The End. The first video below has a short exhortation in Chinese Mandarin which is very encouraging.

1. https://youtu.be/V8ZkREmcBSI?feature=shared

Below, is the Lyrics with words in Chinese HanYuPinYin, translated using Google.

愛祢到底 

ài mí dàodǐ

Love You Till The End

歌詞 Lyrics： 

1 來到主前 卸下一切憂慮重擔 

Lái dào zhǔ qián xiè xià yīqiè yōulǜ chóng dān

耶穌我來敬拜祢 

Yēsū wǒ lái jìng bài mí

疲憊的心 在祢裡面重新得力 

Píbèi de xīn zài mí lǐmiàn chóngxīn délì

耶穌我來敬拜祢 

Yēsū wǒ lái jìng bài mí

2 全心相信 祢的恩典和應許 

Quán xīn xiāngxìn mí de ēndiǎn hé yìng xǔ

水火之中 不離不棄 

Shuǐhuǒ zhī zhōng bù lì bù qì

全心相信 萬事都互相效力

Quán xīn xiāngxìn wànshì dōu hùxiāng xiàolì

我願一生 愛祢到底 

Wǒ yuàn yīshēng ài mí dàodǐ

3 來到主前 卸下一切憂慮重擔 

Lái dào zhǔ qián xiè xià yīqiè yōulǜ chóng dān

耶穌我來敬拜祢 

Yēsū wǒ lái jìng bài mí

疲憊的心 在祢裡面重新得力 

Píbèi de xīn zài mí lǐmiàn chóngxīn délì

耶穌我來敬拜祢 

Yēsū wǒ lái jìng bài mí

4 全心相信 祢的恩典和應許 

Quán xīn xiāngxìn mí de ēndiǎn hé yìng xǔ

水火之中 不離不棄 

Shuǐhuǒ zhī zhōng bù lì bù qì

全心相信 萬事都互相效力

Quán xīn xiāngxìn wànshì dōu hùxiāng xiàolì

我願一生 愛祢到底 

Wǒ yuàn yīshēng ài mí dàodǐ

5 我全心敬拜 全心感謝 

Wǒ quán xīn jìng bài quán xīn gǎnxiè

全心讚美 耶穌的名 

Quán xīn zànměi yēsū de míng

我渴慕有祢 與我親近 

Wǒ kěmù yǒu mí yǔ wǒ qīnjìn

我一生 要愛祢到底 

Wǒ yuàn yīshēng ài mí dàodǐ

6 全心相信 祢的恩典和應許 

Quán xīn xiāngxìn mí de ēndiǎn hé yìng xǔ

水火之中 不離不棄 

Shuǐhuǒ zhī zhōng bù lì bù qì

全心相信 萬事都互相效力

Quán xīn xiāngxìn wànshì dōu hùxiāng xiàolì

我願一生 愛祢到底 

Wǒ yuàn yīshēng ài mí dàodǐ

我願一生 愛祢到底 

Wǒ yuàn yīshēng ài mí dàodǐ

我願一生 愛祢到底 

Wǒ yuàn yīshēng ài mí dàodǐ

2. https://youtu.be/x1QscWKi-zw?feature=shared

愛祢到底 Love You Till The End

 

歌詞 Lyrics 

1 來到主前 卸下一切憂慮重擔 

耶穌我來敬拜祢 

疲憊的心 在祢裡面重新得力 

耶穌我來敬拜祢 

2 全心相信 祢的恩典和應許 

水火之中 不離不棄 

全心相信 萬事都互相效力

我願一生 愛祢到底 

3 來到主前 卸下一切憂慮重擔 

耶穌我來敬拜祢 

疲憊的心 在祢裡面重新得力 

耶穌我來敬拜祢 

4 全心相信 祢的恩典和應許 

水火之中 不離不棄 

全心相信 萬事都互相效力

我願一生 愛祢到底 

5 我全心敬拜 全心感謝 

全心讚美 耶穌的名 

我渴慕有祢 與我親近 

我一生 要愛祢到底 

6 全心相信 祢的恩典和應許 

水火之中 不離不棄 

全心相信 萬事都互相效力 

我願一生 愛祢到底

我願一生 愛祢到底

我願一生 愛祢到底

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards

Nancie

2 February 2024

My Church in Singapore is Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC) which is Reformed Church

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by. Today is the Lord's Day or Sabbath day (Sunday) where Christians all over the world go to their Churches to worship God with other fellow believers. Some Churches have 2 worship  services, Morning and Evening worship services, while some Churches only have 1 worship service.

I am a member of Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC) in Singapore. I have been in this Church for 24 years. My Church has 2 worship services every Sunday. Our Morning Worship Service is at Singapore time 9:30am and Evening Worship Service is at 5:30pm.  We have Chinese Mandarin worship services at the same time. My Church has online live webcast for members and other believers to tune in to our worship services online via Zoom. More details of my Church are available on our website and some brief summary are:

Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC)

1. Address: Block 203B (Tower B) #07-07, Henderson Road, Singapore 159546.

2. Website: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

3. Directions on how to go to my Church:

The nearest MRT Stations are EW17 (Redhill) or EW18 (Tiong Bahru). 

See the map on my Church website: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/directions/

There are many different buses from various places in Singapore. I hope to give more details in future.

4. Details for worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/latest-updates/

5. The office bearers in my Church as on 1 January 2024 are as follow:

PCC Session & Diaconate 

PCC Session: Pastor Lim Jyh Jang (Clerk of Session) / Pastor JJ Lim, Pastor Linus Chua (Moderator), Elder Tan Peng Hui 

PCC Diaconate: Deacon Wilson Ong (Treasurer), Deacon Koh Kah Lam (Chairman), Deacon Loh Seow Mong (Chinese Mandarin), Deacon Xie Xing Mao.

6. History of PCC: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/about-us/history/

My Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC) is a Reformed Presbyterian Church founded on 4 July 1999 in Singapore. Currently, we have 2 pastors ie Pastor JJ Lim and Pastor Linus Chua. They are preaching in our Morning Services and/or Evening Services. We sing the Psalms exclusively during worship services, using the Scottish Metrical Psalter. I have uploaded some videos on the singing of Psalms on my Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0uDPYmaoo8L8fgT3CZkIIJFPuo0qYLv9&feature=shared

7. What PCC believe: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/what-we-believe/confessional-documents/

As a church we believe, uphold and practice the truth of the Holy Scriptures which is expressed in the Westminster Confessional Standards as follow:

• Westminster Confession of Faith
• Westminster Shorter Catechism
• Westminster Larger Catechism

If you are in Singapore, do come and join my Church for our Morning and/or Evening worship services as we look forward to see you and other visitors. May God bless your time in Singapore and your visit to my Church.

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards

Nancie

1 January 2024

Detox and Rejuvenate Program (Part 1)

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by! 

Thank God for His mercies and grace.

As I shared in my previous post, for the last 2 year, my health has not been good nor stable. My Doctor is in the midst of finding the right combinations of new medicines and the optimal dosages for my bipolar to stabilise. Aging, menopause and other changes in my body, brain, etc have caused some instability which require changes to my management of my health so that I can be more functional.

I have 8 chronic illnesses which are mostly hereditary. 

1. Bipolar Disorder 

2. Sleep Apnea

3. Asthma

4. High Blood Pressure 

5. High Cholesterol 

6. Borderline Diabetes 

7. Osteoarthritis of my knees and fingers

8. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

I am on long term medication for some of these medical conditions plus using various means to control them. I have been praying for much grace to cope because my health has not been good and stable for 2 years now. Thank God for linking me up with sister Deborah Wang on Facebook and she is concerned when she knows about my conditions. 

Deborah is a Nutritionist cum Health Consultant. She is teaching me a Detox and Rejuvenate Program as she believes there are a lot of toxin in my body due to prolonged medication and my meals. These toxins are affecting my body and brain in various negative ways. 

Sis Deborah has advised me to use the products from NewLife International for best results. Now I am starting slowly to detox and change my diet, as our Lord enables me, using the items I have at home first. Once my own items finished, I will buy the products from NewLife for the best results. See my next upcoming post for more details about sis Deborah, the Program and the products from NewLife.

Thanks again, Deborah, for your kind help and also for linking me up with Lydia. God bless yours and Lydia's kindness in helping me. I am looking to our Lord and waiting upon Him as I seek to make use of the resources He has provided.

Started the partial Detox and Rejuvenate Program today, Day 1, 2 November 2022, using my own resources first and my preference for healthy meals and healthy snacks:

1. Take Probiotics on empty stomach upon waking up.

2. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar with Raw Honey after that.

3. For Breakfast, I am eating Oat with Honey and Nuts or soft/hard boiled eggs.

4. For snacks, I am eating Fruits, Nuts and Seeds or Yoghurt with Honey and Nuts.

Deborah is a Nutritionist, a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Speaker and Trainer. She organises Wellness Parties, Health Retreats (Local & Overseas), Health & Wellness Talks & Workshops, Detox & Rejuvenate Challenge, Juice Cleanse Challenge, Fit & Fabulous Challenge, Weight Loss Made Easy Challenge. 

Deborah's goals are to impart Holistic Health Knowledge and share Practical Health & Fitness Tips. She said everyone should Detox Once in Awhile, Nourish our body All the Time & Exercise Regularly.

Deborah has her own company "Wellness Inc". To find out more about her services, see:

Healing Food = Food that heals

and

Health Retreat Asia

Thank God for grace and strength daily as I wait upon Him for restoration. 

Thanks again for stopping by. I hope some posts or resources I shared on this blog will glorify God and benefit you and others in need.

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

By God's grace

Nancie

3 November 2022

Prolonged Recurrent Depression

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by! 

I have experienced many episodes of extreme mood swings since 30 years ago. Sometimes I am well and energetic with increased creativity. Sometimes I am very unwell and clinically depressed with extreme exhaustion and unable to function. As the years went by, the episodes of my clinical depression kept increasing and worsening.

I sought medical treatment and I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in March 2007. Since then I have been under medical treatment and using suitable management plans ie managing stress and stress, try to eat healthy meals, exercise, supplements, etc etc whenever I can.

For the first 13 years the medicine and treatment plans worked well. My health still alternating between hypomania (well) and severe clinical depression (very unwell), these being the characteristics of Bipolar. Thank God I was able to recover from the clinical depression within 2 weeks to a month after my Doctor increased the dosage of my anti-depressant whenever I have relapses. Once I was well, the dosages are lowered back to my regular dosage.

But over the last 2 year, 2 of the 4 medicines I have been taking, didn't work any more despite increased in dosages. It seems that my body has got used to them after taking them for 13 years. So I began to feel unwell. I realized that due to aging and menopause, my body is also undergoing some changes which also affect my whole body.

My Doctor is making some changes in my medicine as well as finding new treatment plans. For 2 years now, she has been trying me out with combinations of some new medicines and trying to find optimal dosages for my health to get better and stabilise.

So far, she has not found the right combinations of new medicines and the optimal dosages yet. It generally takes around 6 months for old medicines to leave my body system. So it also takes that long for the new replacement medicine to work.

Thank God for linking me up with sister Deborah Wang through Facebook. Deborah is a Nutritionist cum Health Consultant. She is teaching me a Detox and Rejuvenate Program as she believes there are a lot of toxin in my body due to prolonged medication and my meals. These toxins are affecting my body and brain in various negative ways. See my next post on Detox and Rejuvenate Program (Part 1) for details.

Thank God for grace and strength daily as I wait upon Him for restoration. God reminds me daily that He will give me sufficient grace and strength as I need. He has been comforting and encouraging me with Deuteronomy 33:25b "... as thy days, so shall thy strength be."

Thank you for stopping by. I hope some posts or resources I shared on this blog will benefit you and others in need.

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

By God's grace

Nancie

28 October 2022