Have you ever had the joy of building up a sand castle? Building a sand castle is not as easy as it seem to be. Ask the professionals and you will find yourself being bombarded with complicated formulas and equations (S = M x sand + N x water) that must be adhered to build and sustain this delicate structure against the forces of nature. Personally, we may have built sand castles by the beach and we have been building sand castles in our lives.

Sand Castles built by the sands of enjoyment, sands of success, sands of ignorance, sands of pride, and the list goes on.

Have you ever thought that the basic formula to build a sand castle comprises from 2 basic substances? Sand and water that comes in abundance. Let me remind you, any sand castles that were ever build could not withstand the rain and the wind. It crumbles and falls apart when the storm hits the bay of the beach. Rumbling waves, slaps hard upon the beach and all the hard effort of building the sand castles will be in vain. So then, what’s more worthwhile? Investing our time in things that does not last or Investing our time things that matters and last for eternity?

“...everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house, and it fell with a great crash.” – Matthew 7:26-27

There is a constant struggle between Reality and Spirituality, Rock and Sand, Contentment and Discontentment. What we want may not be what God wants us to be. We strive and struggle to go against Him and building our individual sand castles that will not last.

Let us learn to live to the remarkable words of the Apostle Paul;

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do anything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:12-13

Let us build castles with and on THE ROCK that will last forever and ever.

From Duck to Swan
Signing out at 11:07pm at 23^rd April 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At The Foot of the Cross
At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart
And You've won my heart

Now I can..
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death you bore for me
And You've won my heart
And You've won my heart

Now I can..
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

From Duck to Swan
Signing out at 3.23pm at 6th April 2007

Do you ever wonder why we often face trials and difficulties in our life? Not a single man is able to escape from the plague of problems and worries. None can ever say that everything is smooth sailing, I am perfectly happy with my life. The poor has their worries and the rich has theirs too. If you disagree with me that none is able to escape from this plague, then I invite you to reason it out with me.

The journey of life is characterized by the ups and downs that we face. Some may have more ups and some may have more downs but nevertheless they are still in the same category. The question is this; how do we react or respond whenever we face difficulties in life? We basically have two options to it, either to take it positively or negatively. Let me recommend to you a third option.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4

Pure joy!? Are you telling me to be joyful without any ill feelings whenever I face trials in life? Come on, if you are in my shoes you wouldn’t be telling me this. Yes! Pure Joy! It is something hard to grasp whenever we are in the perils of the raging storm but let me remind you again, that our Captain is in-charge and this SHIP that we are on can never sink!

The Apostle Paul sums it up in 2 Corinthians;

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweights them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Sometimes we fail to see what’s more worthwhile when we are in the midst of the storm. Whenever everything fails, turn to Jesus. He’s there. I know He’s there. Fix our eyes on Jesus He’s the author and the perfecter of our faith.

From Duck to Swan
Signing out at 9.11pm – 4^th April 2007

On the 24^th March 2007, Mr. Eric Kirton a loving father and grandpa, a humble servant of God, a missionary to the people in Kuantan, a preacher teacher, and the Evangel bookman returned home to the Lord. In the memorial service, I was deeply touched by his life as old friends, fellow workers and leaders of the church gave their testimonies about him and his life. Here is a man who laid down his life in total submission and obedience to the cross of Christ. You can read about his bibliography at http://www.ekirton.com.

These are one of the last words of the Apostle Paul;

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:2

May we all end the race that was marked out for us like the Apostle Paul and Mr. Eric Kirton. That all who comes behind us find us faithful. You have left a legacy behind and footprints for us to follow. Thank You Mr. Eric Kirton.

“Special thanks to Mr. Eric Kirton for answering his call to be a missionary. He traveled to Malaysia and began his work enthusiastically to spread the gospel to many and bringing them to the saving grace and knowledge of the LORD JESUS CHRIST! He has definitely blessed many and also myself. His sermons and messages are truly inspiring. May The Lord bless him as Eric Kirton is now back in His arms at 5am 24th March. He's done his part on earth and now enjoys an everlasting relationship with our LORD JESUS. And I know my redeemer lives to conquer death and to raise us up again to be with HIM in heaven. You will be deeply missed by family members, team Kirton mission team, brothers and sisters in Christ on earth. This song is specially dedicated to You, Mr. Eric Kirton. God Bless U and Thank You for everything!! (24th MARCH 2007)” – noobshit a.k.a Leong Eng

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,” – Hebrews 12:1,2a

I’ll let the lyrics of the song that were sung in the memorial service speak to you.

- Find Us Faithful -

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

From Duck to Swan
Signing out at 2.09am – 26^th March 2007

I’ve recently watched the movie 300 that replayed the scenario of the historical battle of Thermopylae. The Greeks (Spartans) fought a valiant battle against the vast Persians armies that numbered like the sands of the beach. 300 brave Spartans laid down their lives for their King Leonidas and their beloved country Sparta from the cruel invasion of the Persians. The Spartans are men of valor that is proud of their origin, their country and most of all their King. I was deeply touched by their loyalty and love to the King and to the country. They are more than willing to lay down their lives for the sake of their King. They fought alongside with him and died alongside with him. Men of the distant past seem to place great honour to the sovereignty of their King and his kingdom.

There is a great contrast between man of the past and man of the present. The modern society and culture have shaped each person to honour himself/herself ahead of others. The value of honour is questionable in today’s society. Everyone is for themselves. The capital “I” has become the center of everything. “I” should be the first, “I” am the best, and “I” lead my life the way “I” want it to be. Well, in the middle of it all it is “I” and in the problem that lead to this capital “I” syndrome is in the disease known as s”I”n. It’s a common disease that strikes every person on this surface of the earth. However it is a fatal disease that could cause serious damage to a person’s life and eventually leading to death.

Fear not for the cure has been found. There is a man that has the immunity to this disease in His blood. However, the only way to make the cure is by using His blood. The antibody serum can only be made with one condition. It requires all of His blood. He has to die in our stead so that we might have the cure for the fatal disease.

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:26

But yet sometimes we fail to see that we are so absorbed into the culture of the world that teaches that every man is for themselves. Taking up the main symptom of the disease of s”I”n even when we had been cured of it - Trust no-one but trust yourself.

Do we honour our King? Do we even acknowledge our King? Or the disease that once brought condemnation to us has clouded our minds and boosted our self-ego? Do we trust ourselves more than we trust the King? King Leonidas’ men trusted in him and willingly lay down their lives for him. None of them deserted the cause although they knew the outcome that is facing them, – death. Oh what honour these men possessed. Do we have the same valor and honour for our King? The King that willingly lay down His life so that we might live.

Think about it.

Where does your honour lies?

In yourself or In your King.

From Duck to Swan
Signing out at 1.50pm – 23^rd March 2007