Love NTU

Chicken Ala Carte

2009-04-25T00:03:00.001+08:00

After going through the many years of education in our own areas of expertise, and reading, understanding the word of God, are we ready to take on even this? When i go to our church website, at the top right hand corner are the words "Serving the Nations".

那双看不见的手 Those Invisible Hands

2009-04-12T19:35:00.003+08:00

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ and dear friends,
As we remember the Lord's death for us, I pray that we will come to Him in thanksgiving and complete surrender, knowing fully that He is continually with us, and will never leave nor forsake us. Even though we cannot see Him or even touch Him, know that He is just by our side. Jesus alone is our Healer and our Saviour.

Was really blessed by this song that Ser Hwee shared with me today. It is sung by a choir composed of taiwanese 原住民 who have been orphans since birth. 梁文音 from 星光大道2 is in the choir too! May you be blessed as you reflect on God's personal love for you:

那双看不见的手 Those Invisible Hands

虽不见祢，触不到祢，但是我知，祢正在对我低语。
Even though I cannot see You or touch You, I know that You are speaking softly to me

哦！主耶穌，哦！主耶稣，我深知道祢一直就在這裏。
O Lord Jesus, O Lord Jesus, I know deeply that You have always been here　

是祢的手，钉痕的手，重新撫慰我那破碎的心田。
It is Your hands, Your nail-pierced hands that comfort my broken heart again

是祢声音，温柔话语，再度填满我心灵中的饥渴。
It is Your voice and Your gentle words to me that fill the hunger and thirst of my soul once again

Jesus! We want to be more like you!

2009-03-07T00:38:00.001+08:00

Theme song for this semester! Enjoy...

God’s Redeeming Inner Voice of Love to Me

2009-03-03T18:48:00.001+08:00

Last week, I saw my Indian neighbours gathering at the void deck of my block and wondered what was the occasion – only to know that one of my Indian neighbours had just passed away. Every time I walk past a funeral setting, I would wonder: How did the person move on? Was it illness, accident, old age, murder or suicide? Did the person come to know the Lord before he or she died? Did he or she move on with regrets……

As I took the lift with my Indian neighbour on Sunday evening after church, I asked her whether she knew who was the neighbour who passed away. She replied ‘I don’t know, they move in 3 years only… It’s a 21 year old boy, jump off the building!’

In the case of this unknown neighbour whose face I may have seen before, he took his own life, in another block, away from home.

Yesterday I received a text message from my mother, who asked me whether the news of a NTU student stabbing his professor was true. Thereafter, I heard people talking about it every 10 steps I took in the south spine premises.

As I pondered upon these matters, I was reminded of how extreme emotional pain and inexplicable inner wounds could lead to depression and even thoughts of suicide. I have experienced similar depression emotional turmoil before and also entertained thoughts of suicide even after I knew the Lord. For the two times that it happened, the only redeeming element I saw in my life was the Lord’s love for me…

On one account, when I was in Beijing and struggled with some of my personal sins, I felt condemned and suffered from a low self-esteem. I didn’t seem to be able to see any way out of the darkness I was walking through. Cognitively I knew that God is love and He is the answer, but I did not want to turn to Him. I shut all doors of communication and every day, I imprisoned myself in my own thoughts and was on the verge of insanity as all I heard were voices of accusations and condemnations. I was overly self-conscious and only thought of how much misery I was in.

Thankfully for me, I did not close myself up to my previous cell leader, Lay Ching. Having been my spiritual parent and mentor for more than 2 years, she knew that when Cheryl kept quiet, something was seriously wrong. She sent me emails and persisted to get in touch with me, and I relented. I remember the turning point in my life during my stay in Beijing, when she sent a email that is extremely personal to me:
‘Dear Cheryl

The Lord reminded of a reflection that was by Henri Nouwen in "The Inner Voice of Love."
It is his "secret journal" that he wrote in the darkest period of his life.

I pray that the Lord will speak and minister to you even as you read it:)

Title: Know that you are welcome.

"Not being welcome is your greatest fear. It connects with your birth fear, your fear of not being welcome in this life, and your death fear, your fear of not bring welcome in the life after this. It is the deep-seated fear that it would have been better if you had not lived.

Here you are facing the core of the spiritual battle. Are you going to give in to forces of darkness that say you are not welcome in this life, or can you trust the voice of the One who came not to condemn you but to set you free from fear?
You have to choose for life.
At every moment you have to decide to trust the voice that says "I love you. I knit you together in your mother's womb." (Psalm 139:13)

Everything Jesus is saying to you can be summarised in the words "Know that you are welcome."
Jesus offers you his most intimate life with the Father....

Keep reminding yourself that your feelings of being unwelcome do not come from God...
The Prince of Darkness wants you to believe that your life is a mistake and there is no home for you.

But everytime, you allow these thoughts to affect you, you set out on the road to self-destruction.
So you have to keep unmasking the lie and think, speak and act according to the truth that you are very, very welcome."

I am keeping you in prayer that you'll keep following the True Shepherd's voice and His hope will rain down and reign in your life, especially your thought life...

Lay Ching’

Another close friend also never failed to text me prayer sms-es during the initial period that I was in China and when I made known my struggles, his words also encouraged me :

“Hi Cheryl,

I seriously thank God for what He's doing in your life. In opening up your eyes to cherish your family and also to your own person well-being. I've a few words for you. In our inadequacy, God's love has and will forever adequate us. Therefore, do not be discouraged or dismayed. You're loved by all. Even your housemates, or else, they wouldn't even want to counsel you =)
Apostle Paul went through persecution and hardship, and yet, he praised God for it. Why? I believe that it's because he was prepared for the journey that God has placed before him, and that he's enjoying every single moment in listening and obeying His every instructions, with the right heartbeat; and of course God has a different journey in store for each and every one of us. But the question is, is the journey that we're taking what God has set for us? Are we able to enjoy the process? Are we able to cope with it? be it physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. If not, then assess if the journey that we're taking is what God has intended for us, and also pray for wisdom to discern. (sometimes, the choice that's Godly isn't necessary the path that we've got to take or choose. God might have some other plans for us.)

Now, on the matters with regards to your housemates, i would like to challenge you to reconcile with them, and (very important) remove any pressure of expectation that you have on being or becoming a good testimony for Christ to them, but simply bear in mind that you're living as a daughter of Christ who have been redeemed by grace. It's that simple. no pressure, no nothing, just live life normally for God.”

I held both of these messages dear to my heart because it was a renewed revelation and a deeper knowledge of the depth of God’s love for me despite my ugliness. I had tried to strive with my own strength, and forgot what it meant to live normally for God.

Dear friends, I am sharing this with you because I finally feel ready to share what is upon my heart and I pray that you too will always run to God as your first refuge because He will never leave nor forsake you. Even for those who do not yet know who God is, it is true. He loves you, gave Himself for you and is always in pursuit of your heart…

Jesus is better!

2009-02-19T00:28:00.003+08:00

Today I attended Pastor Benny Ho's School of Ministry on the book of Hebrews. I was reminded of the diety of Jesus Christ who is better than the prophets and the angels!

So if you are thinking if angels exists? The answer is yes! And the angels are all around us, maybe next to you right now !

However, do remember that Jesus Christ is greater than the angels and let's worship the Lord of Lords and King of Kings!

Bless you with a awesome week ahead !

You are My All in All

2009-01-10T11:35:00.001+08:00

May God Bless You!

一件礼物

2008-12-17T01:19:00.001+08:00

May you receive this gift as we celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas.
Feliz Navidad!

A testimony for God's provision

2008-11-22T01:59:00.003+08:00

When i first became a christian, the first thing i struggled with is tithing. I was doing National Service at that time, and i had little money. I always have less than $10 in my bank before the start of a new month, and the army payday was on the 10th. And so, giving 10 percent of my gross income was quite a struggle. Many times, i either give just a fraction of it, or not at all. Nevertheless, while i'm not faithful, God is still faithful.

I was serving in the bookstore ministry from the time i was in the army. And when i came out of army, and got into the university, i got a chance to help out doing programming for the bookstore's website system. I am able to do so because i did information technology for my diploma. Nevertheless, the programming system used by the bookstore is not something i was taught in the polytechnic. It's using php programming, i only know asp. I hesitated at first, because my workload from my studies is already very heavy. But i know that if this is God's will for me to do it, He will bring me through, and He'll reward me. Indeed, God is faithful, i could not have done it without His help. He gave me a hall to stay in during that time, he keeps me awake through the late nights, he keeps my brain focused on what i am working on.

How do i know it's not my own ability? Because before that, my usual self was not adapt at staying up late to do work, games maybe. I was(and still is) very easily distracted during working, but i pulled through. I actually wanted to learn php by myself before that, i tried many times, but failed. Main reason is because i'm adapted to using asp, which can do the exact same thing as php, just that it is a different platform, and different language style. I've already quit trying to learn php before that. Before the semester started, i prayed fervently for a hall to stay in, because i don't have enough points to get one. And not only do i get a hall, i managed to stay in the hall i desired, which is a miracle, cause it's one of the most difficult hall to get in. And above all, it's a church bookstore, so must be God lar....

Indeed, God is faithful. From the experience i got during that time, i picked up a very useful skill. And it was during another time, during examination period, that i got a job offer to do programming. And the language i got to use is php, the one i've picked up doing God's bidding. And from that point of time, i got a steady income which allows me to live comfortably. And on and off, i got freelance jobs to do, again using the same skills. Praise God!

Nick Vujicic

2008-11-20T02:08:00.002+08:00

Nick Vujicic visited us again this year.
was blessed again by what he shared (:

From http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/:
My name is Nick Vujicic and I'm 25 years old. I was born without arms or legs and given no medical reason for this condition. Faced with countless challenges and obstacles, God has given me the strength to surmount what others might call impossible. Along with that, the Lord has placed within me an unquenchable passion to share this same hope and genuine love that I’ve personally experienced with more than two million people all over the globe.

Traveling extensively to over 19 nations, I've been extremely humbled by the continuous opportunities that the Lord has given me to share my testimony along with the hope that I have in Jesus with people in so many nations and situations. My greatest joy in this life is to introduce Jesus to those I meet and tell them of His great desire to get to know them personally by allowing Him to become their Lord and Savior.

One of my favorite scriptures from the Bible is Psalm 139:17-18 that says, "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.”

God has used me to let people know in countless schools, churches, prisons, orphanages, hospitals, stadiums and in face-to-face encounters with individuals how very precious they are to God. Secondly, it’s my pleasure to assure them that God does have a plan for their lives that is purposeful. For God took my life, one that others might disregard as having any significance and filled me with His purpose and showed me His plans to move hearts and lives toward Him. Understanding this, though faced with struggles, you can overcome too.

Be encouraged today as you read this promise from the Lord found in Jeremiah 29:11 of the Bible, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

may we remember that we're all miracles!

The Truth About Evolution

2008-11-05T19:47:00.002+08:00

Evolution is often a word that gets Christians all worked up and defensive about their faith. But the fact is that, evolution is NOT just about apes turning into human.

Christians all around the world must get a grip of the facts of evolution in order to defend their faith with unshakable conviction.

But then again, the term ‘evolution’ has been used and abused to an extent that what is evolution to one may not be evolution to another…

Darwin’s Theory

For the sake of this story, ‘evolution’ refers to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. For the rest of this article, the terms ‘Darwinism’ and ‘evolution’ will be used interchangeably. Natural selection is the process by which better-adapted individuals are selected by the nature to continue its characteristics for its species, in favour of individuals who are not as well adapted to their environments.

Can’t really catch the ball? Just think of this scenario. There are two species of a bird; one species has a sharper beak than the other and yet both species feed on the same kind of bug. Over time, the species that has the sharper beak will prosper over the one with the beak that is less sharp as the former has a natural advantage over the latter when it comes to finding food. Thus, natural selection favours the bird with the sharper beak.

That sure sounds logical. But the problem arises when Darwin also believes that all living organisms share a common ancestor. He believes that natural selection is the main driving force of evolution.

Neo-Darwinists have included spontaneous mutation as another driving force of evolution after the establishment of Mendelian genetics, which was discovered after Darwin’s initial theory.

Creationism

Creationism is the belief that the different types of living organisms have arisen independently by divine and intelligent creation.

Creationism is held only by a minority of scientists.

The Argument

People of faith and whom believe in a god, not just Christians, find it hard to accept the idea of Darwinism as it outrightly mocks the existence of a Divine Creator who is believed to have created all living things via the process of intelligent design.

There are few arguments for Creationism and against Darwinism. One of which is the lack of a substantial number of ‘intermediate’ fossils to show the transition of one species to another in the course of evolution.

On the other hand, supporters of Darwinism would not accept the view that an unseen and invisible Creator has a hand in science.

However, Darwinists have constantly failed to realise that no matter how strongly they feel for evolution, the fact still remains that Darwin’s theory has always been, and still is, just a theory.

Perhaps the thing that infuriates pro-Creationists the most is that children all over the world are being taught to accept Darwinism as a fact of life. That act alone is highly unscientific as these students are being denied the access to another point of view that is held by others. And doesn’t science teach us to consider all possibilities before eliminating any of them?

Perhaps we should follow what certain states in America (e.g. Louisiana) are doing, which is to teach both evolution and creationism at the same time.

The Christian argument

From a purely scientific point of view, the Christian faith is based on the belief that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. The fact remains that His body has never been found. Which means to say the discovery of the body of Jesus Christ will be able to debunk everything that is written in the New Testament.

Compare this to the Darwinist set of beliefs, which thus far have failed to come up with any solid evidence to prove that all living things come from the same ancestor.

Which school of thought seems to be making more sense?

A small note to share

2008-10-30T21:56:00.000+08:00

13-Year-Old Boy Talks About God @ Yahoo! Video

God Bless u!

2008-10-27T15:21:00.004+08:00

Last Thursday, we celebrated Reina and Michelle's birthday as we discussed about the upcoming Exam Blessing! So what' coming up this exam for you?

Stay Tuned!

Thank God

2008-10-17T01:11:00.002+08:00

I just want to thank God here, that i've passed my IPPT. Though i'm weak, God make me strong. I believe I'll achieve my goal, and i'll press on.

Just a little details, the day i went to retake my ippt, i'm still struggling quite a bit to pass my chin-ups. The bars are slippery... my excuse. Yeap, but i somehow still managed to complete my number of chin-ups to pass the test, with God's help.

Nevertheless, i'll continue to train somemore, so that i can achieve a silver. Just 2 more chin-ups and jump a little further will do. I want to make myself strong for God!

The missing link

2008-10-16T22:14:00.002+08:00

The missing link, got it? (Pasquier, 2008)

Saw this on my prof's website, found it quite interesting, so i thought of sharing it. :)

Subsribe to this blog!

2008-10-14T23:17:00.007+08:00

Hihi everyone! Every thought of how you can get to know when there are updates to this blog without the hassle to check this site every day? i got a solution!

If you are using firefox, please go to this link -> https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4869 and install this extension called "Feed Sidebar".

After you installed and subsribed to this blog, everytime there's an update, you'll be notified by the change of this icon beside the address bar of your firefox browser.

Let me show you how to subscribe to this blog.

See the orange button in the image above? click it, and you'll see the popup box. Select the 2nd option, the "RSS" one. Then the following window will appear.

Click on the "Add". That's all! You've just subscribed to our blog!

If you have the Feed Sidebar installed, you'll see the small star beside the orange button, as in the picture above. The star is only there if there are new posts available. Go ahead and click it!

There you go! A sidebar will pop up at the left hand side of your browser, showing all your unread feeds.

That's all! Very easy right? Go ahead and do it! :)

Pressing On.

2008-10-08T20:36:00.005+08:00

I've just went for my IPPT today, and i failed my chin-ups. Though i must say that i was in quite a bad condition today, i am emotionally and physically down, my whole body is still aching with the exercises i did on Monday and Tuesday. I haven't been exercising for the past 2,3 weeks due to my fyp report submission, and so i went for my first training on Monday, to see if i still can run. And yesterday, i went to gym with the intention to chill up with some light swimming and sauna, but ended up swimming more than i should, did some static stations, steps, and even attended a 1 hour dance class.

Nevertheless, these are all excuses, i am just weak. But i am glad that i am weak, for God is always with the weak and poor. It so happened that i met a cellgroup leader friend from my ex-church, while at the gates of Maju Camp. I was just thinking that God has sent him to accompany me for this test.

The chin-up bar isthe first station i tried, i managed to did 4, and 2 of which are no-counts, omg, so it became 2. Usually during training, i can do just enough to pass, but today i can barely do 4 with lots of struggle. Nevertheless, in life, how many people can have the chance to go through tests and trials in their best condition, there are usually setbacks from many conditions we cannot control. It is usually with our bare-minimum conditions, that we have to go through our trials. Among the stations, the chin-up bar has always been my nemesis. I can cruise through some stations easily, some others i barely make it. And indeed, it is also true with my life. There is just this 1 area that always stumbles me badly.

I didn't have a good start with my 2.4km run, my leg almost cramped twice, and i had to slow down to prevent it from happening, so that i can finish the race. Nevertheless, God is with me during the entire race, i just feel that it is not with my own ability that makes me continue running. The race route is inside a sheltered carpark, it's quite stuffy, and with so many people running inside, it just makes it worse. It is really with God's strength that i managed to run the entire race, and even make it within 2 mins for each round. I was amazed.

Indeed, when i am weak, God is with me. God makes me fail to let me realize my weakness, and the need to prepare myself and build my fundamentals. I will work hard to pass it next time, gladly i still have time to retake. I just need time and chance. I believe that God will give me the chance in my life trial too, and He had already gave me the time to work for it. Though the circumstances are harsh, and the prospect isn't encouraging, even with bad news that i've got to know about recently, i still believe in the goal i'm working on. I know that God has put it there to help me with the problem i had been stumbling with. I will press on, for i know i had to get through with this, before i can get on with the things God has for me to do. For i am a warrior the Lord has made me to be, many times i fell, but i will stand up always.

My Pastors

2008-09-28T23:02:00.004+08:00

My Pastors went to climb mountain with me!

My Pastors counselled my family when we need them most.

My Pastors taught me about exercising wisdom.

My Pastors equipped me to preach the word of God!

My Pastors believe in me and guide me to be a man of God.

Thank God for u both Pastors! Already started missing u all.

Indeed, everything can change but our God is an everlasting God!

I love my Pastors! What about u?

Bible on the go

2008-09-15T20:07:00.002+08:00

Hi, dear all, just a little application to share.

There is this bible application for phones, which i find it useful, and it's free. It's called GoBible. It only have KJV version, but nevertheless, though it is a bit more difficult to understand, it maketh me to re-read the verse again and again, so that i wont miss any points. Cos when i'm reading the other versions which are easier to understand, there are times when i just read over it too fast, without really grasping what it is saying, or just forget it easily.

Check Jawa Part 2

2008-08-24T09:17:00.002+08:00

Thanks Dennis for the updated Post.

Since I was bugged by Dennis in this last post to share some of my pictures, here you go. Check out www.gluejuice.net for more info!

No guesses who it was with the jungle hat now.

Chek Jawa Trip

2008-08-23T23:33:00.026+08:00

Chek Jawa is a wetlands area located on the southeastern tip of Pulau Ubin, and there we are today for our little photography trip outing.

And here we go setoff from changi jetty in this old school bumboat. So nolstagic, i remember the last time i went to pulau ubin is like when i was sec 2, which is n years ago. (I'm still young ok....)

Our main purpose is to team build and to take photos, yah... take photos. Nevermind the quality, haha, i know the photo above is grainy, my photography skills are only kindergarten standards.. and i took the pic on a moving boat.. wahahaha.... excuses :p

So then i just took pictures for fun.. hehe. Aiyo, playing around taking pictures with this camera i borrowed from TY. I don't own a camera, and i haven't touched one for ages. At the beginning i was still worrying, what am i going to do without camera here, probably just watch the others clicking away. Sianz.. Haha, thanks for the camera, TY, you make my day!

This is the first shot i took after landing on Ubin. Haha, is that a kampong?

Got bicycle shops all around the village at the jetty there, with rental rates starting from $2. Nah, we aren't cycling in, we walked in, all the way to chek jawa. It's a pretty long walk, but it's fun.

(Side note: I told my sis we walked to chek jawa from the jetty, and she gave me a very amazed look, and say we are crazy to walk in, instead of cycling in. So i guess we are pretty strong warriors, yeah! We walk in all the way leh~ haha. We loventu people are strong warriors of God!)

This is a well, and we took pictures of it like we are mountain tortoises, never see well before :p. Nah, mountain tortoise should have seen wells before, so we should be urban terapins? Erm... it's not a joke, no need to laugh... (tried too hard :p). Okok, i am the only urban terapin, the others just like to camwhore. (I think i know what TQWC is going to say :p)

See that! Wild Boar! It's our lucky day. The moment we reached the Chek Jawa Visitor Centre, the NEA officer showed us to the wild boar just opposite the shelter. They say it's not very common to see them around, so we are in luck! And they are just so near, and we saw the whole family! Thank God.

Btw, wild boars are not christians. Cos as according to the NEA officer, she told us that usually the wild boar pack will not have the father around, cos once after mating, the guy will leave to find some other females to breed. (Eh.... can?)

Btw... there seems to be some military activities taking place in chek jawa. I spotted a military personnel, wearing a jungle hat, shooting at a cottage beside the chek jawa jetty.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Yeah!? I ain't bluffing anyone, he's shooting ok, just that he's not shooting with a rifle, but with a camera... :p

This is the jetty at chek jawa. Too bad, it's high tide today. We've missed out on all the good stuffs. We should be seeing lots of seaweeds, lobsters, crabs, etc etc if it is low tide. Shucks! We shall come again in Nov/Dec.

This is a picture of the "rocky" coastal region near the jetty.

And there's a small island called Pulau Sekudu, just opposite the jetty. There's a story behind it though, read this:

Ok, i know my photography skills sucks. Basically, it says that once upon a time, there live an elephant, a pig and a frog challenged themselves to swim across the Straits, and they agreed among themselves that whoever failed to reach Johor shall be turned into rocks. And so, neither of them are successful, so the elephant and pig turned into Pulau Ubin, which comprises of 2 islands connected by man-made bunds. And the frog became Pulau Sekudu.

This is the highlight of the day. Got a lone withering tree standing in the waters.

Eh.. the photos all seems to be much more grainy after i uploaded them here on blogger. The actual one not like that leh... Well, nvm :p

And this is our beloved TY, taking a shot from his special camera, which i forgot what it's called. :p

Ok, so after we got enough of the coastal regions and the lonely tree, we continued our walk along the path back into the forest. And there is this 5 storey high watch tower where you can get a bird's eye view of the island on top of it. And so we are, climbing up to the top like participating in NVM. Erm.... not as siong la... :p

Erm... TQWC, don't kill me pls, you just happened to walk in while i am taking this photo. Oh, but this is so appropriate, TQWC is leaving us for beijing in 2 weeks time... sob :( , anyway, all the best for your trip!
Yap, btw, this is the top of the tower.

ok, that's about all...

I prefer small size photos.... when i'm in it.. so people can't see me clearly. Oops!
Our group photo, taken from Eric's thousand dollars camera, in the hands of a pro-olympus photographer. But it shall remain this size, cos my expessions abit cmi. I am just too unphotogenic, i rmb i did smile leh... Aiya, always like dat one... nvm. This one still ok, got another photo like even much more cmi, for me only... :p

Anyway, great day today! Have lots of fun, and we shall be backed!!!!

(p.s. if you want to see some quality pics, go bug the one wearing the jungle hat)

I know who holds tomorrow!

2008-08-10T22:29:00.002+08:00

Here's what pastor patrick sang for us today (:

lyrics from my primary school songbook! =) (just had to show u all the old school stuff)

A 10 stars experience! Muarhahaha...

2008-08-02T11:58:00.007+08:00

We are back!

On the 27 July, 12 of us embarked on a journey to be Muarians : ) A 3 day retreat to FCBC Muar prayer house
And today, we are all back, refreshed and recharged!!!

When I planned this retreat together with the committee, we sense that the Lord wants us to hunger for His presence and by faith, we planned the programme according to the 3 basic belief that Christians hold on to: Faith, Hope and Love.

During the retreat, we allow the Lord to move and whenever needed, we changed the whole programme flow despite the efforts we put in when we planned it out. Indeed, the Lord is faithful and all of us ended this retreat being 10 STARS Christians! All of us chose to be 10 stars for Jesus! Are you 10 stars also?

So What's Next?

Let's continue to hunger for His presence in Singapore!

FCBC Youthnet NTU Prayer Meeting

Day: 5 August 2008, Tuesday

Time: 7pm

Place: Tutorial Room 42, Northspine

Remarks: Please bring along your timetable for this semester.

Freshmen Blessing!

A session where seniors will share about life in NTU!

Day: 7 August 2008, Thursday

Time: 6.30pm

Place: A tutorial room in NTU

Do confirm your attendance when the cooridinator call you. If you are from Youthnet and is studying in NTU yet nobody has contacted you yet, email me at desmond.lim.85@gmail.com

See you there!

2008-07-15T21:23:00.001+08:00

-taken from todayonline.com =) (click to enlarge)

Give Thanks to God

2008-07-11T15:28:00.003+08:00

Hi, just want to give thanks to God for my hall allocation.

As some of you might know, i have been staying in hall 2 for all the past 3 years. Thank God for it. It's really not easy to keep on staying in the same hall every year. Especially for this coming semester, most of the people, even some of the very 'hall-y' people, didnt managed to secure a room. And i managed to get back my room, miraculously.

When i first enrolled to ntu, i didnt thought about wanting to stay in hall. I would prefer to stay at home after the 2.5 years staying in army barracks. "Yucks, no hall for me", that was what i thought back then. But as the semester passes, my assignments are also piling up. My sleeping time was soon overtaken by my work. I'm like sleeping at 3, 4 am every night, and wake up 8, 9am in the morning everyday. So then, did i consider to apply for a room in one of the halls.

Ok, another reason is that i was in jazz n blues main comm that time, and i'm quite attached with my other comm members, but all of them are staying in hall, so i also want to stay in hall :p

Then i found out that i couldn't just request for a hall, and get one instantly. I had to wait for the ad-hoc application to start, then can i apply for a room. Thank God, i waited only like 2, 3 weeks. The ad-hoc application started, i applied, and i got to stay in hall 2. That's my first choice, because it's very near Nanyang House, where my cca is held.

I got a total of 64 points for my CCA at the end of the year. Here's how i earned them: jazz n blues logistics main comm, 2/3 performances playing the guitar for chinese society, biz mag sub comm for digital design (which is under acm-siggraph), subcom for a joint school freshman orientation camp (which i didnt turn up :p ).

Too bad, that wasn't enough to get a hall in the first round. Nevertheless, i got back a room in hall 2 during the 3rd round of allocation, 2 weeks after school started. Yeah, this time, i got into one of the few blocks which have a tv room, study room and a kitchen, very accessible.

[break]SengKeat ask me to help him carry his fridge to his new room in block 1 [/break]

At the end of the 2nd year, i still couldn't get a room in the first round of allocation. But good thing, i am in the logistics subcomm for the hall orientation camp, and they put me in the reccommended list, and that's how i get back my room for my 3rd year. Thank God for it, and thanks everyone who has played a part in helping me get a room back then.

This time round, i didn't even need to move out of my hall, carry all my barang barang back to amk, and subsequently bring them back again. Thank God!

So to sum up, in my first year, i got my room by ad-hoc placement, i cant select my room nor am i able to choose a roomie. 2nd year, i got back in hall 2 after having the trouble to move out and move back in. 3rd year, i got to stay in my preferred block, though i couldn't select a roomie. Nevertheless, my roomie is quite a nice guy, and he brought in a TV. So that i have both a fridge and a tv in my room, shiok!

The fourth year, this year, is the biggest challenge. The cutoff point is at a ridiculous mark of 15 pts, and i only got 11. And thank God and thank the jcrc, they put my name in the rec'd list once again. And this time round, i got to choose my roomie and i don't even need to move out of the room! Thank God! It's really miraculous, since some of the people who needed the room more than me, didn't get a room. They are the ones who should have the room, instead of me. But nonetheless, thank God for it.

Hmm... oh no, i just had a thought that maybe God has something for me to do during my stay in the hall, which i havent do all these years. Hmm.... maybe He'd extend my years in ntu, if i still don't do... :p. Ok enuff, thats all folks!

Seeking God together!

2008-07-08T02:33:00.016+08:00

loventu Muar 2008

Who we are?
· We are a group of students from FCBC Youthnet in NTU who gathers weekly to intercede for the people in NTU.
· We also try to create common platforms to reach out to our peers in NTU.
· The people involved comes from the different tribes in Youthnet, the tribes are mainly Pastor Seng lee, Pastor Josephine, Pastor Yolanda, Pastor Debra, Pastor Yeang Cherng, Pastor Yue Ping, Pastor Adrian, Pastor Fei Fei, Pastor Lily, Pastor Jimmy and Pastor Belinda.
· The vision of this prayer group is so that different prayer points can be established in NTU and we will reach out to our friends, in subgroups of various tribes from FCBC Youthnet.

What is loventu Muar 2008?
As the new semester is starting on the 4 August 2008, we plan to hold a camp in Muar prayer house where we will be able to seek God together and intercede for NTU before the semester starts.
At the same time we also hope to team build among the people and encourage those who are yet to be involved with us to join us to intercede and eventually win the campus for Christ.

Camp Objective:
1) To refresh individuals with a new heart and passion for God.
2) To allow the people in the NTU prayer group to team build and fellowship.
3) To encourage our peers who have yet to join the NTU prayer group and serve with us.

Where?
Muar Prayer House

When?
We plan to leave on Monday 28 July 2008, 7.30am and return on Wednesday 30 July 2008, we will reach Singapore in the evening. (dates are changed from the earlier one)

We are inviting all who is joining or is already in NTU, and is also from FCBC Youthnet to join us for the camp. The registration will be closed on 15 July 2008, 10pm. All interested parties please email to desmond.lim.85@gmail.com and contact Desmond. Please provide your name, tribe, G12 leader, course and year of study, contact number and email. Further details will then be provided.

When was the last time I...

2008-07-02T00:04:00.004+08:00

caught a butterfly...

smiled at the sun...

went sailing...

gazed at the stars...

fish...

let lose like a money...

or simply sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee

Everything beautiful in its time

2008-06-30T13:52:00.004+08:00

I believe that some of you have heard me share this thanksgiving before but I would still like to record this down on the blog and give glory to God for it.

Last Sunday, even as I was on the verge of dozing off during service after the camp, God prompted me to go forward during the altar call. A still and small voice inside me told me to go forward because God had unfinished business with me. When Shujia prayed for me, she told me that she saw this vision of a little girl who was preoccupied with the handouts she had on her desk. Those handouts were scenes of my past and as I looked at my past, I dared not lift up my head to Jesus, who had always been waiting for me to respond to Him. I was shocked to hear this and I teared uncontrollably when I knew that I had been caught up in my past. I could not pinpoint which were the incidents that bothered me the most and I had always believed that my past was already surrendered to God, but God knows better.

Shujia reminded me that God has made everything beautiful in its time and I did not have to be ashamed of my past because Jesus' work on the cross is finished. My walk with Abba Father is not about what I have to do, but walking with the faith that it is done. My prayer is that I will be like the little girl in the picture above, happy to allow God to paint a colourful picture of my life journey, always lifting up my head to look at Jesus, knowing that He is smiling at me with affirmation and love.

Seen this anywhere?

2008-06-26T16:44:00.002+08:00

The man there is God. He's putting us, fcbc-ians, into NTU, the marketplace we are to work on. :)

Eternal Life

2008-06-21T00:10:00.004+08:00

When I was younger, I thought, eternal life is that I can live forever! Just like how Qing Shi Huang wanted to live! When I first became a Christian, I thought eternal life is when I can go to Heaven when I die!

What is eternal life?

As I was reading my bible, I was reminded why I am a Christian! Reminded what is eternal life!
Eternal life started when I know the only true God, Jesus Christ who died for us.

I was reminded how things would be like if I don't know God during my A levels, if I don't know him when I face issues in my family, in my personal relationships.

Has your eternal life started?

Failure

2008-06-17T10:22:00.002+08:00

Adapted from a friend's blog, which i find it encouraging:

The speaker told the students sitting before him in their graduation gowns, “If I could have one hope for you as you go out into the world, it would be this: I hope you fail. I hope that you fail at something that is important to you.” He went on to say how his own early life had been one failure after another, until he learned to see failure as an effective teacher.

.
.
.
.

Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Before discovering the high ground we are looking for, we may need to see the failure of the dreams we hold in our hearts and trust instead in the love, wisdom and guidance of our God.

My hope is in God, and in Jesus alone i trust.

Running

2008-06-10T13:33:00.004+08:00

Just a little testimony to share..

Before I accepted Christ, while i was in the army, i was the type who was physically weak. I was always stucked in SOC, last to come back in battalion run, etc etc. I was the weakest in my section, my platoon, my whole company.

Then there was this incident, when i did something and almost died. I survived and was hospitalised. During the time when i was hospitalised, i came to reflect on myself. I want to be strong, i want to be successful, i dun want to continue the life i was having back then. That was my conclusion, but not yet my decision, becos i dun know how.

A few weeks after i was discharged, a friend invited me to church. And on that very visit, i accepted Christ. But truely, i wasn't really very sure of it. I'm just giving it a try.

"Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship. A relationship with Jesus, who wants to be your friend. He is knocking at your door, and He wants to enter into your life and fellowship with you." That was what the cellgroup leader told me, when Pastor Brian Houston made the altar call. That day was on the 1st of November.

I was reborned after that. Through the passing weeks, i have gained new strength, bit by bit, and it was phenomenal and it's physical. I managed to clear my SOCs and i improved a lot in running. By the next following year, SOC became my playground, and i was always the first few in the whole battalion to make it to the finishing line during the battalion runs and AHM trainings. My OC even recommended me to go for the trial to represent the Engineers regiment in the AHM. Though i didnt make it through the trial, i learned a lesson, but that was another story.

One thing I want to stressed, it's not by my own strength that i managed to achieve these, but it's the strength that Jesus gave me, the Holy Spirit that's within me. I can prove it. Throughout all the runs, i wasn't just running. I was communicating with Jesus, i was praying, and the Holy Spirit gave me the strength to carry on each time i feel like giving up. Never once did i gave up, for the Holy Spirit never give up on me. And throughout the runs, God has been showing me things and teaching me. He showed me revelations after revelations, sometimes what He showed me, i couldn't accept and couldn't comprehend, so i argued with Him. Then God began to show me things in wider perspectives, he taught me the reasons why things are and will be, and i'd understand.

Okay, that's all for the introduction.

Yesterday, I was going through some setbacks again. I was negative, depressed and angry. It was quite a while until the Holy Spirit slips in. Bit by bit, God showed me his way once again. He challenged me questions, questions He had put in my hearts long ago. Questions by questions He led me, until the final question, "Will I keep the faith, and finish the race and fight the good fight of faith?" Then He presented to me the way ahead, it's narrow and it's long, and more importantly, it's not going to be easy. Sometimes, i might not even see the path ahead, but there is a Light that will guide me.

And then, He challenged me to go for a run, a run around the parameter of whole NTU/NIE. The distance is not what i have not covered, but which i have covered 2/3 times of it. But i have never conquered the route before, though i tried to. It's more of a mental barrier than physical, cos there are too many deviations along the way, and its quite dark and eerie at some places. Many times i tried to cover the distance, i ended up taking the deviations to make it easier.

The Lord is challenging me to complete this to the end. Many times i have given up on something because of various circumstances. And most of the times, i gave up near the finishing line. Then i remembered Paster Khong's sermon "From Strength to Strength", which he said, there was this car from this particular car maker. The car always have a good headstart, always leading in the race at the beginning. But it never made it to the end. It would always happen that there would be some internal problem or something, that makes it unable to complete the race. I am just like that car. And God is challenging me to overcome this weakness. "Will you complete the race and fight the good fight of faith?" He challenged me.

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in you, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the valley of Baca, they make it a spring. The rain also covers it with pools. "

"For the Lord God is a sun and a shield, He will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold, from those who walk uprightly"

These are the verses He showed me once again. And at the ending point, there i will collect my reward, as i have asked. This is the rhema word He told me.

I completed the whole distance, Thank God. So i asked for my reward, i want a can of 100+ or h20, something isotonic. So i get back into my room, and dig out for the coins. I dun have enough. i almost felt disappointed at once, but God spoke "Ask and it shall be given, Seek and you shall find." I have asked, and God has already prepared to give it to me. But now, i need to seek for it.

i thought, easy, i'll ask my neighbours for a change of coins. Then i found that their lights are off, they went to sleep already. "I'll ask someone else, Song Teck", i saw his room door is open, when i went pass just now. When i reached, it's someone else that is in the room, not him. I tried to hope that the vending machine in can 2 accepts cashcard or ezlink. Nope it doesn't. It's holiday now, and there weren't much people in hall, especially at this late hour. The OMC people are there in block 1 preparing for the camp stuff, i dun reckon i want to go ask them, and i guess they probably wont carry their wallets to do camp stuff.

It's not easy, you know. To think that God won't even give me my reward which He promised, and it's just a can of 100+. But i stayed determined. I will go try the src, north spine, south spine , etc if i need to. I decided to try SRC first, since it's the nearest. Then i saw there's a vending machine at hall 6. So i went over. Nope, it doesn't accept cashcard.

Then i saw another vending machine opposite. It accepts Ezlink! Not only that, it dispenses the 500ml bottle, not just the 330ml can. Thank you Jesus! I almost saw Him smiling at me. What i asked, not only did he provide for me, but He gave me more than what i asked for.

It's not the end, for me. But just the beginning. I requested for another reward for a bigger race i am to run. Something more specific, and bigger than a bottle of 100+. He just smiled at me, and present me the path ahead.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you", that's what He promised. And this will be my strategy ahead in achieving my goal.

"Steadfast, Patience, Expectancy, Obedient, Listening", these will be my tools to achieve it.

Lastly, thanks for finish reading this super long post!

JC days

2008-06-08T22:04:00.005+08:00

i went back to TJ last saturday with some of my OAC (Outdoor activities club- my cca) friends
& to my JC classmate's birthday celebration yesterday.
it was good catching up with the friends I made in JC.
i thank God for placing me in TJ although I didn't really want to go there initially.
and i actually went there alone. my good friends in sec school all went to other schools.

as always, things turned out really well and the experiences that i went through in TJ can never be exchanged for anything else... (:
did many things that i thought i couldn't have done...

really appreciate all the times that i had in TJ...

this is a video of an event that the TJ OAC organises annually.
i took part in it before too (:
it is organised by the OAC year 2s for the school in conjunction with sports carnival =D
the people in the vid are my direct juniors...
watch it!

another one that was made this year...

Parents

2008-06-06T23:50:00.004+08:00

During cell group today, we were asked to thank God about something that happened when we were a child. As I hear the different thanksgivings, many mentioned about their parents, how they taught, provide, care...

What's mine?
I thank God for my Dad! Once, while playing with my friend, I cut my lips, and it was bleeding real badly! I was so afraid, I ran back home and cry out to my Dad! He came calmly bring out this weird machine which apparently gives out heat, let my wounds heal, calm me down and brought me to the clinic next door. (I was staying at a shophouse)

To think about it, my Dad is quite heroic ah!

28/5/08 An unwanted(?) lunchbox

2008-05-29T15:00:00.008+08:00

* picture taken fromhttp://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/lunchbox.html

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord”- Psalm 150 :6

Sorry for my prolonged disappearance from the blog too. There are many things that I want to give thanks to God for so I have absolutely no excuse to keep silent! May all of us be as eager to give thanks as the psalmist, who can’t help but burst out in praise and thanksgiving because of God’s overwhelming goodness.

Would like to start off with an interesting encounter I had yesterday.

As some of you may know, I am currently working in MOE HQ but since I want to have varied working experiences, I am hunting for a new job. I went for an interview at Far East Shopping Centre yesterday; the experience was not pleasant but this is not the subject matter that I would like to focus on right now.

After the interview, I stepped out of the building, only to find that it was raining. So I stood outside the building and stood at a sheltered corner to eat my lunch. An old man came to me and begged me for money. He gesticulated that he needed money to buy food because he was hungry. I rejected him without much thought because I had been cheated of my money on a similar account. When he left me to approach others for money, I continued to eat my burger and thought to myself “Cheryl, why are you eating this burger and yet rejecting someone who needs food?” There and then, I knew God was speaking to me, and He rebuked my actions, and reminded me of:

Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

If my attitude towards the old man reflected my attitude towards Jesus, my King, I know that Jesus would not surely be pleased because my heart had grown cold. I repented of my selfish mindset and prayed that the old man would return and I resolved in my heart to buy lunch for him instead of giving him money.

He walked towards my direction once more, and walked past me because he knew that I would not accede to his request anymore. He walked towards the 7 –eleven and waited there for someone to give him money. I went into the store and bought a box of nasi lemak for him. The security drove him away from 7 eleven, and he sat in a corner by himself. I passed him the lunchbox and he thanked me, but still gestured to me to give him money because he was hungry. I still refused, and pointed to the lunchbox. I knew that what the man really needs is not food, and not even money, but he needs God, just as we all are. But just how desperate and hungry are we for God?

Even though I still did not give him any money but I am glad for God’s timely reminder that we should love the poor because God always desires to bless the poor. We may not be the direct cause "God is a God of justice, a fair God who always wants to vindicate the wrongly accused and feed the hungry (Psalm 146:7-9). He expects his children to do the same and have the same compassion toward the poor and needy among us. They may be people who need financial help, people who need comfort in times of distress or people who need to hear God's words of affirmation through us. We need to remember that it is by God's grace that we have finances and can hope in God because He is our Provider and our salvation. We were once poor, and He gave His all for us, in order that we may also give to others to reflect His glory. May we always be obedient to His voice and sensitive to the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Praise God for his intervention!

* credits : FCBC sermon by Ps Eugene Seow : Remember the Poor Again (23/7/06)

Give thanks!

2008-05-26T23:50:00.005+08:00

hello world! hahaa sorry for the long hiatus! But rest assured, ill be blogging more frequently from now on. heh

This post is going to be about thanksgivings to God, because 1) God is a good God! 2) therefore i have many things to thank God for. really. 3) The bible says "Give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thess 5:18) :)

ok first and foremost, i thank God for helping me survive a 19k run! heh just came back from the run minutes ago. ok here's what happened. My friend and i wanted to attempt at least half the distance at one go before taking part in the Sundown marathon this saturday. heh last minute training i know. He would run to my place in clementi, then we'd both run from clementi to his place in bukit batok, then run back to clementi, and then he'd go back home. That was supposed to be the plan. heh. So we started running at 830pm. But then midway, when we were running back to clementi, my friend couldnt tahan already. Cant blame him, after all he'd already ran twice the distance i did. So i had to run back most of the journey, from some ulu kampong corner of bukit batok back home on my own. By that time, it was already like 10 plus. i was quite worried about getting lost cuz i have a lousy sense of direction. Furthermore, it was late. And dark. With many bangalas everywhere! (im not racist. its just freaky at night). So i really really thank God for helping me complete the distance without giving up, not getting lost, and er that nothing happened to me. hahaa. while running, phrases from Psalms kept coming to me.. How God will light my path, God will guide my way, God will protect me and give me strength :)
Oh yes. please pray that ill survive Sundown Marathon this saturday night at 1159pm. Pray for Ty too!

hahaa ok i also want to thank God for the material possesions He has blessed me with recently. This may sound trivial or superficial, but even through this, i see that God meets ALL our needs! i thank God for blessing me with a new macbook charger last week. My old one had been frayed, and in a tragic state. Could no longer work. A new one costs $130 so i was quite reluctant to get one. A couple of friends tried fixing it , but to no avail. i had been resigned to spending that exhorbitant sum of money. Much as i love apple products..this was really madness la. i mean, that much for a charger! But thank God. i was attending youth service last last sunday, when i suddenly got an sms from my dad asking if i wanted a new charger! This was such a surprise, cuz my dad wouldnt usually do that, and he alr said earlier that id have to get one on my own. I had been so mac-deprived for close to a month, and i did pray that my friend would be able to fix the charger. Instead, He provided me with a new one!

Recently God also blessed me with some guitar stuff that i needed, but didnt have the cash to acquire.

From left: Line 6 Echopark delay pedal (given), V-pick (given), Zendrive distortion pedal (loaned), 9 volt adaptor (loaned)

i really thank God especially for the Zendrive. i really needed a distortion pedal for a gig and i wanted to buy one, but not enough moolah. Instead, God sent a friend to lend one to me for an indefinite period of time. i was really thankful to God, because it was loaned to me without me even having to ask. i feel quite paiseh asking for such things la. And the Zendrive isnt some crappy pedal, its quite coveted. God is really our provider!:)

Internship

2008-05-25T21:19:00.006+08:00

i'm starting my 3rd week of internship...
7 weeks more to the END of it. =D
the intern working with me is my pri 4 classmate... HAHA! pretty unbelievable...

btw, we have to complete an elogbook documenting what we have learnt so far and that has to be emailed to both the company and NTU supervisor.
AND! somehow, there was this sudden spyware on my comp and i couldn't open "my computer", "my documents", "my pictures" etc on thursday... even after restarting the computer!
i had already typed a substantial amount in the word document!
was so scared that i would not be able to retrieve the information...
but thank God it could be opened from microsoft word.
my brother also removed the spyware on friday (:

hope u all are enjoying the holidays! =)

Thanksgiving

2008-05-23T21:52:00.003+08:00

Today, after having a fight with my brother, I was really mad. Really felt like punching him, then I was reminded of this verse: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God and the peace of God which transcends all understandings will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Thank God for being my security! May you find yours in God too!

How can I explain God's love to a suffering child?

2008-04-10T01:23:00.001+08:00

My guess is that children, maybe even more than adults, are able to understand that God's final deliverance will make up for all the pain of the present. They may not be able to grasp with great sophistication the fact that this very moment God's love is being manifested in and through suffering. But a child can surely understand that someday, just as he promises you, God is going to take it away. We may not know why, but he is going to take it away and he is going to reward you in a way that will make all of your suffering seem as though it was not suffering. And he is going to give you everything you need for ever and ever—millions and millions of years—and you are going to be as happy as you can possibly be.

So I would make sure that I communicate to a child that if they trust Jesus then this disease, this pain, is going to be taken away. And you could read them from Revelation 21, "All crying and mourning and pain will be no more, for the former things have passed away."

Read more from: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/116/2706_How_can_I_explain_Gods_love_to_a_suffering_child/

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

I'd Rather Have Jesus

2008-04-09T23:14:00.004+08:00

Here's one more thing to share...A really nice and sweet song for God=) (paiseh I duno how to make away the double spacing between the lines of the lyrics...haa)

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;

I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain,

Or be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;

I’d rather be true to His holy name

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;

He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;

He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;

I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

MOST-The bridge

2008-04-09T23:01:00.004+08:00

Hey take a look at this video...really worth the time watching this and maybe even share this with some of your friends...a unique way to show the love of God for us...

The one thing ministry!

2008-03-22T01:59:00.003+08:00

Thank God for Pastor Lawrence Khong! Thank God for FCBC!

I remember when I first heard about this term- the one thing ministry, I have been pondering, one thing... is it worship? is it praying? is it serving?
Today I finally understood deep in my spirit that the one thing is Jesus!
The only one we need in life, the greatest blessing for me in my life!

This year's sanctification week, is indeed a refreshing and powerful time for me. May it be the same for u!

Sacrifice

2008-03-17T00:11:00.001+08:00

Please watch this! (:
it speaks of how God sacrificed his son for us...

Jumping Stilts!

2008-03-15T00:00:00.001+08:00

Take a look!

Don't worry (:

2008-03-12T00:46:00.000+08:00

Say a little prayer to Jesus

2008-03-03T22:20:00.006+08:00

Say a little prayer to Jesus you'll be right
Say a little prayer to Jesus you'll be right
Few-a, few-a, hakino, few-a few-a K Y O
Say a little prayer to Jesus you'll be right

Sing a little song to Jesus you'll be right
Sing a little song to Jesus you'll be right
Few-a, few-a, hakino, few-a few-a K Y O
Sing a little song to Jesus you'll be right

Say a little prayer/ Sing a little song can be replaced with whatever fits (:
click HERE for the youtube link(but the way they sing it is a bit different...)

was suddenly reminded of this song today.
i learnt this in primary school and the first time i sang it was in primary one i think.
but! i don't know what "Few-a, few-a, hakino, few-a few-a K Y O" means...
anyone care to enlighten me?
haha, at the same time may this song bless you! (:

There will be blood

2008-03-02T00:25:00.003+08:00

A review from http://www.damaris.org/content/content.php?type=5&id=647

Interesting!

A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

2008-02-29T01:19:00.002+08:00

Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

"Who touched me?" Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."

But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."

Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher any more."

Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."

When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep."

They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!"Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

walk walk walk

2008-02-29T01:00:00.002+08:00

jus a plain blog entry...
2 days ago, we prayer walked our school, NTU. Before we started walking, a word about the blood of the lamb being painted on the doors of the people so that they will be spared, was shared to us. blood on wood. jus like then Jesus died for us, it was blood on wood.
as a symbol, we used red ink on ice cream sticks and planted them at our school gate, where the name of the school is. hoping that it, ntu pple, will be saved.
after that, we walked one round about school (roughly) and prayed along the way.
jus to give my take,
it was tiring, really tiring, walking so long and up and down and "why is the slope not ending yet" was the thought in my mind. but i guess this is why we need to persevere. and it never fails to bring me back to Hebrews 12 verse 1-3.
i guess, or rather, i know that God wants our school to be saved, our friends to get to know Him. He can definately do it. but he chose to use us. you and me. to test us, to train us, so that we'll grow.
ok enough said. =)

The Dash

2008-02-04T00:06:00.000+08:00

Here's the poem that Pastor Eugene read during service...

The Dash
by Linda Ellis

"I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning... to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For the dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her know what the little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars... the house... the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard... are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left (you could be at "dash midrange).

If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's action to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spend your dash?"

may we all live our dash remembering the cross! (:

Finishing the Race!

2008-02-01T22:23:00.000+08:00

Today, while waiting for my family, I saw a mother pushing her daughter who is sitting on a wheelchair and the daughter looks like she is blind. This sight stirred my mind to think of the situation of mine.

Heard of the song "Take my life and let it be" ? When we are facing situations and circumstances which are beyond the norm, not what we expected, will we still be able to look upon God?

Frankly, I am not there yet but I am confident that He who start a good work in me will carry on to completion till the day of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:6)!

Bless u with a hope from the true and living God

love,
Desmond

Take my life and let it be

2008-01-28T00:22:00.000+08:00

Got the hint.

Thanks Su Ern for introducing this song to us!
May we surrender our lives wholly to God.
(Btw, this guy's really good.)

A Psalm of David

2008-01-26T22:28:00.000+08:00

Today, is the 26th day since I started reading a chapter of Psalm every morning. To be frank, there are times when I really didn't receive any encouragement or revelation from the reading and just carried on with the day ahead.

However, I felt refreshed and encouraged after a prayer meeting and is now equppied with the application to bless the Lord daily. I am also reminded to be thankful and look out for the miracles of the Lord.

I wonder how is your time with the Lord daily? comments?

Time Flies

2008-01-19T00:44:00.000+08:00

The second week of the new semester has ended, 时间不留人 isn't it? I guess, many of you have been busy attending lectures, catching up with tutorials, hall activities and others.
Guess what? I am on standby for mobilisation! ...

I was looking through the list of items to bring back and wow... they even want us to bring our PT shoes back! Amazing right?
I really wonder how many servicemen will follow the list of items...

Anyway, looking back, National Service isn't really a waste of time la, I did learn how things work in this world, discipline and perseverance.

For those who aren't enlisted yet, Smilez... for those who are in NS, Smile with mouth open, for those who are belongs to neither, Laugh...

Psalm 13

2008-01-13T23:28:00.000+08:00

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, And my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

My learning: There's times when we will cry out to the LORD for an answer, times when we feel that God is very far away! But, during these times, we can still trust in God's lovingkindness, rejoice and sing to the LORD!

Beginning

2008-01-12T18:14:00.000+08:00

hi all!
how was your first week of school? (:
school was really slow for me in the first week. haha.

anyhow, let's look forward to training for NVM'08! =D

LOVE

2008-01-08T17:53:00.000+08:00

Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes. What does Love mean? A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?' The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.' Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.' Billy - age 4

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.' Chrissy - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.' Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.' Danny - age 7

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.' Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,' Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.' Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.' Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.' Cindy - age 8

'My mommy loves me more than anybody, You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.' Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.' Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.' Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day' Mary Ann - age 4

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image) Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.' Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.' Jessica - age 8

And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry'

Bless all of my friends in whatever it is you may be needing this day! And may your lives be full of peace, prosperity, and most of all LOVE.

Read intentionally

2008-01-04T23:49:00.000+08:00

Today is the fourth day in the year of 2008. As part of the move to grow more intimately with our God, my whole church read the book of Psalm daily.

These few days, I am feeling quite tired mentally and wasn't really refreshed spiritually. Although I glance through the chapter I am suppose to read daily, the word just didn't get into my heart. There isn't any intentional learning.

However, after learning from God that I am to confront the challenges, confess who God is and claim the promises of God from the book of Psalm chapter 3, I decided to put in more intentional effort to read the book of psalm daily. My first application is to print out the guide that our Pastor wrote for us and to read them daily.

Well... let's remember that it is not by might nor by power but by the spirit of God.

Camp reflection

2007-12-10T21:27:00.000+08:00

I joined Spiritual Leadership Training Course with the desire to learn more and go deeper in the Lord, as I was called to lead the camp, I agreed without much hesitation. To be able to serve the Lord is always my desire and as I give, God has blessed me with much more.

While preparing for my examinations, we had our first meeting 1 week before the camp. I remember completing my last paper with my mind full of the possible locations for our camp. Being the OIC is indeed an interesting task, working with different people and ensuring that different tasks are completed, for me, these cannot be done by my own strength and capability, I drew closer to the Lord and cry out to Him whenever I am lost and God is always with me.

I am also very glad to work with Amos and Timothy for this camp. They gave me a lot of useful advice and modeled for me what it means to be a spiritual leader. I remember one setting when Amos shared that being a spiritual leader means making time to prepare, availing ourselves to give our best to the Lord. Pastor always shared that we will make time for what is important. I have learnt to die to my own desires and rights to allow Jesus to take the throne in my life, making time to spend with God, read his word slowly and disciple the sons God has bless me with.

Timetable

2007-12-04T03:32:00.000+08:00

Hello everybody! its Mr joshua chong making a super rare appearance.. hahaha... sorry for not bloggin for such a long time. Today i'm not bloggin, but giving an announcement in case any of you misunderstood my sms or never receive them =]

As you know, Prayer is our weapon, so in order to fight this battle well, we will be prayer even more in the coming semster! Please email me, i repeat EMAIL!! not sms, not msn, not call, coz i tend to forget and i need some materials to refer back to. Kindly email me your timetable for the coming semester once you finished registering successfully for your modules. In your email please include which day and time would be best for you to meet to pray. Please try to state as wide range as possible so that i can have more leaway to play with.

In any case if we are unable to meet up in the noon, then we will have to revert back to our evening prayers.

Love
joshua

Life without limbs

2007-12-01T02:15:00.000+08:00

Today, I went to visit Sean again. His condition become worse.
After watching this video, I was reminded to have a grateful heart.
May you be blessed!
Join us at Expo Max Pavillion 2 Dec 2007 1.30pm

(:

2007-11-28T00:26:00.000+08:00

finally having my last paper tmr...!
it's been a long time since the exams started.

So you would come
Before the world began
You were on His mind
And every tear you cry
Is precious in His eyes
Because of His great love
He gave His only Son
Everything was done
So you would come

Nothing you can do
Could make Him love you more
And nothing that you've done
Could make Him close the door
Because of His great love
He gave His only Son
Everything was done
So you would come

Come to the Father
Though your gift is small
Broken hearts, broken lives
He will take them all
The power of the Word
The power of His blood
Everything was done
So you would come

Fight To Live

2007-11-24T00:42:00.000+08:00

Yay! 1 more paper left for me. Today I went to visit Sean after my paper. Sean is currently fighting with cancer and is now bedridden.

I recall 2 weeks ago when I was in the midst of preparing for my exams, I reluctantly arranged to visit him so that he can attend the service on Sunday. Sean subsequently went for one of our church service but last week after an accident, he is bedridden.

We are still praying for complete recovery but I was pondering that if I procrastinate just 1 more week, Sean might not have a chance to visit the service. Let's pray for his lower body to have sensations and the cancer cells in his brain and backbone to be gone.
Meanwhile, work hard! Fight it out!

It is well in my soul

2007-11-10T23:25:00.001+08:00

Psalm 23

2007-11-03T04:28:00.000+08:00

God is ALWAYS in control

2007-11-02T22:47:00.000+08:00

this is a MUST-READ, taken from an email... (:

A man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003. His Name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:

"A few weeks before Sept 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen' we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire.

I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home. I received a call from my father who was retired FDNY. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but explained that we missed the flight. My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak.

My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. 'This is not something I can just sit by for, I have to do something.' I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild.' Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. Anger at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly 2 years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say goodbye.

Then something happened. About 2 months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'

He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, 'there is something else you need to know.' His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and lead him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news.

Now I know that when I get to heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves."

When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew in honor of the man who gave his life so mother and baby could live.

This story should help us to realize two things: First, that though it has been two years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory. And second, but most important, God is always in control. We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control.

What a Wonder You Are

2007-10-31T23:23:00.000+08:00

Yes God, what a wonder You are.
From the day you created the heavens and the earth, to the days You made us fearfully and wonderfully in Your image, to every single day that I can dwell in Your presence and call You my Lord ,You're wonderful!

Dear all,
I just want to testify of one thing that God revealed to me yesterday during our Exam Blessing at Hall 2 and Hall 9. I believe some residents, especially those in Blocks 1 and 2 (Hall 2) and Block 47 of Hall 9 will remember that a bunch of strangers came knocking at your doors to bless you with chocolates and words of encouragement=) I was one of them

Before we began giving out chocolates, we gathered in Hall 2 to pray for the project. Desmond prompted us to ask God for visions, words, or anything that He wants to reveal to us. I was very apprehensive at first and I was worried that I would not see or hear anything from God. But I decided to trust God and started to pray. God showed me a vision of a group of people praying for somebody who was lying sick in bed.

I didn't want to share what I had seen at first because the vision was queer to me, but nonetheless, I shared it with the rest.

As Geraldine and I went to block 1, we met 2 girls who were foreign students. We blessed them with chocolates and asked them if they were willing to receive our prayers. They gave their consent, and guess what - The girl whom I was supposed to pray for was lying in bed, and she was down with a cold! (not that this is something I'm happy over) I was really amazed because God had just showed me ONCE AGAIN that He is real, He hears my prayers and He graciously answers me. It is just so divine because it could have been anybody else who would knock at her door since there were so many of us. But God's timing and plans are always perfect.

I pray that my heart will always be tender enough to hear from my Heavenly Father, and be able to shine for Him in big and small ways.

Praise God=)

Prince Of Egypt

2007-10-29T22:46:00.000+08:00

On Saturday, I watched Prince of Egypt with my cell group. During the cartoon, I kept flipping the bible to check if the the story is according the story. One thing I've found out is that Moses is not really the prince of egypt, he was adopted into the royal family. Moses made the choice to go back to his roots and leave the life in the palace.

I've learnt that we have to live beyond our comfort zone to fulfill God's mission in our lives. After Moses decided to leave Egypt, he got married and settled down not realising he still has a unfulfilled mission. Later, Moses went on to fullfill God's mission for him.

I ponder if I were him, will I leave the comfortable life to fullfill the mission God has prepared for me?

How about you?

Prayer to a God who listens

2007-10-29T09:47:00.000+08:00

Dear all, I came across this quote and I think its really beautiful.=)

"Steadfastness, that is holding on;

Patience, that is holding back;

Expectancy, that is holding the face up;

Obedience, that is holding one's self in readiness to go or do;

Listening, that is holding quiet and still so as to hear"

S.D Gordon
Quiet talks on prayer

Praise the Lord

2007-10-28T01:45:00.000+08:00

today i was feeling pretty angry with my brother.
but i knew that being unhappy would be to my detriment and the angry feeling would just intensify!!
so, i began to sing a song praising the Lord!
and it really helped.
so the next time you are feeling unhappy, remember to praise the Lord! (:

something to keep in mind while preparing for the exams...
Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

look for the creator

2007-10-24T19:20:00.000+08:00

Came across this beautiful story. May you be blessed as you read this.

We are who we are created to be. Don't try to find yourself by looking at yourself. Find yourself by looking at God, the creator of us!

-----------------------------------------------------------
The Sweet Song of the Second Fiddle

FOR THOUSANDS of years, the relationship had been perfect. As far back as any one could remember, the moon had faithfully reflected the sun’s rays into the dark night. It was the greatest duo in the universe. Other stars and planets marveled at the reliability of the team. Generation after generation of earthlings were captivated by the reflection. The moon became the symbol of romance, high hopes,and even nursery rhymes.

“Shine on, harvest moon,” the people would sing. And he did. Well, in a way he did. You see,the moon didn’t actually shine. He reflected. He took the light given to him by the sun and redirected it toward the earth. A simple task of receiving illumination and sharing it.

You would think such a combo would last forever. It almost did. But one day, a nearby star planted a thought in the moon’s core.

“It must be tough being a moon,” the star suggested.

“What do you mean? I love it! I’ve got an important job to do. When it gets dark, people look tome for help. And I look to the sun. He gives me what I need and I give the people what they need.People depend on me to light up their world. And I depend on the sun.”

“So, you and the sun must be pretty tight.”

“Tight? Why, we are like Huntley and Brinkley, Hope and Crosby, Benny and Day…”

“Or maybe Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy?”

“Who?”

“You know, the man and the dummy.”

“Well, I don’t know about the dummy part.”

“That’s exactly what I mean. You are the dummy. You don’t have any light of your own. You depend on the sun. You’re the sidekick. You don’t have any name for yourself.”

“Name for yourself?”

“Yeah, you’ve been playing second fiddle for too long. You need to step out on your own.”

“What do you mean?”“I mean stop reflecting and start generating. Do your own thing. Be your own boss. Get people to see you for who you really are.”

“Who am I?”

“Well, you are, uh, well, uh, well, that’s what you need to find out. You need to find out who you are.”

The moon paused and thought for a moment. What the star said made sense. Though he had never considered it, the moon was suddenly aware of all the inequities of the relationship.Why should he have to work the night shift all the time? And why should he be the one the astronauts stepped on first? And why should he always be accused of making waves? And why don’t the dogs and wolves howl at the sun for a change? And why should it be such an outrage to “moon” while “sunning” is an accepted practice?

“You are right!” asserted the moon. “It’s high time we had a solar-lunar equity up here.”

“Now you’re talking,” prodded the star. “Go discover the real moon!”

Such was the beginning of the breakup. Rather than turning his attention toward the sun, the moon began turning his attention toward himself.He set out on the course of self-enhancement. After all, his complexion was a disgrace, so full of craters and all. His wardrobe was sadly limited to three sizes; full-length, half-cast, and quarter-clad. And his coloring was an anemic yellow.

So, girded with determination, he set out to reach for the moon. He ordered glacier packs for his complexion. He changed his appearance to include new shapes such as triangular and square. And for coloring he opted for a punk-rock orange. “No one is going to call me cheese-face anymore.”

The new moon was slimmed down and shaped up. His surface was a s smooth as a baby’s bottom. Everything was fine for a while.Initially, his new look left him basking in his own moonlight. Passing meteors would pause and visit. Distant stars would call and compliment. Fellow moons would invite him over to their orbits to watch “As the World Turns.”

He had friends. He had fame. He didn’t need the sun—until the trends changed. Suddenly “punk” was out and “prep” was in. The compliments stopped and the giggles began as the moon was slow to realize that he was out of style. Just as he finally caught on and had his orange changed to pinstripe, the style went to “country.”

It was painful poking of the rhinestones into his surface that caused him to finally ask himself, “What’s this all for anyway? You’re on the cover of the magazine one day and forgotten the next. Living off the praise of others is an erratic diet.”

For the first time since he’d begun his campaign to find himself, the moon thought of the sun. He remembered the good ol’ millenniums when praise was not a concern. What people thought of him was immaterial since he wasn’t in the business of getting people to look at himself. Any praise that came his way was quickly passed on to the boss. The sun’s plan was beginning to dawn on the moon. “He may have been doing me a favor.”

He looked down upon the earth. The earthlings had been getting quite a show. They never knew what to expect: first punk, then preppie, now country. Odds-makers in Las Vegas were making bets as to whether the next style would be chic or macho. Rather than be the light of their world he was the butt of their jokes.Even the cow refused to jump over him.

But it was the cold that bothered him the most. Absence from the sunlight left him with a persistent chill. No warmth. No glow. His full-length overcoat didn’t help. It couldn’t help; the shiver was from the inside, an icy shiver from deep within his core that left him feeling cold and alone.

Which is exactly what he was.

One night as he looked down upon the people walking in the dark, he was struck by the futility of it all. He thought of the sun. He gave me everything I needed. I served a purpose. I was warm. I was content. I was…I was what I was made to be.

Suddenly, he felt the old familiar warmth. He turned and there was the sun. The sun had never moved. “I’m glad you’re back,” the sun said. “Let’s get back to work.”

“You bet!” agreed the moon.

The coat came off. The roundness returned, and a light was seen in the dark sky. A light even fuller was seen in the dark sky. A light even brighter.And to this day whenever the sun shines and the moon reflects and the darkness is illuminated,the moon doesn’t complain or get jealous. He does what he was intended to do all along.

The moon beams.

[Story taken from www.maxlucado.com, UpWords Ministry]

passing thought

2007-10-24T02:50:00.000+08:00

This may be abit werid to blog about. just a short thought.
Just a few hours ago, i got up the bus 179 with Reina. The bus turned and steered, went up and down the road, just like a roller coater ride. But its quite fun. The roads in ntu are really slopy and turny (hope u understand), just like our days. But is somehow makes our days exciting. hmm, i know gods wants me to come Ntu, but he didn't day how long i'll stay here. haha, i hope i'll graduate in four years but maybe it'll more more exciting if its not four years.
smiles su ern

Difficult times will come

2007-10-20T01:52:00.000+08:00

My Pastor always share with us that Christian faith is a upstream swim where it is inevitable to face challenges and obstacles. When we are not struggling to swim harder and conquering, we will probably be thrown backwards by the waves.

However, never did I come across a verse in the bible that explains what this analogy meant.

2 Timothy 3:12 says that "Indeed all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
Are you feeling the pressure, really tired and wondering what in the world is happening?

Don't worry, you may be just on the right track. Gear up and may the Lord refresh you!

Let's rise up and lay hold of the word of God

Let's boast about Him

2007-10-20T00:19:00.000+08:00

这几个星期以来，我一直为部落格的内容烦恼。

我：“该写些什么好呢？”
我：“如果loventu 的兄弟姐妹们读不懂怎么办？”

我是个完美主义者，而且也非常在乎别人对我的 '作品' 的看法，有时甚至希望读者会给予正面的回响。

然而，神提醒我：“ 你不是为了炫耀自己写作的本领而写作。”
我回答说：” 是呀，我的本领有什么好炫耀的！我要宣告的应该是神的爱、神的大能、神的美善!”

23 耶和华如此说：智慧人不要因他的智慧夸口，勇士不要因他的勇力夸口，财主不要因他的财物夸口。
24 夸口的却因他有聪明，认识我是耶和华，又知道我喜悦在世上施行慈爱、公平，和公义，以此夸口。这是耶和华说的。－耶利米書 9

23 This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD. －Jeremiah 9

亲爱的兄弟姐妹们：
让我们继续与神同行，每天来到天父面前，倾听他的话语。神必定指导我们的一言一行，借着我们在各处显扬他的美好！

Dear brothers and sisters of loventu,
Let's continue to walk by faith in God, come before him in reverance, and listen to to Heavenly Father's words to us each day. Surely He will guard our hearts and minds in Him, guide us in all our ways, and through us spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him!

For When I Whine

2007-10-18T00:23:00.000+08:00

Today, upon a bus,
I saw a girl with golden hair
and wished I was as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch.
But as she passed, a smile.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 legs, the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it'd do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
"I thank you, you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Oh God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play.
He did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word.
And then I knew, he couldn't hear.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 ears, the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

~ Author Unknown ~

I know that we seldom encounter such situations/people. But still, we're fortunated, we have spare change, thats better than most of the people out there.
smiles su ern

He is my rock!

2007-10-16T12:00:00.000+08:00

hello!!

i've been so tired recently... take less than 1 min to fall asleep once i lie on the bed.
year 2 is really much more tiring than year 1.
anyhow, if everyone else is able to get through it, i'm sure i will be able to do so too, especially with God's supernatural strength! (:

He is my rock!
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom i take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

off to prepare for school!

Don Moen - Give Thanks

2007-10-13T01:20:00.001+08:00

Smilez... God loves you!

Daily meals

2007-10-10T00:28:00.000+08:00

I copied this from a email that was sent to me a long time ago. Found it short but to the point.

"A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to theEditor" column,much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" "

Often, the mandane, un-noticed things as the ones that are sliently keeping us going.

smiles,
su ern

A house in Heaven

2007-10-06T00:35:00.000+08:00

" For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. " 2 Cor 5:1

This week, I finished dealing with 3 quizs and the aftermath is not as good as I have expected. Indeed, I've learnt that I have to manage my time better and also gained a new motivation to work harder after being brought back to reality. I always tell myself that I am studying to learn, to improve and shapen myself but not just to get As or to gain a sense of security over my future. Thus, I often remind myself to surrender my results to God especially after giving my best for it.

After over a year in NTU, a student who once copied during quizs, one who asked for tips before my quizs, I now think that it is indeed sad as students who are studying in one of the highest institutions in Singapore failed the integrity test.
So what have we truly learned after over 15 years of education? I ponder...

Anyway, it is indeed a struggle to base my security only on God and obey Him in all aspects of my life. To remember that if our earthly tents is torn down, we have one dwelling place that will last for eternity. One promise that I will hold on to dearly...

"Lord! Help me to live a life pleasing unto you and to continue to fight a good fight even if it cost more dieing of my sinful nature! In Jesus name I pray! Amen."

May God bless you to be an overcomer in every situations you face!

Su Ern's Day - Its not that bad afterall

2007-10-03T01:38:00.000+08:00

Hi Everyone,

This is Su Ern. Today, i'm going to blog about my day...

This morning i woke up early, ealier than i normally would for a 10.30am lesson day because i'm having a test during my tutorial at 10.30am. But, still, i left my house late and was 20mins late for my test. On my way to school, i knew i'm gonna be late, so first i hoped that the test will be only 30mins and during the second half of the lesson. then after my friend told me tha the test has started, my prayer changed to hoping that the test is 1h so that i'll still have time.

I finished my paper on time (cos i din know how much time was left so i did it quickly). But i didn't know how to do many questions, sad that i dun even know how to do those questions from the topic which i really really studied. tutor went thru the answer after that and i didnt do well. But towards the end of the day when the tutor told us our results, i didn't do as bad as i expected, probably due to some working marks here and there. so my results was not that bad afterall.

then its lunch, sad sad, had lunch alone today cos the friend that i normally have lunch with on wed when home for lunch. called another friend but he's already at another canteen far far away. so i 'da pao' my food and went to a study bench to eat. took quite fast to finish my food then wanted to go to the lib to print notes.

On my way to the lib, i met a friend who was eating along too. same case as me, haha, bought Mac too and 'da pao' to eat at the study bench. so i sat down to chat with the friend. so it didn't turn out that bad afterall. =)

the next bad thing that i thought happened today was my decision to go back to my house to stay (i normally stay at my grandparent's house). I thought i could do my work better at home cos i may be disturbing my niece who is taking her PSLE and needs to slp early (my niece shares the room with me at my grandparent's place). But when i reached home, my sister was using the computer, this also means that she's occupying half of the study table. so i cant use the pc and i feel werid using the study table. but Thank God my sis did not use the pc for as long as i expected (thats y i can be typing now) and things are not that bad afterall.

ok, thats it folks. i'm turning in. so late already. sorry for not including any pics or photos. hope i didn't bore you out.

smiles,
Su Ern

Shine for Jesus!

2007-09-30T00:41:00.000+08:00

Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-11
The context of this text lies in Exodus where it is recorded that the face of Moses shine whenever he enters into the presence of God.

Read Exodus 34:29-35.

This lead us to the question of why can we be confident in our marketplace?

We are alive in Christ – Live in the Spirit

2 Cor 3:7-8

When Moses led the Israelites, his face indeed shine every time he enter into the presence of God. Today, all of us can enter into the presence of God freely by His grace. We are dead to our sins and alive because of Christ! Let’s depend on the Holy Spirit and live a Spirit filled life because we serve a God of how much more!

We are righteous in Christ – Live in Freedom

2 Cor 3:9

I remember singing this song that says “Therefore, being justified by grace, we are forgiven, forgiven, Jesus Christ our Lord” Today, as justified people of God, we are fighting a victorious war! Let’s guard our walk with God and as we draw near to God, God will draw near to us!

We are glorified in Christ – Shine for Jesus

2 Cor 10-11

Moses used a veil to cover his face so that the people will not look intently on what is fading away. However, today we don’t have to cover our face anymore! As we enter into His presence daily, let’s trust that God will transform us from glory to glory!

Even as we come to the last stretch of the race this year, let’s run victoriously towards the prize that God has set for us! Be Glorified and Shine for Jesus!

Climb on!

2007-09-27T23:04:00.000+08:00

view of Bedok South (including TJ)from the 24th storey

as my friend and I was making a farewell gift for a friend leaving to study overseas, i came across some photos of my stairs trainings in outdoor activites club(OAC) last time.
the reason why we had stairs trainings was to train for our overseas mountain expeditions and we had several sessions of stairs trainings before going on trips (climbing up 24 storeys, sometimes with load & sometimes without)
such trainings and many other physical trainings that i've been through during my OAC days really taught me a lot about perseverance & about not giving up so easily.
as for stairs trainings, the view from the 24th storey is a real sight to behold. (:

on the summit of Mount Korbu! =D really colddd.

one particular memorable trek was my first mountain climbing expedition. we climbed mt korbu & it was a pretty tough mountain, it being the 2nd highest peak in peninsula malaysia. lugging a huge trekking bag & bent over like a turtle, i never imagined that i would be able to make it to the summit. (leeches & sandflies along the way!)
the feeling upon reaching the summit was simply indescribable. and the feeling upon completing the whole trek was i'm-so-overjoyed-that-i-can-cry!
i believe that without those stairs trainings (& of course, encouragement from my teammates too), i wouldnt have survived.

one of the views on Mount Korbu

in the same way, i believe that we are all meant to go through trainings too to prepare us for the path ahead. may we all allow ourselves to be moulded & re-moulded into the best that we can be! along the way, may we encourage one another to press on too. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.( Hebrews 10:25) & i guarantee that the feeling at the summit (meeting God) will definitely not disappoint. (:

Rise up to your calling!

2007-09-22T01:05:00.000+08:00

Read 2 kings 2:1-14 (Elijah taken to Heaven.)
Elisha is Elijah’s disciple who is going to take over Elijah’s ministry.

How to rise up to God’s calling in our life?

1) Be Persistent – Never give up on God
2 Kings 2:2
Although Elisha don’t know where Elijah is going but he faithfully followed Elijah from Gilgal to Bethel and then Jericho and ended in Jordon before Elijah left him.
Why? Elisha knows who he is and what he is called to do, to be Elijah’s son and succeed him. Although sometimes we may not understand some decisions along the way we pursue His calling in our life.

Let’s go an extra mile to obey what God called us to be. Never give up!

2) Be Patient – Wait upon God
2 Kings 2:3
The prophets from both Bethel and Jericho came to Elisha and were worried for him, but Elisha assured them and told them to relax.
When things don’t seem to be working out right, let’s trust that God will answer His promises for us.

Let’s learn to wait upon Him.

3) Be Heavenlyminded - Put your hope in God
2 Kings 2:14
Before Elijah was taken away, he asked Elisha what he can do for him. Elisha asked for his inheritance from Elijah. When Elijah left, Elisha performed his first miracle by dividing the water!
When we faithfully obey what God called us to do, He will reward us and lead us to where He wants us to go.
Let’s put our hope in heavenly things and not things on earth!

Let’s trust God and rise up to what He called us to be!

Question : Wonder what you are called to be? Smilez...

Be blessed!

2007-09-18T23:04:00.000+08:00

Some simple pleasures in my life, starting from the top left, night view of towercranes at a constuction site near my house, a small corner of flowers and bookmarks (tilted), sweet sweet chocolate dessert, cuddly soft toys =) orange smile ;), a walk with the doggies, my funny cousins (only one in this photo) :$, a cup of 'teh peng' ;0 looking at how messy my table can get. haha
Smiles,
Su Ern

Testimony

2007-09-17T02:59:00.000+08:00

Thought it would be good starting out blogging by first giving a testimony.

This last week has been one heck of a tiring and draining week. First, i've got 2 tests and 1 lab report to finish up. And whats more, my dear supervisor requested 20 pages from me instead of the normal 10 for lab report. And to add more misery to the equation, my test on friday was looking like a real killer. Its a 4AU subject and whats more, there was about 500+ pages of textbook to remember and facts memorise.

Monday turned out to be a mad mad day. Finished my first test, though it didn't go fantatiscally well, managed to pull through still. Rushed home, was about 50% done with my lab report and had to hand in the next day. My project was on coupler curves and the relationships and theories we can infer from it. I've had 3 more simulations to finish up before I could complete the last part of my report. Managed to finish 2 by midnight and was running the last one. And guess what? Every single time I clicked on the mechanism to add an extra point, it would cause my mechanism not to run. Re-did it like a million times and it still didn't work. Totally exhausted, I sat there, and prayed. I knew only God could help me. Had a drink after my prayer and came back and tried it agian. Guess what? It worked! Amazing isn't it? Power of prayer.

Next, on Friday was my mega test and it was 15% of my overall grade for the subject. As usual, super panick and only finished studying at 5am in the morning. Slept for 4 hours and rushed down to school. Again, I decided to trust God for my test and believed that all was in his hands. Test went well and I got an "A" grade for the subject! Again all Glory to God!

If you're feeling stressed and quizzes and tests are seemingly impossible to cope, maybe its high time you stop, utter a simple prayer to God. Let him know how you feel and ask for help. When you open your eyes, I assure you, God has already answered your prayer!

Have a great week ahead!

God's promise.

2007-09-16T00:51:00.000+08:00

Genesis 9:13-15

“I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when i bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and i will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh.” (NASB)

many times when we see a rainbow, we only think of how beautiful it is. we look at its physical appearance and exclaim at its beauty. however, there is much more to the rainbow than its physical appearance.

it is actually a covenant between God and us. that He will never again flood the whole earth and destroy all of us. ( i pondered over this before. haven’t there been floods that killed people? but in this verse it says, ALL flesh. so i believe what it means is that there will not be a flood that wipes out the WHOLE earth)

it is by His grace that we will not be subjected to another flood of that kind. God never ever forgets the promises He makes to us.

what about us? do we sometimes forget the promises we make to God?

Jesus is my Lord

2007-09-15T23:06:00.000+08:00

On Wednesday, I fell sick and while I was struggling to stay alert, I have a presentation and tons of work to complete. After my presentation, which went surprisingly well, Thank God for sustaining me, I went home and went totally dead on bed. My head was painful, feeling feverish and was having muscle cramps.

Thank God my mum brought me to the doctor and I rested at home the following day.

Although I still have alot of works to complete, Thank God for allowing me to rest in Him and remember that my priority is Him!

2007-09-14T00:56:00.000+08:00

你是有价值的！

每星期，我都会到乌美 ( Ubi ) 一带学习驾车。最近，我因为频频犯错，看不出明显进步而感到沮丧。我也为此遭到教练的训话，这便使我更加怀疑自己的能力。

的确，有时会深感自己能力不足 ( Feeling of inadequacy )，认为自己很多事都做得不够理想。

可是，当这种念头产生时，我知道，又是撒旦在作祟了。

提摩太前书 4：12 ( 1 Timothy 4:12 )：

“不可叫人小看你年轻，总要在言语、行为、爱心、信心、清洁上，都作信徒的榜样。"

神通过这经文劝导我不要灰心，不能让别人因我的年龄而小看我的能力。。。因为我的能力其实都来自他。

此外，神也进一步在彼得前书 2：4-9 (1 Peter 2: 4-9) 重燃我的信心。他提醒我，即使世人遗弃我，我依旧是他所拣选的宝，我有我所在的价值的！！！ 这，就是神对我们的承诺了。：)

彼得前书 2：4-9 :

“ 4 主乃活石，固然是被人所弃的，却是被神所拣选、所宝贵的。

5 你们来到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成为灵宫，作圣洁的祭司，藉着耶稣基督奉献神所悦纳的灵祭。

6 因为经上说：看哪，我把所拣选、所宝贵的房角石安放在锡安；信靠他的人必不至于羞愧。

7 所以，他在你们信的人就为宝贵，在那不信的人有话说：匠人所弃的石头已作了房角的头块石头。

8 又说：作了绊脚的石头，跌人的磐石。他们既不顺从，就在道理上绊跌（或译：他们绊跌都因不顺从道理）；他们这样绊跌也是预定的。

9 惟有你们是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属神的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。 ”

主是我们的活石 ( The Living Stone )，他把我们召出黑暗，使得信靠他的人必定活在光明之中。感谢主！：)

一件小事之：迟到

2007-09-10T23:25:00.000+08:00

有人说：“迟到总比没到好 - Better late than never.”

今天，我又慢吞吞地开始整理‘行李’，准备回 hall 2。我得在10.30 分到达 hall 2, 因为11.15分有个心理学试验。如果不准时出席，我就会失去得分的机会！尽管如此，我还是慢吞吞地整理东西。

到了宿舍，侥幸的我仍有充裕的时间；怎知道临时出了状况！我心急如焚，心想这次又要迟到了，怎么办？

当时，我听到神说：

"Just leave it alone. Let me take care of the problem-别担心，让我帮你解决你的问题。"

我不但不相信神的话，反而心烦地回答：

"But God, how are You going to take care of this?! "

我面对的明明是个小问题，但我还是固执地选择自己解决。结果，我真的迟到了。真的又迟到了。。。。。。

这个‘迟到’的小事件虽然微不足道，但是它却考验了我对神的信心。原来我的信心竟是那么小！
当时的我真的有些灰心，心想如果不能在这个学期以内完成所有的试验，该怎么办？但这次我终于知道，不论是什么问题，神都能为我摆平！

我曾经断言要改掉迟到的坏习惯，因为它实在太可恶；我不知道为了它损失了多少金钱、伤了多少次和气。每次要迟到时，我总希望正在等待我的人不要生气，总希望自己能不要重犯，总为自己的行为感到羞愧和后悔。
我不知不觉地成了‘迟到鬼 ’的奴隶。

今天，神通过这件‘小事’提醒我准时的重要性。这让我联想到了‘十个童女’的寓言（Parable of the ten virgins）。五个愚拙的童女在迎接主的日子睡着了，结果来不及为油灯添油。当主回来的时候，她们的灯却要熄灭了。就这样，她们因为疏忽、因为没有时时提高警惕，无法进入神的国度。

迟到总比没到好，但是有时一旦迟到了，机会就一去不回头了。

但是，我有一则好消息：神的国度的大门仍敞开着。天父每天都期待着人们走进来。如果你曾经体会他的爱，曾经感受到他的同在，别迟疑了，神会拉着你的手，带你回家。如果你想要认识主，想要走进他的国度，就对他说，也跟我们联络！

主祝福你＝）

You were made to do great things.

2007-09-08T23:02:00.000+08:00

In the beginning, the Pencil Maker spoke to the pencil saying, "There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and you will become the best pencil you can be."

First : You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.

Second : You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but this is required if you want to become a better pencil.

Third: You have the ability to correct any mistakes you might make.

Fourth: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

Fifth: No matter what the condition, you must continue to write. You must always leave a clear, legible mark no matter how difficult the situation.

The pencil understood, promising to remember, and went into the box fully understanding its Maker's purpose.

Now put yourself in place of the pencil; always remember the five things from above, and you will become the best person you can be.

One : You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two : You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

Three : You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.

Four : The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

Five : On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.

Everyone is like a pencil... created by the Maker for a unique and special purpose.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

(credits: http://gloriousgrace.net/pencils/index.htm)

The Secret to living

2007-09-08T01:15:00.000+08:00

Good Day ladies and gentleman!

Stress is catching up and we are surrounded with quizs, reports, projects and presentations!
How fun it is to be a University students? If you are not, don't worry, we are having fun here.
So what do I have to share today?

Look at this picture and ponder what it means for a moment please...

In Philippians 4:10-14, Paul, a man who brave sufferings to bring the gospel to the world shared that he had a secret! He knows the secret of being filled and going hungry. In our school life, we face different challenges and struggles. We have peer pressures, high expectations, and different challenges. But in order to rise up above all these challenges we need to learn from Paul the secret to living! We can go hungry and full in joy!

The secret is contentment! There is a Chinese saying, 知足常乐.

Paul said that he has learned to be content in whatever circumstances he is in.
Are we contented with whatever circumstances we are in?
For those who are already a citizen of Jesus Christ, let’s strive towards God and be in the world but not of the world.
If you are not a believer, I hope you will be blessed with joy in your heart that will overflow!

加油! We are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us!
Fight On!

thoughts

2007-09-07T23:48:00.000+08:00

Hi people,
its su ern here blogging. (escaping from my lab report). today is lab report day, i plan to finish half of my report. but.... anyway i'm here to share about a movie i watched last weekend. =) I watched Evan Almighty. Before watching that show, i thought that its going to be just a mindless comedy. But i actually learnt something from it, it was a reminder. the show reminded me to 'be careful' of what i pray for, because it does come true, just that it may not be in the manner that i expect. because our God is a creative God, afterall he created the world and everything in it. hmm, so maybe we should be more specific when praying, like if we are asking for a car, we ask for a specific model and colour, but i guess God will also access our prayers base on our needs. one more thing that i caught from the show is that when we ask God for something, God may not drop the thing from heaven just like that, often, He gives as an opportunity. For example, when someone asks for patience, God gives him an opportunity to show patience, when someone asks for courage, God puts him in a situation where he can be courageous (then his courage will be brought out). Yup, so when we're facing a problem, it may be because of what we asked for, or because God wants us to learn something. hmm, sometimes i feel that feeling sad at times makes us more human and also makes the happy times happier. ok, thats it, i better start my lab report.
smiles su ern

On eagle's wings

2007-09-06T01:29:00.000+08:00

Hello world. hahaa pardon the long hiatus, ill do my bestest to update every wed!

The past week was quite a discouraging one for me. General tiredness from the rigours of academia, coupled with several disappointments. I hadnt had much time to do QT, and i felt that i had been carrying my anxieties with me throughout the week.

But God was and still is faithful! :) As always, God knew what I needed. The weekend was a time for me to draw back to Him and for God to restore my soul:) Service was interesting last sunday cuz it was my first time doing intercession. Even though i was on prayer duty, I felt God ministering to me personally as we were praying. The word released during service was apt when Pastor Eugene said some of us had the spirit of discouragement. Since prayer duty ended during ministry time, i was still able to go forward to be ministered. God never misses anyone out:) i also thank God for His divine appointment in sending the right people to me this week to encourage me:)

God reminded me of several things. When things don't seem to be happening and the end seems unclear, hold fast to His promises. He makes everything beautiful in His time. Have a spirit of gratefulness and always give thanks for His blessings and the instances where God came through for us. God is in control, and He holds my world in the palm of His hands:)

Matt 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."

1 Peter 5:6-7 "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

耶和华祝福满满

2007-09-02T22:33:00.000+08:00

耶和华－我的神－他的美善真的令我惊叹！不仅如此，神还深知我心。

自星期五开始，我的情绪就很不稳定。我原本期待着和大家会面，一起去见证 Joshua 的洗礼仪式。但当我和
妈妈通电话时，我却感受到妈妈的失望和不悦。当时的我真的感到不知所措；我既不愿出口伤害妈妈，又很想为自己争取和朋友会面的机会。最后，我还是太过意气用事。虽然我答应妈妈回家吃晚饭，但语气里仍夹杂着埋怨妈妈的意思。

其实，我被妈妈的话刺伤了。这些年来，同样的情节上演了好几次，但这次，我立即向神求助，求他让我重新体会他不变的爱、重拾遗失的信心、重新领受他的恩典。

是啊，刚强的神牧养着软弱的我。

回到家以后，妈妈没说什么，只是像往常一样端饭给我吃。这种 ‘往常’自我搬进宿舍里住以后，突然变成‘异常’，‘异常’地珍贵。
“能够回家，不好吗？我还埋怨什么？”
就这样，我的心情平复了许多。回家的感觉总是好的。

隔天早上，我从外头回来，耳边顿时响起脚踏车的铃声；原来是爸爸！他兴奋地告诉我脚踏车既实用又方便，还建议我在校园里骑脚踏车。如果有一天我能在爸爸的指导下学习如何骑脚踏车，我真的一点也不介意。能轻松自在地和爸爸谈天，真好。

星期天早上，我在公园里慢跑，享受着神的同在。我仿佛听到神对我说：“别放弃，也别分心，跟随我，继续向前跑”。那天，麦牧师（Pastor Melvyn Mak）所传达的信息深深感动了我。正当我感到自己的负担太重时，神提醒我要卸下我的重担，让他为我承担。正当我被其他人的话语困扰时，神轻轻地告诉我要调整我的听觉，因为他要对我说话。我的心思在神面前一目了然。他不愧是深知我心的天父！

神还通过两个为我祷告的姐妹对我说：

秋美：“你当倚靠耶和华而行善，住在地上，以他的信实为粮；又要以耶和华为乐，他就将你心里所求的赐给你。"
(诗篇 37:3-4）
“我深信那在你们心里动了善工的，必成全这工，直到耶稣基督的日子 ”
（腓力比书1：6）

神的美好，我真的说不完，也道不尽。

感谢主！

I will run

2007-09-01T22:38:00.000+08:00

remember the jog/swim that i was supposed to have with God?
went for a jog with God on monday as planned and He revealed some things to me.
[erm, i have been on exercise hiatus since... i cant even remember when.]

when i first started jogging,
i was reminded of this song I will run to You by Darlene Zschech.

And Your hand, it comforts me
From the ends of the earth
To the
depths of my heart
Let Your mercy and strength be seen

You call me
to Your purpose
As angels understand
For Your glory may you draw all men
As Your love and grace demands

And I will run to You
To Your
words of truth
Not by might, not by power
But by the Spirit of God
Yes, I will run the race
Till I see Your face
Oh, let me live in the
glory of Your grace

the last stanza spoke to me, especially since i was running.
why didn't i stop when i was running?
because i knew that there was an end and i was looking forward to it during the last part of the run.
why shouldn't i stop in my run with Jesus?
because i will meet Him one day!
there were quite a number of slopes along the way.
sometimes i slowed down, sometimes i sped up.
during my walk with Jesus, sometimes i tend to go slow and sometimes i go fast.
as long as i do not stop, as long as i continue running this race for Him, i will see His face.
the past 2months or so have taught me that indeed it is impossible to live life by my own might or power but the ONLY way possible is by the SPIRIT OF GOD.
by grace, i have been saved.

BY GRACE, I LIVE (:

Overcoming you fears!

2007-09-01T01:14:00.000+08:00

Today is Mr Chong's baptism! During the baptism service, Pastor Patrick preached about overcoming your fears! So let me briefly share with you what I've learnt.

For a moment I heard God saying to me :
"Desmond, why are you afraid of your exams? Do you still have no faith?!"

This week is the 4th week of the semester and I am really feeling the pressure! I am trying very hard to catch up with the tutorials while some of my friends have already finished the tutorials 2 weeks later. Frankly, I was a little worried and fearful of the coming exams.

However please turn your bibles to Mark 4:35-41
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%204:35-41;&version=49;)
This passage tells us that Jesus calmed a storm while He was out in the sea with His disciples.

What can we learnt from here?

Mark 4:38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion
Number 1: The boat will not sink; God is there!
The first thing we can learn is that God is with us and nomatter how bad the situation is, God will never fail! His plans is always to prosper us and to give us hope!

Mark 4:39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
Number 2: The storm will pass away! Cling on to God!
The second thing we can learn here is that no matter how bad the situation is, it will be over! Hold on, Hang on, Cling on to God!
Quote what Winston Churchhill said:
"Never never never never never never NEVER GIVE UP!"

Mark 4:41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
Number 3: You will be ready when the next storm comes! The victory belongs to us!
Rising above the storms bring you a new vision to better equip you for your next challenge!
Look at the disciples, they became very much afraid again! But this time, they are more amazed by God than scared by the storm! Why? Because their faith is strengthen and is ready for MORE OF JESUS!

As exams draw near, may you surrender your fears to the Lord and allow God to strengthen your faith!

Let's Dare to Believe in God!

这是神所定的日子－为你而定的日子

2007-08-27T09:50:00.000+08:00

诗篇118： 24 这是耶和华所定的日子，我们在其中要高兴欢喜！
Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

你可否想过为什么人的生活要一天一天地过？

你
每天都得面对新挑战；

每天都要为生活焦虑不安；

每天都避不开堆积如山的作业；

每天都得穿梭在南大的人群里。。。

每天每天每天每天每天每天！！！

如果能摆脱这种烦人规律，那该多好。

尽管如此，相信你我心里都有数，我们的世界其实是多姿多彩的。在我们仍在酣睡时，神已经让太阳升起，把温暖带给大地。天空染上了太阳的光辉，披上浅红的外衣。小草也伸了伸懒腰，兴奋地挺起身子趋向阳光。这时，天父还是守护在你我的身旁，等着我们张开双眼。
当你起身、搭179号巴士上学、在讲堂里专心听讲（或昏昏欲睡）、和朋友交谈（或独自在图书馆的角落头发呆），神还是寸步不离地陪着你。

没错，就是你。

神从来都不必休息，也不愿休息，因为他在乎你的一举一动、你的每个想法。哦不，他没有要监视你的意思。他只希望你能过的好、只希望你和他说话，希望你认识他。
往后的每一天，他还是一样地保护你，还是不免不休地为你创造每一个美丽的日出和日落。

一切的一切，都为你。

You will never thirst again

2007-08-26T23:24:00.000+08:00

Why will you not thirst again? What was the significant of giving out free ‘JCplus’?
Do you remember that a group of us were giving out free mineral water and welcoming the students at the overhead bridge on the first week of school? “1, 2, 3... Smile! Have a nice day! You are LOVED”.

This is certainly not trying to sell you something or some people doing forfeit. We are a group of students wanting to bless the students in NTU and make your Monday different! “Monday, is a great day! Enjoy school!” Isn’t it heartwarming to be able to hear nice and encouraging words on your first day of school? We hope it brought much joy to the people who witnessed us. Personally I felt very blessed to be able to do this as I managed to come out of my own comfort zone. As I saw the faces of people smiling back and even acknowledging the blessing, there was so much joy and I relied on this to be even more enthusiastic.

So what is JCplus? It’s a ‘mineral water’ meant to quench you of all your thirst. You will never thirst again as this water is unlimited and free for all! What is so special about JCplus that other mineral water does not have? It is not from the mountains, it is not from the factories, it is not from the sea, but from Heaven! JCplus not only quenches your thirst, drink it and it will quench all your problems and worries as well. Drink JCplus and be blessed! We would like to share this free and special water with everybody.

thank You Jesus

2007-08-26T21:06:00.000+08:00

Isaiah 40:28-31

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

this few verses were mentioned by Pastor Julie during the Gateway Cities Youth Convention(GCYC) held over the past 3 days.
Isaiah 40:31 says "but those who HOPE IN THE LORD..."
i have been feeling weary for a long time.
have i been hoping in the Lord enough?
or rather, have i been communicating with Him enough?
no wonder i have been weary and faint.
time and again i have let Him down, time and again i have broken my promises of meeting Him just to talk.
i believe that He is yearning to speak to me.
was both told and prayed over by 2 different people to talk to God today.
tomorrow i am going for a run/swim with God. (:

i thank You Lord for You are always here.

License to Wed

2007-08-25T00:37:00.000+08:00

Today I went to watch this movie after my friend recommended it! So how was it? Personally, I had a good laugh but some of the things stated are not biblically accurate, for instance, in the 10 commandments, it is stated in the bible thou shall not murder but in the movie is thou shall not kill- different!

Anyway, I like the idea of the robotic baby which is really interesting, it can cry, poops, puke, sleep and really test your patience! Don't believe? Go download a animated one at http://licensetowedthemovie.warnerbros.com/.

The ending is also interesting and overall I did enjoy the movie.

So @@@ out of @@@@@. Watch it if you want to have a good laugh : )

Trust God, nothing goes wrong

2007-08-21T23:11:00.000+08:00

I"m a little freshie who was really anxious about entering this new environment before the school began. I applied for hall, not knowing who my roomie will be. All I could do, and did, was to pray.

All things went really well and it was all thanks to God who had answered my prayers. My roomie and I are able to get along really well, I was able to adapt well in my course, and with my fellow hall residence. More than that, I was nominated and got the post for block representative! It was a really great blessing to me, and a miracle too. I was not very active during my hall's FOC, and was not very close to the seniors compared to others. Yet I was still nominated.

As 1 of the 4 block reps, I really thank God for giving me the opportunity to be able to serve my block. More than that, I'm sure that God also gave me this role to not just serve people, but to be a blessing to those around. Having this role will indeed allow me to do so.

It was all answered prayers. I had prayed for a roomie that I was able to get along with, prayed for God to help me to adapt to this new place, prayed for God to place me in a good hall, and prayed for God to help me be a blessing in my hall.

Indeed our God is one that REALLY answers prayers... even little prayers like mine. Now I can continue this journey in this new environment and walk on because I know that the Lord had gone before me to prepare the place. All glory and honour to the Lord.