thanks :)

i ve been very blessed by ming han and mj, who has been blessing me and taking initiative to ask about my life and care for me. ming han has been a really thotful brother and i just wanna affirm the two of u here :) wanted to do it over cg but yest was quite late already. hahah.... ve been gg thru a rough time and e support tt u guys ve given me thru gifts, encouragement cards or just asking me how am i or affirming me really comforts me and encourages me alot :) I am really thankful for u two and i thank God for u guys for being sensitive to my needs.

I ve been really blessed so wanna encourage each and every one of us to grow in caring and loving one another :) i think we all do, but maybe we can grow in being more expressive and taking initiative. I am also growing in this area of being more sensitive to ppl and meeting one another's needs instead of always being the one talking... haha....

Rem for the last 2 cgs tt we had? we did on love lang? maybe we can start by remembering each other's love lang and love them according to their love lang :) haha... some of us, our love lang is touch. bro and sisters a bit hard to express in such a manner ah... so we can work on the second or third love lang.... anyway if it's sincere, i dun think any one of us will mind also... ahahah....

hope to see us growing in care and love for one another :) i am trying to grow in writing affirmations which i tend to be super lazy to do... hahah.. so prepare to receive cards from me SOOONNNNNNNNNNN... :)

Human rights, conversion and apostasy

Hi peeps! Haven't been posting here for quite some time, I really miss talking to you guys actually. Anyway, I am really in love with my GEK1045 module, Intro to World Religions. It's so exciting and makes me think. Sometimes, I wonder why I didn't become an Arts major; I like writing essays, and I like readings on certain topics, if they interest me.

So anyway, I digress. Coming back to the point, I just want to discuss about certain things here which I hope to get some views on this. I'll just give a basic background beforehand. We're currently on Judaism this week, next would be Christianity. So anyway, about Judaism, the lecturer told us that babies of 8 days old have to be circumcised. According to him, it's a really painful procedure, and may have psychological effects as well (he said he went to google it and found that circumcised kids have a low threshold for pain).

As you know, circumcision is a permanent thing - you can't reverse it. He later went to the topic of the freedom of conversion and apostasy (converting out), which links to the aforementioned topic of circumcision. In Judaism, it's a sign that you've been welcomed to the Jewish community and have accepted the Jewish faith, ie you're officially a Jew. However, at the age of 13, young males (and females, I think) are required to go through a ceremony, where they are asked to declare their devotion to the Jewish faith (not sure if they are allowed to say no).

Question he posed to us was: since circumcision is a permanent one, does it violate the human rights to one's own body? Does it also violate the right of one's freedom of choice to a religion?

It's interesting to see arguments in relation to this, and I wonder what the Bible says regarding this controversial topic. On one hand, is human rights and freedom of choice. On the other, tradition.

I would also like to end off with a court case brought up in Finland in 2006, where a father sued the other parent for ordering the son's circumcision. Judge in this case ruled that "even a life-long tradition does not invalidate a child's right to his own body."

Interesting.. I wonder what does the Bible say about this?

sick sick sick

Think many of you have been quite concerned with my health. Thanks ppl and sorry to keep u all worry. Thanks for all ur prayers and blessings from fruits to drinks and prayers. thanks alot :)

ve been sick for one month... quite xin cu also. Dun worry ppl i ve been taking care of my health just tt my immune system is really abit weak. Since young ve been falling sick like monthly already, so quite used to it. If i m healthy for a few months is like God's blessings and a miracle already.... heee....

went to the doc yest and i m currently on antibiotics, caught some really nasty bacteria and tt's y i m sick for so long and its hard to kill the bacteria. After i recover from this, the doc is gg to try to build up my immune system by taking more vitamins.

ppl really need prayers so do keep me in prayers. Honestly i dun know why i m falling sick and take so long to recover. yup....

We Need Models and Mentors

We Need Models and Mentors
by Rick Warren
(From Purpose Driven Daily Devotional


Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. Philippians 3:17 (NIV)


*** *** *** ***


For us to mature, we need models and mentors.


Many people make the mistake of thinking all they need to grow spiritually is God’s Word and prayer. But the truth is, we need people to help us grow.


Christlike character is built through relationships, not in isolation. There are many things God wants you to learn about life that you’ll never learn on your own. You’ll only learn them in community.


We always grow faster and stronger with living, breathing examples who can model for us what a purpose driven life looks like. We need more than explanations, we need examples.


Paul realized the power of a pattern when he advised, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you” (Philippians 3:17 NIV). To grow, we need to see principles in practice. We need to see what beliefs looks like when they are translated as behavior in everyday situations.


When Paul would travel to a city to start a church, he would begin by simply living among the people. He was a “living Bible,” echoing the life of Jesus, where “the word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14 NKJV).


After Paul left a city, he would write back, “Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9 NLT).


Who are your models for following Christ? Who are you watching and learning from?


Here’s a tougher question: Are you an example for anyone else? In elementary school, you probably enjoyed “Show and Tell.” As believers, we’re often better at “telling” than “showing.”


In today’s culture, the world desperately needs people who can show us how to love our spouse and make a marriage last, how to relate to our kids, how to do business with integrity, how to handle conflict in the way Jesus would. These are lessons we learn by watching others.


Not only do we need models to grow, we need mentors. Mentors are people who’ve followed Christ longer than we have and are able to share their life lessons. You’ve heard that it’s wise to learn from experience, but it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others. Life is too short to learn everything by experience! And some painful experiences can be avoided if you’re smart enough to learn from mentors in your church family.


Ask yourself this: “What’s been the greatest positive influence on my life?” Most likely it was not a sermon, seminar, or small group lesson. It was somebody who shaped your life through a personal relationship.


Can you see God’s wisdom in creating the church, a family full of mentors and models for our benefit?


That’s why being connected to a small group is so crucial to spiritual growth. It’s a regular opportunity to learn from each other.


Today, spend a few moments getting intentional about this. Write down the names of people in your church and small group that you’d like to learn from. Then identify what you’d specifically like to learn from them. Remember, they don’t have to be perfect to be a model or mentor.


To grow spiritually, you must also be willing to be a model or mentor to others. That may scare you but all it takes is being one step ahead.


People don’t expect you to be perfect – they already know you aren’t. What they want you to be is honest! So let them see your struggles, not just your successes. We usually grow as much from others’ weaknesses as we do from their strengths.

Beijing Olympics 2008

So proud of God's atheletes!
Check out this article that Yufen sent me (for those who know her):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/05/AR2008080503315.html

God is closer than you think

Just finish reading God is closer than you think by John ortberg, can understand but still feel lost in some areas....God speaking thru ppl, how do u know? u know if its align with God's word aka bible, anyone in da family finish reading? lets have some discussion on it soon!!!

Mh

guitar lesson number 2

so happy to learn guitar from bobo on tues, sida came n join us, he has gr8 sensitivity to music, thanks to their patience in guiding me, if not i will forever be playing only heart of worship. Learning a new strumming now, n learning bar chords now........so difficult !!
Huili says if we desire to grow, our growth will be like a stock market trend, i pray that God will allow us to grow up like this uptrend straight line( / ) and not the zig zag uptrend as he present constant challenges to grow us :D

aspire to be like bobo to feel the music, thank God for him n sida

Mh

Spiritual Habit of Worship

Hey bros and siss, i just thought of re-capping the things we have learnt during caregroup on Saturday. As i have said before, although the teaching on worship seems "back to basics", there are still insights to be learnt as we re-visit the truth.

What is not worship?

-Slow music
- Happens once a week
- Raising of hands and kneeling down
- Must be singing songs

What is worship?
- Glorifying and Edifying God
- A lifestyle
- WORTH-SHIP: Telling God the worth he holds in our lives

Why worship?
- Worship simply comes out of a relationship with Jesus
- Worship causes us to be more like God

How is your relationship with God recently? Do you have the habit of worship?

How to worship?
( John 4:20-24)

- In spirit (allow our emotions to come alive)
-In truth (in response to the biblical truths in the Scriptures)

In the passage, Jesus was telling the Samaritan woman at the well that worship is not about the location, but IT'S ABOUT THE ATTITUDE.

God is not trapped on the altar or locked in the temple.

Our body is the temple of God, in which the Holy Spirit given by God takes its dwellling. (1 Cor 6:19-20)

I have found a video clip about worship!



Remember, Worship is not what we can gain from God, it's about coming to the cross daily, to cry, to surrender, to laugh, to be humbled, to confess, TO GIVE OUR LIVES BACK TO GOD!

Spiritual Habits: Word of God, Prayer, Worship
These are the habits we have covered so far during caregroup recently. Let us really put action points to follow thru our understanding.

M&M this week . . .
~ Memorise & Meditate ~

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.
(John 4:24)

My heart is steadfast, O God;
I will sing and make music with all my soul.
(Psalm 108:1)

everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial and constructive

Haven come here in quite awhile!! :( Partly lazy to post things here... oops... thanks for trying to keep this place alive!!! Haha..kudos to all who blogged recently!! Haha...

I’m so glad to see posts about how people are concerned about each other’s well-being, problems and even spiritual needs. In fact I’m encouraged to read how we are making sense of our lives, growing in our understanding of God, and sharing about burdens for people around us. Truly, I feel so heartened that we are learning to love each other more despite each others’ weaknesses and differences.

Just a reminder, we ought to be sensitive about some of the things that we post on the blog as much as we want to be open with each other in the blog.

Afterall, it’s a public blog.

That means, anyone actually can have access/ read the blog. NOT forgetting, this place can be traced and googled quite easily. Considering there’re many “real names” used here, I’m worried about some of the contents that are posted being read, or worse case MIS-understood or MIS-read by some third parties, or especially by the affected people themselves.

So I shall mercilessly remove and edit some of the contents that are not suitable for posting on such public blog. (if you r wondering, i only edited 2 posts, didnt touch much the rest...)

I do hope all of us have the same understanding that the more that we’ve knowledge of, the more is expected of us in handling such things with much care. So one important thing that we have to take extra extra note is the responsibility to handle these info with care and much sensitivity, especially when it pertains people’s lives. It can be about the struggles in their lives; it can be things that they are concerned with the most at the moment, etc etc. We need to exercise wisdom and care in sharing on such public blogs.

To take it even further, let’s learn to love and protect our beloved community by filtering and exercising control of what to blog here ok?

SO, I'm hereby setting some ground rules...

Please, no language that is not edifying. I dont think colorful languages looks "nice" on a site dedicated to Jesus agree?

We can certainly share our lives, the many things of our hearts or our thoughts here on this blog. But it is certainly not the best to share some of the things, esp concerning the others here. If we want to do so, let's rather share it in a setting that is during CGs, or with trustable bros & siss..definitely not a public blog yes yes yes?

Oh my, AND please don't leave your personal details like HP number here as well. What if some wierd person got your number when surfing through the blogs? :S protect ourselves too kaz...(You know I'm so worried seeing some of the posts as much as I'm happy to see the reflections!!)

“Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial.
“Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
1 Cor 10:23-24

Current Affairs - Legalise Organ Trading?

In the first place, do we even have the right to sell our organs?

photo from: network.nationalpost.com

Recently i have been quite interested in the debate on whether to legalise the trading of organs.

After the CG we had last week discussing on this issue, i continue to follow the news for the past few days, I was quite disappointed with the response of our Health Minister pertaining to this issue.

Here is part of the article and my inner response to some of the points:

Let's not rule out organ trading yet, says Khaw

The Straits Times - 15 July 2008

(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

SINGAPORE is not ruling out legalising organ trading.

The surprise comment from Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan yesterday is bound to re-ignite the fiery debate on the benefits and dangers of allowing the buying and selling of human kidneys, lungs and other organs.

The Government has stood firm so far on enforcing the present laws, which prohibit organ trade.

Recently, five people were taken to court in the country's first kidneys-for-sale deals.

But yesterday Mr Khaw said that organ shortages and a black market in the region made legalising trading an option.

(Is it? Should we compromise our values to go along with the waves/or so call FORCE? Should we keep shifting the position of the goal post, changing the dimensions? This is chaotic man! This is not a matter of multiplication, where -ve x -ve = +ve. If we allow trading of organs in Singapore, we are adding up negatives with negatives, where -ve + -ve = even more negatives! Selfish minds and Bad policies give us a society that we can't live in.)

'I think we should not write off or reject the idea of selling organs. But I think we need to study it carefully,' he said.

There are no immediate plans to change the law, as there are practical reasons why overturning the ban could backfire - like shrinking the current donor pool, he added.

He said yesterday: 'I remain of the view that organ trading is not the way to go, but we should not reject any idea given the reality.'

(OH man! we shouldn't even think about it)

Meanwhile, the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) has come out steadfastly against legalising the organ trade, following an emergency meeting on Saturday.

Its spokesman, Dr Tan Sze Wee, said organ sellers face an array of short- and long-term medical risks. The sellers, almost always desperately poor, could also be abused and exploited.

Mr Khaw said the best approach is still one of prevention, such as better control of diseases like diabetes.

(Of cos right? Who don't agree? Common sense mah...)

Singapore should promote altruistic donations through the Human Organ Transplant Act (Hota).

Mr Khaw added that he hoped to find a solution that protects the interests of the donor and the patient.

'How? I don't know. But if we do not force ourselves to think out of the box, then we will never be able to find a better solution,' he said.

(And what makes us think that we will be able to find a better solution if we force ourselves to think out of the box. Yes, I know, thinking out of the box mah!, we keep hearing it in schools also. However, I believe this issue can be discussed, and MUST be discussed and solved within the 'Morality Box'. Many times, we still need to confine things into a box, or else things will be in a mess! OMG!)

- My thoughts -

Legalising organ trading would mean . . .

Every piece of human body, whether alive or died, becomes a money machine - cheapening the value of human lives.

A leh-long of organs in the 'market place', whoever can match up with the price gets it. The POOR poor patients can only wait til the day of their death. - Sigh . . .

Blood banks need to buy blood from people (at market rates) to deal with demands for blood transfusion during surgeries (accidents, operations, giving birth.). There might be a strike by this greedy generation, trying to create a uproar for blood price hike. - Terrible! You just need blood (that is supposed to be free) to save lives yet some people are demanding for a blood price hike to offset the rise in fuel and oil. OMG!

Having the possibility of you feeling pain when a knife is stabbed into your body while you are walking on the road . . . and you find yourself with only 1 or none of your kidneys left when you wake up... - Pain + Shocked!

Having the possibility that young children are kidnapped by criminals to obtain their kidneys. - Oh no!

Having the possibility that all your family members are left with 1 kidney, and unable to donate their kidney (which is more compatible to yours to obtain higher success rate) to you when you need a transplant. - Desperate!

With only 1 kidney in your body, your kidney will be overworked, and you are more susceptible to diabetics and high blood pressure.
.
.
sorry if it sounded offensive to you. Not my intention. Really. But definitely something that is very possible to happen if we legalise 'Organ trading'
.
I can continue to paint this picture, but it seems too ugly and unsightly and unbearable, EVEN before the full picture is reviewed.

Why tear apart this box and will allow the 'rats and cockroaches' to run wild in this house?

Even movies and drama serials mentioned that a child is a gift from God. Wonderfully conceived at the moment the sperm fused with the egg and continue to form and take shape in the mother's womb.

Since it is a GIFT, what makes us think that we have the right to profit from something that is given to us without a price.

How ungrateful would that be?

fri 13/7

here's my review for the week: was really quite down the entire week, plus I didnt go for the service/unit/cg the week before. During the week, I thought back about my walk/growth in Christ. I couldn't help comparing with others, esp ppl who are spiritually stronger than me. Using them as a yardstick, I felt my own walk with God was alright, but growth was too slow, esp since the cg seems to be quite short-handed. I couldn't wait for my growth, and I couldn't see myself growing. It didn't seem like I was growing right, or at the right pace either.

Basically, for the entire week, my mood was off-the-mark. I was discouraged, self-esteem and confidence took a dive. I thought about how I'm still not disciplined enough to want to read my bible, qt and pray everyday; I have to drag myself to do it at times, and I will honestly forget to do it sometimes and only to realise it the next day or the day after. I also reminiscenced about my past; thinking of how much time I had wasted, how little knowledge/wisdom I had accumulated when I could have made full use of the time that I had in the past to do so. I was apprehensive about how I could contribute to the cg etc.

Thank God for calyn that day. She called, and we talked. Started out quite surface, but as I was bored in my uneventful job, we continued to talk. As the conversation grew deeper, we touched on the topic of my worries and doubts.

I had quite a number of worries on my mind, though many a times the verse "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself" (Matt 7:34) popped up into my mind. Not only was I worrying about how my relationship with God has (not) been growing, I was dan xin for Meiyi as well. She doesn't seem to be receptive to the idea of going to the poly group, and has been avoiding that qn since the beginning of time (just kidding). There are also a number of issues I hope to bring to attention to her, but I do not know how to put them into words, such that they may not hurt her, yet rivets her focus back to these issues, and gravitate her centre to God.

There's also the time problem. I need more time, Lord!! 24 hours for a day, 7 days a week is simply not enough for me! Free time for the both of us seem to be always clashing, what with her CCAs, meetings, school and tuition work. I need to meet up with her to talk regularly, but we cant even find time to talk on the phone anymore. =((

As aforementioned, I worry about the amount I'm able to contribute to the cg. We have phantom members, hotel/hosp/holiday-resort members, visiting members and incoming members. I'm worried for lyndia, simin, meiyi and jasmine, for now. I want to talk to them, connect with them, and hope to see them grow in Christ, but I find it difficult to meet up with them. Now I think I will have more time on my hands, so I'll have truckloads of time for them! However, one-to-one is a bit scary for me, so I need free ppl to come with me --> volunteers pls! =)) Or, if any one of you is meeting up with any of them for unofficial reasons and do not mind me tagging, pls call 9******* and mj will be happy to answer! =) Oh, this applies to any of the freshmen too =)

Oh, I digressed. Hmm, so on fri, calulyn called (love the nickname lily came up with). We talked, and I told her about how I think I've been stagnant. She gave me plenty of examples that showed me how she thinks I've grown, and little by little, I grew less apprehensive, more encouraged, more confident that my walk with God has not been fruitless, more determined to persevere and grow further. =))

Yeap! I think that's what might have sparked the numerous games ideas that I had =D

WWWWHHHHEEEE!!

Okay, I shall end with something God just reminded me about.
[Paul's] Call to Persevere
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..."
~Hebrews 10:23-25a

Shall end here!
This is MJ reporting live, from NusB2, Hope Church Singapore.

See you guys soon! Can't wait to play the game =DD

for i am weak, then i am strong

I felt an urge to write this post in the middle of the night after seeing my dear sister who has been very busy juggling with her troubles and work to pay for her own expenses and handling family problems. Indeed troubles come to everyone n every person tinks that he or she is in the deepest valley. it is definitely a long story to share and we cannot share it to everybody cos of certain reasons like parents forbidding or too lazy to say (thats me)haha...

We may not know wads going on specifically in one another's issues but we know that we r having some challenges in life, and jus this knowledge alone is enough for us to help n pray for them to overcome wadeva obstacles there mayb ahead.

im worried about 2 sisters....both of them so sweet and helpful(just like every hope member). despite each of them having their own troubles, they wanna help each other out. And I broke off with my gf, with her mum harassing me with her sms every now and then, i feel bitterness and sadness and pain (thnks to calyn hu says i onli use my mind and strength to do tings instead of my heart and soul)breaking up is not as issue but its abt myself, i cannot accept myself to be like that, i wun turn bak to a failed r-ship n yet i feel bitter if she gets together with someone, in short, im selfish....and of cos many other inner strugglesi had with myself da past mth. Whose prob is worse? ALL r as bad, to us ourselves.

we have 2 choices now: either we can indulge in melancholy mood, or choose to pick ourselves up n face all odds. I chose the latter, for i m glad n sad that our bros n sis have been helping me, glad to know they r around, sad to know im imposing on them, esp calyn, hu onli knows how to share swts with me, yet i always give her problems.

so come on sisters, let us pick ourselves up, instead of indulging ourselves in mel mel mode, why not tink of things we can do to bless ourselves n bless ppl. Women are getting stronger these days, stronger than men in fact(just look at our church), and da 2 of u r strong WOMEN rite?wads more we have unlimited help from our bros and sis in christ 24/7 =D if this journey cannot be any easier, we shall and we must get stronger...and all this i pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

ps:can post such tings on da blog? oh well, i already posted it

Sat 21/6

Hey, here I am again. Hadn't had the time to post till now. Anyhow, Sat was a great great great day! =)) We had the cycling event, followed by lunch, and service. Cycling was great, though the bike was terrible. Lunch was even better, we got to talk =) Service was the best, and the after-service was even even even better! =DD


A few of us stayed after service, I was debating if I should be on my way home, since it was way past 10pm. I wanted to stay, not only because of simin, but also because I thought the content of the talk was so good, I felt I had to stay. I wanted to stay and listen to Derrick, Calyn and Simin, their thoughts, opinions, lives etc. It was a wonderful time of fellowship, and real fellowship at that.

I guess that day was a day when I really got to know them, to see them for who they were, especially Simin and Derrick. You know Derrick is like, funny, wacko and all that, but his deep is like... really deep. It's comparable to the deep questions Huili would throw sometimes. -scary- Calyn and Derrick were talking about Minyi, this freshie, whom they had lunch with that day. They were discussing something about God, His existence and all that. I think someone said Minyi's issue is why she needs God in her life, as in, she doesn't know why, doesn't think she needs God in her life right now.

And.. my mouth just had to open and say, "Oh yeah, I thought of that too before coming to church." Right after that, Calyn had that evil glint (haha just kidding) in her eye, and out of her mouth came, "So do you know why?" Hmm, I sort of know, but not really. As in, it's a feeling that I couldn't explain, at that point of time. So I resolved to come back to this, and tucked it into the back of my head.

Slept on the way home, so couldn't think. But I think I sort of got my answer, as in, it's a personalised answer, for me. I think it would definitely be different for you guys.

While thinking about it, I could come up with all sorts of random answers, for instance, security, love, peace, joy, hope, forgiveness, etc. However, what I think is really the issue at hand when one encounters this question, is are you really satisfied with your life now? Are you fully peaceful and at rest with your heart and soul now? Are you able to maintain composure for most times, least to say at all times? Are you truly grateful and glad you're 'alive and well' in this world?

I guess it's really quite a self-centred question. It's like asking what do I get from acknowledging God. Likewise in business relations/transactions, CEOs/project managers would always ask, what do I get if I sponsor/oversee this project of yours? What do I stand to gain?

However, a relationship with God goes far far far beyond that. It goes beyond the boundaries of defining what you can get, what you stand to gain from, because what God can give you, is something that we can never foresee or measure. It is unthinkable, it is beyond our abilities.

I guess if someone asked me Minyi's question, I would shoot back "Why do you think you do not need God in your life?", then see what the reply would be. For myself, I decided to look to God for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I wanted to repent from my sinful ways; essentially, what I wanted was a U-turn in life. My second reason is that I wanted my innocence as a child back again. I wanted to be free. I wanted answers, guidance, truth, in my walk in life. I wanted to know more, beyond this world; I wanted to know if there was more to life than what I had experienced or heard.

I got more than what I asked for. Along the way, I picked up a peace of mind, restfulness, love, joy, forgiveness, patience, truth, perseverence, and much much more - all these are invaluable. I made a handful of friends who truly care, a bunch of like-minded peeps, who really love each other and care for one another - priceless. I gained a Shepherd, a Teacher, Father etc, one whom I could look up to and at, at any point of time - that's truly amazing. He's not afraid to rebuke me, guides me to the Truth, shows me the Way when I'm lost, and gives me Life. =)

Basically, my answer to Minyi's question can be better expressed in the song by Hillsong, How could I live, one of my favourite songs. =)

Oh! Haha I don't know if this is like imagination of mine that's working overtime, but I was listening to Lincoln Brewster's Lord I lift Your Name on High, and I was tracing Jesus' route from Heaven to earth to the cross (on a hill), to the grave and back to Heaven, and I realised it forms a 'W'! Haha so cool.

Yeep! I'm off, it's going to be a busy busy busy week! =) See you guys tmr! =)

Sat 14/6

Hey peeps. Huili called for us to share our lives freely with one another, and I guess I will.. though a bit paiseh. But since it's on a blog, I'm hidden from public eyes! But still, as I'm typing, your eyes and images of you guys are so clear... Crap! Get out of my mind, guys! Haha okay I'm being crazy =P Anyway, here goes..... *blush*

Sat 14/6 was a day of great meaning to me. Not only was it the poly ess, it was the day both God and the devil became so clear to me. You guys know I went for netballuxion in the morning helping edmund do saikang, lugging cans and packs of 100 plus and bottles of water here and there, giving out goodie bags. Here are all the things you guys didn't know about..

I went home, fell asleep, woke up at 6pm without an alarm. First thing in my mind was "Die! mingjiao you're so late you're so dead!" Next thing that popped out was "Don't go larh. Don't go, it's only the poly ess, no use to you." So this went on, the debate so alive in my mind. Still, my feet dragged me out of the house, as this lively debate was stuck in my mind. Right after the bus came, God 'left' me. He quietened down, He didn't utter a word. The devil spoke so much, he was so loud, noisy, clear, taunting and tempting, eg "See, you should have gone home" when I found out I had my monthly reminder that I'm a girl at Woodlands (40 mins to somerset). So there I sat, totally still with fear, with those thoughts of going home still in my head.

Reached somerset, went to the toilet to see if it was a dispensing machine, but there wasn't. Irritated. Went 7-11, saw that it was selling at an exorbitatnt amount and got irritated again. By this time, I was not only irritated by the situation, but with God too. I was irritated with Him for not letting me go home, for waking me up, for not putting a dispenser in the toilet so I can just pay $1 instead of $4.20. I was irritated, annoyed, pissed and dejected. I was annoyed with my head (not because it's small, minghan), kept telling myself to stop it, to hold those thoughts, to take captive of them and make them obedient to Christ like in 2 Cor _:_ (dont rmb where). But I couldn't.

Dragged myself to service, saw the ushers armed, aimed, took their best shot at and pulverised me with their smiles and warm happy 'welcome!'. Immediately the horrible thoughts were silenced. As I climbed up the stairs, I remember having a thought pop into my mind "Lord, save me"; till now, I don't know where that came from. The moment it was rooted in my mind, the evil thought took place yet again.

Sat in my seat, I was too late for praise and worship; I was glad the play started so I could concentrate on something else. The start was nothing much, I was too occupied stoning, I was basically just sitting there, tired out from all that debate, stoning, glad for the silence in my mind. Nothing though, touched me like the song from Lifehouse, Beautiful. The lyrics were so meaningful, it drove right to my heart. I could see how horrible I've been, how horrible I can be without God in my life. I could feel God's love, his care and concern for me again. I saw how terribly tempted I was, how weak and small I am. But He was with me. I was so undeserving, yet He is still with me. I was so upset with God for nothing, for my selfishness, yet He brought me back. Yet He loves me. Tears welled up, face scrunched, heart touched, softened, as I stared at the lyrics on the screen. I was so upset with myself, disappointed, ashamed; I let Him down again. However, as tears streamed down, pouring, an image of the Lord floated into my mind. He was saying "It's alright, it's alright, I'm here now"...

I thank God for that. I felt Him there so much, it touched my heart, warm and soft. It was a lesson, a whole new experience like never before. The rest was history.
I thank God for everything I went through, for pulling/seeing me through all these. I thank Him for Him.

I guess I could write an essay about this, but I would like to just leave it at that. (Don't wanna bore you guys to death.) God is so amazing. See you guys later! I hope we win!! =))

Hey peeps! Calyn lent me this book called Traveling Light by Max Lucado, and I want to share with you guys something really really cool in it!

In this book, Russ Blowers, a preacher, was a minister in Indiapolis. He knew he would be questioned about his profession at a Rotary Club, meeting and he said this,

"Hi, I'm Russ Blowers. I'm witha global enterprise. We have branches in every country in the world. We have representatives in nearly every parliament and boardroom on earth. We're into motivation and behaviour alteration. We run hospitals, feeding stations, crisis-pregnancy centers, universities, publishing houses, and nursing homes. We care for our clients from birth to death. We are into life insurance and fire insurance. We perform spiritual heart transplants. Our orginal Organiser owns all the real estate on eart plus an assortment of galaxies and constellations. He knows everything and lives everywhere. Our product is free for the asking. (There is not enough money to buy it.) Our CEO was born in a hick town, worked as a carpenter, didn't own a home, was misunderstood by his family and hated by his enemies, walked on water, [turned water in wine], was condemned to death without a trial, and arose from the dead. I talk with him everyday."

Cool right! =))) So cool. I can't get over it. =DD

uni camp'08

PEOPLE!! This blog looks totally dead, I'm doing something about it =D Whee! By the way, Guanrui, your tag on the last "olympics" photo is totally funny!

Okay, I digressed, as usual. Coming back to the point, Uni-camp was totally fun and cool! I learnt so much, had so much fun and got to know a few people better! That's not the point, I digressed again. I think Uni-camp pulled me so much closer to God. He made me understand how deep and great His love was/is for us, the importance of pnw and qt, as well as the ppl around me. He humbled my heart then, filled me with guilt, a heart of repentance, awe for His love, glory and grace, as well as understanding.

From there, I xia ding jue xing to follow Him, to be more God-centred. Placing Him in the core of my life has been one of the rare right decisions I’ve ever made in my life. For once, I felt like my life was going alright, I was making the right decision: to follow God, His Ways, and everything He tells me. I may seem a bit extreme, but I even asked Him if I should quit.

I think what God wants me to do is simply, basic things. It’s totally back-to-basics for me. This reminds me, on thurs, minghan asked how long I’ve been a Christian. I said 9 months, and he said “Huh? Really? Then why are you still so noob?”

His words hit home, for once. [You know how he usually sprouts funny/rubbish things.] I was about to bellow a huge “NO!”, but I stopped myself and reflected. In that split moment, I realized, yeah, I’m a noob, and it’s sort of sad considering my 9 months (pregnancy). My progress has been minimal, if at all. That day, I thank God for minghan. [haha that day only! Okie, kidding, mingjiao don’t be so bad.] I still do.

I have many many many points to pray for, in terms of growth. I think I have too many faults and shortcomings to overcome, some of them are things which I thought I had overcame, which in fact I was just blocking out. Basically, I should grow in:

Forcing myself to keep up my QTs and M&Ms and prayers [the lousy wasabi and vinegar game was so demoralizing and motivating at the same time. By the way, I had mild diarrhea yesterday and today, thanks to the wasabi and kangkong that was so spicy I turned red after it touched my tongue!]
Prayer Stamina
Heart, mind, body and soul after God!
Humility
Patience/Understanding

Yeah well, as you can see, I’m the equivalent of a noob. Haha, but then again, it’s a form of motivation for me, for I hate being noobish when I’m not supposed to be noob. I want to do a lot of things, like serve, like having a sheep, but I know I’m not good enough, and that’s a huge persuasion point for me.
Before I end off, can I tell you guys something? You guys must scold me whenever I do something wrong kae? Or I’ll never learn. I’m the equivalent of a stubborn mule, one that keeps repeating the same mistakes, unless someone or God hits me hard on the head. So you guys must scold me okay! Guanrui! You must kae! You’re always so polite. Jasmine! You also! You are too nice! But I definitely do not need to say this to minghan. Bleah.

Hmm. I will miss you guys. And lily.

Irritating. =((

Bless you all.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” ~Hebrews 11:1

UNI Camp'08 : Points to Follow -Thru

Yeah! I finally found time to sit down to update the blog and add some new photos i have!

Even I've already shared my learning points from the UNI camp @ St. John's Island, i would like to also post them on the blog. Please feel free to post yours too! And we can keep each other in prayer, and really see how God will lead us thru these points we have reflected upon.

I believe God wants me to . . .

1)Be ready to share about His love to people who want to know more about Him. I would need to grow strong in the understanding of the Word, so that when i speak i do not speak with my voice and might, but by God's authority and His Spirit in work.

2)Approach God with boldness instead of timidity, with confidence instead of fear.

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."
2 Tim 1:7

I will not be hesistant in doing what God wants me to do, giving Him my very best in growing up his sheep/s, and serving Him with the gifts and talents given to me. I need to grow in courage and trust in Him that no matter how difficult i perceived what is ahead of me, it is God who is going to grow and lead me, and He will definitely help me, because He loves His people.

He accepts me as I was when i received Him into my life. He doesn't want me to remain as i am.

3)Not be envy of the abilities of others, but be faithful with what i already have. I must understand that it is not about whether i am good at everything, but whether i am able to work in a team, like a mini gear in the watch, a part of the body of Christ. I need to pour in my best as a part of this Body.

4)As I am learning to be a praise and worship support singer, i need to learn to lead myself to worship into God's presence to hear from God. Seeing myself as a minister used by God to lead people to draw people to God thru singing and praying to Him. End of the day, it is not whether the music is perfect or voice is wonderful, but whether everyone met God during the time of praise and worship.

Hao ba! That's all from me right now!

Olympics? Shouldn't the 3 circles be on the top row instead? Hmmm... haha

ready to meet God at anytime?

Adam and Eve were called to "be fruitful & multiply", they had a big lobang from God Himself, to work as a King & Queen of the animals, land and everything on Earth. S, for their first full-time job as a gardener and ruler, were they sucessful? Not too bad I say, Adam managed to name every animal God gave to Him at first. But Eve screwed it up after seeing the supposedly juicy and delicious fruit the serpent showed her.

An average joe'll spend a large part of his time & effort on either studies or work, depending on which life station he's in. doing a simple calculation, i may well be spending half my "awake" time for studies, going lectures, doing tutorials, etc etc. It's really not easy being fruitful, the challenges of a student is not less that Adam..You face the teacher who cant teach well, or rather, dont even know if he know what he's talking about..you face peers who mug 24/7 and tells you that he didnt study enough..you've tutorials, projects and assignments that never seem to cease for some reasons..

BUT, while we try our best in whatever we can, excelling in all that we know best..an important question to ask ourselves amidst all these..are we consistently, continually walking right with God?

When the Creator "happen to walk in the garden", which state are we often ccaught in?
1) in the act of sinning, such that we had to hide when we hear His footsteps
e.g. compromising on the standard of our Christian faith in face of the serpent, we give in too easily to the easier way out, to do the things that does not require us to sacrifise..only to find so much guilt within that we cannot face God, sometimes even man..

2) standing firm in our faith, such that we're all-ready to jump on Him and say a big "HI GOD!! whazzup yo?"
(imagine the serpent being so angry he evaporated into the air..weessh..)

What is the BIG juicy fruit in our lives that we're likely to give in to?
C.A.P. 5? handsome man to marry us off? (I know the bros wont look at the exterior rite? ;p) spectacular resume to show to our future employers? Slacking and watching TV all day long if we're not required to take on any responsibilities?

just as it is a constant struggle for all of us, we can be assured that God's grace and love is all-abounding and ever so deep and great, we can be granted full forgiveness. But let us not take His grace for granted. seriously, it hurts God most whenever we compromise on our faith. it's like a father who told a child not to jump around in the garden..the child refuses to because it's really fun! when the child knocks into a pot of flowers, toppling the soil and destroying the flowers and evrything..the father rushes to catch the child and hug him, "boy, are you hurt?" As he says these words, the father was feeling hurt and worried, "you shouldnt have jumped around like that.."

Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4:7-8a)

scary hairy not-funny

Hey peeps. Been a long time since I blogged. Anyhow, I was on a super crowded bus one day, and I heard some scary news, which reminded me of what Huili said about the things that will happen just before the Second coming of Jesus. It seriously scares me, and I want to share the scare with you.

Please read:


Jesus tomb found, says film-maker
A documentary claims this is the ossuary of Jesus ChristJesus had a son named Judah and was buried alongside Mary Magdalene, according to a new documentary by Hollywood film director James Cameron.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6397373.stm


CBS, USASep. 12, 2006 Ileana Varela
• Followers Claim Doral Man is God On Earth
• Jose Luis deJesus Claims There Is No Heaven, No Hell
• Followers Believe All Other Religions Must Be Destroyed
The Man Who Claims To Be Jesus


This Man Thinks He's Jesus H. Christ!
And a lot of people agree with him
By Keith Plocek Published: November 30, 2006
http://www.houstonpress.com/2006-11-30/news/this-man-thinks-he-s-jesus-h-christ/


All these seriously scares me, man. I'm getting the freaks while copying and pasting these for you guys. You guys are smart enough to know what these means.....

Easter

It's going to be Easter very soon!!!! Let's celebrate the death and ressurrection of Jesus, whom so by overcoming the grave saved our souls for eternity. Hope to see us inviting friends for the coming 2 special Easter Services too. :)

"He was delivered over to death for our sins, and was raised to life for our justification."
Rom 4:25