Friend of God

I am reading The Way of the Wild Heart by John Eldredge. Kind of like part 2 to his book, Wild at Heart.

I love Wild at Heart. I felt liberated as a men. Seriously, a lot of men, including myself, are unsure of our role as a men. It is just about paying for the date, opening doors etc? Why do we behave the way we behave? Why are men aggressive? why are we angry? Why are we jealous? Remember, we were created in God's image and let me remind you that our God is ALSO aggressive and can be angry and jealous. Are this quality bad per se?? Find out in part 1- Wild at Heart.

In The Way of the Wild Heart. John describe the different stages of a musculine journey

Beloved Son. Cowboy. Warrior. Lover. King. And finally Sage (a profoundly wise person).

Today I am reading the chapter, Raising the King. A king needs to be a friend of God.

12I write to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, dear children,
because you have known the Father.
14I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2: 12-14)

Why did John the apostle repeat this verse
"I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning. "

John Eldredge believes that there is a significant in the repetition.

Notice that for the mature man, the fathers, the chorus does not change. Of them, the older men, the same refrain is used twice. Something stable is implied here, something established and unchanging. They are the ones who " have known him from the beginning." "Have," meaning it's been going on for some time now. " Known," meaning actual, personal, intimate knowledge, as a man knows his best friend. " Him who is from the beginning," meaning God. The fathers are the friends of God.

There are 2 men (they are in the King Stage at that time) in the bible whom God describe as friend. There is Abraham, whom God calls "my friend" in Issiah 41:8 (NIV). And there is Moses, of whom it is said, "The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" (exodus 33:11 NIV).

When I get to the King stage in my masculine journey (I'm not sure which stage I am in), I want to be a friend of God.

Singapore Vancouver Singapore

I am returning home to Singapore. Yes, leaving Vancouver and Canada for good.

In Jun 2008, I made a trip from Vancouver to Singapore. What was suppose to 1 month break extends to 3 months. It's not a break actually, going back to Singapore was meant for me to get financial assistant. So one thing lead to another, I manage to get financial assistant. But instead of continuing my flying course in Canada, I am going to Malaysian Flying Academy to get my pilot's licence. Yes, it's a major change and I didn't anticipate it coming.

In Sep 2008, when everything that has to be done is done (bank loan application, enrollment into new flying school), I felt a need to return to Vancouver. Besides going there to get my belongings, I really wanted to see the disciples. I miss them. Some nights just before I fall asleep, I think about them and Vancouver. I think about Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley.

And so I flew to Vancouver in mid Sep 2008. Before I knew it, it's mid October, and it's time to go home.

Kathleen Hammer ask me how I felt about my visit. It has been a wonderful month. It's quite painful to leave. But I have to go at some points. So when Fang contacted me to offer me a part-time job in the company she's working in, I took up the job offer. I know God is signalling me to go to Singapore.

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving-"A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ..." Indeed, I am thankful to God for my Canadian experience and the bountiful harvest of meaningful and deep friendship I've forge over the year. My heartfelt appreciation to the love that was showered upon me.

Thank you...

Kathleen Hammer for cooking me Chilli Crab when I was struck with homesickness.
Mike Hammer for showing me around Seattle.
Mike and Ivy for offering their place to sleep over on countless occasion.
Danny Young for taking time out to hang out with me on weekends, knowing that I travel for hours to get to Vancouver from Chilliwack on weekend.
Jameson and Sylvia for inviting me over and to play with the Jonathan
Ed for your PS2 and oh, the lunch BBQ at your place
JJ for showing me the way to be a better communicator.
The Ross family for Curry Crab
Cliff and Angela for the best homemake Hop Pot and a night of good friends and wine
Kim Ritchie for being a prayer warrior and for praying for me.
Liz for showing me how beautiful the heart of a woman can be.

And thank you for the friendship-Brian and Sarah, Alanna, Vienca,Kathy and Andy, Leslie and Chee, Ashley, Elaine, Ephie, Jocelyn, Andrew and Hanah, Carlene, Samuel and Rita, Wilson and Mitzi, Doug, Kris, Mike Morritin, Donovan, Roy and countless others.