I remembered many years back when I first met Dr. Robb Thompson, he taught me a profound and valuable lesson when I sent him to airport one day. I asked him, “Dr. T, if there’s only ONE THING that you would like to  impart to me from all the principles that you’ve taught us? What will it be?”. He replied, with a smile… “Build your life team”. I don’t fully understand. So I asked him to explained to me. He then shared with me stories about many great men and women of God that he knows, whom have spent their whole life ministering to people, building huge ministries, attempted great things for God.

However, in their old age, they are lonely. They sat on the rocking chairs, eyesight are blurred, ears can hardly hear, voice turned cracky, though they have never regret a life well lived fulfiling God’s calling. However, many wondered, will there ever be anyone visiting them today, any phone calls, any postcards showing gratitudes for the things they’ve done for the people they have ministered to all these years. Where are they? Do they remember you? Who is going to walk through the journey with you? Where are your friends?

I stood there starring at him, I told him. “Pastor, I get what you mean…”

Another year, he’s back again to minister to us. This time, I had the chance to spend time with his PA, Justin Kane. I asked him the same question, he gave me the exact same answers. And he shared with me the people in his life team, and taught me how to select people to be in your inner circle, spend them investing in their lives, these are the people that will run with you all your life, people that is like family members to you, or comrads. Someone that you know and you know, one day when the sky falls down on you, they will be there to hold it up for you. Someone that knows you and still loves you the same. Someone that holds you accountable for your life.

He shared with me the people in his life team. Mentors, disciples, friends. Not too many, but enough for you to focus on building meaningful relationship with.

I’ve got my life team sorted out after a season of praying and observing. The list may change, as people changes. But I hope that these people that I’m investing into would continue to stay in the life team together, supporting each other, and spurring each other to live out the destiny that God has for us all. Then, this is indeed a life well lived, a meaningful one that not only fulfil the call of God to serve Him but also having a real and fulfilling relationships in this journey of LIFE.

I started a new season of 21-day fast, the second round this year. (June 15 – July 7)

July 7, 2008 the last day of my fasting, is the anniversary of our church, by then we will be 7 years old. A complete cycle. Thank God for His faithfulness in our church!

Why do I fast? There are few things that I really need to seek God and see breakthroughs.

I believe this fasting season is going to be life changing.

As I prepare my heart to fast and pray, I do not want just another fasting season to come and go, but one that truly avails much and one that pleases God. So I started to study in depth about fasting, and learned from the word. I flipped open the bible and the page opened at Isaiah 58! Wow, it’s powerful. So I wanna make sure that I record down the thoughts!

Read through Isaiah 58, I’ve learned so much by meditating on each lines… I’m sure there are a lot of different interpretations, but this is the lessons I received from the studying the word.

Why fasting is the key to breakthroughs?

I believe this is the season that God wants us to let go the oppressed and set the captives free as well.

At the same time, God can do the same for us!

1. to loose the bonds of wickedness. v. 6

Wickedness in Gk. means ‘naughtiness’ rebellion attitude or actions towards God. When we fast, we break the bondage of sins that easily entangled in our lives. There is a power to break the bondage that you usually finds it hard to break free.

 2. to undo the heavy burdens v.6

Through fasting, your burdens and loads will be lifted up, ‘cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you.’

Be it a burden of finances, relationship, work or anything in life that is pressurizing. God can removes it form your shoulder as you fast, and enter into His rest.

3. to let the oppressed go free and that you break every yoke v.6

1. To keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority: a people who were oppressed by tyranny.
2. To weigh heavily on: Poverty oppresses the spirit.
3. Obsolete To overwhelm or crush

God promised us that when we fast, the yoke is broken, the enemy has no choice but to let go the grip on us! and we can now walk with God freely and do the things He has called us to do!

What is real fasting?

Fasting, is it just about abstaining from food and starve your stomach? It’s more than that….

1. is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, v.7

During fasting season, we should carry an attitude of kindness love and generosity. God changed our attitude. Removing the focus on SELF to focus on the needs of others. Love is benefiting others at the expense of ourselves.

When we fast, we understands what it really means to LOVE, and we connect with the very heartbeat of God. Love and Give.

2. And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out v.7

Accepting those who are ‘cast out’, the rejected ones, the ones that is not adorable, condemned by others. The ‘poor’, can refers to financial poverty, mental and emotional poverty. ‘Bring to your house’ The house here can also means that we accept someone into our ’space’, make room for them in our lives.

When we fast, we must carry the attitude of forgiving others and accepting others who are less fortunate than us. Go to their level and help them, ‘bless them’.

3. when you see the naked, that you cover him and not hide yourself from your own flesh v.7

Nakedness relates to shamefulness. When we fast, we also show compassion to those who are ‘naked’. Not just physically naked, and that we need to provide for their most basic needs, I am not saying that we ‘cover’ for others sins by compromising our stand, but we do not expose and ’sound the cymbals’ for the mistakes of others, remembering that we ourselves are imperfect too, are we not of the flesh too? God searches our hearts and our attitude especially during this season of fasting.

What will the result be when you fast?

1. then your light shall break forth like the morning  v.8

your light will not be hidden. when light comes, the darkness flee. The bible says that when we fast, we will SHINE. In everything we do, there will be new empowerment, renewed passion. Morning symbolizes ‘new day’, new start!

2. Your healing shall spring forth speedily v.8

God promises healings when we fast, physically, mental, emotions, financial, spiritual…. God want us to be whole. And take note that it says, ’spring forth speedily’, it means that healing will come like a flood, like a thunder, it’s quick, it zapped you and makes you well!

3. and your righteousness shall go before you v.8

There are 2 kinds of righteousness,

i. imputed righteousness – righteousness we received by having the right standing in Christ

ii. actual righteousness – the righteousness that we have through sanctification, our real character. God’s plan of transforming us into the likeness of His son.

When we fast, we become more and more like christ, our righteosnesness is founded firmly in christ and we will go through sanctification.

In everything we do, we want to have righteous judgment and justice and turn ourselves away from any forms of unrighteousness

4. the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard v.8

God promises us ‘protection’ when we fast and pray. The glory, ‘the weight, the kabot’ of God will cover us everywhere we go. Defending us from the accusations of the enemy, the destructions that was intended by our foes.

5. then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, You shall cry, and He will say ‘Here I am” v.9

Now, finally, when you fast the way God wants you to fast, He promised that when you call on Him, when you pray, he surely WILL answer. Why not? He delights Himself in answering your prayers, He can’t wait to fulfill the desires of your heart. And when you cry out for help, He promised that He is THERE, God will saved the day!

And what else we need to do?

1. if you take away the yoke from your midst v.9

Set others free, those who are carrying the heavy yoke. You release them

2. the pointing of finger, v.9

No more blaming others for mistakes made, take up the responsibilities for your life.

3. and speaking of wickedness v.9

No more gossiping and speaking unclean words or idle words but guard your tongue

Then, here are the promises of the Most High God for you:

1. The LORD will GUIDE you continually, v11

He will leads you in all your paths in life and caused you to walk in HIs ways.

2. and SATISFY your soul in drought,

You will not be in lack as God will satisfies your soul, you will not go through dry season

3. and strengthen your bones,

You will be healthy and fit, and strong. Strong bones -you can last longer!

4. You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. v11

‘Water’ - a cleansing agent, moistures, refreshing, renewal, flowing…

Out of your ’spirit’, flows rivers of LIVING WATER! The goodness of God flowing out of your life and flood others who are experiencing dryness and drought.

5. Those from among you shall build the OLD WASTE places, you shall raise up the foundations of many generations v12

God will empower you to rebuild the old waste places, restoring the broken lives, a life that once contains the living water but has run dry. Life has is full with potentials yet was being neglected. You will build others and what you build will last many generations as the foundations are strong.

6. and you shall be called, Repairer of the breach and the Restorer of Streets to Dwell in v12

You brings forth revival, restoration, renewal to your generations!

Finally, v13 says

1. If you honor the Sabbath of the Lord… from doing your pleasure on My Holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight.

If you put God first and His kingdom first, not seeking your own pleasure but on His Holy day, honor Him and not going your own ways and doing your own things. Instead, you delight yourself in the LORD. Pleasing Him in all you do. Then..

v.14a God will cause you to ride on the HIGH HILLS of the earth

You will be exalted and promoted. God will raise you up.

High hills also means the place where God dwells, you will dwell in His presence all the days of your life.

v. 14b And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,

God will give you your rightful inheritance in Christ as He has promised to your spiritual forefathers.

v.14 The mouth of the Lord has spoken.

If God say so, IT IS TRUE. IT IS DONE! No question about it!

I am truly blessed by this passage, and glad that God gave us a powerful key to see transformation in our life.

Let’s fast and pray according to His word and His will. Let it be a fasting that truly transforms you inside out!

[Lyrics]

(Verse 1)

I used to hear some people say

That to find a ’true friend’ is a myth

Love will fades and seasons will change

Friends turned away and we’re left ‘in pain’ 

(Verse 2) 

Until one day you came my way

And broke the lies that no one cares

Heart was mended and tears were shed

You reached out your hands to showed me you care

 (Chorus)

We smile we laugh we eat and talk

We shared the joy that only heaven knows

I never thought I could find such a friend

Who thinks and feels and ‘flows’ the same

Who warms my heart and made me say“You are the gift from God to me… today!” 

(Bridge)

A time will come and we’ll be apart

But I want you to know that we will always be

The Friend of my heart…

(Audio file available soon) 

- Shirley Boon, 12 May 2006, Room , Subang Jaya, Selangor 

[Lyrics]

(Verse)

You see me through all my troubles

And You know my every struggle

You hold me whenever I’m stumbled

You walk with me wherever I travel

(Pre-Chorus)

You’re the sunshine in my life

You are the whisper in the night

You’re the mountain that I’ll climb

 You’re the reason for my life 

(Chorus)

 I will walk with you

I will sing to you

I will lift my hands

And live my life for you I will shout your fame

I will lift your name

I will be your hands

I will never cease to praise you

You’re my friend 

(Audio file available soon)

- Shirley Boon,  Feb 8 2008, Room, Labuan

Why do you walk away?

Can I beg you to stay?

I know there must be a way 

Why am I still awake?

Cos ‘I know you’ll coming back

And I know for your sake

I’ll do whatever it takes 

(Pre-Chorus)

You know, this is not what I wish

and for this to happen

as life kept pushing us apart with all pretenses and excuses

We are now friends without real faces

What could I do?

What should I say? 

(Chorus)

I know that all I want to say

Is  “I’m sorry”

If all I’ve said and done

Had  hurt you so bad… So sad! 

All that I want now is that love

Bring us back to the start

When all things are fine

Where future holds a promise & hope

For you and I 

(Audio file available soon)

- Shirley Boon, 2 Aug 2007, Room, Subang Jaya, Selangor     

Inspired by Psalm 121 

Key: G

(Verse)

G                                      C

I will lift up my eyes to the hills       

Am7                  D              G

From whence comes my help O Lord    

Em                       C

My help comes from You                     

D                           C

Who made the heaven and the earth       

Am      C            D              D7

Who will not allow my foot to be moved 

G                                 C

I will lift up my hands to You      

Am7          D               G

For You are my strength O Lord

Em            D

You are my keeper      

 C                               Am7

The sun will not strike me by day           

C          D7

Nor the moon by night       

(Chorus)

C          D           Bm    Em

For You will be my love forever         

C

You preserve my soul      

D            G                    C    

In my going out and coming in                    

G                 Em 

From now til forevermore               

Am7 

Lord of my heart           

D               G 

I’ll put my trust in You 

(Audio file available soon) 

WORSHIP SONG - Shirley Boon, July 2005, Room, Subang Jaya, Selangor  

梦醒时分不须要再追逐过去

人的记忆也不需要通通抹去

如果快乐是一种选择

那悲伤就可以全被抹去

张开双眼看看这美丽的地球

每天不停的在为你我而转动

如果不好好的认识自己

那 就永远活在别人的影子里

我有我的世界    

我有我的心愿

别人怎么说我不理

只要心里有了切据

我有我的格性    我有我的生命

要 先 好好面对自己

才懂得如何去迎接胜利

             (Audio file available soon)

- Shirley Boon, June 30 2004, Room, Ridzuan Condo, Subang Jaya, Selangor

(Verse 1) 

Where is the one that I’ve been waiting for so long

Will you ever walk into my life

At the break of the dawn

 (Verse 2)

I’ve been searching for you

Someone that I’ve been praying for so long

Will you ever know my prayers to God… about our future

As I ask Him to show me more

(Chorus)

Over the years 

So many seasons that have changed in my life

I’ve made mistakes by hurting the ones

Who loved me and now they’re gone

Now I just want to find

Someone that I could treasure

With all my heart and soul

Am I a fool or maybe I’m wrong

Cos’ I’ve not loved the one that’s been there

All along

(Brigde)

The greatest thing that one can ever give

The greatest thing that one can ever have

Is to love and be loved

(Audio file available soon)

- Shirley Boon,  May 20, 2005, 8.30pm, Room, Subang Jaya, Selangor 

Dedicating this to all those who inspired to shine in others’ lives. Be a Super Sunshine!

主唱：曹格 
作曲：曹格 
填词：顾瀚昀(阿丹)
 
You Are My Sunshine My Only Sunshine
是你让我懂得爱　幸福却简单
You Are My Sunshine My Only Sunshine
因为有了你的爱　从此不平凡　展开曾经为了爱情寻寻觅觅　却换来空白
终於随著冬叶走向渐黄　放弃了等待
出乎意料　你就这样闯进我的生命来
就是你　让我发呆也想著爱You Are My Sunshine

　My Only Sunshine
是你让我懂得爱　幸福却简单
You Are My Sunshine　My Only Sunshine
因为有了你的爱　从此不平凡　展开忍不住要对你的温柔　轻声的赞美
喝著白开水也会醉　原来快乐在调味
怎麼眼睛里的世界变得只剩灰与黑
Oh Baby　因为你太耀眼You Are 

My Sunshine　My Only Sunshine
是你让我懂得爱　幸福却简单
You Are My Sunshine　My Only Sunshine
因为有了你的爱　从此不平凡　展开谁说爱情都有期限 谁说爱情没有永远
只要望著你的双眼 不管未来有多远 都能看得见
原来爱情像个圆圈 起点 终点 同一条线
只要甜蜜不断蔓延 心贴著就不疲倦 永远其实近在眼前

What would life be without You

Can I stay a moment with You

I couldn’t hold on to myself

I wouldn’t make it on my own

As seasons come and seasons go

Your love gets stronger, You’re leading me on

If I ever go astray, You’ll be sure to bring me home

When the storm arises and the strong wind blow

You’ll hold me tight and Your face will shine

My anchor of hope and my armor of war

My heart finds rest as I know you’re there

There’ll come a day when all things fade

Yet I know that Your Words remain

Oh…What a joy to know You since

No regrets and no turning back

Who can take away such love from me

A love that reaches to my heart from Heaven..

A love that defines… God, Yourself.

 - Shirley Boon, 11 Oct 2007, Tinley Park Hotel Room, Chicago, USA.