HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEBORAH!



The candles don't represent your age i know. Btw I realise it's impossible to count the number of candles. Haha go try.

On your 12th birthday, we wanna thank you for your sweetness, just being there listening attentively at cell and laughing with us. We pray that God will root His Word deep into your heart and build you up in Him, that you mature in godliness. Amen :) All the best for PSLE too.


Btw I think that comic birthday song should be our Oak birthday song from now on. Haha.
Happy birthday to you
You live in a zoo
You look like a monkey
And smell like one too.

Haha. Peace out to all the birthday monkeys.

Kenneth:
Just putting some song here- a new song.

Jesus is Lord!


I like this song, At the Cross

The 100th Post Im going to make it a short sweet one.

"Tough times don't last, tough people do"

Junting

The 99th post on this blog is dedicated to:

KENNETH'S 17TH BIRTHDAY! YAY!


Hahaha. Jokes aside, I've been very encouraged by how you've grown over this past year in the Lord, seriously, the work that God has been doing in your life is plain for us to see. And I'm confident that God who began the good work in you will carry it on to completion (phil 1:6).

But this year has not really been easy huh, new JC, new people, huge workload, econs and pw! But God has drawn you close to Him and has developed you. Continue to abide in God, and regardless of how much work you have, set aside time to be alone with God. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:21. haha.

My prayer is that this cell will be a blessing to you.

Ryan

Ryan

Woah Joan I didn't know we have such nice skies in singapore. I don't think I look up enough. And ya haha no wonder I can't go to your xanga site. Ask your mom to read this blog la. Haha. Btw you can join us for cell outing this sat right?

O level prelims are ending soon, much to the relief of our 2 MGS people. And to our relief, after hearing how much you 2 havent been studying! Haha. Kidding la. But in a while a lot of things will be a last. last time receiving exam papers back, last time attending assembly, last time seeing this teacher, last time eating at canteen, last time sitting in class with this friend, last monday in school, last tuesday in school, bla bla bla. After 4 years. When I was in SJI in my last week of school in sec 4, before we go for study break, I was like wah, ok, the end of this part of my life. A lot of bitter memories became sweet. Or maybe you just can't wait to GET OUT OF SCHOOL. Haha.

Junting I've read that story before somewhere. Or maybe i read it from a chain email taken from the joshua harris book. Btw guys if you're thinking on getting into a relationship, don't do so until you read a joshua harris book. There's "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and "Boy Meets Girl". You should be able to find them in christian bookshops, and normal big bookshops may have also. I can get it for you if you want. Hopefully after reading it you'll change your mind. Haha. We're still so young relax!
I think overtime we may become numb hearing about Jesus dying on the cross on us, because we forget that it is our sins that He died for. Junting's post doesn't tell us a new story, but it tells the story in a new way. Those files are ours. We know very well (maybe too well) that Jesus died, but we fail to come face to face with the sins that put Him on the cross. Out of His love for us, He died to take away our sins. If we have sin in our hearts, let's confess them to God and turn away from them.

Remember our memory verse Heb 12:14, "without holiness no one can see God". Quiet time, going to church, worship, cell time, etc. would be such a dread if we have sin in our hearts. We would just be blindly doing christian things, without actually "seeing" God! There's no joy in that! God does not want us to remain slaves to sin. He gives us freedom from the slavery of sin, and there's no bigger joy than living in His freedom. I really encourage us to examine our lives, take some time off today, and bring our sinful lives to Him. Take out about 15 minutes of your time today, alone in your room with your Bible, a pen and your JYM journal. God's promise in 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us." The verse before that is equally important: 1 John 1:8 "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." Let's turn away from sin and live in God's freedom, there'll be no happier cell than a holy cell. Haha.
Thanks Junting for the timely reminder.


I just came back from melacca. It was a good trip, except that I lost my phone! And it belongs to army so I'm in a bit of trouble. I called my officer and he said there'll be an investigation, I'll be punished for negligence. But I'm quite ready for punishment la actually. If they make be stay back in the weekends, I have time to read good christian books, I can talk to people about God,whoever's staying back with me. Romans 8:28 has been a verse that means a lot to me "And we know that all things work for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." God is bigger than my punishments and He's in control. He's not out to harm me, but everything works according to His good purpose. There's definitely something to gain.

Joan:

Hi guysss!(:
Sorry I haven't been going jym for ages! I'm kinda back at my old church for awhile. But I'll be back soon!(:

Prelims have been kinda sucky for me, considering that I only study the day before the exams, and I go into the exam hall and stare and stare and stare at the paper without knowing how to do anything :/

It's the olympics, I swear. The only thing I've been actually following's table tennis (Feng TianWei's super good man ) Everytime I try to study my hand will automatically reach for the control and turn to channel 601/602/603/604/605 :/

Anyway, I leave y'all with pretty pictures!:D
It was taken outside my house in the morning, super pretty :D
Sunrise and sunset's always pretty :D



And a super cool picture I took of my friend, the sky's really pretty :D





Night :D
♥

P.S. Oh and sorry I kinda xanga-locked my xanga. My mum suddenly told me she was reading my xanga and I was like

Night(:

Joshua Harris - I Kissed Dating Goodbye I am very prompted to share what he said in this book, i hope you guys receive this blessing with an open heart.

A Cleansed Past: The Room
I don't usually share my dreams with people, but i'd like to tell you about a particularly stirring one i once had. This dream, called "The Room" is dedicated to you.

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, i found myself in the room. There was no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files

They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction had very different headings. As i drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls i Have Liked". I opened it and began flipping through the cards, quickly shutting it, shocked to realize that i recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, i knew exactly where i was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity coupled with horror, stirred within me as i began randomly opening files and exploring their contents. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that i would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends i betrayed"

The Titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird: "Books i have read", "Lies I have told" "comfort I have given" "Jokes I have Laughed at" Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: " Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others i couldn't laugh at: "Things i have done in anger" "thing i have muttered under my breath at my parents" I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than i expected. Sometimes there were fewer than i hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life i had lived. Could it be possible that i had the time in my twenty years to write each of these thousands, possibly millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature

When i pulled out the file marked "Songs i have listened to," i realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly and yet after two or three yards i hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time i knew the life represented.

When i came to a file marked "Lustful thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only a n inch not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its details contents. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

Suddenly i felt an almost animal rage. One thought dominated my mind: " No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them" In an insane frenzy i yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now i had to empty it and burn the cards, But as i took the file at one end and began pounding it on the floor, i could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card only to find it as strong as steel when i tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, i returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall i let out a long self pitying sigh. And then i saw it. The title bore " People i have shared the Gospel With" The handle was brighter than those around it, newer almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than 3 inches long fell onto my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand

And then the tears came. I began to weep. sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame,from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key

But then as i pushed away the tears, i saw him. No, please not him. Not here, anybody but Jesus!

I watched helplessly as he began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch his response. And in the moments i could bring myself to look at his face, i saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worse boxers. Why did he have to read every one?

Finally he turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in his eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head cover my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put his arm around me. He could have said so many things. But he didn't say a word. He just cried with me

Then he got up and walked back to the wall of files, starting at one end of the room, he took out a file and one by one began to sign his name over mine on each card.

"No!" i shouted, rushing to him. All i could find to say was "No, no," as i pulled the card from him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with his blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and continued to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how he did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed i heard him close the last file and walk back to my wide. He placed his hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."

I stood up and he led me out of the room, there was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written..

Kenneth:

Hi, I haven't posted for quite a while, 1-2 weeks. Well, I've been busy with school work. But actually, the past 2 weeks hve been good, in a sense that I wasn't troubled much "in my heart", unlike in July and earlier this year.

Last weekend I had some bad thoughts. umm... about me and sexuality. I used to be sensitive about it and "hostile" to sinning through it...Shall not go further. (Its not really about fantasizing) My msn nick was something like "bad/negative thoughts must be dispelled by using my own effort (through the holy spirit), and not just by presenting/surrendering them to God". I learnt that in somewhat a profound way, and it applies only to quite a limited extent. I thought I just needed to have enough faith and "surrender CoMpLeTeLy", and at the right time God will take away my burdens- Matthew 11:28-30. I sort of understood how "everything worked" (not accurate words) wrongly. Our quiet time needs to be good. The holy spirit can then work in us, regarding "moulding perceptions" also I believie.

Aiya, why I talk about this, I wanted to say something happy and light at 1st, then thought maybe a bit of this 1st. Then now I forgot my thoughts. I pinned downed thoughts which were 5 days ago rather than now. And Im not going to write much- busy.
Sometimes I myself dislike the seriousness of my writing...

I watched a bit of Olympics. The Spore vs China one. They always clench their fist and raise their arm to chest level when they win. Looks a bit funny sometimes but then, what else should they do?- and not appear to boast. Felt a bit disappointed that China won but didnt think Spore could go this far anyway. Oh, just saw lee jia wei on TV crying.
"Facing the Gaints" - name doesn't appear to be a Christian movie to me. But frm Ryan's post I thought maybe its really gd. and thanks junting for ur effort for 30 aug.

Just a "wonder", who exactly reads this blog? or rather, who doesnt...

Okie I shall endd here.

Ryan:

Hahaha Joan study hard no more tv!! Actually I watched olympics will studying for o level prelims also. It was athens 2004. I taped down all the gymnastics and would play it every evening while doing maths. Gymnastics is super nice la, some of the moves are super cool. After that i'll watch sesame street at 6pm. Haha. I haven't been following this olympics much though cos of army. AND YA people have been inspired by watching the table tennis man. I was walking along the bunks corridor in army this week, and I walked past a bunk with people playing table tennis inside. They brought two tables together and used some rolled up mat as the net and brought out bats to play. Hahahahahahaha. Why Joan which player do you like? K I dont know many players any way haha.

Then another day, I walked along the same corridor and heard piano sounds. I thought must be a radio. But it sounded like the person was trying to play the same thing over and over again. So i walked towards where the sound is coming from, and oh my george, someone was playing a keyboard in bunk. Like a full size keyboard, like the one we have in our chapel. With the keyboard stand also. Hahahahahahahaha. PEOPLE IN ARMY HAVE REALLY GONE MAD LA. So sian until bring an entire keyboard from home to play. HAHAHA. I think soon someone will lay ice on the floor and start skiing in bunk.

And you know every Friday before we book out we have something called stand-by area. We're supposed to tidy up our bunks and they'll get inspected. I wonder how that guy hid away his keyboard la. It's way too big for his locker. Hahahaha. I wonder how he could even bring it to camp la. People are getting bolder man.

Anyway I'm really looking forward to cell outing, seeing how Junting has planned it, he has really put in a lot of thinking and even stayed over at my place twice to recee (sorry we couldn't really recee!) I think it'll be a blast, better make sure you can come! We'll also all watch a super good christian movie Facing the Giants. It's super good i tell you, i dunno if joycelyn minds me saying this but SHE CRIED WATCHING IT. Haha. I've watched it 4 times and have i told you all how i came to know about this movie? It was mind blowing. If i haven't told you, i'll tell you after we all watch the movie la. I believe it was God specially speaking to me in my situation through the movie.

I took a day off today, to go for an IDMC Conference held at another church. Stands for Intentional Disicple-Making Church conference. It was really really really fantastic i can't think of bigger words than that my english is limited. It gave me a clear picture of how the church should be, and it has changed the way I think about JYM. It ends tomorrow, so I'll share more when it ends la. I'm very excited going tomorrow. And after that I want to set aside time every day thinking about how God wants JYM to be and to pray specifically for JYM and St James.

Next week I only need to go to camp on Friday! The reward for all the hard work for national day, all the weekends that were burnt. AND finally I can see you all again this sunday!! DYING TO CATCH UP WITH YOU ALL LA.


Actually I wanted to just tag a reply to Joan. Haha. Too much to share la, sorry, haven't seen you all for 2 weeks. Lots more to share man but gotta go sleep early for tomorrow's conference. Catch up on sunday.

Junting FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints.
Other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life
When I was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord, "You promised me, Lord,
That if I followed you, you would walk with me always.
But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
There have only been one set of prints in the sand.
Why, When I have needed you most, you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have seen only one set of footprints
Is when I carried you."

It is pretty amazing how much we have left out God in our life. How much we have neglected him how much we have blamed him for not being there for us, for not giving us what we really want. This passage may be classic, but it is definitely a reminder what we really need.

We really need to understand how much God has been holding us all this while. God's love is best felt when we are broken, full of sorrows and anguish. Let us all be broken by the spirit and let us be sensitive to our one and living God.

I hope this passage reaches out to you guys and especially to the people facing prelims now. Always remember that the God you love and the God you have in you is the God that holds you and it is the God that is carrying you along the way. How frustrated you are now, don't give up because the Lord your God is carrying you right in his arms.

Happy 14th Birthday Elza!!!

Thanks for being a blessing to my life and to this group.

You're cheerful all the time, your cheerfulness reminds me of elmo.



Haha elmo and elza. Brother and sister, living with their goldfish, dorothy.

Haha anyway, continue to depend on God's love every day. It's the reason to be joyful whatever the circumstances.



Btw I used to watch sesame street during o levels to destress. Haha. I love Count when he presents Number of the Day. It's super dumb and funny. Can watch number 20 on youtube. Haha.
And actually I bought that elmo balloon for my dad last time. It lasted really long.

Ryan

Stronger Hello oak, it has been a long long time since i've posted due to some problems i am facing in my Life. Well i am here to share not about what the problems are but i am here to share how much this song meant to me when i am facing my problems.

Stronger:


It is amazing and simply amazing how much this song means.

VERSE 1:
There is Love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner's cross
You broke my shame and sinfulness
You rose again victorious

VERSE 2:
Faithfulness none can deny
Through the storm and through the fire
There is truth that sets me free
Jesus Christ who lives in me

CHORUS:
You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all

VERSE 3:
No beginning and no end
You’re my hope and my defense
You came to seek and save the lost
You paid it all upon the cross

BRIDGE:
So let Your Name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher
Be lifted higher

This song means a lot to me because through the tough times that i had, it speaks to me the most more than any other Christian songs that i like.

Verse 1 says:
There is Love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner's cross
You broke my shame and sinfulness
You rose again victorious

Jesus is love, God is love. Jesus came for us and thus Love came for us.

He was a humble man with no pride whatsoever, but we caused him to be crucified on the cross, the man who was holy, the man who brought us the salvation we wanted, we denied him and resulted in him on the cross dying not for himself, but for us, the sinners.

He was able to break the spell around us that causes us to sin that causes shame to be within us. Whoever believes in him in their lives, they have a chance to overcome the shame and sin.

He rose again, and sat at the right hand side of God, and that alone is victory.


VERSE 2:
Faithfulness none can deny
Through the storm and through the fire
There is truth that sets me free
Jesus Christ who lives in me

The faithfulness he is giving us, not to ever give up on us, we cannot deny.

Through the toughest moments, in ever season and every stage of our lives, he is still faithful towards us, never leaving us

Yet this truth sets us free, but we question ourselves whether we believe in this truth. If we do believe in this truth, then Jesus Christ son of the high and most holy God lives in us.

VERSE 3:
No beginning and no end
You’re my hope and my defense
You came to seek and save the lost
You paid it all upon the cross

God's love isn't recorded in anywhere because his love transcends all understanding, his love did not start on a certain day and end on a certain day because there isn't a beginning to his love because from the very start he already loves us and this love doesn't end today, tomorrow or the next century.

When we have Christ in us, he is our very hope in life that provides us the perfect future we can ever ask for, in all times when sin attacks us, he is there to defend us

Jesus came down to Earth for 1 reason, to bring salvation to us, to seek us so that we may believe him so that we may too seek him. All this was done to save us, and we are the people who are lost.

To prove the love, he died on the cross.

CHORUS:
You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all

Our God is stronger than us, much more stronger than you or me can understand.

With him in our lives, we can overcome sin, not only that, he will save us and bring us to the very place he prepared for us.

It is written in the very word of God the Holy Bible that Christ has risen and Jesus he is God of all. God gave Jesus the power to be the Lord of ALL.

BRIDGE:
So let Your Name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher
Be lifted higher

So while we young Christians are here,i really hope and pray or you that you may shout unto God with all you got so that you may proclaim and lift his name higher and higher and higher! We are the current ones that will lift his name higher and this can only be possible if we make a effort to lift his name higher!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yep, this is the very song that i love and I thank God for providing this song for me. For those facing problems, let this be my prayer that you may be stronger and find comfort in God. I believe you too can be strong, for you have a stronger God in you.

I pray that this may not be just a passing note to you guys or just a mundane blog visit post, but i really hope this song may speak to you just as much as it speaks to me.

Cheers,
Junting

Hey guys! Sorry wasn't there on sunday cos I had to standby for some national day reception dinner. How was JYM? How are all of you?! Joycelyn and Joanlyn have started prelims right. All the best k. Ya Joan haven't seen you in a long time! When are you able to join us again ar?

Joanne thanks for sharing from FOP, the first point especially spoke to me, Heb 12:14 is our memory verse isn't it. I think it's known more for the "without holiness no one can see God" part, and i overlook the first part "make every effort to live in peace with all men". Every effort. Something i definitely can improve on. And i realise living in peace with people is closely linked with holiness isn't it. A lot of sin comes from getting impatient, bearing grudges, unforgiveness.

And the second point on encouragement is one thing i've been thinking about too. For DG with my sec 3 boys two weeks ago, we just spent the whole session writing good things about each other. Each of us had a piece of paper, which we passed around in a circle for everyone else to write something good. And when we got our papers back, I think some of us were surprised that people actually noticed good stuff in us that you thought no one would notice. It was a lesson on encouragement, and encouragement is really needed in our cell and in the church! Of course encourage the right things.

Thanks Joanne for that. What you guys have been sharing have been huge encouragements to me. When I come to this blog, usually on fridays coming home from camp, its a real joy to see how oakers have been growing along with me, and it ENCOURAGES me in my walk with God, to remember that there are people like you guys who are also walking the same road. :)

Anyway recently i've been training for an army half marathon race, a 21km race. So been doing a lot of running, wake up early to run before breakfast, run at night. And i realise that waking up early to run is a fantastic to start the day. Ya i find it hard to wake up, my friend usually has to shake me a lot. then he comes and hugs me until i can't take it then i decide to get up. haha. But after that i get changed, pick up my mp3, and go down to run before the sun is up.

Then i listen to some hillsongs while running, and it helps me get the day going with God. As I run i think about the day ahead, then i can pray about it, reflect on what i read for quiet time the night before. Doing all that as i run. Like how often do we forget what we read for quiet time the night before! Then my day starts with God. wah it's really helpful. Not sure if you should do it for school la, better sleep early the night before.

I know junting has been running quite a bit right haha. But you run quite late at night right, how do you go to school the next day man.

So this week has been great, been learning a lot from quiet time and feel joyful and at peace with God even though the work in camp in quite hectic. Share more with you all next time we meet or in another post la, it's getting a bit late. I'm typing from camp btw. Ok.

KEEP POSTING GUYS

Oak rocks my socks.
Ryan

Hey guys, hope school/army and whatever thing's fine for all. Yay, this week is gonna end soon for school and monday's a holiday.
Since Junting ask me to blog about FOP, i think i really should.

Okay, firstly, if we wanna have peace with God, we shall always pray to know His ways and give Him thanksgiving and also by making peace with everyone.
As hebrews 12:14 also said that, " make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy, without holiness no one will see the Lord."
I'm sure all of us wants to meet/see the Lord right.

Secondly, it's about encouragement, we should always encourage one another, in church, in everywhere. And affirm what's alr accomplished. Look for the good in each other and speak good things about them. and express the good we see.
Enouragement is like oxygen for the soul. and we should also speak the TRUTH in love.

Thirdly : comfort.
we should always draw on God's comfort and keep the faith in Him. For He's able to set us free. God is ALWAYS true. Call Him, and He'll always comfort us in times of need. Draw on God's comfort and also with one another. for we all believe in faith.
We've all been through a tough and difficult moment, so we should all be a comfort to one another.

okay, i think that's about it.


and ps. can i not wear swimming costume?


JOANNE

Birthday Summerslam Hello all! time to have an update of the cell group outing we're having on 30th August

30th august cell group outing for birthday summerslam is ON!

Yep, it is on! Ok really hope all of can be there to enjoy ourselves and everything, hopefully the prelims will be over and so we can have a merry time!

Well here are the details, do take note of it!

Venue:Bukit Gombak
Time: 1pm - 8pm?
Things to bring: Swimming trunks/costumes and Extra clothes

We will be meeting at Bukit Gombak MRT station at 12.45pm! Don't be late!

Cheers
Junting

Hahahahaha.

Ok, not good to post all this, for laughs only man.

Ken I'm very encouraged and super thankful to God by how he has removed all those doubts and has planted you firmly. YEEAAH quiet time must not be overlooked. Remember the passage Aunty Bee Yong made us all read aloud yesterday, Psalm 119:9-11.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

Quiet time is crucial. Let's not leave it to the leftover hours.

And ya, I'm excited to read all you guys' preaching here. Be free post what God is saying to you. I think that's how it goes isn't it. When God speaks to you it excites you and you can't help but want to say it to someone anyone. This blog has been nothing short of inspiring.

And ya, do post anything else of course. Anything about your life and your day and your dog.

And ya, so I think it's fine for anyone to read this blog, praise God if it blesses others.
And ya, haha clear your econs homework!


Think we should pray for Joycelyn and Joan-lyn, their o level prelims start next week, and over the following 3 weeks. Joycelyn and Joanlyn if you have time can post your exam schedule here?

Talking about exams, think you may have come across this before.



Ryan

Quiet Time is important Greetings, fellow OAKer reader. Kenneth here.

When coming home today in the MRT, after the half-Cell group dinner, Ryan asked Jason (or/and me) what we were going to do when we reached home. I thought about it when I reached home. Homework? I didn't do much on Saturday because I got carried away surfing the internet. But I decided not to do it- my Econs Case study and essay. I decided to blog here instead, again. Again I forsake Econs.

I want to blog because I haven't blogged for quite long, and my quiet time has not been good these two weeks. The fear in me seems to have subsided so I'm not pushed so much to do EVERYTHING i can that I think a perfect Christian- Christ himself, that is- would or should do.

But this is the opportunity for the devil to come and penetrate me again. I fell repeatedly. I don't want to make the same mistake. Although the fear is gone, my will still remains. I think what I'm writing shows some depth of my decision to follow Christ wholeheartedly. (to be explained)--> I have said and prayed before something like this in my heart (somewhat) when I go back to God,
"Never again will I leave you Lord. You have changed my life, my entire thinking from deep within and idea of reality, gave me true meaning to life and satisfied me with your love powerfully and profoundly. And yet there are even more abysmal doubts that could shake me, weakening my hold onto you (which I thought could not be damaged because what I experienced is divine, supernatural- transcending and could negate ALL doubts(100%)- but just after a moment of time it becomes a memory- and the holy spirit is not "richly present"). I cannot rely on memory, however deep feeling or meaning it gives me. I have to rely on the spirit. Quiet time is crucial...etc"
And after a month of saying that the feeling subsides and I stop, going back on my word. The decision and commitment I made was relatively not as deep as now, after the Church camp. I wrote this to illustrate what I was subconciously thinking about during JYM sermon. How sure is a person when he makes a covenant, e.g. to be a disciple of Christ, an authentic Christian, or in a marriage? I feel he can be very sure- his commitment will last, or otherwise, though he may feel almost the same for both situations. Based on my experience, it depends on something deep which nature I don't know.
Actually I sort of imagined myself talking to JYM about this- "Decision, this word has significance to me. God gave all of us free will...blablabla" Actually I often have a faint imagination of myself "preaching" whenever I get a small "enlightenment". I think I said that before in my 1st post in this blog. I usually forgot these things after JYM. When I try wrting in my spiritual Journal I just can't think of it- as in the full bloom of its meaning. Even if I did, I usually find it hard to express it in words. My thought chain is sensitive to other thoughts...and they don't really get retained in my mind, they get hidden deep and I have only an abstract idea of many thoughts sometimes...I'm weak in GP because of this...If I were to give a sermon in JYM, awareness of self would probably hinder me significantly. I wouldn't be able to talk like how I'm writing now...at least for now...

Hm, didn't use any Bible verse yet. Don't know what I should write. I'll just write what Ryan smsed be a week ago xD.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"
Philippians 4:6-7

I recited it daily- and perhaps it worked! Towards the end of the week school was okay, unlike the stressful and not nice period from 2 weeks back.

Umm, To Ryan: Thanks for being quite a good friend to me in this cell group :) haha

Its Mid-night now. I'm gonna end my post by saying that quiet time is very important. Quality quiet time. Don't just read the Bible. Analyze, reflect, dwell and practice the Word. You should pray too. Maybe worship as well, to get you more, err, dunno what word to use. I'm gonna try all that when I do quiet time. It is when quiet time is bad that negative thoughts and temptations come and overtake us.

Just thinking, should we let other people see our blog? Like our classmates?

Thanks for reading! and, Post!

Regards once again,
Kenneth

Herro guys! How are you all doing? Anyway, my job is now a 0800 - 1700 job (eight to five job) and I'm not working on Saturday and Sundays how cool! I have to stay in on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights so yeah but still can join you guys if you all decide to have cell outings etc. Yeah. See ya guys tomorrow!