Power of the obedient step

I thank God for the encouragement I have received tonight. Just this afternoon, I decided to extend my stay in UK until I have submitted my thesis. I have been in a hurry to go back home. I felt peace after I made the decision. This evening,
1)Got a reply from a youth saying that they are benefiting from the previous meetings and would like to continue
2)Spoke into a brother's bgr situation over MSN, we both felt that it was something God wanted to say to him
3)A brother got back to me after I shared with him about a need for a guy mentor in the mandarin group here and asked me to set up a meeting with Grace
4)A sister whom I wanted to visit for a long time was welcoming me to see her after a holiday in Scotland

Am glad I am staying for a while more. I felt God reaffirming my decision to stay through these little encounters this evening. Looking forward to visiting Leeds and London too.

During SR's retreat, the first talk was on the power of the obedient step and seeing how God flows when we take obedient steps. I think the first small steps out of the comfort zone are often the most difficult yet most critical ones. God spoke to me about confidence and renewing of mind through the retreat. Am experiencing victory in the battlefield of the mind. Much more grounds to be conqured.

The fellowship to Cornwall was great. The group was made up of different people, but of one club, the lame club, haha. To be simply oneself and crap in front of others is something precious. Thank God for the opportunity to know more people in a fun way. Weather was great and although I visited many places before, but it was a totally different experience. I still have memories of the trip last year and it wasn't so much of the place I remembered, but the people. I realise that despite being up front and looked up to in SR, we are all very human. Also, people, especially girls need to be led.

More concrete plans

Am thankful for the past week. Have more concrete deadlines to work towards. On Mon, I had a meeting with my supervisors with an aim of nominating an external examiner. Usually, it takes time to wait for a reply and the most uncertain factor is how long does the external examiner take to read the thesis. The latest date for my viva had to be around mid May for me to graduate in summer. During the meeting, one of my supervisors, Nick, picked up the phone and after five minutes, an examiner was nominated and he said he was available 3rd week of May for the viva and needed the thesis end of April. Wow. Everything was sorted, with a comfortable time to finish up my thesis. God is good. I am truly amazed. Interestingly, two days ago before the meeting, I decided to firm up my plans to go for SR retreat and return to Singapore after that. Initially, I was in a rush to simply return to Singapore and there would not have been enough time to properly spend time with people here, SR included. Realise that as I honour God and take active steps in making plans, God directs the way.

I continue to open my heart to God's grace this week, to rid my heart of a self sense of what's right and wrong. Putting into my heart Romans 6, to know that my old self have died and I am a new creation in Christ, to walk in the Spirit. Also Eph 1, to know of the every spiritual blessings that God has given us in the heavenly realms. Powerful stuff. Recently also been thinking about a tendency to allow my mind to drift and that could contribute to my 'blurblurness' and short memory. So making an effort to catch those wandering moments and dwell on God's word.

Watched Syrian last night and there was a special feature which was entitled 'Making a difference' as well. Watched the trailor for 'Darfur Now' also and I broke down. Is it simply emotional or something which God has placed in my heart? Was surfing through jobs in the UN and realise that many of them require advanced degrees and work experience. Maybe it's not the immediate step ahead but something I will bear in mind. Definately have more time to read the news now. I felt God prompting about working for DSO, doing research for Singapore's defense, but I am not sure where would that lead me.