Thursday, December 10, 2009

It Just Hits You

Isaac and Kate were sleeping on the bed but the in middle of the night they decided to join me on the floor. I prefer the floor as my legs can be fully supported.I have a bad back. It is hard to explain the uncomfortable position when i sleep on the bed with the kids. But i love them and hope to have them with me at night. It is the same for them. But it got a little too squeezy at about 4.30am. So i got them both up the bed and told them that i will sleep together with them. I use the opportunity to straighten my posture when i sleep on the floor. As i hit the bed and noticed the time, I remember those days when i have to wake up to administer morphine to my dear wife. I did not think much of it and just hit back to sleep.

As i drove to work later in the morning, I recalled the vision the day before Amy passed on. She said good bye to the children. I started thinking how she felt that day knowing full well that she will be leaving us for good the next day.

Tears started flowing and thoughts just went towards dwelling in self pitiness, anger towards my heavenly father, loneliness and mostly negativity. I lost a good wife, the children lost a good mother, my folks lost a good daughter in law, my mum-in-law lost a good daughter. I was having a sadness concoction mixed with bitterness and anger. This should not be happening.

I started asking myself what happened to the peace that I once received from the Lord. Yesterday staff devotion came to mind when my colleague shared about Peace. John 14:27 states from the mouth of Christ. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. The other verse was Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Indeed this peace had been my comfort, my guide, my replacement for my lack. If one lacks it, ask for it. And it shall be given you. The peace is Christ Jesus. Thank you Jesus. May His name be gloried and praised. May he bring peace, hope and Joy to all during this Chirstmas season. Amen.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

One of the important dates in my life

It is 22 of Nov 2009. Six years ago, I was joined together in holy matrimony. This year, i am spending it alone. Initially, I wanted to go and visit her niche but I decided not to. I decided to see her photo that is kept in my room instead. It is filled with a mixed emotion. The feeling of lost but yet joyful that she is with the Lord. Thank God for today's worship service at New Creation Church where the words of the praise song - Today is the day by Lincoln Brewster ministered to me. How i should look to Jesus. Indeed, words cannot express my pain and loss to see Amy going off so early. Thought of wondering if this is a punishment from God keeps surfacing from the evil one. But the bible is full of grace and love. If one chooses to abuse myself with self inflicted condemnation, that is an individual choice to make.But i chose to love a loving Abba. The message in church today seems to be a confirmation about what God wants to remind me and it is from Romans 8.

The love of God can be express in the simple 3 words. I Love You. Ironically, it seems the more i misses Amy, the more I come to love my God,the one that let his Son dies for me. It is the fundamental of my faith. I told my mom today in church that if theologians or pastors does not like Romans 8 then go back to the gospel of John 3:17 onwards. Christ Jesus did not die to condemn but give life. Words of condemnation can be dangerous, more so coming from the pulpit. Confusion arises when one says that God is love but maybe after all my wife died. But HE knows that she will die, will He not? But what happens after that? If Christ did not die then it will be a straight forward answer. We die and die eternally. Period. Is this not love? -John 3:16. At least I know where she is and I will still get to see her in future. Up there in heaven. 1 day is like a thousands years to God, in her realm, i will be up there sooner than later. Thank God my church does not preach condemnation. Hallelujah!

Today in church, i saw a vision when i was praising God with my hands open wide. I saw Amy doing the same thing over the other side. It was a beautiful sight. I whispered, i will join you soon after my responsibility is done on earth and we will praise together.

The Holy Spirit has been my peace. Sometimes i wondered if my mind is still being used since the inner being seems to take more control nowadays.

Shalom

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Marriage

Two days ago, my pastor was continuing the series on wisdom from the bible during Sunday service. As we all know, there is only one exceeding wise person in the bible and his name is King Solomon. Even though he is wise, he still falls and his kingdom collapses because the source of wisdom had been cut away when his greatest mistake is his wives. 1 Kings 11.1-13. As my pastor mentioned about the relationship of husbands and wives, I was reminded of my own relationship and my parents relationship.

The message of how the woman folks have such great influences in a man's life. He mentioned Genesis where God put Adam to sleep so that he can create a helper. Eve. He also mentioned that how come Adam did not eat from the tree of life? Genesis 2:9 there are two tree one was tree of life and the other tree of the knowledge of good and evil. How come the serpeant choses to tempt Eve and not Adam? My pastor thinks that because woman is someone whom God creates to influence and to help man.

Indeed even though Amy live a short live but her influence as a wife to me had made a lot of character changes to my own life. The actions and things she do affects my everyday life and the adoption of her ways she deals with the children is indeed wise and I miss her so.

I live by bibical principle in marriage and it is basically summed up here. Love your wife as Christ loved the church. Give yourself up for your wife. [Ephesians 5:25]

There are also other wise advice in the bible
1) Love your wife in the same way you love your body and yourself. [Ephesians 5:28-33]
2) Be considerate as you live with your wife....[I Peter 3:7]
3) Do not be harsh with your wife. [Colossians 3:19]
4) Your body belongs to your wife. [I Corinthians 7:3-5]
5) Do not be captivated by other women [Proverbs 5:20]
6) Praise your wife. [Proverbs 31:28-29]
7) Honor your marriage; keep it pure by remaining true to your wife in every way [Heb 13:4]
8) Be thankful for your wife and realize the favor you have received from God. [Prov 18:22]
9) Be "one flesh" with your wife in every way. [Matthew 19:5]

Even though I have given some words of wisdom from the bible, it is sad to know that many still fall and that includes myself. Although I appreciate her when she is still living, it is until she is gone that I appreciate her even more.

It seems very one sided but there is something that Amy did that I receprocrate the above and that is Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body , of which he is the Savior. [Ephesians 5:22-23]

I never appreciate irreconsiderable differences, for it is either man's faults or the women faults. But it seems there are more work required on the man's side.

You will not appreciate anything until you lose it.

Friday, October 16, 2009

In the Sweet By and By

This week had been eventful. A week which somehow led to quite a bit of tears. So many things just happened in a week and how things just went by in a flash. My boss was in town and I had to help her settle into to office as she will be here for quite a while. My file server went down and managed to fixed it yesterday evening until quite late in the evening. Felt guilty for neglecting the kids. When I reached home, the kids are already sound asleep.

During the middle of the week, my mother in law fell down twice when she came over to my place to visit the children. Somehow, I felt very bad as I promised Amy to look after her. To make things worst, my mum told me that she fell because she wanted to buy some stuff for the children. Thank God nothing serious happened other than couple of bruises.

The reason for mentioning my boss that is in town is because during the general staff meeting, she read a letter that my company founder wrote to a dear friend who is dying. She mentioned that eventhough they will soon be separated by separate realm there are others who will meet him over there by the shore. After that she mentioned about me and my colleague who lost her husband exactly one month after Amy passed on. The letter hit me quite badly. It is because of the word "Shore". During the week, i was clearing up some books which belongs to Amy and in her bible there is song sheet, of a hymn by Sanford F Bennett and music by Joseph P Webster. The hymn was written in 1868. I remembered singing this hymn together with Amy sometime ago. The chorus of the lyrics goes like this " In the sweet by and by, We shall meet on that beautiful shore; In the sweet by and by, We shall meet on that beautiful shore. Amy's voice suddenly came to my mind and the image of then when she was crying in my arm.... saying "Dear I will meet you there at that beautiful shore."Just made me sad. I know it is not possible for the dead to communicate and this is only memories. But I remembered praying that when my time comes, I hope that Amy will be with Jesus to welcome me home.

Watching the Korean tv drama serial "Daughter In Law" also brought back so many beautiful memories of my courtship days and the honeymoon years of marriage life with Amy. I will definitely share to Isaac & Kate when they are older.

It hasn't been easy trying to juggle my role as a servant of God, a father, a son, a son in law, a mother as well as a husband who had lost his wife. Sometimes I wish to give up but seeing these two little "mushroom heads" whose so often brought joy to my life just makes me have that energy to spur on.

Having thought about Amy and how she faces death really worries me. I am not ready. Moreover with cancer which may drag on the time of meeting your creator. I salute you my dear wifey for your bravery. I believed this verse had helped her in her journey. " For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a strong mind."2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

I salute you Amy!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Moving On

It had passed 2 months now since Amy's home calling. It is tough struggling without someone who is so much of a help, emotionally, spiritually, physically and also financially. I am very happy that both Kate and Isaac are sleeping with me in the same room at night for the past week. It helps remove my loneliness at night when i have to go back home after work to an empty bed.

It is wonderful that I can fulfill my responsibilities as a steward as God blessed me with these two lovely children. It is not easy to get Kate to come sleep in my room as she had been sleeping with her grandparents ever since Amy had been diagnosed with cancer. Amy had a port-a-cath near her collar bone which can be painful if knocked upon.

I will try to leave office on time as i believe I have my parental obligation to fulfill since i have given 8 hours of the best part of the day for ministry and for those people who are jealous or who has a mental block up there, go get a life! I am guggling with 2 ministries. I am a single father here!

I have been doing the basic things once I get home from work. Bathe them everyday, plays with them, read with them, feed them and put them to bed at 9pm. Weekend will be family time. I am sure Amy will be proud of me up there. :) I am slowly learning to become a better father and mother by the day.

Kate and Isaac have been missing their mother in recent days. Asking me for mummy. Papa is feeling more painful but as often as not, I holds back the emotion. Isaac looked up to the sky when grandma mentioned about heaven. He remarked " I did not see mummy, where is mummy?" grandma was crying when she told me that. Kate just asked me yesterday "Is mummy in a box? Can papa please bring mummy out?" I just divert those questions away by distracting her.

Jesus Christ had been my strength and hope these two months. Thank you Lord! Thank you for showing me that You are in control. Thank you for saving a classmate soul and that he is now a faithful follower and I am so glad to meet up with him. Thank you for answering my prayers for my children. Thank you most of all for filling the void in my heart. Love you!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

P.S I Love You

Ever since Amy had passed on, so many well meaning friends & family members had planned activities so that I keep myself occupied. Today is no exception. I had a busy day. Starting with a morning soccer game with church friends and followed by a time by the beach in Sentosa with the children and some friends.

I never felt so many memories of her coming back to me in a single day after she passed on. Today i am hit pretty bad. Never had i cry so much for the pass 2 weeks. It all started building up from Sentosa when a friend Alice was tasked by Amy to tell me sometime. I questioned Amy about it before and she said I will know when the time comes.

Alice passed me a DVD called P.S I Love You. Those are the words she wanted to tell me. I was not thinking about it until i tried to go to bed. That is how i function with Amy, thinking through the day's event, talk about things, pray and fall asleep. Ouch! I missed those times.

The day in Sentosa ended with my driving the kids and the friends home. One of the friend stays in Dover Road. This is where Amy used to stay during our courtship. Memories came back to me from the time i stupidly wait at one of the bus stop which Amy used to alight and change to the bus 196 to go home. Waiting at the bus stop just to see her and say good bye makes me so happy. Passing by the old road which brings back so much memories, i tried not to think about it.

The pain came after i got home. When I opened the letter that Alice wrote on behalf of Amy and mentioned that the title spoke the words that Amy wanted to tell me. Thoughts of her in the hospital not having to express those words out to me makes me super painful and miserable.

I never felt so miserable and painful since her passing on. I never cried so much in my entire life.

Somehow my favorite verse came to mind. 1 Peter 5:7. I cannot do anything else except casting my cares upon him.

I Love you Amy.





Wednesday, July 15, 2009

She had gone to be with the Lord

Yesterday July 13 2009(Mon) at 10.01 pm. My beloved Amy had gone home to be with Jesus. Amy wanted to admit into the hospital to have the fluid in her abdominal area removed after being advised by the hospice doctor. She asked her brother to help admit her into the hospital on the 7th (Tues) On Wednesday according to her brother, Amy mentioned that she wanted to go to heaven and do not want to go home anymore. This was before the procedure which she will be undergoing. The procedure went through smoothly and about 5 litres of fluid was removed across 2 days. On Thursday, the doctor wanted to discharge her on Friday but she wanted to stay longer, stating that she wanted more rest. But her intention was to give my mum and myself more rest. "Oh Amy! the more i think back about this the more heartache i feel." She could not sleep well on Friday so the doctor decided to give her some sleeping pills to ease her nausea and lack of sleep. She managed to sleep through until Sunday. The nurse felt that something is not right and decided to check on her and found blood in the stool as well as her inability to pass urine. The nurse are unable to put the drip into her to give her fluid. So they mentioned that it will be best to get the family together to see her for the last time. Come Monday, she passed away peaceful in the sleep at 10.01pm.

Prayers answered -
1) Ablility to celebrate Isaac 4th Birthday.
2) To go back to the Lord without pain.
3) To Be able to bid everyone goodbye.

Praise be to our Lord Jesus for his grace and mercy. (My heart is still very painful because i miss Amy very very very much) I love you Amy.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Have Not Been Blogging for a while

Yes. I have not been blogging. Interestingly, I never liked blogging but I felt there are so much thought about this faith of mine that I felt very strongly to blog so that my 2 children will see how their father struggles with questions of the faith. I wanted also to put down important doctrines which i find so often time not dealt with in the church and my thoughts and reading from this beautiful book the bible.

Enough said. Amy is not getting any better. Her stomach area is so indented that she looks like she is six months pregnant. How i wish it is but it is not. Her liver had caused the stomach area to ballooned.

She seems prepared to go back home to Abba, but I am not prepared to let her go. Two Fridays ago, she mentioned that she heard a voice saying " Are you ready to go home?" I came out from the bath looking at her. Her eyes were huge and scary like she saw something evil. I notified her sisters thinking that her time is up, Unfortunately it is not (Heaven is definitely a more beautiful place), pardon me, i am wishing her to go but seeing her suffer is more miserable for me.

Her condition had gotten worst and she is not able to clean herself much and her reliance on her morphine is every 4 hourly. Yes even at night.I have to wake up to feed her. I have to help bathe her and also clean her after she is done with her toilet business. (I am not complaining) in fact i think these actions are to show her that I love her very much. Hopefully she sense it. :)

3 days ago, I heard a voice in the bath room when i was bathing. " Bath and clean yourself, pray in the spirit and after bathing, go lay your hands on her, pray in the spirit and be positive." I have been doing just that for the past 3 days.

I am still believing him to heal Amy.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Revelation about Judgement

I was brought to attention of 2 Corinthians 5:10 "For we must appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body,according to what he has done, whether good or bad. "

I do hope that it will not be interpreted with trying to do good so that we will not be punished by God. If the context is interpreted correctly it should be talking about the Jesus redemptive grace.

Chapter 5:1-10 is about the fresh, our body, the old self(Law). From 16-21 is talking about Jesus love for us. We are made righteous(Grace)

There is definitely judgement but judgement for non-christian and Christians are different. For salvation is not by works. God don't need us to be good to please him. The day which the robbers died beside Jesus shows judgement. Both are judged. Tell me which do u prefer?

I am not saying that we can carry on doing bad stuff but if we become true Christians, the holy spirit will take over. You need not worry.

Romans 8:13 states - "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."
8:16 states - " The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

So 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 states: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The Things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God.

Judgement do not stand but Grace will. It shows very much why people fear death.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Sleep Paralysis or Visit from Demons

Amy was going to sleep last night when suddenly, I heard her breathing heavily. Shortly after she started yelling for Jesus. I was awaken and started talking to her. She said she cannot move as if something pressed on top of her and she heard some noises. Shortly after, she woke up and i prayed together with her and she had peace and fall back into sleep.

I went to office to search about this interesting phenomenal as I know who my Lord Jesus is and who we are. No evil can touch us for the blood of Christ is so precious and powerful.

Doctors did a research on the above mentioned symptom and attributed it to a medical condition called sleep paralysis. For more info please look up. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis The other issue that caught my attention was that some christian actually visited and posted their thoughts on Psychic and Witches websites!Why don't they focus more on the other good and loving spirit- Our Holy Spirit.

I personally believe that medical or spiritual, there is always a purpose for it and the higher purpose is to glorify our maker. Medically, it claims that the brain paralyses the body so as to prevent the body getting hurt during the dreams. How great our God and creator is to ensure that one do not get hurt. Spiritually, it shows that if one has faith in Jesus, one do not fear evil. For His is the kingdom, the power and the authority, forever and ever. Amen

All Glory and Honour to our gracious and loving Jesus.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

If you feel inadequate to come before Him

If one feel that sin has engulf one's life and the law had condemned you, read the whole of Hebrews 10.

If one feel that He does not love you, review John 3:16 and not forgetting verse 17 as well.

Ask Him for grace if inadequacy is still trying to get anyone down. For grace is a gift. Read Ephesians 2:8.

So if anyone is still wondering how to be righteous, we are already the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:21



Friday, January 2, 2009

Reminder from God

I was reading the book of Galatians during my lunch break. Oh how beautiful are the content of the book when you know that you are children of promise.

I came to Gal. 4:28 where Paul was comparing between Hagar(Law) and Sarah(Grace). V.28 goes " Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. I was reminded of God's grace, love and an answered prayer.

3 and a half years ago, on this day of 30 Jun 05, I waited for more than 15 hours of labour time with Amy before my son Isaac was born. Hearing precious baby cries from other delivery suites just made both Amy & I anxious. Finally Isaac came into this earth.

After all the pushing, Amy was exhausted. As for me, I waited for Isaac to cry when the Paediatrician did the check. But he did not cry. I went near him to look at him. His feet was bluish. The Paediatrician(PD) said that his heart beat was weak(I don't know what that means) and she need to send him to the Ante Natal Intensive Care ward. I am in the fix but decided to leave Amy in the safe hands of the nurses and go with the PD.

Isaac heartbeat was weak. I was walking in and out of the ICU to check on him and remembered saying this prayer to Abba.

Holding his tiny little hand I said : "Father, I do not know if I had given him the right name. But if you wish to test me as how you test you have tested Abraham then take him. But I know you did not make us(both Amy & myself) waited 9 months just to go through all these."

4 hours later, his heartbeat stabilised but his feet were still bluish. After 1 day he finally looked normal. Isaac stayed a total of 4 days in the ICU. The gynaecologist also mentioned that during the time of delivery, Isaac was in stress due to Amy's placenta.

My Abba had preserved the life of Isaac Tan, His Son.

For this post reminds me of his abundant grace.