ZPC Young Adult Fellowship

Rev Freddy Tan sent a tiny youtube video to you

2011-12-06T16:29:00.001+08:00

Rev Freddy Tan wants you to see this tiny youtube video. Launch

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Although we've come to the End of the Road...

2010-11-02T17:34:00.002+08:00

ok "This is It" as MJ would have aptly put it. i'm really bad with dates and all that so i don't know when YAF began its first service on Saturday evenings and when it changed to be on Sundays. But i clearly remembered that back then it was a change that was really tough to swallow. It seemed like we were always drawing the short straw or getting the short end of the stick. We loved the freedom of a saturday fellowship and everyone gathered gayly back then with Big Ben as what would be known as an "honourary chairperson" today.

And who would have thought 4-5years later we'd go back to gathering on Saturdays; Another blow, another bitter pill to swallow. The Shortest Straw (as Metallica would have aptly put it)...again.

So anyways, i have to disagree with preacher jon, especially so when he remarked oh so jocularly - There isn't a BIG RED RESET button...THANK GOD! That thing only exists on Playstations when you're being thrashed in FIFA/Pro Evo or Street Fighter and are left scampering for it to prove you weren't beaten, just unlucky...yeah right.

A BIG RED RESET would really mean what was YAF for almost a decade was a HUGE mistake by the church, that they would have had it this way than what was. That's just wrong. I think PJ (no Duncan) didn't exactly choose his words aptly or he was just being mean. He WAS attending YAF back then didn't he? Where did he keep those happy memories? I remembered having lotsa fun travelling to church on saturdays with him ferried by his or my mum. Not that these are the most important but surely there are some things in YAF that you wouldn't trade for the world, like our brunches! ok i'm just being mean, no offence if you're reading this PJ, i just wanna poke at it.

but yeah it is NO RESET, there is NO MISTAKE. YAF has brought us all who stuck together through all these years to higher plains of fellowship and spiritual worship. Obviously we're not the best at what we do, we lack many aspects of fellowship acheivements, we're definitely not expanding as we can all tell and we're in total lack before God. But where else would we be if we didn't have YAF on sundays? What sorta activities would we engage ourselves in on Sundays without YAF? Who else would/should/could we be talking to? Would we find ourselves working even on Sundays? Or come to a point where we think it's ok to worship at home? We might just be worst off than when we started, wasting all those years of sunday schooling and parental encouragement to attend service.

I'm sure God had His purpose in keeping the 15 of us (you know who you are, if you're unsure, you're not. simple). A function that was fulfilled in each and everyone if we looked and searched hard enough. And even more so as a collective, group and fellowship. No, we absolutely do not, and i quote, "eat, sleep, wake up and play.", we're not like any play-house/montessori groups outside surely. I think not everyone has the aptitude or the stamina to go through 2 sermons or 3 if you're in PJ's class in a day, or 2 bible studies for that matter. Not that we can boast nor shout about it on a mountaintop but that's what our youthful vigour gives us, a lengthy period of sustained service on Sundays, and i'm damn proud of that and all of you!

It's once again a hard lesson of submission and adapting to change. It may just be difficut, for now, to reconcile the dichotomy of our thoughts and the action that's required of us. Maybe it's just me. Maybe all of you have moved on.

For now, i guess a chapter has shut on us. Hopefully, God willing, the new one will lead us to the climax that was CORRECTLY promised, i repeat - it was no mistake, by all that was said and done. So i guess This is It?

Why Worry When You Can Pray?

2010-09-16T11:47:00.001+08:00

A missionary wrote a newsletter to thank his supporters for being "prayer warriors." Because of a typing error, though, he called them "prayer worriers." For some of us, that might be a good description.
In his book Growing Your Soul, Neil Wiseman writes, "Prayer must be more than a kind of restatement of fretting worries or a mulling over of problems. Our petitions must move beyond gloomy desperation, which deals mostly with calamity and despair."
I know there have been times in my life where all of my prayers just seem to cry out for help. There are times in each of our lives that we need God just to do something on our behalf, but if that becomes the sole reason for our prayers, we are missing out on what pray is really about.
When we can really learn how to pray for people instead of delivering us from people, we will see mighty moves of God. Instead of praying, "Lord, make a way where I am not so stressed about my boss", to, "Lord, bless and encourage my boss, and help them to sense your love," then God will have an avenue to really make a difference. When you think closely about it, wouldn't you rather have your boss saved, than for you to be delivered from your job? The Lord's amazing answers will not only help others, but also help to cure your own anxiety!
There is an old song that said, "Why worry when you can pray, trust Jesus, He'll lead the way, don't be a doubting Thomas, trust fully in His promise, why worry, worry, when you can pray." That song is still so fitting because we often forget that when we pray, He hears our heart's cry, and will meet our need. We tend to worry even when we pray. I do not mean to sound harsh, but when you worry, you are basically saying that God doesn't care or is unable to care for you. Do you really believe that?
Paul was no "prayer worrier." He prayed for God's people that they might know the strength, love, and fullness of God, who is able to do far more than we can ask or even think (Ephesians 3:14-21). Such confidence made Paul a true "prayer warrior." Are your prayers like that? Fervent prayer dispels anxious care.

"I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about."
- Henry Ford

Rev Freddy Tan shared Australia photos with you

2010-05-10T15:54:00.001+08:00

Rev Freddy Tan just shared Australia photos with you See them now

                 This email was sent by Rev Freddy Tan using the Premium Blog: Urunga NSW Australia: Photo's and information. You can stop receiving emails here. 				
 				Martin Williams- Brigalow Caravan Park, Pacific Highway, Urunga, NSW, 2455, Australia             

Christmas FEP 2009 Flyer (email version)

2009-11-27T16:43:00.002+08:00

Hi all,

Version of the flyer that you can send through email. Feedback, comments and suggestions welcome, thanks!

An Opportunity To Serve God

2009-09-15T10:35:00.003+08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters! :) It's been awhile since the last post by Sister Sihui. (Thanks hui! nd I miss you lots!) So, I though I'll share my article today. Well, it's an article I wrote for my office's newsletter. Well, it's raw but hope can understand my english? :)

Wanna take this opportunity to Thank ALL for helping me in my myanmar preparations and for your offering. I strongly believe that the people in Myanmar will benefit from all the love and efforts you had put in in this work. I also pray that God will bless all accordingly in His Time and Will.

Take care and I look forward to your fellowship now and for eternity! :)

I started working at ORTV in May 2009 as a Ministry and Resource Executive.
My job scope includes taking care of all the products we are selling and distributing to Singapore’s retailers. This includes marketing the products to create awareness and thus, generate an income (sales of the products) for our ministries.
At ORTV, we strongly believe that every product that is sold will be beneficial to them. Be it for Christians or non-Christians, they will experience God in one way or another.

All co-workers at ORTV are so lovely! They showed me much help and love to welcome into this ORTV family. For example, being in a bigger company in the past, we do not have the habit of greeting one another. But over here, it’s so nice to be able to greet one another in the morning and to say goodbye after work. I truly felt God’s love through and from my brothers and sisters in ORTV. We also spend time reading God’s words and to pray for one another every morning. What a great way to start the day that God has given!

Being educated in Singapore, I must say that my Chinese language has been put to second place. It’s really hard to speak and to write in Chinese and eventually, I came to neglect it. In short, I think my Chinese is bad.
Years ago, I heard a sermon by a pastor that makes me realized that there’s a reason why God made me a Chinese and put me in a Chinese church. There are many Chinese out there that will only hear of God’s words if only we, as Chinese Christians, are willing to share. Because of this, I began my service in going for mission trips to Myanmar to share God’s words to the children there. It is not easy but I prayed and persevered. Thank God for His grace and mercy, I am able to do it.
At the same time, I was exposed to more Chinese hymns and songs. Many Chinese songs had touched my heart but I was very reluctant to share them to my brothers and sisters in church because it takes me ages to type a song in Chinese! I continue to pray and ask God to guide me in this area and not long after, God brought me to ORTV. Chinese speaking co-workers, Chinese evangelistic rallies and Chinese music!
It is a challenge to know the products in Chinese and I am picking up the words slowly again. Once again, I thank God for guiding me through it so far in ways I cannot see! So when brothers and sisters asked me how’s my work in ORTV so far, I will tell them: ‘I enjoyed my work! Er, my Chinese… so far so good!’ *smiles*
Thank God for pathing a way for me to serve Him and thank all brothers, sisters, volunteers and co-workers for showing me patience, love and prayer support!

Lastly, allow me to share with you this passage in the bible:
1 Cor 1:26 - 2:3
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

Do continue to keep me in prayers!

Be blessed,
Angela Tan (陈佩黎)

How to Be a Better Partner

2009-07-16T23:04:00.003+08:00

Can you recall that we had a talk by Preacher Jon in March on the above topic? I found the talk very useful and would like to share my notes with everybody.

*^*^*^*^**^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^**^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

An relationship can keep a man in danger or alive.
In Genesis 2:15 - 25, we read about the first couple and relationship and that this is all part of God's plan. It is nothing random.

1. Remember that God is the Initiator of All Relationships

Honour God by putting Him first in a relationship -> Pray and serve together.
When you are closer to God, you would be closer to your other half. It is not how much you give to your relationship that makes you closer. When Eve left God, their relationship drifted further. When Adam left God, their relationship soured.
Aquilla and Priscilla are the perfect couple.
Therefore, be more spiritual and pursue Him more.

2. Be a Suitable Helper to Your Partner

Physically: Care and provide for each other, solve problems together, share burdens, look after him / her when sick, and make him / her better and more comfortable.
Wait for a suitable helper to come to you. Don't rush! Always start out as friends.
God put Adam and Eve in the garden to let them support each other towards spiritual growth, but they failed God. Instead, they ignored the moral law that God asked them to obey, as well as tore each other apart.
Question to Ourselves: Am I a helper in a spiritual sense or bringing him / her down?
When conflicts arise, God is the one who will sustain you two together.

3. Learn to Treasure and Cherish Your Other Half

He / She is put into your life to give you support, enjoyment and pleasure. There is no perfect other half, because we are not perfect. But we cover each other's perfections. No one will take over his / her position in your life.
Once in a while, surprise the person. e.g watch horror movies with the person eventhough you don't like to.
Protect the person you love.

4. Commitment

Learn to be committed to each other and responsible for the person.
Learn to give up certain things (make sacrifices) that you enjoy.
Don't delay marriage - Don't leave the person hanging. Have an idea of marriage and work towards it.

5. Be Open and Truthful to Each Other

Being open and truthful builds up faith and trust. We need a lot of effort in doing this.
Lie once and the other person would not believe.
Don't engage in things that you feel is 见不得光.
Protect the dignity of that person, don't show even a hint of immorality.
Keep a clean, pure, holy and respectable relationship.

6. Don't Give a Sign to Make the Person Doubtful of You

Don't 谈心事with the opposite sex. Learn to protect ourselves. =)

Contributed By: Sihui

When I say I am a Christian (By Carol S. Wimmer)

2009-05-06T08:55:00.002+08:00

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I was lost"
That is why I chose this way.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are all too visible,
But God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I speak His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.

Mark 2:17

Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

LOVE from Guowei~

2009-04-13T16:58:00.001+08:00

Hi all,

Thought some of us may not have read Guowei's message to us on Cindy's blog in appreciation of the Get Well card we sent him after he broke his leg while skiing.. so here goes!

Copied from Cindy's blog, http://cindyrecollection.blogspot.com/.. do visit for regular updates on their exciting life! :)

21.3.09

Words of appreciation - from stuntman CHAN

TO: All YAFers
Hello people, GW here. Just want to make use of Cindy's blog to show my appreciation here. I have received the "Get Well" card from you guys already. It always feels good to receive something from "home". I'm so glad that you guys still remember me after so long I've been away. Hope you all are doing fine and YAF is still forever as fun as it used to be.

I've just completed my third operation and I'm recovering well now. Removed my cast and had started walking without my clutches. If nothing goes wrong, I should be able to climb some mountains after a day or two. No lah just kidding, should be at least able to walk properly I mean.

Lastly, thanks a lot and hope to see you guys soon. I am not sure how many of you will be seeing this, but for those who did, please help me relay this message to those who knows nothing about Cindy's blog. Meanwhile, take care and if nothing goes wrong we should be coming back in July for vacation.

Till we meet again
Xiao Guowei

Here are some message for you guys :

To: Ray Lim
Yo boy, next time can don't be so bo liao by writing the message in "mirror image" format or not? How about its time for some "Goal Rush?" And er.... your catfish die how many years already liao ah?

To: Ah Cai
Yo shit, Let's play soccer when I'm back and I will show you the true meaning of whipping ass!

To: Kaiser
Yo bro, I think u wrote in the card too although you had forgotten to sign off your name. Not many people call me "Boss" so I just make a wild guess. Anyway thanks for the cute drawings and all the best to you.

To: Isaac
Yo Isaac, thanks for writing in the card and looking forward to hear your jokes and laughter. Its a pity I didn't get to attend the last sister's night. You must be the funniest actor again.

To: Angela
Yo Peili, I can see that you very long never write chinese liao, because your "wish" in chinese is written as "pig" in chinese. But good thing you remember to cancel and changed it. And also you don't know how to write "FU" right? hehe. Ok lah I knew you did it on purpose. Anyway, thanks for the message too.

To: Grace foo
Yo grace, ya indeed skiing was very fun and cool until when I heard the "crack". Maybe next time I should try snowboarding instead. Thanks for keeping me in prayers.

To: Simin
Hello Simin, You are super duper right about me feeling miserable. But I am so glad that this is over. I felt like being freed from an ten year imprisonment after I took off my cast. The weather is not so freezing now, its time for more outdoor activities. Thanks for keeping me in prayers too.

To: Janice
Hello Janice, too bad I can't let you sign on my bandage, hehe. Its a pity I can't attend your wedding but I guess it must be the happiest moment that everyone is sharing. Thanks for writing in the card and all the best to you.

To: Kareen & Kok wei
Eh....Singapore also got Ikea meatballs mah, for your info Sweden Ikea meatballs doesn't taste any better. And the furniture here in Ikea is more expensive than in Singapore which I don't understand why since Ikea is oringinated from Sweden. Anyway, this is for Kok Wei "MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!"

To: Ying Chieh & Shawn
Yo, thanks for showing so much concern all these while. Er I am not a stunt ski-er lah, its just that the way I fall was all very spectacular one. All can put in the hollywood movies one. But the one that caused me to broke my leg was at a place where even beginners don't fall. One word "SWAY"

To: Huiqing
Hello, everything's fine here. Hope you are doing fine back there too. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers and hope to see you soon...

To: Ying yan
hello yingyan, you too are super duper right about me having fun. Although there's a heavy price to pay, there is no doubt about me having so much fun skiing. I bought a three day skiing pass, I broke my leg on the first day. Awesome!

To: Small Ben
Yo bro, so glad you are in YAF. Hope you are enjoying yourself and I'm looking forward in joining you guys for all the activities. Take care and Peace in!!! (er..is there such a word?)

Progams Pics So Far

2009-01-30T12:32:00.000+08:00

Year in Review

2009-01-02T10:18:00.006+08:00

Wow! We're in the new year now! It's 2009! Another year older another year wiser...we hope.

Looking back at 2008, I think Pastor (watchnight service) got it spot on when he said the one best word to describe the past year was 'disaster' 灾...How apt.

Even the seemingly auspicious Olympics (08/08/08 8:88pm) did nothing to soothe the pain and dread of the bygone year.
Ironic isn't it that here in Singapore we marvel at the midnight fireworks while the Palestinians watch the smoke, dust and fire from Israeli bombs at countdown?

Indeed 2008 was nothing to shout about; Achievements few, changes aplenty.

But we thank God for His faithfulness, in fulfilling His prophecies and giving peace to those trust in Him.

As I review the year, I fully understand and submit (Again when I use this word, as in my previous post, I feel guilty because it is so easy for us in safe Singapore to say it) to why the world has slid on the slippery slope.

Revelation 6 gives perfect insight on God's will for the last days (I am no proponent of the imminent view of Jesus' coming but believe we should always be on our toes just like the 10 virgins in Matt 25).

Rising epidemics - check
Financial turmoil - check
Wars - check
Rising medical costs - check
More Wars - check
Rising costs of neccesities - check
Natural disasters - check
More and more Wars - check...

Really, even as we wish and hope and resolute, the world is not going to turn for the better in 2009. Remember I am no pessimist, I would be the least of that.

But I really want and need to thank God, over and over, for being the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. The fulfilment of His own words gives us hope and affirmation that Jesus will come again for those who call unto His name!

The challenges/burdens of this age are truly too great for anyone without Jesus to bear. Listen to the everyday conversations of your family, friends, colleagues, classmates and passer-bys.
Empty words with empty hope most times?
It's frustrating that I cannot convince or even tell them of God's bigger picture, that this world is more than our tvs, our homes, our schools, our offices, our businesses, our zones, our Singapore.

I thank God for YAF, though we have our innate weaknesses, we do promote our strengths.
Let us manifest our abilities and use them to greater purposes! Of course, I'm not saying we should overlook our shortcomings but as Chinese, we often choose to focus on the bad and ignore the good, let's try not to fall into this trap (on a side note, it's one of my aspirations as a parent not to commit such a 'foul'. I think my own parents put me down more than praises heaped. Thank God I turned out ok:))

YAF, we are truly a blessed nation who have been given the wisdom to understand God's good, pleasing and perfect will, so let's strive on in the new year to bring ourselves to higher ground!

May God help us to fear and revere Him (if there's one thing to take away from Proverbs, this is it); for all those who've lost sight of Him; mend our hearts; for all those crestfallen, renew our faith; for all those distanced from Him, strengthen relationships; for all those broken; rekindle our zeal; for all those lacking in service, heal; for all who're ill, bring us back to Worship; for all who lack...and keep our faith in all matters for His faithfulness endures forever!

Isaac

Get In Step 2008 Photos

2008-12-19T13:24:00.001+08:00

Get In Step - YAF Camp 2008 (Message 1)

2008-12-15T10:13:00.002+08:00

Dear All,

Want to thank Kaiser for taking time to re-write and send us the notes for this year's camp. :) So, I thought I should help him to put it up on our blog to share with everyone! (anyone knows how to attach the excel file here?)

I was thinking... Shall we put up all the notes for this year's camp? Any takers? :) Maybe we can take 1 message each? (maybe those that have yet to blog here for awhile...? *wink wink*)

Nevertheless, here it is:

ZION YAF CAMP GET IN STEP CAMP KAISER CAMP NOTES:
In this camp we get to learn how to get in step with God’s word and how can we share God’s word with our friends, family members & love ones.
Firstly we are told that there are 5C in this camp, the first thing that came to my mind was the common 5C we know of, CASH, CRIDET CARD, CONDO and CAREER. But this is a Christian retreat where are not here to learn about how to get this. Let go in to the mind topic.
The 5c for this camp are, Christ, Christian, Character, Commitment, and Contentment. This 5c will be the main topic of the 5 messages that we will be having in the next 3 days.
1 Message on Christ:
Camp verses of message 1: John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”
In this message Pastor touch on the 4 types of ways to share the gospel which are Natural, Personal, Relational and Intentional.
The first type is Natural with preaching the word of god is like a very normal thing to do with your friends at work or family at home. What I trying to say about this Natural is that we don’t need to wait for occasion to reach out to the people you want to instead you can just share the gospel anytime and anyplace.
No2. Will be Personal is preaching the word of God in a more personal way like when someone share to you his/her problem you can share some experience how we Christian solve our problem by entrusting to our father in heaven and finding encouragement from the bible . From there you can tell him/her about Christ Jesus and start preaching the gospel.
No3. Relational in terms of how close you are with people, like in your work place you have this close friend a non-Christian, because of the relational terms you are able to talk to he/she freely about Jesus Christ without affecting the friendship that you have.
No4. Intentional will be finding occasion like, Christmas and gospel rally event then you start to ask your friends or family member if they would like to come for the upcoming event to hear about the gospel.
And one of the things to keep in mind is that doing season evangelism is not effective, but not saying that is not good.
There is one section after this message which is to see what type of person we are in preaching the words of God, there are 5 type of character which you can do in a excel sheet which has been prepare for you. From there you will be able to know which type of person you are when come to sharing the gospel.

Kai, thanks again! :)

Regards,
Angela

The Bad Things we always do in life.........

2008-12-11T11:14:00.006+08:00

Hi, you want to have a good health to serve God better? Must read below message...

Reasons for sleeping and waking up early.

Midnight from 11pm - 1am: is the detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3am: detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5am: detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.

Morning 5 - 7am: detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9am: absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10am rather than no meal at all.

Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4:00 am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood. Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.

The top five cancer-causing foods are:

1. Hot dogs

Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month.
If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.

2. Processed meats and bacon

Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart! disease .
The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.

3. Doughnuts

Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures.
Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.

4. French fries

Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures.
They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process.
They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .

5. Chips, crackers, and cookies

All are usually made with white flour and sugar.
Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS:

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level.
This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer diseas! e.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body.
Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.

2. Not urinating in the morning.

3. Too much eating.

4. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil.
As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil.
Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.

8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.
Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts.
Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits.
Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to the 'schedule.'

DO TAKE CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH ... SO THAT YOU CAN SERVE GOD BETTER AND LONGER.

-Rev Tan

2008-11-27T00:24:00.000+08:00

Who's David?

2008-11-05T19:23:00.006+08:00

Hi all,

Not sure if you've come across this recent piece of news about a new archaeological find that could reaffirm the historical accuracy of our bible. This story has been run in most major news sources on the 31st of October. Read on and enjoy!

Shawn

Israeli archaeologists unearth 'oldest ever Hebrew text'

By Matthew Kalman
31st October 2008

Astounding new evidence has been unearthed in Israel that could confirm the biblical story of King David.

Until now, almost nothing has been found that would prove the biblical account of a shepherd boy from the 10th century BC who slew the giant Goliath and went on to become the King of Israel who founded Jerusalem.

But today Hebrew University archaeology professor Yosef Garfinkel announced the discovery of a tiny, but potentially invaluable, piece of pottery at the site of the ruins of an ancient fortified city south-west of Jerusalem dated to the time of King David.

Yossi Garfinkel displays the ceramic shard bearing a Hebrew inscription that may be evidence supporting the biblical story of David and Goliath

Garfinkel said that it carried the earliest-known Hebrew inscription, some 850 years earlier than the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Scholars are still trying to decipher the full text of the inscription, but Garfinkel said they are excited at the prospect of a link to David because they have already translated the words for "king," "judge," and "slave" , which he said suggested it was some sort of official note from the time of his reign.

Until now, scholars have been unable to say whether King David was indeed the heroic, psalm-composing monarch depicted in the Bible or the local and unimportant leader of a small tribe.

Only one biblical-era inscription with the words "House of David" has ever been discovered, leading some scholars to question whether King David existed at all.

The pottery fragment was inscribed with five rows of text in black ink divided by black lines written in an early Hebrew-Canaanite script.

Archaeologists also found lamps, pottery jars and other items. Carbon-14 tests carried out at Oxford University dated them to the 10th century BC, the era according to the Old Testament of King David and his son Solomon, who built the Temple in Jerusalem.

The ruins of the Elah Valley fortress was discovered in 2003 near the modern Israeli city of Beit Shemesh in the Judean Hills, south-west of Jerusalem. The huge complex is spread over nearly six acres and surrounded by a 700-metre long city wall built with stones weighing up to eight tons each.

Detailed excavations began only earlier this year.

The fortress would have controlled the ancient trading route from Jerusalem to the coast and overlooks the plain where David engaged in his legendary mortal combat with Goliath, giant champion of the rival Philistines.

Goliath's home town of Gath was unearthed just a few miles away to the south.

"The chronology and geography of Elah Fortress create a unique meeting point between the history, historiography and origins of the early Davidic Kingdom," said Garfinkel.

"This is the oldest Judean city uncovered to date, and its very construction has unprecedented implications on our understanding of this era."

Garfinkel said the sophistication and size of the city suggested it was part of a strong, centrally-planned kingdom.

It has been a busy week for archaeologists searching for King David and his family. In Jerusalem, a researcher said she had found an ancient water drain mentioned in the Bible as the route used by David's forces to capture the city from the Jebusites.

In Jordan, scholars said they had uncovered an ancient copper excavation site that tests showed could be the legendary King Solomon's Mines.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1081850/Proof-David-slew-Goliath-Israeli-archaeologists-unearth-oldest-Hebrew-text.html

Origins of OT - Dr Bill Fung

2008-10-10T15:49:00.002+08:00

Dear All,

I believe that the previous message was a "POWER" one... in many ways... to many of us... Honestly, I am not able to do any notes for it cause it's really CHIM to me... But here is an email from Dr. Fung. He wanna to clarify a question that was asked then by... I forgot who... Anywayz, here it is... Pass it ON! :)

Hi Angela,

Greetings from Singapore Bible College!

Last time a brother asked a question during the "Canon of O.T." seminar. I like to supplement my answer a little bit more.

He asked where the Old Testament predicts about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with reference to Luke 24:45-48.
- NIV - Lk2445 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48 You are witnesses of these things.

My answer provided was that "what is written" need not refer to the OT, it could refer to the Gospel or written records of Jesus' teaching and ministry available when Luke wrote his Gospel around AD 60-70. The Gospel of Mark is considered to be the earliest Gospel written.

This is answering the question from the pespective of Luke. If one wants to answer the question from the perspective of Jesus, then "what is written" probably refers to the O.T. Where does the OT refers to the death and resurrection of the Messiah? We can cite Isaiah 53 concerning the suffering and exultation of the Messiah. One can also refers to Jonah inside the fish for three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17), which Jesus compared to his death and resurrection (Matt 12:40).

Hope this will clarify the question more. It would be nice if you could read this email to your fellowship group. Thank you!

Blessings!

Bill Fung

Coming this sunday (12OCT) will be another message by Dr. Michael Shen. :) Will see you guys then!

Cheers,
Angela

Myths and Realities of other Religions. How much do we know? - Speaker: Preacher Cai

2008-09-23T15:32:00.002+08:00

Dear all,

This message is not based on knowing the facts and all about other religions... rather, it is to understand how we can reach out to evangelise after knowing the big picture of religions... Also, Preacher Cai uses a lot of life testimonies to share we us with regards to this topic... So it's really hard for me to type out the stories... So, i will summarise as much as I can. I hope you get what i mean... hee~ pardon me. Thanks!

Here it goes:

Question - What is our perspective of religion? How do we live among them?
1. We need to always remember and believe that our God is the 1 and only way to salvation and with this perspective in mind, we need to let them know about Jesus/Gospel.

Next,

Statistics show that less than 5% of non-Christians received Christ through debating. Thus, to share God's words, it is better to do so through life testimonies. And the purpose of it all: To show the love of God in our lives so that people will come to know and accept Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour.

If we can answer questions, go ahead. But if we can use our lives to show, God can work wonders. God is our God and He has his time. We must do our part and hold on to Him, the God saves us.

Question - What causes other religions? Macro view.
1. Purpose of survival.
As we live, we see disasters etc. People who do not believe in Gods will know that there is a 'supernatural' being who is in control of such matters. Thus, people will pray to the 'one' for strength, for rain... so that they can move on and live.

2. Synergy.
People uses religion to bond people and make people come together and to work together in peace.

3. Self-actualisation.
In modern times, this is the most applicable to the rich and the famous. They have attain all things and yet, unable to fill the emptiness within them. In turn, they seek gods that can satisfy them.

Finally, how do we understand and help them?
1. Know that people has physical, mental and spiritual needs.
2. Know and believe the existence of Satan.
3. Know that God is the 3x omni God.

Most importantly, PRAY.
-Pray for a good life testimony.
-Pray for a good relationship and faith in God.
-Pray for the unbelievers.

Spiritual Attacks... Are We Ready? - Speaker: Yang Mushi

2008-09-23T14:53:00.002+08:00

Hello to all! :)

It's been awhile since I last came into this blog and was amazed by the sharing and songs postings etc...

Thank you all so much for keeping this alive and I hope that this blog has been useful and beneficial for all. Not only for the YAFers but also those who are not among us. (eg: YL - my dao sao)

Yup, do keep this going and as much as I've benefited from this blog, I pray that you all will also draw nearer to God or fellowship with one another via our blog.

To end, please read below for some notes taken by me from the previous msg by Yang Mushi. (Our YAF camp 2008 speaker!)

In Christ's Love,
Angela

Col 1:9-14
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[a] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption,[b] the forgiveness of sins.
Footnotes:
Colossians 1:12 Some manuscripts us
Colossians 1:14 A few late manuscripts redemption through his blood

In reality, all Christians will go through different situations and ultimately, try to live a life that pleases God. But how do we do that? Especially with all the things happening around us and attacking us spiritually... Like when we struggle with sins... making decisions... living day by day...

V9 tells us: To know His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

1. When do we seek Him and His will?
-Critical times? If so, this shows how close we are to God. Take for example a couple in relationship, one will know of the other's likings or dislikes through constant communication = a certain level of closeness. Like wise, if we want to know God's will, His plan for us... it is not during the difficult times when we pray and ask God to show us the way. Rather, through fellowship with God, one will know of God's way for him/her. We must desire to know His will and favour. Think again about the analogy of a relationship.

2. Do we please God? Things that we like... is it what God likes?
-Some basic questions to ask ourselves as we seek to build a relationship with God and in turn, know His will. (Spiritual wisdom and understanding)

3. Live a life worthy of God. (v10) Honor God's name.
-If you honor God, things that go bad will be OK eventually... However, if you are successful but dishonor God. It will be hard to turn back.

The Aftermath

2008-09-15T19:34:00.015+08:00

I haven't posted anything here for the longest time. Ok I'm saying this too often, not forgiving myself. (EMO)

Anyways. As the title suggests, this is the aftermath or should I say result of spending a good 3 nights with Stephen. It was incredible while it lasted, spending meaningful evenings indulging in God's truths. Now that it's over, there's just this sense of loss/misdirection (you know the sort of feeling you get when you return home from a YAF camp or a church retreat?). I wished the event could go on a little longer but alas I think God desires for us to be un-babied and to seek His wisdom with our diligence, not to mention action in evangelism.

I haven't posted here because:
1. The existence of this blog was in the annals of my cranium.
2. I hardly had time to digest God's truths as delivered by Stephen.
3. It was not until this came up -

I just had a satisfying lunch with my colleagues on a unusually cool and breezy Monday @ SG. Decided to go for some yoghurt at Frolick to satisfy my carnal 'sweet-tooth' desire and at the same time check out and observe (read eye-ball a.k.a bio) the seemingly successful marketing ploy of employing cute, nubile females to serve dessert. I love reading magazines, especially free ones (who doesn't?) so I picked up a copy of IS (which I had my 5secs of fame in one past issue) and the following knocked me out:

And this reminded me of 1 thing that Stephen said before the curtains came down last night...and boy, did it hurt. "新加坡会越来越堕落。”, he said with much gusto and conviction that it almost seemed like a certainty that would not be eventual but immediate.

But it's so absolutely true what he said. Well, it can be argued that it may be easier for him to admit to this fact then locally bred and born pastors but to declare the above to a 10,000-strong, ok maybe 5000, ok just 3000 Singaporeans (the rest were from panda-land); Surely the wisdom of God was with him.

That didn't quite hit me till after I read the above column while driving (yes traffic was THAT bad, where's the give-me-back-my-money-ERP-gantry!?!?!). I was pretty depressed that only 40+% of clergymen are willing to be hold their 'exclusivist stance' for Jesus. Adding to the fact that the magazine actually made 40+% seem like a large portion of the pie, secular mambo-jumbo nonsense.

I was immediately led to what was mentioned by TCR, about Singapore's highway to decadence. Will we be the ones to experience God's wrath? Or worse, will our children be the ones left who'd have to face the rod and staff of the Lord on their backs? I shuddered at these thoughts. Surely it mustn't be long before the inevitable happens, Sichuan, Aceh, and I quote Dave Mustaine (now devout christian metal songwriter) - Singapore is Next?

I guess in a society/country of flourishing firsts - First F1 night race, first silver in Olympics table tennis, best country to do business in, largest Ferris wheel in the world, largest casinos in Asia - I truly hope that Christians won't be the last to respond.

How should we live our lives? How should we react in the face of God's will/justice? What can our YAF do? I mean in practical actions, we all know talk is just cheap. I really don't have the answers right now.

I leave you with what Lee Chong Ming prayed in the last prayer of the rally, "复兴必须从我们自己开始."

Isaac

Test post for imeem

2008-07-28T18:16:00.003+08:00

wsms playlist #1

This is a test post to try embedding the imeem player on the blog. If this works, we can upload past sermon audio clips for streaming, as suggested by Shawn :)

There are 2 songs in this playlist, the first should be no stranger to us as it was last year's camp theme song, Take All of Me by Hillsong United.

The second is Learnin' in Dying by American pastor Dana Congdon who's based in New York. The song was recorded in 16 parts because he could never complete singing it at one go without breaking down. In it is a reference to his son's death, which broke his heart but not his spirit.

Enjoy and please feedback if you have any problems listening to the clips :)

Shortcuts

2008-07-28T18:10:00.003+08:00

Awesome!!
We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is
preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.

Whatever your cross,
whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine,
after the rain....
Perhaps you may stumble,
perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready,
to answer your call....
He knows every heartache,
sees every tear,
a word from His lips,
can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger,
throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish,
dawn's early light...
The Savior is waiting,
somewhere above,
to give you His grace,
and send you His love...

Rev Tan

You Are by Mark Roach

2008-07-14T01:28:00.006+08:00

You are holy, you are faithful
You are Savior, you are friend
You are all I’ll ever need, Lord, you are
You are every questions’ answer
You are every reason why
You are moving, you are still, Lord, you are

You are the Lord on high
You are the way, the truth, the life
You are the Word made flesh
You are the bright Morning Star; you are

You are Glory Hallelujah
You are hope of peace on earth
You are Alpha and Omega, you are
You are comfort, you are refuge
You are love personified
You are kindness and compassion, you are

You are the Lord on high
You are the way, the truth, the life
You are the Word made flesh
You are the bright Morning Star; you are

You are my God and my King
You are the words that I sing
You are the reason I make this offering
(Repeat twice)

You are the Lord on high
You are the way, the truth, the life
You are the Word made flesh
You are the bright Morning Star; you are

You are the words that I sing
You are
You are my God and my King
You are
You are
You are

3rd and final worship song introduced by Zack :) Me thinks you're a worthy contender of the Worship Leader of The Year title for your effort! :)

How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin

2008-07-13T23:36:00.008+08:00

The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Another great hymn of praise introduced by Zack :)

Forever by Hillsongs

2008-07-13T23:14:00.006+08:00

I'll Worship at Your Throne
Whisper my own love song
With all my heart I'll sing
For You my Dad and King

I'll live for all my days
To put a smile on Your face
And when we finally meet
It'll be for eternity

And oh how wide You open up Your arms
When I need Your love
And how far You would come
If ever I was lost
And You said that all You feel for me
Is undying love
That You showed me through the cross

I'll worship You my God
I'll worship You my God
I love You
I love You
Forever I will sing
Forever I will be with You
Be with You

Thanks Zack for introducing this new song to us.. It's abit (very, in fact) high and extremely falsetto-ey but I think we can master it right, guys? Lyrics are very meaningful.. I promise this song will be featured in future worships soon. ♥ wsm

June Program: Message. Topic: Consistency In Changes. By: Preacher Jonathan Yeo

2008-06-30T15:07:00.003+08:00

All things will change. Change should be for good. However, looking at the things around us, it is not so. Therefore, we must anchir ourselves, our change according to God's Words.

Luke 2: 41-52

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Learning Pointers:

1. v41-45
Jesus was anchored in spiritual values. He was in the 'temple courts' (v46) and 'father's house' (v49).
Where you are will determine your values. What do we value? Where do we go often?
As YAF, let's strive to do more spiritual activities together. (mission trips? night lessons? prayer meetings?)

2. v46
Jesus was asking questions and listening. This amazed the teachers of the law. We must anchor on God's Words. What are our conversations and discussions? Let's us consider and change for the better. As YAF, let us focus more on the bible and the content.

3. v48-50
Conviction. Are we truly convicted about what we are doing in church every Sunday? We must encourage others to become better. Jesus is convicted of why he is in his father's house.

4. v51-52
Balance between God's work and our responsibilities. We must learn to be good and obedient as well as a good servant of God. Jesus knows it's time ti go home. His ministry for God will come later in God's time.

In God's love,
Angela

Clumsy Apologetics

2008-06-11T11:06:00.006+08:00

I happened to come across this Newsweek article on a debate between popular pastor Rick Warren, and Sam Harris, an atheist scientist. The topic of course is on the existence of God. After reading the transcript of the debate, I realised how clumsy apologetics can do the credibility of the Christian faith a great disservice, as Rick Warren probably committed almost every no-no in the rulebook of logical argumentation.

Some classic “fouls” he carried out: Ad hominim (attacking the individual instead of the argument), poisoning the well (presenting negative information on a person before he speaks so as to discredit his arguments), appeal to the popular, red herring (introduction of a topic not related to the subject at hand), begging the question (assuming the thing you are trying to prove to be true), false dilemma (giving limited options when there could be more choices possible), straw man (producing an argument to counter an opponent who never said he adopted that stand) etc. Read for yourself to see if you can identify them:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17889148/site/newsweek/print/1/displaymode/1098/

To Rick Warren’s credit, he is most likely untrained in apologetics, and it was a mismatch from the outset to pit him against who I believe is a well-versed philosopher. Nothing Mr Warren said was biblically wrong or unsound, but that is exactly the danger. His profile as a world-famous Christian author and pastor would draw millions worldwide to this article in Newsweek, and raise the profile of atheism, which does not enjoy a good reputation. This would be great if a solid defense of Christianity can be offered to counter the fallacies of atheism. Unfortunately, while his intentions may be good, Rick Warren’s weak arguments came off badly, and atheists had a field day, reproducing this article in their websites and blogs as a victory for atheism.

I guess this article is a good example and case study of why we should not underestimate the importance of apologetics. Many times, when discussing our faith to non-believers, we may automatically adopt a Christian-centric viewpoint and fail to put ourselves in the shoes of the skeptic, who would probably be unimpressed by non-intellectual arguments and “fluffy” religious or emotional experiences. A case in point would be this exchange between Rick Warren and Sam Harris on prayer:

WARREN: Sam makes all kinds of assertions based on his presuppositions. I'm willing to admit my presuppositions: there are clues to God. I talk to God every day. He talks to me.

HARRIS: What does that actually mean?

WARREN: One of the great evidences of God is answered prayer. I have a friend, a Canadian friend, who has an immigration issue. He's an intern at this church, and so I said, "God, I need you to help me with this," as I went out for my evening walk. As I was walking I met a woman. She said, "I'm an immigration attorney; I'd be happy to take this case." Now, if that happened once in my life I'd say, "That is a coincidence." If it happened tens of thousands of times, that is not a coincidence.

.
.

(Can you imagine what a skeptic would be thinking at this point?)

.
.

HARRIS: …Let me respond to this notion of answered prayer, because this is a classic sampling error, to use a statistical phrase. We know that human beings have a terrible sense of probability. There are many things we believe that confirm our prejudices about the world, and we believe this only by noticing the confirmations, and not keeping track of the disconfirmations. You could prove to the satisfaction of every scientist that intercessory prayer works if you set up a simple experiment. Get a billion Christians to pray for a single amputee. Get them to pray that God regrow that missing limb. This happens to salamanders every day, presumably without prayer; this is within the capacity of God. I find it interesting that people of faith only tend to pray for conditions that are self-limiting.

I thought this was an excellent argument by Sam Harris, and as a sidenote, I felt he raised a very provoking point in his last statement. Do we only pray for things that are “self-limiting”, ie, only for something we believe is not too far-fetched for even God? Like, we might often pray for the recovery of cancer patients, but would we dare pray for the recovery of a person who lost his limb? Why or why not?

Food for thought!

Shawn

P.S. As some of you may know, I was never a fan of Rick Warren or his books, and thus may be slightly biased? :) But do take some time to read the debate and see if you agree with me.

Obedience is another word for love and loyalty

2008-06-04T17:52:00.002+08:00

Hi all,

Have any of you find it hard to listen to others and do what he/she says? Or sometimes anger makes you lose yourself?

If you truely love someone and cares, you will listen and obey what the person says?

I think that it is not easy to listen or obey. This is because of our sinful nature. Thus, in view of this, we often disobey God and His teachings.

For example, Moses. He stuck the rock and was not allowed in enter into promised land. And Jonah, he was given chance to obey God again in the stomach of the fish.

Disobedience can led to punishments and sometimes, God still gives grace to go through tough times.

However, do we want to go through such things? Or should we choose obedience to please God? What does it take for us to obey Him? Will we obey God because we love Him?

It's time to do some reflection on our lives as like what I had shared in YAF Singapiration. We obey because we love God and we want to please Him.

To end, I've attached some verses for all to ponder:

John 14:15-21
15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

In His Love,
Angela

Myanmar Mission Trip Report PART II

2008-05-21T16:12:00.002+08:00

Hi all,

Thank you for your keen interest in Myanmar Mission work and I hope that my sharing had allowed all of those who attended the sharing session, a deeper understanding of the work we did there as well as the needs and situation of Myanmar.

The next proposed Myanmar Mission trip will be in 2010. Probably in April. :) Thus, for those who have the burden to join us or you may just want to go and experience Myanmar Mission work, please pray about it and maybe we can all go together and serve God and the people there.

So lastly, I will like to post a final report/reflection of mine. This report is also submitted to Living Word Pte Ltd for record and publishing purpose. This is the raw report without editing. Pls pardon me if you do not understand. haha~ But I hope you do. CHEERS!~

Be Blessed,
Angela.

This is my second mission trip to Myanmar. I thank God that He had called me to do His work and allowed me to learn much more than I had given for this trip.

God had used this trip to teach me the full extend of the meaning of the following verse:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Using this short report, I’ll like to share my experiences with you.

Starting from the preparations, I was entrusted to do the bible verses games for the trip. I was excited and enthusiastic to do my best for it. However, due to the lack of manpower, I was to do all of it alone. At first, it was fine. Until when I need to produce many sets of the games and I began to panic. However, God had given me a group of lovely brothers and sisters in my fellowship that gave up their precious time to help me. He even guided me through my own preparations for the trip, which I though that I will have no time for! Unknowingly, He held my hand and guided me all the way.

At the start of the trip, God’s grace and power was shown. At the airport before we left for Myanmar, we brought a huge amount of things that causes the weight limit to exceed. If we decide to bring those items to Myanmar, the personnel said that we will need to pay quite a sum of money for exceeding the weight limit. However, after talking to the airport officer, we were allowed to carry everything without having to pay a single cent! How awesome! This would mean that we need not spend extra money and the people in Myanmar will be blessed with more things that we brought for them.

God was also gracious throughout the entire journey to Myanmar. Though it was rather frightening having to go through the custom officers, God brought the entire team to Myanmar safely with our entire luggage intact.

The 4-days lessons for the Vocational Bible School (VBS) each represent a number in the entire theme, which is 6729. 6 days of creation, 7 sins that God dislike, 2 kinds of foundations and 9 fruits of the spirit. One difficulty we faced was to link the story to the bible concept that was to be taught. It is even more challenging when we need to relate these lessons to the children and make sure that they understand them. Thus, I thank God for giving me good team members and a great partner to work together in this. She had wonderful experiences and taught me a lot during the trip. It is important to think fast, react to the situation quickly and stay focus. I am glad that we worked in pairs and when I was teaching alone in Lashio, I was much more ready and confident to lead the class.

My toughest time was in Lashio. It’s not only that I was suffering from constipation and thus, I cannot really eat. The weather was bad. The air is so dusty that I cannot breathe properly. My throat was dry and my nose was blocked! However, this period of time had also showed me how God guided me through. In my weaknesses, His power was magnified. Thinking back, I really don’t know how I managed to live though it. This is God’s grace, mercy and providence for me. He assured and showed me that He will not allow harm on people whom He loves and will protect those who love and serve Him.

It is also a different feeling to experience short blackouts every night and not knowing when we will have electricity. No comfort of hot water to shower after days of hard work and to use a torch during meetings or doing our activities is interesting. However, people in Myanmar will have to live like this everyday! It is pretty admirable.

Many of the team members fell sick during this trip and God answers our prayers to preserve us and kept us well to finish the tasks He had entrusted for us to do.

One observation I had during the trip was that the children in Myanmar can sit through and listen to sermons attentively. I am amazed by their patience and their thirst to learn and know God’s words. This is something that we can learn from.

Due to their great need for outside resources, they tried to ask us to be involved in every gathering that they have. Thus, we prepared ourselves to help them as much as we can. During one of the gatherings, I was shocked to see that their youth fellowship consists of everyone aged 10 – 80. With our materials, we led the youths from age 14 – 25 while the rest was in-charged by the co-workers from Myanmar. God really guides in ways we do not see!

After spending 1 week with the children at Lashio, we left with a heavy heart. This is because the children bid us farewell with tears. All the people including the preachers asked us to return again soon. They are eager for our help and the resources we can provide for them. Personally, I want to go back again. Seeing and knowing their needs and that many have still yet to receive Christ, all my struggles and discomfort just went away. I just want to go back again. To show God’s love and to do my best.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33

With this in mind, I pray for more guidance in the year ahead to prepare myself even more. Especially being a young adult, there may be changes in career and commitments. Thus, I continue to seek God and ask that He guide me and show me where He wants me to go and do in the coming years. May I continue to grow in His word and to always be prepared to give a testimony for Him at all times.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect – 1 Peter 3:15

Marriage - When are we ready? Speaker: Rev Freddy Tan a.k.a Chen Mushi

2008-05-21T15:56:00.002+08:00

How Do We Prepare for it?

Here are the summarised pointers:

Please read 1 Cor 7

1. Purpose of Dating --> Marriage.

Do not have the mentality that Marriage is the end of Love and Relationship.

2. Choose the Right Partner.

Must sure that it is the opposite gender
The couple must love each other
Both must be mature mentally, physically and spiritually

3. Prepare and Know your Marriage and family.

Both must plan on what to do in the future. Not just the wedding day preparation only. For example: who to wash clothes or when to do QT together?

4. Must know each other's character, behaviour, views etc.

By doing this, it helps the couple to know each other better and to face different issues together before getting married.

5. Both must have financial stability

We cannot have love and no BREAD, :)

6. Approval from parents is essential

Share with parents your decisions for the wedding preparation and the future
Parents can help in future peacemaking (when needed)

7. Correct Mentality of Sec

As Christians, we know and must hold fast to God's command. No premarital sex.

8. Marriage Counselling is a MUST.

Pastors will help the couple to prepare for future.

Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens

2008-05-14T21:32:00.002+08:00

VATICAN CITY - Believing that the universe may contain alien life does not contradict a faith in God, the Vatican's chief astronomer said in an interview published Tuesday.

The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, was quoted as saying the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones.

"How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere?" Funes said. "Just as we consider earthly creatures as 'a brother,' and 'sister,' why should we not talk about an 'extraterrestrial brother'? It would still be part of creation."

In the interview by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Funes said that such a notion "doesn't contradict our faith" because aliens would still be God's creatures. Ruling out the existence of aliens would be like "putting limits" on God's creative freedom, he said.
The interview, headlined "The extraterrestrial is my brother," covered a variety of topics including the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and science, and the theological implications of the existence of alien life.

Funes said science, especially astronomy, does not contradict religion, touching on a theme of Pope Benedict XVI, who has made exploring the relationship between faith and reason a key aspect of his papacy.

The Bible "is not a science book," Funes said, adding that he believes the Big Bang theory is the most "reasonable" explanation for the creation of the universe. The theory says the universe began billions of years ago in the explosion of a single, super-dense point that contained all matter.

But he said he continues to believe that "God is the creator of the universe and that we are not the result of chance."

Funes urged the church and the scientific community to leave behind divisions caused by Galileo's persecution 400 years ago, saying the incident has "caused wounds."

In 1633 the astronomer was tried as a heretic and forced to recant his theory that the Earth revolved around the sun. Church teaching at the time placed Earth at the center of the universe.
"The church has somehow recognized its mistakes," he said. "Maybe it could have done it better, but now it's time to heal those wounds and this can be done through calm dialogue and collaboration."

Pope John Paul declared in 1992 that the ruling against Galileo was an error resulting from "tragic mutual incomprehension."

The Vatican Observatory has been at the forefront of efforts to bridge the gap between religion and science. Its scientist-clerics have generated top-notch research and its meteorite collection is considered one of the world's best.

The observatory, founded by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, is based in Castel Gandolfo, a lakeside town in the hills outside Rome where the pope has a summer residence. It also conducts research at an observatory at the University of Arizona, in Tucson.

The Weight of Glory

2008-05-14T05:19:00.002+08:00

Dear All,

I would like to recommend reading a sermon which was preached back in 1942 by CS Lewis. I guess the name CS Lewis might be familiar, because he is the author of the Chronicles of Narnia. But he also wrote many excellent books like Mere Christianity, Screwtape letters and The Problem of Pain.

I came across the sermon by chance, while browsing through his books. After reading it, I thought it touched on many spiritual and biblical truths which we may so often forget.

Let me just quote a paragraph from the sermon:

"It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and
goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to
may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted
to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all,
only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one
or other of these destinations. "

Its a sober reminder for me to treat the people around me with more love and respect.

This sermon has been recorded down in a book called The Weight of Glory. It can be downloaded as a PDF file at the following link.

Yun Zhi

Sovereign God

2008-05-05T15:04:00.003+08:00

Dear brothers and sisters,

pertaining to my worship last week, I hope it was alright. As you all know I have just changed my job, working as a salesperson now. The current one is very different from my pervious job.
The scope is very different, the values are different and the rewards are different. Many times I did question myself did I make the right move. Thoughts that run thur my head were like: "Can working as a SP-Ed teacher support my future?", "Does more money means more happiness and security?", "Does my desire for money & security means I trust God less?"

In the end, with much tot but without much prayer I made the move... guilty!

Doing what I do now, I find it difficult to communicate with God. I find myself telling him things and requesting from Him things that do not seem to be in His plan.
But nonetheless I experience His sovereignty from time to time. There was this morning, I prayed that my clients will not give me any billing problems. And LO! A client called soon after to say he wants to pay in full! (means more money for me)
I was thrilled. However that very afternoon the client called in to say he made a mistake. (means no money) It's like HE answered my prayer yet got His own plans.
I'm beginning to be stressed and stretched by such(money) matters.
But there are matters that I disciplined myself to be happy about:
My mana:
1. Starting the day with the right prayer
2. Meeting Shawn for lunch
3. Seeing Angela at the end of the day
4. Meeting my bro RAY! and the gang (you know who you are!)

I think it's save to say, I know that it's not easy but do remember our hopes and Godly values as we strive to survive too ya?

Ken

Message By Zhang Mushi On 20th April 2008 - Our Identity as Christians

2008-04-23T10:57:00.002+08:00

I am back with some notes from our YAF messages. :)

Here it is:

Introduction - Our Faith has always been challenged by the world. Inprovement in teachnology has given us knowledge in many ways. However, it is also an avenue for us to sin. Has being Christians become the latest trend? How can we preserve our Identity as Christian? We are more that just 'little Christ'. WE ARE...

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1. Chosen One.
We are His Chosen Ones. Precious is this entitlement! Application: Hang on to Jesus.

2. Priest.
We represent for men in prayers to God. We are ambassadors for God to men! Application: Pray! Spread God's Words!

3. Holy Nation.
We are made Holy through Jesus. It is only right to be holy. Application: Stay away from sins. Puusue Holiness.

4. People belonging to God.
Application: Praise Him and Thirst for God's word.

Conclusion, thru the pts mentioned above, we can have a fruitful and purposeful life. To really live our lives as a Christian.

Myanmar 2008 Summary Report

2008-04-18T11:18:00.004+08:00

Dear All,

It's been awhile since I last left you guys some message notes from our YAF programs. I hope all are doing well and this blog had allowed all of us to grow closer to God and His children in one way or another. :)

I've just came back from the Myanmar Mission Trip. This trip was dated from 23 March till 6 April.
Hereby, I want to say 'THANK YOU' to you guys for your love offering as well as prayer support. I look forward to sharing with you guys about the trip. This trip had been a success and a life changing experience for me. God is so REAL, so FAITHFUL and ALL that one can ever need. :)

I thought that I should post the following short summary report for those who are not able to join us for the YAF Mission Trip Sharing Session. I hope that with this short summary report, you guys will continue to pray for the work of the Myanmar team as well as the work done in Myanmar by the locals there. As you know, some places are highly sensitive and gospel has yet to reach them. :)

Well, here it goes...

1. Chen Mushi's Individual Work at Lashio
His work includes Training, conducting felloships for youths and adults as well as prayer meeting and visiting of gospel places. Date: 25 and 26 March. Total Pariticipants: 220 +/-.

2. Myanmar Mission Team (11 of us)
1st stop at Pin Wu Lun. Vocational Bible Camp. Venue: Church compound. Date: 24/3 - 27/3. Total participants: 95 +/- youths and childrens, aged between 5 - 20. These children came from 7 different churches in different parts of Myanmar. Response after call to accept Christ: 72 Christians, 19 Accepted Christ, 1 Yet to accept.

Thereafter, the team gathered together with Chen Mushi and spilt up into 2 teams to go 2 different areas for service. 1 Team of 7 to Lashio, another Team of 5 to DongZhi. I am in the Lashio team. :)

3. Work at Lashio
A. Vocational Bible School. Date: 31/3 - 3/4. Venue: School. Total participants: 178 +/-. Response to the call: 65 Christians, 20 Accepted Christ, 69 Yet to accept. We felt a great need and burden to this area of Myanmar. Thus, during our final closing cum evaluation meeting, we pray that we can go to Lashio again in 2009, October.
B. Youth Fellowship. Date: 1/4 - 2/4. Venue: Gospel House. Total participants: 30+/- youths. Topic: Love and Relationships.
C. Sunday School. Date: 30/3. Venue: Gospel House. Total participants: 65 children.
D. Sunday Service/Worship. Date: 30/3. Venue: Gospel House. Total participants: 100+/-.
E. Visiting of Gospel places. Date: 29/3.

4. Work at DongZhi.
I was in the Lashio team. Thus, I can only look at our report to give you all a rough information about the Vocational Bible School there.
A. Vocational Bible School. Date: 31/3 - 3/4. Total participants: 148+/- children aged between 5 - 20. Response to calling: 88 Christians, 27 Accepted Christ, 15 Yet to accept.
B. Workshop on Puppet Making. Date: 1/4 - 3/4. Total participants: 10+/-.
C. Sunday Service/Worship. Date: 30/3. Total participants: 100+/-.
D. Memorial Wake Service, Visitation.

That's about all for now. :) Take care and be blessed!

In His Love,
Angela Tan

p/s: the picture show the entire Team Myanmar 2008. consists on 12 of us. Jacintha is taking the pic... and the rest of us... our first day and first meal in Yangon. The capital of Myanmar. :) It kinda feels like J.B. hee~ hee~

How "far" is Eternity? (永远究竟有多远？）

2008-04-07T07:55:00.000+08:00

Many years ago, while chatting in chinese with a couple of friends over lunch, one of them said, “Let me give you a contact number which you can reach me forever”. I exclaimed, “Forever?” In response, she asked, “How far is forever?” At that time, I had no answer to the question. However, it was always on my mind, though I pondered over it for a long time to no avail.

Two years ago, I joined the touch rugby team of Sheares Hall in my university. Our captain would encourage and motivate us from time to time during and off training. When the annual Inter-hall games were approaching, he put up some posters along the corridors. One of them had this quote:

“Live for the moment, and the moment will last forever!”

I thought this phrase was very catchy and meaningful. I remembered it long after the games. One day, while trying to explain the concept of “Eternal Life” to a friend, it suddenly dawned upon me that my captain had unknowingly found the key to the answer.

Many people had misconceptions about the idea of “Eternal Life”. They thought that because they would never die, life would become drag. However, that is not the case.

What exactly is Eternal Life then?

Before I explain this central theme, I implore the reader to first adopt an open mind and exercise a healthy amount of imagination, for it is not something that can be easily grasped.

Eternal Life is not a “never-ending” life, in which a person continue to live his life year after year, millenniums after millenniums. That, would be pretty scary.
Rather, eternity is a point when time “stops” or “ceases”, and from that moment onwards, the concept of present and future no longer apply, because we will always be in the “present”. Recall the phrase “the moment will last forever”.

As such, Eternal Life is actually a life that endures, because the moment where we are will always be there. There is no longer any passage of time, because we have transcend the dimension of time. One thousand years would feel like one day, the same way that we have no notion of time when we are sleeping. We will simply live on forever.

To give an example, in Revelation 21:4 (He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away) This means that our heart would be filled with gladness and joy. And we will always be filled with gladness and joy because the moment will never pass away.

多年前的某一天，当我在跟朋友吃饭时，其中一位突然说到，“让我给你一个永远都联络得到我的电话号码”。我就开玩笑地说，“永远？？”。这时，她就问到“永远究竟有多远？”。虽然当时我无法回答，但这个问题并没有在我脑海中消失。之后，我反复的思考，但还是毫无头绪。

两年前，我在大学参加了我宿舍的曲棍球队。队长时常会鼓励和激励我们。当一年一度的比赛接近时，他在走廊上贴了几个海报，而其中一张写了以下的话：

Live for the moment, and the moment will last forever!

翻译成华语，大概是“为着这一刻而活，这一刻将长达永远”。我觉得这句话挺有意思的，说起来也很顺口。比赛很快就过去了，但我并没有忘记这句话。有一天，当我想向一个朋友解释“永生”的定义时，我突然明白了。原来我的队长在无心的情况下找到了问题的答案。

很多人对“永生”有误解。他们认为“永生”很漫长，因为没有尽头。而且要一直活着，不会死，所以很痛苦。但“永生”并不是这样。

那 ”永生” 究竟是什么意思呢？

在我们思想这一个中心点前，我希望读者可以抱着一个开放的心态，并利用一些想像力，因为“永生”不是一件容易掌握的道理。

“永生”不是永不结束的生命。如果人要活几千几万年，那是挺可怕的。相反的，永恒是从时间 “停止”或 “不再流失”的那一瞬间开始。从那一刻起，“现在”和“未来”不再有任何意义，因为我们就一直处在“现在”。所以，
“这一刻将长达永远”。

因此，“永生”是永垂不朽的生命，因为时间不在流失。换句话说，我们已经跨越了时间的界限。一千年感觉就象一年，如同我们睡觉时，不会感觉时间的流失。我们就一直活下去。

启示录21：4 提到“神要擦去他们一切的眼泪。不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀，哭号，疼痛，因为以前的事都过去了。” 这意味着我们的心会充满喜乐，而这喜乐将永远伴随着我们。

Easter FEP!

2008-03-13T08:53:00.002+08:00

An Abundant Life

2008-03-02T22:07:00.001+08:00

A little boy who lived far out in the country in the late 1800s had reached the age of twelve and had never in all his life seen a circus. You can imagine his excitement, when one day a poster went up at school announcing that on the next Saturday a traveling circus was coming to the nearby town.
He ran home with the glad news and the question, "Daddy, can I go?" Although the family was poor, the father sensed how important this was to the lad. "If you do your Saturday chores ahead of time," he said, "I'll see to it that you have the money to go."'

Come Saturday morning, the chores were done and the little boy stood by the breakfast table, dressed in his Sunday best. His father reached down into the pocket of his overalls and pulled out a dollar bill-the most money the little boy had possessed at one time in all his life. The father cautioned him to be careful and then sent him on his way to town.

The boy was so excited, his feet hardly seemed to touch the ground all the way. As he neared the outskirts of the village, he noticed people lining the streets, and he worked his way through the crowd until he could see what was happening. Lo and behold, it was the approaching spectacle of a circus parade! The parade was the grandest thing this lad had ever seen. Caged animals snarled as they passed, bands beat their rhythms and sounded shining horns, midgets performed acrobatics while flags and ribbons swirled overhead. Finally, after everything had passed where he was standing, the traditional circus clown, with floppy shoes, baggy pants, and a brightly painted face, brought up the rear. As the clown passed by, the little boy reached into his pocket and took out that precious dollar bill. Handing the money to the clown, the boy turned around and went home. What had happened? The boy thought he had seen the circus when he had only seen the parade!

YC: Do we miss out what God actually has in mind for us? This little boy reminds me that sometimes we are just like him. We saw the caged aninals, bands etc (that's like the good things that this world can offer us) and we missed out on the REAL thing.

Don't Waste Your Cancer II

2008-02-15T20:55:00.002+08:00

Hi, I dunno why I don't see the URL but here it is again.

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2006/1776_Dont_Waste_Your_Cancer/

and I forgot to sign off...

Grace :)

Don't Waste Your Cancer

2008-02-15T19:27:00.005+08:00

Hi all,

in view of the worship session I am to lead, I have prepared something here for you guys, something that I will be sharing this Sunday. I will inform you of this post after my worship for the benefit of those who have not read this come Sunday.

If you find this familiar, you're probably a fellow student of mine in Preacher Jon's Sunday School class. When Preacher Jon first mentioned the title of the article he wished to share with us, it intrigued me... Don't waste your cancer? I had to read what Pastor John Piper, diagnosed with prostate cancer, had to say.

(The URL attached to this post includes supplements by David Powlison, a fellow believer with similar disgnosis.)

If you are looking for something meaningful, something with a rather fresh perspective to boost your faith, I recommend this read. It's all too easy to start playing the blame game when things start to go in opposite directions from what you want. But this article will make you feel ashamed blaming God if you have ever, and make you think twice before blaming God in future.

Before I met this lady, this lady that I don't even know the name of, this article didn't do more than encourage me in the faith. On one of the days of the second week I was working at Takashimaya, she came in. At first, I didn't really notice her, just another customer. But she captured my attention when I overheard her say to my boss, "Must really thank God for His grace then."

I had to ask my boss about their conversation. She told me what I didn't expect to hear. Over the cubic zirconia (look like diamonds) jewellery, she said to my boss, "I gave all my real ones away, because I don't know how long more I am going to live." Stunned, instantly. I was stunned. Just like how my boss was when she first heard it. It's a statement you simply do not know how to react and respond to at all. I felt sadness, sympathy and guilt all at the same time.

My boss quickly said to her, "Oh, but you look so healthy", and her response - "must really thank God for His grace then." God rightaway reminded me of this very article I share with you. Almost immediately, tears started to well in my eyes. I sobbed and sobbed in a corner, and I'm not sure why. But I think God was telling me something. He was showing me before my eyes, a living and breathing example of His love, grace, mercy and providence; so this was what Pastor John Piper meant.

What a change from all the well-dressed ladies with their Chanels, LVs and Pradas. I think I will forever remember this lady in her pigtails and hat, and what Pastor John Piper has written. That there are people out there who praise God and love Him even deeper in spite of being struck with terminal illnesses and adversities in their lives puts me to shame. It makes my worries, thoughts and behaviour seem so superficial. These are the people that shine for God; these are the people that make a difference in the lives of others and these are the people that make others turn to God. I hope all this changes and improves my life henceforth.

Please read the article; it's not a difficult read and contains much wisdom. We may not be able to understand them because we are still healthy and young, untouched by terminal sicknesses, but the essence of this applies even to worries, troubles and all sorts of problems we face in our lives. I really pray that God will move you as He has touched me.

Let us strive to love God more each day, to love others and to love ourselves too. Let us be walking glorifying testimonies for God. Thank Him for the innumerable blessings He has flooded our lives with, not necessarily the way we see it, but that which our Lord does, for He knows best.

So i'd like to end my grandmother story with something Pastor John Piper said, "God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him". Amen.

YAF CNY Visitation Photos

2008-02-14T22:41:00.005+08:00

Hi all,

You can view our visitation pics by clicking on the image below. Thanks to Jerry & Mum, and Kok Wei/Kareen for hosting:)

Duty

2008-02-05T16:15:00.000+08:00

Remember those flash animations from Korean site Donghaeng? Watched this one many times before but it's still so touching, no matter how many times I watch it.

Visit http://donghaeng.net/english/main.htm for more flash animations, such as Cross and Cross2 :) Dong Haeng means 同行, aka Walking With Him.

They have a Chinese site too:
http://donghaeng.net/china/main.htm

Love,
Min

A Letter From Hell

2008-01-31T03:23:00.001+08:00

What if a close friend, a non-believer, died without knowing the Lord? Would he blame us for not telling him about Jesus? This video is about a Letter from Hell, addressed to the writer's Christian friend who failed to tell him about Jesus.

This video sent some chills down my back... I personally feel fear tactics are not the best methods for bringing people to Christ cos many get scared away.. but this is a reminder to grab all opportunities to witness to our friends and loved ones.

Here are some links on how to become a Christian, in case you're keen to reach out to those around you.

The Four Spiritual Laws
http://www.godlovestheworld.com

The Gospel
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/how_to_be_saved.html

Ye Must Be Born Again!
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Basics/ye_must_be_born_again.htm
Become A Christian
http://www.allaboutgod.com/become-a-christian.htm

How To Be Saved
http://www.howtobesaved.co.uk/theway.php

God's Simple Plan Of Salvation
http://www.godssimpleplan.org/gsps-english.html

How To Go To Heaven
http://www.howtogotoheaven.org

Comics Based on the Book of Proverbs

2008-01-28T04:14:00.000+08:00

Dear all,

These are cute.. Have fun in the study and teaching of Proverbs! :)

Love,
Min

Proverbs 6:6
Go to the ant, O sluggard;
Observe her ways and be wise!

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Proverbs 20:6
Many a man claims to have unfailing love,
but a faithful man who can find?

Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly.

Proverbs 27:15
A quarrelsome wife is like
a constant dripping on a rainy day.

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked man flees though no one pursues,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Source: www.reverendfun.com

家里的话 by Rev. Tan - 20 Jan 2008

2008-01-23T13:27:00.000+08:00

Dear All,

yes, I am back to provide you guys with short notes on our messages during YAF program. I pray that it will help those who came of the messages as well as those who did not.

Here it goes:

Amos 8:11 - "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD,
"when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.

People in the past do not listen and do God's words. That led them to destruction. Similarly, we must not only hear God's word but also to do God's word. ACTION!

ANALOGY OF BIG HEAD BABY - The head is getting bigger and bigger until the body cannot support and one day, the baby died. (knowledge a lot but body cannot handle - spiritual problems)

James 1: 19-25 (How to listen and to do the deed?)
Listening and Doing
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

Listen - v19-21
1. know or do not know, one must continue to listen with humility and without citeria. with regards to sermons, messages, bible study etc. (are we able to understand and ACTION on it? humility and without criteria. Do not think highly of yourself.)
2. listen for own self and benefit. Not for others. Like eating, you do not eat for others. listen quick - hunger and thirsty for truth. speak slowly - to judge and commend on what you heard. Do not kill the spirit's move.
3. Sins prevents us from listening. Listening can save our souls.

Do the deed - v22-25
1. if cannot do the deed, always find excuse to cover up. this is deceiving yourself and criticising others.
2. do not do the deed, you do not know yourself.
3. be willing to let God change you!
4. How? Make records. (write, record etc.)
5. Do God's work and be blessed! - 3 of the many blessings stated: Matt 5:19, Luke 11:27-28, John 15:14

Have a blessed week ahead!
Angela

A Malay Christian’s testimony

2008-01-15T02:43:00.000+08:00

Hi all brothers and sisters,

Here's an encouraging testimony from a fellow Singaporean Christian who is Malay.

Thank you Jesus for coming into my life… a Malay Christian’s testimony
Published by Emmanuel-Reza on November 2nd, 2006

I just would like to let Singapore know that there is hope for Malays in Singapore to embrace Christ. I Am one of them! Hallelujah! Praise Jesus! Praise God Almighty! Now i can proudly say that i am a Malay Christian! Gloriously saved in year 2003. Yes, I was born a muslim. Yes, i was born and raised in Singapore. Typically my father tried his best to make his 3 sons understand islam and of course to embrace the basic tenets of the religion…

As a teenager i tried my best to know what islam was about. I deeply believed that there is a God. But somehow this god felt very distant and the feeling of constant judgement is always there… I hardly felt loved…

And so my search began… I embarked on a journey that led me to the Light of Christ.

I was 20 at that point of time. Almost 10 years later, i have come into His Presence. My meanderings into all the other world religions gave me a very broad view of what other faith systems are about. Some aren’t even faith, just merely a way of life, some are rules and laws stacked like jenga blocks waiting to crumble. Others, even, like mystery, occultic belief systems delved very much deeply into self deliverance, being freed into the ALL somewhat. All these seemed very attractive at some point of time but it never did answer the very basis of SALVATION.

Corrupt as we are, man’s ego has taken precedence over who we naturally are. Sin Nature in our flesh is somewhat programmed into our flesh after the fall of Adam. Saintly as we want to be, none of us can come close to the perfection of Christ. But Christ came for us as He is God with us (Emmanuel). How is it possible for man, a fleshly being be able to save himself? Many believe in a spirit; and this spirit is pure, unadulterated love, pure being, pure energy. They believe all mankind have this spirit in them. Now as a Christian i know that this spirit is inaccessible to us until we have the Holy Spirit in us through Christ Jesus after He was crucified on the cross. Only with our salvation and redemption through Christ then can we have this Spirit, this Holy Spirit of God. Other than that it will be the shadow of the truth, the deceiver will use his deceptive spirit and enter into your life. Any form of spiritual entity will give you some form of power or energy, even feelings of bliss and happiness. But all these are temporal, for they are not from the Truth. I am obviously speaking from experience. Delving in forms of meditation, qi exercises, no doubt certainly some have health benefits attached to it but at what risk? We always have to use Christ as our filter and source for the Truth. If not, trouble may brew as the deceiver comes into our mind and body from these seemingly harmless exercises.

I appeal to any of my brothers and sisters out there, if you feel, and deep inside, you know that your are lost… Look for your Shepherd.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:14-16

I firmly believe in the Word of God. And John 10:16 speaks volumes of His kind mercy and grace. It will only be a matter of time when more of us will come out saying ,”I am born again in Christ!” How glorious will that day be when i can share this pride and gift with sheep from my own fold!

Hallelujah, Praise God… Thank you Jesus… Oh, how so You have loved me…

Yeshua… YHWH is my Salvation.

PS: Hi everybody, i have another blog site at 1flock1shepherd.blogspot.com
I’ll be on that one more regularly. I have a couple more interesting stuff there! Do take a look please and leave your comments there.

HIS Blessings’ Upon Us Always,
Emmanuel
___________________________________________________________________
Yes! There are Malay Christians in Singapore! Let us not give up praying for our Malay and Muslim friends.

If you go to the link to this original blog entry here, there are a few more Malay Christians who left comments.

Brother Reza has another blog and conversion account here.

Have a blessed week ahead and remember, nothing is impossible for God! We can't give up on those people around us whom we think will 'never be saved'. Only God has the authority to say that!

Love,
Min

What sort of New Year Resolutions should a Christian make?

2008-01-08T01:56:00.000+08:00

Came across this article.. Read on if you're the type who makes New Year Resolutions :)

"What sort of New Year’s Resolution should a Christian make?"

There is just something about the start of a New Year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. In reality, there is no difference between December 31st and January 1st. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31st. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of a New Year’s Resolution. However, if a Christian determines to make a New Year’s Resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she make?

Common New Year’s Resolutions are: to quit smoking, to quit drinking, to manage money better, and spend more time with family. By far the most common New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating healthier. These are all good goals to set. However, 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” The vast majority of New Year’s Resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. This should not be.

Many Christians make New Year’s Resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, to attend church more regularly, etc., etc. These are fantastic goals! However, these New Year’s Resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions. Why? Because there is no power in a New Year’s Resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself?

Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” John 15:5 declares, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” If God is the center of your New Year’s Resolution, it has chance for success – depending on your commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God’s Word – we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution.

So, what sort of New Year’s Resolution should a Christian make? I cannot answer that question for you. My advice to you is this:

(1) Pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make;

(2) Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you;

(3) Rely on God’s strength to help you;

(4) Find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you;

(5) Don’t become discouraged with occasional failures, instead allow them to motivate you further;

(6) Don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6, “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”

Hope you've some idea now as to what kinda New Year Resolutions to make, and I hope we will keep our promises to God... :)

Love,
Min

We Are God's Stewards

2007-12-17T14:19:00.000+08:00

Dear all,

This is the last sermon notes that I am going to post for this year. I hope that you guys have all benefitted from this year's messages. :) Remember our theme: Making right choices and reaching out? These messages are arranged to help us to make right choices and to reach out for God. It's easy for us to know of all the truths but to do them, it's not that easy.

Well, I pray for myself and for all of you that we can be both hearers and doers of God's words. We'll still be working on this theme next year. So, prepare your hearts to live, work, serve and strive for God and your people around you in the year ahead.

Merry Christmas and a blessed new year ahead!

Emmanuel,
Angela

Message - We Are God's Stewards Speaker - Dr. Bernard Low

Reading: Luke 16:1-15

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

1Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'
3"The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg— 4I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'
5"So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
6" 'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied. "The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.'
7"Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?' " 'A thousand bushels[b] of wheat,' he replied. "He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.'
8"The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
10"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?
13"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.

Parable explained:
1. Manager is wasting owner's money and he used the money on himself.
2. Manager was commended for shrewdness instead of dishonesty.
Application - Christians are to be shrewd in terms of eternal benefits instead. Note that non-christians are into temporary benefits.

1 tim 6:9-10 - 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
LOVE of money is the root of evil. But money is not evil. Note that money can control one to be in love with it.

Principles explained:
1. If we invest money, we must invest it in people whom we'll see in heaven. (v9). one day, our money will be gone and thus, use it wisely. e.g: evangelism, missions.
2. We are only managers, not owners of God's money. (v12). everthing is God's. Not 10%; it's 100%.
Consider this:
owner's point of view - how much money can i afford to spend on myself?
manager's point of view - how much money do i dare to spend on myself?

Question: when we are handling God's money, how much can God trust us?

3. We must choose serving God as highest priority. (v13).
consider the following:
1. do you think and owrry about money?
2. do you give up something for money?
3. do you find it hard to give money away?
4. are you indebt?
God will hold account of how you spend money.
Money is an excellent servant but a terrible master.

Conclusion, all of the above may call of a change in your lifestyle. This starts from the change of mindset, the change of priority and change of behaviour.

Making Life Choices With Jesus

2007-12-17T14:05:00.001+08:00

Dear All,

Once again, this is another short note on a message we had in YAF. This message was conducted in a more discussion cum workshop kinda style. We all had our life questions written down and given to the speaker, Dr. Michael Shen. Afterwards, he answered our questions breaking down into the following groups: 1. Career, 2. Relationship, 3. Finance. So I'll just break down some of the pointers he left with us that day to help us to make godly choices.

Luv,
Angela

Message: Making Life Choices With Jesus. Speaker: Dr. Michael Shen

Authority to make decision
1. Bible - parents, pastors, friends.
2. Reasoning
3. Experience
4. Tradition (way things are done)

Be contented with the things you have now. Do not take things for granted.
1 Cor 7:17-24 - Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.

Truth must comes first, then followed by the rest. (Rightouesness, peace, joy)
Romans 14:17 - For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

三言两语 San Yan Liang Yu - Being a wholly person in speech

2007-12-17T12:35:00.000+08:00

Hi all,

This coming short notes is from our YAF message. For those who came, we are given a 3 page notes written in 'olden' Chinese characters... I have trouble reading every word. Thus, I'll try my best to translate as much as I can.

Thank you,
Angela

Message - 三言两语 San Yan Liang Yu

1st Yan - Words of Grace

Gen 45:5 - And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.
Luke 23:34 - Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

2nd Yan - Pleasant words

Proverbs 25:11 - A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 16:21 - The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.
Eph 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

3rd Yan - Truthful words

Eph 4:15 - Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Proverbs 27:5-6 - Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
Proverbs 9:8 - Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

1st Yu - paralanguage and body language - follow the example of Jesus in the 4 gospels. Matthew 3 and 15, Mark 10, John 11, 13, Luke 22.

2nd Yu - using of appropriate grammar (adjectives) and to practice it.

In conclusion, we have a sinful nature that led us into sinning in speech. Thus, we need salvation. Our speech needs to be right as well so that we can use it as an instrument for God. At the same time, we need to practice and let the speech of LOVE be a part of our lives so as to glorify God and benefit people.

Have we reached out to others via mission work?

2007-12-17T11:27:00.000+08:00

Dear all,

it's been awhile since I last posted... and now I am back! :) With lots of things to post!! *yes* This is because I've been bz and keep putting it off. *apologies*
Well, basically, I'll be posting all the short notes of our past few months messages we heard in YAF. I pray that it will be a great reminder for those who had heard them already as well as for those who are not with us. :)

Thank you all for taking time to post and to read the blogs. May God continue to use this blog to euipped us with his knowledge, love and many more that we can never imagine! :)

Blessed Christmas to all!

Love,
Angela

Message - Xiu Ying Jie Topic: Have we reached out to others via mission work?

To consider mission work, here are some pointers for you:

1. Your relationship with God - What is your relationship with God? Does this relationship extend to people?

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Matthew 28:19-20 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

We must go out to influence and change the world.

2. Basic Training - Accept teaching, study God's word's, knowing of mission's information, going for conferences and meeting, inviting missionary to speak and share of work and vision.

3. Support and partnership

Phi 1:5 - because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

James 1: 22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

In terms of prayers, finanicial help, care and concern and personal involvment!

4. Mobilise - get brothers and sisters to work together

5. Decides where your heart goes in terms of your burden for whichever place or country.

luke 12: 34 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

6. Providing resources and support

Romans 12:17 - Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

7. hospitality to missionaries

3 John 1:7-8 - It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.

8. Visitation - look into the interest of others

Phil 2:4 - Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

9. Life experience - All of us should consider going into missions for a total of 1 year in our entire life. this 1 year can be broken down into different mission trips over a period of serveral years.

Roman 12:1 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Finally, our pupose of life is to lead people to Chirst and doing and going for missions can be one of the many ways for us to reach out to people who are not as priviledge as us.

The World

2007-11-17T07:19:00.000+08:00

Dear all,

While writing an email to a friend to encourage him, I remembered a verse talking about "do not love the world or something". So subsequently I did a quick search on Biblegateway and I realised that verses about "worldliness" do appear here and there in the NT. After reading through a couple, I thought I would like to share 3 passages with everyone.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

I deliberately took out the verse numbers and passage names, so that I can ask the following question. Do you know that all 3 passages had a common author? Secondly, the order that they appeared in the bible are reversed.

Anyway, I find the passages very meaningful because of our society today. Often, we find ourselves being obsessed with the world, a world that is going to pass away. Take me for example. I read the last few books of Harry Potter so many times that I probably know more about its characters than the minor prophets in the OT. I spent so much money buying university textbooks, but yet I had never gotten myself a Study Bible which I wanted so much.

So I would like to end off by quoting "We are only passer-bys in this fancyful world. One day we will go home, and what a homecoming that will be".

God bless and take care.

NB: Passages from 1 john 2:15-17, John 15:18-20 and John 14:27 respectively.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words...

2007-09-28T19:37:00.001+08:00

There, my first contribution to this blog, in fact to any blog! Woohoo! I was thinking for a long time(includes time spent on the perennial favourite - the toilet bowl) what to post but came to the sane conclusion that I write crap better than serious matters. And we really don't want to taint this blog with my nonsensical ranting, or do we?

Anyhows, as I enter into the twilight thirties (it's scary mind you), my spiritual self somehow prefers to focus on the simpler things. Topics like Salvation and God's Love intrigue me more than ever, things that we often have taken, more or less for granted, now funnily appeals to me. Although I am pretty sure of these truths, I wonder if there maybe more to these than just the force...I mean faith.

Faith is a friend. One whom you love to have as a companion in jolly good times; But oddly betrays you when troubles come. I love to hold faith's hand when I go about the usual - reading His words, praying before bed or sitting at the pew worshipping the Almighty. This grip, however trained and firm, tends to loosen when testings abound. The question is: is it me who's decidedly letting go or faith simply diminishing, such that you have less to grip onto.

Well there is a distinct difference, let me explain.

1. Say there's a certain something in life you really yearn for, even to the point of dedicating your entire life for it. As a Christian, you know you should put God in the first place, but that has been overtaken by your desire. You spend your entire life chasing it. You neglect forever buddy, faith. *poof* he's gone. eg. A Christian rock star/hip-hop star/pop star who does all that jazz/perks that come with being a celebrity but stuffs faith in that dark closet.

2. Say there's an earthquake, you feel the tremors, you run downstairs, your house collapses (Such a scenario is not so unreal now in our seemingly natural-disaster free comfy country huh?). You accept the event, you lament and moan for a bit, your faith wavers(I can never visualize this phrase), you question God, you wonder for 15 years, your forever buddy, faith feels neglected, he slowly takes his leave.

Of course these are hypothetical/catastrophic situations but downsize them into your everyday life and you'd probably see a realistic application. The comic says it best, we may not even be the well-looked after Frank...but have faith, because God cares even for a dumb bird...like me!

Love ya all,
Isaac

YAF Camp 2007 - Sign Up Now!

2007-09-10T18:56:00.000+08:00

You wouldn't want to miss it!

It's In The Valleys I Grow

2007-08-26T01:51:00.000+08:00

Hi YAF, this was sent from a friend I met in Varsity Christian Fellowship. It was during a time that I was going through a lot of difficulty in university (still as difficult actually, need lots of motivation).

It's In The Valleys I Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrows, troubles and woe.
It's then I have to remember
That's in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love,
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow;
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do;
But I am very sure of one thing:
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I picture the Christ on the cross.
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share Your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for the valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know:
The mountain tops are glorious,
But it's in the valleys I grow.

Jane Eggleston

'Invitation' by Gail Rodgers

2007-08-03T16:25:00.001+08:00

Dear all,

I came across this insightful piece which I wanna share with all of you..

May we learn to find solitude in God and His Word in the midst of our busy lives and learn to listen out for His voice.

Love,
Min

Invitation

by Gail Rodgers

Solitude can be hard to find in our cultures today. We hurry, we worry, and we keep our bodies and minds in constant motion. Sometimes we encounter silence. Yet silence is not solitude...silence can be icy or even hostile at times. It can be impatient and anxious.

But solitude is quietness. Solitude can lead us to tranquility. The place of solitude is the place where God's whisper can be heard.

Perhaps you need to hear His voice in a fresh way today. Perhaps God has seemed silent as you hurry and worry and you wish He would speak. Perhaps your constant motion drowns out His still, small voice.

After a busy day Jesus knew he and His followers needed rest. He gave them an invitation that is our invitation today too. He said, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place..." (Mark 6:31)

Sometimes God leads us to a place of solitude when He has something to say to us. He may lead us to a place where we find ourselves all alone with Him. We can struggle and try to push aside the solitude and the circumstances that brought us there. Or we can inquire and ask God what it is He needs us to hear. He just may have an inner transformation for our soul; refreshment that we desperately need or direction that we so earnestly seek.

Carve out times of solitude in your life. Be purposeful in it. Don't wait for it to be orchestrated for you. Make room for periods of time when you willingly accept His invitation to "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place." And then listen.

God's voice will come:

through the Scripture as He reveals truth to your heart.
as quiet thoughts when you ask and listen for His answer.
in words from other Christians to confirm what He has told you in your heart and through His Word.
as images in your mind that paint a specific picture.
as an idea of something kind you can do for someone.

When we choose to listen, He will speak. Be patient. Our hurried, worried bodies and minds need time to relax and be quieted. If your first attempts at solitude are restless times with random thoughts in your mind don't be discouraged. Go again...and again. Don't settle for less than His presence. Accept His invitation, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place." RSVP.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to find a quiet place where You can speak clearly into my heart and life. Give me the determination to make room for solitude with You in my days. I thank you in Jesus' name, amen.

Losing our lives?

2007-08-01T21:47:00.000+08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am sure recently many of you have received smses abt our brothers and sisters from Korea who have met with sufferings in Afghanistan. What are your thoughts?

For me, i was pretty upset about it and feel very worried for them. Especially when situation is so unknown.

But today i have another view you know. I did my QT today, and was reading about a brother in Christ who was taken captured in a war. He did not feel upset or unhappy, instead he served with joy to others, cleaning their wounds and comforting others. Once while in imprisionment, due to some mishap, the soldiers would like to punish the prisoners by sending them to a torture room 11 to be tortured to death as a warning to the rest. Therefore 10 people are selected. One of the selected prisoners pled to be released as he had wife and family waiting for him, but the soldiers ignored his request.

Our dear brother upon seeing this, volunteer to go in the place of this prisoner. The soldier in charge was bewildered of his request but nonetheless granted him of his request. From that day on, there was prayers and singing from room 11 and even to death, our brother has a smile on his face.

My purpose of this sharing is that, it is a reminder to me on how I view my life. Being captured is definitely not a situation we would wish we are in. But if we are in it, what will our reaction be?

This brother's reaction reminded me of Paul when he was captured (Acts) and also of the current brothers and sisters in Korea. I mean on one hand it is normal that we are worried for them, on the other, we can also pray that they will be strengthened and able to make a difference among the capturers.

Whatever the outcome may be, we know that they are in God's hands.

To God Be the Glory,

Ying Ling

Human Nature

2007-07-27T19:42:00.000+08:00

Two Choices

What would you do? You make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway.

My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child."

Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play.

The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."
Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball ... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay" Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third!"

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, "Shay, run home! Run home!" Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team. "That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world." Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

Hi all, this is not exactly a QT but after reading this it really touches me. It is hard to come by where people give up success/willing to fulfill someone's dream. Especially at this time and the society we are living in now. Are we willing to sacrifice for others? How many extra steps are we willing to for others?

It is a gentle reminder to me that in the midst of my busyness or busy in the rat race of the world. Let me not forget to do a small act which will allow Christ's love to flow out from me as a testimony to others.

To God Be the Glory,

Ying Ling

Brothers' Night 2007

2007-07-19T01:15:00.000+08:00

Yo all! Just want to give a big shout out to all the Sisters who made this year Brothers' Night so happening and memorable! We love you Sisters!

P.S you can roll your cursor to the pics, click and check out the comments! Qooo

sings Why Worry... ;)

2007-07-17T14:19:00.000+08:00

Hey guys and girls!

this is my virgin post! Heh.. pai seh! Anyway, the theme of my lil' post is as above. I have to admit that I am quite a huge victim of the W-word, which puts me to shame sometimes because that really is not how children of God should behave.

My dad recently passed a few booklets from the "Managing Your Emotions Series" (by Pastor Benny Ho) to Mos and myself. For today's post, i will share what i've read in "Winning Over Worry".

"Do not be anxious" (Phil 4;6), says God. Pastor Benny Ho says that "worry is like a rocking chair - it will give you something to do, but it will not get you anywhere. Worry can't change the past but it can certainly ruin the future."

And he goes on to say that "persistent worry is a sin! A worried Christian is a contradiction." These made me sit up in my seat because I never really thought of worry as a sin.

Fixing the Problem:
1. Pray correctly - Remember this excerpt from "What A Friend We Have in Jesus"?

O, what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

2. Think correctly - wrong thinking results in wrong feelings which in turn fuel further wrong thinking.

3. Live correctly - We cannot separate inward attitude and outward action. Correct thinking and correct praying must in the end lead to correct living.

"whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice." (phil 4:9)

The pastor ends off saying

"the beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.

When you are wrinkled with care and worry, it is time to have a faith-lift" (cute, huh?! ;))

So brothers and sisters, i hope this serves as a lil' reminder to us about evading worry. Sing the song "I don't know about tomorrow" when you're down and bogged by worries and troubles; it connects me to God in a special way and i hope it will do the same for you.

Have a GREAT and blessed week!

Love,
Grace

YAF camp 2007? Campsite selection

2007-07-16T17:44:00.000+08:00

Good day fellow love-ables YAFers,

As you all know, we'll be having our YAF camp 2007 this december and we need your votes to determine the venue for this year camp! This is something new as previous years, camp venues are usually pre-determined by the camp committee! So please vote carefully and strategically!

David's Last Words

2007-07-05T01:32:00.000+08:00

The verses which I would like to share today is from 1 King 2:1 - 4:

"When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. 'I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. 'So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all wherever you go, and that the Lord may keep his promise to me:'If your decendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' "

During our Sunday School Teacher's Day last year, we played a game where we have to write out the name of our favourite Bible character on a piece of paper, and another person has to guess the name. Most teachers chose David as their favourite character, and it is not difficult to understand why. The Bible calls David a man after God's own heart and he was respected as a king who followed God's laws. Although there were highs and lows in his life, he would repent and ask for God's forgiveness.

The last words of this great man is to ask Solomon to make God and his laws the centre of his personal life and government in order to preserve the kingdom, as God had promised so. David, whose life emplified obedience gave well-seasoned advice to his son, and it is up to Solomon to follow it. I believe that his advice is still relevant in our times, and the key to an abundant life is to make God the centre of our life. When we make mistakes, we must re-evaluate our relationship with God and learn to obey Him in order not to make the same mistake again.

David lived till about 70 years old and he made the above observation. Are we willing to make changes to follow God's instructions and meet all his requirements now, or will we only do that when we are very old?

Yours Truly,
Sihui

Random Rambling (Non-QT)

2007-06-28T00:53:00.001+08:00

Hi all,

Unfortunately this isn't actually a QT sharing (will post one soon!), but would just like to share a little on my thoughts about a recent news event of the death of a professional wrestler, Chris Benoit, and his family (his wife and seven year old son). This news was brought to my attention by fellow wrestling fanatic Ray, and came as a huge shock, especially when we had seen him before live, and were planning to see him again soon as he was scheduled to arrive in Singapore for a wrestling show. Thus I followed the news surrounding his death with great interest.

From sketchy details stating that the death of Benoit and his family was being investigated as a homocide case, it later emerged that Chris Benoit himself was the murderer of his wife and son, before he committed suicide by hanging himself. Prior to this revelation, his wrestling company, WWE, had set up a tribute web page for him, and also run a three-hour program in memory of his life. However, when it turned out that Benoit was a murderer, the web page was immediately taken off, and there was much public outrage over the show that had celebrated the life of a murderer.

Cutting to the main point. The nostalgic side of me wanted to remember Chris Benoit, who I much admired. Thus, I instinctively searched YouTube for his videos, which of course turned out to be plentiful. Reading through the hundreds of viewer comments in several of these videos, I noticed a pattern in the responses of these people. From the time when news of his death just came out, words of sympathy were pouring out, and many said that Benoit was now resting in heaven. As the comments became newer, though, more and more words of damnation and anger were directed towards the wrestler. I can't count the number of viewers asking him to burn in hell for murdering his wife and innocent child, and these were considered the more civilised comments.

As I read through this, I thought about how often I hear of people who like to claim that God is cruel and unloving for creating hell, and sending people there. Yet, when an incident like this happens, they are the first to condemn the murderer to the depths of hell, based on their own moral standards. Suddenly, hell seems a fair place for someone to go! I guess this reveals the moral short-sightedness and subjectivity of humans, who are so inadequate in drawing the marker between salvation and damnation. To us, a "decent life" deserves heaven, and a murderer deserves hell. How is a decent life defined? But perhaps Jesus has clearly told us what constitutes murder much more distinctively.

Since this is a random rambling as mentioned in the title, I don't have a conclusion to this post:) I just thought I can make use of this example the next time someone discusses with me about the "cruelty" of God sending people to hell.

Until the next post,
Shawn Wee

Speak up? Or Remain silent?

2007-06-23T12:36:00.000+08:00

Hi all, it's been awhile since I last blog. Yeah! Glad to be back. Just a quick update on myself and things around me. :)
1. My computer is still abit crazy... sometimes will go on and off or lag... managed to transfer my data to external hard disk. waiting for a good timing to reformat my computer to see if it works or need to say bye bye. :)
2. work is getting more busy. as management has some werid culture and people termed it as poor management, many people in my company are leaving. Bust period coming up and people are leaving... so upper management seems a little tense up and eyeing on us due to many many reasons. oh well, guess that's work ya? :) But Thank God, He gave me strength to go through it day by day.
3. Just a gentle reminder to the next singspiration leader to remember to blog. hee~ not sure if he/she will read this blog though.. haha.

alrite, here's my sharing:

Mark 14:53-65 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
[NIV at IBS] [International Bible Society] [NIV at Zondervan] [Zondervan]

Before the Sanhedrin
53They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

55The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

57Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58"We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.' " 59Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

60Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 61But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ,[a] the Son of the Blessed One?"

62"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

63The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. 64"You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"

They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.

Footnotes:

1. Mark 14:61 Or Messiah

I was reading this passage for QT one of the past few days... and the thing that caught my attention was:

60Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 61But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ,[a] the Son of the Blessed One?"

62"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

I find Jesus' answer is so wise and timely. Sometimes, I think I hardly wanna talk cause it's so tiring after a long day or other times, i'll complain or talk to much! needless to say, sometimes my words can become hurtful, discouraging or meaningless. So just want to share with you guys -----> to be like Jesus. :)

Angela

Faith In Tribulation

2007-06-13T22:22:00.000+08:00

Romans 5:1-4
"2 Through him we hccess by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of th eglory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope."

We need to trust God for the outcome-no matter what it would be, as in the QT quote in 1 Peter 1:6-7, our faith will be tried in the fire of hardship to teach us patience and ultimately bring glory,praise and honour to Jeses

This is a hard lesson i learn during this 1 and half mth during my new job which i just quited yesterday 12/06/07. Through trials and tribulations, God works for us, not against us. MaybeGod is telling me that the work environment i been in is not suitable for me though i myself wanted to change my character but the people in my office whom i met with , even honestly telling me to "learn bad things from them" . For Romans 8:28 says "All things work toegther for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." We will experience difficultis but is how we view them by faith is essential. For now i need to get another job back to my IT asap in order to pay the exam fees which i have promised to them when i get my 1st pay. This QT some sort of reminded me of God's plan that i cant just rely on my own motives, i need God's direction of me for my life.

Lastly: Trial & Tribulation can work for us, not against us.

End of the Spear - DVD watching on 25/05/07

2007-05-27T15:48:00.000+08:00

On 25/05/07, a group of daring brothers and sisters entered through the jungles of ZPC to watch the movie of End of the Spear - Dare to make contact. This movie is available in our very own church library! So for those that have missed this awesome, touching movie (Ken cried / broke down during parts of the movie sobs sobs), you can loan this from the library! Thanks Self group for bringing such an awesome movie! Our next YAF movie watching on End of the Spear?

About the movie;

Worlds collide and tragedy strikes as a group of missionaries journeys to the heart of the Amazon jungle in search of the Waodani, a fierce tribe of warriors completely isolated from civilization. When five of the missionaries are brutually speared by the tribesmen, their families, numb, are left husbandless and fatherless. Undeterred by their loss and spurred on by hope, the families of the victims remain in Ecuador to live among the Waodani as a young boy attempts to unlock the explosive secret of his father’s death.

Based on a true story, End Of The Spear tells the true life story of 5 young men: Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Peter Fleming, and their pilot, Nate Saint who gave their lives for the Gospel. It also focusses on the families (specifically Nate's son, Steve Saint) and their unbelievable response to such a senseless tragedy.

END OF THE SPEAR is a moving and powerful tale of sacrifice, courage, and redemption.

Allah or Jesus by Rick Mathes

2007-05-27T15:39:00.000+08:00

The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the UnitedStates, especially in the minority races!!!

Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training sessionthere was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their belief systems Iwas particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imamgave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.

After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers. Whenit was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked: "Please,correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a Holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of theworld. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims,they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?"

There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, hereplied, "Non-believers!"

I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so theycan go to Heaven. Is that correct?"

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to thatof a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied, "Yes."

I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope JohnPaul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanleyordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven!"

The Imam was speechless.

I continued, "I also have a problem with being your friend when you and yourbrother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you aquestion, Would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and He wants you to be with me?"

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.

Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the 'Diversification' training seminar were not happy with Rick's way of dealing with the IslamicImam and exposing the truth about the Muslim's beliefs.

This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well known leader in prison ministry.

Summary of 2 Rev. Tan's msg on 18th March 2007

2007-03-20T21:41:00.000+08:00

Hi again! :) We had a special treat on the 18th march, sun! We had 2 msges in a day during YAF. Cool huh~ How fortunate!

Be blessed,
Angela

1. Values of Christians

Reading: Psalm 8
1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Men actually are of no value. (v4) but men have glory and honor(v5). We are creations of God and because we are created in the image of God, we become valuable. In God's eyes, we are precious and valuable. and we can have a breakthrough in our values when we have faith.
When we have good values in God, things of life will naturally be good.
Know your value, source and standing by having a relationship with God. If you know that you are important, your living will not be in vain. If one thinks that he/she is of no value, living will be meaningless and empty. Thus, these people may choose to end their lives. Can be very extreme.
We must also learn to appreciate and know others' value. This in turn, we enable us to love. Do you see yourself or others as valuable? If so, you'll love yourself and the people around you.
1 John 4:7-8 says that we musy love people. there's no such thing as love God but not people. Therefore, use your value/life to serve God and all these will not go to wast

2. Loving & Accepting the People Around us

We should not only love the lovable but also the people who are different from us. Let's learn from Jesus. For example, note his responses to the prostitute who wipe Jesus' feet as well as Jesus' example of washing Judas' feet.
Jesus gives us many chances to love, but how many of us loves like Jesus loves?

Reading: John 4: 1-26
1The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

4Now he had to go through Samaria. 5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

15The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."

16He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."

17"I have no husband," she replied.

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

19"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."

21Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

25The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

26Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

The Samaritan women is not lovable.

1. rejected by 'race'
2. rejected by her way of life

Jesus' actions

1. initiative. He step out of the comfort zone to meet someone that Jews does not like to be associated with.
2. accepting the person for who she is with no conditions attached.
3. sensitive when talking.
4. speak carefully with the right words.
5. bring people to salvation
6. It's a calling (v34)

Application: Love starts from home. Love and accept them first and then slowly expand to the people around you. Home also refers to the church.

Summary of Preacher Yeo's msg on 25th Feb 2007

2007-03-19T23:05:00.000+08:00

Hello all ! This is a summary of Feb's msg by Preacher Jonathan Yeo. :) I'll try my best to post all msges timely. Pray that all who read will benefit from it.

God bless,
Angela

Topic: Reaching Out to Church & Beyond

As Christians, we are to serve God in our lives. We do not only serve God as an individual but as a group/family.

Why are we called to serve?
We must understand the following points in order to serve together as a family.

Reading: Hebrews 10: 19-25

19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let 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.

The following points:

v19-22: We are brothers + we have salvation + we are in the same house of God. (We are family, we are children of God) Therefore, commitment is needed. Though we are different and have different dynamics, we are still one family.
v23: We are holding on to the hope that we have. If you lost it, you'll leave this family. We are here to love, to serve and to worship God.
v24-25: Unity is strength. Work together. (1 Peter 4:10) God gives us abilities so that we can be used for Him. However, many of us uses the gifts for ourselves. We must do out part.

Troubled

2007-03-15T20:36:00.000+08:00

Hi brothers and sisters,

Here's my second posting, hope it'll keep the sharing coming:)

This is from 1 Samuel 15:10-11 :

Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions."

In this passage, God rejected Saul as the king of Israel because of his disobedience. Saul defied God's instructions and kept the sheep, cattle and lambs from their battle with the Amalekites, when God's orders were clearly to destroy everything.

When God said the above words to Samuel, the next sentence from verse 11 is fascinating:

Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night.

I believe we all as Christians need a dear friend like Samuel, whom when he/she sees us fall or be in desperate need, cries to the Lord on our behalf.

To reflect, I wonder how I would react if I see a fellow brother or sister do something that goes against God. Would it be of any concern or bother to me? Would I laugh it off? Would I angrily judge him or her? Or give up on him or her? Perhaps...

But a true friend like Samuel would be troubled. He would cry to the Lord, and mourn for the person (v35). What a precious friend! May I learn from him, to be a watcher for my brothers and sisters. May I also have brothers and sisters who would be troubled when I fall:) Would we all have such a person supporting us in our walk with God in our lives?

Shawn Wee

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

2007-03-08T18:45:00.000+08:00

21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Hello everyone. Just want to drop by a short reading. :) This passage was one of my readings a few days ago. It reminded me of forgiveness. I think I'm a person that forgives but do not forget. So it really hinders me from loving those people that once hurt me.
This passage reminds me not only to forgive, but also to forget the past sadness and pain. I want to be like Jesus. So I'll pray, learn and change to be like Him. Pray that God will change our hearts and learn to be like Jesus.

Emmanuel,

Angela (@_@)

*sing* when we hold on together...
*sing* bind us together, Lord...

the NEW RELIGION ?

2007-02-23T18:25:00.000+08:00

Reading 1:

Ecc 2: 1- 11
1 I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 "Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?" 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work,
and this was the reward for all my labor.

11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.

Reading 2:

Beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. —Luke 12:15

I read a short article online. It talks about one billboard that states: IS SHOPPING THE NEW RELIGION?
The pursuit of possessions continues to be one of the most powerful motivations that people can experience. But can the accumulation of things bring true satisfaction? This is a question I would like to share with you all...

In Luke, Jesus' answer is "NO". He warned us against such accumulation of things/wealth that will keep us away from him.
Another example will be Solomon. He had it all... but he told us that it is meaningless.

Only God is able to bring real satisfaction to our lives.

Angela

Taking Things into Our Own Hands

2007-02-21T23:51:00.000+08:00

Genesis 16:1 - 6

1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, "You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the LORD judge between you and me."
6 "Your servant is in your hands," Abram said. "Do with her whatever you think best." Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.

God has promised Abram that He will "make him into a great nation". When Abraham and Sarah first heard that, they must have felt really excited. But years past, and Sarah was still barren. The long wait has caused Sarah to be impatient and ashamed, and she did what she thought was best - to give Hagar to Abraham as a substitute wife. Her act is what we call “小聪明” and she has taken a shortcut to speed things up. Both she and Abraham displayed a lack of faith that God would fulfill His promise, and this leads to a series of family disputes.

When we pray to God, He answers our prayers but the results may not be visible overnight. As we live in a society where we can get things almost instantly(entertainment, food, material things), we may not have the habit to wait. When we God ask for something, we may be tempted to take things into our own hands. However, our wisdom is only limited and things may turn out worse than we first started off. We need to learn how to be patient and let the All Knowing One do the job.

Love,
Sihui

Unexpected

2007-02-11T22:27:00.001+08:00

Luke 7
11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.
12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out - the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.
13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Dont cry."
14 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"
15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother .
16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

Nobody knew that Jesus would arrive at the funeral and give back the dead son back to his mother. This passage encourages me to never despair despite how bad things may appear to be, because the Lord may surprise us at the last minute and do the impossible.

Ying Chieh

Seeing But Never Perceiving

2007-02-07T11:28:00.000+08:00

Hello all!

I guess it's finally time to post my first QT sharing haha. From the posts so far I suppose quite a few of us are reading Matthew…so am I for now:)
Here's a passage from Matthew 13:10-17.

10The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

11He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13This is why I speak to them in parables:
   "Though seeing, they do not see;
      though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
   " 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
      you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15For this people's heart has become calloused;
      they hardly hear with their ears,
      and they have closed their eyes.
   Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
      hear with their ears,
      understand with their hearts
   and turn, and I would heal them.' 16But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

In this passage, the disciples noticed that Jesus was beginning to preach in parables (as compared to earlier, ie Sermon of the Mount). Jesus implied that the parables were meant to hide the "secrets" or truth from those who have rejected and disbelieved in him.

It appears that Jesus wants to bless those who believe and judge those who disbelieve by using this teaching method that would illuminate one party and cloud the other at the same time.

Although when Jesus says, "though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand…", it probably refers to the unbelievers, I think it applies to Christians as well. For me, I sometimes read parables just like that, and don't think much about them. Whatever I know about the meaning behind these parables mostly come from Sunday School, sermons or commentaries and so on, not much effort on my part!

Since Jesus mentions that his parables are meant for believers and contain the secrets of the kingdom, I guess that means they are really important for us to understand them. There are quite a number of parables that I still don't seem to grasp, and if I do not want to be someone who is simply "seeing but never perceiving", I should make a conscious effort to study them closely.

We have the luxuries of having many commentaries and such that explain to us the meaning behind many parables. I wonder if it was just the Bible I was equipped with, can I discover these secrets? Remember, there were no commentaries when Jesus preached to the people! It should be quite challenging to rely solely on God's guidance to try and understand the parables!

Will you be able to fully explain any parable found in the Gospels? Hope this sharing helps stress to everyone how important understanding Jesus' parables are as Christians!:)!

Shawn

Why it should be 耶和华赐福满满 instead of 耶和华祝福满满

2007-02-05T01:44:00.001+08:00

Hi all,

As decided in YAF yesterday, we'll be presenting the Hokkien song "Bei Leng Si aka 耶和华赐福满满" when we visit Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital this coming Sunday。

For those who are familiar with the song, you would know that chorus lyrics are originally 耶和华祝福满满, but many bible scholars including Preacher Teo have pointed out that it ought to be 耶和华赐福满满 instead.

Why is this so? This is what I found from this site http://www.godblog.cn/user1/779/archives/2006/8157.html :

[耶和华祝福满满"应当改为"耶和华赐福满满"。

为此，我们特别查阅了几本权威汉语词典，释义如下：
祝---甲骨文字形，象一个人跪在神前拜神、开口祈祷。
祝福---本谓祈神赐福，现泛指祝人平安幸福。

同样，中文和合本圣经的用法举例如下：

民数记6:23～24，23:20 （"祝福"和"赐福"2个词同时出现）；
神赐福人（创世记1:28），
雅各为儿子们祝福（创世记49:28），
旧约祭司奉神的名祝福（历代志上23:13），
基督徒"只要祝福，不可咒诅"（罗马书12:14)]

In conclusion, 神赐福 but 人祝福。

Do check out the link for the song and lyrics of the song: http://www.godblog.cn/user1/779/archives/2006/8157.html

Those who don't know how to sing can listen and learn so we can present it confidently at Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital :)

敏

不住更新

2007-02-03T22:00:00.001+08:00

Dear brothers and sisters,

It has been a while since I last kept in touch with all of you. Think the zion blog has been cool. Continue to do your QT and share ya.

Just like to share with you all what i had read today for my QT. Just like the title it is about being renewed day by day. (Romans 12:2)

It is important to be renewed. Now i am at this point of life where i hope that things can remain the same. Haha! I guess it is always easier to handle the same stuff over and over again. But then it will not help us to move on. Have you ever heard of such a theory - even when you are standing put, you are actually moving backwards, as everyone is moving forward.

Oops, hope i don't sound too complicated. I am not saying that we have to chase after what everyone is chasing. But we have to rely on God to be renewed day by day, to experience His new mercy everyday! Continue to ground ourselves in the words of God and discover His wonders!

To-God-Be-The-Glory,
Ying Ling

When everything is quiet, worship God.

2007-02-02T19:49:00.000+08:00

Hi all. :) Just a quick sharing...

A few days ago, I went to one of the schools for my work. I was sitting at one of the teacher's empty desk and i came across this:

When in trouble, pray to God;
When in happinesses, praise God;
When in sadness, seek God;
When everything is quiet, worship God.

I smiled to myself after reading it cos it's really soothing to come across such phrases in the midst of my work.

And when I came home at night, it's quite late and quiet. I did my QT and worship God. I felt so happy and peaceful. The feeling is beyond description. :) It's been a while since I last do QT at night. Last time it's always in the morning. So it's great!

Finally, jus wanna leave a note to all - remember ur QT. Dear bros/sis, make an effort to be still. (last yr's camp theme) and worship our Lord.

How is your soul today?
Angela

野地的花

2007-01-26T15:11:00.001+08:00

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. "

Matthew 6: 25-34

Hello my dear Bros and Sistas, how has your week been? I hope you have all been well. =) This passage from Matthew reminds me to not be anxious about my life because all matters, great and small, have already been taken care of by our Heavenly Father. It's frightening sometimes how problems in our life can be so overwhelming and daunting, leaving us feeling so small and helpless. But it's comforting to know that if God so clothes the lilies of the field, how much more He will provide for us, whom He loves.

Let's learn to count the little blessings in our lives and thank God for our good health and loved ones whom we often take for granted.

God bless,
Min

慈爱的天父
天天都看顾
他更爱世上人
为我们预备永生的路！

Matthew Chap 6:19-21

2007-01-25T22:57:00.001+08:00

"do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Hi my bros and sis,
it's the start of the year and are you busy working on your new year resolutions? or are you busy with your sch or work? as for me, i just started work this week and it's tiring. but this passage reminds me to keep focus on God and His words. It's a great reminder for me to remember my purpose in the world and not to be blinded by my work. Hope this passage helps you as well. I will pray for all and for myself to love God more and to grow closer to Him in the midst of the things He has given us to do and will be giving us to do.

To God Be The Glory,
Angela

Remember this song?
*i guess it all comes down to where your heart is,
it's there your tots and feelings all began.
but if u never give your heart to Jesus,
You'll never really have a part in Him.*

p/s: see you all this Sunday!

The Universal God

2007-01-25T21:19:00.000+08:00

"1 O Lord, You Have searched me and know me 2 You know when i sit down and when i rise up you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me" Ps 139:15

Through this QT , i was being reminded again that God is here, whenever we are. There is no place where he is not. God dwells in his creation and is everywhere indivisibly present in all his works

The question is:

When do I feel cloest to God? Farthest from God? What is the difference?

Food for thought

Samuel Lee aka San Mao

21/01/2007 Offical Launch!!!

2007-01-20T23:46:00.000+08:00

Hi Everyone!!!!

Samuel Lee, Webmaster here. I hereby announce today that this site is officially launched! ^^ Hope you all will have a great time posting & reading on your daily QT, at the same time encouraging and reminding each other of the importance of doing QT everyday.

Just a few reminders:
- Try not to post one liner/word posts, it's a waste of posting and is spamming. Commenting is ok.

- Try to post at least once a week to keep the blog alive.

Hope you all have a great week ahead. God bless and have a great fellowship later!!!

Cheers
San Mao

YAF Olay!

2007-01-18T01:03:00.001+08:00

can u all see me, am i in the blog already?

Tonight i hv bible study with the adult fellowship group leaders, the so shock that our YAF hv own

qt blog.

Make gd use of this blog to benefit yourself and other user.

God bless

rev tan

summary of Pastor Tan's msg on 14 Jan 2007

2007-01-17T11:55:00.000+08:00

Reading: 2 Tim 2:20-22

Theme: Reaching out

What was said:
2 types of articles - noble and ignoble. We are like the articles and we must be of value so that God can use us.
How to be of value? - V21. so that we are prepared to do any good work.
We are to be a noble article. Not just an ornament. Ornaments are good to see but cannot be used.

Applications
1. Reach out first to your family. esp those that are still non-believers
2. Show love to people around you. through actions, behavior and testimony.
(YAF com has planned a series of programs this year to reach out to people around us and beyond. pls pray that YAFers will be able to join us for these activities to reach out together as a fellowship in love. and thru these, God's love and salvation will be preached and we will be a noble article, useful for our Lord.)

Theme: Getting it right with God

What was said:
v22 - be careful.
be careful with what? - Relationships, eat, drink, lust, sexual immorality and evil desires.
Peter is writing this letter to Timothy. Timothy is like a pastor at our age. yet he is told to be careful of such things. How much more should we also keep away from evil!

Application:
1. one way to keep away from evil and get it right with God is thru our friends. Friends pay a very important part in our lives. choose ur friends wisely. and this applies for relationships as well. choose ur partner wisely.
2. come for YAF. having fellowship with brothers and sisters will keep u in track. have a spiritual friend/partner to keep each other close to God.
3. pursue righteousness, faith (relationship with God - 1 John 5:4), God's love, peace (relationship with people) Getting it right with God is not just a YAF theme to pursue when u are in YAF but thruout ur life. we must pursue these things till we see the Lord!
(for this part of the theme, YAF will launch sumthing to help all YAFers to get it rite with God. what is it? it will be a surprise! :) come YAF this 21th JAN to find out. in addition, we will have bible study and messages to help all to pursue the Lord. pray that all these will be beneficial to you and may we all live our lives right till we see the Lord.)

Conclusion:
When coming to making decision with regards to getting it right with God, we should feel at peace with the choice we make and trust God. We may be wrong BUT God will not. He will direct you back to the right path again. HOWEVER, DO NOT SIN in ur decision making. those are 100% sure WRONG.

Angela

A Small Reminder

2007-01-16T14:16:00.000+08:00

Guys,

Remember to BOOKMARK the blog for easy access!!

Thanks everyone!

^^

samuel

first time trying out...

2007-01-16T13:41:00.001+08:00

hi all!

er, i not sure how to use the gmail one. so i ry using
my own mail first? :P

jus sumthing to share from my QT today:

reading - Matthew chap 1 and 2.

I was reading thru matthew again cos it is required
for sunday school. what strike me the most is tat when
an occasion occurs, it is followed by 'what was said
thru prophet was fulfilled....' it reminds me of God's
faithfulness thru the years. like what he said was
fulfilled in the years later. so, haf faith and trust
in God's faithfulness. He never fails!

Angela

Verse to Share

2007-01-16T12:50:00.000+08:00

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”- Titus 2:11 - 12

Luv,
Sihui

Attempt to post entry by sending email to Blogger

2007-01-16T01:41:00.000+08:00

Hi, second post here. I'm testing out the posting of entries via email.

You don't have to log in to Blogger to post entries, you can just publish an entry by sending an email to zionyaf.qtblog@blogger.com. Try it! ;)

wsm.