YPF

2011-06-16T15:32:00.001+08:00

Chinese-American Rapper MC Jin Testifies to God's Blessings in His Life Edward Shih
Gospel Herald Correspondent
Tue, May, 17 2011 03:20 AM PT
Link : http://www.gospelherald.net/article/entertainment/47199/chinese-american-rapper-mc-jin-testifies-to-gods-blessings-in-his-life.htm

American-born Chinese Jin Au-Yeung, who performs under the stage name MC Jin, performed at the Inspire 2011 Vancouver. In the following night, the 29-year-old Hong Kong hip-hop rapper gave his testimony what God has done in his life at the Vancity Dream Conference.

MC Jin testified to what God has done for him at the Vancity Dream Conference, which is a three-day conference aimed at inspiring the youth to live according to God's will, on May 7, 2011. His testimony was both humorous and heart-felt, spoken as a ''brother in Christ''.

MC Jin got his first big break on Freestyle Fridays hosted by 106 & Park on BET where he won seven weeks in a row. Jin then became the first Asian solo rapper to be signed to a major record label in the United States, with Ruff Ryders Entertainment. Jin has since released eight albums, been featured in the movies 2 Fast 2 Furious, No Sleep Til Shanghai, Jaeson Ma’s 1040 and upcoming projects Gallants, and Bruce Lee, My Brother.
“Being an artist until now, I’ve always thought that I needed the craziest hooks, beats, video recording shots… but I’ve realized that all along all I needed was God,” said Jin. “When you pour out your heart on a track, that becomes everything…a catchy beat, catchy chords…it just quenches out everything.”

At the onset of his testimony, Jin rapped in acapella style his soundtrack "Angels" that was released in 2010. This song is his first lyrical composition that stated his faith and testimony with audacity and conviction.

Sudden Rise to Fame

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Jin went to New York to pursue his music career and then signed a record deal with BET in 2001. In 2004, he released his first album. In 2005, he parted ways with the record label and started doing music independently. In 2008, he moved to Hong Kong, where he now resides.

In 2001, Jin, at 19 years of age, began his pursuit of his dream of signing a major record label deal and going around the world as a rapping machine. During this process, he said that he was exposed to the most worldly things, “Think of rap videos, mainstream media…I was in that times ten.”

Jin confesses that his biggest problem then was that he would convince himself that he is not doing anything wrong, but just enjoying “the heck out of life.” Reflecting on the past, he said that he lived a very careless lifestyle – doing things not thinking about the consequences and, worse yet, knowing the consequences, but still doing them.

Jin’s uniqueness in winning the rap battles on BET caught the attention of the major entertainment media outlets, such as Rolling Stones Magazine, VIBE Magazine, Entertainment Tonight, and ESPN. The trend at that time was that people thought that he would sell millions of CDs, because of the sheer number of Chinese in the world. If one out of every ten Chinese bought his album, then he would sell billions of CDs.

Jin said he fed into that and was covered in the midst.

Unexpected Low Record Sales
During the first week of his first album’s release, around 19,000 copies were sold. The low number of sales was viewed as a flop by the industry, which got magnified by the media extensively. Up until now, the album has sold around 220,000 copies.

“I want to put into perspective of what killed me in my heart at that time was that I looked at that as a failure, where as I could have thanked God that 19,000 people went out and bought my CD,” said Jin. He said that he failed to realize where he had started from and was covered in what others were saying - the turning point of his career.
Those who supported Jin prior to the album's release were the ones who discredited him after the unexpected low record sales. Although Jin was on good terms with his record label company, he ended up parting ways with them. In the next one to two years, he said his world felt like it was falling apart. Instead of turning to God, he just let himself fall into a deep depression, where he would lock himself in his room, not wanting to see anybody. This was something that people didn’t know.

Meeting with Chinese-American Pastor Jaeson Ma
In 2008, Jin met with Chinese-American pastor Jaeson Ma, who played a big role in leading him back to God’s side. With a unique testimony of his own, Ma has led various other well-known Asian celebrities to faith in Christ, more noteably Vanness Wu and Edison Chan.

Initially, Carl Choi, Jin’s friend, mentor and manager, got to know Ma first. Prior to meeting Ma, Jin had received calls from Choi, telling him of his breakthrough experiences after meeting with Ma. And it was during this visit to Los Angeles, Jin finally got to meet Ma in person.

As soon as Jin and his wife Carol, his girlfriend then, arrived at the Los Angeles airport, Choi and Ma picked them up, and together they had lunch at an Italian restaurant.

Ma began sharing his testimony of faith, and he then asked Jin about his story.

Summer Vacation Bible School
Jin began sharing his connection with Christianity from when he started to go to summer vacation Bible school since the age of seven through his aunt's invitation. He said those four years play a very big part in his heart – nothing but good memories from hanging out with other kids.

During one of those years, Jin said that he along with others went up to the front of the stage during an altar call and accepted Jesus as Christ and his savior, but this confession wasn't deeply rooted in him.
At age 14, Jin stopped going to summer vacation Bible school. Although it wasn't for any particular reason that he stopped going, he started getting into hip-hop and was old enough to start helping out at his parent’s take-out restaurant.

Ever since then, Jin has always believed that God is watching over him at all times; however, he confesses that he'd only pray during times of trouble.

Invitation to Commit to God
Ma listened intently until Jin finished his sharing. He then asked Jin if it was okay for him to share some words that he felt that God has put in his heart. Jin agreed, and he began to describe the emotions that Jin was feeling deep down in his heart at that time, which Jin has never shared with anyone before.

Jin said that there is a certain limitation to the extent that a person can understand his sadness deep down, but Ma was connecting with him at a level where he truly understands, and it was something that Jin has never experienced before.

It was then that Jin started crying uncontrollably, and Carol, who was beside him, also started to cry.

Jin recalled what Ma said, “God knows how worried you are, how disappointed you feel, how you look at yourself, your career, and sometimes you wonder what happened? Why did it turn out like this? This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. You had everything, but you’ve lost it. It is gone. Now, everyone thinks that you are worthless, but let me tell you what God will do for you next…if you are willing to take it, open yourself, and surrender to him, then God will make your most commonly known achievement on 106 & Park on BET seem like a walk in the park.”

Moreover, Ma went on telling him how he worries about his parents and wishes to be closer to them as he gets older, but he told him not to worry about them, because they are going to be fine, and they love him and miss him. He also said that Jin will get married to Carol, and they will have kids, boys and girls, and live in a house with a white fence and a dog running around in the yard.

At this point, Jin said he was able to envision what Ma was saying and felt this indescribable sense of peace during that 1:30 afternoon lunch meeting. Ma also said that God is going to put him somewhere that he has never been, and he will do something for God’s kingdom and His glory. God will give him favors and blessings, and he won’t even know what struck him.

As it all came to a calm end, Jin gathered himself, and they’ve embraced each other, shook hands, and made their way out. That was Friday afternoon.

On Saturday, Ma had a flight that evening to Korea, but he called Choi prior to his flight and said that he wants to baptize Jin. At first, Choi said that it is probably too soon, and they've hung up. Yet, Jin asked what was that about, and as soon as he found out, he cried out, “Let’s do it!”

God-Centered Marriage
The biggest differences, Jin said, between him at 19 years old and now are that God has changed his perspectives on things as well as him getting married to Carol two months ago.
“To be able to stand here and say to you guys that I’m married man, who is truly dedicated and loyal to my wife, is a blessing from God in itself,” said the newly married artist. “Just knowing my past and the way that I chose to live, if I had kept going in that direction, everything that I said right there would be non-existent.”

While hearing about countless stories of broken homes, Jin said that he firmly believes in the importance for God to lay the foundation to their marriage.

Reflections on His Experience
Knowing what he knows today from his past experiences, going from being practically unknown to skyrocketing to fame to hitting rock bottom, Jin said the central theme of his passion today is towards the youths.

“I can’t help but look back to my past. It is important for all of us to look back to our past, so that we know what our missteps were, what we did properly, and then you move forward on.”

Jin attributed his initial rise to fame as a blessing from God, but it was just that he didn’t acknowledge it at that time. He believes that God has allowed him to experience the unexpected low record sales to keep him faithful to a certain extent to his family, Mom and Dad, and his sister. Also, it was during the difficult times that his wife verbally encouraged him, saying, "Come on, they don’t love you, but we still love you. We love you before that and we love you now.”

Although when people heard of Jin's baptism, they thought it was too sudden, but Jin said that it is because most people don’t realize that there were a culmination of events that began from the first summer vacation Bible school to getting signed a record label and getting into fame, to the crying, remorse, and the unhappiness up to that moment.

Seeing the passion and conviction of the God-seeking generation of today, Jin said that he felt “lost”.
“Even though I’m lost, I’ve made it out only because of God.” said Jin. That is the biggest point in his testimony of his journey until now.

Changes and Being Called ‘Religious’In the past two years, Jin said that God has worked in and through him in ways that he didn’t think was possible. Yet, he confesses that even after baptism it wasn’t that everything went well, but his walk became tougher because of his commitment to be a “man of God”.
“This is a war that we’re fighting.” Jin said. “Our mind is very easily influenced and fragile. Our biggest strengths – free will and wisdom – may turn out to be our greatest weaknesses, since we tend to depend on ourselves instead of on God.”
Five months after he was baptized, Jin moved to Hong Kong in June of 2008. Since then, he has been seeking more of Him and being more determined to be more vocal about his faith.
A big change in him is that he would wake up in the morning and say, 'Man, God is amazing! How can I get to know Him more today? How can I better myself and really live life the way that he meant for me to live?'

Some challenges that he experienced after his change was that people were calling him “religious”.

Jin said that it breaks his heart to know that people think of him as only doing religious raps, because he felt that even this is created by the devil to make people shy away from God.
"People’s misconception in experiencing Christ is that they must adhere to rules, but the reality is that the more that I run towards Christ, the less I want to drink or curse." He feels that this is where the devil has a strong-hold on the youth today, because they feel that they can’t do what they want.

Despite some may be disapproving of his change in music directions, Jin said it is not his position to reprimand them. Instead, he would try to let them know what God has done and is doing in his life, and what he learned isn’t so much about religion but relationship.
Beyond the personal relationship with God and then with those within the Christian circles, Jin said that what’s even more important is the relationship with those who Christians might see as outside the Christian circle – the ones who Christians should reach out and love all the more.

Recently, Jin composed a song called “True Religion”, which is available to listen online for free. In contrast to his former bragging and forceful style of songs, he said that it may not be the most complex, super-lyrical, and spiritual song, but he felt that he has never put together lines that have this much substance to it.

According to source, Jin almost wasn’t able to enter Vancouver, because the Canadian Border officers rejected his entry, and as a result he had to fly back to Hong Kong. Upon returning to Hong Kong, the local organizing committee in Vancouver contacted him and asked him to fly back to Vancouver and attempt to enter again. He agreed, but, this time, he successfully entered Vancouver.

Although Jin didn’t explain why he boarded the flight the second time to Vancouver despite the uncertainty of getting denied entry, he said in his freestyle rap at the end of his testimony that he came to Vancouver not for himself, but for God.

2011-04-12T14:02:00.003+08:00

Choice
By Lim Cheng Yee
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I’ve recently finished reading through Isaiah and Jeremiah. And I must say that the fury of the Lord is astonishing. But even more astonishing is His love.

If my wife, after a year of marriage, decides to spend all my money on jewelry and clothes, cheats on me and always comes home drunk (if she ever does come home), you’d think I’m an idiot if I told you I still love her.

If she did all of that, and decided to work as a prostitute and openly bring clients back to my house and use my bed to conduct her business, never do my laundry and ignores me in my own house, you’d think I’m a lunatic to say that I still love her and will never leave her. Right?

But that’s what God did for Israel. And if you had agree with the previous two paragraphs, I think it is fair to say that you now think that God is both an idiot and a lunatic. Well, don’t. Because He’s not. I am. Let me explain.

When i realised the immensity of what was happening and considered all the things God said in Isaiah and Jeremiah, I just kept asking, “Why?” And one day He impressed upon my heart, the word, “Choice.”

Choice.
” ‘…Jacob whom I have chosen,…’ ” (Isa 41:8)
” ‘I have chosen you and have not cast you away:’ ” (Isa 41:9)
“…, ‘And my servant whom I have chosen,…’ ” (Isa 43:10)
” ‘To give drink to My people, My chosen.’ ” (Isa 43: 20)

Chosen. God made a choice. God made a choice to love Israel.

When God chose Abraham, didn’t He know that Abraham could have just ignored Him? Didn’t He know that just because Abraham was obedient, it doesn’t mean that Isaac would be? Didn’t He know that Abraham’s descendants might choose to rebel against Him?

I think He knew, yet He chose Abraham and his descendants. Now let me show you how this relates to love.

The sentence, “I love you.” tells us nothing about the “you”, but a lot about the “I”. Because to love you, I have to make a choice, not you. Reasons and preferences only help me in my decision, but the corner stone of my love, is my decision to love.

If I told my wife that I love her because she’s a really sweet loving caring person. What happens if she goes through depression? In that situation, she no longer fulfills the reason I chose to marry her. Hence, I should divorce her? No! Of course not.
So you see already, that although reasons are important, ultimately they are irrelevant. Because a choice has been made, and regardless of what happens, the “I” will still love the “you”.

You must be wondering if this is a bit extreme. Let me just run this analysis of the following sentence and you decide for yourself.
“Tarzan loves Jane.”
What is required of Jane to be loved by Tarzan? Jane has to be… erm… Jane. What if Jane became cruel? Would Tarzan still love Jane? What if she cheated on him? Would Tarzan still love Jane? What if Jane ran away? Would Tarzan still love Jane?
I bet if you asked Tarzan those questions, he’d reply your question with a question,: “Is Jane, Jane?”
Yes. So Tarzan still loves Jane. Yes, Israel is still Israel; God still loves Israel. Yes, I’m the idiot, I’m the lunatic and I am still me; God still loves me.

Amazing isn’t it?
Choice. Wow.

2011-02-14T14:56:00.002+08:00

The Invisible God
By Glory Kong
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He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters
Psalm 18:16

Though we do not see God, He sees us, and He is always there for us. Whether we’re taking our calculus test, or playing FB, walking in the streets, or even when you’re figuring how to express what you want to say in THIS post.

Last few days, during CNY ( if you still remember when that was, even after being kicked back into reality after a long, long holiday)…third day of CNY, to be exact. I went to the pool with my bro and cousin. “This should be fun”, or so I thought…

*splash splash splash* ah….nice cool water…What with the hot weather.

Somehow, I don’t know how, I slipped. I couldn’t stand up, water went in my eyes, nose, ears…I was surrounded by water. It was like I was bounded, as I couldn’t get hold of anything. Think, think, think! Kick hard both legs, use your hands… I tried to think of everything I’ve ever heard of about how to save yourself from drowning. Crap. It doesn’t seem to work. I only managed to go up and down of the water. I don’t know how to describe how I felt. Scared? I don’t think that word even justifies my thoughts and feeling at that moment. This shouldn’t be happening. All these stuff is suppose to remain only in movies. What is to happen to me? Am I like, going to see the light at the end of the tunnel soon? Questions and worries flood my mind. But then, far away in my thoughts, a small voice reminded me: No one might hear you. But you know ONE who will. You need not words to call out, for if you just cry out to Him in your heart and spirit He will hear you.

“Oh dear Lord. I’m scared. I cannot do anything. Save me”

Immediately my hand felt the edge of the pool, and I hoisted myself up. That was some close call. I never thought that that would have happened to me. But I’m so thankful that I have a God that is everywhere and hears everything. Thank God…

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory to his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:1-4

2011-02-08T16:48:00.001+08:00

All about being a middle child
by Ruxyn
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Being middle child? What's it like being the eldest or the youngest? Sometimes, I don't really have much complains being the middle/second child in the family. Yea, I might be the most stubborn and lazy one. D:
Calling names are usual in all families I guess, and sometimes it's annoying but we don't keep these to heart, afterall it's the company that counts. We had our share of arguing but also fun memories like doing picnic outside at the porch, riding bikes etc.
So, I'm sandwiched between 2 other siblings who may gang up against me, 2vs1 but the plus side is I can join either gang, so I'm always on the winning team. Hahaha. I believe very much that it's your family who shapes the most of our character and personality. I am the only introvert in the family, and I don't mind being one.

Sometimes, I go out of words, they can just add on for me. It's okay. It's fun to have an older sibling cause I don't have to find out so many things on my own, I can ask her straight away for advices. Plus, she's pretty smart and very wise. It's also fun to have a younger sibling who can entertain you (or irritate, depending on how you look at it) who does all sorts of funny things.

If given a choice to choose whether I want to be the eldest, youngest or the middle child, I'd say I'd skipped the choosing part and just accept that I am in fact the middle child in the family. Often whether you're the eldest, youngest or the middle child, it is said that the "category" has a certain trait/characteristic.

People always say that middle child often develops the middle child syndrome - ie lack of attention, feel not belonged, insecure. Probably it applies in some way but that should never be an excuse or the reason for a middle child to always feel insecure, always feel lack love from the family. I believe if each part of the family plays their own role, no one in the family would be left out nor crave more attention than the other.

Saying that, everyone in the family plays a very important role in developing and shaping each other's character and personality. And as each of us have our own role to play whether we're the eldest child, middle child or the youngest. Perhaps a word of comfort could encourage a family member who's down, perhaps a smile that brightens the person's day, perhaps a prayer that would keep a family member safe.

I believe in our own ways, we could make a unique family unit with our families. And a strong family unit is the very basis of a strong church.

2011-01-25T11:41:00.001+08:00

2011-01-13T10:41:00.002+08:00

YPF 2011
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A brand new beginning to year 2011.

Stay tuned for more.

Toodles.

2010-12-15T16:27:00.005+08:00

Why I Love MalaysiaBy Mariel NonisLink: http://marielnonis.blogspot.com/2010/12/why-i-love-malaysia.html
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A lot of people have asked why I love Malaysia, and I had that question thrown at me earlier today as well. Why? Why do you love this country that is so messed up? The politics are a joke, the education system is horrendous, it's not that beautiful, it's dirty, the people have no manners, transportation system is bad, etc etc complains around everywhere you go.

I know all these complains, I hear them every day, and not too long ago, they were my complaints as well. I'll admit it - like many other teenagers, I've grown up hearing my parents complaining about Malaysia, and hearing about its flaws. I've been encouraged to study hard and leave the country the moment I have the chance, because "there is no future for you here" and "You're wasting your time here."

Naturally, I grew up not having a deep love for Malaysia at all. I was very ready to just leave the country when opportunity arose. I didn't hate Malaysia, like some friends I know who display such contempt for the country, but I wasn't patriotic at all. It never striked me to be patriotic, honestly. Being patriotic was just the textbook answers you wrote about in your BM essays and Moral answers. No one ever talked about loving Malaysia - it was almost "uncool".

But God really changed my heart in 2009. I got involved with a prayer movement called MYPG, Malaysian Youth Prayer Gathering, and LYPG Melaka, Local Youth Prayer Gathering. What we did was basically meet weekly to pray for Malaysia, and for our state (there are LYPGs all around Malaysia) and to just fellowship with other like minded people who loved Malaysia. To be honest, when I first attended this, it was not at all out of patriotism, it was more for the prayer. But this is why I find Matthew 6:21 so profound. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

God does not say where your heart is there your treasure will be, which is what I always thought was the case. "Oh, I can't do it, la. My heart just isn't in it". It's a cause and effect thing. Placing your treasure (in other words, investing) somewhere is the cause, and your heart will be there as the effect! It's also like a quote from CS Lewis that goes "When you are behaving as if you love someone, you will presently come to love him." Same principle. Isn't that amazing?? Do you REALIZE the possibilities in this?? It means that we don't have to depend on our heart anymore! It means you can CONTROL your heart, do you know that?? You can choose what you want to be passionate about!

I found that by attending LYPG week in and week out, I came to really mean what I prayed. The LYPG prayers to see God glorified in Malaysia, people coming to know Christ in Malaysia, politicians with integrity stepping up and righteousness being upheld began to really be things that I wanted to see happening! It's easy to pray things without being passionate about them. For example, to pray for your friend's friend's uncle's baby who is struggling to survive won't be the same if it were your little baby sister herself whom you were praying for. Prayers become more passionate and mean more to you when it is something close to your heart. And that's how it was with Malaysia. I found that by investing prayers in Malaysia, I came to have a real love and passion for Malaysia.

Why do I love Malaysia? Because God loves Malaysia. God's heart is for the nations. The Great Commission looks at nations. The end will not come until nations have been reached with the gospel (Matt. 24:14). Is Malaysia a nation? Of course it is. That means that Malaysia is on God's heart. Do we want to be men and women after God's own heart? Like David? Yes, most of us do. So if you are chasing God's heart, you don't have to go too far. Malaysia is one of those nations. And God has placed us here in THIS nation for a purpose. There is a reason why you grew up to know the people here, to share in the culture, to KNOW your country. God has purposes for you in this country, and until He specifically calls you out to another nation for HIS KINGDOM'S PURPOSES (not for your own selfish comfort of having a better life), then your place is right here!

Do I love everything about Malaysia? Of course not. Far from it. I don't like the public transport which tends to be unreliable. I don't like the dirty politics, or the dirty places. I don't like the racism, and the injustice in some of the systems in Malaysia. I don't like how our Sejarah books lie, or how our education system tends to spoon feed us, or how our newspapers are controlled, and a lot of other things, but bottom line is this - I LOVE MALAYSIA. And because I love Malaysia, I will not stand for what is wrong in this nation. I will work towards improving it wherever I can, or I will shut up about it. I can't STAND it when Malaysians just condemn and complain about Malaysia and do NOTHING about it! Or when I hear about people who can't stand the politics in Malaysia, but how DISGUSTING it is that they refuse to be registered as voters! That is just completely contemptible, that they dare to go around condemning Malaysian politics and Malaysian politicians and do not even vote. What gives you the right to do so when it is your sin of omission that has brought corrupt leaders to power in the first place? Just one example.
We are Malaysians, if we don't love our country enough to change what we don't like about it, then who will? If everyone who is capable of change, capable of doing some good to their society leaves, then who will stay? We are forming the Malaysia that we love or hate by our decisions. And how spiritually offensive it must be to God for Christians to proclaim that there is no hope for Malaysia. Our God is a God brought hope to the world, and the world includes Malaysia. Are you saying that God is too small to work in our nation? And why do we run? The highest percentage of people who migrate from Malaysia are sadly all Christians. That, maybe, is why there is no hope. Because we are all running. How absolutely tragic!

Yes, I love Malaysia. I may leave the country, just to let you know. But be informed that if I do, it will only be because God calls me elsewhere. There are enough people in Malaysia to bring about national transformation - economically, socially, spiritually. Malaysians just need to be awakened. People call me idealistic, but I really don't think so. It's not impossible.
The other day I was coming back from Vietnam by MAS. As we were landing in KLIA, the pilot announced, "to all tourists visiting Malaysia, have a wonderful time in our beautiful country, and to all Malaysians, welcome home." I had a wonderful stay in Vietnam, and to be honest, I wasn't looking forward very much to coming back to all the demands of school, but the moment I heard that, I just felt this unbelievable joy overwhelming me. I have to say, I didn't expect it, but that was the beauty of it. I am SO proud to be Malaysian, to have somewhere I can call my home. Calling somewhere home has also become a privilege I've realized after being in an international school. I've met so many people who are of different nationalities who have lived in Malaysia for years, or those who have moved from country to country. Yet while living in Malaysia they can't call themselves Malaysian, as they do not really know the place or the culture. A girl once said "I'm so jealous of you guys. You have somewhere you can identify yourselves with", and when I asked a guy once who had moved from place to place where "home" was for him, he said "I don't know..." I found this quite sad actually. To not have anywhere which is home for you. To not quite know where you belong (though of course as Christians, we know that our permanent home is heaven in the end and everything is still temporary). I am glad that I am Malaysian. I am glad that I know that this is where my home is, and I will stand up for my country.

2010-11-22T15:58:00.003+08:00

How He loves us..
by alvinb
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I tell you..
you have gotta watch this video..
turn the music as loud as possible..
Such raw emotions and raw feelings of the love of God..
I hope it will send chills and lead you to tears
to the goodness and graciousness of God..
this is the real deal.
No rosy, no sugary words
but real words, passionate words
that cannot even come close to His passion for you.
Love is so amazing
that He loves even when things are messy and gross
He love us through, not offended when we are angry at Him
He loves us so.

Watch this I dare you, a song that captures the raw intense emotion of the love of God, not the usual romantic pinky rosy love...raw love..:

Lyrics:
Verse 1:
He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

Pre-Chorus:
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Chorus 1:
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

Verse 2:
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Chorus 2:
He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

Verse 3:
Well, I thought about You the day Steven died,
And You met me between my breaking.
I know that I still love You, God, despite the agony.
...They want to tell me You're cruel,
But if Stephen could sing, he'd say it's not true, cause...

Chorus 3:
Cause He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us.
Whoa! how He loves us.
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

After that video up there, after a few times, then watch this of how and why it was written.

Tell me how u feel..

2010-11-01T10:46:00.001+08:00

YPF’s Sister’s Nite

23 October 2010

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The boys have been planning this event for two-three weeks. They were a lil nervous at the start as they have not done anything close this before. But, the excitement supersedes the early anxieties. They were determined to give it their best effort in showing the girls in YPF that they are appreciated and loved.

I personally felt that it was a great idea especially you know boys in general can be a lil blur about how to care for another girl, not necessarily in the romantic sense, but as a sister in Christ. They were busy finding plates, glasses, utensils, etc…, and it was really amusing to see all this drama going on in the background. A few of them came early in the morning on that fateful Saturday to deco the whole church. As you can see, from this:

It becomes this:

And now, this:

Impressive, I’d say. Bearing in mind that many fashion designs or interior designs (famous one’s) are men. Amen =)

The night started out with candles on the stairs to greet every princesses in town. I must say, all the girls were lovely in their gorgeus evening dresses. Thumbs up. All of you dressed to your utmost best. And it was really a pleasure as well for the boys to learn how to be in their good manners and polite to greet, serve the princesses of the night. Of course there are some occasional, “Eh, can you just be yourself and not be too polite, it’s weird, creepy..etc”. hahahhaa.

Bloopers throughout the night was plenty. It started off with a “shock of the century” where a certain princess came too early than expected (5 minutes before the official time of 7pm). It was afforded the “shock of the century” because she is not too good with timing. Okay, that is all I need to say. =)

Mark and Philip started off the evening with their slapstick toilet humor.

Let the pictures do the talking.

What a lovely night indeed. The girls were truly impressed with how detailed the boys prepare the evening, from the wine glass, the roses, to the preparation of the food. I must say that this successful story of the night goes to show that when the boys are given something strange and peculiar to do, they always went on and outdid themselves, everytime. Well done, boys, well done.

This is the nite where all the boys became men *dramatic music*

We look forward to the next Sister’s Nite year two zelo one one.

For now, the men shall await the most anticipated nite in Novemeber 2010, “Brother’s Nite”.

Now, a lil something for you..
*ROARRRRRRggrrrgrowllltirzillaisheregrooowll*

Blessings

Alvin

2010-10-25T11:32:00.001+08:00

Sister's Nite
The night where all became prinecesses
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(In the midst of updating...loading..)

2010-10-22T13:59:00.009+08:00

Does PMR stop the Holy Spirit from moving
a story by janicek
Link : http://www.urtherevolution.com/story/762
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DEFINITELY NOT :D

Here's a lil personal RR testimony. On the night before PMR, ( or two nights before PMR ) the Holy Spirit was really moving me to give up some of my studying hours for others. I was moved to encourage those who're sitting for PMR. I really had a burden for those people who've not received Christ. I know most of us now, in school, rely on God for every single EXAM am I right?

Imagine others who feel insecured, who're they gonna turn to? So I told God, okay God I'll give up time for you. What'd you want me to do? I wanted to mass text everyone, but God told me to make encouragement notes instead. So I went on, making those notes from 7pm till 1am in the morning.

The next morning I had a lil headache, but I still kept on going and my parents weren't happy bout my whole idea of making notes instead of studying for PMR. I told 'em I've set my priorities like this. I'm a servant of God before a student. Even if it takes for me to get a B for my first paper, I will still go all out for God's work.

But during devotions that morning, I felt really discouraged, and 'what ifs' started popping out. "What if people dont appreciate the sacrifices I made, and my PMR papers failed me? " But I was still standing firm, knowing that it's God's will for me to encourage others.

(Romans 12:8 , Whoever has the gift of encouraging others should encourage.. )
True enough, God lifted me up by comfirmation. He told me, that I've not sacrificed my time in vain. He gave me a comfirmation that He's a faithful God, and we can hang on to the Promises, because He only declares what is right, and He speaks the through. I didnt have to search for these verses, He gave me a direct hit on the face!

Isaiah 45:19
19 I have not spoken in secret,
from somewhere in a land of darkness;
I have not said to Jacob's descendants,
'Seek me in vain.'
I, the LORD, speak the truth;
I declare what is right.

Isaiah 49:4
I have laboured to no purpose, I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due to me is in the Lord's hands. And my reward is with my God.
GOD ENCOURAGED ME IN RETURN. He ensured me bout the time I've spent for others, the time I've set apart for Him, the time I've spend to study, as I've put as much effort as I can in working my best in everything, He told me that all these, it's all in His Hands. What is there to worry bout? We don't have to worry, because the fruits of our labour is in His hands!

I was filled with joy, knowing that my God is with me, forever and always.

So I'd like to encourage you Revolutionarist, sometimes it might be tough serving God in certain circumstances, feeling like you've lost something.

Keep in mind that,

Luke 17:33
Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
If it's by God's will, it's okay to lose something for God's sake. It's okay to sacrifice something that means alot to you. We're just passer bys, keep in mind that our true home is in heaven :)

YOU DONT HAVE to WORRY BOUT THE SACRIFICES YOU'VE MADE CAUSE YOUR REWARD IS WITH GOD. It may seem a lil stupid to keep sacrificing for others but that's just one of the Devil's lies to stop you from going. Never let God's work STOP just because of some examinations, we're not called to serve on special ocassions, we're called to serve in all circumstances. If you're willing God might make this a platform for you impact the lifes of others, as WELL AS YOURSELVES :D

The outcome of my lil encouragement project was awesome! Managed to laminate lots and lots of notes, gave 'em all out. God was working mightily through me, all I had to do was to obey and sacrifice. So If God's calling to do the same, GO ALL OUT FOR IT! ;D As you try to impact the lives of others, your life will be impacted in a way or another.

:)

May God be with you, and not to worry, you have not strained your eyes in vain also.

Jesus loves you!

2010-10-13T14:39:00.002+08:00

Computerized Christianity
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Push the right buttons, enter the right code, insert the correct data, and bingo, print out your own salvation. You do your part and the Divine Computer does His.
No need to pray...No emotional attachment necessary...

And worship...?
Well, worship is a lab exercise - insert the rituals and see the results...

No kneeling. No weeping. No gratitude. No emotion. It's great...unless you make a mistake.
Unless you errr..
Unless you enter the wrong data OR forget to save the manuscript. Unless you're caught on the wrong side of a power surge. And then..tough luck, my friend, you are on YOUR OWN.

That's what happens when...you replace the living GOD...with the puny achievements of man..

2010-10-06T11:25:00.001+08:00

Philip Yancey Ponders 'What Good is God?'
By Lillian Kwon
Christian Post Reporter
Sat, Oct, 02 2010 07:37 AM PT
_________________________________________________

Bestselling author Philip Yancey remembers a time when one Christian leader, whose name many believers would recognize, was going through one hard time after another.

His teenage kids were regularly getting into trouble and he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

"I have no problem believing in a good God," Yancey recalls the man saying during a small group discussion. "My question is, ‘What is God good for?’"

It's a question Yancey has also pondered, especially during encounters with women struggling to feed their children, sex slaves or oppressed Christians in other countries.
"What can we count on God for? What difference does it make whether you believe or not? What difference does it make at a time of testing and challenge?" he asks.

The Atlanta native, whose books have sold more than 15 million worldwide, has had some theological training but he doesn't pretend to know the answer. In fact, he's famous for addressing commonly raised questions honestly, from an investigative standpoint rather than an authoritative one.

He took the same approach, as a journalist, when trying to provide some form of answer to the question "What good is God?" – which is also the title of his newest book.

Of course as a Christian, when he was visiting with people around the world who knew only poverty and shame or who were enduring emotional or physical pain, Yancey had to at some point stand up and declare the hope that he had in God.

But his own faith seemed to have gone through some transformation as he came away from the ten travels that he recounts in his book more convinced that faith really does matter and does make a difference.

That's easy to say when he hears Hilda (whose name was changed in the book), a Costa Rican, talk about how she was sold by her mother at the age of four into sexual slavery and the renewed life she is now living because of a Christian's helping hand.

But when he's back in America, where the news of the day is Lindsay Lohan and where more money is spent on beauty products than on education, it's a lot harder to conclude whether faith really does matter.

"Every day, the broader [American] culture is tempting me to think about 'Am I driving the right car?’ ‘Do I have the right haircut?’ ‘Do I have enough money?’ ‘Am I wearing the right clothes?’ ‘How am I coming across?’'" Yancey said in an interview with The Christian Post.

"Really, we should be asking ourselves, 'How are we coming across to God?'"

Interestingly, Yancey says the hardest place to be a Christian is in a place like the United States – "a nice prosperous country with a lot of entertainment options."

The sophisticated University of Cambridge also ranks up there as one of the hardest places to live out the Christian faith (harder than communist China or multi-faith India, Yancey notes).

Grace, he told CP, is a free gift but to receive it, you have to have your hands open. And a lot of people don't have their hands open.

"There's something they're grasping because there's a lot of things to grasp in a prosperous country," he said.

In his book, Yancey acknowledges how Christianity can be good for society but also notes how, as that society achieves a level of comfort and prosperity, its citizens feel less need for religious faith.

“They live off the moral capital of the past. Meanwhile God quietly moves on, to a place that senses more need," the author states.

Yancey makes it clear that his Christian identity comes not from how Jesus' way benefits society but from his belief in the faith that he holds to be true.

2010-10-04T17:00:00.001+08:00

BLAST from the past (29th May 2007)
What tmrw’s Youth Camp means to me?
by alvin boey

Editor: This is a blast from the past blog entry taken from Alvin's old blog about the youth camp we had. Certainly many great memories. We hope that we can continue to make more meaningful GOD-memories with one another. Too cliche? But, it's the truth. Lord, guard our hearts, never let our hearts be SO cynical as we grow older. We want to mature in You and not grow older.
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A pretty straight forward entry today with no twist and turns and unexpected shock and awe kind of post with hidden meanings in between the wordings churned out on a daily basis here. What you read here today is what you get. I will share as much as I can here if time permits me because camp is only one day away and I need to tighten some loose nuts and screws concerning the camp planning matters.

Here goes nothing.

Tmrw’s youth camp will signal a complete transition of youth leadership from the seniors to the current batch of leadership. A momentous close to the first 10 years of the history of YPF which have seen how God has move so faithfully and powerfully. The curtains are raised down and tmrw will birth a new chapter in the YPF history book where the new batch of crazy and exciting youth leaders take over the helm. 10 years of faithfulness, really. God has been good. Now a dawn of another 10 years of faithfulness, God willing.
I’m a bit overwhelmed right now, so forgive me if my writing today seem a bit tad confusing and non-coherent at times. I try not to choke here.

Give me one moment….
…..
…..
I have no words left in my mind to describe how grateful I am to God for what He is doing among us in this Youth ministry. It is beyond words really to describe how proud I am of this current batch of leadership who has not only taken upon the challenge thrown their way, but also their commitment to remain faithful through the tough times in the course of preparing for this camp.

And I can say this with the grace of God, tmrw’s camp will be organized, planned, arranged, coordinated by the youngest ever set of leadership I’ve ever seen, heard or experience. And that’s no mean feat, Praise God. I can never say that phrase too many times because it just reminds me of the verse in 1 timothy 4 about not despising one’s youth which was implanted in my heart 10 years ago when we started the youth ministry in the church.
Two years ago, they werejust kids. But now, they are now all grown up taking over the leadership mantle from their seniors while their seniors move on to the tertiary ministry. I can humbly tell you that the possibilities are endless with this present leadership. I can just literally sense the buzz, the anointing, the possibilities and that excites me to the core that I need to pen this down before my memory fails me.
I dedicate this entry to my God who has been amazing. He just blows me away when He reminded me this morning of the last 10 years of what He has done.

Without Him this will not be possible.
I am looking forward to the next 10 great years, doesn’t matter whether I’m still around serving in the youth ministry.
It is a dawn of a new day for the YPF ministry.
It will be a wild ride…..
Yes, Lord, I’m prepared to be WOW-ed by You in tmrw’s Youth Camp.

I’m ready.

2010-09-15T12:16:00.000+08:00

Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) Takes Aussie Love Story Global
Editor's Note: This is a touching story worth sharing here. Our prayers with Kristian and his family. Hope in God, because He never fails. Hope this brightens up your day. =)
________________________________________________________________

(AFP) – 20 hours ago

SYDNEY — It was meant to be a romantic video message just for his wife, but cancer-stricken Kristian Anderson's four-minute tribute, starring Hollywood heart-throb Hugh Jackman, has become a global phenomenon.

Anderson, who was last year diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer, contacted the "Wolverine" star via an Australian radio host and within three days had an email from the actor's assistant containing a video clip, he said.

Jackman appears in the video to tell Anderson's wife of seven years, "He loves you Rachel, he loves you".

"Hugh Jackman certainly gave the clip some Hollywood glamour," Anderson, 35, told Australian magazine Woman's Day published on Monday.

"It's certainly taken its popularity to a whole new level."

Jackman's unlikely co-star in the touching video, which has been viewed some 295,000 times on the Vimeo website (http://vimeo.com/14325334) is New Zealand Prime Minister John Key who introduces the video with a birthday message to Rachel.

"I wanted someone from New Zealand, where Rachel was born, to be in the video and I thought 'Who better than the guy who runs the place?'" Anderson explained to the magazine.

Rachel said she did a "double take" on seeing Jackman addressing her onscreen, but it was seeing her two sons Cody, three, and Jakob, two, with their father in the video which made her cry.

"I was blown away," she told the magazine.

"I was gobsmacked when John Key and Hugh Jackman appeared. It's a good thing I was sitting down, I was like, 'Oh my goodness that's Hugh Jackman'."

Anderson, who in the video holds handwritten cards in which he thanks his wife for her support as he undergoes chemotherapy, said he decided on the format because he didn't think he could do justice to his feelings in words.

He said he was inspired by one of the couple's favourite films "Love Actually" in which a heartsick character tells a woman he loves her via placards.

In Anderson's video, one of these cards reads: "Without you... Life just doesn't work. I need you like I need a cure for cancer."

Anderson's blog (http://howthelightgetsin.net/) has been inundated with messages of support from around the world since the mini movie was posted.

"I only ever put Rachel's video on the web in order to share it with our friends and family," he wrote.

"They live so far away and I wanted them to be able to share in Rachel's birthday in some small way. But then it got a little crazy and, well, here we are. I have no words to thank you for your support. I'm really at a loss."

Rachel's Birthday Video from Kristian Anderson on Vimeo.

Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.

2010-09-06T11:15:00.000+08:00

DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF, BUT BE YOURSELF

By Jaeson Ma
Link: http://jaesonma.com/
____________________________________________________________

One of the biggest lessons I am learning is not compare myself, but to be myself. In today’s world we are constantly bombarded with images of what we should be like, what we should look like, what we should have, who we should be.

From magazines, to TV commercials, to advertisements on the Internet, to people we talk to, it always seems like we are never enough and we always need to measure up to others. But is what the world declares as successful our success? Is what society says we should be like, act like or look like be our standard? Or is what other people are doing what we should be doing? I fail to differ…My whole life I was always compared to others around me. My parents thought I should be smarter like my sisters, my friends thought I should be cooler like the other popular guys, my peers in the music industry thought I should sound more like this musician or that other band, etc.

The list goes on, I lived in a world where I was constantly feeling pressure to be everyone else but myself. Our culture shouts to us everyday to conform to the popular norm, but this may be the biggest deception to truly finding ourselves.

If we want to find ourselves and find our purpose in life, we first have to realize that each of us are completely and utterly unique. I am not like you, and you are not like me. My thumb is the only thumb that will ever have the marks it has, my face is the only face that will look like mine, and my life is the only life that can be lived by me.

So what does that make you and what does that make me? It makes us “you-nique.” Each of us is not only special, but each of us are one of a kind. The greatest deception is to try to live your life to be someone else and in the process lose yourself, and lose who you may have been to the world.

You are the greatest gift to the world. Yet, so many times we play ourselves down. We feel like we are not good enough, not beautiful enough, not capable enough, or smart enough because we are always told we are not enough, but this is a lie and not the truth.

You are enough, you are called to be you and not somebody next to your, or the person you read about. It’s okay to be inspired and challenged by others, even influenced by others in a positive way, but it’s not okay to try to be another and not be yourself.

We think success is what people make it out to be. Bigger is better. Show me the results. Look at what I have. See what I can do. I’m more beautiful than you! Are these statements true or are they just a perception of what truth should be? I believe that success is something that is unique to each person, never to be compared from one life to another, but to know that success is you following your heart, you being yourself and you doing what God created only you to do.

There will never be another one of you or me. So lets stop trying to compare ourselves to each other, but lets be ourselves to one another. This will make the world more beautiful, attractive, creative and innovative. Don’t try to be anyone but yourself… I am happy to be exactly me!

God bless,
Jaeson Ma

YPF Rojak Night 2010

2010-09-01T18:04:00.001+08:00

In conjunction of National Day, YPF had a Rojak Night last Saturday at church. We wanted appreciate the diversity and cultural differences in Malaysia and also to celebrate God's goodness towards Malaysia. (Perhaps also an excuse for a scrumptious national dinner together..) The dress code for the night was traditional. The turn out was amazing, coming up to 40 people!

Well, some went to church as early at 9AM to get the place decorated - ready for you to berposing during the night. Thank you guys, you know who you are :) !

I *heart* MY

We had two speakers for the night - Bro. Gideon and Si Qin who spoked about their testimony and experience of becoming a Christian. We also had a fruitful session of Q&A with them. =)

Later on, a short icebreakers and finally - the time to fill our hungry tummys.

The menu for the day was - Rojak, ayam percik, satay, tepung pelita, cucur udang, ayam goreng and roti canai ! Oh yeah, abundance of food :D

The majority was dressed in colourful Malay traditional clothings ranging from kebaya, baju kurung, baju melayu and quote from someone during the night : "That skirt thing" ... Aiyor..we all need to brush up on our bahasa more and our knowledge... Hehehe...

The Chinese :) Mostly dressed pink/red cheongsam except Win Sern, the only Chinese guy haha..

Indians + Punjabi

The ones who didn't dress up, horhorhor!

I *hearts* 1Malaysia!

May God continue to bless Malaysia. Happy 53rd Independence Day!

2010-08-27T10:34:00.003+08:00

Will you be that 7000?
By Alvin Boey
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I don’t know how u will feel when you watch this video.

But, I felt a surge of yearning just bubbling like crazy in my heart as I watched this. If possible, I would want to teleport myself and be there crying together to God for Him. Nothing else. When I have Him, I have everything.

But, doubts came right after that surge, will any young person below 30 would be even interested in such things or something they believe can afford to wait while they chase their dreams. Looking at how things are, it is saddening. BUT, this verse came to mind in Romans.

Romans 11:3-4
Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”

The bolded verse of the 7000 brought me to tears, this morning as I sat down on my bed listening to the video. I felt like Elijah sometimes, being so alone in my pursuit of His will for myself and the nation. I felt like I’m not ambitious enough just because I don’t fulfill the common ambition of wanting to be a millionaire by 30, to own a fancy car, to get a high flying corporate job, own this, own that, get this, get that by a certain age.

Then the Holy Spirit impressed on my heart, “Doing God’s will is the MOST ambitious thing u will ever do”. Wow. God's will is SO not necessary limited to going full time serving in church. It’s about how can we use our talents i.e. making money, doing business, making music, doing graphics design, drawing, leading in the corporate world to put God’s mark in the place we are called to? That is the basic definition of God’s will.

God is now issuing a call again to all young people to converge again for this ultimate call to 1 purpose that is to stamp God’s mark everywhere in the market, mamaks, corporate world, banks, homes, uni, colleges etc.

A group of people are committing themselves to a media-fast from Facebook, Twitter, etc.. to prepare themselves to converge in Kluang from 15-17th September 2010 to pray for new direction. Safe to say, I will be there.

Without God, everything I have, I do, I possess will be meaningless.

Will you be that 7,000?

2010-08-23T08:58:00.002+08:00

Loveletter from God to me..
By Krystle Koay

Note: After you read this letter penned by Krystle, spend that few short minutes alone with God and let Him tell u what He thinks of u. U know, He knows what u need to hear, for He is our God, our best friend..=)
______________________________________________________

My beloved,
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I’ve chose you when I planned creation. Have you not remember that you were a miracle child? I’ve brought you to this world according to my plan. I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Right here in Malaysia.

You were not a mistake, the country you were put in was not a mistake, and the life you are living is not a mistake – for all your days are written in my book.

I am familiar with all your ways even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
It is my desire to lavish my love on you.
I love you. Simply because you are my child and I am your Father.
I am your provider and I meet all your needs.

My plans for you have always been filled with hope because I love you. My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.

Do not worry about tomorrow, I will have that taken care of.

Delight in me and I will grant you the desire of your heart. I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.

I am your greatest encourager, your Father who comforts you in all your troubles.
I see your tears, I see your frustrations.
When you go through the deepest and hardest moments, I am there. When you failed the exams, I was there. When your friends leave you, I was there. When you felt alone, I was there.

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. I have carried you close to my heart. I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. I am your Father, and I love you!

All that I ask for is that you spend time with me and hear me. Despite your running in and out, your busy schedule, remember I am waiting for you to respond: Daddy, I love you!

Love,
Daddy in heaven

2010-08-20T11:13:00.004+08:00

YPF ROJAK NIGHT

Date: 28 August 2010

Time: From 5.30pm onwards...

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The poster explains it all. Come, come loads with your national day costumes to celebrate our nation's Independence Day (actual day: 31 August 2010).

(click on it for bigger view)

We know that many things to complain about the country, BUT, again, we gotta remember to be thankful for so many things. When we list it out, you will be overwhelmed by His goodness to us, Malaysians.

See u yah =)

2010-08-11T10:41:00.001+08:00

This Experience Must Come
(taken from My Utmost for His Highest)
Link: http://utmost.org/this-experience-must-come/

Note from Editor: To point the importance of having your own experience with God. That at this moment, when you look back in your life, you need to reflect what are your experiences with God? How has God been real to you? It's not about how much u know about God, it's about how much u have been through with Him.
______________________________________________________________

Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha . . . saw him no more —2 Kings 2:11-12

It is not wrong for you to depend on your “Elijah” for as long as God gives him to you. But remember that the time will come when he must leave and will no longer be your guide and your leader, because God does not intend for him to stay. Even the thought of that causes you to say, “I cannot continue without my ’Elijah.’ ” Yet God says you must continue.

Alone at Your “Jordan” ( Kings 2:14 ). The Jordan River represents the type of separation where you have no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one else can take your responsibility from you. You now have to put to the test what you learned when you were with your “Elijah.” You have been to the Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are facing it alone. There is no use in saying that you cannot go— the experience is here, and you must go. If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your “Jordan” alone.

Alone at Your “Jericho” ( 2 Kings 2:15 ). Jericho represents the place where you have seen your “Elijah” do great things. Yet when you come alone to your “Jericho,” you have a strong reluctance to take the initiative and trust in God, wanting, instead, for someone else to take it for you. But if you remain true to what you learned while with your “Elijah,” you will receive a sign, as Elisha did, that God is with you.

Alone at Your “Bethel” ( 2 Kings 2:23 ). At your “Bethel” you will find yourself at your wits’ end but at the beginning of God’s wisdom. When you come to your wits’ end and feel inclined to panic— don’t! Stand true to God and He will bring out His truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship. Put into practice what you learned while with your “Elijah”— use his mantle and pray (see 2 Kings 2:13-14 ). Make a determination to trust in God, and do not even look for Elijah anymore.

2010-07-19T09:43:00.001+08:00

Being a teenager….
[ps: not gonna quote scriptures or anything]
By RuhWey
______________________________________

Life is :
8.30-breakfast
9.00-homeworks/revision
10.15-devotion
10.40-pack and get ready
11.40-school
7.20-dinner
8.00-bathe again
8.30-homeworks and revision again
10.30-probably sleep, probably eat supper
11.00-off to bed

[ Just a little look on my ‘teenage’ life ]

Life goes round and round like this for me everyday.
Day in day out repeating this daily routine.
Its tiring sometimes, the fact that you need to wake up five days a week saying “Oh no, today’s a schooling day”.

Tired, tired, tired. Hate, hate, hate.

We keep complaining and complaining and complaining.
Sad things come, but great things happen in the end.

Being a teenager.

I don’t know about you but my life has ups and downs.
Compared to yours maybe my downs are not as serious as yours, but I do have problems of my own. At this point of my life, one of my daily worries is about these three relationships in my life:

Relationship with my family
Relationship with my friends
Relationship with my Father in heaven

To me all these 3 relationships must be connected. My family must know my circle of friends, my friends must know Jesus as how He knows who my friends are and how my friends know who my family are.

It’s hard to make them have the faith. I didn’t say its easy.
But all it takes is a little faith to make it happen.
Here’s an example that I hope would encourage you.

I noticed I hadn’t shared this little testimony yet, so now it’s time! JJ

Last Friday I brought a not-so-close-friend of mine to CF,
To my surprise when I invited her to CF she said “I wanted to go there for a long time!”. And she accepted Christ! She’s attending a church somewhere with my senior in CF who lives nearby her home. I was very happy to be able to be the one who bring her to CF but all glory goes to the Lord who works miracles in ways we do not expect.

One and counting...
_______________

I believe that I will bring more friends to Him.

Those friends that I love so much and spend almost 8 hours with them everyday. Those friends that watched me cry and laugh together with me, those friends so close that we share our deepest, darkest secrets together. They mean a lot to me as how I mean a lot to my Father in heaven. God is waiting for them, but it’s sad sometimes to know that they don’t even know who are they burning jaw sticks to.

And when I talk about Jesus they would ignore me. But.

I know I am in Connaught for a purpose.

Sometimes I wish I could put a thumbdrive in their brain and transfer all my thoughts and faith into them. But time will tell!

I really want them to know the Lord.

I have faith that He will do the rest if I do my best.

I will.
Will you?

2010-07-12T15:37:00.002+08:00

Experiencing God in Australia
By Emerene Tung (studying in Melbourne now)
_____________________________

As usual, I put on my headphones, chose my favourite Bethany Dillon song and headed for uni. I loved it when I had to walk alone to some place. Having company is great sometimes, but I enjoy having this alone time. All I had with me was music, the scenic view, and my thoughts. Among all the random reflections I’ve had, there is one that I want to share.

Remember the last camp we had? Lost and Found? I liked playing the angel and mortal game. I liked being able to bless people the best way I can whether it was getting Alvin to serenade in a harassing way or getting someone to pass chocolates to my mortal. I liked receiving encouraging notes and candy from my angel. What’s my point? I’m not trying to say that I am an awesome angel nor am I saying that I should get more sweets (although always welcomed, hehe).

Have you ever thought, “Lord, I thank you for this person because he/she has been so good to me.” My point is, this angel and mortal thing isn’t just a game. Look around and you’ll see that you have your very own guardian angels.

Here are a few of mine:
There’s MS. He’s the same age as me and yet he’s my senior and my OCF cell group leader. He’s one of the reasons why I think I’ve transitioned smoothly from KL to Melbourne. I don’t think I would be as comfortable as I am now without him. He’s also my tutor for everything, from accounting to grocery shopping.

And then there’s AB, my unofficial advisor. The things that I’m uncertain about regarding the church and its teachings, I go to him. I love to just throw my questions at him and let him drown in my sarcasm. Although I feel that as he is approaching 30 years old his 15 years old mind has a lot of catching up to do with his physical state, he is the person I trust for the answers I need. I don’t go to my parents for these kinds of questions nor am I comfortable with asking pastors. This guy doesn’t know everything and he knows that, but to accept my questions and not think them as nonsense, it’s good enough for me.

ET. The person I can talk to about anything and everything under the sun. My joy and my heartaches. We have known each other our whole lives (not by choice) and we support each other. He keeps me grounded and still motivates me to reach for the stars.

JC. My other OCF cell group leader. Her smile never fails to brighten up one’s day. Always encouraging and always caring. Her style rocks socks.

Them.
The guys that always take the extra effort to walk me home at night even though it’s inconvenient. Just so that I arrive home safely. In this terribly cold weather, no one wants to stay outside an extra minute, but they do so anyway.

The people that message me just to ask me how I am. The people that tell me to persevere when things get tough. The people that say “Everything will be alright” and mean it. The people that give me a slap on my face (not literally) and keep things real.

The thing is, I can go on and on about the people that I feel have been a blessing to my life here in Melbourne but I think you get my point. I didn’t win an Oscar and this is not my acceptance speech with all the Thank-Yous and what-nots. Just look around you. Who are the people that you feel are your very own guardian angels. No, they don’t have halos on their heads nor do they have steel wings like the angels in Legion (terrible movie, by the way). They can’t fly (unless by Air Asia or MAS) and they are not dressed in white all the time. And yet, these are the people that make you feel that life is beautiful. Chances are, you are someone else’s guardian angel, too.

Initially, I didn’t have a particular topic to write about, and then I was told to write on experiencing God in Australia. Whoa, wait a minute, this entire article isn’t related to that topic, is it? I experienced God in Malaysia and I am experiencing God here, in Melbourne. I’ve seen miracles and I know He’s here with me, every step of the way.

But there’s one more thing, let’s not forget.

I experience God through you.

2010-07-07T14:15:00.001+08:00

Beneath the covers of TRUST
By Wei-Li
____________________________________

Everything seemed like it was going perfectly well for me….

I can only describe the bliss and contentment as though I was dancing amongst the clouds and embracing the glistening stars in my arms.

As I was indulging in sheer pleasure, the clouds I danced amongst grumbled without warning and dark blotches started covering its surface.

Suddenly, the stars dimmed and fell from the vast sky.

Just like a thief, all I treasured were robbed off me and without me realizing, I was surrounded with nothing but pitch darkness.

Just like that.

Everything I clinged on to “poofed” into thin air.

Gone.

Confused and bitter, the countless nights that followed, I spent blaming and questioning Him…
“Why??” ‘WHY??”

But the only sound that responded was the echo of my very own pleas and the resounding silence that entailed…

Weariness overpowered me as I ran in circles and bummed into solid walls, till one day I decided to put a stop to my self-pity and complaints and did the hardest thing I could pull myself to...

“Trust”

Trusting that He has greater plans in stored for me. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Trusting that He’ll pull me through this storm that I face. (Psalm 46:10)

When I was given this topic, I thought I had what it takes to leave you with a sense of assurance from a testimony.

But ….

I’ve failed to do so and to be honest with you, I’m still struggling with trust and strands of doubt still cloud my mind…

So how then can I assure you that everything’s gonna be ok?

If you thought that reading this writings would give you a sure-fire answer to your queries and doubts, I’ve to apologize at hand… that I’ve no answers for you.

Surely I could quote hundreds of scriptures regarding “Trust” to you and tell you that you’ll be fine….but all these words would be rendered redundant if you see no truth in what they hold…

If you are as I…

Rocking on the same boat of uncertainties and worries…

Whose hope crumbled into hopelessness….

Would you then with me,

Cast all worries and doubts at His feet ….

Allow Him to pull us through these crashing waves ….

Trust that He has the most awesome plans ahead for us that we’ve yet to see?

Would you with me…

Embark on this journey of Trusting Him again?

“The life of faith is not mounting up with wings, but a life of walking and not fainting. Faith never knows where it is being led, but loves and knows the One who is leading” –Oswald Chambers

2010-07-01T09:56:00.001+08:00

My Journey in Penang…so far..
By Chin Nee
______________________________

Hello everyone, greetings all the way from Penang! My journey in Penang so far… It has been 4 years in Penang, three years of studies and one working world. As I look back, the time when I was standing at another crossroad of my life – entering into a new phase of life is not easy.

It has been one year. “Welcome to the working world!” This is the very common phrase people would tell you when you finish your studies. But, very seldom people would tell you how much more challenge & temptation that lies before you. Dealing with people that you find it hard to work with and you don’t have a choice to it; putting in more effort to meet new friends and build friendships; a test of EQ at your work place and more… But because He is always there, I know that I am in safe hands. He is a God who journeys with me always.

First of all, I would like to thank God for everything – all that He has been teaching and showing me. Secondly, I want to thank my family especially my parents for releasing me to be in Penang. Thirdly, the ‘foster’ family here in Penang who have been taking very good care of me every since I finished my studies in USM. Fourthly, people God has sent that touch my life. Lastly, to everyone who has been praying for me. Your prayer is much appreciated. Thank You.

People have been asking me, “Why Penang?” and I always answered, “Because I like Penang.” Deep inside me, I know there’s more to that. Something is holding me back – a burden for this small little tiny ‘tortoise’ island. Throughout this year in Penang, I’ve learnt a lot and ‘eat’ a lot – from my daily interactions with the people around me to my spiritual walk with Him. I thank God for all that He has provided for me thus far, and I believe that He would continue to be my Provider. Living here in Penang, is not as easy as I thought it was. “It’s the same. You’ve been staying there for three years. It shouldn’t make any difference to it.” But it does. My group of friends changed. My living lifestyle changed. My responsibility changed. My commitment changed. Culture might have changed. But one thing remain that I’m sure of, that is I’m still the child of God. I’m always PRECIOUS in His eyes.

Here are some updates: I’ve started serving in this church – musicians in Sunday School, church communication team, and worship team (vocal and keyboard). I’m also leading in the creative ministry, but no progress so far, in other words tergendala buat sementara, which I need to quite down and re-focus myself.

So far that I can recall from my 24 years of life, it was my first time having a ‘cold war’ with a friend for months (without realizing that it was a cold war) to making reconciliation and becoming friends again. This happens twice within a year – once from my friend’s side another is me. This helps me to understand what it really means to reconcile after being offended. It is not easy, especially if you don’t think you are at wrong or the whole offence thingy was all started by miscommunication or by a joke.

Offence is the biggest hindrance of your relationship with God. I struggled during the cold war months. But He has shown me humility which is what He’s looking for in us. The whole process of reconciliation is supported by much prayer and courage from Him. I would like to share something that I received during the church camp which I recently attended. “When we say, “I forgive you”, it is not us providing forgiveness but proclaiming forgiveness. Only God has the authority to provide forgiveness. And we who are weak need to ask for humility from Him, His grace and courage to proclaim this simple 2-syllabic word.”

At times, I feel lonely, disappointed, crushed, hopeless, and I needed a shoulder to cry on. I don’t have any. But when I look into the sky, I would see eagles soaring on high, as if God is telling me, “I’m carrying you on wings like eagles.” I would see rainbows, and remembers of His promises that He is our Hope, our Refuge, our Comforter and our God. He will be with us; He will not leave us nor forsake us, Joshua 1: 5. All we need to do is to call upon His name and trust in Him with the little faith of ours.

I thought that it’s easy to be a music teacher. Relax, problem-free, flexi working hours and etc… but the truth is, you would face all kinds of people; stress from bosses, students, parents, even clerk; may work longer hours than usual office hours. During classes it can either be a wonderful moment or it can be one of the torturous moments in your life. Seriously, at times, I just feel like throwing him out of the class and just tell the parents that I don’t want to teach him anymore, but I held back each time. This is a patience testing/ EQ testing career.

I thank God for His grace and patience that surrounds me. This caused me to reflect at myself. How God would have reacted when I acted like one of my students? I must have been a child that has caused Him terrible headache. How much grace and patience He had poured out to me… How much love He has poured out to me… It’s never ending but at the same time, not to take God’s love, grace and patience for granted. Thank You Lord!!!

As some of you may know, I’ve been working as a part time administrative assistant in a training company, LifeEquip which was set-up by the church I’m currently attending. I have learnt a lot here – from work skills (especially computer software) to my service to Him. Seeing my colleagues and all trainers volunteering themselves without salary touches my heart; the young people not taking their life serious enough breaks my heart. The most important thing is that these people do not have God in them.

So, it is no longer a job, but a ministry for the young people nowadays. Even though we face obstacles, but God is sustaining each and everyone of the worker here. It also motivates me to be a better person, a better teacher in this education line.

If you can, please uphold us in your prayer too. Here, I would like to end by asking you a few questions:

what are we (teachers/ parents/ leaders) imparting to the next generation?

Is it academic qualifications only?

What values are we teaching them?

What are you going to do today to make a difference in this world? What legacy are we leaving behind for the new generations?

Will they be building the nations or tearing the nations to parts? So… build to look good or build to last?

Think. Pray. Act.

My prayer to all of you including myself:
Psalm 86: 1-4
“Hear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.
Have mercy on me, O Lord,
For I call to you all day long.
Bring you to your servant,
For to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.”

Serving Him faithfully with joy,
Koay Chin Nee

2010-06-28T10:31:00.000+08:00

When faith and reality collides
by Joynn
_______________________________

I’ve heard many remarks of people telling Christians how the church is very different from the ‘real’ world or how Christians are inadequately equipped for the ‘real’ world. What do we mean by the ‘real’ world? It seems to imply that the environment in the church is not applicable of the world we live in. It appears that the church environment is constructed on a very different dimension with little or no relevance to how we would operate outside the church. Reality, for many people, is how and what the world is.

Therefore, it gives the impression that there are either two realities (church and world) as in there are two sides to a coin, or one is a reality and the other is just an illusion. Are there any other alternative impressions that one can derive? It can be understood then why people behave in a certain way in church and in another way in the world because it is so hard to reconcile the two. This is where our faith and reality (the world) collides.

What is reality? Many people use the word reality loosely, without attempting to clarify what they mean by reality. What defines reality? Can two people share the same reality? Does reality depend on how we observe a situation? How do we reach a consensus to what is reality and whose reality do we accept?

Some of the suggested definitions of reality are as follows:
the state or quality of being real, resemblance to what is real, a real thing or fact, the totality of all things possessing actuality, that which exists objectively and in fact.

Still the question is, how do we know what is real?

From psychology point of view, to a person with schizophrenia, his/her perception and expression of reality are real to him/her. But, we all agree that their perceptions are distorted and indeed are not reflective of the real world. How then did we arrive at this conclusion? Ultimately, who constructs reality? Some say that he who holds the power is the one who constructs reality.

Putting aside all the questions about reality, my take is that in order for something to be real to me, I have to believe it’s real. As simple as it is, believing is important. In the entire of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus was constantly teaching and explaining (proving as well) to his disciples that truly his Father had sent him and that he and his Father are one. When they finally declared that they had understood and believe that Jesus came from God, Jesus replied “Do you now believe?”(John 16:31). As long as we remain unbelieving, nothing will make sense.

So, when people say to me that I can’t change anything and that this is reality or, this is how it’s done in the real world, I would just replied that my faith (as in the Christian faith) is my reality. God, to me, is my reality. If our faith is real to us then it is also relevant to us because we are constantly interacting and behaving in accordance to our reality. The hard part is the world often projects a very different and appealing idea and that is where we must learn that the world does not give us a complete view of reality.

We sometimes see our faith and the world as two polar opposites and two separate entities. If the two comes together it repels, because one is positive and the other negative. But we don’t see these two things as permeable. We keep the light to ourselves, we don’t let it or we don’t know how to let it flow over to the other side. And we seldom realize that if we are not careful sin infiltrates to our lives. Therefore, we do not realize the impact one have on another, we don’t understand how the world influences us or how we can influence the world. We continue to live two lives, the light as strong as the dark because the light does not shine darkness.

We can choose to live one life or we can choose to live two lives. It’s not so important to prove which one is more real to us, but what is more important is does it make a difference between what’s real and what’s not?

2010-06-25T09:01:00.000+08:00

My Last Semester in College
By the “eye”
____________________________

After a total of 1490 days, 35760 hours, 2145600 mins and 128736000 secs, I can finally say that I’ve graduated! Yes, that’s alot of days and time spent being a college student!

Gone are the brain cracking sleepless nights being caffeine overdosed just to finish an assignment. Gone also are the sleepless nights, munching food at crazy hours just so I can stay awake to study for an upcoming exam. And of course, I no longer have to sit 3 hours straight listening/watching lecturers go through slide after slide, or with that same amount of time, sweating it off in an exam hall!

However, gone also are the times spent with friends, discussing about lecturers, assignments and everything else under the sun. Gone also are the rare opportunities of learning under brilliant lecturers. Gone also are Monday and Wednesday afternoons (After 2pm) where we students could get San Francisco Coffee at 50% off [Pay Attention HELP students!]. Also, the chance to serve, grow and mingle in CF, is gone too.

That said, I couldn’t thank God more for the friendships He has given me throughout these 4 years. From my ADP friends, Business buddies to my CF bros and sisters, they were really what shaped college life for me.

And I couldn’t also thank Him enough for seeing me through the good and bad of my college life. The bad results, the stress, the times when friends had to leave overseas; the good results, the fun, and the new friendships. And the knowledge I’ve learned throughout the 4 years is simply immense.

Though gone are so many things, friendships, knowledge and sweet memories still remain. As of now, I only have the future to look forward to.

One which I’m excited to see where He leads me.

2010-06-23T14:10:00.001+08:00

Realizing my potential in God
By Wypun
___________________________________

Sometimes we might feel that we will never be like that anointed worship leader, or that charismatic youth pastor. It seems that our role in Gods kingdom is very small and almost unnoticeable.

However, I believe that each one of us individually has great potential in God no matter how much we may have achieved already and no matter how old we are. If you are not satisfied with what you are currently doing for God, and if you are willing to discover and align yourself with God's plan and purpose for you, I believe that He will bless you with the joy, peace, and sense of accomplishment that He wants in your life.

You may be asking, “How does God see me?” The answer is that God sees the person He made you to be. He sees all the awesome potential and possibilities He created you to fulfill.

Psalm 139:13-16 says:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Every one of us is born into different circumstances and will encounter both good and bad situations. We all will face the realities of death and life. With His guidance and his Holy Spirit, you will be well equipped to deal with any situation. The act of dealing with these situations will play a great role in shaping and transforming you, and helping you reach your fullest potential.

Our purpose in life is to develop our God-given gifts and talents so that we impact the world around us for Christ. Some of us are so comfortable and self-satisfied in our settled-for life that we become complacent and apathetic. We then fail to see that God has much more for us to be, experience, receive, and do.
Life will take on greater importance and purpose once you begin to see the wonderful future that God has prepared for you. On the other hand, you can miss out on those opportunities to see God at work in your life if you do not reach out and claim that future.

Something to ponder :
Have you ever stopped to seriously ask God about His will, plan, and purpose for your life? Are you fully willing and available to receive His “What do You want to do in my life?”

Only God can answer these questions, and most of the time, He will answer them only when asked.

2010-06-21T17:07:00.002+08:00

My last year in high school
by Peter Loke

Note: A simple article from d heart which is so so encouraging. We hope it encourages u as well.
____________________________________________

Form 5 is kind of the most stressful years in secondary school .
Where there are many exams and workshops to attend. Daily!
But it is also the year that most people forget about God or are too busy to spend time with GOD because we will usually use study as an excuse to not spend time with GOD or attend church. It's true.

I face these same problems as well and sometimes I will put studies above GOD which is something that i know i should not do. And i don't want to continue to go on like that.
There are times that I enjoy being a form 5 student because of the change of my own perspective particulary this year.

I think that this year is the year that I enjoy being a christian and a real christian, not a ‘fake’ christian. There is such a thing as a fake christian just like fake dvds. lol.

I think that of all the years I being a christian , this is the year that I had grown to know more of GOD .
I had just attended a youth camp from Cheras Baptist Church and had learn many things that I didn’t know and glad that I have choosen to be with Jesus.

I just want to say the studies is not everything but our relationship with GOD is EVERYTHING.

So I hope that u will continue to love and worship GOD.

God Bless to those who had read this and May God continue to touch you as you live out ur life for Him!

2010-06-18T14:45:00.001+08:00

2010-06-09T10:20:00.002+08:00

Being real in my faith
by Ruxyn
____________________________

Sometimes, we Christians are “disillusioned” because we’re risk takers. Why so?
We have to risk being different, being rejected, being picked on, being unpopular, and being lonely. Who in their right mind would willingly chance these things??
But you and I do it every day.

After being a Christian for such a long time, it's hard to remember sometimes what we truly are as Christians. Why we're different from others, the reason that we're set apart. We are in the world, but not of the world - a phrase we've heard way too many times. But is our faith also relevant to others in the world? Sometimes we are in certain extremes either enthusiastic (holier than thou attitude), or sometimes very ignorant.

I believe being real in my faith is also being realistic and being able to share the relevance of my faith with others. But how to be "neutral" (as in not being over spiritual but also still have input) so that my faith could really be relevant to myself and others? I believe in balance and so our everyday life needs to be very balance. We can truly see how our where we place our faith by looking at our daily life.

The challenge is when we face circumstances in our life. How would we react/respond, it's where the test begins. One of the recent challenges is the situation that happened to my uncle. It's been a 3 weeks of trauma for the family and personally for me, it feels like a dejavu situation like 13 years ago (what happened to my father) for having the same kind of stress, anxieties, hopeless situation. And with my cousins being so young, it's very devastating and frustrating.

Even as we cry for mercy from God, it seems like He's been silent. Hopes were fading but we never gave up. There was a point of time, I asked God, why. Why had He, the Almighty Sovereign God allowed this to happen again in my family? I receive no answer but only exchange with assurance that He is still there, and He gave me the slightest hope everything will be okay, although in the end, nothing happened. Of course, my heart crushed with disappointment but I believe my uncle is safe in His hands now.

In the 3 weeks, I asked myself, do I really believe that God can do something to improve the situation? Is my faith still evident even at difficult times, times that are hard for us to sing the song ~ God is good all time. When I tell people about this, would I be saying "I don't know why God let that to happen" (sort of blaming God in a way) or would I say "Although I can do nothing I will trust in Him".

Can situations like these speak of our faith in God? Even when bad things happened we are still able to testify of how we manage to pull through with the encouragement of our brothers and sisters and the strength and peace given by God. As time pass, we will still remember the pain of that particular hardest moment of our lives but we now have a new strength to go through even harder moments of our lives.

Of course, it's never easy when challenges comes, but He still will give us the assurance that He's taking care of us and all we gotta do is believe. Not in our plans but His. Even things may not turn out well or as we want to, I believe His ultimate plan is better than ours and He knows what's best for us.

Rest in His everlasting arms, uncle.

2010-05-31T22:50:00.003+08:00

My Life in University So Far…
by Joseph Tan
________________________________

What’s life like once you’ve completed school or college, chosen your career pathway and began uni?
How different will it be in the absence of daily homework, a rigid uniform and a long list of regulations to abide by?
These amongst others were the questions that I had asked prior to entering uni.

Now that this is my second year of studying in the International Medical University (IMU). I can offer some ideas to some of you who are anticipating the day you step into your institutions of higher learning, at least from the viewpoint of a dental student.

My first 2 weeks in uni was initiated with an enjoyable orientation consisting of group games, treasure hunts, presentations, an orientation ball and complete with playful ragging that was deemed as the traditional “rite of passage”.

This was designed to help us make the transition from school or college to uni a smooth one and at the same time gain friendship with our seniors and fellow batch mates. It was during this 2 weeks that we learned the do’s and don’ts including the dress code. Yes, IMU has a rather strict dress code which includes long pants, long sleeved shirt and tie for students.

Even with the orientation concluded, adapting to uni life was not easy for me due to the rust that accumulated over the 9 month hiatus from serious study. Inevitably, I also encountered difficulty in adapting to a class of about 250 students. I recall having to spend 4 to 8 hours to understand and revise the daily lectures.

The time table was also packed with classes and other academic activities.I felt that I was studying more than I ever had in my entire student life on subjects that seemed endless. This problem arose because I did not know how much I was required to know.

I was diving too deep in certain topics and wading too shallow in others. Unlike in school or college where there was a specific textbook for everything, there wasn’t any in uni. We were expected to know more by searching for learning resources from a wide range of books, scientific journals and e-learning resources in order to comprehend the concepts contained in very brief lectures that were mostly in point form.

The absence of a class teacher and the use of independent, self learning sessions like the Problem Based Learning (PBL) sessions were initially felt as a burden. There was absolutely no one to spoon feed us with information like before. We were also taught to be critical with the information we gathered be it from the internet or even from lectures.

Everything should be backed by solid evidence with minimal or no assumptions made if possible.By the 2nd semester, I had adapted better by learning to study according to the study guide. I also began to enjoy the PBL sessions with my friends. However, the study load only became heavier with the addition of subjects such as Microbiology and Pharmacology, which required the memorization of terms that I found difficult even to pronounce.

By the middle of the semester, I felt that my learning curve was as sharp and vertical as it could ever be. I even loss a few kilograms in the weeks leading up to the final exam. Thankfully, the exams were not as demanding as I had expected.

In spite of all that I have written, uni life is certainly more than just books, assignment deadlines and exams. We have community projects to orphanages and hospices that offer us a window to the real world with physical, mental and emotional needs awaiting us in our future careers.

We are reminded that dealing with a discomfort is indeed more than addressing the disease alone, it involves treating the individual as a whole.Just like in school, there are also many extracurricular activities in uni. There are clubs and societies for anything from Christian Fellowship to Computer Games, Yoga and even Wushu.

There is also a Student Representative Council where representatives are elected for each course to voice the views and needs of the students to the IMU Academic council. As dental students, we also took charge of the annual Oral Health Week where a campaign was held in the form of games, educational booths, and presentations that helped to educate and encourage the public about oral health issues.

It was a highly successful campaign judging by the public response. Furthermore, we managed to enhance inter batch relationship with our juniors who were actively working with us to bring this project to life.The area that I enjoy most about uni life is the fact that the dental students and faculty make a very closely knit community through the organization of activities such as festive celebrations, futsal meets, dental dinners, movies, pot lucks and holidays together.

We have come to develop a close understanding and openness with one another through these events. There are also inter batch support groups such as the buddy system where our seniors guide us if we face any difficulties and provide tutorial sessions, sample questions, recommended book lists and study tips.

We in turn do the same for our juniors. There is also a Lecturer appointed as a mentor for every 10 students. It is through this extensive support system that we remain on the right tract towards success and enjoying the course.

I must say that I have come to enjoy what I do more and more each day especially with this new semester, be it in the lab, clinic, classes or out of IMU with the company of great friends.

The only thing I could possibly ask for right now on my uni wish list would be shorter study hours!

2010-05-20T11:42:00.005+08:00

To un-cliché “Putting God First”
By alvinb
_________________________________

It is by far one of the most cliché Christian phrases I’ve ever come across. It becomes so common to say those 3 words that I somehow ‘lost in translation’ for quite some time as to what does it really mean. Especially when I hear people say it.

Is it true that if I attempt to put God first, I don’t play my current fav game- bejeweled on facebook and turn to God in solemn prayer and communion.

Is it true that I don’t go out yum cha with my friends at my usual mamak stalls.

The list of questions goes on and on which beg to ask, “if I put God first, can I still do the things I want…and those things I want to do are not necessarily considered “God’s way or plans” as per the common perception of Christians”.

Which leads to me to the next question, what is God’s ways or plans? (A question leading to a question, can this be more confusing than it already is? lols)

To want to break it down to humane activities as to what God’s ways/plans means would be un-wise and redundant. As we usually say, “God’s ways or plans for each person are different, may not be the same”.

True, but not entirely. I believe it can be summarized in a sentence if I may do so, “God’s ways or plans for us are basically for us to surrender our lives (literally) to Him that in the end His divine plans for us can be fulfilled”. In other words, the goal is that we become more and more like Him. The great apostle Paul said that, not me (refer to Romans 12:1-2).

We need to identify those things or areas in our lives that can help us achieve that goal or stifle our progress to that goal.

My friends, non-believers (most of them), are great buddies from high-school that have been a great companions over these years that never failed to challenge me to become better in whatever I do, even to become a better Christian. (surprise?).

I find myself that some of them can be so difficult to communicate with that I always find myself wanting to succumb to the temptation to just take the easy way out to ex-communicate and never hear from them EVER again. In this instance, my “patience muscle” is severely stretched. For what? So that, I can rely on the Lord to relate to them...i have to in order to remain sane. The goal? that i can be patient like Jesus..that's the goal...

That is why to suggest that we as Christians to stay away from non-believer friends is clearly blasphemous. I still hang out with them, talk to them and I realize they really make me a better person.

How can education-PMR, SPM, Degree help me to achieve that goal?

How can my circumstances back home help me to achieve that goal?
How can my serving in youth ministry help me to achive that goal?

First, God loves us for who we are.
Second, God loves us too much for us to remain who we are.

Which brings me back to the first question, what does “putting God first” really mean?

Putting God first means to surrender (HAVING NO CONTROL OF) all things to GOD and consider Him first when we make big and small decisions, consider Him when we talk to our friends, tell Him how the movie “Jennifer’s Body” stinko and that she can’t act, complained to Him that lady driver is so rude and irresponsible, tell Him to help me to stop worrying about my studies because I’m so nervous…God, i wish i can have a guy to be with now, like that guy in OneTreeHill,....list goes on..

I know some will say, it is so unrealistic to do that.

That is what it means, putting God first in everything u do, including the menial stuffs, your thoughts, your weekly schedule..etc... It takes practice, it takes a long time, but we can start from where we are now…”GOD, this alvin is so cheong hei..can u just help him”.. lolls..there u go..

To consider Him first. It takes practice until it becomes a habit, but the good news is this, I don’t have to do this all by myself. Difficult, yes. Impossible, no.

When this is clear, it will be a joy to fellowship with GOD, not a burden because it is so meaningful and most of all, REAL.

As the normal Christians usually say, “it is a relationship with GOD, not a religion”..

It’s not just a relationship, it is a way of life.

Give it a try...

"Lord, i so want the latest Super Jr. cd..but not enough money..hehehe..can u help? I enjoy their music so much but also u let me know if i become too obsess yah..i dowan to be like that..coz i really wana put U first."

hehe..

Blessings and Love from above.

2010-05-14T08:56:00.002+08:00

Of sleepless nights and scholarships…
By Glory Kong
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Yes, no, wait. Simple and easily understood replies. However, many of us still find it hard to hear, understand least not do what we’re told. Especially when the answer God gives us is wait. Yes, it was just after SPM results were released and I was praying day and night for His answer. Guess which one I got? I sent out more than 10 scholarship applications hoping that THE ONE was out there for me.

God, where are u sending me? College? Form 6? Or am I to end up as a housewife at the age of 18? Arghh!!! Going to form 1 from standard 6 was so much more easier than this.

Then 1 night, the heavens opened, and the glory of the Lord was shining upon me… Alright, that was not how it happened… It was a very normal and peaceful night, that God decided to say something other than just wait.

“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” - Psalms 32:8

Yay! Thank you God for those words. But wait… Which pathway was He talking about? The road less taken? Kampung road or highway? Yes, we should rely on God to lead us to do His will, but I can’t help feeling a little anxious, knowing that God is always full of surprises, loves putting us in situations out of our comfort zone so we’ll grow (up ways or side ways? Hmm…).

A few weeks later, I went for a few interviews from JPA, PETRONAS and THE STAR. It went quite ok, I guess. For the PETRONAS scholarship, I had to attend a 2 day ‘camp interview session’ in Tronoh, Perak. And I had to go there by train together with ME, MYSELF and I. The worst was that I didn’t get on the bus the uni provided to fetch us from the station. Somehow, I don’t know how and why, I missed it and had to take a taxi there. Thank God I didn’t cry or anything. Haha…

The facilities in the uni there was nice, but are you really intending to send me there God? Well, that is if I get the scholarship. But, what if it’s the only scholarship I’ll get, and I don’t have any other choice except form 6? If that happens, I’ll be like more than a hundred miles away from home, cut out from the world( the place is quite secluded), no church, no other food than banana leaves( ok, they have other stuff to eat too. Maybe some tapioca?) …

Thankfully, THE STAR was quicker to reply though I only went for the interview the day after I came home from Perak. Earlier, someone from THE STAR called me to ask if would mind if they changed my choice of uni to UCSI ( I asked for SEGI ) and my course to Mechatronics ( Mechanical+ Electronics) since it was an interesting field, and there will be a demand for its graduates in future. So, in the end God chose my uni and my course for me!

So, here I am in UCSI, happily adapting and feeding myself fat ( they don’t spoon feed you knowledge like they do in secondary schools) …. Oh, and they even have CF here, which is so, so cool =)

So, all I have to say is thank God for everything in life, trust Him, pray lots and get a hearing aid ( If you can’t seem to hear Him clearly).

“But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them and he will gladly give them to you if you give him first place in your life” -Matthew 6:31-33

God bless…
-Glory-

2010-05-11T22:57:00.004+08:00

My Superhero in apron
By alvinb
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You never get the accolades you deserved.
You wiped our boogers and stains without flinching a muscle.

You tugged us to bed and tell us that you love us, even when we’ve broken your precious vase you have bought 1 week ago.
You tell us that Jesus loves us for who we are and that you love us like Jesus did, the best you can.

You willingly committed to a full-time job of loving us, the catch is, you love doing it every single and think that this is the best job in the world. And you are not even paid. If you were to be paid, money won't do justice to the sacrifices you've make.

You didn’t try to turn us into another ‘you’ but gave us the space to be the person who GOD wants us to be.

You love us even when we don’t eat our veges.

I know that God is real and His love is real because I see and experience that sort of love with you, everyday.

Blessed Mothers Day from all your grateful children.

Love

*Some of the behind the scenes of the preparation for Mother’s Day on Sunday (9th May 2010). We decided to manually make flowers from scratch to give to our mothers. Every petal were cut, pieced together with love. *drama*. HAHAHAHA.

2010-05-10T09:21:00.002+08:00

On being a "superhero".
Posted by Homecomers.
Link: http://letters-to-australia.blogspot.com/
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I've always wanted to come back.
Really.
I believe that this is my homeland, so that's just the place I ought to be.

I was at the OCF Convention in Melbourne in 2006, and something that convinced me even more that I should come back to Malaysia was this OMF video they showed during one of the workshops.
And I remember one of the missionaries just briefly, but excitedly, saying that God had told him, "I'm there. Come and join me".

So, God is in Malaysia.
Yes, He is.
All I had to do was decide if I wanted to join Him in what He was doing here.

That was how it started.

But somewhere along the way, I must have thought that I was gonna be a superhero and "save" Malaysia.

My name is Qian. Some people know me as Patience. (That's a story by itself)

I was a psychology student at UniSA, Adelaide mid-2006 to mid-2007.
I knew Esther and Mindy from HELP days.
Just couldn't get rid of them.
Now I probably couldn't survive without them.

Like most of you, I had a fantastic experience in Australia, albeit a short one.
After I came back, I got myself a job at Malaysian Care. 1 year later. (That's also another story).

Well, to be perfectly honest, saving Malaysia hasn't looked at all like what I imagined.
Maybe I'm just trying to do something with my life so that I will feel...

That I'm important.

That I'm needed.

That I am contributing to the Kingdom of God.

But what is life anyway?
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon states over and over again, that everything in life is meaningless.

You would think that working in full-time ministry would be rewarding.
But the realities of life just make it seem stupid.
It's all fine and dandy to say "have faith" when your transport costs less than AUD20 per week, you have great support from OCF and your awesome church in Australia, and the future looks promising.

I've discovered that being in full-time ministry is not easy. (I know, like duh, right?).It's not been easy to give back when I have a beat-up car, no savings and I'm still counting on other people's charity. (Definitely helps you to stay humble, though).

It's not been easy to stay in a church that (I feel) is not nourishing my spirit.

It's not been easy to see God when discouragement comes along.

It's not been easy knowing that you're a sinner, and so is everyone in your "Christian" office.

It's not been easy trying to accept that maybe I'm not meant for full-time work.

It's not been easy trying to see that God is God wherever I am.

Malaysia. Australia. In a Christian organization. In the marketplace. With the hearing. With the Deaf.

I've been challenged with this every. single. day.
Did I really mean it when I called Him LORD?

I sing it so carelessly.

I really thought I meant it when I was worshiping in Edge.

I really believed it when I was with my OCF buddies hanging out in Magill.

When I was baking cupcakes, or cooking with my housemates.

But I really have to fight it with all my might here in Malaysia.
Can you really fight it without the support you had in Australia?

Is God really "all I need"?
Now it just sounds naive.
"I simply live for You". .
Wow.
Did I really sing that?

But... I still believe in God.
And I trust that His word is true.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace, not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

Whatever His plan may be for my life, I know that my identity cannot be fulfilled in the "perfect" job.

And I have to believe that there is a GOOD purpose for my life, and for me to be in Malaysia. (And no, it doesn't look like marriage is the reason).

I'm not saying I feel this way. But it's the only thing I can cling to.

It feels like I'm clutching onto this with just my fingertips, trying not to fall off the ledge.
It hurts, and my fingers are getting tired, and I'm really, really, REALLY scared that I'm gonna die (or something that feels like death).

I kinda feel like Jacob.
Wrestling with God, and saying "NOOOO! I refuse to believe that this is it! I'm not gonna let You off until You promise me something better! Bless me! BLESS ME!!!!!"

..............

I guess what I'm saying is... this is all I've got.
To have faith that God knows what He's doing even when I don't.
To consider that maybe the only thing I CAN do, is try to know God a little bit more.
Coz trust me, there have been countless times that I feel I'm not doing anything. Like, SERIOUSLY.

Having had some experience in the caring ministry, I realize some of the perceptions I had about ministry work and coming home was that I would make a big difference in a short amount of time.
I guess that's what happens when you live in an "instant" generation.
Microwaves, Internet, SMS-ing, 3G, Preferred parking, online bookings, u name it, we've got it.

But ministry is seldom like that.
It takes a long time to see fruit.
Sometimes we may end up like Abraham or Moses.
We might not even be the ones to see the promised land, although we worked our butts off to get there.
Ministry is often very slow, very tough going.
Can you imagine trying to teach a child to recognize a picture of an apple everyday for 3 months?Most moms of kids with special needs have to.
Superman, Batman or Spiderman come in, they save the day and get the girl in 3 hours. Or less.
I guess God's sense of timing is quite different.
And I guess His idea of a hero is quite different too.

I don't have a wonderful success story to tell you. My life, as it stands, hasn't been such a great success thus far.
But if you're looking to fight a battle, Malaysia's the place for you.
Being in my line of work, I see the needs all around me. So yes, definitely Malaysia needs people to come home.

I'm not a superhero. And I certainly don't feel like one.
Despite all the difficulties I've had being home, I don't think I would have been satisfied in Australia either.
It would have gotten too comfortable. And I may have forgotten my need for God.
Somewhere, somehow, I just gotta trust that God's gonna make a masterpiece outta me and my life.
Coz that's all I've got.

I just gotta keep moving while I'm waiting.

2010-05-03T11:40:00.011+08:00

1^st May 2010: Water Baptism

By alvinb

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Quoting uncle Robert’s, “A wonderful glorious morning of opened heaven” was the perfect description of what went on 1^st May 2010. Six candidates decided to take the plunge, I mean, to commit to walk with God by being water baptized.

One of them is our brother, Simon.

Many came to offer support as well as to have a lil bit of wet-fun in a wonderful morning. Even, some really friendly strangers joined along as well. The most encouraging this is his mother and aunty came along to offer support. How cool was that?

It was refreshing to walk through the mini jungle smelling fresh air. And for some, to actually walk more than 10 minutes in a place other than a shopping mall, is an amazing feat in itself. Well, I shall keep that story for another day.

We started off with praise and worship.

After that it’s time for the young man to be baptized.

Posing macho before he going down.

Posing, again before going down to the waters. =_=

The old self

Uncle Yap (left) and Uncle William (right) leading Simon to prayer. Simon’s teeth are quite white. Just an observation.

The old self buried with Christ

Strangers looking on what is going on (it rhymed).

The new self, resurrected with Christ

A new man in Christ soaking wet.

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (x200)

Congratulations Simon. =)

These were the bunch of strangers which i mentioned earlier that were very very friendly. They were so sporting that they joined along in our praise and worship as well as to cheer the baptism candidates. Wonderful people. Contrary to speculation, they were not drunk, they were just very nice people, as i talked to them. They were so nice they even gave us food okay.hehe.

It has been my joy to personally see this young man growing and maturing in his journey of faith. And I thank God for his decision to put this “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back” into action. I pray that he will continue to grow in confidence and maturity in God and the great potentials in him shall be unlocked and be released to be a blessing to many more. I look forward to how God continue to work in your life. Amazing.

To those who came to support Simon, thank you so much.

You so deserve this:

Blessings

alvinb

2010-04-16T11:56:00.001+08:00

Mission Statements for YPF 2010

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Point #3- We suka eat Maggi Mee Cup Noodle IN THE COLLDDDDDD together-gether, mostly in Peacehaven, sharing lame stories over a hot cup is BLISSSS..

"Eating Together" makes life worth living..

*smiling*

2010-04-08T16:35:00.007+08:00

Mission Statements for YPF 2010

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Point #2: We take CAPTAIN BALL (water polo too) VERY VERY SERIOUSLY...no seriously, we are VERY serious...u cannot imagine how serious and dangerous we become, once the ball is up in the air..seriously...

2010-04-05T14:23:00.001+08:00

Mission Statements for YPF 2010
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(click on it for better view)

Point #1- Going for Supper with peeps is a must in the art of berbonding-bonding.

2010-04-01T14:50:00.002+08:00

What’s so good about Good Friday
by alvinb
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Firstly, tomorrow will predictably be a heavy downpour, coupled with a horrible traffic jam, and stress-filled mad rush to church for the service. I’m assuming.

It has all the potential to become YET “another day of going to a church service on a weekday” to celebrate either a public holiday (sadly not in Malaysia), or attending a seminar by an invited speaker. In other words, it can be just another day with another church service, for a frequent church-goer like me.

Zooming on to something even more familiar to us, is that a day was dedicated to remember someone who did something significant or important enough to be commemorated. In our case, it would be the case of Christ died for us.

Then the question in mind would be to ask, “what was it called a GOOD friday if it was a story about someone who died in the most horrid manner where a body of a man was nailed at two pieces of plank joined together”. It just doesn’t make any much sense at all. I would rather call it Black Friday because of the “heavy rain” and “the death of someone”. I think that would make much more sense. Agree?

But the thing about this story is this, Christ was not just any ordinary man. How could you explain to me that this Man’s death has impacted so many around the world? And after 2,000 years, this story continues to impact people around the world. Logically speaking, he must be a VERY special man.

Indeed He is.

Sin has a way to grip and tear us apart beyond what we can imagine. Look at what sin has done to the fabric of society for the past 2,000 years, and you will understand the horrific proportions of the consequences of sin. Hence, Christ, the Son of God came down from heaven to show the way and pay the ultimate price of the sin of the world. The price of sin is death. And, someone has to die.

And Christ died on our behalf.

The greatest expression of love in which any human being on this planet can understand is that you are willing to die for someone you love.

And Christ died for us even though He knew that many will not reciprocate this love back. He died anyway because that is the only way He can set us free, from the penalty of death of OUR sins.

How can a story such as this be of any relevance to you, you asked?

We all have been looking for love in all of the strangest places, our families, our boyfriends, our girlfriends, other people around us, at the media entertainment…..we all want love that is beyond conditions. This explains why teenagers are desperate to hook up with a boy or a girl to come close to feeling loved.
This explains why romantic movies or film are such a hit. We all want love.

This story is relevant for you because Christ loves you, unconditionally, not because you are good enough, not because you are well mannered, not because you are polite and scored great results. He loves you because He is good. Period.

He loves you, even though you steal, lied, argued with your parents. He loves you anyway. And He has proven His love so true and genuine by dying for you even though you don’t know anything about Him.

When you experience such lavished love, how can you turn away and not respond?

We all screwed up.
That is why we need Jesus Christ in the first place.

He came to not condemn you of what you have done wrong, but came to save you so that you can be loved perfectly by Him who is perfect in every way.

Again, how can you turn away and not respond to such unconditional love?

Back to the question, what is so good about Good Friday?
My answer is, it is so good because I know I am set free from all forms of guilts and fear of not able to live up to the expectations of the world or be a person as defined by the world, but to be able to run to the embracing arms of my GOD whom I can call Father every second of every day, and He has promised to wipe away my tears and sorrows and tell me, “My child, everything will be okay, I love you”.

A performancee captured on video from last year’s easter 2009 by the Worship Ministry to bless all of you.

Blessed Good Friday.

Beloved child of God
Alvinb

2010-03-25T15:18:00.002+08:00

What is YPF..
________________

(click on it to have a closer look)

2010-03-23T10:55:00.003+08:00

More than a bus driver..
By alvin
____________________

I guess I sometimes wonder what is the Life of Faith, all about. Okay, fine. I can give a few adjectives to describe it, or even write a short essay about those 3 words, but if I ponder deeper, I really wonder, what is it all about and how can it be relevant to me, as a person. A person in this sense, a student, a working adult, a parent, a Christian, etc..yadiyada..

One thing I know about the life of faith is it is sometimes not easy (i feel silly to state the obvious..ehhe). It’s joyous at times, weary at times, tear-filled moments at times, a cheeky smile at times, frustrating at times, wanna-give-up at times, it’s a mixture of emotions and experience. Like travelling for a road-trip, it’s sometimes bumpy, sometimes very smooth, sometimes irritating going through potholes, sometimes inconvenient going through the tolls, sometimes interesting to see the beautiful landscapes, etc…

I find myself many times doubting God in so many decisions I’ve made. You know, the barrages of logical questions, or are You sure, will You really help me, where are You when I’m hurting, etc, etc..

But, when I board a public bus (yes I did before, okay, a few times) or a public taxi (yes also), I have no issues of doubts with a driver whom I’ve never known in my life.

Have you ever board a public bus or taxi and asked for his license to check for validity? Do you ask him whether he (generally since most of them are male in case of some of you feminist called u gender-bias, hehe) is drunk and able to drive you safely to the destination?

Do you ask him for his name, at the very least?

If I take a wild guess, it would be a NO for all the questions. We just hopped on and know that we will reach our Midvalley or 1U, safely. Strange isn’t it that we literally put our lives on a strange man we’ve never met, and we don’t even bother to ask whether he has a driving license in case he is an un-competent illegal driver. We just assume that he has a license. What a big assumption to make when our life is at stake, in that sense.

I’m not here suggesting you to interrogate every bus/taxi driver u meet and ask for his family details. But, it is something worth thinking about in regards to why we so easily doubt God in this journey of faith. It’s like a reflex within us (at least for me), when things go wrong, we doubt Him and worst, we think He wouldn’t know or care enough about our petty lil frustrations.

That is why He gave us the Word and the Holy Spirit, to remind us of His promises. And that is why we need to committedly go back to remind ourselves of His promises. Not easy, but boy, we sure must try...and try very hard..

In the depths of our hearts, we have this need to know in our hearts that someone, anyone is always there to back us up when we fall.

That is why a boy-girl relationship is such a must-have “accessory” in this MTV generation. Because when the world does not understands us, we have our cozy bf or gf to fall back on. Like Sandra Bullock said in her speech after receiving an award for best actress, “it’s nice to know that I have u (husband) to watch my back, it’s a good feeling” (ironically, revelations of him cheating came out after the awards ceremony -__-).

If you be honest with yourself, u know that you want someone to always tell us u are beautiful and want someone to tell u they care and want u so that u feel wanted and needed, to a certain extent.

But realized this, we have someone who is greater, someone who is perfect in every way, someone who knows us from the inside out, and someone who loves us deeply beyond any human can, who HAS volunteered to back us up and love 24-7, even when He knows that we may not return the same favor.

If we can trust a stranger to drive us to our destination, shouldn’t we put our trust on God whom we know and believe to let Him lead us in our journey towards the final destination?

When we go through crazy moments in our life, let us just assume that God will lead us through. With time, let that “assumption” turned to “believe”. And “believe” changed to “knowing” that God is always there for us through the roller-coaster rides in our life of faith. And that "knowing" becomes a life-long habit where it is ingrained in our hearts, the life of having faith in God.

He is more than a bus driver…

Blessings
alvinb

*pictures courtesy of www.1x.com

2010-03-11T11:04:00.000+08:00

2010-03-08T15:55:00.002+08:00

Disappointed
by tim gustafson
Source: Our Daily Journey
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Few joys surpass that of a soldier and a family reunited after an extended deployment. And few things exceed the disappointment of such a hope deferred. Imagine the scathing disappointment of a battalion that received orders to another spot in the war zone for an additional 3 months—less than 48 hours before they were to return home!

The story of Jacob is deep with disappointment. In love with his boss’s daughter Rachel, Jacob agreed to work 7 years for the right to marry her. But after holding up his end of the bargain, he got a wedding night surprise. In the morning he discovered not Rachel but her less attractive sister Leah in his bed! (Genesis 29:22-25). Disappointed—furious, actually—Jacob agreed to work an additional 7 years for Rachel.

What about Leah’s disappointment? Her father had resorted to treachery to get her married off to a man who didn’t love her. And don’t forget Rachel’s disappointment. For years, she had waited for her fiancé to finish his work and marry her.

Disappointment is the way of life. Altered plans disappoint us. People disappoint us. If we’re honest, we might even admit sometimes God disappoints us. Psalm 37 contains a promise: “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires” (v.4). Then why do so many godly people live with disappointment? The verse is taken out of context. Read the entire psalm. The psalmist took a long view, noting how the wicked will receive justice in due time. He advised, “Travel steadily along His path. He will honor you by giving you the land” (v.34).

For Jacob, for Rachel, for Leah, the result was the nation of Israel. It was through Leah’s son Judah that God blessed the world with Jesus the Messiah— the One who will never disappoint us.

2010-03-05T12:22:00.002+08:00

The YPF Family
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YPF Family. Not the Mafia-kind (-___-;)
But…. the kind of family where everyone feels belong, where friendships and everlasting bonds are formed, strengthened by a distinct common lurrrve for awesome food, brain-killer lamo jokes and of course, God.

YPF, there is no place like ….home..

(this is so totally doesn't sound like an advertisement..hahahaaha)

2010-03-02T12:11:00.003+08:00

I’m leaving on a jet plane/Airasia
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I know this is a very long over-due post AGAIN. But never too late lah..aiyor.

Before you misunderstood about the pic above and think that they are going to get married to one another due to the close proximity of them together in a pic, they not going to get married.....[deletded]yet[/deleted]. *rolls eye* Emerene and Matthew have cabut-ted on a separate flight to greener pastures in the land of Australia, specifically Melbourne to further their studies.

Facts worth knowing: Ironically Melbourne has lesser greens than M’sia. Hahahhaha..*self-syok/syok sendiri* =_=

For Emerene, it’s her first time embarking on this solo journey to discover *drama* and experience an “out of the comfort-zone” life to pursue her dreams of getting a good education.

*cue to oooooooooooooo*

While for Matthew…..
…yeah he…erm..also studies there..he..erm..came back to KL for his summer holidays..and so..yeah..he’s..erm..back in Melbourne to study..erm..to be..an..account..tant…

We wish you two the best in all you can do and a piece of advice that we want to see you do well over there and tell us loads of your adventures when you come back to KL, which is YOUR HOME, OKAY! Your presence in YPF will be missed.

May you have a crazier adventure with the Father over there. Our prayers will be with the both of you. So keep in touch.

Looking forward to see you at the end of the year, mature-rer, smarter, not-fatter, “buy us more soueniver”rer….etc….

Doing a mexican wave
Alvinb

2010-02-25T09:29:00.002+08:00

YPF: Help Haiti
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It is pretty obvious that this is long overdue but it is NEVER too late to say

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
for coming to the “Help Haiti” screening of Blood Diamond as well as the monetary contributions.

Source:http://1x.com/photos/humour/30519/

It BLOWS our mind away with your generosity from all youths, uncles and aunties in church that reflects your BIG BIG HEARTS YOU HAVE. We are blessed.

The donations have been successfully channeled to World Vision: Help Haiti. It is not the amount that matters, but the sincerity and generosity which you have shown, really says something. And to top that, the amount is A BIG ONE.

Thank God for you.

You showed a glimpse of the love of Christ.

WOW!

Blessings
YPF team 2010

2010-01-29T08:44:00.007+08:00

Help Haiti
______________

(click on the poster if it's too small yah?..=))

We know that many are aware of the earthquake tragedy that struck Haiti. A disastrous outcome with more than 100,000 people died in the span of 10 minutes, and thousands are injured, homes were gone...A few minutes of reflection.. .. ..

The toughest thing we ever have to face is endless homeworks, irritating teachers, peer pressures, even work pressure, tasteless food back home, assignment deadlines which don't seem to go away no matter how much you loathe it. But take a step back and reflect..we do indeed have a blessed life as compared to those who are not that fortunate and blessed.

This is not the usual guilt trip of making you feel guilty because you have a blessed life. No. We should be grateful and thankful because of the good life we have. It is a blessing, a new day everyday, in school, back home, work place, universities and college. But many are not that fortunate and so...the question is

How can we make a difference to a country and people living so far away from us?

We can.
By coming to our YPF Fund Raising for Haiti.

We are having a movie screening of Blood Diamond in church from 3-5pm in FGA Cheras. All funds and money collected will be 100% given to the Haiti funds. This is the time where we show our compassion and love for others who are in need. The Haitians will be in our prayers.

So, we ask you to come join us, call your friends, relatives, uncles and aunties to join in this fun time that doing something good can actually be really fun. =)

Cheers
Alvin
Young People's Fellowship (YPF) 2010

2010-01-15T10:41:00.000+08:00

Growing up..
By alvinb
(Recap from 25th September 2009 blog post)
_________________________________

The ONLY people on earth that don't have any struggles are ...DEAD PEOPLE. Primary school kids facing their own growing up issues. That issues escalate and expand to even bigger proportion when they grow up in their teens. Young adulthood has their own set of issues. And then moving on to the working world, screaming "responsibilities, and MORE responsibilities". Struggles are undeniably a PART of our lives whether we like it or not. The "dead people" statement popped in my head on my way home, when i was pondering on one ex-youth leader's email on her struggles. Struggles are real and they appear in various forms and even sizes.

I personally feel that struggles are so vital to just remind us that we are still ALIVE, denying the flesh and walk in the spirit is such a crazy hard thing to do. "Oh yeah, i'm struggling right now, it's difficult", my reply goes, "yeah, that's good" snapped back quickly with a "what'd you say again, good?". My response, "yeah, good, it just shows that you are still alive".

We really have to stop thinking that "If i am close to GOD, my life would be free from struggles" or "okay i'm struggling right now, it must be because i am not close to GOD, or i sinned against God"........I don't know about you, i am not sure where we ever get that idea from, because as far i know, Joseph from the bible don't have it all nice and rosy for him before he stepped into this destiny, I don't recall David having 0% of struggles, in fact, David is famous for his mistakes and struggles so much that a whole book in the bible is dedicated to that raw emotions he had towards GOD i.e. the Book of Psalms.

All of us, from different age groups and stages in our lives have, well, very different issues faced. Just like a Form 4 student attempting Add Maths for the first time (scary till faint), it will be super hard for her at that moment, because Form 4 Add maths is tough for Form 4 students. Form 4 Add maths is easy for those who are in college because they have been THROUGH it, studied it. You get me? So, it shouldn't be comparable and i get this a lot, "Oh you don't understand my struggles, because you are still young, it's easy for you to say". HELLLOO....We all face different kind of struggles in different stages of our lives, 12, 18, 26, 34yrs old and so on..we cannot put people's struggles any less intense/hard compared to ours. It's just being..right....to do that. Manifying and focussing your own struggles cannot be used as an excuse to remain weak and miserable, which leads me to ask myself, how can God fit right into that?

I find myself wanting people to comfort me, show love me when i am in the dumpster, feelings wise, emotionally wise..my mentor is good at that, showing love and grace, but there comes a time, that the mentor will say, "SNAP OUT OF IT AND MOVE ON"...Struggles do that to you, it makes you feel that there is no other way, and so you remain as you are-cold, miserable, u name it, and soon find out, it is a pretty comfortable place...I get the "SNAP IT OUT" hairdryer treatment from time to time, because i have this tendencey to wallow in self pity...it's not that the mentor is not gracious, just that i just need to snap it out, because I DON'T NEED TO CONTINUE TO BE IN THAT DARK HOLE. There is a way......so it is our response that proves to be the deciding factor.

It's not our responsibility to be good, to be faithful..etc...Responsibility, that's a scary word that people like to put on you, that somehow burdens you, i don't know, it was for me. Especially as a leader..hahahha. But if you look closely at the word responsibility, it is this "RESPONSE ABILITY"...it is our response...an ability to response..

My prayer that we will response to what He is calling you, to His love, today..

Cheerios.

2010-01-14T14:33:00.000+08:00

2010-01-11T10:22:00.000+08:00

2010-01-10T15:46:00.000+08:00

2009-12-31T11:58:00.000+08:00

2009-12-28T12:02:00.009+08:00

YPF CAMP 2009
*LOST AND FOUND*
17th - 20th December 2009
El-Santuary, Melaka
_______________________

It has been a wild ride. Months of preparation, sweats all combined coupled with tears in prayers capped an amazing 4-craziest days of our lives in year 2009. The preparation towards camp has taught many of us so much, as testified by all committees. One thing I personally felt that prayers uttered for a couple of months before camp has anchored the whole amazing journey.

Our prayers make the difference and not only that, prayers were continually delivered to the open heavens during the 4-days of camp. God heard our prayers. The evidence of that was 11 souls were saved, and 90 were ministered to. Never mind the technicality of whether they were really saved, or whether they really believed, we know for sure God really ministered to them and to all us. The voluntary response to the altar call was plain genuine. Something happened in every meeting, the hearts were nudged and stirred to want this “unconditional love” as shared in the sessions by the amazing Ongkilis.

God’s presence was so tangibly strong, that many came forward to be prayed for. They came out voluntarily. That's HUGE. Tears freely flowed during worship and prayer. You can't fake that. You want evidence. That is evidence for you. As one camper shared in the last session, “God defies all logic and human understanding”. Well said. It was strange that the usual “after-camp” emotional hype was not thoroughly felt. Not only me, many felt the same way for those who attended camps before. Well it was not strange after all, huh, because the camp was not the end.

God started something special in many hearts that came to the camp. And, we believe that this crazy amazing journey will continue in the year 2010. There is more.

We will walk together, let it not end on 20th December 2009, lets move on closer to one another and ultimately to God. He saved us so He can draw us closer to a relationship with Him. He wants a relationship, not a religion, not a routine, not even a “do-good-be-good-christian life”. He wants an intimate relationship.

Lets continue this adventure, together. We give all credit and glory to GOD who make it possible.

YPF will be starting in mid January 2010. We will keep in touch with all of you, and hope to see you soon.

By the way, captain ball is such a YPF official game, we have extended it to water polo as well. I love YPF =)

The season of discipleship and reaching out continues….

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Blessings
Alvin is amazed by GOD, again and again!
Young People’s Fellowship (YPF) 2009

2009-12-23T12:24:00.000+08:00

2009-12-22T16:43:00.000+08:00

2009-12-16T09:43:00.000+08:00

2009-12-08T16:50:00.000+08:00

IT'S NEAR!

2009-11-30T16:14:00.002+08:00

HOW MANY MORE DAYS ARE THERE TO CAMP?

YES PEOPLE~! 16 DAYS TO CAMP!!! AREN'T YOU EXCITED!!!????

Okay before camp, there's always camp briefing =)

Venue: FGA Cheras
Time: 10am - 12pm
Date: 12 December 2009

EVERYONE IS INVITED!!

and I must say, DO NOT MISS THE CAMP!!! seats are LIMITED now...so for those who have not signed up..
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

SEE YOU AT CAMP BRIEFING!

2009-11-25T09:12:00.004+08:00

IT IS ONLY
21 MORE DAYS is like
504 MORE HOURS is like
30,240 MORE MINUTES is like
1,814,400 MORE SECONDS..

IF YOU ARE WAITING FOR COWS AND DONKEYS TO FLY, THEN ONLY YOU WILL SIGN UP…

News Flash: Cows and Donkeys ARE FLYING RIGHT NOW and even the poor rabbit is flapping his ears to fly as well…

DON’TWAITANYLONGERLOH…
SIGNUPBYTHISSUNDAYHOR
YOUWONTREGRETIT

YPF Camp ~~Slaves~~ ~~& Maids~~ Committees 2009

2009-11-13T14:52:00.004+08:00

Turning 21. . .
By Wei-LI
_______________________

My eyes were fixed upon its long black finger dancing to a rhythmic tune.

“Tick…tick..tick”

Soon it touches the bolded number and chimes resound from within.

12 times altogether.

“21, and the world is yours”.

I recall those words from the many faces of those who’ve passed this stage I’ve just stepped upon.
I'm officially 21.
I felt nothing.. I still looked the same, felt the same and still facebooking.

I was still the “me” from the one a minute ago, a year younger and a category different altogether.

Ya, I’ve officially branched into adulthood.

Gosh I sound so old! By all means, I still prefer being acknowledged as “girl”.

Thank you very much.

Now for most countries, being 21 grants you access to activities that were never legal when you were 20 and below. What most people celebrate is the freedom to enter certain pubs and the grandness of walking towards to counter, holding a beer at hand fearlessly, bidding farewell to sneaking bottles of booze in yester-years.

While many exalt the drinking-liberty, I am also reminded that turning 21 gives you the rights to vote during political elections, appointing the government of your choice. The future of the Malaysia kinda falls into your hands now and would you be part of Malaysia’s downfall or revival? Well, it all depends on where you place that “X”.

Politics and booze and serious stuff aside, hitting big number 21 in Chinese Cultures also means receiving that “key of liberty” from parents!! Which I received none. Mention “liberty” and they will give you that “What liberty?” look of innocence. Sigh. A mummy/daddy’s girl shall always be a girl in their hearts right?

The female species dread the coming of this day. As many advised me before “Time flies once you’re 21! Soon you’ll start work, then you’ll get married. So cherish your teens!”

Oops?

Though you may catch me ranting on being old from time to time, for me, life’s only just begun.
And I pray that once you reach this “shall not be named” age, you would utilize your ‘freedom’ wisely.

And all you above 21, Wei-Li has joined the “I eat more salt than you” squad! =P

2009-11-04T14:47:00.011+08:00

YPF Dress Up Party 2009
By Alvin
___________________________

YPF had their first ever Halo-party last Saturday which saw an attendance of a strong 50-crowd. Thank God. Saw a myriad of costumes paraded in the party. It was all so fun, eih? Savy? (Still in pirate mode, me-self eih) I really hope my “pirate costume” didn’t freak anyone out lor. I know Kiwi (Jwolin’s dog) didn’t really fancy my pirate hairdo. -__-

Food was good. Rain managed to hold on till the later part of the party (I almost wrote camp -_-). Company of people was great. Getting to meet new people was really refreshing (not that I’m bored looking at the 25 faces of YPFers for almost eternity long). Thank God many came. And I’m really (x20) glad that everyone enjoyed themselves.

The start of the party was a lil awkward I'd admit, but as the party goes on that night, everyone started to warm up, I would say the air gets a lil warmer particularly right after the dinner started. HAHAHA. Food brings cheras people TOGETHER-GETHER. I *hearts* cheras.

Now, let the PICTURES ROLL…

Ruhwey: My name is Angelica. I am a very cute angel with my twinkle on my hand to make your dreams come true.

SPONGEBOB SQUARE PANTS...the best cartoon character OF ALL TIME. Oh that annoying theme song, I LOVE IT.

The fair lady (eunice) and the cowboy (Lester)....nice..

Joynn: The MAN (pronounced marn, in Jamaican accent) doing "his" move..

Kevin: YO YO YO, wazzup my brother..My name is KELVIN without the L. I'm cool like this way with my hip hop style.

Ian: Eh u dancer, balik kampung. Give you my "WONG FEI HUNG invisible kick" then you know. I'm COOLER...see my ICY STARE.

Peter: I also never say anything yet. Hello, my name rro, zorro. I'm THE COOLEST *carve a letter Z on your tushies*

Alvin: erm..i'm the coolest coz i got eyeliners and i wake makeup?

U ALL KEEP QUIET, i am the coolest...U're way too BEAUTIFUL, girl..

The Tan sisters..

the boys..

Jonathan: Hotel manager with a PS2 gun. OKAY okay Men In Black..=)

Jwolin: Paris Hilton with the dog, not just any dog, all hail the KIWI...

Rux: Hello LILO....

Spot the one who is posing in this pic. It's a lil "tough" but please try.

I as a lil adorable pirate just trying to sip my own cup of water at the corner minding my own business UNTIL huixian with his pitchfork piercing through my body where all the water i just drank, came spilling out. I didn't die. Wow. HAHAHA, so lame that i laughed while writting that. Eh stop shaking your heads and criticize me, i give you the POH LING JOKE treatment to kill your brain cells then you know. HHMMPTT *fold arms*

the man and the geisha

Joseph: He is shooting a target (bulleyes) on a tshirt. He is so lame that i can feel my brain cells are literally fried when i spend more than 5 minutes with him..

Poh Ling: I take back what i said about Joseph. Spending 5 minutes with the "CSI team investigator" will leave you delusional..hahhahaa..Her jokes are so wacky that you need 2 brains to fully contain her..

Simon getting the Best Actor Award for his marvellous Cindy-boy (a Cinderella spoof). The changed of voice in the middle of the skit was classic =)

Wan Chuen getting her prize for Best Actress award for that scary "ARGHHH, ARghhh".

Group 8 receiving the Best Performance Award for its most complex gayish dramatic skit ever performed. The storyline was so complex that we as the actors&actresses were a lil confused. Spontaneity still rocks.

We should so do this again.

All glory to GOD for an awesome time. Imagine 4 days of pure fun in camp..WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEe...............

2009-10-26T00:00:00.003+08:00

YPF DRESS UP PARTY
_________________________________

YPF Camp is only 51 Days away
IT IS SOOOOOO NEAR THAT I CAN ACTUALLY SMELL IT. CAN YOU? Check your nose and make sure it’s not blocked. Hehe.

YPF will be having a get-together on 31st OCTOBER 2009 (saturday). It's going to be AWE-SUMMMMMLY fun ei... It will be in Philip’s house, where?

31st October 2009
6.00-9.00pm
No. 50, Lorong Pakis Satu, Taman Ferngrove, Taman Cuepacs, 43200 Selangor.
(On the way to kajang, 7 minutes from Leisure Mall, Cheras)
IT IS RM0 PER PERSON..

*BEST DRESSED AWARD*SUMPTIOUS FOOD*GAMES*AND SO MUCH MORE*

Map to Philip's House:

Click on it to have a bigger view of the map

Please jot that date, address, time down in your journal, diary, your Sejarah Textbook, your forehead..etc.

SOWHYWAIT ??
COME DRESS UP in any movie characters, cartoon, or whatever "thing" costume and have a gala fun time..wheeeee....psst..i heard philip going to be dressed up in "Snow White" costume...i'm not sure, i just heard..

For the meantime, please check out this YPF CAMP 2009 VIDEO PROMO… spread the lurveee and news about the YPF camp..it's COMING

Lost & Found Youth Camp 09 Promo .
Stand up and do the Mexican Wave together..Cheers

2009-10-21T14:19:00.003+08:00

YPF CAMP, better than flying AirAsia
By Joynn
_______________________________

This year’s camp is about reaching out, man hunting for youths, young people (however you want to phrase it) that have yet to come to know Jesus. Evangelism is something that is close to God’s heart. After all, that’s the sole reason why He sent His Son to earth; for the world to know that we can be saved through Christ. The message of the gospel is simple; all of us have sinned, Christ came, He died, He rose again, and now we can have eternal life. As I read the verses in John 14, I am very excited.

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."

God Himself said that he has prepared a place for us in heaven. He Himself is building the mansions that we are going to live in Heaven, custom made according to our liking, and He will prepare a place for you too, when you become part of this big family. And this is what this year camp is all about, being a part of this great big family with God as our Father.

And how are we to get there, to be with our Father for eternity?

Jesus continued saying...
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." 8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."

This is what camp is all about too, to come to know the Father. The Father that we never knew, the Father’s heart, and the Father’s love.

Courtesy of http://1x.com/

The theme is lost and found. Dictionary and references provide awesome definitions for these two words; lost and found.

Lost means having gone astray or missed the way, bewildered as to place or direction, destroyed, ruined, distracted, distraught, desperate, hopeless, bewildered and confused.

To be found means to meet with, to feel or perceive, to discover esp. a valuable or gratifying one , to become aware of, or discover (oneself), as being in a condition or location, to bring (oneself) to an awareness of what one truly wishes to be and do in life, and to recover (something lost).

It is a transition from being lost (negative) to being found (positive). We were once destroyed, confused, ruined, and hopeless, and now we are refined and being recovered. We are discovering once again the beauty of grace, discovering ourselves, our identity in Christ.

So if you’re still in doubt whether or not you should come for camp, look at the following and see whether you can relate to any of those three:

A. You feel like you’re the lost sheep who are wandering away without realizing that you are so far away from where you should be. You are caught up with a lot of things that has kept you so pre occupied that you don’t realize where you are heading to.
B. You feel like you’re the lost coin that due to circumstances you had your life pretty much misplaces right now.
C. You feel like you’re the prodigal son. You once made the choice to walk away and now you have decided you want to come back.
D. You feel like the older brother who has identity crisis and doesn’t know where you stand in the Father’s eyes.

The Father is forever waiting and searching for you until He finds you. He loves us too much to lose us.

For those you don’t belong to any of the above category which means you’re in the rest-of-the-99-sheep category, you are most welcome to come and bring along your friends.

I assure you that this journey you’re about to partake in is much better than flying with Air Asia. So to all of you, who made this decision, Welcome Home.

I’ll see you at camp alright, and you’ll be stuck with me for four days three nights, ain’t it cool??

2009-10-19T00:00:00.000+08:00

Dream Cheras…
By Esther Goh
______________________

For a long time, I've envied the people living on the greener pastures of Petaling Jaya. Even when you say that two letters "P" and "J", you say it with more air and grace then when you say.. "Cheras". And every time I say I'm from Cheras, you would know what kinda responses I get.

"Hah? Cheras ah?
Very jam wan wor that place."
"Cheras ah? A lot of lala-s wan right?"
"Cheras? WAH. SO FAR!"

Okay. That'll be enough for now. I'd probably hurt many-a-feelings if I go on with the list. But yeah, even (apparently), girls from PJ are of a better breed than we from Cheras. And, we get very defensive over the place we were brought up in.

Dreams.

I think we're a generation that has lost the ability to dream.
We are scarred by hurts not of our own. Our parents tell us it is pointless to dream. Their cynicism has rubbed off in our minds. That we dare NOT dream.

Just like how we have absolutely NO reason to be racist. We were NOT there on May the 13th, 1969. We were not the ones hurt by the actions of people then. But we have allowed the hurts of the past be a secondary hurt in our lives today.

Ask the person next to you - "what is your dream?" - and look at that sheepish smile you get. Or that blank face with "Huh? What dream?" - written all over it. We live as if it's out of this world to dream.

But if we truly believe that this place - this world that is fading away - belongs to our Father, and we know His heart for His people who are still living on this side of eternity, wouldn't it be legitimate to DREAM?

And dream Cheras.

Last Sunday, I was convicted when I had a conversation with a very good friend.

Things don't happen by chance, we always say. Do we see it as real in every aspect of our lives? Us Cheras-ians, being born and bred in Cheras (let's not even talk about being born in the bigger geographical area of Malaysia just yet), did not happen by chance. And we upper middle class people (come on, don't kid yourself. If you're reading this from YOUR own computer/laptop with Streamyx, you're so much more well to do than a lot of people), are comfortable where we are.

But we are strategically placed in areas that are brimming over with needs. Economical, social, health, political (yes - political!) needs. And this is OUR chance to dream. And to do something about it.

"Break our hearts for what breaks Yours" - will always remain an emotional statement if we do not couple it with action.

Think globally, act locally.

What are we doing for Cheras today?

2009-10-15T09:58:00.002+08:00

Turning sweet 16
By Ruxyn
____________________

It’s not all the time sweet sixteen for me this year. I mean there’s never a year where there is only joy alone and no sorrow, no tears but only smiles. It’s always a mixture that makes it a balance. This year has been a challenging year. More settled down in my current school, making new friends as I got new classmates, being prayer coordinator and stuffs.

Courtesy of http://1x.com/photos/humour/27621/

However, what I struggled most this year is the issues regarding the school and still is struggling now. School has been so rigid and I found no joy in going to school. Everyday it’s as if I have to drag my feet to this building where I feel like I learn nothing much.

I’ve been so against how things are done and how disciplinary actions are conducted in school. I dislike my teachers because I think they are some lazy people paid by the government and they don’t even bother to come into the class and teach.

About one year ago, I’ve learnt about grace. God’s grace, giving grace to people. But I find it hard to give grace to my teachers. I’ve built these walls of hatred against them, against the school. I personally hate how they are biased and racist at certain times. And how ironic this situation is when they are supposed to educate students. I believe they should not only educate us academically but in all other aspects including morally and socially too.

With all that said, I did nothing not even pray about it. Yes, I only rant, rant and rant. It is only just recently I begin to realize that after so many months of ranting I’m not doing anything else or contributing to help make school a better place. I didn’t attend CF whole year either and it’s so sad looking at the school CF’s condition – dying.

I believe it’s a crucial time for us students to even make a difference in schools/colleges. How? To make a difference we have to be a different! Show others you are different. My friends always label me as a rebellious student but always scared of teachers. To me, I respect teachers, I don’t want to offend them but I dislike the rigid unreasonable rules established. And doesn’t mean I’m the rebellious student I’m stubborn though. I still have to submit to the school rules although I dislike it so much.

Don’t matter if you’re thirteen, sixteen or even twenty we can make a difference. A difference in attitude and behavior can be really an eye opener. That people might see the truth in us. Prayer plays an important role too. Never forget to pray. Of course, putting prayer into action is also equally as important. I’m shall be going for CF next year. And I gotta complete my unfinished home works now….

2009-10-09T13:44:00.002+08:00

REACHING THE LOST
By Eliza (Link: http://plainveracities.blogspot.com/)

Editor’s Note: We have seek permission from Eliza for us to re-post this blog entry (un-edited) she wrote in her blog, in today’s YPF blog. We are grateful to her for allowing us to share this excellent heart-felt piece with you as we felt it offers a different perspective. Hope this entry encourages you. For those of you who have an 90-year old grandma memory, our YPF camp’s theme is lost and found. >_<. Hakuna Mattatta.
_______________________________________________________________________

It is a semi-public holiday today (Nuzul Quran). So I decided to arrange all my stuff.

Last week was really hectic. Hardly slept much.I came across some Bible study notes I prepared in AIM which some of you all might remember. I shared it at the youth evangelistic meeting at the Sungai Pelek outreach during our mission trip.

It was basically about the parable of the lost son. Before that parable, there was the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin. All three of them has similarities.

Firstly, they were all lost and in the end were found.

Secondly, they were all precious to their owner. The sheep was precious to the shepherd and the coin to the woman. The coin that was lost was worth about a day's hard-earned wage (just in case you were wondering "just a coin ma.. why so tai fan ying").

And naturally, the son was precious to his father.
But there are also differences which can be applied to our lives as well.

Carelessness (Lost Sheep)
The lost sheep illustrates the person who moves away from God unthinkingly, head down, one clump of grass at a time. The sheep wanders on from one place to the next, eyes only on what immediately lies ahead. It is unaware that it is not where it should be and all the time has been straying farther and farther from the flock and the shepherd's care.

The sheep never wanted to get lost.
Similarly, People may be too preoccupied with their studies, career, relationships, problems of life and the pleasures of the world.

Many are lost because they never look up and ask: "Where am I now? Why am I here? Where am I going?"

Carelessness of Others (Lost Coin)
The lost coin represents those lost through negligence or bad treatment from others. The coin cannot bleat like a sheep for help, nor find its way back like the son. It has been done in by the mistakes and wrong decisions or actions of someone else. (so sad, isn't it? but it happens)

People become damaged through victimization in a myriad of ways. The people they may have looked up to or respected caused them to have a broken concept of God. (that's why yesterday's message was so inspiring: our lives should be our ministry!!)

Personal Choice (Lost Son)
The son was deliberately lost - unlike the sheep or coin.
It was not because he was unaware that he was lost nor was it because of other people's negligence. He was lost because he chose this path.

Many people who once can be found in church singing worship songs, praying and serving are now no longer found in church. With influences from friends and other people around them, they start living their own lives without God in it. People without God are lost because they are ignorant of God, unlike God, and distanced from God. That is why it is so important that we be in the world (so we can influence and change it) but be not of the world (where the world influence and change us).

The shepherd searches for the sheep until he finds it (Luke 15:4 ). The woman also searches for the lost coin until she finds it. (Luke 15:8 )

Love is not satisfied by a favourable percentage between those who are safe and those who are lost. With the sheep, 99% were safe; with the coin, 90%; and with the son, 50%. Who wouldn't want these kind of church-growth statistics? Most of us would rejoice, pat ourselves on our backs for doing a good job if 99% of the people in KL were in church.

Souls are not digits or percentages.
When someone's child has died, we wouldn't go to his/her parents and say: "Never mind ma.. You still got other children.."

GOD REJOICES WHEN THE LOST ARE FOUND!!

The shepherd, the woman, and the father all rejoiced and wanted others to share their joy when the lost were found.

Only one person did not rejoice: the elder son. The elder son represents the church which can go with business as usual in the Father’s house, and yet not be concerned with the lost, and never putting in any effort to find them. He represents any religious person whose relationship with God has grown lukewarm. He is the individual who has never agonized at all over a missing prodigal. He never shared the father's heartache, not does he share the tears of joy when the missing comes home.

I pray that I wouldn't be like the elder son. I pray even harder that it wouldn't be because of my mistakes or wrong choices that causes other people to stumble. And it's also important that we as children of God take on God's desire.

To reach out and bring back all who are lost. Not to be satisfied or contented until all are found.

2009-10-02T15:13:00.002+08:00

The Place of Humiliation
Link: http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php

Editor: This piece from Utmost for His Highest is really chunted, which I read for my devotion today. Thought I want to share it with all of you peeps. Cheers
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If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us —Mark 9:22

After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God— that is where our faithfulness is revealed (Editor's note: WOW)

Most of us can do things if we are always at some heroic level of intensity, simply because of the natural selfishness of our own hearts. But God wants us to be at the drab everyday level, where we live in the valley according to our personal relationship with Him. Peter thought it would be a wonderful thing for them to remain on the mountain, but Jesus Christ took the disciples down from the mountain and into the valley, where the true meaning of the vision was explained (see Mark 9:5-6 , Mark 14-23 ).

"If you can do anything . . . ." It takes the valley of humiliation to remove the skepticism from us. Look back at your own experience and you will find that until you learned who Jesus really was, you were a skillful skeptic about His power. When you were on the mountaintop you could believe anything, but what about when you were faced with the facts of the valley?

You may be able to give a testimony regarding your sanctification, but what about the thing that is a humiliation to you right now?

The last time you were on the mountain with God, you saw that all the power in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus— will you be skeptical now, simply because you are in the valley of humiliation?

2009-09-25T10:57:00.003+08:00

If you alive, read on..if not, don't read
By alvinb
_________________________________

The ONLY people on earth that don't have any struggles are ...DEAD PEOPLE. Primary school kids facing their own growing up issues. That issues escalate and expand to even bigger proportion when they grow up in their teens. Young adulthood has their own set of issues. And then moving on to the working world, screaming "responsibilities, and MORE responsibilities". Struggles are undeniably a PART of our lives whether we like it or not. The "dead people" statement popped in my head on my way home, when i was pondering on one ex-youth leader's email on her struggles. Struggles are real and they appear in various forms and even sizes.

I personally feel that struggles are so vital to just remind us that we are still ALIVE, denying the flesh and walk in the spirit is such a crazy hard thing to do. "Oh yeah, i'm struggling right now, it's difficult", my reply goes, "yeah, that's good" snapped back quickly with a "what'd you say again, good?". My response, "yeah, good, it just shows that you are still alive".

We really have to stop thinking that "If i am close to GOD, my life would be free from struggles" or "okay i'm struggling right now, it must be because i am not close to GOD, or i sinned against God"........I don't know about you, i am not sure where we ever get that idea from, because as far i know, Joseph from the bible don't have it all nice and rosy for him before he stepped into this destiny, I don't recall David having 0% of struggles, in fact, David is famous for his mistakes and struggles so much that a whole book in the bible is dedicated to that raw emotions he had towards GOD i.e. the Book of Psalms.

All of us, from different age groups and stages in our lives have, well, very different issues faced. Just like a Form 4 student attempting Add Maths for the first time (scary till faint), it will be super hard for her at that moment, because Form 4 Add maths is tough for Form 4 students. Form 4 Add maths is easy for those who are in college because they have been THROUGH it, studied it. You get me? So, it shouldn't be comparable and i get this a lot, "Oh you don't understand my struggles, because you are still young, it's easy for you to say". HELLLOO....We all face different kind of struggles in different stages of our lives, 12, 18, 26, 34yrs old and so on..we cannot put people's struggles any less intense/hard compared to ours. It's just being..right....to do that. Manifying and focussing your own struggles cannot be used as an excuse to remain weak and miserable, which leads me to ask myself, how can God fit right into that?

I find myself wanting people to comfort me, show love me when i am in the dumpster, feelings wise, emotionally wise..my mentor is good at that, showing love and grace, but there comes a time, that the mentor will say, "SNAP OUT OF IT AND MOVE ON"...Struggles do that to you, it makes you feel that there is no other way, and so you remain as you are-cold, miserable, u name it, and soon find out, it is a pretty comfortable place...I get the "SNAP IT OUT" hairdryer treatment from time to time, because i have this tendencey to wallow in self pity...it's not that the mentor is not gracious, just that i just need to snap it out, because I DON'T NEED TO CONTINUE TO BE IN THAT DARK HOLE. There is a way......so it is our response that proves to be the deciding factor.

It's not our responsibility to be good, to be faithful..etc...Responsibility, that's a scary word that people like to put on you, that somehow burdens you, i don't know, it was for me. Especially as a leader..hahahha. But if you look closely at the word responsibility, it is this "RESPONSE ABILITY"...it is our response...an ability to response..

My prayer that we will response to what He is calling you, to His love, today..

Cheerios.

2009-09-16T16:19:00.001+08:00

Seeing...
By alvinb
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It was blurry. Vapor formed on the window blurred the vision upfront. I see something, but couldn’t make out of whether he/she is a person, or just a tree standing outside. I used my hands and wipe away and try to see again.

Isaiah 43:-18-19
Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

And I see…

salvation being released.
…the filling of the Holy Spirit.
… reignition of the love of God.
.. healing and restoration..
..young people falling in love with God again after experiencing His love for the very first time..the lost being found again...

I see a new thing..

What did you see?

2009-09-03T12:21:00.003+08:00

An imperfect person perfectly loved by HIM who is perfect
By Alvinb
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I grew up from a legalistic background. In simpler terms, I was taught to be a good Christian, obeying God, not sinning, serving in church, read your bible and pray every day. In even MORE simple terms, be a good Christian. DON’T SIN.

I find myself many times feeling condemned when my thoughts are impure. Feeling guilty when I’ve done something I shouldn’t have. Feeling really bad when I am not up to the par of defined standard. Those feelings were made worse when I am serving as a leader in the church. =((

I wonder a whole lot of times of whether I am good enough.

And to be honest with you, I hate feeling lousy and unworthy ALL THE TIME.

I realized that all these years I find myself exposed to teachings, sermons, sharings which overly emphasized on what we need to do as a Christian- doing good, and little times are spent on the message of the love of God. Intentions are ALL good. Of course we know that God loves us, but how really true is that statement to me as an individual? As I reflect, the message of the love of God is often preached in rallies of evangelistic nature to reach out to non-believers. What about for Christians? We don't need to hear it anymore?

Hey we need reminders as well that we are deeply loved by Him. We need to believe again that we are deeply loved. I need to believe again that I am loved by Him apart from my performance and good works. I have to stop trying to be good because many times the reason why I am miserable and disappointed at times is because I failed to live up to expectations. Expectations overloaded on my shoulder, to be good ALL THE time, to fullfill the LAW of the 10.

Jesus loves me because of me. If I am the ONLY person on earth, He will give His only begotten Son, so that I the only person on earth may live and have eternal life. He still loves me, even when I sinned against Him. (of course in the context that we have to endure the consequences of sin, but through repentance, He will be just to forgive) And that I felt personally it’s not shared/spread/preached enough. So much emphasis on what we should do, do, do, but not much focus on what we should be, focussed on my failure as a person....

I’m a classic Martha, I can tell you that. I find myself wanting to earn His favor, earn His love just like she did when Jesus came to visit the two sisters. Mary chose the best part, sitting with Him and just receiving and receiving His love, His counsel, His wisdom, basically His presence. The definition of grace is basically undeserved favor, which means EVERYONE can qualify for that grace which Paul preached. Okay not for everyone, the exception is for those who TRIES to earn it.

Romans 6:14
For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy].

When you have experienced the love of GOD, inside out, daily, in every areas of your life, the Lord’s grace will enable us to lead a holy life that pleases Him, effortlessly on our part. No longer struggle with the flesh but by the Spirit, we will freely express self control, love, joy, peace and kindness.

Galatians 5:22 (Amplified Bible)
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

I am first and foremost His beloved child. When I know I’m loved this much, it would be a natural response to love Him in return. Why would i turn away from such unconditional love?

We have to stop telling people what is wrong with them, how sinful they have become, but remind them of how right they are in the eyes of GOD through the Lord Jesus Christ who Himself bore our trangressions that we may become righteous again. Let His love overflow in our lives again. I will boast of His love....

His beloved child

2009-08-24T09:52:00.003+08:00

I don't know..

By Alvinb

__________________________

I mustered the courage to finally call my good friend, 27 year old doctor working in Singapore to come to a youth camp. First and foremost, 27 years of age is not exactly the "right" age targetted to come for the camp. Second, he's pretty the anti-social type, prefer smaller crowds. Thirdly, it's awkward (x100) to call your good friend to come to a youth camp, risking the fact that he will think that i am trying to convert him and enter a "cult group". A simple prayer was uttered. Few smses exchanged. One answer, "i will think about it" was received.

I don't know whether this is the harvest of souls / revival, we've all heard from the pulpit many gazillion times, but to me, it was a humbling experience. I put high hopes that he will say yes, but there was always this nagging feeling deep inside that he will say no. An escape door to cushion the "blow" if he said no was a logical reflex. Sighing, "i knew he won't come" was the expected response.

But God has the final say in this. My friend said yes. Of course, there are some persuasions involved from my part, but undeniably it was God that proved to be the difference. I know him well enough that he is not easily persuaded so this credit belongs to Him. I don't want to sound too spiritual or even spooky, i just want to say that i am a very happy man.

And to make things even more interesting, my cousin from Melaka is coming as well. I don't know, this is my first time in my 28 years living as a christian, i've ever asked my cousins to come to a youth camp. So you must know, that i'm really am amazed at how God is bringing people to Him, i pray for the whole household to be saved. Amen.

I know i have talked about this like for a million times and i risk sounding like a broken record. I know God has something special up His sleeves. He is drawing people to Him, i don't know..believe it or not..

I don't know, i will keep on talking about this.

For this is my testimony.

2009-08-20T14:06:00.004+08:00

Understanding the other
By Jeannette Goon
Link: http://1eighty.org/?p=195
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I’ll let you in on a secret. Many of the things I know, I know not because I read (and I read a lot) but because I watch TV.

I’ll let you in on another secret. I quite like Disney movies. No, not the new I-sing-better-than-you movies or the Don’t-worry-I’ll-get-back-at-you ones. I like the animated movies from Disney’s golden age. Movies like The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, even if a lot of the fairy-tales were watered down and sparkles were added to them.

It was from Disney that I first learnt that adults aren’t always right. That sometimes, they don’t know how to communicate their feelings. That parents love their children and their harsh actions are oftentimes borne out of love.

Take The Little Mermaid (1989). In the Disney version, King Triton forbids his daughter, Ariel to have anything to do with the humans. But Ariel disobeys. She is an avid collector of everything human—forks, music boxes, stone sculptures. She stores these in her secret cave, which her father finds one day. He destroys her entire collection.

King Triton does not know how to communicate his fear of humans to Ariel. He sees them as dangerous, vindictive and cruel but he does not tell Ariel this. Instead, his fear translates into anger. He believes that deprivation will make her see the light, make her understand. His act of anger drives her to seek help from Ursula, the sea witch, who is much more dangerous than any human can be.

This too occurs in Finding Nemo (2003). Again, Marlin (the daddy fish) is unable to communicate his fear of the world in general to his son. This fear is magnified by the fact that Nemo (the baby fishy-wishy) has a fin that is smaller than the other. Marlin is only looking out for Nemo’s safety but Nemo thinks that his father is a coward. And so, the conflict begins.

Communication should work both ways but sometimes it’s tough communicating with our parents, most of the time because we don’t know how.

In Mamma Mia (2008), Sophie has to steal her mother’s diary in order to find clues about her father’s identity. She discovers that there are three possibilities. Her huge wedding is a ploy to determine which of these men is her father.

After her wedding, she plans to stay on the island that she, even though what she really wants is to travel the world. She is doing this because she thinks that that is what her mother wants. The thing is, all her mother wants is for her to be happy.

I think that that’s what most parents want. Most times, they just don’t know what really makes us happy. A lot of times, they think keeping the big, scary world away from us or vice versa will keep us happy. Like in Finding Neverland (2004).

Sylvia Davis is dying. Everyone knows it, her sons included. But she insists that they not worry. She refuses to let them in on her secret. She refuses to confirm what they already know is true. Instead, she indulges and participates in their pretend games and in the end when there is no way out and playing pretend doesn’t cut it anymore, she is forced to tell them the truth.

The Davis family is credited as J.M. Barrie’s inspiration for Peter Pan and the lost boys. I think it’s interesting that Peter Pan’s posse is called “the lost boys”. Maybe “lost” isn’t just literal. Maybe it’s an inner feeling, a feeling that the lack of communication ignites. Humans are pack creatures. The average human wants to be connected. So why is it so hard?

It is hard! Communication problems are rampant. They don’t just happen between different generations. It happens between peers as well. Boys say girls are hard to understand. The truth is, girls don’t really understand guys either. At least, I don’t.

In Little Manhattan (2005), Gabe is an eleven-year-old who suddenly realizes that girls aren’t icky when he falls in love with Rosemary Telesco. His frustration over his feelings and his fear of losing Rosemary causes him to act out and this pushes her further away from him. In this movie though, there is some communication between Gabe and his father, Adam and it is to his father that he goes to for advice.

The thing about Gabe’s parents is that they are in the middle of a divorce themselves. This is what Adam says to his son: “Once upon a time, we really loved each other, but as time went by, there just got to be all these things, little things, stupid things, that were left unsaid. And all these things that were left unsaid piled up, like the clutter in our storage room. And after awhile, there was so much that was left unsaid, that we barely said anything at all.”

See, wise words from what seems on the surface, a perfectly ordinary movie.

The problem with communication … is the illusion that it has been accomplished. -George Bernard Shaw

Whenever two good people argue over principles, they are both right. -Marie Ebner von Eschenbach

To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others. -Anthony Robbins

The dead might as well try to speak to the living as the old to the young. -Willa Cather

2009-08-17T13:52:00.004+08:00

Maybe our hearts are supposed to break
By Crystal Cha
Link: http://1eighty.org/?p=303

Note from Editor: HIGHLY recommended article posted for your reading. Something to think about...
____________________________________

Yesterday, in class my lecturer was disputing the Christian viewpoint that all of mankind started with two people – Adam and Eve. A devout Hindu, who also happens to be a very educated one and a firm believer in the power of education to broaden the mind, he said this:

“I’m not saying I’m right or wrong – I’m saying, think about it.

You’ve got to get used to hearing differing points of view. Especially with education, we’re exposed to so many different perspectives. That’s the point of education.

You won’t go very far if you don’t want to think about or listen to other points of view.
In fact, thinking about it should make you a stronger Christian, not a weaker one. If you become a weaker Christian, then the problem is not with your faith or your God – it’s with you.”
I can’t help thinking about how right he is.

It’s Day 2 of my fast, about 42 two hours since my last solid meal. I’m starting to feel the hunger pangs and occasional light-headedness.

Throughout the past two days, I keep coming back to two thoughts: 1) how incredibly big some crises can be, such as the one going on in Darfur right now, and 2) how incredibly small I am.

It’s only Day 2, and there have been times I felt like giving up or sneaking in a cookie. It’s not like anyone will know, I tell myself. Even going 24 hours without food would be considered a noble thing to do by most of the people around me. Then I think about the people in Darfur surviving on measly refugee rations (or none at all) and dirty water and I feel ashamed. Ashamed that my three days of fasting is nothing compared to their months and years of fasting. Ashamed that the thought of this fast being such a noble thing to do has crossed my mind. Ashamed that I have a job, a college degree (well, almost – in a few months time), a family that I’m living with – while these people are deprived of the basic dignity of a home and a solid meal.

But what else can I do to change the situation? I know it starts with one person at a time, and I know that we need to come together as individuals to make our voices heard so that the people in power will be moved to take action, but sometimes it seems like such an impossible mountain. Sometimes it seems like change will never come because people just couldn’t care less. People would rather turn a blind eye and pretend that the people of Darfur are less than humans, less than themselves, so they wouldn’t have to care so much.

What’s stopping us from caring? What’s stopping people in power from taking action against the government of Sudan? We support and pour our money into so many causes – noteworthy ones, all the same – breast cancer, HIV/AIDs, swine flu, and so on… We pray in our churches every Sunday for our nation and the communities around us – of all which is worth our time and money, no doubt. But why are we so nonchalant when it comes to people halfway across the globe? Because they’re too far for us to do anything? Because they’re of a different skin color? Because of the stereotypes and prejudices we hold that cause us to think of them as less than human?

Oh, but they’re human all the same. They have hearts, just like we do. They have families, just like we do. They have names… just like we do.

“Where is the justice? Where is God in all this?” I asked.

And I realized why it’s so easy to numb ourselves to the suffering of others. Why it’s so easy to just not care.

Because it’s hard to care. It’s hard to ask the big questions.

Because the big questions, they make you realize that you’re so small and tiny in the face of everything else. And that realization only does one of two things: 1) it drives you to despair and cynicism, 2) it drives you to the saving knowledge that our human minds are so, so limited and finite, and above all that is a higher power that sees beyond our suffering to a larger picture which we cannot see or understand.

So we’d rather stay in our comfort zone where we’re neither here nor there.
I’ve been there before – the comfort zone. And I’ve chosen to stay there because I’ve asked the big questions – and they drove me to the side of cynicism and despair. Why would a good God allow so much suffering? I can accept that maybe I can’t see the whole picture and I don’t understand His ways… but then how can people who claim to follow a God of love hurt each other? How can we who claim to follow Christ’s ways of humility and meekness be so arrogant, so hypocritical, so insincere, so.. fake?

But in the last two days, I realized something. I realized that my faith – should not be something based on what other people do or even what the church says. It has to start from within.

I had a conversation with a friend over lunch yesterday that went something like this:
Friend (who had just finished a rather grueling English test required for entrance to a uni in the U.S.): “Can we not speak English for the rest of the day and speak BM instead? I don’t want to have anything to do with that language for awhile.”
Me: “So if you had a bad experience or breakup with one girl, you’re going to avoid all other girls for awhile?”
Friend: “Of course not la… that one’s a totally different context.”
Me: “How is it different???”

And that is the same question I should be asking myself. How is it different? Here I am, thumbing my nose at church because of all the people it’s filled with – when really, my faith should have nothing to do with them. Here I’m talking about stereotypes and I forget that some very noble people such as Mother Theresa have also been followers of Christ. Do I have the right to judge or condemn my religion because of a few people in need of grace? No. Am I not also one of those in need of so much grace? In so many ways, I’m no better than any of them – the self-righteousness and all.

“The problem is not with your faith or your God – the problem is with you.” My lecturer’s words ring in my ears. Ironic, coming from a very devout Hindu.

And suddenly I see it all so clearly. I’m not a Christian because I believe that my religion is superior to all other religions. I’m not a Christian because I have scientific evidence that God is real. I’m not a Christian because I believe that all theology is infallible.

I’m a Christian because I believe in love. I believe in a God who IS love. I believe in a Savior who preached forgiveness and mercy for a broken world that’s fallen so far from grace. I believe in a God who restores and redeems.

And I will ask the big questions, and keep asking the big questions, because I realize now that I don’t have to know the answers. I don’t have to be cynical. I ask the big questions because it’s in doing so that I am reminded of my frailty and my smallness, and at the same time, of the hugeness and power of this God I serve.

It is by no means easy, asking the big questions. It’s a little hard to enjoy a hot muffin straight from the oven or a Starbucks Frappucino when you’re thinking about the people dying in Darfur. It breaks your heart.

But maybe it’s supposed to. Maybe we’re not meant to live in that comfort zone. Maybe we’re not meant to sit on the fence. Maybe our hearts are supposed to be broken. Maybe we ought to daily, in our actions and our words, stand for truth and justice, and tremble in indignation against injustice and wrongdoing.

“The heart is the only broken instrument that works” ~ T.E. Kalem
Maybe this is what Paul meant when he wrote about working out your salvation “with fear and trembling.” (Phil. 2:12-14)

In being reminded of how small we are, we can fully embrace the immensity of who God is. In despairing, we have nowhere else to run but to the unending grace and unlimitless love that is found in Christ.

2009-07-30T09:27:00.005+08:00

I MISS YOU: REPLY to “Coming Back to God”
By Wei-I
_____________________________________________

Hey, I just read James' article on the YPF blog..and it touches me alot. Great to see such honesty in it. Suddenly I feel compelled to share one of my old songs in the blog..kinda reflects the essence of his entry really...Enjoy!

I Miss You

I Miss You - Wei-I

Child:
Everyday I turn away
When I hear Your voice
Calling me to stay

Everytime I ignore
The growing void in my heart
Caused by the absence of You

And oh, I feel so empty
As though, something’s taken from me
And oh, I am so tired
of running away

I miss You
I miss You
I miss You
I’m coming back to You

Father:
Everyday I reach for you
But I hear your voice
Telling Me to wait

Everytime I call your name
Whispering into your heart
But I’m pushed away

O Child, My heart longs for You
My soul, aches for you
O Child, when will you ever stop running away

I miss you
I miss you
I miss you
I Love You

Editor: Get well soon, wei-i. Have a speedy recovery. =)

2009-07-29T00:54:00.000+08:00

Coming back to GOD
By James Waan
__________________

Well, let me share with you about my Christian life. Being a Christian is not easy for me, there are times where the real world sucks you into it just like that and you do not realize it. You start to look at things differently, get influenced by others than you influencing others. There was a time that I do not take daily devotion that serious and it is alright with me, not that I do not have time, I just choose not to do it, not even before I sleep. I just leave my bible lying on the shelf un-touched until Sunday morning.

Going less to church is all right, missing out youth service, home fellowship is no longer important. And at the end i do not take God seriously anymore. And Going to church is a routine. The only time I call out to God is when I desperately need Him. And other than that God is out of my life, not even a thought of Him at all. There are times where I even doubt God. Asking myself is God really there, whether He is real. During camp, we can all feel the strong presence of God, all for God during the camp. Even after camp we can still feel God, but day after day, weeks past by, I will, again be cold. The fire is just gone and life just goes on…. without God. The cycle goes on and on.

Then one day I was thinking to myself, whether God is there. He is there all right, he is there watching over you, and me, he sure is heartbroken when I disobey Him, but he continues to pour out his love. Opening door for us to learn. Then I only know how much I have miss out. The quiet time I spend with him, talking to him, being in his presence. It took me long enough to learn and to come back to him. Yes, it may be fun out there doing the things you want, having fun. Took God for granted and forgot about him. Taking God for granted. How will he feel?

I know I went far on my topic. But I just want to share with you guys what I have gone thru. I sure did layoff from God for sometime. I just went dry and grew cold for God. Like he is unimportant in my life at all.I got a wake up call though, through sermons and it got me thinking again. That is when I realize I was really far away from God.

So I started talking to him again, and ask for his guidance. It was hard at first, but it takes discipline and of course his word and guidance to bring me back. And I realize he is with me all the time when I am lost. Calling me but I ignored. All I can say is after being lost; it is good to be back on the right track. And Guys, I’ll advise to stick to God no matter how tough the situation you are going through. He gave us a life to live, all we need to do is, follow the basic instructions he has set for us.

Note from Editor:
No pictures like the usual practice. Felt that such honest write-up will do well without any pictures to distract the readers. We all go through the same thing like our brother James. Thanked him for such vivid honesty. I hope with this entry here, it will somehow help you to understand that we need each other to encourage, build, pray and support one another and remember the fact that we are His child, we are never too far away from Him. Hakuna Matata.

2009-07-26T00:36:00.000+08:00

Christianity Vs Religion

By Joseph Tan

_______________________

John Newton, the author of the song “Amazing Grace” once wrote a story about a little kite. Each day the kite would fly attached to a thin line of string. It would bob up and down. Just when it seemed to fly higher, the string would rein it down and release it again and again. The kite grew frustrated. It longed to fly to the sky, touch the clouds and look down on creation below, but it could not as the string did prevent it.

One day, it’s wish came true. A strong wind blew hard against the kite. The little kite strained hard against the pull of the string buoyed by the tremendous might of the wind. The slender string could not withstand the tension and snapped in two. At last the little kite was free as a bird in the vast heavens. Up it went, higher and higher. Soon the wind changed its direction. The little kite could not maneuver itself to face the wind. It was helpless as paper blown without direction. It soon began to plummet. Only then did the kite realize that the string that it so despised, that seemed to drag it down, only served to guide it to greater heights. In its defeated pride it fell to destruction.

Many of us are like this kite. The Statue of Liberty, Dataran Merdeka and many other such monuments around the world all remind us of the physical struggles of man to free himself from the clutches of another. Lets face it, we all want freedom to have it our way. The first fallen being, the ancient serpent, Lucifer himself fell from grace through his pride and lust for control and complete freedom. He has since used this yearning as a tool to deceive humanity. Adam and Eve, the first man and woman were deceived by him that they could become as God and be free from the only law that served to protect them.

In the dictionary, "religion" is defined as a set of strongly-held beliefs, values, and attitudes that somebody lives by, or an object, practice, cause, or activity that somebody is completely devoted to or obsessed by. This can be anything that takes us away from the true living God—Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Religion can be alcohol, drugs, pornography, a career, and sex; thus, anything that drives a wedge between us and the trinity of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is a religion.

Religion teaches us to hide our sinful attitude behind a mask of goodness, righteousness, and secular humanism. How many self-help gurus have we heard claim to have the secret to our happiness by giving us self-esteem, pride, and true self worth? I'm tired of hearing pompous professors and teachers of "higher learning" telling people that the only way to fulfillment is through "enlightenment of the mind."

Christ demands that we realize and admit our fallen state. He demands that we acknowledge before man that on our own we cannot reach benevolence. He demands that we become transparent with our sin, vile nature, and admit the dirty secrets and desires that permeate our minds. Religion requires us to hide our weakness because only the strong survive. Biblical Christianity demands that we admit our weakness to become strong so we may survive.

Religion is about being a leader, strong and defiant. Christianity is about being a follower, meek and mild. Don’t get me wrong: Jesus Christ demands that we pick up our cross and follow Him with strength and loyalty, whereas religion requires that we do society’s thing with strength and loyalty. There in itself is a glaring hypocrisy of religion; i.e., "do your own thing with strength, loyalty, and pride as long as it’s what everyone else is doing." That further hypocrisy is being observed in our public forums. Today’s society is about understanding and respecting everyone’s faith and beliefs so long as it doesn’t threaten one's perception of pride and strength.

Christianity gives us the hard core truth about what we are "not one of us is good, no not one, and we all fall short of the glory of God." Religion teaches that we must pull ourselves up by our bootstraps to reach Utopia (the perfect place). Many of our rich and famous have fallen head long for this ideology. They think if they save enough people from HIV in Africa, feed enough of the homeless, and save enough babies, they will make it into heaven. Wrong! One of the bedrocks of biblical Christianity is that we do these things not in our name, but Christ’s.

Christianity is not looking at people and thinking, "They’re messed up; I’m glad I’m not messed up like that." Rather, it’s seeing the sin in their life and rebuking them with candor, truthfulness, and biblical teaching. Knowing in your heart you’ve been there, or if you trust in your own righteousness, you can fall just like they did.

Biblical Christianity is fire-and-brimstone teaching just as much as teaching the love of Christ. Feminism, liberalism, and the sexual revolution is religion from the depths of Satanic teaching, not biblical Christianity.

In a nutshell, Christianity is not really a religion; it is a relationship with God. It is trusting in Jesus and what He did on the cross for you (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), not on what you can do for yourself (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christianity is not about ornate buildings, flamboyant preachers, or traditional rituals. Christianity is about truly accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you have yet to make that important decision I challenge you to do so today and experience the difference that religion can never offer.

References: Our Daily Bread (devotiional)
"Why Christianity Is Not A Religion" (by Shawn Smith)

2009-07-23T00:18:00.000+08:00

Working World
By Chin Yee
________________

BEFORE entring the working world
The assumptions I had for a working world was FUN! I imagined working in air conditioned office, with pretty people. Of course I was comparing to studying in a government school with the fan 'turning' in the classroom. We even played office game with my friends when we were youngER, someone would take a file and knock at the door, the 'manager' says: Come in!.... etc... How awesome is working world huh?!

ENTERING the working world
I can still remember the first day at work. It was exciting. hey man, i am in working suit! When i got my new car, Hooray, i actually bought a car! When i reach my office on the 3rd floor of a corporate building in Damansara, Yes! this is what i am looking forward to --- i told myself. I had 3 wonderful years of working in the corporate world.

IN the working world
I didnt notice how far i was from God until He had to give me a knock on my hard skull. He had to teach me a lesson because HE was not my priority after I enter the working world. God works in ways beyond what we imagine - BEYOND WHAT I IMAGINE. And now, He gave me the best job in town! Is He Good?!

And today, I am see-ing the cycle repeating itself on people who are entering the working world. How easy we get caught up with the world, the entertainment, the fun etc. I think somethings are really beyond what we can control, but hang on there!

Young adults (if you are reading this) look out for the danger sign, know how to take U-turns when you need to. Temptations are avoidable! Set your principals, keep moving. Be assured that God will not let you down like how your bosses, your colleagues, your neighbours, your customers one day will.......

2009-07-21T08:59:00.002+08:00

A Reply to: Has God Spoken by Joseph Tan

By Kew Li Yan

____________________________________

Hey there,
wow.. I didn't drop by here for some time and I realized that there're great sharing. All are real and relevant for everyone. Keep it on!! =)

well just wanna share a bit about me and some verses that keep me going on seeking Him and asking Him more and more.

When I'm F5, (I'm sure many experience this before, haha..) ppl start questioning what I want to be, parents and relatives giving me many options. And when I say I want to be a doctor, some of them thinks it's hard, money problem, and start suggesting other options,etc...

My answer to them was "well I will know it when I'm there" =) I start to believe in this when I listened to Bishop T.D Jakes sermon about how God lead Abraham to the specific hill to sacrifice His Son and it took 3 days without any direction.

And great hit is when SPM results
when I got 11A1 and A2 for BC (which I only pray and ask for B and C)I only applied for JPA scholarship for medicine and I got it realising God has been faithful and I'm grateful. So I have to study A-lvl for 1yr and 6yrs in Poland.

During my A-lvl course, I struggle a lot in my studies... like getting C,D and E in my internal exams. I start to doubt about myself. "Yes it's true that God doesn't see my capability but availability... but what if I'm not capable?" and my only answer was "If God gave you the PASSION, He will give you the PROVISION"..

I told Him "God, this is all I have, I'm sorry" ... So I did my AS exam last yr. I can't sleep well everyday and when I woke up, my first thing I'll do is pray.(whether sometimes I'm still blur..blur.. not fully awake)I still remember when I go to ACTS church service, YC service and FGA Cheras Christmas..

For ACTS, I responded to an altar call, and I question a lot of things... the only reply and answer I have over and over again was
"Let Go, Pursue Me".

For YC, 1 Timothy 4:12, 15-16 and
Ps said,
"There maybe sometimes we don't have faith in ourselves, that is hard to believe that God can use you."
"Words that we use are actually our choice, you make your comments reflected. Do you know that you have a choice in everything you do and you think of yourselves?"
"You gonna keep going at it, whole-heartedly. Discover your gifts, so that everyone can see your progress. So... Lead"

and one more last time God remind me in FGA Cheras, Bro Lau shared about running the race. Philippians 3:12-16
"Maybe some of you have been doing 103 things, maybe some of you have been running the race with anger, condemnation... bro and sisters Let Go"
God is saying, I have not left you, I have not forsaken you; I'm running with you, I AM EMANUEL, I'm with you."

Cut the long period of waiting short, AS results I got 15 pts (of coz the breakdown of the result showed that I really need to work much harder for my A2). I'm speechless and unable to belive that He bless me and help me again and again...

Then here comes A2 and Poland uni entrance exam. There's only 2 uni in Poland I can apply under JPA, and only 1 requires entrance exam. The place which requires entrance exam, there's a strong Christian senior studying and also American Missionaries. They're lacking musicians to help during service or bible studies... So I really thought that that is the place that God wants me to be and grow since I can help out serving by playing guitar and continue to learn more about Him there.

Even though the entrance exam passing mark is very high (84%) I gave my very best in this knowing that this is the place I'll be in the next 6 yrs..

I remember there's once again I struggle and I ask Christian friends "If I know that my friends will do an awesome job in treating patients and helping them, why do I still want to be a doctor? Why He still want to use me who is so weak in studies and weak in believing what He wants me to be"

“It’s about you and your life.
What you can and want to do in your life.
This is your race. Run you race”
~ Lim Sue Ting, 19, Penang

"God calls each of us for a purpose, and that for a particular field
He doesn't choose only one to be His representative. He chooses many!
Yes, others can be good,
but you have something special that is unique to you yourself ,
and only you can offer that!
But without passion and all, it's impossible to live fully for His glory"
~ Joanna Han, 19, Kuala Lumpur

“It’s your passion,
you wouldn’t want someone else to fulfill your passion to be a doctor.
And in this field, there’s always a need for doctors.”
~ Adeline Lim, 19, Perak

Joshua 1:9
Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the LORD your God am with you whenever you go

So... to my surprise...
I didn't made it to that Uni that I thought it's His plan.
Instead, out of 29 ppl, only 9 made thru the uni. Only 5 chinese out of 29, only ME the only Chinese didn't made thru.

20 of us, 2 (one bumiputera guy and me) are Christian. 1 is a Indian, and the rest are all muslims. =) surprise?!

Being the only chinese that didn't made it, ppl will start judging at you and look at you in a diff way. Little did I even know that God wants me to go there! which don't have any Christian seniors, or known churches and accountability.

At that time, I really know that He's protecting me and have a REAL, ORIGINAL plan that I dunno. Yes it's my mistake I lack of 7%, but I realized I rely on what's already there and not Him.

So now, I still dunno if I can get a placement in that uni. Even to be an ambassador for Christ... I have no idea what He wants me to do there. All my life I've never ever dream of studying in Europe. and now?! being an ambassador for Him. =)

Sorry for such a long comment, hope it helps. =)
Has God Spoken? O_o?

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart.

Note from Editor:

With a grateful heart, i say this to you, Li Yan, that i'm blessed by your comments here. It moved my heart. I believe it's the Spirit which moved me as i read your entry here. So many times we choose to see with our physical eyes and jump to incorrect conclusions. When we start seeing from His eyes, His will, His purpose, everything becomes so clear, that the plan of His is a grand one, a long term "life-changing" project that He has ordained even before we were born. My prayers that you will continue to shine, and i know that your entry here, your life is already a testimony to so many out there, just that you don't notice it. I'm blessed by you. Many more will, as you cross path with others in your journey. Have mamak with the YPF gang before you kena poland-ed. Shalom.