Oak 08-09

2010-06-10T23:21:00.001+08:00

I think Anne is getting married!

Ryan

2010-02-28T20:02:00.003+08:00

Okay OAKers here are the P6ers list and who you're supposed to take.

Ryan is taking Geoff
Milikyjo is taking Hannah
Gab Loo is taking Jocelyn
Elza is taking Natalie
Kenneth is taking Amanda
Joel Chua is taking Samuel
Deborah is taking Hannah Quah (DVD's sister)
Jia Min is taking Tammy
Junting is taking Emmanuel and Keith
Joycelyn is taking Danielle
Alex is taking Biron (he's a guy)
David Quah is taking Amanda Ong
I'm taking Song Heng.

Instructions:

1) Pray and write the prayer or some encouragement on any piece of paper, along with a verse you wish to share with or pray over them.

2) Try to come down either Thursday 7pm or Saturday 12pm at the Pink House to write your message on a nicer piece of paper and help paint the gifts.

3) If you cannot come down on either days, send me your message and verse by email so I can write it down for you.

That is all, thank you. Haha.

2010-02-24T08:44:00.002+08:00

Hello guys! Sorry this is a bit late.

This Sat we'll meet at 5pm at the Pink House, then after that we can go for dinner together!
What we'll be doing is to think of gift ideas that the p6s might like and might help them feel more welcome in JYM.

The Cebu people made us gifts and prayed for us while we were still in singapore and they didn't know any of us yet. But as Christians, they knew were welcoming fellow brothers and sisters. This sense of "family" I feel (my humble opinion) is kinda low in Singapore, Christians tend to live in our comfort groups and the wider body doesn't really cross our minds. So I thought this is what we can bring to JYM, that we can take hospitality in JYM to a higher level. Not so much in giving better gifts (last year's painted mirrors were very good already), but in getting together so we can give more heart.

And of course just come to relive oak times la! Ok?! Set boh? Haha. If you can't make it just sms me. If you didn't go Cebu it's not a problem!! We are oak!!

Ryan

2010-01-26T08:13:00.001+08:00

Joel Pang says:

Got resemblance or not? Hahaha. I LOL-ed in office when I saw that.

2010-01-24T21:48:00.002+08:00

Goodbye Oak!

More photos on facebook.Check it out. (:

2010-01-19T19:03:00.002+08:00

Joel Pang says:

Herro guys! How're the new cell groups? Hope you're having as much fun as you had in Oak haha. Anyway, this message is from Anne, for Ryan, Joycelyn, and Junting.

>>> START >>>

Hi Ryan, Joycelyn and Junting,
I am very much thankful to God for the willingness of your heart to be a blessing and serving me through your giving. It is a great blessing. Thank you for remembering me here in YWAM cebu and what God has called me to do.

Thank you so much for investing with me and for becoming a channel of God's blessing through your giving. I am very much grateful and thankful to God.

Thank you once again :)

ever thankful and grateful,
Anne

>>> END >>>

#355

2010-01-11T06:26:00.003+08:00

Hello guys, i know we always wanted to make a music video, but we never had the chance. But it is okay, i've made one, and hopefully it'll make do for now. Until the next cell outing, that is(:

So, that's my farewell gift to all of you, and i really love you guys man. Hopefully next year, we still can continue to grow with each other even in different cell groups.

With much love <3
L

2010-01-11T00:19:00.004+08:00

Hey Oak-ers

2 years had passed. i can see everyone grown up more mature and opening up. Soon we gonna spilt into new cells. boohoo! sad right. We bonded together as we walked on the journey on how God had called us to be part of His works - camp,christmas@BV,Mission,etc. It is really interesting. How wonderful our Lord plan and direct. (:

Colossians 2:6: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him.

Check out our Acs(I) boy, A3lex.

2009 Reflection?

2010-01-03T23:12:00.008+08:00

Hi. Kenneth here.

Many of you have just had at least 1 day of school before you started reading this right? Just curious, how many of you look forward to go to school - at least in the beginning of the year? I think sometimes people say school is bad just because the majority says its bad.

Anyway, have a good school year!

School was better this year than last year for me, definitely. (Though its still not good in general... I don't wish to return to JC). But maybe I'll go one day soon to see teachers or something.

JC oppressed me. There was huge work load and it was emotionally draining. On the other hand, it impelled me to cling onto the cross and earnestly seek God. My walk with God wasn't good in the first half of 2008 but after that it was generally good.

I took H3 (some extra higher level stuff) for a while in JC2 and I dropped it. I don't regret it. In passing JC, I developed a philosophy not to work too hard and stress myself up (if that's what you call "try my best") and neglect other aspects of my life. After all, what do we study for? When I work, I don't want to focus so much on career. So if you're my future wife I'll not neglect you for work XD. And a, if you ever have problems in physics you can ask me XD.

Cebu mission trip was great :) An eye-opener indeed. And a new "realm" of simple happiness in the children, and relationships are highly valued and sort after. All eager to love be loved. Just like the children in Cambodia (I dunno how to spell "Pnonpen") that the mission team shared today (I was "boredly free" but forgot to pray for them >.<). In my Cebu lessons learnt I wrote "We are made to have relationships" - firstly with God, then with others. In developed countries and cities we, by culture, "mind our own business". How did it develop? Privacy? Rather we want to hide our sin just like adam and eve did. I did some GP comprehensions on this kind of thing so I have some thoughts.

Being in church for 3 years, OAK is the cell group I have spent the longest time in and with. I think its a nice cell group we had. Its fun. And its also where I first shared about my troubles with in detail, in the blog. I hope to keep in touch with you guys. Hm not sure what else to say...

Honestly, I'm disappointed with myself in my aspiration and pursuit to be more outward. I guess I opened up a fair bit, ok I dont know - and its a little different in school and in church. But still, so many times I ask myself "Why am I so timid?" WHY?

This hit me in our JYM camp or DYC. I felt like I'm somehow back at square one. I was afraid of doing simple things I thought I overcame long ago. Felt like orientation in CJC. Just that the games weren't so disgusting and I wasn't feeling so utterly remorse about not being able to stay in SAJC.

I was dead quiet to Alex my roommate about it, who happily made his letters and stuff hahaha.

Oh, I think I had an asthma attack on the 2nd night of camp. I woke up at 5am and I couldn't breathe. My lungs felt 10 times smaller. So I went to the toilet and kafglzksolxhucvrigivanibrt . Never happened to me before, maybe except when I was really young, like 3 years old.

And my discouragement/depression from camp (sort of stopped for a while and then) continued (lingered on) till some time near Christmas. I was hiding it. Just at the point where I felt I couldn't bear it any longer, it stopped. Weird.

The one thing I said on the camp afterglow that I can remember was about what I thought God's intention of doing this was: to bring me back to where I come from as a Christian. After saying it that day I thought it was just some random thing but looking back I think maybe God told me that (i.e. it may be true). If I grow out of this misery so fast I won't be able to connect and share with others experiencing similar troubles in the future. ok I'm getting sleepy. i write so ... i put random things here n there.

+ maybe God wants to "Cut away all within me that won't bear fruit"?

I came across this song that touched me.

Break me open

Tear me down

Into pieces

Broken crumbs

On the ground

You can mould me and shape me

In your image

Breathe your life

You know I need it

Scars make us stronger for life

Don't turn your laughing eyes away

You know I love you

There's no need to be afraid

Hearts are meant to be broken

They get stronger by the day

I'll take a chance and drop all my defenses

Just to hear you say

How long is the road

How long is the ride

How long is the darkness till we get to light

Go easy on me

Cause you already know

No matter the distance

I'll stay on the road to your heart

By the way, I believe my confidence in myself is put down much by (not so much about what happens but) the negative thoughts I have about myself. This is my (main) weak point. I don't have a sound mind. I get fooled by the devil easily and believe in his lies. I saw this verse in a book I'm reading now and thought its so apt for me to learn, though a little chim.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

I used to think of my negative thoughts as merely pessimism as opposed to optimism. Its more than that.

Quoted: "Many criminals talk about how they heard a voice in their head telling them to commit a crime and they just followed orders. When people are not taught to discern the voices in their head, they don't recognise the voice of the enemy. He is a clever deceiver who will come to each one of us and try to speak lies into our mind ... ... ... We have to catch his lies the minute they enter our minds so that we don't entertain them as truth and make ourselves miserable. One of the most difficult things about being a teenager is that you are such a passionate thinker. You feel things strongly."

I believe I am a passionate thinker. I must use this passion for God's glory, and not let the enemy turn it into a weapon against myself by believing his lies.

I feel a lot of agony in JYM and in school. Not only because of what I wrote about above that I have said many times that you may be tired of it, but also because I have a heart for you people. I have a heart for youth. That's why I come to JYM all the time, even through A levels. But it's still repressed in me. And I don't think it will fade away any time soon as I grow into an adult.

Did I break the record? 1306 word post.

*Edited Reflection*

2010-01-03T19:35:00.004+08:00

SEE. THIS IS PROOF ALEX.

Hahah. ok. i really have nothing better to do apart from homework so im just amusing myself.

2010-01-02T22:34:00.002+08:00

Sorry I haven't got down to writing my reflections, but oh man, I'm beginning to feel sad that Oak's gonna go! It's been my habit to come to this blog every few days. And all those times spewing ice at alex haha. And much more of course. How precious to me are the memories of Oak, were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.

Ryan

2010-01-02T17:34:00.004+08:00

Joel Pang says:

Herro guys! As a new year begins and our Oak cell ends, I'll take the chance to say my last words.

First and foremost, Oak has been a real blast for me haha. I really didn't want to change cells and I wanted to be with you guys for another year or so, but I'm beginning to see the good out of changing la, which is to build new bridges.

For me, the cell is a great way to build these bridges. These bridges can be used in times of trouble, when one wants to escape their own island, and I have had the privilege of hearing some of you guys out. As you guys move on to your new cells, I do hope that I can still be a support in some way.

I hope that this blog can still be updated so that we know what's going on with each other's minds. All the sharings here have been a blessing and encouragement to me, and all the random stuff have brought me loads of laughter. I will never forget Alex's Zebra fishes HAHAHA. Oh and Joycelyn's grain in her brain. HAHA.

I do hope that we can have little cell outings here and there, but I guess some of you guys will find your new cell more fun or something haha.

I can truly say that each one of you is unique here in Oak, and after these 2 years, I can say that none of you are replaceable or unimportant. It doesn't matter if you don't talk much during cell, or if you've been with us during mission trip, or even if you come irregularly - cause each one of you contribute in different ways, and, like a jigsaw puzzle, complete the picture of Oak. The corner is not any less important as the centrepiece, for a lack of any would render the picture incomplete.

It has been a real blessing knowing you guys, and well it's not farewell cause we'll still be seeing each other around, and Alex is planning the next cell outing. HAHAHA.

2009-12-27T06:36:00.001+08:00

"You can't be a social activist without being a contemplative." These words of the author Jim Wallis (God's Politics) really struck me recently. It re-affirms this idea that worship and justice cannot be separated - they are two sides of the same coin. In loving the poor, the weak and abused we are in fact loving Jesus. In spending time contemplating the beauty, wonder, faithfulness and might of God we are inspired to love as He loves, to be full of compassion in the way He is.

When we look at the world, marred by pain and brokenness, a world in which people murder, rape and destroy, we can lose any sense of hope. The Nazi camp survivor, Corrie Ten Boom, who was exposed to the most horrific injustices once said, "If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest." In worship our perspective changes. Our minds are renewed, our souls are refreshed and our hearts begin to believe again. It's in the presence of God that we are empowered to be a people that make a difference.

2009-12-12T00:01:00.002+08:00

Hey Oakers
Check out the birthday boy here:

haha. Happy Birthday Ryan! I hope you can learn a trick or two from here. And try to show us how you did that dance. hehe.

Camp Set Apart Reflections

2009-12-09T15:15:00.003+08:00

Before the Japan Trip, i was already straying away from God. Not quickly, but surely i was. I was getting less intimate, being less ready for him. I was unable to feel connected to him anymore, so to speak, i felt he was moving away from me. Quiet time had no effect, in fact it was a chore, or so to speak, boring. I felt like a typical non-christian, forced upon a task to do quiet time daily, even though it was not my kinda thing. But i couldn't find a cure to it, i didn't know what was happening, i was searching deep inside me a reason, or a sin which i've not let God known about. But i failed, i couldn't find any.

When i was in Japan, to say the truth, i didn't enjoy it. Because something wasn't right inside me, Life didn't seem like Life, and Without God, it was purely living hell on Earth. There was no intimacy nothing at all, and it was worrying. At night i would cry silently for God to return, but nothing happens, i was dejected, i was losing faith, i was demoralize!

When i came back from Japan, i knew in 2 days time i'm gonna go to a camp, but this was the first time i wasn't excited for the camp, i had no enthusiasm, i had no aim, i had no objective, no goal! I just wanted to get it done and over with, i didn't expect to meet God there, i didn't expect anything!

When the last night of the camp approached, before i went into the ballroom, i told God this " If you're God, then let this night count." However, I didn't have the faith anything would happen.

However, something weird happened during worship though, the worship was excellent, but more importantly the spirit was moving strongly. The first time i experienced an alter call during worship, and everything was delayed because Mike wanted God to finish doing what He was doing.

It was a great alter call, as you can see what God was doing in each individual lives.. But i was more uncertain about myself, because i felt nothing, and as the alter call was coming to a close, i knew, that was it, i wouldn't have a revival for this camp. But when Mike said " Can we have the worship team to play 1 last song " Kaimin came to pray for me, i was quite shocked at first, but i thought, yeah alright, i'd just pray and i'd see what God would do.

He mainly prayed for 1 thing, to surrender fully to God things, that i've hidden back, i've not surrendered fully. And when he said that, i knew yeah, this was it, this was what God wanted me to do. It all just somehow clicked together, the missing puzzles became living puzzles. I knew what i had to do, i went to the right of the ballroom and i just knelt down. The moment i touched the floor, i couldn't stop my tears anymore, it was overwhelming, God's love, God's peace, God's mercies, God's grace. It all came back to me, the assistance he has given me, the strength, the power, the anointing. This was How Great my God is.

Submission to God is obedience, Sub-Submission is dis-obedience. I can't give anything half heartedly to God, that is purely disobedience, and i was a fool all along, thinking i can hide some stuff, or i can only give half and keep the rest to myself. But God is omni-present, he knows everything, what foolishness i was in. The subtle state of mind. God was transforming me, from pillars of weakness that surrounded me, to pillars of strength and power. The Empowering from God keeps man Alive and the Love of God keeps man Moving.

God, give us strength, empower us, so that we can do your Work on Earth. We can do what you do, because we can see what our Father in Heaven is doing. Keep us safe in your arms, never let us Go, show us what you want us to do, and give us the required empowerment to do it. With you, definitely, nothing is impossible.

Let us be Authentic in our prayer lives, yet Bold in our spiritual walk, but more importantly courageous in doing God's work on Earth.

-Junting

2009-11-29T01:42:00.002+08:00

Join the Alpha Course 2010
Merry Christmas! - Oakers

Alright. video finally uploaded. Goodnight guys. (:

2009-11-26T21:36:00.002+08:00

Herro guys, update from our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ working in Cebu:

Message 1
>>> START >>>

How are you doing?Its been a long time not hearing from you.

Anyways, we are now on our 7 week of our lecture in the DTS at this time. And we see God's moving in the life of the students.

As our 3 months of lecture will be over soon, we are also excited to go for the next phase of our DTS which is the major outreach. We will be ministering to our neighboring island here in the Philippines on the 3rd week of January next year.

Please pray for God's wisdom, especially for me as one of the leader in the team.Pray for my finances as well, I need Php. 20,000.00($450)for my fees for that outreach.

Thank you so much for partnering with me in this ministry through your prayers.May God continue to bless us as We continue to work in the expansion of His Kingdom here on earth.

In His Service,
Ping

>>> END >>>

Message 2
>>>START>>>

How are you? Hope that everything is fine.

I am attending a Fund Raising Lecture in the School of Frontier Mission
2 weeks ago week. I am challenged to deal with my staff fees. I am 8 months behind. I am tempted to move out of YWAM this year and work if I cant pay 20 thousand pesos debt (428.26 USD) from staff fees. But I was
told by my teacher to take responsibility for my debt.

I really believe that God is calling me to work in Mission and continue the ministry that God has called me to do.

I am praying for 12 people to share their resources with me and contribute 34.26 USD (1,600 pesos). Would you be one of the 12?

Thank You so much and God Bless You.
Looking forward to hear from you.

sincerely praying,
anne
>>>END>>>

The least we could do is pray for them so guys pray okay!

-Joel Pang

2009-11-26T00:06:00.015+08:00

A HEART SHAPE FOR ALL OF U OAK-ERS.

alright check out for more MOre MOREEEE interesting pictures on thursday/friday.(:

2009-11-17T14:32:00.000+08:00

2009-11-12T21:45:00.007+08:00

Hey all,

Remember to pray about how much to give to YWAM Cebu for their Jesus Fiesta end of this year! We'll do a collection next Sunday, 22 Nov. Please don't feel obligated to give, only give as the Lord leads you! It's not about the amount. And put the money in an envelope preferably, so no one can't see how much you gave. And I'll get all mixed up with the envelopes so no one knows who gave what. Haha. Oh and as you pray, pray for the people there too. God brought us there to show us His heart. It'll be good to recall some faces and pray.

Since this is about giving, I'll share something I heard about giving..
I believe God is not concerned with Donation, as much as Devotion. Give out of devotion, not donation. God doesn't look for money, God looks for person who is willing to part with his money.
We've heard before "give until it hurts!". What's even better is: "give until it hurts until it doesn't hurt!" Haha. Give until money doesn't have a stranglehold over us.
When we grow up and start earning, it'll be harder to give. So it's good to tutor ourselves now - what the Lord gives, is His anyway. He gives, and He takes away.

Ryan

A levels is here

2009-11-08T22:25:00.008+08:00

Hello
My A levels starts on tuesday 10 Nov
I felt that in this week of studying, I was trying to maintain a delicate (and seemingly fragile) peace. I slept 8 hours (actually morE) each day. I took short jogs almost every day. I had time with God every day. I didnt want to feel afraid of A levels. Striving to maintain this calmness wa successful. I wasnt feeling stressed or demoralised, not really. Not because I studied a lot (in fact I dont think I studied A LOT), but because I was putting my trust in God. But sometimes I felt I didnt actually believe. I find it extremely difficult to really believe that God is in control of everything; that everything rests on his infinite power and not on our strength. In a sense, belief is either yes or no, no half-half, no double-mindedness. Still, I did what I could. At least thats what I think. I tried to "let go and let God". I tried. I think thats what matters. I dont think we can completely believe (whatever that means; it kind of conflicts with belief being either yes or no and no maybe). Erm, yeah . .. ... .... ..... .... ... .. .

Unlike the previous few weeks (in which I frequently went for consultations in school or study with friends), I studied at home most of the time this week.

And I realised its probably better, for study. can concentrate better ... :/

But only when I get adjusted to this "mugging mood" (I take quite long to adjust). If not, Ill waste a lot of time.

On Tuesday, I realised I was developing a flu. (thats when I stopped going out). I used at least 5 tissue packs that day.

Oh no.

On wednesday it became worse. Just before A levels- flu :/

But the flu cured really fast. Crazily fast. Its like on tuesday I start developing (or a bit on monday) and thursday morning its almost gone. Really unusual for me, who has a sensitive nose and sighness and perhaps more. I need tissue almost everyday, not only in the morning.

Thank God. He is in control.

I hope wont fail GP, thats the most gjioedagfjnsdf thing. Failing GP means failing A levels.

4% failed GP in my school last year. Thats considered low. And Im among the bottom in my class. bottom 25%. Based on school results.

I hope i will get 3As (math included). Not sure if its for God or for upholding my pride though...

ahh... pray for me ok?

Haiz and I feel I havent studied much for math. My math paper 1 is on tuesday. I only got tomorrow. I was contemplating whether or not to come to JYM just now.

I thought i wasnt coming actually.

Actually when I was hearing claudia pray outside the "JYM room", at the eating place, for the worship team, I decided to stay.

haha

God is in control.

But, God doesnt help those who help themselves right? There's still some truth to that right?

after A levels I wont be studying for more than 2.5 years.

Oh, on monday night I was listening to some recorded sermon on the st james church website. at 1st i just randomly clicked here n there to hear how diff pastors' voice sounded like.

but i ended up leaving pastor terry's when love becomes grief sermon run all the way while I studied. like a substitute for music. (i dont listen to music much btw).

And you know what, I was convicted. Imagine i was studying and absorbing econs stuff, then halfway I felt the presence of God, and stood in awe of him. And became/felt more fervent and passionate for Christ. then I went out for like one hour for quiet time.

then God struck me with flu to test me.

hahaha

Kenneth :)

2009-11-03T16:42:00.002+08:00

Herro OAK! I was doing the camp registry just now and I must say I'm really really glad for each one of you that can come to camp and especially Jia Min who hasn't been with us for a whole year! I am really glad that God has made a way for her to come.

Anyway I'm going down for a walk cause I'm too bored at home see ya.

2009-10-29T23:40:00.007+08:00

Hey all,

Just had our time-out and just wanted to share my reflections, if it might encourage you :) I'll just put here what I wrote down on the paper la:

"I got stuck at v2 (if you didn't have the time-out paper, Ivan asked us to read Eph 5:1-21) - "live a life of love, just as Christ...gave himself up"
What drives me?
- Is it the demands of school and church, one after another? That is a good way to live, but it misses the point.
- Rather, it must be the love of God that drives everything I do.
What excites me when I wake up in the morning?
- Is it the things I need to get done?
- No, it must be the love of God that excites me when I get up in the morning.
The love of God is not only a sentimental feel good. More than that, the love of God has the power to direct my life. Why? Because knowing God's love wraps my heart around God's heart.

Here's a call back to the simplicity of Deut 6:4-5 :)

ryan

2009-10-27T18:38:00.005+08:00

2009-10-22T00:55:00.000+08:00

Aright as i promised i will post something. here we go

I would like to encourage kenneth here. Our Lord loves each of us. He created us in a very special unique way. Even twins have their own differences. No one is the same in His creation. Kenneth, in other people's view of you, you may feel that you are out of place, but our Lord has great plans for you to do His will. You have different talents and no one is greater than the other. Focus and turn your eyes upon Jesus. Our Lord will not abandon us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He will carry you through the storm high above the storm. Remember, you will go through the storm but He will definitely see and protect you through the stormy weather.

I believe that if you commit yourselves to our Lord Jesus and wait upon Him, He will show you His plans for you to glorify and worship Him.
Claim His promise - ASK (Mattehw 7:7):"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Woah Elza, Awesome walked with God at West Coast Park. A quiet and top rated park at our west side. haha. ok i believe God will be in control. He will let you go for the youth camp. He won't let his/her child behind. He will do/make something today. We will be praying for you all the way. I believe God will answer our prayer just like my mission trip which i can go due to H1N1 disease. So remember we live by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Without Faith It Is Impossible To Please God.

And again ASK (Mattehw 7:7):"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Walk your Talk.
L - Listen to His Words;
O - Obey His Words; and
P - Practise what you have learn from Him.

We want you to know today
And never to forget
The Lord above loves you so much
He’s not finished with you yet!
- Lowndes.

Shalom
Joel Chua

2009-10-19T22:52:00.003+08:00

Hey all, I'm just smiling while reading your posts. And Joel Chua, yes hope to hear from you soon! This is what walking with God is about. Such a beautiful journey right! God didn't promise an easy journey, but He promised to journey with us.

THAT's the beauty. There's a song that goes "Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you - There is no greater thing."

Go have a listen when you have time. It's not the modern hillsong kinda song. But the lyrics are so powerful it could put you to tears. Haha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svlK4H51iGI&feature=related

I hope you can make it for tomorrow's Church@Prayer too:
730pm, Harding Road

First time the church prayer meeting is led by the youth. But come not in support for the youth, but in support of the need for the church to pray. Don't worry you can sit with your friends anyway so it won't be awkward trying to pray with adults or people you don't know. Haha. Hope to see you there. David and some others have put a lot, of prayer and planning and effort into this prayer meeting. He also got some of us to pray for this prayer meeting every night for 10minutes at 10pm for the past week.

Leave a quote with you:
"Prayer is significant, not just for what it can do for you, but more for what it brings you back to: prayer brings us home to God.

God declared "My house shall be a house of prayer" (emphasis mine) Isa 56:7, Matt 21:13

Ryan

2009-10-19T14:28:00.002+08:00

2 Wonderful post and I enjoyed reading it.

To Kenneth:
I know it's a weird emotion, it's a weird feeling. But you know, nobody in the world will understand what you're feeling except yourself, and i guess this thing is solely between you and God. But it is always good to share with the group, so that we are always kept update on each others' personal life and we are able to pray for each other. But, no worries about how you're feeling, don't get too caught up by it, don't think about it too much. Sure, it's good to meditate and try to figure out the problem, and it's good to be sensitive to God and try to hear from him what he is trying to say, or would like you to change, but, you should always be mindful not to allow this "things" to dictate how your day will be, more importantly, don't let it stick t0 you.

Regarding the subject of being "Dao". Well, i know sometimes it happens, even in JYM. So, you know, don't be surprised like even in JYM you'll get dao, or perhaps sometimes church mates do it too. Because, well we're all human and we have our flaws, we ain't perfect and never will be. There will be days where we are uncomfortable, days where we are feeling frustrated, days where everything goes wrong, so you know, don't get too worried like whether someone daos you or not.

Personally, I struggle with this subject also. But, more importantly, i've learn to have a big heart and try to look at another perspective, see it that the person had had a bad day. And perhaps, you can even try praying for him/her. That'd be great! So, don't let it bother you. You never know what another person is experiencing:D

To Elza:
I Envy you so much! Haha, you know i wish i had the freedom, the time to just go on a niec slow walk and think about my day, and my walk with God. How nice it is to be able to dwell in God's presence!

Regarding the news about you being unable to go to camp. Well, i'll pray for you! But, don't be disheartened if you can't go, i mean, you'll be missing out a lot, but, there will be another camp again! But, don't give up praying, because, you never know what God might do!

**

Today i went for this prayer meeting for the camp. Well, throughout the prayer meeting i didn't pray at all la, i just sat down and hear what the camp comm was praying about, so i know what's the main focus on this camp so that when i go home, i can take note of the points and pray. Surprisingly i don't know why, i really feel this camp will be something special, something that i will be able to take away from. And, sitting in that room hearing the prayers of other campers, i just feel so encouraged by their prayers. While i was sitting in that room, 1 thought came to me.

You know how so often a few months before the camp, people are really reluctant to go for camps because they feel that this will be another end of year camp, this will be mundane, boring or to such a extent, they believe they won't meet God there. And so often, we have this misconception of a camp and sometimes unconsciously judge a camp success base on the attendance. For example, If you reach like a certain about of people going, then it becomes successful.

But you know, sitting down there in the room, God just spoke so clearly.

Who are we to judge whether a camp is successful? Who are we to say whether the camp will increase the faith of young Christians? Yet, who are we to understand God's plans for the future?
You know, so often it is so much about us. About what we want, about the attendance, the games, whether it'll be fun, or whether we have the TIME. But when we just sit down and ask ourselves what is the camp's purpose. Then will we realise, it is for God to meet us there. It is not about the games, it is not about who is going, who the speaker is, who makes up the band, even if it's hillsongs, it isn't going to make a difference because what will matter is whether God will speak to us.

You know, If the camp only manages to touch a single soul, if the camp only manages to save 1 soul and turn that soul to God. Then the camp is a success, the camp will be fun, the camp will be talked about even until next year. If that 1 soul can change JYM, if that 1 soul can change other churches, then why is the camp not a success? If God uses this large scale camp to meet just 1 person, then who are we to deny God's work? Who are we to deny God's plans? We have to understand the importance of God's plans in our lives. You might not want to accept the fact that this camp will do anything, because it'll change your life!

Sitting down there in that room, i also thought about why do we have to have a combine church camp? Truthfully, i'm no fan of combine church camps.

But you know, the more I thought about it, the more i understood why. You see, St James church does not summarize the body of Christ. Our church is only a piece of puzzle which is part of God's plans which will complete the perfect picture in the end. We have to step beyond the 4 walls of our church, reach out to the other churches, form a bond between us and them so that we'll be strong. The church of God cannot fall, the Church of God have to remain tightly bonded as 1, so that we'll stand firm on good soil.

2 weeks ago during a prayer meeting, David said, A church which is in disunity is a Disgrace. Check out the words used! The word "Disgrace" is actually a very strong word, i mean at least to me, that's why i seldom use that word. You see, if a disunited church is a disgrace, then the members of the church is disgraceful. We as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ's Church cannot be disunited, or else, we'll be shaming God's name. Really.

Therefore, the motive of a combine church camp is not so that we'll have a larger attendance, or so that we are able to attract good speakers. But rather than that, it is to unite the body of Christ, so that we'll stand firm on GOOD soil, so that we can build a strong foundation.

I'm not a fan of combine church camp, but to form a strong bond between Churches for God, i'd do it. Will you join me?

-Junting

heeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyXDDD

2009-10-19T09:01:00.002+08:00

haha. these past few weeks i've been wishing someone would post so i'd have something to read. so now it's after exams (for me XD) and i wanna post something in return.

i was reading kenneth's post from yesterday. and and i just wanna say to you, that God would NEVER play with you. nor is He this mind controlling geek who laughs evilly (is that even a word?) when you dont get something He is trying to tell you. I asked God once if He had a sense of humour. I am pretty certain He said yes, but added that he would never use it on me. so kenneth? Keep asking.

Matthew 7:7
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Oh. AND AND ryan i had a similar experience with the phone too! I remember my parents were arguing with me in the middle of this year that band had taken up too much of my time and they wanted me to stop going for music prac and all cuz i was too busy. I was really angry at them, but - lemme tell you, they drive a REALLY good argument - and I found myself giving in. It was heartbreaking for me, because I really wanted to be able to serve God in that way, but then again He told me to obey my parents. What was i to do? It was in the car at night, and i was crying in the backseat. I prayed and prayed that God would chande their minds, but in my heart i didnt believe He could. So i replied - "fine, I'll tell claudia I cant make it." I took out my phone and typed the message. and the phone died. It died a total of three times, so i had to type the entire thing out three times, and just as I was about to send it out, my dad just asked quietly "can you leave early on friday night?"

I didnt believe God would do something like this. I thought He would side with my parents. Hey. He put them there anyway. and somehow, God has sustained me throughout this year, and it has been a very fulfilling one. everytime i am scheduled to sing on a sunday, i'm reminded of how much God has done for me, and that He truly cares about how i want to be able to serve Him in this ministry. And He's shown His love for me over and over again. To sum it up, He's Lord over everything.

Psalm 22:28
for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.

including electronics.

Friday was very interesting, because my plans were cancelled at the VERY last minute. i was already out of the house and decided that "if no one wanted to go out with me, i'll just go by myself" I ended up going to west coast park to cycle. When i got there, the rental shop had been closed. So I just walked around, and ended up doing a prayer walk. I prayed about camp, that God would somehow let me go, about my results, and kinda did a short reflection on how God has been so good to me this year. Oh and ryan, i'm sorry cuz i kinda got carried away and heh, that's why i was late for music prac. >< But it was a very refreshing time with God.

I remember halfway through there was this stray cat that i wanted to pet. It stopped, stared at me with huge marble eyes like I was going to dismember it or something, and bolted for its dear life. I felt really disappointed, cuz all i wanted to do was make it happy. Then it suddenly dawned on me. How many times have i done this to God? How many times have i scrambled and hidden just because I was afraid of what God wanted to do with me? All God wants to do with us is to make us better. Sure. There'll be tough times, suffering. But if we are willing to submit into His hands, then life will be much, much better than anything else we are trying so desperately to keep away from Him.

One of my pet peeves is that I give in too easily. For example, I've kinda given up hope that i can go for jym camp, and i havent been praying all that much about it. But deep down i really wanna go, and i think it's too early to give up just yet. pray for me k? I'd appreciate it alot.

Elzaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Quantum Physics and "stuff"

2009-10-18T20:59:00.003+08:00

Hey ppl

Today Ivan talked about the infamous double-slit experiment to explain how predestination and free will can co-exist at the same time. I think this website explains the science of it - to the layman - well. Wave-particle duality! (H2 physics) Principle of Complementarity! (H3 physics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfPeprQ7oGc

More advanced - so-called - quantum physics can be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21K9lWmXG_4

I think its good to illustrate how there is other dimensions or realms (heavenly realms) in the universe and etc and that God knows things in higher ways than us

Quantum Physics is a cool and mind-blowing world, but spooky as well - at least to me.

And its where science and philosophy can merge.

During JYM worship today, I felt lost. I felt chaos in my mind. And I wondered why...

After E3 (in which I felt that the holy spirit taught me deep things - just a bit, and I dont really know what), i went to have lunch as normal at st georges. During that time, i think it was small knitty gritty things which sparked bigger thoughts to infiltrate my mind.

Like, I spent the whole of friday (my grad day) with my class aft the ceremony in school and it was a nice day. It was a nicer time being with my class than I thought it would have been.

And today i was feeling outward (i think its not an accurate word) for a while and erm... hmm

No actually i think it started from this. Pls keep this to yourself. I felt that Claudia kind of "dao" me today and wondered why. Then i naturally thought, aiya its normal for ppl to be like that sometimes. Sometimes ppl dont know they are like that. Or maybe Im too sensitive. But then, at the back of my mind it was still there la, as though some part of my mind was not convinced by the saying of another part of my mind. These kind of things tend to stick to me. Stupid things...

I thought about my "innate cool self" - somewhat. Which I use sometimes, i admit, to give me assurance in my identity, to satisfy or maybe suppress my insecurity.... Sometimes, when its "combined" with what i call my "bitter self" it can become bad, a bit "show offy" (which puts ppl off), so unlike when Im afraid and come before the Lord in -what i think to be - great humility... If i have longer hair I'll look more evil right? I can feel evil too.... While eating Adeline said sth about the RJ rugby coach and that "his girlfriend also so hot one" , then "oops sorry"... (i hope i didnt write sth i shouldnt have) then this stupid thing made me think of how i think many ppl in JYM actually have bad sides of them that is nowhere to be found on church day. And that dinner I had last week with joel pang and derrick... just after that dinner I felt a bit judgemental... everyone was made beautifully and carefully by God.... I shan't talk about that here.

It may look like i thought a lot but it was just a matter of seconds of thoughts here and there.

Then it went on, especially during worship, when theres nth to distract your mind. When you come to God in truth, in honesty, in authenticity.... I didnt really know what I was thinking about... It didnt make much sense for me to feel troubled about this. "Whats going on" I asked and asked.

Did I "think too much"? How would I have stopped it anyway? It all came quite unwittingly.

Was I too sensitive? Or was I more holy that I could sense smaller sins and see the "great evil" in them? Was God trying to tell me something? Or was it merely my own ....whatever...

Weird. Sometimes I feel that God is playing with me...

That clouded my mind during sermon...

I havent been studying much these few days... haiz....

Must go all the way for A levels now!

I feel we havent fellowshipped much recently as a cell group...

looking forward to cell outing

Kenneth

2009-10-14T22:28:00.002+08:00

Hey Oak! Ok looks like the 19th Monday isn't a good date for us so we'll be aiming for 24th Saturday to be our cell outing okay?

What we're gonna do is what we planned to do last time, which is go Sentosa! Haha. And watch Narnia after that, if there are still tickets lol.

So try to get your schedule out and stuff yeah so when we meet on Sunday we can discuss which date is good. Till then, see ya!

2009-10-11T22:10:00.016+08:00

Hey oak, I can finally post after clearing some school work that really tried to kill me. Haha. I'll share more below, VERY INTERESTING, and God was really funny. He's just amazing. How are you guys! Today we had games at the pink house and I felt soo carefree just running around playing games hahaha. I felt like I just threw the school stress away and relived my childhood and go crazy playing fun games. haha. Some of you had to study and go confirmation class, really wished you were here man. I hope amidst your exam stress you're finding rest in God.

Share with you about my week, which has to be the week where it was obvious all the circumstances were designed by God to teach me something impt. Uh oh it's gonna be long so...let's go.

The Story

Last Sunday I had a chat with someone after jym, one of the jymer's parents. We were talking about her son and she said something like this, 'I've learnt that God is always faithful, he always comes to meet our need, but many times it's actually at the very last moment, God comes to the rescue. So all the way till then, we trust and trust and hope and pray'

You know, this is really funny, throughout the whole conversation we were talking about her son, but when she said that, I felt that's going to apply to me in the coming week. It's just in my heart it was like, is God saying that to me? It was a funny feeling haha. And MY GOSH, NOW AS I LOOK BACK ON THE WEEK, IT TOTALLY APPLIED TO ME. I THINK GOD WAS ACTUALLY SPEAKING THROUGH HER.

This Week
I started doing a project for school. I was supposed to start on it the week before, but there was some miscommunication with my friend, I thought he was supposed to do a bit first then pass to me. So in the end, I only started doing it this week, and the deadline is tmr, as in I'm writing on Sunday, tmr's monday. So deadline's tmr and that's a bit last minute but I thought still ok.

So this is how the week went:

Monday
On mon I started working on the project, and I thought I would be fine. It was going quite slowly cos I really found it hard to write on the topic, and I haven't been doing my background readings cos somehow just no time. But I thought I won't have problems finishing it by wed. Anyway I need to finish by wed cos after that we have to start on another project, also due on the same day.

Tuesday
On tues, I got a bit worried. Cos I aimed to finish by wed but I was far from it. OK THIS IS WHERE IT GETS INTERESTING: I was supposed to play guitar for main service and the practice is on sat. I told myself I'll surely need that time to do my projects. So I looked for a replacement. BUT, as I was thinking of a replacement, in my heart I could sense God saying, 'You don't need to get a replacement, trust me'. Yeah I really heard that in my heart. But I was stubborn, so I went to sms a possible replacement. I typed a message and sent. But my screen said sending failed. I thought maybe some network problem, so I sent again, and it said sending failed again. This time, I started to think, is God saying something. In my heart I tested God (it's not right to test God, but I, ashamedly did). I said in my heart, GOD IF IT'S REALLY YOU, the third time I send will also fail. Then I sent a third time, and it failed! In my pure stubbornness I then pressed a fourth time, and it failed. Haha.

See how foolish I am? I already tested God on the third time, but I insist on the fourth. Then I did an even more foolish thing. I tried to reason that maybe the person was away, or his number has changed, so I'll ask him again another time. Then God convicted my heart - I realised that whatever the reason the message didn't get through, it doesn't matter! What matters is that God has spoken, and he has spoken so clearly - I do NOT need to get a replacement cos I will NOT need to use sat to do the projects. And I'm being stubborn.

So I overcame the stubborness and I decided not to look for a replacement, and I came to the point I could finally could say to myself, God will surely help me, I don't know how, but I'm going to trust him.

On that very night (tues night) I met my project mate to conduct an interview we needed for our project. After the interview, my friend said he'll work on the entire second project. Er you get me so far? We have two projects, I'm working on the first one, and he offered to do the second one, even though we should do it together. When he said that, literally chills ran down my spine, and in my heart I said THANK YOU GOD, PROBLEM SOLVED. Cos now I only need to do one project and I can surely finish by the end of the week. And I surely don't need a replacement guitarist.

BUT haha, that proved to be only the start of what God was bringing me through.

Wednesday
On wed, I didn't work on the project cos I had exam so needed to study.

Thursday
On thurs, I continued working on the project. And this is where it became crazy. For some reason, I realised I actually needed to try to finish the project by friday. The reason is very complicated and hard to explain to you but it's ok, just know I decided to try my best to finish by friday morning. So I had ONE DAY LEFT to finish it. So I stayed up. And I stayed up the whole night till 6AM. It was the most terrible night, worse than getting stuck in the jungle over night (those of you who went adventure camp two years ago would remember that haha). It was worse than that because for some reason I had zero inspiration, I was staring blankly at the screen, I found it so difficult to think. And that went on from evening all the way till 6am. It was so frustrating. And I had to stick through, cos I need to get it done by fri morning. I was awake doing it from the last MRT announcement at around midnight, all the way till I could hear the MRT station's very first announcement of 'please stand behind the yellow line" haha.

AND, even until then, the project still wasn't finished. I had to edit in my friend's parts which was not easy.

Friday
So friday afternoon I continued working on the project, which by the time I was so tired of.

I was finally done on Friday evening.
But I needed to cut down the number of words, we were 600 words above the 1500 word limit. I could not stand looking at the project anymore haha, so I emailed my project team and asked them to help me cut it down.

Saturday
On sat, I took my mind off the project. I went for Sat morning prayer at the pink house and then music prac. Now this was risky, cos if my friends in the end don't help me edit, I'm in big trouble, cos Sunday is church whole day and Monday is the deadline. And I'll NEVER think of sacrificing church. So if they don't help me edit, I'll have to stay up sat night (which is crazy cos I need to wake up at 645am on sunday to play for service), or on sun night (which is crazy cos the deadline is the next day). And btw, these project friends, it's the first time I got to them, we were strangers before this, so I don't know how much I can trust them.

So throughout sat, I just took this big risk and trusted God. After music prac I was so tired cos of all my sleep debt (esp from the night I stayed up till 6am), so I couldnt take it, I went to sleep. In the evening after dinner my friends STILL haven't gotten back to me about whether they'll help me, so I started to panic, and decided to work on it. I was trying my hardest to trust God at this point. It's SAT NIGHT. If my friends decided not to help me, I only have Sunday night to do it myself. That's is too risky, the deadline is the monday!

At 11pm that night (sat night), my friend sent me an sms, asking me to check my email. I opened my email, and in the email, he had written a long list of ways in which IIIII can edit the project. Means, he has not helped me to edit, he has suggested ways for MEEE to edit!! IT'S 11PM SAT NIGHT, I CAN'T STAY UP ANY LONGER, I ONLY HAVE SUN NIGHT TO EDIT. So I told my friend, I really need his help, he said OK he'll do what he can.

Sunday
On Sunday, which is today as I'm writing, throughout the day I tried hard hard hard to trust God that I don't need to edit the project tonight because
1) I'm so dead tired of this project (I've never ever ever felt so sick of something before, to the point that I refuse to touch it even though it's impt)
2) I can't stay up tonight cos I only had 4 hours of sleep last night (I tossed and turned until 3am because I took that nap yesterday which ended up longer than supposed to be!)
3) It's too near the deadline, the project is bound to have mistakes cos you don't get to proofread properly.

After JYM ended, the dread was coming...the truth awaits, haha, DID MY FRIEND HELP ME OR NOT?! After JYM, I couldn't take it, I went to play soccer to shake off the stress. Even though it's the wise thing to go home straight after JYM, cos if I find out my friend never help me in the end, I got more time to do it. But I was so sick of the project I didn't want to care, I just went to play soccer. Haha. But the worry was there.

Then while playing soccer, my friend smsed, saying that he will work on the project "a bit". I was like A BIT?! I can't afford him to just do A BIT, what does his A BIT mean?

On the way home from soccer, I prayed, pleading with God PLEASEE make my friend help me do EVERYTHING. haha. I was seriously pleading inside. I pleaded and pleaded on the walk to the MRT station, and on the MRT.

AND THEN, on the MRT, about to reach my house, I got an sms from my friend, saying that he is helping me do everything. OH MY SOUL REJOICED. HAHA. I was so thankful.

Then I recalled those words:
'I've learnt that God is always faithful, he always comes to meet our need, but many times it's actually at the very last moment. So all the way till then, we trust and trust and hope and pray'

You may be thinking, this project is so trivial, it's just school, why so worked up over it. I agree. But I guess it's what God decided to bring me through this week.

And you may be thinking, why God so good help me slack? It's not slacking, I had worked my socks off on this project and I just could not could not work on it any longer. It's actually the first time I've felt like that - so sick of something to the point I don't wanna touch it anymore even though it's impt. It was part of this journey God brought me through this week I guess.

Conclusion (if you didn't read everything above, read this haha)
God made me trust Him all the way till the last minute.
4 Key principles in life: God is good. God is faithful. God will bring it to past. God will bring it to past in HIS time.
He wants to teach me to trust Him. Even when up to the last minute, when it's do or die, and still, nothing is happening!

:) one crazy week. physically i'm worn out, but spiritually God has taught me a gem. And man, he taught me the hard way.

Ryan

Inspirational

2009-10-09T15:55:00.001+08:00

YAHWEH!

2009-10-06T19:13:00.005+08:00

Hello OAK!

How are you guys doing? Exam period is coming up, i guess all of you are all stressing up just like me! O level's are exactly 20 days away, and i wasn't here on Sunday last week, quite sad about it. Well, i was just about to leave house that my dad asked me to stay at home to study. Well, and i did. But you know, It's hard to study without spiritual empowerment, but luckily i went for prayer on Saturday, so i am still okayyy.

You know, very little songs catch my attention, or cause me to listen twice or thrice. But when i heard this song, i was blown away. It's just so simple, the simplicity of a Christian, the authenticity of the heart, and the finale grasp of God's love. To live a life believing that it is God's will to, to believe that your life is beautifully outline, beautifully planned. To give it all for Christ, to shout it out, to give your soul as a living sacrifice, screaming out to God, You shall Reign YAHWEH!

This song has a simple lyrics that is just very repetitive. I generally like repetitive songs because it helps to knock it down into my heart, knock it hard, knock it right.

And when i heard this song, the simplicity and the repetitiveness of the sentence " HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER " causes me to just be touched by the simplicity of knowing Christ. Knowing Christ is one thing, but staying with him, is another. Indeed, to stay with Christ is one very difficult process, one very difficult way to live life. But, it is the only way!

I don't know whether when you guys listen to this song, you guys will feel what I feel, but anyway these are little thoughts of mine.

This song, is just what i need for this week:)

Blessed is your Name O Lord Almighty, Think Big, Start Small, Build Deep

Hearing God's Voice

2009-09-15T19:55:00.003+08:00

Here are my opinions regarding Kenneth's Question on hearing God's Voice/God speaking to you.

I feel, the stimulus of hearing God's Voice is not only determine by the extend of which your walk with God is to. The lack of hearing God's voice can either be good or bad, or to a superficial understanding harmless. I personally feel hearing God's voice is a bonus as a Christian, and i know of many who don't but that does not result in him being a bad or negative Christian.

It is indeed true that God pursues a personal love relationship with each individual that is real and personal. If we pull our senses together and sense the every little movement of God, than, i believe God becomes mightily real in our daily lives.

Often in our lives, we question whether the actions that we do are God-Driven, or by any means our own mind playing with itself. Then, where is the definitive line to draw to understand/comprehend the difference?

I believe, the only way to understand whether it is God speaking, or your own mindset is decided base on your prayer life. Do note, that i said prayer life, and not spiritual walk with God. (The difference is, prayer life is a subset of your spiritual walk with God)

I once heard an analogy from SPK regarding this question which says this:

"If a good friend of yours calls you daily, when you answer the phone, you'd know that it is him."

Therefore, understanding this analogy brings me to the next point. You see, if God's voice is being heard by you very often, than, whenever God calls upon you, you'll hear about it instantly. Hearing that voice is not enough, but more importantly, the ability to comprehend the voice to be from God.

But this ability to comprehend and hear God's voice comes from our PRAYER LIVES.

You see, prayer is the communication with God, and this communication brings about greater understanding between both parties. You'll be able to understand God's heart for the world, or individuals, or families, or communities, church etc.. On the other hand, God will be able to understand your feelings, emotions, worries, burdens, excitements, enthusiasms. But, of course we all know the sovereign Lord already knows all that, he already predicted whats beyond, whats ahead! So therefore, sometimes prayer lives can be easily said to be a one flow traffic, because, you're already talking to somebody who knows everything.

But deeper understanding with God and prayer will lead you to the understanding that prayer can never be a 1 way communication. You see, despite talking to someone who knows everything, the resultant action of telling him something he already knows brings about a dependence in God. And God is ever-ready to take up the challenge of carrying your burdens/worries. Therefore, the communication that you have with God exists, no question about that. Vise versa, the communication God has with You will also exists because he will be able to impress upon your heart, the things upon his. Therefore concludes that prayer is a 2 way event.

Therefore, the heart of our prayer lives springs about a deeper understanding with God, and the ability to easily comprehend the voice of God.

But yet, as i said, even if you're unable to hear God's voice frequently, it does not mean that God isn't working, or your walk with God is weak. The inability of hearing God's voice cannot define a person's walk with God.

I read a book, i forgot what the book is called, but it says that sometimes, in life, we face dry seasons and we feel as if we're shut out of the world, losing the ability of hearing God's voice. But this, comes with a purpose and a price.

It hurts God perhaps x1000 more than us, if he doesn't get to talk to us. But yet, he is ready to risk it. You see, sometimes God doesn't speak to us, because we're perhaps complacent with our walk with God, or not praying wholeheartedly (e.g. with hidden sins, having hate, complacency, etc.) . Once we are unable to hear God's voice, we question the origin of the inability to hear God's voice. This springs out a wealth of dependence on God again, because, we're strip bare of our complacency, and we understand our mistake. This brings about a greater dependence towards God, and when we're dependent on God, we walk 1 more step towards the golden gate.

Therefore, Prayer must not only be a communication with God. Prayer cannot be summarized under the heading of Communication because it is way more than that. Prayer must be a constant dependence on God, and that is why, God needs us to pray. Theoretically God does not need to hear our prayers. However, We need to pray! The more we pray, the more excited we are relishing the prospect of doing God's work. The more we pray, the more dependent we are on God, because we are seeking his advice on every small detail/decision in our lives, and this pleases him!

Therefore, do not lose heart when you are unable to hear God's voice. Question the origin, but, do bare in mind that sometimes, dry seasons are here to further strengthen us, for a greater dependence on God and to change a corridor of pain, into a corridor or power.

Lastly, i think that God speaks to us about 10000000000000 times a day, just that perhaps we're not sensitive to God's impressions, or the second, the inability to hear God's voice. This post, is for the latter

2009-09-09T21:23:00.003+08:00

Joel Pang says:
Herro Oak!

This Saturday's outing will be as follows;

1200 - Meet at Newton Hawker Centre for lunch
1300 - Leave for Sentosa
1330 - Play games all the way until
1630 - Wash up
1730 - Head to Vivo for dinner
1930 - End

So things to bring = A change of clothes, maybe a bar of soap, cash ($15 should be enough to settle for lunch, dinner, and entry into Sentosa), sunblock lotion if you need, moisturizer if you need.

So that's all! See ya!

Newton food centre location

2009-09-08T22:52:00.006+08:00

Hey oakers, i am posting on behalf on jia min. Her dad banned her from coming oak08.blogspot.com. Quite sad right. -joelchua

Here we go:

Hello Oak

Long time no see(for afew). Counting this day, there is excalty 29 more days to PSLE. I aim to go NJC or RGS. But my mommy said that that was not a realistic goal. haha. I think my grammar sucks sia. See, Joel Pang, I'm talking about my life. Ok, not life, studies? But most of your life, is studies right? And Christ. But to me, what matters most now is PSLE. Studying for 6 years of primary school, to say the truth, I'm a ~~very lazy~~ kid. Seriously,haha. Before writing this, i cried. Because of Oral scared i was going to fail that component for chinese cause i said it out of point. So my mom (hard to believe but true) told me, to trust in God that no matter what the outcome is, he will always be beside you, "lending you a shoulder to cry on". But of course, i don't want to fail. So, lets say its is tears of joy? or is it tears for joy? Lol. sorry... haha. So ok, my point here is that - no matter when, be it studies or stuff, you may not be thinking of Him due to stuff (e.g - stress), He will always be watching over you. This concept to you may sound very simple & stuff like that, but to me, i think this whole concept gives me a better point of trust. How strong one word can be. The power of love, trust,etc.

Anything that you have to put your heart into

Loads of love,
Charmaine
8 September 2009

2009-09-07T01:00:00.005+08:00

Hey Oak-ers

See the pictures Joycelyn took of me during cell discussion. She likes to spy on me when i talking or playing.

Worship:

2009-08-26T23:11:00.002+08:00

Worship is far more than praising,singing, and praying to God. Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving him and giving ourselves to be used for his purposes. When you use your life for God's glory, everything you do can become an act of worship. The bible says, " Use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God."

We bring God's Glory by loving other believers. When you were born again, you became a part of God's family. Following Christ is not just a matter of believing; it also includes belonging and learning to love the family of God. John wrote, " Our love for each other proves that we have gone from death to life." Paul said, "Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified." It is your responsibility to learn how to love as God does because God is love and it honors him. Jesus said " As I have loved you, so you must love one another. by this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."

We bring God's Glory by becoming like Christ. Once we are born into God's family he wants us to grow to spiritual maturity. What does that look like? Spiritual maturity is becoming like Jesus in the way we think, feel and act. The more you develop Christlike character, the more you will bring glory to God. The Bible says, " As the spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more. "
God gave you a new life and a new nature when you accepted Christ. Now for the rest of your life on earth, God wants to continue the process of changing your character. The Bible says, "May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God."

We bring God's glory by serving others with our gifts. Each of us are uniquely designed by God with talents gifts skills and abilities. The way you are wired is not an accident. God didn't give you your abilities for selfish purposes. They were given to benefit others, just as others were given abilities for your benefit. The bible says " God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you... Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory"

Taken from " Purpose Driven Life " Rick Warren.

2009-08-23T20:27:00.002+08:00

Helloo OAK.

Haha this is actually my first post on this blog but yeah I'm writing to THANK all of you for wishing me and kenneth happy birthday :D

Joycelyn: er, you made the card, right? and for the forks and cups of water. :D

Jun ting: For going through trouble to get the cake.

Alex: For your penguins.

For everyone else, I'm sure you have done something like write in the card or anything else I don't know about or maybe forgot to mention so thanks :D Oh, and for planning the whole surprise thing haha.

And for EVERYONE, thank you for any support you have given to me over the past two years, it really meant a lot yeah :D Haha I love being around you guys.

Okay really have to go now so God bless and see you next week!

Deborah

Pain

2009-08-17T21:20:00.004+08:00

Today was one of the days which I experienced my ocassional craziness running in my mind (it comes in different degrees). After experiencing it I always try writing what I remember down on my journal, in the hope that I will eventually understand and get rid of this crazy CRAZY thing which feels like nothing of this world and EXTREMELY DEEP and PAINFUL thing which I HATE and I know its REAL. ok I should cool down. Ah, you know the dementors in Harry Potter? The ones which you must use the Expecto Patronium (unsure of spelling) spell to ward them off? What they do - suck out all the life and happiness out of you somewhat - is what like I feel. Not that accurate but nevertheless, it is an idea you can have of it.

It started years back. Cant remember when, maybe when I was in Sec 1. It was my "problem". At first I taught it was just shyness and social struggles, then toward the end of sec 2 it was that I was restricting myself from doing a lot of things because I didnt want to sin - causing some kind of break down in how my character develops etc. Then in sec 3 I thought it was far deeper. I told 2 teachers about it and eventually my classmates but none - I dont think so - really believed or understood it. - anyway I dont think anyone would really understand except God, and perhaps one in a billion out there in the world... When I came to St James Church somehow at the period after the JYM camp (Christ and co) I was sure that God - not solved but - did something to it. I remember my words "It was like God took out the monster in me"...

I feel unsettled and I would like to share it, to share my burden... this was what caused me a great struggle with our faith last year... you guys the 1st and prob the only people id tell these things to, somehow...

So this was roughly what I wrote in my journal (it tends not to be accurate to what I want to express, I think - so dont take it as its 100% real):

I went for dinner with mummy. I didnt really talk to her, though she talked to me. I was in my own world. crazy world. crazy. I dont know how it started, as always. I just have the impression that this time it was about doubting God. Just thinking of God's power and what people have to say against it, all at the back of my mind. It was like an accidental trip and I went out of my safety zone. Suddenly I asked myself questions on how I know God is real and what REAL assurances I have that God is God... Then it led to the abyss. My mind was running about in the darkness and horror. I felt like I was fighting against being incontrollably insane (meaning like someone in mental hospital going crazy). It is essentially a fear. A great dark extreme, unfathomable fear. It is my greatest fear. When it was going on, I didnt feel like living. I felt that life was like being burnt in fire, feeling constant irresistable pain which doesnt fade away. And then after that when everything was over, I thought all of it was my own imagination. Because it is so not real. How on earth could I think of such things? In fact, I dont even know what i think of - or rather why what i think of makes me feel so pain, so PAIN, more painful than many other sufferings I believe. Deeper pain than almost anything. Its chaos and madness. It is like hell. It was like an evil spirit was trying to come and possess me. God help. help, I cry. Why should this happen to me, over and over again? Why must it be so frightening? This has caused me my crazy problem, not about low esteem or fear of being judged or made fun of. They might have played a part but this is essentially it. Madness. Though it is all in my mind I know it is real. Its not a one-off thing. it has happened, probably over 50 times.

May God be glorified through this and may not only I but we see that God's hand is indeed in this. In God I trust! On God I wait!

This caught my eye (from the previous post)

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9

The next verse says "but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit"

With companionship

Kenneth

2009-08-16T23:10:00.004+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELZA!! Hahaha. Thanks for praying for my relationship with Joel C. It will be strong I believe. Hahaha.

Anyway, you're really someone mature beyond your age. And how sensitive you are to what God is saying about things in your life. How sincere and authentic your desire for God. You've brought so much to the group. Thanks for sharing openly about yourself. It has super built the rest of us up. And thank you for be smiley and bubbly as you've been since day one!!

Pursue the undivided heart. And remember God's way is the narrow way.

And remember that the undivided heart is not just a good way to live - it's the only way to live.
"No eye has seen, no eye has heard, no mind can conceive what God has prepared for those who love Him"

Ryan

2009-08-15T20:37:00.001+08:00

Oakland International Airport

ALRIGHT WOO!

2009-08-14T22:13:00.002+08:00

waahhh we have past 300 entries. like 310 now. crazy.

how's school for you all? eh joel c having break soon right! thumbs up man woo!

My school has been quite exciting, I attended the Campus Crusade for Christ and really like them la. Their vision is power, their team is power, the guy who gave sermon was power too, sermon really hit me, and everyone was like family (k cheesy), everyone was like good friends la k. It was a very happy place. AND very different from the rest of the school outside - I dunno there's just a happy glow to their faces la, real joyful Christians. Not that the people outside are sad, but their happy looks far more superficial. Can tell one leh! Ok maybe I'm looking through my own Christian prejudices, but, I think so leh.

And they really very intentional about you - they email you reminder to come, offer to meet you at some place to bring you to their meeting place (though can tell they quite busy), talk with you along the way, talk with you after, send you email after. and it's not like over-friendly. But they're just passionate about what they do. Their vision is very clear.

Anyway the sermon was don't just let NUS be a "passing through". FOUR LONG YEARS can't be just to get educated and fly away right. God has got to have a plan for me to be here. If my mentality is pass through NUS cos real life starts when you work, then I think I'll end up passing through my whole life, one chapter after another, till I die. Haha.

Looks like a heavy workload to come though, like so much readings and assignments, I need prayer to balance my church and school commitments! I was also thinking, why can't I see EVERYTHING as a worship unto God. School, church, non-church, whatever. Everything is spiritual what, why classify it as ok this is Christian and this isn't.

ANYWAY this sunday is CELL DISCUSSION instead of sermon! I really wish we had more time to talk and laugh and share leh like our cell time very rush one, then we sit down knowing we gotta get out for games soon. But this sunday, ya it's cell discussion all the way through, with a lesson point. Looking forward to it thumbs up woo!

Ryan

Waiting on God

2009-08-11T21:36:00.002+08:00

Hey, this is a poem. I like it.

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait."

"Wait? You say, wait!" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?
By faith, I have asked, and am claiming Your Word.

My future and all to which I can relate
hangs in the balance, and You tell me to wait?
I'm needing a "Yes", a go-ahead sign,
or even a "No" to which I can resign.

And Lord, You promised that if we believe
we need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
"I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again "You must wait."
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed, then, to kneel and His eyes wept with mine,
and He tenderly said "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.

"All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want - but, you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint;
You'd not know the power I give to the faint.

"You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me;
When the darkness and silence were all you could see.

"You'd never experience the fullness of love
as the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;
You'd know that I give and I save, for a start,
but you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

"The flow of my comfort late into the night,
the faith that I give when you walk without sight,
the depth that's beyond getting just what you asked
of an infinite God, who makes what you have last.

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
what it means that 'My grace is sufficient for thee.'
Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true,
But, Oh, the Loss! If I lost what I'm doing in you!

"So, be silent, My child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.
And though oft' may My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still, 'Wait.'"

This was what my walk with God was like last year, I feel. I'm learning from it.

I got it from Kai Xin's blog.

Kenneth

2009-08-10T13:32:00.002+08:00

"To be like Jesus"

We all hear this phrase so often and we know it's what we're supposed to be, but how many of us can grasp the practical application of it?

I realized that being like Jesus does not merely mean, in front of others I will be a very good example. It's a HUGE implication to be like Jesus. It means when people look at you, you will remind them of Jesus, or for non-believers, a foretaste.

Dare we set ourselves up against that standard of perfection?

I think most of us don't, that's why we fail to fully strive to be like Jesus. I realized that I myself dare not set myself up against that standard, and I realize that that may be the reason why I'm not fully displaying what I should be. Like for myself, I don't set myself up for that standard because I have this thinking that "aiya we all fail, it's an unreachable standard anyway, just be good as far as possible, can already". But aiya, come on, that's not giving Jesus my best.

When we compare ourselves to the standards of Christ, do we compare it to a standard that is diluted by our understanding, or do we really strive to be the real Jesus? When we compare ourselves to Christ's standards, do we factor in human error on our part?

You get what I'm trying to say or not? It's like, oh this is Christ's perfect standard, then for us, we have his standard plus a bit of human error la cause we're imperfect. But if we aim for that 'standard plus human error', we're not giving our all la. That's how I feel.

That's for this morning's quiet time, from Daily Bread, 10 Aug. See ya guys and hope it was food for thought to start your week! Have a blessed week ahead!

-Joel Pang

Time out 6/9/09

2009-08-07T14:23:00.003+08:00

Hey guys, i know i've not been blogging, but i just want to tell you God's impressions on my heart during Time out.

I did my timeout at East Coast beach yesterday. And i really think it is something that everybody should try at one moment of your life. To sit still and listen to the crashing waves, the crickets and the vivid wind blowing through your ears. You're sitting silently for God to whisper into your heart.

I begin my time out with this short prayer

" Father, Impress upon my heart what is upon yours ."

Almost immediately, God reminded me of different things in my life that transformed me. Some Good, Some bad, but all of them was something that I've done in some moment of my life.

But, whatever i've done, whatever i've been through, i know, that God's heart aches for me, he hurts, he weeps, and he suffers.

Anyway, many things happened during that short time of TIME OUT, and looking back i can't really believe what happened. I won't go into exact details though.

But, i was meditating on one of Ryan's Quotes.

No man is a fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose

It is not foolish, to give up whatever that i consider treasure on this Earth, whatever that i've been pursuing in my life, to try to gain the little bit of God's grace because God's grace is something which we cannot lose, but yet something we can gain. Earthly things, things that i pursue, things that you pursue are things that we will never keep for long.

I was standing at the shore, and i was looking at the sea. It was then at that moment that the entire beach, is not enough to carry God's vastness. It is not enough to hold God's love for every person. No no, not enough. This beach may seem big, the sea may seem never ending, but that's how God's love is. It is never ending, it is big, it does not only seem big, but it is really big. That me, standing on the beach and from above just like a single dot will be able to be engulfed by the love of God. That that love that cannot be contained in the seas, in the enormous beach can be dwell upon a single dot.

Just a quote i want to share:

If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream.

do not lose hope in your walk with God. Because Hope gives you the vitality that keeps you moving, that keeps you walking. Hope gives you courage, courage to face up your sins, courage to follow God. When you feel down, it is this courage, that brings you up, that gives you strength to follow God. My dream, is to be with God.

What is yours?

Junting

2009-08-06T14:50:00.002+08:00

Hey guys,

I'm so encouraged by your sharing Elza, and your sharing Ken. How aware you guys are that this life is a pursuit of God, that's all that really matters. We talk about undivided heart, and this is how we strive for it week after week. Not on sundays, but during the week, intentionally bringing our thoughts back to God. Beautiful what you guys wrote! Yeah there are times we neglect or forget, but when we realise the state of our heart, we take it to the Lord in prayer.

Elza hope your SS will be fine tmr! I'll pray for you!

Love your last line also, "you guys will always be there to spur one another on in love." YES, that's what OAK shall be, and I can see that happening!

Just wanna share something that touched me a lot, deborah I hope you don't mind! As you all know, I shared 2 sermons in JYM recently, one on the Sparrows, and the other on Life is Temporary. I found it very hard to prepare the Sparrows one, cos I had a few points but couldn't link them properly. So I kept thinking but after a while it became tiring just thinking about it. Some nights I even tossed in bed, just thinking and feeling uncomfortable about it, haha. And the night before, I wanted to sleep early but couldn't, and got up and made last minute changes to my slides. And became kinda tired just thinking about my sermon! So when JYM time came, I felt too mentally drained to share, haha, so I prayed and asked God to really take care of the sermon. And I had the confidence he would. But then, as I was sharing, I felt it wasn't coming out as well as I wanted it to. When I finished the sermon, I felt kinda relieved and just wanted to collapse on the floor and sleep. Haha. But I also somehow felt I didn't present properly, didn't do a good job as I wanted. Somehow, I don't know exactly why I felt bad, maybe just really tired. So I was feeling drained and quite down. I was thinking, 'I thought God was going to help me'. But I also remembered what I said in my own sermon 'Even there, He is holding me'. But I felt drained and quite down.

Then the next day, Monday, I logged onto my email and saw that Debbie had sent me an email!! I was curious what's inside. And when I opened it, it was an encouragement about the sermon! That it was great and taught her a lot. (Haha deb hope you're not embarrassed but I'm so touched I can't help it) I took it as a God-sent encouragement. It really made my day. And I remembered the prayer I prayed before giving my sermon, and felt that hey God answered my prayer! Just not in the way I expected. And indeed He was holding me throughout the sermon. Cos for me I'm so glad if my sermon helps just someone, that'll make the effort all worthwhile. So I really thanked God and said to myself God is indeed faithful.

Remember I shared quite some time back, that when I'm sharing in front of JYM, it's you guys oakers sitting there who give me the confidence. Cos I know you guys love me, hahaha, and I'm don't always feel confident speaking in front of those in JYM whom I might not know very well. (confessions of a chairman)

Deborah showed me what cell group support is like. I thought I was the one supposed to be there for you guys, but you guys became the ones who were there for me. In my mind there's no cell mentor, cell leader, it's just a bunch of friends who love God and care for each other! So don't despise the little encouragements we give to one another, or the little humble sharings about yourself, or the way you just openly share your struggles. These things make the group beautiful. That's what the group is meant to be.

Ryan

Ps. Don't forget to take time out to pray again tonight. :) Come home to the Lord.
You can even use the time to meditate on the lyrics Elza nicely put up for us.

hey all!

2009-08-06T00:23:00.002+08:00

haha elza here!

hey guys...i haven't been up here for a long time. so. HI! XD

Basically I haven't been doing very well in sch, and my mid years were a disaster. I kinda woke up after that, and have been TRYING to pay more attn, pass up work on time, etc. haha. I prayed about it too. somehow, after mission trip i backslided, and didn't turn to God as much. These few days I've been doing alot of thinking, and realised that my whole life i've been living pretty much seperate lives in sch and at home/church etc. It's not like i am two totally different ppl, but in sch I dont acknowledge God's presence as much. Kenneth, i seriously admire how you are constantly thinking about God, and how you want to improve your relationship with Him. That's how i feel we should all be like, acknowledging God is all around, ever present and always there, not far away but right beside us.

I feel God is really awesome. If I wasn't put into st margs and met one of my closest friends who loves God so much, I wouldn't have understood alot of things. She thanks God for the simplest things, and prays whenever she gets a chance. Not like she doesn't have flaws or anything, but in her actions alone I've realised that's how a person who truly loves God looks like. That's called being salt and light. I've still got a long way to go, and alot of times, my pride gets the better of me. like the whole of today, I slacked instead of studying for my ss test tmw, which I am now really worried about.

The whole week has been full of common tests, and I just died during my chinese today. >< it's been really tiring, and I haven't turned to God this week, so I feel horrible. I got back my bio test that i really needed to do well for, that i studied till 3am, and...i barely passed, and almost the whole class did better than i did. it was quite demoralizing, cuz my whole life i really never did that badly for something I studied so hard for.

During this week the song "what a friend we have in jesus" popped up in my mind a few times, but only now when i listen to it again I really realise that this whole week when i needed someone to really talk to about my troubles, God was always there if i reached out and prayed. And really, the song just spoke volumes to me. I believe that when the song was shared on sunday, it was no coincidence that this song ministers to me now. And it's this small little things that remind me no matter where i go or what i do, He will always be there to guide me on, and you guys will always be there to spur one another on in love.

just for you all if you have time!^^ God bless!

love,
Elza.

ps. i've got no idea how to upload vids. i hope it works! XD

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,O
h, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

2009-08-04T21:11:00.001+08:00

look! haha. i saw this at clod storage today :D

Candid photos of OAK!

2009-08-03T23:22:00.002+08:00

-----this is Kenneth helping Aik Ang to "post her post"-----

Aik Ang:

Hey, thanks for the sweet and warm welcome. I realise our blog is quite barren. So here's some candids. Don't be shocked k! And the quality isn't the best. Hahaha. Love each and every one of you all!

2009-08-03T23:10:00.000+08:00

2009-08-03T23:02:00.001+08:00

2009-08-03T22:04:00.004+08:00

Ken: Walk with God

2009-08-03T21:01:00.004+08:00

Hi :)

Ever since the Cebu trip, I have spent much time with God almost everyday. I get reminded of the times I grew dry and felt guilty and disappointed in myself. Actually my quiet time and walk with God became significantly more stable after June last year, after my "turning point". I serve the Lord in fear and trembling. I remember in DG (last year) I said I didnt want to backslide again, Never! While aware that I could never know what I would choose to do tomorrow - and therefore cannot promise anything to God - I said that (I wont backslide) with deep conviction in it. Well, its getting better and better, generally - Maybe because school is getting better...

And Im constantly inspecting myself. On 19 July (Sun) I wrote in my Journal, "Am I in communion with God? Or am I in my own world with my own wishes, influenced by having a relationship with God that is perverted? Many voices were in my head before JYM worship. Dividedness in my heart? I dont think so." - Ryan preached that day. Last saturday I asked again, "Waiting on God, am I?" I didnt do much work that day. I ran 3km+ in woodlands stadium, I was feeling restless. Felt like I wasted the day. Resting? ... My prelims are coming. God will take care of it? Go as the Lord leads? To what extent should I treat it as that God is leading me instead of myself?

So I say I am waiting on God. But in saying that I had some yearning for God to come and renew my strength, and satiate me...

One line in the "None but Jesus" song lyrics we sang in E3 last sunday caught my attention. "In the chaos and confusion, I know your soverign still."

I wanted to share this in Cell group. On 27 July (Mon) I came home from school like ~5+ or 6pm and did a little work and went out with parents for dinner (we usually have dinner together outside, just 3 of us). I came home at ~8+ or 9pm and I felt this something like a heart ache. Somehow I just decided to not do any work and just spent time talking to God. I suddenly had this strong emotion. I was feeling a lot for JYMers, like wondering how their lives were - so much... So I prayed for them. And prayed. And prayed. This includes you guys. Btw, sometimes I feel like talking to people in JYM but dont know how... like "How's life?" ... then "okay lor" "boring" .... or "stressful".... or whatever la...like...nothing..... So I just pray.

Today I think I felt this part of me that was mature but also serious and somewhat bitter - or not cheerful (like wisdom --> sadness kind of thing) ... like what I felt (a bit milder) yesterday in JYM worship...a battle ... white horses and archangels racing toward the beast and his army ... clash! Divine war. The blazing eyes' sight surpasses all the secrets of darkness and the sword of truth pierces through all the power of evil!!! O_O

I was just listening to the vocalist songs just now. The songs that the vocalist ppl in JYM who were in the course sang. They were nice. Nicer than I thought they were. In the midst of listening - which kind of brought me away from thinking of school to "be in another world" - I had this very short but wonderful glimpse of God's beauty. It was awsome. Something I never experienced / felt in a long time. Months.

:) I should be studying now. Haiz. I starting to get worried about my preparation for As.

Kenneth

2009-08-01T17:45:00.000+08:00

HEY GUYS REM TO BRING YOUR AFFIRMATION CARDS TMR IF YOU HAVEN'T HANDED UP!

2009-07-31T00:09:00.003+08:00

DEAR FELLOW OAK MATES,

HELLO, JOYCELYN HERE.

JUST WANNA LET YOU ALL KNOW ABOUT SOME BAZAAR HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST AT THE SMU CAMPUS FROM 12NOON TO 9PM. haha. details are below if you want to read. okok, i know you must be like huhhhh. Anyway.. I'm setting up a booth there cause of some ymca group project thing. I'll be selling stuff which is painstakingly made! Yeahhhh, so just wanna let you know about it in case you want to go down and check it out (and support me, like buying me lunch and dinner cause they won't be providing meals for us. haha) Ok ok, i can't gurrantee it'll be fun or whatever but if you read the description below it sounds quite interesting right! And i'll be there! So can come down and give me some moral support in case no one visits our stall. HA. OK. Touch wood touch wood. My products very nice. And got sweets!
AHH. Point is, i encourage you to come down only IF you can make it cause you have FREE time:) Its nothing impt, but come if you can k!!!!! If you get bored halfway at least can walk over to Cathay to catch a movie right. haha. kidding.
COME TO THE BAZAAR
IT AINT THAT FAR
ESPECIALLY IF YOU DRIVE A CAR
HOW ABOUT THAT YAR?
PLUS YOU CAN GET A CHOCOLATE BAR
HA(R) HA(R) HA(R)
COME LAR COME LAR
SEE YOU THERE AR

haha. ok. i'm going nuts. SEE YOU ALL ON SUNDAY, CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR ALL YOUR SHARINGS, YOU KNOW WHATS BETTER??? IF I SEE YOU ALL ON SATURDAY! hahha. okok. no pressure, totally kidding, really. I'll be really really ok if none of you come, and no joel pang, I'm not being sarcastic, I'm very serious, really, like promise. haha. ok. shut up joycelyn.

Yes i will. K. GOODNIGHT. OH. GOOD MORNING. ITS FRIDAY! tgif

BAZAAR INFO
Hi All!
The SE-ed Project team is delighted to invite one and all to our very first bazaar, entitled The SEarch Party,on 1st August, 12-9 pm at SMU.School of Economics and Social Science and School of Information Systems (across the art and national museums)

Pamper yourself with manicures (at $5) and invigorating massages. Get a bargain from blogshops selling everything from pre-loved items to this season's trendiest fashion apparel. Citibank-YMCA Youth For Causes teams will also be down to showcase their creative projects. What's more, your purchases will go a long way in supporting a good cause!
Tired and just want to chill? Stop by the Big Steps at SMU anytime to enjoy the fascinating range of performances ongoing throughout the day, including gigs by local professional bands like Goodfellas, Monochrome, and DJ Amanda Ling (former Electrico member), just to name a few.
And for those who prefer a little more action, the open field at the Campus Green will be host to heated games of Ultimate Frisbee for the duration of the entire afternoon .

2009-07-30T22:38:00.002+08:00

HAHAHA. This is some hillsong united guy. So random. It's the kinda weird things in which the more you watch the more you want to laugh.

2009-07-30T21:24:00.002+08:00

Joel Pang says:

Hello Oak! How was Time Out Home Edition? Haha. Ok I got things to share but I'll save it for Sunday. Look forward to hearing from you guys on Sunday too, so do note down the stuff you thought about during this half hour ok?

See ya!

2009-07-30T16:52:00.004+08:00

WAH JOEL, that's cool. You're really pro man. Really nice. like some hillsong album cover like that haha. Like aurora also. Ya, Yahweh is a very significant name. You can even just read it up on wikipedia, the 'Account of the burning bush' and 'Yahweh in the Torah' part quite interesting.

Anyway, TONIGHT is CALL FOR A TIME-OUT and it'll be exciting to know that as you pray, many other JYMers are praying at the same time.

I'm gonna post up the prayer guide here for those who didn't come last sun.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER GUIDE - P.R.A.Y
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Y - Yield

As you pray, write down what God is saying.
1. For yourself
2. For JYM

After you pray, write down what God wants you to do.
1. In your walk with Him
2. In your cell group
3. In your school
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keep everything off that time slot, 9 to 930pm sharp and just pray to the living God, your God. It's a discipline, but it will become a delight!

2009-07-29T23:56:00.003+08:00

Hey oakers

I would like to share this colourful vision to praise our Lord Yahweh.

Yahweh aka YHWH mean “I AM,” The One Who Is The Self-Existent One

2009-07-28T22:54:00.002+08:00

HELLO OAKERS!! Tmr I'm going to NUS to register and then I'll start school again very soon!

Ryan

2009-07-26T22:54:00.005+08:00

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MS LEE HUI MIN JOANNE

A slice of cake for you

Stay on the narrow path, continue to live for Christ

2009-07-25T18:58:00.003+08:00

"Tremble and (or in your anger) do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent." Pslams 4:4

It is healthy to ocassionally search your heart for your values. Do not take pride or put your (inherent) identity in anything but Christ. In school: Dont conform to social pressure. Your "highest" hopes should not be in academics, or slacking (its okay if its just a bit, for relaxing). If you do, you will be weighed down by them. In Christ, we find rest- a rest which really satisfies. The 3rd quarter (in JYM): No other passion. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain"

Dont become so drenched in community that you see and/or think and/or do things no differently from them. Be conscious of God. "Blessed are those who do not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but who delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on his law day and night." Pslam 1: 1-2

And remember that God is always there for us. Pslam 139: 6-10 (Ryan's sermon)

Wait on God and get renewed strength. Isaiah 40:31

I am tell myself this.

Kenneth

2009-07-20T23:01:00.001+08:00

We boast best in the cross when we bear it.

2009-07-20T20:29:00.005+08:00

Ecc 3:11b
"He has put eternity into man's heart, yet he cannot find out what God has done from beginning to end."

When I saw this verse I was like man, this verse is quite interesting. My Bible had some notes on it, saying something like God has given man a sense that life continues beyond this present existence, and so we all have a desire to understand all of life and what's after life. But the author also realises that there are limitations on our ability to understand it all, which is also something that is ordained by God.

"Every human being wants to find out and understand all the ways of God in the world, but he cannot, because he is not God. And yet the faithful do not despair but cling to God, who deserves their trust; they can leave it to him to make sense of it all, while they seek to learn what it means to fear God and obey His commands, even when they cannot see what God is doing. This is true wisdom."

Today I was thinking about some stuff which confused me a bit. Then I just stumbled on this verse. God is just amazing. And the Bible is seriously inspired. Haha. It's seriously God-inspired man, who could write stuff as brilliant as this, that can speak right into the heart?

So despite my confusion and unanswered questions, I believe that 'He makes everything beautiful in His time.' (first part of Ecc 3:1)

If you at some point in life are frustrated with unanswered questions, hope this would help you.

In the meantime, today Adriana went outside.

Ryan

Ouch!

2009-07-16T20:36:00.004+08:00

Jia Min, indeed Im prone to accidents.

I got hurt today when I was walking into a house -_-

My tuition teacher's house.

At the front door the (ceramic i think) floor is elevated, and so when I walked inside, I took my first step with my right foot and when I took my second step (left foot), I didnt lift my foot high enough before I motioned my leg to move forward. Then my biggest toe went straight into the (vertical part- to elevate) wall. It was a full speed head-on collision between my toe and a rock-hard object. It was part of walking.

At first I thought my toe nail cracked. I saw a blood stain on my sock. (I took out my shoes but not socks to come in the house). But i saw that it wasnt cracked, and there was no cut, but blood was coming out. So I thought, maybe my nail was peeled off a bit (just a bit). My big toe nail. Peeled off as in like using your fingers, "attached" to the nail, and pulling it away from the toe until nail and skin separates (a bit).

Disgusting.

Below is some food. Yum Yum!

"No one will be declared righteous in God's sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin" Romans 3:20

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:12-13

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

TNIV

Oh yes Jia Min, you do look older.

Kenneth

Back to School

2009-07-12T21:12:00.007+08:00

Hm I'm thinking of how to start this blog post. I thought of one thing, "Adriana. Inside. Ryan C. Outside." wohhoaaahhaaahaahahaaahahaaaaaheeeheheeheeheheeehhhooohoohohoo. argh lost my breath. I'm not laughing. Its not funny. Sounds like someone in OAK eh :D

Maybe that intro doesn't really suit a "Hello people" like how I wanted it but oh well. Its nice. =P right?

I'm packing my bag now. Pause from posting.

Okay Im done. I'm going to blog about school. Last week was my first week back in school with my class after the June holidays. The before last week I had exams. Oh and I think I did not so bad for my Mid Year Exams. After the Cebu trip that week I thought I was going to flung my Mid Years. For a few days after Mission I was reflecting a lot and relaxing rather than chionging and mugging (I still did some work everyday though). But on thursday or friday that week (I think) I just said God I dont want to slack anymore and will study to the best of my ability, and just leave the rest to you. And I studied. And studied. And studied. And I think I did okay, Thank God. Just that for physics (my niche) I did nothing much and I got a C >.< . I havent got other results yet.

Eh, that wasnt what I wanted to talk about. I like Mr Ivan's speech in E3 last sunday. I thought both Ivan and Ryan were going to speak at E3... But anyway, it made me think, and reflect, again. I think that was what made my week good. I prayed for time in school. My last lap of school. In half a year's time it's the end of my school life. I thought I should treasure it.

I felt in communion with God this week. How I did Bible reading during quiet time was just, randomly flip pages and randomly read until something catches my eye. And I ask God to bring me to a page he wants me to read. YWAM style eh?

I read some Pslams in the end. Proverbs 14 and Psalms 34. Read it. Its good. I also read some parts of the Romans book (I read the whole book before). Indeed Romans is a chim book.

How about some food for thought?

"The simple believe in anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps." Proverbs 14:15

Put that and "Child-like Faith" together. What do we get?

"Prudence", according to Cambridge Dictionary, is about avoiding risks and uncertainties.

Well, I dont know... Faith is like being certain of the uncertain...

My class is so not united. Everyone is like, doing their own things... And I feel good portraying myself as gentle and caring and "holy" - unlike some times in school where I feel bad about what I say, my mannerism.

About how we can apply what we learnt in missions to our life here in Spore, I think there's so much we can do. Lifestyle evangelism.

Actually school was rather boring, and quiet, and slacky as well. I still feel my social insecurities and stuff. And when I go to school, I just tend to "have nothing to say to people"... I dont like CJ... Why did God put me here... T_T

On Wednesday evening I had Economics tuition. My tuition is a group tuition of 4 people and we go the the tutor's house. My tutor is a teacher from ACJC and is a Malay, Muslim. While we (2 students) were waiting for the rest to come, I was whistling. I thought no one hears my whistling you know. As in I thought no one would relate that to how I'm feeling. Well no one told me anything about it before, except that my whistling was noisy. So I was whistling as we were waiting and my tutor said "Kenneth always whistles huh, quite a happy person."

I stopped whistling. I was shocked.

Quite a happy person? Thoughts raced through my mind. Wow thats a good Christian producing good fruit eh? Am I happy? Maybe I am ya? It was like a sudden realisation. Im supposed to be depressed, down, troubled a lot. Thats how I felt. Before the mission trip when trying to write my testimony I thought, my life has so much suffering, how can I be an inspiration and encouragement to people if I were to be genuine in telling my life? I felt as if I became happy when I realised Im happy.

Then, I realise in school (this week) I also feel joyful and peaceful. And perhaps, a "latent cheerfulness". Wish it wont fade away...

And a latent enthusiasm or zeal, or maybe something else. Actually I feel I should be "provoked" to be out of my comfort zone more. Sometimes Joseph Chean pushed us ya? I think I should push myself more. I thought: This period of my life, I think its a critical learning period for me (or maybe this applies to many youths?) where God is teaching me (or us) 2 Timothy 2:22.

On friday I thought, maybe I should be more proactive and take the initiative to talk. To stand infront of the class when theres no lesson and everyone is finding something to do, and say "Hello. Morning, 2T14. Its a, been one week of school ya? First of all, I dont have any important announcement to make regarding school stuff. But Im up here because... I thought, our class is so ununited. Im sure all of us thought about this before right? Well I thought, maybe we can bond by having more class talks. Like just 1 person talks and the whole class listens and talks back. Doesnt have to be me. So a, shall I talk about myself? I went to Philippines in June holidays and although Mr Ong might have thought I went for a holiday, I didnt...... .. . ....... . .. . .. . . . . ...... I think we Singaporeans are just too reserved. I think if we become more open and just enjoy one another's company, we'll be much happier. Instead of being ranked as the 146th in Happiness Level among the countries, we can be like philippines, ranked very high up, as we learnt in GP lecture.. . . .. . .......Gracemary, why is your name gracemary, not rosemary ? See Mr Ong always calls you rosemary, because roses are better than grace, because roses represent love, and love is the greatest thing in the world. Anyway there was one girl named rosemary in Cebu, and she... . ... ................................."

I'm so not the kind of person who would do this... >.< ....yet O_O

I'm going to bathe and sleep now, so Im stopping here. Bye. Have a good week :)

Love XD

Kenneth

2009-07-10T12:50:00.002+08:00

HEY OAK!! Cell outing tomorrow! Don't forget!!!

2009-07-09T20:57:00.003+08:00

Herro Oak!

Man I can't join you guys on Saturday haha. It's okay we will have plenty more Oak outings in the future. We must have one more Sentosa one, then Joycelyn can watch her Narnia hahaha.

Anyway how is everyone's week? I talked to Anne just now and you know, thinking back, being in Cebu among all of them and doing God's work everyday is really... Fulfilling. Back here in Singapore, it's hard to focus with all those things around you, though not neccesarily bad things, but there's this complicated living thingy.

I find it hard to see my everyday life as 'doing God's work' as compared to going to slums and prisons and watching the prisoners clap their hands in a Lapu Lapu fashion hahaha.

Yeah I feel that place is so rested in God that sometimes I just wish I could escape back there for awhile haha. Oh well. Hope you guys can find God in your everyday lives too. Have a good week!

2009-07-07T23:23:00.002+08:00

Cos at mission trip we stay with some YWAM people. Then when we introduce ourselves, got 2 joels so there was Joel P and Joel C. Then they got mixed up, thought there's 2 ryans, Ryan P and Ryan C. Haha.

2009-07-06T22:34:00.001+08:00

When Christ is the center of your focus, all else will
come into proper perspective.

2009-07-05T22:44:00.002+08:00

Adriana. Outside.

Happy youth day to all except Joel P. I'm Ryan C. Hey we must share all our mission trip jokes with milkjo, david and alex. Haha. They really crack me up till now. Esp the very very very very handsome.

VARY VARY VARY HANDSOME! Hahaha. The boy was so cute.

And imitating the ywam dance item and the milk song. Now the milk song is called milkyjo song.

Milky, drink thAt milk
Eat thA word
And be strong

Milkyjo said to me, yeah yeah yeah
Keeping out the maggie mee, yeah yeah yeah
Eat the rice and be stronger
I can't wait any longer

Milky milky milky milky, yeah yeah yeah (x4)

2009-07-02T21:49:00.002+08:00

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM ADRIANA

1. Tentatively, mission trip affirmation on 11 Jul, NEXT Sat, 2pm at Leedon Road.

2. This Sun bring the money you gave to Joseph. I'll collect.

3. This Sun in JYM is a mission trip exhibition! We're setting up a Cebu booth.

Displays include:
a. A board with 15 of our best photos
b. A laptop slideshowing the rest of our photos
c. An Info board which gives a brief profile of Cebu, the ongoing YWAM work there, and the work we did there.
d. A file with our individual reflections
e. A story board - we could develop a story that happened e.g. joymay and joycelyn, or the prisons experience
f. Mango Float + any philipino food (if anyone knows how to make)
g. Memorabilia from Cebu - craftwork the kids did which some of us brought home (e.g. king ciebert's drawing haha) , our mango necklaces, a blown-up photo of our lifehouse painting

This was after a discussion between Joel P. and Ryan C. Open to more suggestions. Like doing a clay model of Adriana. hahaha.

But ya, if you've any other memorabilia from Cebu, do let me know, or any other ideas.

SO,
Can email me by Fri night: Your mission trip reflections.
Cos I don't wanna just put the whole chunk of reflections on the display table. Thinking of extracting quotes and pasting them around.
And does anyone have nice tablecloth? Or nice decorative stuff?
And nice display materials like photo frame, cockboard, magnetic board, just let me know, we see if we can use them.

Ryan

2009-06-29T14:44:00.003+08:00

Joel Pang says:

Hey all! School starts!! I hope you all can bring a bit of what you've learnt in missions into your various schools. Remember that schools are our everyday missions field.
Anyway, just want to share with you all what Lucille had emailed. Just a little update on them and their little doings.

>>> Email begin >>>

Thank you so much for your generosity. The amount that we received
surprised us, we did not expect it. We just enjoy serving you and doing
ministry with you guys and having fun together. We gave some money to each
staff for their staff fees and personal needs and we deposited the rest of
the amount to YWAM bank account for ministry funds/project and maybe for Go
Fest 2010. Thank you for giving to the Lord.
We went to SM mall last Friday and play bowling. Eventhough majority of our
balls went to the canal and only Joel had a strike we all had fun. We had
\our dinner pack and eat at the SM foodcourt.
The word rest really speaks to each one of us. Even today in our community
worship, the Lord is reminding us to rest in His presence and trust in Him.

Please send our regards to everyone when you see them at church.

We miss each one of you!

Blessings,

Lucille

>>> Email end >>>

Have a blessed week guys! And keep the group updated by this blog!

2009-06-24T19:46:00.000+08:00

Two songs from Cebu:

ROCK THE BEAT
Im a neighbourhood cop i like rules
my name is sergent dollah and im kool

im an exgangster my name is tok kong
I love loud speakers and hokkien songs!

I love to knit and cook yes i do
Somedae my kids will be supercops too yeah!

my neighbour thinks im always wrong
but i will show him hu is more tok kong

Say What?
Police and thief(trying to get along)
My dad is a police(no doubt)
Police and thief(fighting all day long)
Lets go G-O GO!

2009-06-23T22:09:00.008+08:00

OAK'S VIDEOS:

CEBU WE LOVE U!

2009-06-22T14:00:00.003+08:00

Joel Pang says:
HELLO ALL OAKERS! WE ARE BACK!

Mission trip is too much to be able to be posted here, so I will just type out the program we had so that those who went will be able to better recall what we did.

Day 1, Monday: Changi Airport, arrival in Philippines, van ride to YWAM base, history of YWAM base, city tour, cathedral, idols, mall, dinner, sleep.

Day 2, Tuesday: First mission @ Risen Lord school hall, Heart skit, Lifehouse skit, back to base, preparation for slums, slum work, Heart skit, craft work (painting), Filipino transport back to base (small bus, motorcycle trishaw, bicycle trishaw).

Day 3, Wednesday: Asked God to plan our prisons program, Lifehouse skit, testimonies, charcoal drawing, prayers of blessings, seafood dinner.

Day 4, Thursday: Slum work near our base, Noah's Ark preparation, slums where kids crawled all over us, debrief.

Day 5, Friday: Singapore Day, cooking, slum under the bridge, Maricel's testimony.

Day 6, Saturday: Philippines Day, lunch @ mall, slum work, Lifehouse skit, crayon drawing, Filipino dinner @ base, games, gift presentation.

Day 7, Sunday: Cleaning up, presentation of picture, prayers, flight home.

Ok don't know if I missed out anything. Just remind me by tagging yeah? Have a great time reflecting!

God's Word

2009-06-12T21:28:00.009+08:00

Hello

These are several verses I've come across in the Bible that I hope will help prepare us spiritually for the Mission Trip.

Proverbs 16: 3

"Put God in charge of your work,

then what you've planned will take place" The Message

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed." NIV

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight"

Matthew 21: 21-22

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. ²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Proverbs 16: 9

"In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps"

Luke 10: 38-42

"³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

⁴¹ "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." TNIV

John 12: 27-28

"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. ²⁸Father, glorify your name!"

John 13: 35

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 15: 18-25

The World hates the disciples (us) because they do not know God (personally)

Habakkuk 3: 17-18

"Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior."

Isaiah 40: 31

"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

2 Timothy 1: 7

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

Psalm 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

1 John 3:19-22

" ¹⁹ This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him." TNIV

The Love of God, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

"¹If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸Love never fails. "

This is it everyone. The long awaited Mission Trip has come.

Let us as a Cell Group keep one another in prayer, and be united in spirit - for we pray to the same God, have the same Spirit (of God, that is) and are part of the same Kingdom of God. So even to those not going to Cebu, (although it does not involve action) prayer is of key importance - that, I think we do not appreciate enough. I personally am not good at praying...

I thought about this for a while.

God is good, all the time

God is very good, all the time.

God is perfectly good, all the time.

So,

May we give God our five loaves and two fishes (which is our all) and may God use us as vessels for his mighty work!

God gave us his best, so we give him our best.

I am a Blessing.

I am a Bridge.

I am a Catalyst to the peoples of Cebu.

Through the love of God,

I will embrace.

I will pray.

I will give generously of myself to others.

I will rightly represent God's character.

I will lay down my rights to serve others.

I will love people with God's love.

Kenneth - took almost 3 hours to post this

MISSION TRIP 2009

2009-06-08T00:07:00.001+08:00

Dear OAK,

Mission Trip is approaching, just like Ps.Andrew preached today in JYM about Spiritual warfare, i can really feel the heat approaching.

Different form of temptations have started to attack me and i feel like a soldier in God's Army against the Forces of Evil. Haha..

I feel this is a very difficult time because i am hardly left in peace, i am only left in peace when i meditate on God's word and study it.

I hope all Prayer warriors who are reading this can pray for each individual member of my group to stay focus on God. Don't give up, press on. The army fighting for God will always be Victorious.

If you FALL, STAND UP AGAIN!

2009-06-05T00:23:00.002+08:00

Hello Kenneth

I hope these will help u.

_____________________

Matt 13:58 - And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

In Mark 6:5-6 - He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

The point is that a lack of faith wasn’t present in the lives of those people that Jesus attempted to heal which prevented them from receiving God’s power but that Jesus could only meet those people’s needs who came to Him for healing and that everyone of them who did received what they wanted.

________________________________________

Mark 5:30 - At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

In Mark 5:25-26 - A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.

1) The woman suffered greatly. - The discharge of blood for 12 years

2) She believed simply touching His clothes would heal her. So when she did, the fountain of blood dried and up and she was healed.

3) Jesus sensed the miracle, and reassured the woman. - Jesus asked who touched Him, and fearfully the woman came forward. And He reassured her that her faith made her well and she was healed

Because she was willing to touch Jesus, she was healed!

SO ARE WE WILLING TO TOUCH JESUS...?

If we are willing to touch Jesus, we can be saved!
Amen!

2009-06-02T20:37:00.003+08:00

well it's been long sice i written a post but this time is the sake for my christian friend.
my friend, "Julia" has a older sister, "Jenna".
they were very good sisters.they treat each other as best friends.
but just recently, jenna got into a fight with her parents over her boyfriend.
then, she ran away from home.
my friend called her at least 10-30 times a day.
in school, she looks a bit depressed.
so from my point of view, all i could tell her everything lies in God hands.the best i could do was to pray for her.
anyway, the main reason for posting this was because i seriously need your help.
if i'm not wrong, she ran away for 3 days.
yeah, so, i seriously seriously want to help my friend here.
thanks
jia

2009-05-31T23:54:00.003+08:00

Joel Pang says: Hello Oak, before our important important meeting on Wednesday night, we got some preparation to do. Most importantly we need to get our testimony out. From there we can work out what creative ways we can express it.

Also don't forget to research Cebu (although there's nothing much to find about the slums) and get a list of games if you can. I understand that the website Joseph gave to us doesn't work, so we gotta be a bit resourceful and search for it ourselves. But yeah that one not that important YET la, just get your testimony out first, draft at least.

2009-05-31T23:44:00.002+08:00

Hey oak oats, feel that we should continue praying for milky jo and her mom, that the mom will not be unhappy with her for coming jym. It's def doesn't sound like a one-off leh. Let's even pray for the mom's eventual salvation.

Today we also prayed for ken's parents. During the refreshments, my mom invited ken's mom to come for our church service and she sounded quite interested. Please pray too.

I was thinking why does God want us to pray persistently? Isn't praying once enough? He doesn't forget what we pray for right. I think cos that's when he knows it's really our desire for that prayer to be answered. And as we seek God, He shares his heart with us, and we're able to align ourselves to what's on his heart. Joseph chean at camp last year.

Ryan

"The pursuit of godliness is not the pursuit of perfection but the pursuit of integrity and authenticity" Bill Thrall

2009-05-29T23:37:00.006+08:00

Mission Trip Song

Mission Trip's coming, Mission trip's coming
Draw nearer, draw nearer
In the traveling, in the traveling
Come with humility and be submissive

2009-05-27T17:44:00.001+08:00

When i see that you have arms, that is, a miracle

2009-05-25T20:46:00.004+08:00

I AM SO SO SAD MILKY JO, QUAH QUAH QUAH, SPINZOLA AND EGG ANG CAN'T JOIN US FOR MISSION TRIP. But you're part of us forever manz, you're part of this trip. Your prayer and concern matters. In fact right, please come for our group meetings. Give your ideas, laugh with us, play who-what-har with us, help out in whatever small ways, help us buy dinner, haha. Kidding about dinner la, but ya, just share this preparation journey with us man, then it really feels like a cell, like OAK, THE CELL THE HAS ROCKED, ROCKS AND WILL ROCK AGAIN, FOREVER AND EVER AMEN.

Ken is very right leh, we're going cos we've tasted how good God is.
We're not going cos we're good people, we're going cos God is good.

And so when we go there, we bring lots of cheer, smiles, cos God is good! Our faces reflect that.

It also matters that we have this mentality 'I decrease, that God may increase', that we move from man-centered to God-centered thinking. And as Elza said, be sensitive to God at all times. I'm thinking, what if things don't work out? What if we don't give a good presentation to the kids or something. Is anyone to be blamed? Or is it part of the journey God has planned for us. No matter what mistakes we make, we laugh over it, success in God's eyes may be measured differently.

All our growing together since the start of last year, over the camp last year, and all our cell outings and blog postings and honest sharings, and who-what-har-ing, and homojellying, and water bombing, and genetic engineering, will serve us well for this trip. We be real and love one another.

Ryan

2009-05-25T00:43:00.002+08:00

Hello OAK,

Things to prepare for the next 3 weeks:

1: Personal Journal
2: Research on Cebu
3: Find 3 Prayer Warriors
4: Research as a group on 10-20 games, each having our own personal life journey.
5: Maintain a prayerful attitude
6: Be sensitive to God's work around your life, the transformation taking place/the preparation for the mission trip
7: Equip yourself with the toolbox, things that you think you'll need, such as, enhancing your knowledge on the bible, practicing bible stories, etc..
8: Ask God, what does he want you to do during the mission trip.
9: Ask God, how can you do what he wants you to do
10: plan your course of action on how to do what God wants you to do.

alright, you know i just done my research on Cebu, and Joseph Chean was right, all the pictures are pictures of beautiful resorts, beaches, hotels etc. Even the roads look so nice just like Singapore.

When i went to research Cebu on the wikipedia, everything was positive and i couldn't extract important information.

You see, when i thought about this, it really reminds me of our attitude towards mission trip. Our pride, our reputation, our anxiousness and anxieties all have to go away. We cannot put on a false impression, a mask that says:
" Hey i'm the best "
or
" hey, i can do everything ".

You see, the internet also tries to cover the poorer side of Cebu, bringing a very false impression of the place. It tells in a sense " Prosperity Gospel " what people want to hear so as to draw tourist to their city. Joseph Chean said that the main source of bread and butter for this city is tourism, and so when you look on the internet, you only find nice and good stuff.

This should not be the attitude that we should have when we approach Mission Trip. Our mission trip must not be a tick in our Christian piety Box. It mustn't be a holiday, neither should we have a dis-engaged attitude. The focus on the Mission Trip is to preach God's news to the world as well as to further equip us with the knowledge and grace from God so that we'll be more prepared to share the gospel to our friends, family, strangers in Singapore.

We should approach the mission trip with a heart to serve,

"Matthew 5:3-16"

The key is "Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the Earth"
Meekness resembles control over power, it is making a different without exercising our power.

At the same time, as we travel as a team to Cebu, let us not only look out for out own interest but also the interest of others - Phil 2:4

Also, we should approach everything without complaining or arguing - Phil 2:14

Let us take the initiative to have a heart to serve, first by stepping out of our own comfort zone and stepping out of our own initiative.

Together as a cell group, let's drop all the pride, the reputation and any other things that really hinder us from God, put away with all the false masks that we are wearing and be real. Be as Real as You can.

Remember:

Amos 5:21-24
Don't show what you can do in church when you do none of it outside. Be who you are outside like who you are in church!

Isiah 58:3-9
Our worship, prayer and fasting has no meaning unless there is compassion.

Compassion for the poor, compassion for the hungry, for the crippled, for the dying, and for those who don't know God. Fulfill them and seek God for understanding, patience towards them.

-------------------------------------------*-----------------------------------------
Next, i would like to challenge everybody be it those who are going to mission trip or not, to think what you can sacrifice for the Love of Christ for Cebu. Exchange the time use to pray for Cebu, to pray to God and ask God what you can do for them, what he desires for you.

As i shared during Cell Group:

Abraham wished for a descendant. For 20+ years he didn't get his wish even though God promised him that he'll be be the Father over the nations, and the people will be his descendant. Imagine, when God promised you this and you waited 20+ years to realize you don't even have 1 descendant, how will you really feel?

Finally, Abraham had a descendant after 20+ years and his name was Issiah. As soon as he had Issiah, God asked him to sacrifice Issiah to God.

Imagine now what Issiah must be thinking, questions like:

"What? You're Crazy, i waited 20+ years for Issiah and you asked me to sacrifice him?"

"If i'm going to sacrifice my own flesh and blood, i must be mad"

But you see, Abraham didn't say that, he was a faithful servant and he just did what God instructed him to. As he went up the mountain and when he was with Issiah, Issiah asked him " Where are the sacrificial Lambs? " Can you imagine now what Abraham is thinking?

"Well oh, it's actually you!"

yeah, i mean, i can't really imagine how it must be, if i'm a father next time, it'll be like the toughest thing to sacrifice my own son, and especially after waiting like 20+ years.

The significance of this passage is not to tell us how great Abraham is, but it is to question our own spiritual belief whether we're able to sacrifice the dearest things for God. Be it money, fame, pride etc.. Can you?

I think it is a really thought provoking question. And my challenge to you is it, ask God what does he want you to give up for this mission trip.

Joseph Chean said " It is not that God gave up his only son, yes it is important, but you have to know, God gave his best "

God gave his best for us, and he chose the best people to go for mission trip. We are the specially chosen "best" people from God, and own our part we have to give off our Best to the people in Cebu. We have to give off our Best to show the Ceburians who God really is. We want them to see beyond us, and question who is this God, Father of Jesus.

I'll end off with this:

Re-examine our spiritual roots, check the foundation.

The Wise and Foolish Builders
24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

--------------------------------------*

Remember to prepare the 4 things Joseph asked us to prepare for this Wednesday meeting 6.30 at St' James Church

1) Prepare a spiritual Journal
2) Think about some games and equip it with your life journeys
3) Read up on Cebu
4) Find 3 spiritual Warriors

SHALOM!

2009-05-23T21:52:00.002+08:00

Joel Pang says:

Wa today's mission training was long but really set the mood for the trip. Keep praying that I may be able to join you all. Don't take for granted, I'm still waiting approval of leave.

Anyway here's a little thing you can do to put a bit of perspective in life. I do it from time to time, and I call it, Joel's life from an angel's perspective. So well see if it can help ya like it helps me, by trying to write a 'narrative' from His view.

It can go something like;

After carefully knitting _____ in his mother's womb for 9 months, God brought _____ into this world, into the country of Singapore, making sure he was a young healthy baby. The years he spent crying and feeding off milk, he won't really remember, but God watched over him every day, thinking about the person he would become. Every day, God was looking forward to the day when He would show Himself to _____, and he would receive Him into his life.

He sent _____ to St James' Church through the means of _____ etc...

When that day in ____(year of receiving Jesus) finally came, God was overjoyed. He knew that it would be a tough road ahead, but He rejoiced nonetheless, and we had a feast in heaven after He wrote and sealed _____'s name in the Book of Life.

The years after that, God lead _____ through a time of searching/dryness/etc....

In 2008, God made sure that _____ would be able to go for the end of year youth camp, and there He spoke to _____, impressing on him the faint call of going for missions.

From that point onwards until now, God prepared him through _______ etc. And now, just as _____ is about to embark on the mission trip, his heart is anxious to know what God has in store for him.

Little did he know that through this trip, God would show him ____________ (to be written after the mission trip)

Yeah something like that la haha. It helps me see how God has just simply BEEN THERE through ALL my life, cause we often forget that in the mundane moments, God is still watching over us, still thinking about us. Even when you're reading this, He's thinking about you. In all those years that went by, those were years that God never took His eyes off you. Can't even remember what you did when you were one years' old right? God can remember. Haha. And writing it down in this form helps me see how NOTHING in my life is by coincidence; every little detail is worked together for good. So if you don't think this writing is a big deal, at least remember 2 things;

1) Be thankful that God has always been watching over you, every single waking or sleeping moment.

2) Be thankful that God has never let anything happen to you that He didn't know about. He has brought you this far, where you are now though all the small things you don't notice.

2009-05-22T19:49:00.001+08:00

25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life [e]?

28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

2009-05-11T19:51:00.003+08:00

Today i talked to my maid and it became a very thought provoking session. This few months, my maid who has been with us for a couple of months refuse to eat the food that my family eats, be it lunch, breakfast or dinner. Even though we've been asking her to eat the food so that she won't fall sick, she just refuse to.

At first, i thought it was because she doesn't really like us, and that maybe she don't wanna eat our food. Or perhaps it is just because she has pride and refuse to eat the food we provide for her.

Today i had a chat with her while she was having her "dinner". Her dinner consisted of a bowl of rice, plain rice and fried ikan bilis. That was all she had for dinner. I became very emotional and asked her why do you only eat so little.

This was what she replied me
" I don't want to eat oily food. This is the life of Christ, simple but full of love. What will happen to you one day if there is no more food "

I just really felt like breaking down and just cry and ask God. Sometimes, i feel we humans have become so self centered that everything is us us us and more of our own selfish desires. Even as much as i talk and want to go for mission trip, i think it is a complete failure if i cannot even reach out to people who are in my house.

Like so easily from this conversation i am so touched by some people's way of living. She said that this was the life she lived in Philippines where her house was high up in the mountains and there was little accessibility to food. Salt, water + Rice was all she had for dinner while she grew up..

While people like us living in Singapore, our meals consisted of fish, vegetables, pastas, soup, mcdonalds, KFC, etc.. Yet, people who are living in Philippines are eating just salt, water + rice. How are we ever better Christians than those out there suffering, eating little and almost no nutritional value food. Yet, what did we do to deserve more than them to be eating such luxurious food?

What superstition has overcame our denomination?

I think this is a really thought provoking issue. God's love isn't measured by what we've done, God's love is equal to everybody. Be it the poor, the rich and the humbled & Broken. Being in love with Christ is simple. Fullstop. Just simple. But yet in this simplicity, in this stillness is where we find God's love the strongest.

Junting
-OAK

2009-05-10T23:04:00.002+08:00

Hey

Umm, School has been bad for me.

I feel very sian in school and i dont really know why. I think its my social life.

I feel like Im becoming a rather different person in school now. Becoming what I was like exactly 1 year ago when I was in Band.

Today I felt really "weary and burdened" so I exchanged my yolk with Jesus's and I felt light.

I dont wish to say much; I'll end it like that :)

Oh, I dreamt on friday night that my father passed away. I was very sad. Thinking that I could never see my father again... I kept on asking why this happpened... then I thought where he was now (in the dream). I tried to "feel what it was like to be dead". It was quite lucid. At first it felt like I'm not part of the world anymore. You can't see or talk or move. You cant even think or feel. You can't share the excitement there is in this world. Its a total silence, blankness, nothingness...

Then after that you start to be able to feel again, in a deep way. You feel rest and peace. Absolute rest and perfect peace- as they say it.

Was this God-planned? I wonder...

It may just be my imagination. Well I felt God's peace before. And I know that some people who were at the brink of death and survived claimed to felt peace.

Then I thought (in the dream), what if my father, or anyone who dies, did not feel the peace?

Extreme suffering which lasts for eternity.

btw my JC Band got Gold with honours. wohoo. 2 out of the 17 JCs got that. CJ beat RJ, VJ, TJ, SAJC, ACJC. With rather cheapskate instruments and no "gifted"(very talented) players.

Kenneth

2009-05-10T19:36:00.002+08:00

Joel Pang says: Good times in Oak! Haha. This was the February Chillout. Let's have more after mission trip yeah? Have a blessed week!

2009-05-09T20:38:00.002+08:00

"We were made by God and for God and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense." Rick Warren

2009-05-08T22:24:00.002+08:00

"...spinzola is some kind of fish thats resistant to light or something like that or something due to genetic engineering..." Marine Biologist Alex Cheah

Hahaha. Kidding, no idea what spinzola is, but ya heard that he believed in something like that. Anyway you know his e=mc2 theory really revolutionized science, cos it said that energy 'e' could be converted into mass 'm', and vice versa. as in energy, like your heat energy, sound energy, etc. which has no mass or weight, could actually be converted into solid mass, as in matter. and solid matter could be converted into energy, without anymore mass or weight. As in like, can you imagine your sound energy condenses to become a drop of water. It's not really like that la, but it's along those lines.

I heard someone share that the theory, although it was so mind-blowing, was so strong because mathematically it was proven to be accurate to the dunno how many-th decimal place. as in like accuate to 0.0000000000001 kinda thing la. So people found it hard to disprove it, and there're still people trying to today la. Anyway, so this theory also led to other theories which led to other theories, and a whole new field of science la. BUT THEN einstein started to struggle, because some of these theories actually ended up inferring a certain conclusion: that there is a Creator God. I dunno how they can infer such a thing la, but you know how complicated and deep physics can be. Like there's an einstein theory that if someone travels at the speed of light, he ends up going back in time and becoming a baby all over again. Siao right, haha. So anyway, einstein could not accept that there's a creator God, and never did. For him, God was a cheap shortcut to explain phenomenons.

This is a quote from him:
"The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this."

Well.. this is what God says:
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Rom 1:20

Just today I was thinking of how amazing God's creation actually is. I was thinking, see ah if I 'desire' to move my right hand, my right hand will move. If I desire to walk forward, my legs will take me forward. How on earth does that work? I know the brain sends impulses la, but I have the power to determine how I want to move, then my brain sends the necessary impulses, and I move. Haha. Am I making sense. OKOK. FOR EXAMPLE.

OK just stop moving now. OK, just stop just stop, don't move at all, stay totally still.

NOW, DECIDE to lift up your right hand. Your right hand goes up doesn't it. Unless you're paralyzed la, like genetically engineered zebra fish hahaha. How does our decisions, which can't be defined in terms of science, like as if decision = energy or something. How can decisions, translate themselves into physical momentum, which has a certain energy value. Know what I mean. How could this be possible?? Because God had "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being" Gen 2:7.

Now I don't think you can use science to define God's breath or something HAHA. I think there'll just be a point in the pursuit of science, that scientists will hold their hands up and admit, this is as far as science can go, the rest is beyond comprehension.

2009-05-05T19:13:00.001+08:00

Let me explain the problem science has with religion.’ The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.
‘You’re a Christian, aren’t you, son?’
‘Yes sir,’ the student says.
‘So you believe in God?’
‘Absolutely.
‘Is God good?’
‘Sure! God’s good.’
‘Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?’
‘Yes’
‘Are you good or evil?’
‘The Bible says I’m evil.’
The professor grins knowingly. ‘Aha! The Bible!’ He considers for a moment. ‘Here’s one for you. Let’s say there’s a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?’
‘Yes sir, I would.’
‘So you’re good…!’
‘I wouldn’t say that.’
‘But why not say that? You’d help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn’t.’
The student does not answer, so the professor continues. ‘He doesn’t, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?’
The student remains silent.
‘No, you can’t, can you?’ the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
‘Let’s start again, young fella. Is God good?’
‘Er..yes,’ the student says.
“is Satan good?’
The student doesn’t hesitate on this one. ‘No.’
‘Then where does Satan come from?’
The student falters. ‘From God’
‘That’s right. God made Satan, didn’t he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Evil’s everywhere, isn’t it? And God did make everything correct??’
‘Yes’
‘So who created evil?’ The professor continued, ‘If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.’
Again, the student has no answer. ‘Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?’
The student squirms on his feet. ‘Yes.’
‘So who created them?’
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. ‘Who created them?’ There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. ‘Tell me,’ he continues onto another student.
‘Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?’
The student’s voice betrays him and cracks. ‘Yes, professor, I do.’
The old man stops pacing.. ‘Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?’
‘No sir. I’ve never seen Him.’
‘Then tell us if you’ve ever heard your Jesus?’
‘No, sir, I have not.’
‘Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelled your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?’
‘No, sir, I’m afraid I haven’t.’
‘Yet you still believe in him?’
‘Yes’
‘According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?’
‘Nothing,’ the student replies. ‘I only have my faith.’
‘Yes, faith,’ the professor repeats. ‘And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.’
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of his own. ‘Professor, is there such thing as heat?’
‘Yes.’
‘And is there such a thing as cold?’
‘Yes, son, there’s cold too.’
‘No sir, there isn’t.’
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested.
The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.
‘You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don’t have anything called ‘cold’. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees.’
‘Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.’
Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.
‘What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?’
‘Yes,’ the professor replies without hesitation. ‘What is night if it isn’t darkness?’
‘You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it’s called darkness, isn’t it? That’s the meaning we use to define the word.
‘In reality, da rkness isn’t. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?’
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. ‘So what point are you making, young man?’
‘Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.’
The professor’s face cannot hide his surprise this time. ‘Flawed? Can you explain how?’
‘You are working on the premise of duality,’ the student explains.. ‘You argue that there is life and then there’s death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can’t even explain a thought.
‘It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it. ‘Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?’
‘If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do.’
‘Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?’
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.
‘Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?’
The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.
‘To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.’
The student looks around the room. ‘Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor’s brain?’ The class breaks out into laughter.
‘Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor’s brain, felt the professor’s brain, touched or smelled the professor’s brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir.’
‘So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?’
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.
Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. ‘I guess you’ll have to take them on faith.’
‘Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,’ the student continues. ‘Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?’
Now uncertain, the professor responds, ‘Of course, there is. We see it everyday It is in the daily example of man’s inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.’
To this the student replied, ‘Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God’s love present in his heart. It’s like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.’
The professor sat down.
The student was Albert Einstein.

2009-05-02T15:37:00.001+08:00

2009-04-29T00:02:00.005+08:00

Someone once said; " it is not the mistakes that counts, but make every learning journey personally enriching "

Something i read in a book that said this phrase that really caught my attention. Well, someone asked me to blog about my sharing on Sunday, so it becomes a piece of information in this blog so that when you face similar problems as me you can read this post.

Well, someone also asked me why i deleted all my posts away. My answer is this. Things in life don't work by the way you speak, the way you blog. Life is much more than this, that is why it's such a long lifespan. I deleted all the post i posted is because i realised that blogging in this blog does not make me a better person, or fireproofed to mistakes. I am equally prone to making mistakes. I feel i have posted so much about things in life that i had never really experienced. This makes everything I blog become a counterfeit, something fake. When i actually experience for example real deep SIN, it is much more than just blogging or writing what i think it is. Because you see, this is how the Devil works, he gives you more pain then what you can imagine, what you can type, what you can write. My understanding of the things that i blog are only superficial. Thus, i feel if i allow readers to read that post, it is like lying to them right under their noses. I want to blog the truth, the truth so you really understand the pain, the sufferings.

On Sunday i was speaking about " Don't Give Up ". I am willing to blog this down because i truly experienced it and i understand every pain that you feel. For those that are reading this post, i just take it as you're experiencing the same thing.

During the past week, it was a big struggle for me in every area of my life. Be it spiritually or mentally. I just lost completely the focus of God in my life. I lost the sensitiveness i had with God and maybe the relationship. God was shut out of my life completely by my own actions, and the fake believe that i was "alright" with God. But all that changed when i had a conversation with Ryan.

As i said, i always had a nice talk with Ryan, although sometimes personal but it always had a right tone. But suddenly that day i just felt that i was greatly reprimanded perhaps something God wanted him to do. And i realise, that how ignorant i was to God and how much i had left it out.

THAT WAS A WAKE UP CALL

You see, early this year i felt that i was in a good relationship with God and that everything was well. I felt that i was fireproofed to sins and that it'll never come and haunt me down. But that's God's learning lesson for me. Often, we christians become complacent with our walk with God often neglecting him in one way or another. That was what exactly that attacked me.

" Fireproof doesn't mean that it'll never come, but it means that when it comes, you'll be able to withstand it "

what a really great sentence! God had sent terrible consequences upon me and i became someone like a monster. Somebody i couldn't recognize myself.. What a great opportunity this is, examinations are coming and it is a great opportunity to give an excuse to study and not come to church. So every week for the past 3 weeks I just gave reasons like "i was too busy doing work". " Oh i had many test papers to do " But all these are all excuses, excuses for me to run away from God. Brothers and sisters in Christ, don't run away from God because you can't run as fast as him. No use hiding, no use running. Every mistake, every sin, face the consequences bravely and humbly. Humble yourself under God's mighty hand and he'll live you up in due time. Know where your mistakes are, and don't make it happen again. Believe in Christ!

After my talk with Ryan, i decided to come to church on Sunday, and it was a really really great struggle. But, this JYM session was such a personal challenge and God really delivered me through it . I never felt this experience with God in a long time, it was like a Savior, an almighty God that fan flames under my dead spiritual heart. The never give up attitude he has for me no matter what I've done really just moved me to tears. It was a moment where i truly understand what it was like not to have anybody but God alone. After that, I felt rejuvenated to continue to study but at the same time being sensitive to God, having no hesitation in his decision and having no hesitation or contemplation in his love.

This was my past week with God. A struggle i've never faced.

**

My encouragement to all readers is this. If you feel that you're in a moment where you can't see God, or in a moment where you know you're backsliding and losing God. Do not just ignore it and run away like me because you might not be as lucky as me to have someone draw you back. Trust in God Trust in his word in his prophecies and in his name that he'll pull you back.

Someone once said to me, you can't feel God because you're down right in the valley, but someone else can see God pulling you closer to him because he is out up high at the mountains. So please, don't give up on yourself, don't give up on God because i know this God of mine whom despite what I've did is willing to forgive me and turn me from the evil ways.

What more about you?

This God of yours is someone special. Someone who had sent you to this world to be unique and special in each way that when they see the gospel they see beyond the world, they see beyond you. They QUESTION who is the person shaping and molding your life. This is the kind of life that you're suppose to live. The kind of Life God wants you to live, and wants to mold you and shape you just like a Potter. Even when you feel out of love from God, just believe in one thing

" God Loves You "

Do not give up on yourself, do not give up on God because that is the worse consequence you can ever face.

If you don't have God, nothing seems to make sense! ( Elza Loo)

¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

As we approach this time frame of mission trip. Let us all have a healing within our hearts. Whatever sin, big or small live it up to God, turn from our wicked ways and humble ourselves broken before the Cross.

Your beginnings will seem humble,
so prosperous will your future be. (Job 8:7)

Sins, big or small are still sins. Repent your wicked ways and seek God only. Face the consequences of the mistakes you've made, only then you can move on with life and make sense out of your life brothers.

JunTing
-OAK

Love your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might. Only then can you fuel the Great commandment.

2009-04-26T22:42:00.004+08:00

Now this is what you call, a ladder, a ladder alright. I use it to climb, up, to a higher level, a higher level alright. Hahaha!

Crisis

2009-04-23T19:56:00.002+08:00

Goodness...one of my tooth came out...possibly adult tooth cos there was a root there(or something that looks like it.)It fell out like normal:it was loose,and it shook. It hurt a little.The time and pain it took for it to fall out was like the milk tooth.Goodness...if its an adult tooth im dead...There are so many disadvntages:and pain to be eperienced.Please let it be a milk tooth....God please...e
I thank thee for whatever the result would be.Lord,I have been rather obedient since the `ps years`and though ive sinned much,forgive them:you are a great and merciful god.ill work much harder than ever before in my common tests.ill praise you in every way possible.Ill be restless to make you known.Ill obey you and respect you to the best of my ability.Lord,have mercy on me.I am your humble servant,awaiting orders.You have given me more than i could ever ask for.My life,my family,my brain,my heart,my soul,my everything.You let me grow up in a stable family.You gained me access to the school and course of my dreams.You are more than I could ever ask for.ou gave me the chance to hear about you,and believe in you,to be saved.That is my duty:let others have the right t be saved.The best gift is you dying on the cross to make up for our sins.To save us from eternal death in hell.Lord,if the loss of my permanent tooth is part of your Plan,then Lord,Let Your Will Be Done.You give and take away.But you have not and will never take away my faith:my belief in you,my most high God.You gave me this chance,lord,and i will put it to the best of use.I will not let you down,Lord.I am a sinner,deserving to be spending eternity in hell,experincing eternal death.But because of your love:your unconditional love for every person on earth;you died on the cross to take the place of our wrongdoings.To make up for our mistakes.You let us spend the rest of our eternal lives living in heaven with you,my Lord.Please,Lord.Have mercy on me.Let my fallentooth be a milk tooth.But the decision is in your hands,Lord.Your Plan is the ultimate one,and is the perfect one.
Whatever your decision,I will allways be true and loyal to you,Lord.I am your humble servant now,and forever.

Amen.
The Insane One
Alex...

2009-04-21T21:20:00.004+08:00

God says:

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Psalm 139:1)
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2)
I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3)
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29 - 31)
For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27)
In me you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:28)
For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28)
I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4 - 5)
I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11 - 12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15 - 16)
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
I knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13)
And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6)
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. (John 8:41 - 44)
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16)
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (1 John 3:1)
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. (1 John 3:1)
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11)
For I am the perfect father. (Matthew 5:48)
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17)
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31 - 33)
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalms 139:17 - 18)
And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40)
For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5)
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3)
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29)
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
For it is I who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13)
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16 - 17)
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3 - 4)
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18)
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11)
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. (Revelation 21:3 - 4)
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:3 - 4)
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23)
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26)
He is the exact representation of my being. (Hebrews 1:3)
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Romans 8:31)
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. (2 Corinthians 5:18 - 19)
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5:18 - 19)
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (1 John 4:10)
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31 - 32)
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (1 John 2:23)
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38 - 39)
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7)
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. (Ephesians 3:14 - 15)
My question is… Will you be my child? (John 1:12 - 13)
I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11 - 32)

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God