G L C C C A M P U S

The Weight of Glory

2010-07-20T01:43:00.003+08:00

I read this paragraph again. It is not an unfamiliar sermon. Yep, this quote is a sober read because it simply and aptly says it all of the total weakness of our flesh and its desire. Yet challenges that we ought to strive to have a measure of knowing the weight of God's glory that we may walk as Christ walked and purpose in our heart to live a life that has these words lived out, "Not My will be done but yours" to be our delight. It is inseperable but demands we are set apart for God.

"Indeed if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

The Weight of Glory
by C.S. Lewis
Preached originally as a sermon in the
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford,
on June 8, 1942: published in
THEOLOGY, November, 1941,
and by the S.P.C.K,
1942

Discipleship

2010-05-31T16:47:00.001+08:00

Discipleship
by Pastor Rick Holland (The Fisherman of Christ Fellowship Camp, 27 May ‘10)

Definition of discipleship:
Matt 28:18-20

18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

- To make followers; Christians (followers of Christ)… To Evangelise
- To follow-up… To help them mature

*Nowadays, people/churches are better at evangelizing than following-up

1. Its about proclaiming Jesus Christ

Col 1:28

28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

- others will then learn about Jesus
- these are achieved through others looking at our actions; e.g. forgiving others, showing kindness/Christ-likeness
- we are not telling others about a plan of salvation, but a person instead
- “every man” is used 3 times; emphasis is that we are to scatter seed everywhere. We shouldn’t be selecting outrightly.

*The irony is that we are afraid of sharing the gospel that should cast out all fear

2. Christ is formed in those who believe in discipleship

Galatians 4:19

19My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

- Christ is to be living through us for others to see

3. Disciple-making: To make them independently dependent on Christ

John 14:18, 21

18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

- Get to enjoy the presence of Jesus

How Should We Disciple?

- You are supposed to be a disciple-maker and a disciple
- You must be willing to be discipled – you have to be teachable and this means making and cultivating spiritual friendship; edification, iron sharpening iron

The 3 ‘I’s

1. Instruction

2 Tim 2:1-2

1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2. Imitation

Heb 13:7, Heb 11:1, Luke 6:40, 1 Cor 15

3. Involvement

1 Thess 2:1-8

1For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
5For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

- Entrusting your life to investment of life into other lives.
- This involves the formal and informal aspects of your life (your disciple must be able to see your bad habits, your less serious side of you)

* You are discipling all the time, and others are always watching

Who Should We Disciple?

- Reflect on your relationships with your current friends or people you know
- Satan is trying to get us to be alone; so we can be defeated easily. He does not want discipling work to continue.
- That is why discipleship is so important

Can you spend a few moments thinking of those few good men/women whom you can invest your life in?

A Daily Prayer

2010-05-21T10:06:00.000+08:00

Lord, let me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
A prayer for others, I will say

~ Meigs (modified)

POST EXAM BBQ

2010-05-06T01:37:00.007+08:00

Hi everyone, the day is nearer by the minute. Most, if not all of you, your exams would be over by now.

Here are some pictures and details about the BBQ and chalet stay.

Details:

Venue: Costa Sands Resort Pasir Ris
Costa Sand Resort Pasir Ris, 159N Jalan Loyang Besar, Singapore
Singapore 509406
Link

Post Exam BBQ

2010-04-26T01:03:00.002+08:00

Hey guys...

Got a chalet at Coasta Sands, Pasir Ris, for 2 nights, 7th & 8th May 2010. Try to keep both days free if u can. The BBQ would be held either on 7 or 8 th May.

More details to follow.

Meanwhile, study hard.

God bless :)

The Greatest Fight in the World

2010-04-23T13:32:00.001+08:00

By C. H. Spurgeon

Especially we have seen and tested the efficacy of the Word of God when we have been by the sick bed. I was, but a few days ago, by the side of one of our elders, who appeared to be dying; and it was like heaven below to converse with him. I never saw so much joy at a wedding as I saw in that quiet chamber. He hoped soon to be with Jesus; and he was joyful in the prospect. He said, "I have no doubt, no cloud, no trouble, no want; nay, I have not even a wish. The doctrine you have taught has served me to live by, and now it serves me to die by. I am resting upon the precious blood of Christ, and it is a firm foundation." And he added, "How silly all those letters against the gospel now appear to me! I have read some of them, and I have noted the attacks upon the old faith, but they seem quite absurd to me now that I lie on the verge of eternity. What could the new doctrine do for me now?"

I came down from my interview greatly strengthened and gladdened by the good man's testimony; and all the more was I personally comforted because it was the Word which I myself had constantly preached which had been such a blessing to my friend. If God had so owned it from so poor an instrument, I felt that the Word itself must be good indeed. I am never so happy amidst all the shouts of youthful merriment as on the day when I hear the dying testimony of one who is resting on the everlasting gospel of the grace of God. The ultimate issue, as seen upon a dying-bed, is a true test, as it is an inevitable one. Preach that which will enable men to face death without fear, and you will preach nothing but the old gospel.

Exam Dates

2010-04-20T23:13:00.006+08:00

Hi all,
Here are the exam dates for the students in campus. Do keep us in your prayers. Thanks!

22 April 2010 Thursday
Gerald - Math

24 April 2010 Saturday
Geri – Reporting Statistics in the Media
Rachel – An Intro to Literary Studies
Gail - Engineering Principles for Drug Delivery

26 April 2010 Monday
Geri, Rachel, Gwen – Pharmacy Law
Tirza – Structures Exam
Stacey – Speech and Argumentation
Gerald – Physics 2

27 April 2010 Tuesday
Stacey – Gender and Sexuality Studies
Gail, Jon Tan – Management and Organisation
Jon Tan - Introduction to Operating System

28 April 2010 Wednesday
Geri, Rachel, Gwen – Pharmacokinetics and Drug Disposition
Gerald - Computing

29 April 2010 Thursday
Stacey – Singapore Literature and Culture 2
Gerald – Issues with Crime and Punishment
Gwen - Intro to Psychology

30 April 2010 Friday
Nick – Gender Studies

3 May 2010 Monday
Geri, Rachel, Gwen – Pharmacotherapy 1
Jon Tan – Embedded Computer System

4 May 2010 Tuesday
Geri, Rachel, Gwen –Pharmaceutical Analysis 2.
Gail - Business Consulting Skills for Transformational Leaders

6 May 2010 Thursday
Stacey – Ethnic American Literature

Philippians 4:6,7
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

What Is The Gospel?

2010-04-15T12:13:00.002+08:00

What Is The Gospel?
R. C. Sproul

Some excerpts from some thoughts shared by Sproul...

There is no greater message to be heard than that which we call the Gospel. But as important as that is, it is often given to massive distortions or over simplifications. People think they’re preaching the Gospel to you when they tell you, 'you can have a purpose to your life', or that 'you can have meaning to your life', or that 'you can have a personal relationship with Jesus.' All of those things are true, and they’re all important, but they don’t get to the heart of the Gospel.

The Gospel is called the 'good news' because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I’m not. And at the end of my life, I’m going to stand before a just and holy God, and I’ll be judged. And I’ll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness – or lack of it – or the righteousness of another. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn’t possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.

The great misconception in our day is this: that God isn’t concerned to protect His own integrity. He’s a kind of wishy-washy deity, who just waves a wand of forgiveness over everybody. No. For God to forgive you is a very costly matter. It cost the sacrifice of His own Son.

Far Too Easily Pleased

2010-04-08T11:20:00.004+08:00

WARNING:

The following paragraph is very wordy, but very impactful... If at all, read the last line in bold... (DesiringGod actually made a video to fit the words, couldn't get the video up so I'll put in this link and a picture.)

If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.

We are far too easily pleased.

~ C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

And so, like an old man playing with little boy's toys,
we are far too easily pleased,
far too easily satisfied
with the pleasures of life,
when we could have
infinite rewards forevermore.

Sobering Read

2010-04-05T02:11:00.001+08:00

Several decades of nonstop talk and strategizing about relevance, contextualization, and clever methods for engaging the culture have had no perceptible positive spiritual effect on the world we live in. The influence of the church within our culture continues to diminish; our society has grown steadily darker; and the message the church is now giving to the world is more confused and confusing than perhaps any time since the Dark Ages. . .

To be blunt: the church has become a laughingstock with no moral authority to stand before the world and confront sin, declare Christ's lordship, and speak with any credibility about sin, righteousness, or judgment.

Adapted from "Ashamed of the Gospel" John MacArthur

Worship

2010-03-18T11:40:00.002+08:00

"For a lot of people, if you say we're going to worship, automatically that means music. But music is not worship. That is not true. Music is a means to express worship. It's not the only means, it's not even the most important means. The most important means to express worship is obedience. And even connected to that obedience is love. But music is a way to express worship. It gives wings to us. It elevates us. It lifts us when words are not enough. And it allows us to borrow somebody else's words when our own are not as prosaic as our hearts wish they were."

John MacArthur
Spirit-Filled Music

A short story

2010-03-14T21:16:00.000+08:00

Why Me? Why This? Why Now? Why?

2010-02-25T00:13:00.003+08:00

(via The Gospel Coalition)

Don’t rush through this. It is worth reading slowly and repeatedly, for in it there is deep and profound wisdom.

So often the initial reaction to painful suffering is Why me? Why this? Why now? Why? . . .

[God] comes for you, in the flesh, in Christ, into suffering, on your behalf. He does not offer advice and perspective from afar; he steps into your significant suffering. He will see you through, and work with you the whole way. He will carry you even in extremis. This reality changes the questions that rise up from your heart. That inward-turning “why me?” quiets down, lifts its eyes, and begins to look around.You turn outward and new, wonderful questions form.

Why you?

Why you?

Why would you enter this world of evils?

Why would you go through loss, weakness, hardship, sorrow, and death?

Why would you do this for me, of all people?

But you did.

You did this for the joy set before you.

You did this for love.

You did this showing the glory of God in the face of Christ.

As that deeper question sinks home, you become joyously sane. The universe is no longer supremely about you. Yet you are not irrelevant. God’s story makes you just the right size. Everything counts, but the scale changes to something that makes much more sense. You face hard things. But you have already received something better which can never be taken away. And that better something will continue to work out the whole journey long.

The question generates a heartfelt response:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget any of his benefits, who pardons all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion, who satisfies your years with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Thank you, my Father. You are able to give true voice to a thank you amid all that is truly wrong, both the sins and the sufferings that now have come under lovingkindness.

Finally, you are prepared to pose—and to mean—almost unimaginable questions:

Why not me?

Why not this?

Why not now?

If in some way, my faith might serve as a three-watt night-light in a very dark world, why not me?

If my suffering shows forth the Savior of the world, why not me?

If I have the privilege of filling up the sufferings of Christ?

If he sanctifies to me my deepest distress?

If I fear no evil?

If he bears me in his arms?

If my weakness demonstrates the power of God to save us from all that is wrong?

If my honest struggle shows other strugglers how to land on their feet?

If my life becomes a source of hope for others?

Why not me?

Of course, you don’t want to suffer, but you’ve become willing: “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Like him, your loud cries and tears will in fact be heard by the one who saves from death.

Like him, you will learn obedience through what you suffer.

Like him, you will sympathize with the weaknesses of others.

Like him, you will deal gently with the ignorant and wayward.

Like him, you will display faith to a faithless world, hope to a hopeless world, love to a loveless world, life to a dying world.

If all that God promises only comes true, then why not me?

—David Powlison, “God’s Grace and Your Sufferings,” in Suffering and the Sovereignty of God (pp. 172-173).

2 Valentine's Day Videos

2010-02-18T21:20:00.002+08:00

Belated Valentine's Day!
(though don't ask me how they link to a shopping mall)

Haha, now the second video has a great idea (if you know what I mean) ;)

Who would ever want a Disfigured Rose?

2010-01-18T13:00:00.003+08:00

For when we were still without strength,
in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die;
yet perhaps for a good man
someone would even dare to die.

But God demonstrated His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.

Rom 5:6-8 (NKJV)

And the second is" — not in competition with it, but rather...

2010-01-15T10:17:00.001+08:00

We do not truly love God if we do then not love our neighbor
We do not truly love our neighbor, if we do not first love God
If we love God, we must consequentially love our neighbor
If we are to love our neighbor, we must first love God
A God-hating people-lover is under God's condemnation
A people-hating God-lover is under God's condemnation
True love for God will necessarily blossom in love for our neighbor
To be healthy, love for our neighbor must be an outgrowth of love for God

Dan Phillips - http://teampyro.blogspot.com

David Brainerd - A Flame for God

2010-01-12T17:33:00.004+08:00

"...I hardly ever so longed to live to God and to be altogether devoted to Him; I wanted to wear out my life in His service and for His glory ..." David Brainerd

Introduction by John Macarthur. David Brainerd was devoted to live for his Lord. He lived a short life but in his four years as a missionary he was blessed with a period of revival amongst the Indians to whom he had been ministering. By considering the life of Brainerd this book will be of tremendous spiritual benefit to you as you read of a young man plagued with depression and yet made so effective under God.

This day I saw clearly that I should never be happy; yea, that God Himself could not make me happy, unless I could be in a capacity to 'please and glorify Him for ever.' Take away this, and admit me into all the fine heavens that can be conceived of by men or angels, and I should still be miserable for ever

The Bible Stands

2010-01-04T11:24:00.002+08:00

The Bible Stands (words by Haldor Lillenas)

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted
’Mid the raging storms of time;
Its pages burn with the truth eternal,
And they glow with a light sublime

The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
For the Bible stands.

The Bible stands like a mountain towering
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can.

The Bible stands and it will forever,
When the world has passed away;
By inspiration it has been given,
All its precepts I will obey.

The Bible stands every test we give it,
For its Author is divine;
By grace alone I expect to live it,
And to prove and to make it mine.

Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional

2009-12-30T13:36:00.002+08:00

Why the Rib?

2009-12-17T00:31:00.002+08:00

That the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam;
not made out of his head to rule over him,
nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him,

but out of his side to be equal with him,
under his arm to be protected,
and near his heart to be beloved.

- Matthew Henry -

Campus Prayer List 4 December 2009

2009-12-05T22:14:00.002+08:00

Simon
- Journey mercies for trip to KL with Jon Tan, Gail and Geri
- Safety in KL
- Wisdom to complete thesis in one week
- 18th December Campus Outreach

Joshua
- Thank God for passing driving test despite losing many points in the circuit

Lydia
- Safety and guidance for parents and Goducate team in Cambodia
- Thank God for thought provoking BS and the lessons learnt
- Thank God for seeing her through Thursday's presentation despite throat irritation (voice sustained)

Ruth
- Pray that she'll go through everyday properly
- Pray for daily refreshment in the "battles" she faces

Gwen
- Pray for safe journey home
- Pray for good time with family

Nick
- Pray for upcoming Christmas musical (Nick playing guitar, Kailing acting)
- Pray for the set-up of Christmas fiesta stall

Irene
- Pray for ability to concentrate and focus on what needs to be done
- Pray for preparations for exams
- Pray for brother who's searching for a good place to stay in NZ
- Pray for guidance for brother in his search for a job

Jon Chong
- Pray for preparation for exams on 18th Decemeber (End of posting test)
- Thank God for opportunity to see patients and learn from them
- Pray for preparation for major exams in March

JM
- Pray for God to work through Campus in carrying out the Great Commission

Others:
- Pray for Kailing's safety in Malaysia
- Pray for the running of the guys'/girls' meeting on the 11th December

God bless and may all have a good week ahead :-)

Study Notes From Friday BS 27 Nov

2009-12-02T01:05:00.004+08:00

The Stone, The Spiritual House and The Holy Priesthood (Bible Study, 27 Nov 2009)

Scripture taken from 1 Peter 2:4-10
(Notes courtesy of Simon)

1 Peter 2:4-10 (King James Version)

4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Stone

- The Ebenezer (Stone of Help)

1 Samuel 7:12
Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

John 7:37
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

John 6:44
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

- Being a Lively Stone

2 Kings 10:26-27
26And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.
27And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.

Joshua 4:1-7

Joshua 24:27
And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.

1 Kings 18:31-32
31And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:
32And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Colossians 3:3,4
“3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

2 Peter 1:4
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

1 Corinthians 10:4
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

- The Lifeless Stone

Habakkuk 2:19
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

- The Chief Cornerstone

Mark 12:10
And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

Ephesians 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Psalm 118:22
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

- Spiritual Service

Colossians 1:29
Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

1 Corinthians 6:17
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Romans 15:18
For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Therefore, we should be one with Christ and be empowered by him to speak the right things.

Spiritual House

- The Lord’s household is our very own bodies. It is not the physical building/temple

Ephesians 2:19-22
“19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Hebrews 10
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 3:6
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Acts 7:48
Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Acts 17:24
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

2 Corinthians 6:16
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Mark 11:15-18
“15And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
18And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.”

1 Peter 1:16
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

- Being Holy = Being set apart

Holy Priesthood – Characteristics of priests in the Old Testament

1. Priesthood is an elect privilege

Exodus 28:1
“And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.”

John 15:16
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

2. Priests are cleansed of sin

Leviticus 8:6-36 (A detailed description of the process of cleansing)

Titus 2:14
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

3. Priests are clothed for service

Psalm 132:9,16
“9Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
16I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.”

Exodus 28:31-42

Leviticus 8:7
“And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.”

4. Priests are anointed for service

Leviticus 8:12,30
“12And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
30And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.”

1 John 2:20,27
“20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

5. Priests are prepared for service

Leviticus 8:33
And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you.

6. Priests are ordained for obedience

Leviticus 10:1
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

1 Peter 2:5

7. Priests love the Word

1 Peter 2:2

Malachi 2:7
For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

8. Priests walk with God

Malachi 2:1-9
“1And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.
2If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.
3Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.
4And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
5My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.
6The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
7For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
8But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
9Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.”

9. Priests can impact sinners

Malachi 2:6

Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

10. Priests are messengers of God

Malachi 2:7

Matthew 28:19,20
“19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Priests also offer Spiritual service. In Revelation 8:3, “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne”, it shows that priests offer prayers.

“10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

May God help us to be his Holy people, the light and salt of the Earth.

campus group

2009-11-30T13:42:00.004+08:00

happy holidays!
art by kailing

But I Don't Feel Like Doing It

2009-11-15T00:05:00.003+08:00

"Did you wake up not feeling like reading your Bible and praying? How many times today have you had to battle not feeling like doing things you know would be good for you?" the author of this post says.

An interesting read. Even as we're discovering and learning together about how to glorify God, Jon Bloom shows us that to obtain great joy at the end, we must struggle through difficulties and things that are easy to obtain promise so much but deliver nothing in the end. Some examples...

Good food requires discipline to prepare and eat while junk food tends to be the most tasty, addictive, and convenient.
You have to make yourself pick up that nourishing theological book while watching a movie can feel so inviting.
You frequently have to force yourself to get to devotions and prayer while sleeping, reading the sports, and checking Facebook seems effortless.
To play beautiful music requires thousands of hours of tedious practice.
To excel in sports requires monotonous drills ad nauseum.

Click here to read more.

By the way, did you know that Tirza's post was the 365th post in Campus blog? One post for every day of the year! Yay!

He Giveth More Grace

2009-11-10T22:46:00.001+08:00

HE GIVETH MORE GRACE
Annie Johnson Flint

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase
To added affliction he addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace
When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision
Our God ever yearns His resources to share
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing
Thy Father both thee and thy load will upbear
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure
His pow’r has no boundary known to man
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Right Thinking and Right Knowing

2009-10-13T17:16:00.001+08:00

"God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him. But that satisfaction in God does not glorify him unless it is based on right thinking and right knowing. God is all-satisfying because he’s a Father who gives us everything we truly need. And that kind of deep unshakeable satisfaction in our Father causes us to value things differently than the world. Therefore, we will love our neighbors. Right thinking with right feeling changes our behavior."

John Piper, www.desiringgod.org/blog

Prayer Request List 2/10/2009

2009-10-03T23:42:00.002+08:00

Hello. This is the prayer request list taken on 2/10/2009.

1. Jon Chong
- test next Friday
- Christmas musical : good preparation
- mission trip : get a concrete plan

2. Wayne
- Extension of visitor pass which is expiring soon

3. Junming
- hopes mission will be a chance for campus to see reality of God
- motivation is to experience joy of serving.
- Sunday's Mid-Autumn festival celebration for Chinese Construction Workers Ministry

4. Geri
- Thank God that project has been submitted and one of the CAs is over

5. Alvin
- pray for interview result that will be out next Monday
- going for another interview next week

6. Andrew
- time management in juggling academics and many CCAs
- thank God for a CA that went unexpectedly well
- holiday away from Singapore next week
- health: have been sleeping very late regularly

7. Nick
- pray for his brother: SPM (O level equivalent)
- pray for his mum: comfort and strength

8. Simon
- pray for zeal to serve in CCWO
- pray for journey mercy to Las Vegas
- Pray for wisdom for project ending this month

In His Love,
Alvin Teo

"I Am Sending You Out as Sheep in the Midst of Wolves"

2009-09-26T23:54:00.001+08:00

Hey, posting this on behalf of Alvin Teo :) The following is just an extract. You can read the complete post here

Six Costs of Frontier Missions
This text powerfully speaks for itself. So let me, without too much comment, focus our attention on six costs and ten blessings of being on the frontline of frontier missions. These difficulties are the kind of thing we may expect today even if in God’s forbearance we may be spared some of them. First the costs.

1. The cost of being arrested by authorities. Verses 16-18: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.”

2. The cost of family betrayal. Verse 21: “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.” This is almost unbelievable: Fathers and children will so be so opposed to the Christian faith, they will want each other dead rather than believing.

3. The cost of being hated by all. Verse 22: “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” Be careful that you don’t elevate friendship evangelism to the point where this text makes evangelism impossible. You will be hated by all does not mean: You can’t do evangelism.

4. The cost of being persecuted and driven out of town. Verse 23: “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next.”

5. The cost of being maligned. Verse 25b: “If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” Jesus died in our place so that we might escape the wrath of God, not the wrath of man. He was called to suffer for the sake of propitiation; we are called to suffer for the sake of propagation.

6. The cost of being killed. Verse 28: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” So they can kill the body. And sometimes they do. Don’t ever elevate safety in missions to the point where you assume that if one of our missionaries is killed we have made a mistake. Jesus said plainly in Luke 21:16, “Some of you they will put to death.”

For two thousand years, thousands of missionaries—unnamed people of whom the world is not worthy—have counted this cost and put their lives at risk to reach the lost with the only message of salvation in the world. And the reason they could do this is because the blessings so outweigh the costs.

Matt 16:25 The Art of Balancing The Equation

2009-09-22T01:09:00.006+08:00

If a - b = c,
then a = b + c

That's why,

(Everything You Could Gain) - Jesus = Nothing

therefore,

Jesus + Nothing = Everything You Could Gain

(Matt 16:24-26, Phil 3:7-8)

The Cup and Praying

2009-09-13T22:12:00.002+08:00

Your presence is already a blessing :)

2009-09-10T04:42:00.003+08:00

I was talking to a Christian friend from another church today through the phone who wanted to use the band room this Friday and told him that our bible study will end around 11 plus.

He was quite surprised that it ended quite so late and asked who was coming for Bible Study. When he learned that most of you are not from hall and either come from other halls/residences and even stay off campus he was very impressed.

Just the fact that you guys come for BS every week and stay for so many hours until it ends is already a good testimony to others. Your enthusiasm shows how much this BS means to you, and how much our fellowship means!

I stay in hall and do not have to travel to BS every week. Yet sometimes I do regard it as a large chunk of time on Friday night that I have to pull out. I do take for granted the proximity of the location for myself, and that you guys will always be here week by week. Really appreciate those working and staying off campus coming to BS week after week, despite it being far off from home and having to come to NUS so late after a whole working day.

I noted that Simon has been stressed out and tired the past week, but he still diligently prepared sharing and Justin often took his turns to do so too. Their dedication many times not only fed myself with the much needed portion of grace each week through God's word, but has strengthened my faith through sound doctrine, and also showed me through their examples that no matter how busy, stressful or demanding work is, the most important thing in living is to prioritize God's work. I'm not only touched by the time they spent in preparing the sharing, but also the example they took pains to show and live out.

My friend felt encouraged by this enthusiasm you guys have shown, and said he'll be interested to join us if his church does not have cell group on Fridays (they do usually do). I'm glad we had this tele-conversation because it reminds me of what a blessing you guys have been, and how you've made our BS precious and worthwhile - just by being there :)

It's been awhile...

2009-09-07T15:32:00.005+08:00

Hello!

How's everyone? It's been awhile since our blog was updated. Hope everyone is still managing well despite the hectic workload and busy schedule! Just thought I'd drop by to share a portion of Psalm that has always been a source of encouragment and comfort for me. I hope that you too will be blessed, and that you'll continue to put your trust in God, lean on Him, and rest on His unfailing promises. :-)

"... the Lord is my helper..." Hebrews 13:6

Psalm 121:
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Campus Outreach 2009

2009-08-15T22:53:00.000+08:00

Hey all!

Details of the upcoming Campus Outreach are as follows.

Date: 15 Aug 2009 (Saturday)
Place : Botanic Gardens
Meeting Time: 430pm
Meeting Place: Bukit Timah Campus Internal Shuttle Bus Stop

You might wanna bring a change of clothes just in case it gets too hot! :p

Schedule:
4.30 – 5.00 - Interaction Time
5.00 – 5.30 - Ice Breaker
5.30 – 6.30 - Games
6.30 - 7.15 - Dinner
7.15 – 8.30 - Worship / Songs / Sharing
8.30 - 9.00 - Free time to interact

Contact Person :
Simon – 97645546
Justin - 96307344

PS: For those who can help to bring some food, do let Simon / Justin know and do invite your friends!

Campus people, let's continue to pray for the following:
- Heart preparation
- Our testimony
- The running of the whole activity
- New people to come for the outreach
- The people who are serving in the various areas
- The people who are bringing their friends
- Friends that will be coming
- Good weather
- Safety

Very importantly, let us not forget to extend our invitation to our friends.

God bless and have a good week ahead! :)

如果 If

2009-08-10T17:10:00.004+08:00

I like this song! It is very meaningful :) For those who can't understand Chinese here are the lyrics in English. (Chinese lyrics are in the MV itself.) Let me know if my translation is not accurate, I'll edit it.

If my existence is just like a shooting star in the night sky
Why do I dream of eternity
If my being here is just an accidental chance
Why do I long to be loved

Who can hear me, hear me,
Hear the crying deep in my heart
Who can tell me, tell me,
Where I can find true love.

If my existence is just like a shooting star in the night sky
Why do I dream of eternity
If my being here is just an accidental chance
Why do I long to be loved

Who can hear me, hear me,
Hear the crying deep in my heart
Who can tell me, tell me,
Where I can find true love
Please tell me.

If your existence is just like a shooting star in the night sky
I won't be waiting patiently for you
If your being here is just an accidental chance
I won't use my life to exchange for that.

Do you understand me, understand me,
My heart is bleeding because of thinking of you
Do you know me, know me,
My love towards you will never change.

Who can hear me (understand me), hear me (understand me),
The crying in my heart (my heart is bleeding for you),
Who can tell me (know me), who can tell me (know me),
Where can I find true love (my love towards you will never change)

If my life is not a temporary shooting star...

My life, you may take; my blood is yours, you may shed it

2009-08-08T13:53:00.003+08:00

The showdown came on September 3: Calvin and the church vs. the libertines and the city. The lead libertine was supposed to be in attendance. Calvin fenced the table and held his ground. Stories vary as to precisely when and how he uttered the memorable line;

“These hands you may crush; these arms you may lop off; my life you may take; my blood is yours, you may shed it. But you shall never force me to give holy things to the profaned, and dishonor the table of my God.”

Theodore Beza, Calvin’s successor in Geneva and first biographer, notes, “After this the sacred ordinance was celebrated with a profound silence, and under solemn awe in all present, as if the Deity himself had been visible among them.”

Grow in the Knowledge of God

2009-08-05T17:49:00.002+08:00

"The people that do know their God shall be strong."—Daniel 11:32.

Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. Believers are constantly spoken of in the Scriptures as being persons who are enlightened and taught of the Lord; they are said to "have an unction from the Holy One," and it is the Spirit's peculiar office to lead them into all truth, and all this for the increase and the fostering of their faith. Knowledge strengthens love, as well as faith. Knowledge opens the door, and then through that door we see our Saviour. Or, to use another similitude, knowledge paints the portrait of Jesus, and when we see that portrait then we love Him, we cannot love a Christ whom we do not know, at least, in some degree. If we know but little of the excellences of Jesus, what He has done for us, and what He is doing now, we cannot love Him much; but the more we know Him, the more we shall love Him. Knowledge also strengthens hope. How can we hope for a thing if we do not know of its existence? Hope may be the telescope, but till we receive instruction, our ignorance stands in the front of the glass, and we can see nothing whatever; knowledge removes the interposing object, and when we look through the bright optic glass we discern the glory to be revealed, and anticipate it with joyous confidence. Knowledge supplies us reasons for patience. How shall we have patience unless we know something of the sympathy of Christ, and understand the good which is to come out of the correction which our heavenly Father sends us? Nor is there one single grace of the Christian which, under God, will not be fostered and brought to perfection by holy knowledge. How important, then, is it that we should grow not only in grace, but in the "knowledge" of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Morning by Morning - Charles Spurgeon
August 4

Fake Faith?

2009-08-04T19:00:00.000+08:00

To many Christians Christ is little more than and idea, or at best an ideal; He is not a fact. Millions of professed believers talk as if He were real and act as if He were not. And always our actual position is to be discovered by the way we act, not by the way we talk.

We can prove our faith by our committal to it, and in no other way. Any belief that does not command the one who holds it is not a real belief; it is a pseudo belief only. And it might shock some of us profoundly if we were brought suddenly face to face with our beliefs and forced to test them in the fires of practical living.

Many of us Christians have become extremely skillful in arranging our lives so as to admit the truth of Christianity without being embarrassed by its implications. We arrange things so that we can get on well enough without divine aid, while at the same time ostensibly seeking it. We boast in the Lord, but watch carefully that we never get caught depending on Him.

Jeremiah 17:9 (NAS) The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?

Pseudo faith always arranges a way out to serve in case God fails. Real faith knows only one way and gladly allows itself to be stripped of any second way or makeshift substitutes. For true faith, it is either God or total collapse. And not since Adam first stood up on earth has God failed a single man or woman who trusted Him.

The man of pseudo faith will fight for his verbal creed but refuse flatly to allow himself to get into a predicament where his future must depend upon that creed being true. He always provides himself with secondary ways of escape so he will have a way out if the roof caves in.

The faith of Paul or Luther was a revolutionizing thing. It upset the whole life of the individual and made him into another person altogether. It laid hold on the life and brought it under obedience to Christ. It took up its cross and followed along after Jesus with no intention of going back. It said goodbye to it s old friends as certainly as Elijah when he stepped into the fiery chariot and went away in the whirlwind. It had a finality about it... It realigned all life's actions and brought them into accord with the will of God.

What we need very badly these days is a company of Christians who are prepared to trust God as completely now, as they must do at the last day. For each of us the time is surely coming when we shall have nothing but God! Health and wealth and friends and hiding places will all be swept away and we shall have only God. To the man of pseudo faith that is a terrifying thought, but to real faith it is on of the most comforting thoughts the heart can entertain.

It would be a tragedy indeed to come to the place where we have no other but God and find that we had not really been trusting God during the days or our earthly sojourn. It would be better to invite God now to remove every false trust, to disengage our hearts from all secret hiding places and to bring us out into the open where we can discover for ourselves whether we actually trust Him. This is a harsh cure for our troubles, it is a sure one! Gentler cures may be too weak to do the work. And time is running out on us.

~ A. W. Tozer, The Root of the Righteous ~

How can I keep from being swept away by competing philosophies at school?

2009-07-31T16:21:00.001+08:00

John Piper

I feel like I'm going to get swept away by the many competing philosophies in grad school. How do I see past them all?

Good question. Well, we're all in danger of being swept away by competing philosophies and competing viewpoints in our day. And I think the solution for the grad student is not unlike the solution for everybody else.

1) Stay in a good, worshiping, Christ-exalting, God-centered, Bible-believing church. Worship every Sunday.

I spent three years in graduate school in Germany in a very heady and, I would say, non-evangelical, often marginally believing academic atmosphere. Life to me was Friday night Bible study with real ordinary people who were wrestling with real ordinary problems and sin. And I had to live there and deal with that. They were my friends.

And then worshiping Sunday morning under the preaching of God's word at the Baptist church in Munich, Germany. That was life. That was real. That was powerful. There were things going on there.

It's when you drift away from the people of God and begin to drift away from the word of God that you become more vulnerable to things that are not true. And you can't see the folly of them anymore because you are drifting away from the context in which God means to keep you safe.

2) Be in the word everyday yourself, and plead with the Lord to help you see. Because that's what the psalmist did: "Open my eyes that I may see." This question asks, "How do you see past them?" By seeing into the word of God. "Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things out of your law."

3) Make sure you're growing—that you don't plateau at your eighth-grade Sunday-school-level understanding of the Bible—and you're dealing with graduate level challenges to the Christian faith. Keep the one growing with the other. Read substantial Christian books. Know theology.

And today, amazingly, we have a wealth of such books so that nobody has to stay at a lower level if they don't want to be.

The necklace

2009-07-22T19:29:00.000+08:00

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

'Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?'

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.

'A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you a nd in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma..'

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed.. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story.. One night as he finished the story, he a sked Jenny, 'Do you love me?'

'Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you.'

'Then give me your pearls.'

'Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me.. She's my very favorite.'

'That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night.' And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, 'Do you love me?'

'Daddy, you know I love you.'

'Then give me your pearls'

'Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.'

'That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you.'

And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style.

As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.

'What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?'

Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace . With a little quiver, she finally said, 'Here, daddy; this is for you.'

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.

He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.

God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place .

Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ

2009-07-19T19:18:00.000+08:00

"Must I be carried to the skies, on flowery beds of ease; while others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?"

The history of Christianity’s expansion proves that God’s strategy for reaching unreached peoples with the gospel includes the sufferings of his frontline heralds—the missionaries who willingly die a thousand daily deaths to advance God’s kingdom.

Indescribable: Wonders of Our God

2009-07-15T00:35:00.002+08:00

Wanted to share this video! God's creation is amazing, isn't it? And so beautiful. Scientists have never been able to find an edge to the universe, and that's our God's creation, infinite, just like He is. :)

But his Delight is in...

2009-07-13T00:20:00.002+08:00

A nice post I read from a Pastor's blog... Something all of us need as a reminder, especially: "I don't like what the Bible says about this, but I still believe it." Let's remember Psalms 1 - But his [the blessed man's] delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

~~~~~~~

I Like What The Bible Teaches
(by Kevin DeYoung)

Christians should not only believe what the Bible teaches, they should like what the Bible teaches. All Scripture is not just tolerable, but profitable and breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16).The law should be our delight (Psalm 1:2; 119:77; Rom. 7:2). We should love the commandments of God (Psalm 119:47; 1 John 5:3).

This means perfunctory obedience is not the goal. We don't want to submit to our husbands out of duty, or sacrifice for our wives because we have to do, or refrain from sex because God's a meanie and he must be listened to, but because we want to. God wants more than begrudging obedience or external conformity, he wants us to delight in the law of God in our inner being. So pay attention not just to your wills, but to your affections.

This also means that we should do away with the pseudo-spiritual language of "I don't like what the Bible says about this, but I still believe it." Poppycock. While I suppose, all things considered, its better that someone embrace complementarianism kicking and screaming rather than not at all, why are you kicking and screaming at God's word in the first place? I understand that we may all have periods of struggle where we wrestle to fully understand and embrace some element of biblical teaching. But as an indefinite attitude, begrudging acceptance is not a good option. Don't we trust that God is good? Is not the law of the Lord our delight?

Believing but not liking what the Bible says is also a common refrain when it comes to the doctrine of hell. Obviously, none of us should be gleeful to think of sinners suffering in eternal torment. After all, Paul was pretty torn up about the plight of his kinsmen according to the flesh. But anguish over the souls of the lost is different than wholesale ambivalence about the existence of hell. When we say things like "If it were up to me I wouldn't have a hell, but God's word teaches it so I believe it" we are not being extra pious, only extra insulting.

First of all, it's not about to us. It never has been and never will be, so let's get that off the table. Second, when we put things this way it sounds like we consider ourselves better than God, like we're trying to be "good cop" to God's "bad cop." Third, and most importantly, we are missing the point of hell. God is glorified in the judgment of the wicked. That's a big gulp for postmodern (or modern) ears, but it's true. Were it not for hell, God's justice would not be upheld and the glory of his name would not be vindicated. If we accept the doctrine of hell only begrudgingly, we have not learned to delight in the glory of God above all else. We have not yet learned to pray as our first and foremost request, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."

The Bible is true and the Bible is good. When we accept its truth without actually liking it, we have only come half way to mature faith. We are like kids saying "I'm sorry" while rolling our eyes, like a husband getting flowers so his wife won't be ticked, like a lover skimming through a letter from her beloved when she should be cherishing every word and every truth in her heart. Read the Bible. Believe the Bible. Delight in all that it affirms. Anything less is not good for your soul.

A While

2009-06-28T22:09:00.003+08:00

But the God of all grace,
who hath called us unto his eternal glory
by Christ Jesus,
after that ye have suffered a while,
make you perfect,
stablish, strengthen, settle you.
- 1 Pet 5:10

And so it will be that our suffering, especially that of being personally attacked by the enemy, will be for a little while... And through all this, God will establish your ways and strengthen you :)

No limbs... No worries...

2009-06-15T01:45:00.000+08:00

Sustaining Grace

2009-06-10T13:32:00.004+08:00

JM once remarked that we truly draw closer to God in time of trouble...

Not grace to bar what is not bliss,
Nor flight from all distress, but this:
The grace that orders our trouble and pain,
And then, in the darkness, is there to sustain.
~John Piper~

And so God-given Grace does not mean the absence of trouble,
but rather that this Grace is able to sustain you
in the very heat of trouble

... which makes sustaining Grace even more
marvelous and wonderful...

... which gives much more glory to God
than if we had not met with this trouble in the first place!

Now that's miracle!

Sometimes...

2009-05-26T20:40:00.002+08:00

Sometimes...

A silent blog doesn't mean no one's blogging or tagging...
But that they are furiously thinking of the next blog post...
... Right...? Right?

Wise Words from Tozer

2009-05-13T08:17:00.000+08:00

"The man who comes to a right belief about God is relieved of ten thousand temporal problems, for he sees at once that these have to do with matters which at the most cannot concern him for very long; but even if multiple burdens of time may be lifted from him, the one mighty single burden of eternity begins to press down upon him with a weight more crushing than all the woes of the world piled upon one another." - A. W. Tozer

Campus Retreat 2009

2009-05-10T22:00:00.002+08:00

Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side

Thank God for a time of spiritual feasting and recharge during the camp! I hope all of you have learnt much from the messages, workshop, sharings, devotions etc. as much as I have. Hope ya'll enjoyed the games too! Thank God for each and every one of you :)

Campus Retreat Details.

2009-05-06T23:50:00.003+08:00

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all excited and ready to come for the camp.

Do prepare yourself prayerfully that you will come with expected hearts to receive the word of God with a teacheable heart and that you desire to know God deeper in a more personal way. I am confident, God will do His work as His Word is proclaimed.

Some administrative details to note.

For those coming on first day of Camp, 8 May 2009, lets meet at 1045am, Sembawang MRT station. We have brunch before we checked in to the campsite, Boys' Brigade Camp, where is at Sembawang Beach Park. If you are coming at a later time, or later day, either Sat or Sun, take SMRT bus 882 from Sembawang bus interchange next to the MRT station.

Things to bring:

1. Bible
2. Writing materials (A camp booklet will be given for you to take notes)
3. Clothes (do include 01xset of dark clothes for games)
4. Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soup, shampoo, tissue, shaver)
5. Towel
6. EZ link card
7. Sandals/Shoes
8. Personnal medication (sun block)
9. Small amount of cash (note: all meals are provided)
10. A water bottle to hold water
11. Snacks or tidbits (if you need them to survive :p), hot water is available at camp.

If you are coming by cab or giving instructions to anyone coming, please instruct to go to Sembawang Beach Park, you will see Boys' Brigade campsite easily. It is near the sea.

Do contact me, if you have any queries from now till at camp.

See you there and may you be richly blessed at Camp.

See ya!

Simon

Thou art worthy

2009-05-04T15:17:00.002+08:00

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 5: 2- 5

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Indeed no one else is worthy. Thank God for sending Christ - the Lion and the Lamb.

Absolute idolatry. Infinite idolatry.

2009-04-30T21:22:00.003+08:00

Now, if they said, "God does believe humans are more important than He is," I would say that a Christian can't believe that. That's absolute idolatry. Infinite idolatry. Damnable idolatry.

John Piper

Campus Retreat 2009

2009-04-25T17:32:00.003+08:00

Dear All,

Exams would be soon over. Why not come to a enclave, away from the hustle and bustle of city living and immerse yourself in luscious greenery at Sembwang beach park.

This year retreat, the theme for the camp would be "Drawing Near". My desire and prayer is really for all of us to have a deeper, living, autenticate communion with our Risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

In the book of James and in Chp 4 and verses 8 to 10, James tell us to "Draw near to God and HE will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners and purify your your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up."

Salvation involves more than submitting to God and resisting the devil,; the redeemed heart longs for communion with God. We are so easily allured by the attractions of the world. My desire is that all of us will learn to have unmixed devotion to Jesus Christ. Not that this attempt of drawing near to God is anything but our own alone, but through grace and love that is demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) It echo John the apostle who proclaimed that we love because He [Christ] first love us. Jesus is near to every repenting and also seeking heart.

If you desire to know through the Word how to draw near to Christ, I invite you to come for this camp and may the powerful and living Word bring you anewed and refreshed to the throne of grace and experience for yourself the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Camp Details:

8 May to 10 May 2009
Check In:12pm, Check out:12pm

Venue: Sembawang Beach Park, Boy's Brigade Campsite
Camp Fees: $60 (include meals)

Bus: 882, Sembawang MRT/Interchange
Contact Person: Simon (Email:advencom@yahoo.com)

The rustling of coconut trees....an enclave, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

A slice of nature - flame of the forest

Surprising amazonian encounter

Flowers to behold

A rustic stretch of sandy beach

THE FACILITIES AT SEMBAWANG BOY'S BRIGADE CAMPSITE

Dining Hall

Open field

Tidy and spanky bunk

Under one roof

No Fool

2009-04-24T21:35:00.001+08:00

And since we're on the topic of being eaten alive...

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep...

... to gain that which he cannot lose."

Jim Elliot, who gave up his life to cannibals
for the sake of the Gospel.

God has a wondeful plan for your life - A quick note

2009-04-22T13:12:00.009+08:00

A quick note from Vietnam, hopes that everyone is well. Exams will be over soon,press on !!! Stress is good for character building = ) - Please pardon me if I made too many grammatical errors

Nick, Stacey and Jon had given good answers about the picture. And thanks Gail for asking. Simon had written good stuffs in the Cbox but seems abit out of point. Maybe he is not directing at the picture.

This picture is aim at people who present the gospel as the way to have a more 'wonderful and successful' life and the given reason is because God loves you. They tell you that you will do well in your life, all your problems will be solved, God will bless you because He loves you.

In doing this they present a different (sugar coated) gospel which is extremely attractive to the world.

If you tell someone, God loves you and wants you to have a fulfilling and satisfying life, He wants you to have a good job, to be healthy, to have a happy marriage, wants your kids to grow up to be good. He wants to keep you from pains, sufferings and everything bad in this life. Who do not want these? But is this Christian? Is this the Gospel?

As Nick had put it correctly, the picture is of early Christian martyrs being torn to pieces by lions because they will not deny Christ. Their hope of a 'successful and wonderful' life on earth END with their faithfulness to God.

Does God loves the Apostle Paul? He definitely does. The closeness Paul has with the God is extraordinary. And what was God's plan for Paul?

"Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." Act 9

This is not something wonderful by most people's perception.

Present the gospel and tell the person he might be torn apart by lions, his head chopped off because of his confession, would he still want Christ?

If Christ is all you want then there is no price which is too high to pay, even your life.

Redeeming the time

2009-04-19T21:16:00.004+08:00

I have just finished my jog. After months of non-activity on the track.

Reached home and saw my handphone. My colleague's dad has passed away. She has left an sms on my handphone. Just a month ago, her dad was diagnosed with kidney cancer and the cancer has spread to the liver and bone. He had trusted Christ soon after. Last week he was baptised. Today he is in paradise, in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Seems so surreal but it is reality. The strivings of life. The endless struggles of life. The torrents and waves of laments after laments,difficulties, when a lifeless state enters our body, none of these shall be of any material importance.

As I read the sms, I replied my friend to take comfort, "He is in a far better place, with Christ our Lord" Peace.

Peace indeed. The endless strivings cease. Enter now into the joy of the Lord, Christ will say to every believer. I can't fanthom how much joy and delight I must be feeling if I hear these words from Christ. When time is up. But I know if I truly desire that deepest joy and delight, I must, I must redeem the time for the day's are evil. Redeem, O love to proclaim it, redeem by the blood of the lamb.

I came across this blog which I felt so relevant to my thoughts that I thought it is of utmost necessity to share with you all.

Today, I’d like you to reflect on the gift of Time. In the KJV, Ephesians 5:15 reads “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” and then verse 16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” With the little time we have today, I’d like to hit a few high points in this last verse. Listen closely again to verse 16. The KJV translates the Greek literally here, as “Redeeming the time”. The NIV translates the same phrase as “Making the most of every opportunity”. The Greek word exagorazomenoi translated redeeming in the KJV is a compound word that combines ek(ex) “out of” with agora. The Agora was a public place where people gathered. At times, they even held trials there where it was possible that you could be plucked as a juror if you were nearby. Later, at the time of Paul’s writing, the Agora was known as the market place - a place to buy and sell, including slaves. Its connection to the buying of slaves is how this word can be translated “redeeming”. Therefore, the word in the New Testament basically means “out of the marketplace” or “to purchase out of the marketplace”. Paul is the only New Testament writer to use this word in connection with time. He uses it here in Ephesians 5:16 and also in Colossians 4:5. The Colossians verse reads, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” You can see it is used in the same way and basically means making the most of every opportunity. (Note for you Septuagint gurus - this word is also combined with time and used in Daniel 2:8 where the magicians and astrologers are trying to buy, or gain, time from the King in order to interpret his dream and avoid his threat of death if they failed.)

Our time is precious. It is extremely precious. It is probably obvious, but here are four major reasons why our time is precious.

Counting down backwards:

4. Once time is past, it can not be recovered.

3. We are uncertain of its continuance.

2. Our time is very short - it is scarce - there never seems to be enough of it. And, most importantly,

1. Our eternity depends on how we use it.

So, paraphrased in verse 16, Paul basically says ‘Buy up that time out of the marketplace and make it yours.’ It sounds a lot like Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-20 of laying up treasures for heaven - because our eternity depends upon it.

Note that Paul does not use any of these 4 specific reasons in verse 16, but he says we should redeem the time - Why?, “Because the days are evil.” Obviously, the days aren’t evil. It is referring to what happens during those days if we don’t redeem the time. The word here is the same Greek word used in the Lord’s prayer when Jesus asks God to protect us from the evil one. So don’t take this phrase lightly. Paul is basically saying that if you don’t make wise choices, then the evil one will have won. We don’t have time to delve into this aspect, but I believe it ties in with what Jeff has been talking about on Sundays in First John and the worldly system run by Satan that opposes Christ. I’ll let you consider that on your own.

“Redeeming the time” - this theme is so prevalent in the Bible.

Remember the rich man in Luke 12 who built up huge barns to store his wealth. God said to him “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Or remember the Prodigal son (in Luke 15) he was the epitome of one who wasted his time.

As you read the Bible to get your Grapes this year, you are sure to see how often this theme is presented in Jesus’ parables and stories. In the stories of The Rich Man & Lazarus, the wise & foolish builders where one built on the rock and the other the sand, the parables of the talents and the 10 virgins, just to name a few more.

Paul also uses this word for Redeeming two other times, in Galations 3:13 and 4:4. These two verses are in reference to Jesus and his redeeming us from the curse of the law. Galations 4:4 reads, ”But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” This Greek word often referred to the purchase of a slave out of the market place. I think here in Galations, Paul is trying to emphasize that we are no longer slaves and have been purchased with the blood of Christ.

Finally, as we finish up, here are three quick areas to focus on to help you with improving your time. I’m using the acronym son, S-O-N, to help you remember these three things.

S - Spiritual time: Ephesians 5:18-21 follows with Paul describing how we should be filled with spiritual things such as singing, praying and submitting to God. It should come as no surprise, as we know Jesus spent much of his time in solitude and in prayer to his Father.

O - Opportunities: Look for opportunities, make the most of your time. Ephesians 5:17 says to Understand what the Lord’s will is. Study, pray, meet with the saints. These will help you to make wise choices of your time. S - Spiritual time; O - Opportunities and

N - N stands for Now. There is no time like the present.

If any of you have delayed or are just hesitant to make a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, my dear brother or sister, Now is the time to act. If you have a need to ask God for forgiveness or to make better use of your time, or if you believe, and want to repent, confess and be buried in baptism, to be redeemed by Jesus’ precious blood and be God’s child forever - for all eternity, then please do not wait another moment. Buy up the time - today!

(Adapted from http://www.lcocebs.com/redeeming-the-time/)

God has a wonderful plan for your life

2009-04-19T17:20:00.002+08:00

"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time" -Ecclesiastes 3:11

2009-04-14T12:59:00.002+08:00

In His time, in His time,
He makes all thing beautiful in His time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing, in Your time.

In Your time, in Your time,
You make all thing beautiful in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing, in Your time.

Was listening to hymns, and this old hymn came to my mind.
I learnt this hymn in primary school, and you never really think much of anything at that time.
but as life unfolds, i realise everything happens for a reason
He makes all things beautiful in His time
He really does. As long as you walk by faith with Him.
To those who are discouraged, and hurt
take heart

Special Report: Mr J & Mr A Say...

2009-04-06T19:15:00.006+08:00

Today, on GLCC Campus News we have 2 special guests who wish to express their heart-felt thoughts!

J: Hmmm... I wonder when I'll see every one again...
A: What do you mean...?
J: (looking forlorn) ... Well... I miss all the RH pple, KE pple...
A: I see, I see.
J: Also, pple not living in hall like the 2 Alvins and Weitse... Haiz... Even IkeIke
A: Ya, even though we see each other in RH, it's different during BS...
J: Cheer up! Exams are ending soon!
A: Yeah... Then we can go eat supper!!! Yeah!

So for every one taking exams, clearing assignments
or are just busy,

Press On!
We'll see each other soon!

(Disclaimer: Any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, is entirely "coincidental". The author of this post "incidentally" found the picture on the Net)

Prelude

2009-04-04T19:27:00.006+08:00

In the morning I wake up to see a panaroma of beauty, who will my heart praise?

How much time does the devil has to work on you?

2009-03-28T11:27:00.005+08:00

Then hath the tempter come upon me, also, with such discouragements as these: You are very hot for mercy, but I will cool you; this frame shall not last always: many have been as hot as you for a spurt, but I have quenched their zeal (and with this, such and such, who were fallen off, would be set before mine eyes). Then I should be afraid that I should do so too: But, thought I, I am glad this comes into my mind: well, I will watch, and take what care I can.

Though you do, said Satan, I shall be too hard for you; I will cool you insensibly, by degrees, by little and little. What care I, saith he, though I be seven years in chilling your heart,if I can do it at last? Continual rocking will lull a crying child asleep: I will ply it close, but I will have my end accomplished. Though you be burning hot at present, I can pull you from this fire; I shall have you cold before it be long.

- John Bunyan ~ Grace abounding to the chief of sinners

The devil has all of your life time to work on you. This life is a battle till the end. No shortcut, no holiday, no retreat.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" - 2 Timothy 4:7

Doubt, Your Worst Enemy

2009-03-23T23:46:00.000+08:00

An excerpt from Spurgeon's sermon: Faith's Dawn and its Clouds... Doubt is indeed not a virtue...

"Too many in the church of God regard unbelief as if it were a calamity commanding sympathy, rather than a fault demanding censure as well. . . . Doubts are among the worst enemies of your souls. Do not entertain them. Do not treat them as though they were poor forlorn travelers to be hospitably entertained, but as rogues and vagabonds to be chased from thy door. Fight them, slay them, and pray God to help thee to kill them, and bury them, and not even to leave a bone or a piece of a bone of a doubt above ground. Doubting and unbelief are to be abhorred, and to be confessed with tears as sins before God. We need pardon for doubting as much as for blasphemy. We ought no more to excuse doubting than lying, for doubting slanders God and makes him a liar."

The Three Trees

2009-03-18T01:43:00.003+08:00

This post is especially to encourage Bro. Alvin Teo, who is troubled lately. :) Hope the story helps.

Once upon a mountaintop, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars twinkling like diamonds above him. “I want to hold treasure,” he said. “I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I will be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world.”

The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. “I want to be a strong sailing ship,” he said. “I want to travel mighty waters and carry powerful kings. I will be the strongest ship in the world!”

The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and busy women worked in a busy town. “I don’t want to leave this mountaintop at all,” she said. “I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me they will raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world!” Years passed. The rains came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain.

The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, “This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell.

“Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest,” thought the first tree. “I shall hold wonderful treasure.” The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, “This tree is strong. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell.

“Now I shall sail mighty waters,” thought the second tree. “I shall be a strong ship fit for kings!” The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven.

But the woodcutter never even looked up. “Any kind of tree will do for me,” he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.

The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought him to the carpenter’s shop, but the busy carpenter was not thinking about treasure chests. Instead his work-worn hands fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold or filled with treasure. He was coated with sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.

The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took him to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ships were being made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. Too small and too weak to sail on an ocean or even a river, he was taken to a little lake. Every day he brought in loads of dead, smelly fish.

The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. “What happened?” the once tall tree wondered. “All I ever wanted to do was to stay on the mountaintop and point to God.”

Many, many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box.

I wish I could make a cradle for him,” her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. “This manger is beautiful,” she said.

And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world. One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out onto the lake.

Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. He knew he did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, “Peace.” The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun.

And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth. One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry, jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man’s hands to her.

She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.

But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God’s love had changed everything.

It had made the first tree beautiful.

It had made the second tree strong.

And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

Dear brothers and sisters. This is one of my favorite stories! I've been thinking of how to encourage Alvin for quite a long while, and just now this came to me. I think some of you may have read this story before. But one thing most sources failed to comment on, but has always struck me many times when I read this is how the three trees waited before God's good work was done on them and their dreams were fulfilled.

No, they did not choose to wait. They waited because God chose for them to wait. They never knew what was going to happen. To all of them their dreams were crushed. But then, when they never expected it, Jesus came into their lives, and changed them. They were different since then, and forever after, because Jesus came in.

Nobody ever told what life was like for the trees when they had to wait. But you can think of it in terms of Abraham and Sarah wanting a son of their own, and Issac never came, not even when Sarah went beyond childbirth. God changed Abraham's name from Abram (exalted father/high father) to Abraham (Father of Nations/Many). Sarah's name was changed from Sarai to Sarah (princess). Sarai signifies my princess, as if her honor were confined to one family only: Sarah signifies a princess, viz. of multitudes.

Imagine this senario:

God: Abram, it's time to change your name.

Abraham: Yes Lord. (Thinks: Yup, it's about time, seeing that my wife is going to pass the age of childbirth and I am childless... to be called 'exalted father' is weird...)

God: You shall be named Abraham, Father of Nations. ...

Abraham: ...

Even after God named Abraham, he did not have Issac till Sarah was too old to give birth. Then only God gave Abraham a son.

Jesus never went to Lazarus even though He could have done it earlier. He waited and lingered till Lazarus died, so that God can have the full glory when Lazarus rose again.

God didn't grant the trees' their wishes at once. He waited, so that they could have the better of His glory, and more importantly, know that the glory came from Him. Jesus did not get to heaven in a glimpse of an eye when He came down to save us. He had to wait for 33 years, endure 33 years of the hardship of human life, ending with the most difficult week ever. And the way He waited, was fruitful.

God is going to give Alvin the best. That's why for now, Alvin must wait, though Alvin cannot see what is ahead. But through the lives of men and women in the Bible, God has already given you a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. But as you're walking towards the tunnel, mark the journey along the way and not let it come to waste. The trees could have rotten away and given up half way because they were bored of what they were doing. Then, they would not have experienced the full glory of God.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. - 1 Cor 10:13

One thing to hold on to is Jesus knows your limits. God will not let you bear what is beyond you. If you're still being tested, it's because God knows that you're capable of taking it, and capable of overcoming :)

I know some things are easier said than to go through myself, and I may not understand at this point of time, simply because I'm not you. Still, as you go through this, we'll be around to pray for you and support you. Take care and jiayou! At the end, you'll understand why. And remember, God's love for you is not just demonstrated by what He's going to do in your life soon. It's already demonstrated by what He did on the cross. God loves you, in the past, in the present and in the future. No matter what happens. :)

Day By Day

2009-03-16T16:32:00.002+08:00

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

What Kind of Confession Do You Make?

2009-03-11T22:00:00.000+08:00

Seen on one of teampyro's posts... As a follow-up from JM's post...

"The Confession of Christ", a sermon preached on March 21st, 1868 by Charles Spurgeon.

There is no true confession where there is not a changed spirit and a transformed life, or rather the confession is such as shall suffice to condemn the man out of his own mouth, and send him out from God's presence a revealed pretender.

My dear brethren and sisters in Christ, you members of this church, I ask you to put it to your consciences: Do you confess Christ in your business? You working men, do you confess my Lord and Master by fleeing those vicious and evil habits that are so common among your class? Are you no longer the lover of the lewd song? Do you no longer laugh over the indecent story, or the one that covers vile language? Have you foresworn the tavern, and all the company that frequents it? And you merchants, and you that call yourselves ladies and gentlemen, have you given up those frivolities, those empty vanities, those time murderers, those souldestroyers, of which the most of your class are so fond?

If grace does not make you to differ from your own surroundings, is it really grace at all? Where there is not a thorough separation from the world, there is cause to fear there is no close union to Christ.

The best part of our confession to Christ lies in the practically giving up everything which Christ would not sanction, and the following out of whatever Christ would ordain.

How should we respond to inappropriate humor?

2009-03-09T14:19:00.001+08:00

By John Piper

How should we respond to inappropriate humor?

I hate to be in a situation where something you think is offensive or dishonoring to the Lord happens, and everybody else is laughing except for you. And their only category for you is that you're a dud.

I think it's right for you not to laugh with them. Something that dishonors the Lord shouldn't suck us in. The answer is that, hopefully, they know you in a wider context and recognize that you're not a dud. They know that you're full of laughter, joy, service and love to people, and so they understand that you aren't just being a dud or trying to make the rest of them feel bad.

Instead they know deep down what is going on with you. Or you might even say what is going on, and in a non-condemning way, like, "I love the Lord so much, and I just don't want to treat him so lightly." You can say it with a smile on your face. And they might or might not get it. But later, if they see you loving people and being joyful in the other parts of your life, then I don't think that it will have ruined your witness.

I went to a musical not too long ago, and it was all built upon a biblical theme, and it was all painfully light-hearted and ignored all the main points of the text. I found it burdensome to watch. I wouldn't encourage us to tell stories or jokes about precious things that make it hard to treat them as precious.

I could give you illustrations right now of jokes that have been made out of biblical phrases. But I'm not going to do it, because, if a person hasn't heard them, I wouldn't want to lodge them in their minds like they've been lodged in mine for the last forty years. Even today I have to do a double-take over those phrases. I have to hear the silly use that's been made of them and then I have to stop and say, "This is one of the most precious phrases in the Bible! I'm not going to go there." And I'm not going to put them in peoples' heads through this radio program.

I would just encourage people to not participate in that. If somebody is saying really clever things about baptism, the blood of Jesus, or speaking in tongues and everything is just funny funny, just don't go there. Creatively steer the conversation on to something joyful.

What if the humor is coming from other Christians?

We live in such a media, entertainment-saturated age that, I would say, the typical worship service in America today makes light of Jesus. I've been listening to six lectures on the internet recently on serious biblical exposition from the Old Testament, and there is constant humor being interjected that is of a trivializing kind. I would say that this is typical.

It is very unusual to go to a church and find a joyfully serious sermon where there isn't some effort to lighten the moment with a silly little comment about this or that. It's just typical for people to use humor in a trivializing way so that it degenerates from what Spurgeon called the robust belly laugh of something that is truly funny to the levity of trivializing holy things.

But Remember the Former Days...

2009-03-02T23:01:00.022+08:00

Heb 10:32-39

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock* both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

For yet, a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Heb 11:1-3

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith
we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,
so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

(*Gazingstock: A person or thing gazed at with scorn or abhorence; an object of curiosity or contempt.)

Though the world may scoff at this faith that was given by God, as they profess themselves to be "wise", may God continue to preserve us and help us not to cast away our confidence in God's promises. Not that we are better by our ownselves or stand on a higher moral plane than others by our own efforts; for we are all the same: Sinners in the eyes of an awesome God.

But... That we should claim the promises of God and perservere! For He is coming again and there is no time to waste.

2009-02-28T21:38:00.004+08:00

Blessed Birthday, Kailing!
May you continue to put your faith and trust in God!

GLCC Lou Sang

2009-02-24T09:22:00.002+08:00

Not sure if you have seen this...

Let Us Draw Near to God

2009-02-24T01:02:00.003+08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I read this sermon from John Piper with great interest.

Drawn from the text, Hebrews 10:19-22 ,"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

I have reproduce the exerpt of the concluding paragraph of the sermon below for your reading. The great aim of the Hebrew writer is that we get near God, that we have fellowship with him, that we not settle for a Christian life at a distance from God, that God not be a distant thought, but a near and present reality, that we experience what the old Puritans called communion with God.

It was a dear cost on God for His son to die on the cross that we will draw near to God. Surely drawing near is the desire of God. I hope you will take time to read the exerpt below. Better still the whole sermon, the link is at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1997/990_Let_Us_Draw_Near_to_God/

The Example of John Owen, a Puritan

I mentioned earlier that the old Puritans called this drawing near "common with God." We need to learn from them. J.I. Packer says that the Puritans differ from evangelicals today because, with them: communion with God was a great thing; to evangelicals today it is a comparatively small thing. The Puritans were concerned about communion with God in a way we are not. The measure of our unconcern is the little that we say about it. When Christians meet, they talk to each other about their Christian work and Christian interests, their Christian acquaintances, the state of the churches, and the problems of theology - but rarely of their daily experience of God.

According to Packer the greatest of the Puritans was John Owen. Owen's experience of communion with God is a great example for us. God saw to it that Owen and the suffering Puritans of his day lived closer to God and sought after communion with God more earnestly than we. Writing a letter during an illness in 1674 he said to a friend, "Christ is our best friend, and ere long will be our only friend. I pray God with all my heart that I may be weary of everything else but converse and communion with Him." God used illness and all the other pressures of Owen's life to drive him into communion with God and not away from it.

But Owen was also very intentional about his communion with God. He said, "Friendship is most maintained and kept up by visits; and these, the more free and less occasioned by urgent business . . ." In other words, in the midst of all his academic and political and ecclesiastical labors, he made many visits to God.

And when he went, he did not just go with petitions for things or even for deliverance in his many hardships. He went to see his glorious friend and to contemplate his greatness. The last book he wrote - he was finishing it as he died - is called Meditations on the Glory of Christ. That says a great deal about the focus and outcome of Owen's life. In it he said, The revelation . . . of Christ . . . deserves the severest of our thoughts, the best of our meditations and our utmost diligence in them. . . . What better preparation can there be for [our future enjoyment of the glory of Christ] than in a constant previous contemplation of that glory in the revelation that is made in the Gospel.

The contemplation Owen has in mind is made up of at least two things: on the one hand there is what he called his "severest thoughts" and "best meditations" or in another place "assiduous meditations," and on the other hand relentless prayer. The two are illustrated in his work on Hebrews. One of his greatest achievements was his seven-volume commentary on Hebrews. When he finished it near the end of his life, he said, "Now my work is done: it is time for me to die." How did he do it? We get a glimpse from the preface:

I must now say, that, after all my searching and reading, prayer and assiduous meditation have been my only resort, and by far the most useful means of light and assistance. By these have my thoughts been freed from many an entanglement."

Thus Owen drew near to God by prayer and assiduous meditation and found light and freedom. In this way his was a zeal to draw near that accords with knowledge. This is the kind of zeal that we want. This is the sweet personal knowledge that keeps the zeal in bounds and makes it burn the more brightly. With this knowledge and zeal let us draw near day by day and hour by hour.

Your Brother in Christ,
Simon

Thanksgiving

2009-02-04T12:36:00.003+08:00

Hey guys,

Thank God for each of you who prayed for my project. Thanks for having the needs of others in your thoughts and prayers.

Got substaintive results to write the report. Thank God that can submit on time. Do continue to pray for the journey ahead.

Continue to pray. There is much need, much grace is needed.

Psalm 62:11 says, "God has spoken once,Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God."

Thank God for the power of praying people. God rejoice in the people who prays. Praying for you all too. :)

Thanks Jon for posting up the prayer needs. Great list.

A Prayer For Failed Experiments, Deadlines & Interviews

2009-02-01T19:57:00.003+08:00

Hey Brothers & Sisters,

Please remember...

Our Kungfu Panda Simon in prayer as he finishes up his experiments for the deadline on Tues; a report must be churned out and for it to be churned out, experiment results have to be favourable.
Also, Mr Wayne for his failed experiments too
AlvinT going for interview on Thurs
Those with assignment deadlines to meet: e.g. Tirza, Kailing
Those who are unwell: Stacey's voice, Irene's cousin with leukemia

If ya need prayer request for this week just add on to the list! Haha, sorry I'm getting old and my memory is failing me... =( [So maybe I've gotta pray for a good memory too! haha]

Emergency Numbers

2009-01-26T14:02:00.003+08:00

Hello people! Blessed Niu Year to all! Here's something to share with you all during this holiday.

When ever worry, doubt or fear attack you, try these Emergency Numbers:
When in sorrow.............................call JOHN 14
When men fail you........................call PSALM 27
When you have sinned..................call PSALM 51
When you worry............................call MATTHEW 6:19-43
When you are in danger.................call PSALM 91
When God seems far away............call PSALM 91
When your faith needs help............call HEBREWS 11
When you are lonely and fearful......call PSALM 23
When you are bitter.......................call 1 COR 13
For Paul's secret to happiness....... call COL 3:12-17
When you feel down & out............. call ROMANS 8:31
When you want peace & rest......... call MATT 11:25-30
When you travel.............................call PSALM 121
When you want courage.................call JOSHUA 1
To get along with others..................call ROMANS 12
If you are depressed.......................call PSALM 27
If you pocketbook is empty.............call PSALM 37
If you lose confidence in people.......call 1 COR 13
If people seem unkind.....................call JOHN 15
Discouraged about work..................call PSALM 126

Alternate Numbers:
For dealing with fear........................call PSALM 34:7
For security....................................call PSALM 121:3
For assurance.................................call MARK 8:35
For reassurance..............................call PSALM 145:18

These Emergency Numbers may be dialed direct, nooperator assistance is ever needed, neither is a phone!All lines to Heaven are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week! Remember if you feed your faith, all worry, doubt and fear will starve to death!

Prayer Request Update

2009-01-21T19:22:00.002+08:00

From GLCC (& Simon's) SMS Service...

Thank God. The team is well. No serious injury so far. Only sister May had fractured wrist. Surgery last night went well. Nerve intact. Wound relatively clean. Tendon damaged but repaired. Appreciate all your prayers. Pastor Jason.

Continue praying for them for good recovery!

Please Pray!

2009-01-20T15:52:00.002+08:00

From Glcc SMS...

Pastor Paul and team in Batam met with car accident today. Tyre burst. Car overturned a few times. Pray for Sis May, Kay Hong's wife, with deep cut on wrist. Nerves may be cut. Pak Yohannes feels breathless and Pastor Sam giddy. At medical facility now. Please pray.

From Pastor Jason.

Urgent prayer request! God is in control =)

Run in the rain!

2009-01-19T11:00:00.002+08:00

Hi people, the following post is from Alvin Teo. Have a blessed week ahead! ^^

And Jesus Christ said; WHOEVER HUMBLES HIMSELF AS A LITTLE CHILD IS THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. ( MATTHEW 18:4 *NKJV )

The story below is a little long, but it’s worth reading. It touched my heart as I was reading it.

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt
and dust of the World. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said."What?" Mom asked.

"Let's run through the rain!" She repeated.

"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,"

"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"

"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"

Now the entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked.
But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories every day. To Everything There Is A Season And A Time To Every Purpose Under Heaven! ( Ecclesiastes 3:1 )

Now they say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. So, take the time to keep in touch with your friends, you never know when you'll need each other -- and don't ever forget "to run in the rain!"

2009-01-10T23:31:00.002+08:00

Hey people,
Posting this up on behalf of Alvin Teo. He'd like to share the following which he has received through his email. Thanks Alvin!

It is written; "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU; IT IS IN YOUR
MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART," THAT IS, THE WORD
OF FAITH WE ARE PROCLAIMING. ( ROMANS 10:8 )
FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND ACTIVE.
SHARPER THAN ANY DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD.
( HEBREWS 4:12 )

Therefore let us take a look at a message that I
received recently. It is a poem that I hope you will enjoy
called.......
The Holy Alphabet

A-lthough things are not perfect
B-ecause of trial or pain
C-ontinue in thanksgiving
D-o not begin to blame

E-ven when the times are hard
F-ierce winds are bound to blow
G-od is forever able
H-old on to what you know

I-magine life without His love
J-oy would cease to be
K-eep thanking Him for all the things
L-ove imparts to thee

M-ove out of "Camp Complaining"
N-o weapon that is known
O-n earth can yield the power
P-raise can do alone

Q-uit looking at the future
R-edeem the time at hand
S-tart every day with worship
T-o "thank" is a command

U-ntil we see Him coming
V-ictorious in the sky
W-e'll run the race with gratitude
X-alting God most high

Y-es, there'll be good times and yes some
will be bad, but...
Z-ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

In closing, always remember the shortest distance
between a problem and a solution is the distance between your
knees and the floor. For the one who kneels to the Lord can
stand up to anything! Amen.

All My Love & Prayers,
Pastor Allen

Raffles hall dinner :)

2009-01-10T23:20:00.004+08:00

Simple fare it was supposed to be but it turned out more sumptuous than we realised.

Amazing gathering of famous cooks. One from HongKong (Wayne)and the other from Sibu, Malaysia (Andrew). With 2 great chefs and a few good ladies (Tirza, Gail, Alicia and Jill)...the storm brewed but eventually subsided to bring us to food paradise archipelago.

The islands consists of Oriental Soup (yummy 5 stars), Song Fish in HK sauce (yummy 5 stars), Mixed vegetables (smell chao tar but the eventual taste is out of this world..yummy 5 stars), egg minced pork (no grading..too good) and chilli crabs (local product)

The pictures tell a thousand words. Tirza was amazing. You know why she made the victory sign...guess? The picture does tell a story! Haha.

Thank God for a great time together :)

The storm.....

The Archipelaggo

The Islanders

Natural sights and wonders of the islands

Tropical Monsoon

CNN reports

Victory

GLCC Sports...

2009-01-10T00:25:00.002+08:00

Looky at sister Kling flexing her....talents... :-)

the hard part...

2009-01-06T16:40:00.001+08:00

It's not easy to tell someone he's going to hell. It's also not easy to get enough courage to tell a friend she needs to trust Jesus. Adding on... it's not easy to interrupt someone's life to let that person know he's a sinner.

It's a tough job. But if we think witnessing is difficult, we should remind ourselves that Jesus didn't ask us to do the really hard part of salvation. All He asked us to do was to go into all the world and tell people what He did.

He already did the hard part... He stood before a mocking court and allowed His perfect name to be slandered and scorned. He felt the sharp points as His accusers shoved a crown of thorns on His head. His muscles burned as He carried the crossbeam up Golgotha's hill. He felt the excruciating pain as spikes were driven into His hands and feet. His body was wracked with pain when He was hoisted skyward on the cross. And worst of all... Jesus felt the heartbreaking pain of rejection when God turned away from Him as He bore the weight of the punishment for our sin.

"My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?" (Matthew 27:46). The piercing cry echoed off the rocks of the Place of the Skull and died away in the darkness of that sad, black day. As those haunting words faded, new ones escaped His parched lips. In triumph, He cried out... "It is finished" (Mark 15:37) and He bowed His head and died. Jesus took our sin on ... Himself...

Because Jesus willingly suffered the death we should have experienced, we who have accepted His gift of salvation have been set free. That leaves us with one important thing we must do. Tell others. Remember... He has already done the hard part.

by Dave Branon

2009-01-03T03:26:00.001+08:00

Hey guys, here's the video we watched in Weitse's house. Blessed New Year :)

New Year 2009

2009-01-01T23:33:00.002+08:00

Welcome to GLCC Campus Old Folks Home. This place is a fully equipped home for the elderly. As you can see from the following video clip. The old folks are never too old to pick up music!!! Enjoy...

JM's Birthday Celebration 2

2009-01-01T22:35:00.001+08:00

2 short video clips... enjoy...

Blessed Birthday, Bro!

2008-12-27T21:47:00.005+08:00

Hmm... who has turned another year older??!

Oh! It's Jun Ming!

Eyeing on the delicious food?

Group Photo! Poor Alvin Teo

People from the "bride's" side

People from the "groom's" side

Blessed Birthday Jun Ming! Thank God for keeping you through yet another year, and thank you for being a constant encouragement and blessing to the Campus Ministry! :)

Ending off with this verse for you.

John 14:26,27
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Narrow Is The Gate

2008-12-22T10:00:00.002+08:00

So what does it mean to be saved?

Let's train to run!

2008-12-20T15:26:00.002+08:00

Extracted from 'Our Daily Journal (ODJ)' from RBC Ministries

Friday December 19

Training to Run
1 Timothy 4:6 - 16

Sweat. Time. Effort. Feeling the burn of your muscles. Staying focused when you want to give up. Pushing until you can't give any more. Physical exercise means being tested beyond what is comfortable in order to build strength.

Spiritual exercise is no different. But the benefits are far greater than any workout routine we put our bodies through (1 Timothy 4:8). In 1 Timothy 4:7, Paul essentially tells Timothy to "spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness." It takes effort.

As we think about heading into the spirtual gym, we need to know that exercising our spirit is more than simply going through the motions of prayer, Bible study, and fasting. True spiritual training takes place only when our hearts are open before God.

We need to ask ourselves if we really trust Him as our trainer. To desire to be a great athlete without being willing to be trained, to practice, or to be corrected is pointless. Our desire simply becomes empty words.

Are we willing to take on a challenge? Are we willing to allow God to push us until our spiritual muscles burn? Are we willing for Him to show us the weak places in our lives so that - in those weaknesses- His strength can be made complete?

The decision to train isn't something we enter into lightly. But when our hearts desire Him, things such as focus (vs 13), total commitment (vs 15), and discipline (vs 16) are possible.

Disciples of Jesus shouldn't be casual followers. They aren't designed to walk by the spiritual weight room and simply wish they were in better shape. They are people who seek God and give Him their all - Regina Franklin

Question to ponder:
What is the difference between trying to run a race, and training to run? How can spiritual challenges make us stronger disciples?

How a 13-year old Girl Makes A Glad Dad

2008-12-20T09:00:00.000+08:00

Haha, this is from a post on John Piper's Website desiringgod.org... It's really cute... Haha, now sisters, I don't mean anything towards you, but there is a lot of truth in it =)

I wrote to my 13-year-old daughter (who is attending a funeral with her mom in Georgia) that the new "signature" at the bottom of her emails has made this dad very glad. It says,

"A girl should get so lost in God, that a guy has to seek God to find her!" ~ Dannah Gresh, author.

Interesting, no? ;)

Is Your Relationship Just A Tattered Card?

2008-12-17T22:17:00.002+08:00

A timely reminder to us all, I believe =)

What is our relationship worth today?

The Library of Many Books

2008-12-16T00:20:00.002+08:00

The City of Meows

2008-12-08T14:28:00.030+08:00

Special thanks to Irene's parent, Jocelyn and family, Geri and our main tour guide Rachel =)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Our legs (Guess whose legs are not here?)

The Buildings

Geri's new palace

Geri's hut

Geri's pet T rex

Geri's backyard

Geri's pet eagle

The Foods

You don't get this in Singapore. Delicious ...

Yes, Rachel is going to finish all 3 bowls

You don't get to experience this in Singapore. In Kuching, the girls are the drivers = )

Don't be deceived by the smile on Justin's face, he is paralyzed with fear by Rac's superb driving skills; crossing red lights, entering into yellow boxes, driving at 250 km/hr in a Perodua.

The illegal parking coupons Joc has are thicker than your textbooks.

What really matters - The PEOPLE !!! = )

The Jos sisters = )

Thank - OUR - Lord for this trip =)

To Be Like Jesus

2008-12-08T00:00:00.001+08:00

Here's a nice song to last you through the hols =) Gotta love the simple guitar arrangement and harmonics at the end! =P Take care every one!

Loving one another in the family of Christ

2008-12-02T09:53:00.002+08:00

you know everyone is not perfect
and i too have many to confess to God
i am very happy i have people to constantly correct me and praying for me
that i may make changes to my life
but there is one thing i learnt from all these
all that i heard around me recently ( in and outside of campus ministry)
is that
people are geared to judge ( inclusive of me that is)
not that pointing out mistakes are wrong
but to judge and to discriminate and to exclude because he/she is different from before, or he/she is not someone we can accept easily, or he/she just does not uphold the ( cultural) beliefs that we do

and i realise we do not always judge based on biblical basis
but more so for our own comfort, and our own routine
that if someone was not in line with us (behaviorial/attitude wise), we would tend to start gossiping and start avoiding the person

but Jesus loved the sinners too
although sin was definitely not tolerated

i too, am part of that " judging" crew
but i know i am not fit to be a judge of others

so i feel i should say this
if there is anything that you are not happy with in your spiritual family( or even in your own family) communication is the key
and also
YOU/ I / We cannot change anything. Only God can, in His time
and also never underestimate the power of prayer
ultimately God created us to be unique and different. dont be irritated. but show constant love to each other. in and outside of the ministry
and for my brothers and sisters who have shown concern for me and have rebuked me
i am more than thankful for their love

Post Exam BBQ Dinner

2008-12-01T09:46:00.005+08:00

Dear Folks,

The exams are over...the mind and body needs a recharge...and a good dinner would be good....

On behalf of no_pets_allowed@hotmail.com and operator for 1800_campusdinner,
would 5th Dec 08, 8pm be ok for the good old BBQ?

Venue would be KE hall. Lets meet at PGP bus terminal at 750pm?

Please let Chew Wei know whether you would be coming by this thursday, 4th Dec, so that we know how much food to prepare? ( chewy: 93707475)

All are welcome. Do invite your friends if you like to.

p.s. for those who cannot join us, dont worry. we'll have another dinner before CNY next yr!
safe trip home people =) and God bless

Wartime Empathy

2008-11-30T20:45:00.000+08:00

By John Piper March 18, 1985

Uriah the Hittite

My lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field; shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.

Watchman Nee

Watchman Nee was arrested in China by the Communists April 10, 1952. He died in prison June 1, 1972. His wife, Charity, had been allowed to see him only periodically. She died in 1971. The Communists offered to let friends in the West ransom Nee from prison if he would leave the country. He refused, and like Uriah said,

Why should I use my privilege and secure freedom when thousands of my fellow-believers are suffering without hope of deliverance? I have taught the Word and left behind the written messages; now I must live that Word and not desert my God-appointed post.

The Saints at Bethlehem

Could Uriah really help Joab at the front lines by keeping vigil in Jerusalem? Why not go in to his wife? Why not eat and drink? Why not relax? The battle is far away.

Could Watchman Nee really help the church in China by staying in prison? Isn't it an injustice to his wife to refuse release? Would there not have been a new ministry in another more comfortable country?

Perhaps. Or could it be that we efficient Americans could learn something very deep about the power and honor of wartime empathy? About keeping vigil 8,000 miles away? About “pointless” self-denial for the sake of distant soldiers?

Noël and I have braced ourselves to keep vigil for you.

Just where are the front lines?

Pastor John

2008-11-27T17:49:00.002+08:00

regarding the date, please email me the date/dates you CAN make it for the dinner
within december 1 - december 10
so tell me which day(s) work for you
my email is
no_pets_allowed@hotmail.com

p.s. for those leaving singapore, do tell me when you are returning, in case we cannot fit the date in btwn 1- 10th, we might settle for a date suitable for you too =)))

campus dinner

2008-11-27T09:45:00.004+08:00

hihi everyone

i propose a steamboat dinner for CAMPUS at church building after the exam period

who is in favor?

Alternatively we can have a bbq. or potluck

suggestions welcomed

please dial 1800-campusdinner for more information. our operators will assist you accordingly. terms and conditions apply

p.s. operators work by positive thinking. good imagination would attain better customer service

Exam Timetable

2008-11-26T23:59:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone, below is the exam table for those taking their exams. Please keep them in prayer. If you like to post your exams up to keep you in prayer, do email me @ advencom@yahoo.com. God bless!

Stacey
21st November - Contemporary Literature
24th November - Science Fiction
25th November - Forensic Science
26th November - SEA Literature

Geri
22nd November - Pharmaceutical Analysis I
24th November - Japanese 2
26th November - Foundation in Effective Communication
28th November - Dosage Form Design I
2nd December - Pharmacostatistics

Gail
24th November - Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
26th November - Fluid Mechanics
1st December - Government and Politics in Singapore
2nd December - Fundamentals to Biochemistry
3rd December - Organic Chemistry for Engineers

Jon Tan
26th November - Engineering Electromagnetics
27th November - Semiconductor Physics
28th November - Electronics
1st December - Principles of Marketing
2nd December - Uncertainty in Statistics

Ying Xiang
27th November - Principles of Property Law
1st December - Company Law

Nick
25th November - Mechanics of Machines
28th November - Mechanics of Solids
2nd December - Heat Transfer

Andrew
24th November - Maths
25th November - Chemistry/Financial Accounting (2 papers on 1 day)
26th November - Critical Thinking And Writing (English)
28th November - History of Singapore and the evolution of Singapore from olden day to today

JonC
5th December - End of Posting Test
Somewhere in January - Patho Exam
(It never ends... -_-""")

Kling, AlvinTeo, JM, Justin, Chewy, Alex, Simon
...No exam... (Haiz haiz haiz)

The Hidden Smile of God, p. 168

2008-11-22T23:15:00.000+08:00

How shall entertaining worship services – with the aim of feeling light hearted and friendly – help a person prepare to suffer, let alone prepare to die?

—John Piper, The Hidden Smile of God, p. 168

JM's Able to Sing He's Able

2008-11-19T14:52:00.001+08:00

Give a round of applause for JM! He's the man!

The Chastisement of God

2008-11-15T12:00:00.004+08:00

Hey bros and sistas! =) Found this quote on a classmate's email as a signature at the end... I believe it really sums up whatever God has been teaching our family about chastisement over the past few months...

God has no pleasure in afflicting us,
but He will not keep back even the most painful chastisement if He can by thereby guide His beloved child to come home and abide in the beloved Son.
~Andrew Murray

Wow, the Father loved us so much, that He would not even hold back something that would hurt both us and Himself, just so that we would be able to enjoy the greatest joy that can only be found in Him!

Many times, when chastisement comes knocking on the door of our lives, we turn to God and think that He somehow has pleasure in this... But don't we realize that the Father is hurt to see us going through that trial as well?

Amazing love! I then Google-ed the quote and found the longer version as below! Haha, enjoy reading!

~~~~~~~

Abide in Christ! This is indeed the Father's object in sending the trial. In the storm the tree strikes deeper roots in the soil; in the hurricane the inhabitants of the house abide within, and rejoice in its shelter. So by suffering the Father would lead us to enter more deeply into the love of Christ. Our hearts are continually prone to wander from Him; prosperity and enjoyment all too easily satisfy us, dull our spiritual perception, and unfit us for full communion with Himself.

It is an unspeakable mercy that the Father comes with His chastisement, makes the world round us all dark and unattractive, leads us to feel more deeply our sinfulness, and for a time lose our joy in what was becoming so dangerous. He does it in the hope that, when we have found our rest in Christ in time of trouble, we shall learn to choose abiding in Him as our only portion; and when the affliction is removed, have so grown more firmly into Him, that in prosperity He still shall be our only joy.

So much has He set His heart on this, that though He has indeed no pleasure in afflicting us, He will not keep back even the most painful chastisement if He can but thereby guide His beloved child to come home and abide in the beloved Son. Christian! pray for grace to see in every trouble, small or great, the Father's finger pointing to Jesus, and saying, Abide in Him.

Come, Join Us!

2008-11-11T19:22:00.003+08:00

"Come! Join us for BS this Fri!"

Habakkuk 3:17-18
Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
neither shall fruit be in the vines;
the labour of the olive shall fail,
and the fields shall yielf no meat;
the flock shall be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

PS. Haha, Simon's pose leh! Just kidding bro!