More targeted at self
Seems that the last implication question (from the example about the farmer) I thought up from preparing 2 Tim 2:1-7 was meant more for myself at this point in time than simply for the general crowd:
"Do we give up halfway? (Not the same as taking a break, but giving up/abandoning the gospel work)"
Writing this here to remind myself of this in the future.
End of hiatus
After the exceedingly long undeclared hiatus, have finally decided to "come back". Am definitely far from being compared (literally) with the prodigal son though. Realized that I now know what it's like to have some head knowledge still, but have the heart and everything else dying.
Though some of the problems remain, it is not true that time is necessary to solve them. Some problems take more than just time to be resolved. In fact, other issues start to creep in from "stopping" for extended periods of time.
No teacher today will ever be able to boast a perfect life (on a clear conscience), but it is important to change ways and thoughts that are wrong as they encounter the Word for themselves.
Some goals that are set for the short and long term:
- to turn back to being serious about understanding what God has to say via Scriptures.
- to take repentance seriously. Hearing but not doing doesn't cut it.
- to see how teaching can be done as accurately as possible to what the Author intended. Involves both the bible study, and the living it out and interactions with others too.
May God help me not continue to make a mockery of Jesus' substitutionary death for us.
After diving
The PADI Open Water course really opened my eyes to a whole new world: one where we not only can move front, back, left, right, but up and down too... I already like diving a LOT just after this trip 
On a more serious note, we (the group) made new friends, and I was really very encouraged seeing how the fellow brothers and sisters acted, and talked in such a setting. Changes will have to be made by me personally too..
Recovered mostly from the chicken pox that appeared on the last day of the trip (started to run fevers and whatnot on the trip back to SG), though will need a few more days to be "presentable" enough to get out of the house again.. A good extended break in a way, though I think my colleagues don't agree with that point necessarily!
Can't wait to get back to work, and to restart in certain areas of my life.