And My God Will Supply Every Need of Yours ...

"I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:18-19, ESV)

This is what Apostle Paul said to the people in Philippi. I can certainly change the context and apply the same scriptures to myself.

Two nights ago I was calculating how many months of rent I can still afford with the remaining amount of money in my bank account. The answer is - right up till June and I still have surplus (like a few hundred bucks)! Praise the Lord! But soon after many other worries came up - what about necessities? Will I have enough for that, even now I already have three students to teach? What about my investment in musical instruments, mallets and drum sticks, and sheet music? And if I could get an extension to live in my dormitory for another year, would I have enough money to maintain my room during the time I'm away, or do I have to move out for those two months and move back to another room in September? Finally I decided to sleep well and forget about them (temporarily).

The next morning (yesterday) I got a phone call from my church music director saying she would like to begin the drum set class (that she suggested to open) as soon as possible for there was a person asking about it. And she talked to me about my honourarium to those classes. In the afternoon, I found out from my dormitory's executive chef that the person whom he proposed to take over my weekend shift refused to take the post. (I deliver breakfast baskets to guest rooms in weekend mornings. And for health maintenance reason - not that I have illness; I just want to sleep better - I told the chef this week is my last week.) I immediately offered to continue helping until he recruited someone, for I really didn't want to just leave the job behind and then there would no one serving the guests in the weekend. Just after I sent the e-mail about my offer to the chef, I suddenly thought, would it be another opportunity, along with the drum set class, for me to earn more money to support my living? As soon as this thought hit me, I felt ecstatic because God eliminated my worries by giving me these chances! I felt He was saying to me, "Yeah so you were worrying about not having enough money to support your living, so here you go - MONEY! (well, of course the money wouldn't just shower upon me; I have to work to get it)"

Isn't God just amazing? He knows and understands all of our needs and He would supply every single one of them to their fullest extent. And indeed, He would always answer our prayers as long as we have hearts to seek Him. Lord, Your love and grace are amazing, and there would be no reason for me to alienate from You.

衷心感謝你 真誠真意地
在世上唯有你這樣為我不捨不棄
一心稱謝你 我要高舉你聖名
唯獨你是完美 完全配得讚美
- 感謝讚美, 1999

To Love A Person Is Not Easy ... cont'd

So, I actually wrote a song entitled "To Love A Person Is Not Easy", so I thought I would share this with you. From this song you'd know I actually suffered quite a bit with love before.

愛一個人原來不易
曲、詞：黃筠詠 © 2003

很想跟你說話 傾心傾意對話
將所有掛念你的語句盡情傾出
很想跟你浪漫 不管星宿變幻
給予你我最美麗而純真的愛

但拿著聽筒 只得到失意
但留在家中只有別人的結他
而我卻不想跟我共敘的是它
只想再次躺於你的臂彎 你知嗎

(Chorus)
愛一個人原來不易
有陣時仍不知道共你的感情是真與假
愛一個人從來不易
別去吧 讓我可跟你再一次情深對話 (知不知我極度孤單)
(別算吧 可知我 想跟你到未來情也未變掛)

不可跟你說話 不可跟你浪漫
將所有掛念你的語句長留心中孤單擁抱寂寞 只可傷心禱告
真心盼你會快樂而又想起我

但常在心中得絲絲嗟怨
但常在窗外只有淚盈的雪花
而我卻不想一個獨自傾淚灑
不知世界扭轉天昏地暗

To Love A Person Is Not Easy

Lately many of my friends (from Calgary or Vancouver) have been consistently venting to me about their personal problems (and they would all approach me late at night too): school, work, or love relationships. Mostly love relationships.

How come love can be so bothering to people (including myself)? How come it is so hard to find satisfaction in a relationship? And especially for Christians (maybe for non-Christians as well, depending on your value system), how come it is so hard to find a perfect other-half, someone who we could spend the rest of our lives with? How come some people can get it (as in a partner) so easily?

I ponder upon these questions a lot, and so far my conclusion is still the same - true love waits. It is like planting a tree. We have to first plant the seeds, water and fertilise it regularly and let it grow in its own speed. We can't force it grow faster. Likewise, a relationship takes time to develop. I don't know how other people think, but I prefer to have a close friendship with my target first before I proceed. I also believe a relationship must be mutual. And all of these would only happen when we take time.

Above all, I believe God would give me the perfect one - the one who will complete my life. God loves us infinitely. He even called Jesus Christ to take on flesh and die for us for our transgressions. With this unconditional love, for He has given us life, how can we not believe that He would always give us the best at the best time?

Be positive with life! Since in God there is always hope!

Strengthen Me, O Lord

Woah it is only the second week of school and I'm exhausted already! How am I gonna survive the rest of the term while school will only get more intense instead of less? Lord, be with me in this trial. I really want to do well in this term (like many others) for Your glory, since You have carried me this far in my music career. It is You who give me the intelligence, wisdom, and talent to play enjoyable music. In fact, You, the Creator of Universe, create music Yourself!

"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6, ESV)

Hold on Quennie!

I am still struggling in determining what to do after my MMus degree. Reality seems too harsh for me to handle. I don't think I'm ready. Do You think I'm ready, Lord? Should I slowly emerge or just dive into it? Hai~

Sincere Thanks!

Thanks for the great Japanese dinner tonight, Belle, Ham and Ris! You guys are truly my wonderful comrades-in-arms! And we are brothers and sisters in Christ too!

Must bring my parents to that restaurant when they come in May ...

I hate e-mails sometimes ... they keep coming in an unceasing manner. Every time they come, you can't resist reading and replying them. Then you end up writing e-mails for hours! Also, because of their efficiency, it gives you an assumption that you can achieve more tasks in a shorter period of time, but it actually makes you busier! Does this concept sound logical to anyone?

I hate my life as a percussionist sometimes too. Too many instruments to deal with. So much craps we need to bear from other people (i.e. space accommodation). So much time needed to get things done (i.e. set up). But I love playing percussion (and love playing music in general), and I know this is a life that God designs for me, so I will simply ask God to strengthen me ... At least I would need a great amount of perserverance to finish this ONE LAST TERM for my master's degree!

By the way, my photo album is updated. Simply click on to "Quennie's photos 5" at the right side of my blog and you will see them! Enjoy and God bless! :-)

New Year Resolution

Wow! I haven't even said "Happy New Year" in this blog! That showed how busy with various activities I have been lately.

Well, actually, I have just been having too much fun partying and enjoying other entertainment than sitting at the computer writing. Mind you I have a TV at home in Calgary so I would much rather watch some TV.

I had a marathon of birthday celebrations last week (plus other gatherings with friends, but all surrounded by eating). Thank God I'm a good friend. I hope my friendships with my friends will lead them all (closer) to Christ, whether they have already accepted Christ or not. Anyways, my sincere thanks to everyone who invited me for meals, who attended my birthday celebrations, and who bought me gifts and cards. More importantly, thanks for all your love and friendships - they will never be forgotten!

So New Year Resolution. First, I decided I would sleep early this year. At least earlier than 2am. Hopefully before 1am too. My dark circles are getting way too severe and that makes me look tired all the time, despite how "un-tired" I am. Second, I would not let love issues become my burden anymore. God has His plans and I should just be submissive and try not to take over the control panel. I shall focus on my schoolwork. Third, I shall keep all my promises that I've made to God at the end of 2006. You know what they are, my Lord.

I know this term will be another hard one since I already have many things to settle right on the first day. But anyways, I know God will help me to graduate, and so I will!