Warren Barfield - Love is not a fight

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Lyrics | Warren Barfield - Love Is Not A Fight lyrics

Love is Not a fight, but it is something worth fighting for

John Waller - While I am waiting

Lyrics | John Waller - While I’m Waiting lyrics

Fire proves His Love!

Gosh!

Saw the weekly POINTCAST from my church back home, and came across them inviting people to come watch this movie called "Fireproof"

It is about a marriage restoration, and in that journey, the guy gave His life to Jesus!

I am in awe at how amazingly God works through people's lives...

This quote caught my attention:-

"Don’t follow your heart, because your heart can be deceived. Lead your heart!"

It's 3.35am now, so will talk more about this movie next time :-)

Wait for Him!

Was reading this book, and this particular paragraph spoke to me.

“When you are trying to wait on God, the enemy will pound your mind continuously demanding that you “do something”. He wants to move you in fleshly zeal because he knows that the flesh profits nothing (John6:63)”

And this is totally opposite to what God says…

1Kings19 God told Elijah to go up and stand on the mountaintop (wait over there) and He revealed to Elijah in that still small voice

Isa40:31 Those who wait upon the Lord will rise on wings of eagles. The will not grow weary of be faint!

Psa5:3 …in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Psa37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways…

Psa46:10 Be still, and know that I am God…

I am not suggesting, not revising or studying or preparing for interviews… but in the midst of all these, gotta make sure my heart is at peace; it is constantly waiting upon Him vs constantly at a go – trying to rationalize and take matters in my own hand and do something all the time. I am limited in what I do with my own strength, but with God the SUPER-natural and the EXTRA-ordinary will come!

Season after season!

Just felt compelled by God to blog again. Know haven’t been a good steward of my blog, but know that God wants me to put some of the thoughts and things He has spoken to me into words – so that whoever that come across this blog may read it and be encouraged!

This season is a great challenge – unlike what I had in mind (I told Ps M that this semester is a great semester where I have plenty of time to rest/relax/reflect/spend time with people). God has put a stop on those time laxity! And what Rick Warren said in his interview is depicts God’s heart.

“Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.” (here for more)

God is interested in building us more than making us feel comfortable! So, I know, when I am comfortable – I better enjoy while I can, thank God for it, and be prepared what God is gonna do soon!

Psa90:14 Satisfy our morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Love how God says, as we start our day by inviting Him into our lives, and asking Him to fill us with His presence, the rest of our day & subsequent days to come – we will have joy & be glad!

I’m ready to step into this season with Him with me!

Core competency!

Started reading this book:- “The Next Generation Leader” by Andy Stanley. It is really awesome, as the books talk about 5 key points that the next generation leader should possess:-

Competence - Courage - Clarity - Coachability - Character

Am reading the first ‘C’ now – Competence. Here are some thoughts that captured my heart:

“The secrets of leadership – the less you do, the more you accomplish. The less you do, the more you ENABLE OTHERS to accomplish.”

“The real value to an organization lay within the context of your giftedness.”

“Be mission driven, rather than need driven.”

“You can’t aim for a target unless you have identified it.”

“A leader who is not leading from the right “zone” will create an unfavourable environment for other leaders.”

“Leaders attract other leaders…”

“Your weakness is someone’s opportunity.”

“Great leaders work through other leaders.”

“Leadership is about multiplying your efforts, which automatically multiplies your results.”

“The secret of concentration is elimination.”

“…vision always seem unrealistic when they are first hatched.”

“… your organization reflects your strengths as well as the strengths of those around you.”

Winning the invinsible war!

I was just recapturing the thoughts that Chuen shared with me the other night with one of my urban life member…

We initially planned to have a girls’ outing – playing basketball, among our Urban Life girls last Sunday. However, due to some challenges, it was cancelled! My friend asked me, “Why whenever we plan something for the girls, it always didn’t turn out…”

Here’s the thing…

The work of enemy, the world & our flesh are constantly battling against us – churches are prosecuted & mocked, believers that are ridiculed or insulted, ministry constantly facing challenges & obstacles… the list goes on. But if all these don’t happen, it shows that the church is unknown or unheard. Our ministry is not sound. The enemy doesn’t think it’s worth his time trying to put away or bring down what God is trying to do in this world. The enemy sees that the church is weak enough, hence he doesn’t need to do anything but just sit back & watch as the church fades away from the eye of the world.

But if the enemy is making every effort to bring down, to stop, to oppress the work of God that churches & believers try to do – trying to bring the message of reconciliation in Jesus Christ, it shows that we are doing the right thing! We are heading the right decision! We are fighting the right fight! We are claiming whatever that is rightfully ours (given by God)!

We can’t just give up, or feel discourage we just face a few strikes from the enemy; we gotta keep defending & attacking back until we claim everything that belongs to God & ours! & we are not doing it alone, but God is with us & for us til the very end! So, DON’T GIVE UP! Kick off the thoughts of negativities, the thoughts that says “Someone’s can do a better job” “I am so lousy” “I’m hindering others’ growth” but put on the helmet that Jesus has given us – helmet of salvation.

Phil4:8 (Msg) Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

Normal state vs Fundamental state

"When we accept the world as it is (by living in the normal state), we deny our ability to see something better, & hence our ability to be something better. we become what we behold. what is not normal, is embracing the fact that another state exists."

-Prof Quinn (Building the Bridge as You Walk On It)

Hand & Feet for Jesus!

It has been a fortnight since 2008 Hillsong Conference. It certainly has been a blessing moment for me. God really shaped my character & core being as a whole – enlarging it to prepare the way for His people.

I began this conference, fasting and knowing that God wanna realign my vision… Not knowing most of the speakers that were coming this year, there weren’t any expectations. As the conference begins, God constantly reminded about “JUSTICE” “POVERTY” “COMPASSION”… I know my heartbeat is to reach out to the young people, so the poor & needy never cross my mind. Not that I don’t feel for them, but this issue never compelled me to move “the other side of the road”. I told God, “Yes, I know about these people, tell me more. Enough telling me about them!” I sorta avoid/run away from these 3 words God constantly placed in my heart.

I remembered this pastor mentioning this verse:-

Mat25: 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

“God’s heart is always with the poor. If you wanna serve God & not involve these people that He cares, You are not serving God!”

That statement spoke to me deeply. God cares for these people so much, and if I wanna serve Him & please Him but not think/care/remember/consider/do something for those who are in needs & living in poverty, I am not serving God. If I sing “break my heart for what break Yours” and not doing so, then God’s heartbeat is not my heartbeat.

Felt that, for now I should just “do” it… If it pleases God, I’ll do so, and I know as I continue to serve Him in this area, I believe He will cultivate this heartbeat in me. He will break my heart & make me fall in love with these people.

Gal2: 20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This conference speaks to me about “Loving God & Loving His people!” Never less than that. Felt that it is much more impactful than the previous conference, and the conviction really shaped my heart to be more like Him. I thank God for the good start & I am excited to be a hand & feet to extend His kingdom.

Activate it!

Was replying an email today, and remembered on the famous bible passage about Peter stepping out of the boat!

A lot of times we said “We’re waiting for our destiny, our calling!” “Still asking God what He wants me to do.” “I don’t wanna do the things unless God speaks to me about it.”

Sounds familiar?

But if we continue to remain in the “boat” (at a position that we’re waiting, not stepping out) we will never know or experience what God has in store for us. Likewise, for Peter to fully experience God’s miracle, He has to STEP OUT! Even for the disciples, before Jesus die on the cross, do you think they know what their callings were? I’m sure all they had in mind at that time is to follow Jesus! Follow what He is doing, apply what He is teaching & imitate Him as He imitates God! God’s work only happens if we make the first move. Always been that way! He will reveal to you what your callings/purpose are, but you must first step out & start searching. That’s when faith comes in. We need our faith to be activated to receive our calling.

Mat17:20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

The word little in Hebrew is not less/small or anything. In Hebrew, it is actually “no”!

Look, Jesus said you just need faith as small as mustard seed! Do you need a lot? No! But I believe at that time He is saying “apply your faith into your life!” “IT’S PRACTICAL TIME! YOU’VE HEARD THE THEORY!”

You Reign over me!

Spirit of God,

We cry out for You now

We cry out

Where would we be without You Jesus

Where would we be without You Lord

As church began a new song they recently wrote, the bridge of that song so captured my heartbeat now!

4 weeks away from my finals, 4 weeks of intense classes where I gotta learn whatever that is need to learn in this last rotation, retain the information, and at the same time, revise my past 5 rotations over the entire year of my clinical studies in Melbourne.

At the very moment, I really don’t know how I can do it – the situation at the moment now is just so overwhelming if God is not in the centre of my life. I keep reminding myself that God is in control, and I can draw strength, wisdom, peace and rest from His Spirit. As I cry out to Him, He will respond!!! Really thank Him that I am going through these weeks with a peaceful mind regardless of the amount of syllabus I have to cover, peers around me complaining and comparing how well you need to do with your case presentation, questions and answers they know more than I do… Not gonna let the situation choke me!

John15: 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

God showed me this when I was reading the bible the other day. I am positioning myself in You!!!

Another thought?

I was reading Jesus M.D. today (love this book a lot) - it's just talking about how this missionary doctor view Jesus Christ as the Great Physician & what are some of the things he learnt, and encountered as he journeyed his life as a missionary doctor. I have no intention whatsoever to be a missionary doctor at this point of time(maybe God will do something in future - I don't know) but I just wanna know more about God's thoughts about being a doctor - a doctor that carry His gospel & light around.

Just finished a chapter and this part really caught my attention:

"It convinced me that being a physician on a mission field, like being a Christian committed to serving Christ everywhere, would mean facing situations for which I could never be fully prepared. It would mean taking the risk of trusting God to use me despite my own inadequacies - in knowledge, skill & experience." - David Stevens

Shift!

Felt really overwhelmed & burden yesterday and today. About studies, the thought of exams in June, ministry and random thoughts just made me feel so stretched & tired. I recognized the plot the enemy was setting to weaken my faith especially since I got back from Leaders’ retreat over the weekend. The retreat was empowering and very ministering.

As I was taking the tram back, the bridge of “Sold Out” really spoke!

“I’m holding onto You, All my desires in Your hand. I’m running after You, Jesus!”

Just draw my attention to what God says that He is always in control. His providence is always there to those who seek Him first.

As I got back home, start doing my devotion and just worshipping God, just felt so elevated. Just felt the exchange is happening. He is taking my burden & giving me His yoke for His yoke is light. I am able to find rest in Him!!! & as I was reading the bible, this verse spoke so strongly:

Isa52:1-2Awake, awake O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion.

It talks about clothing ourselves with God’s strength & glory. Clothes give protection, display glory to those who sees us in it! It talks about don’t let the things of the world and people to pull me down. It talks about shaking off the things that hinders us from coming to God. It talks about breaking free things/thoughts/words/situations that bring us down!

Just wanna proclaim this word every morning!

Shaping the right perception!

I was listening to his Ps Steven Furtick preaching about Perception!

He said, “how you receive someone/thing depends greatly on how you perceive someone/thing.”

Totally agree! Our perception greatly shapes our mind to see certain things in a certain way. Even in your toughest situation, if we view it from God’s point of you, we deal with the situation a lil’ different compared if we deal with the situation with our own mind/strength/knowledge/ability.

He went on saying, “We may be in a certain condition, but that is not our ultimate position!”

What power words spoken! Because of a different perception! A perception from God’s point of view, not the world, not the self!

We sometimes think we are able to deal with things because the world shaped our mentality in such a way – if we can’t handle/solve the situation on our own, we are loser! We are not strong enough to live in the society these days! Or maybe some of us have this thought of “I can do it since I’m a brilliant student. Nothing is too difficult for me to handle!” Some of us try so hard to conceal their tough situation from others, fear others may laugh, or perceive that they are weak. Because of that, we put on a mask every time we leave our room. We fake a smile or an “I’m fine/ I’m good” answer whenever we are asked how we are doing. We are too egoistic to face defeat!

But what God says? “Trust Me!” “I’m the Author & Perfecter of your faith!” “My grace is sufficient for you!” “Take upon My yoke for it is light, and you will find rest for your soul!” “I am your refuge & strength!” “I made you the head and not the tail!” “You are more than a conqueror!”

His promises tell us differently about ourselves, and help us see a situation at a different perception. Like the scripture about the Prophet without Honor, Jesus wouldn’t perform miracles because the people in His hometown lack faith or lack a believing heart. They still perceived Him as the young carpenter, whose sisters were with them. Their viewpoint of God limits God’s ability to perform miracles in their lives.

Like what Steven Furtick said, “Don’t be immunized to Him that you miss His essence!”

Strong words eh? Lets allow God to reexamine our soul and shift every thought & perception that is not aligned to God’s word! Shake off every self- & worldly perception that is still leeching us!

THE WAY WE RECEIVE DEPENDS ON THE WAY WE PERCEIVE!

Testimonies

Yesterday, during SNL as usual, there was testimony session, where people come up and share what God has done in their lives. As they were sharing, 2 phrases strucked me!

"A lot of us ask God what is our calling. But I tell you, THE NEED IS THE CALL!!!"

"When you think you don't have enough time for God, that is when you need to GIVE time to God"

Power words from powerful people!

Trust Him or me?

The Calling of the First Disciples

Luke5:1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."

5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

Just wanna draw your attention to this part of Peter’s life. It happened when Peter was still a fisherman, and he was trying to catch some fishes with his mates during one fine day. It is that one day that a man named Jesus came and went on Peter’s boat, and start preaching. After He finished, He had a conversation with Peter that later transformed Peter’s life!

Peter has been a fisherman all his life, hence he is a “content expert”. He knows when is the appropriate time to catch the largest amount of fish, where is the best spot to grab hold of many fishes, and which proper technique that brings him the best profit. But here comes Jesus, a carpenter since young with no fishing background what-so-ever came and taught Peter how to fish. But check out how Peter responded to Jesus’ instruction “I tried all night long and still can’t find any fishes. But since You said so, I’ll just give it a go”

And BOOM!

Peter caught so much fishes that his net began to break. He has to call his buddies in the other boat to help him, and when both boats try to contain the “catch of the day” the amount of fish is so much that it filled both boats and the boats began to sink. What abundance once Peter obeyed Jesus.

Similarly, we sometimes try to “act smart”. We can say, “I need to study” or “I tried so hard to study and yet still didn’t do as well as I thought it would be” or “You won’t understand how I feel about my situation. It’s easy for you to say “trust God””… All these are excuses we constantly say in our daily life. We can say others don’t understand because they aren’t in our position, not facing the things we are facing, or have stronger will and ability to get through situations like ours compared to us…

But we should be like Peter. Acknowledging his current situation but not trusting in his own strength or ability, but trusting in God’s provision. As soon as he responded in faith, look at God’s blessing and provision! I know I might not understand how some people feel about their situation, but I know my God for sure! I know His character & nature. He is someone that provides our need, that blesses us abundantly, that wants good things happen in our lives, that gives us His very best each time we trust in Him… The question is, do we trust Him enough even when circumstances are beyond your control? Or do we act smart and think we are Mr/Miss know-my-situation-best and deal with the circumstances with our own limited strength?

His promises endure forever! But do we trust Him enough to feed on His promises?

The God who provides!!!

Awesome!!! That’s all I can say.

Many things have been happening lately… & God made it a perfect day today!!!

Situation #1
Jia Ren (JR), Andrew (AW), James (JC), & I intended to move out of IH next year. House hunting hasn’t been easy for us; especially 4 bedroom houses are so limited at Carlton Gardens or Parkville. So, since the search began, we haven’t had many choices, and after the first visit to a Victorian design house (which means it’s a super old house), we decided to pray that God will provide a place and we will be able to settle this by 24th Oct (which was a fortnight from then).

During that period, JC & JR were thinking of staying back in IH, and the thought of not being able to stay together, or finding a suitable house for 4 of us, just made things a lil’ difficult. Cut the long story short, in the end they decided to move out together, but we still haven’t located any suitable units. A consideration of getting a two 2 bedroom apartments came into our mind, but we continue to press on for a place that fits all of us, and praise God, on Oct 24th, we found a place & applied & got it!!!

Situation #2
Recently, been so consumed by the amount of work I have. So many studies need to be done. So tired every time after hospital, and with lil’ time left, it just doesn’t help me. Began to feel medicine is like a chore, and the passion slowly fading.

Over the weekend during DNA encounter (a course in church I’ve been attending), as I was worshipping God, I just felt a rising sensation from my body, slowly up my head, and accumulated inside my head for a while before it lifted out of my body. Just felt so light & elevated since this semester started. Tears started to pour as I felt God’s joy & peace filled me. Jesus said in Mat11: 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Situation #3
Staying in IH means I gotta move out of this place by Nov 24th, the date where Melb Uni students finished their exams & summer term starts. Unfortunately, being in clinical years, I have fewer holidays, and my rotation only ends on the Nov 23rd, followed by 2 days exams that end on Nov 30th.

For days I’ve been looking for places to stay, as to which friend’s place is available to host me, or should I pay IH (AUD450) to stay on further until my exam date. But today, when I went to the office to discuss with the accountant regarding the rents, by God’s grace, the charges that I’ve to pay was only AUD127 after additional days that the college compensated for me. Yes! So now, I’m staying in til Nov 30th!!!

Situation#4
Being the homesick me (esp since it’s exam season now), I decided to make a phone call to MAS to change my flight from Dec 4th to 2nd. But to my surprise, my ticket was accidentally booked on a different class without me realizing it. If I go to the airport on the 4th, I would not be able to fly and I can’t imagine how crazy I will be if that happens at the ticket counter in Melbourne airport. So, because if this issue, I am forced to leave on Dec 6th due to the overbooked flight seats for my ticket class.

But when I was in hospital today, my friend came over & told me that he changed his ticket to Dec 1st and paid only AUD100++. With great anticipation, and a sense of hope I immediately rush home and get my air ticket & head straight to MAS office in the city and see if there’s any seats available for me. Thank God, there’s still one left & I have to pay AUD106 to change my flight (If I were to stay in Melbourne for another 5 days, I would spend more than AUD106). Without much hesitation, I paid & left the office with a ticket home on the 1st. YEAH!!!

Psa94: 18 When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. 19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. (NIV)

Psa94:18-19The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up. (MSG)

Psa94: 18 I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. 19 When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. (NLT)

Really wanna honour God for what He has done in my life lately. In less than 3 weeks, so many things have been happening. Everything seems to fall into the right place, and God’s favour is constantly magnified in every area of my life. Just affirmed me that God is so real in my life, and always interested to bless us. His hands are never too short to bless us, His ears never too dull to listen to our prayers. Just made me wanna trust Him more and more, and want Him to be included in every aspect of my life! Indeed, what He said is true. Psa84:12Blessed is the man who trust in You.

Voice of truth!!!

Casting crown – Voice of truth

Oh,what I would do

To have the kind of faith it takes

To climb out of this boat I'm in

Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone

Into the realm of the unknown

Where Jesus is,

And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name

and they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me time and time again

"Boy, you'll never win, you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do

to have the kind of strength it takes

To stand before a giant

with just a sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors

shaking in their armor

Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me

Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me time and time again

"Boy you'll never win, you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

but the stone was just the right size

to put the giant on the ground

and the waves they don't seem so high

from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles

when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus

singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

The voice of truth says “do not be afraid”A

nd the voice of truth says “this is for my glory”

Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)

I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe

I will listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe

'Causes Jesus You are the voice of truth

And I will listen to You.. oh You........

What an amazing song! Was really blessed by the lyrics of the song. In the midst of going through my Neurology block in Austin hospital, I felt overwhelming at times, especially when I am not familiar with this complex part of our body system & having all the consultants constantly bombarding me with thousands upon thousands of information and people around you answering the questions confidently & as for me; remaining at my spot, quiet, confused most of the times, trying my very best to understand their explanations, & crying out to God most of the time for His grace!

It’s not like I have a breakdown or something, or overly stressed or immensely pressurized, but it’s just tough walking through clinical years alone without experiencing His presence uplifting me every moment. But I remembered God assured me one day, telling me that I’ll be alright! That He is always in control of my situation, that I could trust in Him & His plans for me in future is to prosper me!

Exo1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. During the times when the Israelites were oppressed by the Egyptian king, it grew even more. God is telling me to apply this to my condition. The more I feel oppressed, burdened by my studies, the more I will grow, learn more & get better! Was reminded of these verses,

psa4:8 I will lie down & sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Phil4:6-7Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything by prayer & petition present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart & your mind in Christ Jesus.

Psa55:16But I call to God, & the Lord saves me. Evening, morning & noon I cry out in distress, & He hears my voice.

Psa55:22Cast your cares on the Lord & He will sustain you, He will never let the righteous fall.

Psa56:3-4 3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

I really thank Him for the love & the promises He made with me. This week, although workload continues to increase, His peace remains in me. His confidence assures me that “It’ll be alright”. I should not listen to the voice of my flesh, but focus & substitute it with the voice of truth! The voice that constantly says “Don’t worry”. The words of “Yes” & “Amen”. Like Peter, I should keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. Then my life will be like a journey of “walking above the water”. Filled with miracles & the impossibles! Filled with perfect love!!!

It's over!

It’s finally over. The end of my surgical rotation has marked its date. I left Bendigo, with mixed feelings. A part of me rejoice and celebrate because I no longer need to travel back & forth during the weekends, no longer need to be away from my friends here in Melbourne. The other part of me feels bad because I really really really enjoy this rotation in Bendigo. I love the hospital there, and being under Surgical Team 1 is the best thing to learn and experience my surgical rotations. I have wonderful registrars and surgeons teaching me and guiding me along my rotations. My top 10 moments in no order is:-

1. Being able to scrub in 5 laparotomy & open bowel surgeries; thyroidectomy; appendicectomy; lung resection; witnessing a femoral-popliteal artery bypass, lower knee amputation, skin cancer resection, & some others that I can’t remember their names.

2. Waking up at 6a.m. to walk in the icy cold weather of Bendigo for ward rounds.

3. Enjoying the historical & unique Bendigo architectures across the city.

4. Listening & laughing together with my registrar at how some funny & weird patients complaining about their surgical conditions to us.
5. Being able to cannulate & take blood from real patients.
6. Singing “Irreplacable” & “Do-Re-Mi” with my group members.
7. Cooking & Barbeque dinners with my group members.
8. Obsess with a British registrar who has absolutely pure & typical British accent.
9. Still love surgical team 1 a lot a lot a lot.
10. Build relationship & encourage certain patients that I’ve seen. Really taught me a lot of things on people’s reactions and emotions in response to their medical conditions.

Just hope someday, I’ll be able to work under my registrars during my intern year. It is a pleasure to work with them & hope I’ll be as capable as them in future. Hopefully neuroscience in Austin will be as exciting as surgery in Bendigo. Being in surgical rotation really affirms my desire to specialize as a general surgeon in future. This is truly a memorable 6 weeks experience. Will post photos soon. Cheers!

First week

Thank God it’s Friday!!!!! Had a long and tiring week. I had my first week of introduction to clinical school in Austin. Every morning, I woke up at 6.30am, before the sun rises, get ready as fast as I possibly could, catch the tram down to the city, then a train to Heidelberg, where my beautiful Austin Hospital is. It took me about 45 minutes to an hour to get there. All these happened in the cold freezing morning weather! My day starts at 8.30am all the way til about 4.30pm. When I reached IH at the end of the day, the sky turned dark… but as for today, it is my first day since I got back to Melbourne where I can sit in my room, facing the cloudy sky and typing this blog.

Clinical was pretty fun though, despite the fact I am going to Bendigo (which happens to be a pekan). Did some cool stuff this week:-

1. I learnt some basic physiology stuff like helping the patient to sit up from lying on his bed, helping patient to stand from sitting position and using different walking aids and their functions in assisting patient walking.

2. During my respiratory tutorial, the registrar thought us a couple of new stuff during physical exam. The patient which has a hyperinflated chest presented with shortness of breath. In addition to that, he has rheumatoid arthritis on his right hand and osteoarthritis on his left. Pretty interesting eh? Plus, the reg taught us how to check if the diaphragm is working through physical exam. Thought the session was awesome!

3. Yesterday I was tagging a nurse in a stroke ward. I assisted a doctor in a male catheterization on a patient with urinary retention because of his lower spinal problem and prostate enlargement. I think we were in the room for about 40 minutes but the catheter can’t seem to go into the bladder because of the obstruction by the prostate and the much clot in the urethra due to the trauma by the previous catheter. I think the doctor informs the urologist and I think the patient might undergo suprapubic catheterization.

Overall, it was a tiring but exciting weekend. Can’t wait til next week. Starting my gastroenterology (gut system) and general surgery block next week in Bendigo. I think I gotta take a lot of own initiative in order to learn. Just have to be more “semangat” in learning and interact with patients.