hey!
my dearest 0104, thanks for all the encouragements, smses, cards, and presents.

i feel so loved! =))

you know, i wouldn't mind having all these often.. and im sure nobody minds either, so do it more often yah.. don't belittle what your one word, one card can do.. cause it's YOUR encouragement that brought me through those few days.. =))

and here's a little story for you:


A TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. 'I wowed 'em,' he later told his father, Bruce. 'It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote..' It also was the last.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. 'I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it,' Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. 'I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.'


Brian's Essay: The Room...

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read 'Girls I have liked.' I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named 'Friends' was next to one marked 'Friends I have betrayed.' The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird 'Books I Have Read,' 'Lies I Have Told,' 'Comfort I have Given,' 'Jokes I Have Laughed at .' Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: 'Things I've yelled at my brothers.' Others I couldn't laugh at: 'Things I Have Done in My Anger', 'Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.' I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

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

When I came to a file marked 'Lustful Thoughts,' I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.

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

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it.. The title bore 'People I Have Shared the Gospel With.' The handle was brighter than those around it,seemed newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

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

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. 'No!' I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was 'No, no,' as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, 'It is finished.' I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'-Phil. 4:13
'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'-John 3:16
My 'People I shared the gospel with' file just got bigger, how about yours?

I'm Sorry...

Guys, I owe you all much. Sorry for not replying smses. Sorry to have you to send reminding smses for me to send down smses. I kind of just dislike handphones. Dislike using them. Dislike learning the functions of it as well... But guess all these dislikeS have to be reduced, right?!

My reflections for this week:

1. Samantha took leave to accompany SY for medical checkup on 15th April. That's too sweet of her to miss to appreciate. So can I tag along with you guys on that day to make myself, MAYBE... HOPEFULLY... a little sweeter?!

2. Melissa's determination. Both in her studies and her love for Charis. Sometimes you just have to fall for her for the fact that she has fallen for Charis! Girl, read Matthew 10:39?! If not your CJ7 will not revive ehh~

3. Wenjie & Chun Quan, you both bascially covered an area I kind of cannot reach to help in the youths - Their studies. You may not understand how much your time and effort showered upon us are surely treasured. When should we give you guys a good treat?!

4. Darryl, you are in a position where you can reach out to a wide range of people in the church and which you of course made the best out of it! When we sent Lin Gang off, when you volunteered your cg to Laoshi, all these amazed me of how important your enthusiasms are...

5. WL, Xinyi, Sam & Zhenni. Sorry to always make you guys have to nag at me for this and that. Thank you for allowing me to behave kidish and child-like in all your care and concerns. Surely those encouragements and teachings, discussions and debates helped me a LONG way as I serve in church.

6. YQ, I appreciate and salute you to your answering to chou-de. (Eh, I didn't reveal his name huh... Haha!) I thought you deserve that chocolate and chips, in fact, much more... From how you settled your problems. Keep a good eye on people beside you, they may need your help very much!

7. ZS... That Muslim, no! Christian's testimony you showed me today impacted me alot. If I were to listen to it alone, for sure tears will flow. Our Lord is awesome for His love is extended to EVERYONE! The thought of Jesus actually love everyone should motivate us to love more, shouldn't it?

8. WJ & LX, I can only say one thing. Today's the most organised study week I've ever known. WELL DONE!

9. JJ and grandma gave me a bottle of cognac for my hair. Thank you for the care even to my hair! Haha... That's a warm gesture I'll learn to do it unto another the next time. Thanks!


Let's take nothing for granted. Because the walk of faith is tedious, and these good things will fade without sufficient support and encouragements...

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable ...
Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle;
the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.
~Dr Martin Luther King Jr.~

Oh... My dear dear dear friends (& of course many others unmentioned...), you are important in a very special way. Your personalised features to build the Kingdom of God. And whenever we overcome that sacrifice, suffering or struggle, great rewards await us!

Hereby CL gives her salute to everyone who are still finding their way of of sacrifice, suffering or struggle. Let me give you a big PUSH! if you need any... (Pray Until Something Happens) 91148493 is still in use btw...

science vs god...READ!!!!!

'Let me explain the problem science has with Jesus Christ.'
The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students tostand.

'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'

'Yes sir,' the student says.

'So you believe inGod?'

'Absolutely.'

'Is God good?'

'Sure! God's good.'

'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'

'Yes.'

'Are you good or evil?'

'The Bible says I'm evil.'

The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a moment.

'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'

'Yes sir, I would.'

'So you're good...!'

'I wouldn't say that.'

'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?'

The student remains silent. 'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says.
He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'

'Er...yes,' the student says.

'Is Satan good?' The student doesn't hesitate on this one. 'No.'

'Then where does Satan come from?'

The student : 'From...God..'

'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'

'Yes.'

'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'

Without allowing the student to answer, the professor continues: 'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'

The student: 'Yes.'

'So who created them?' The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question.

'Who created them? There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.

'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'

The student's voice is confident: 'Yes, professor, I do.'

The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'

'No sir. I've never seen Him.'

'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'

'No, sir, I have not.'

'Have you ever actually felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelled your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'

'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'

'Yet you still believe inhim?'

'Yes.'

'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?'

'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I only have my faith.'

'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of his own. 'Professor, is there such a thing as heat?'

'Yes,' the professor replies. 'There's heat.'

'And is there such a thing as cold?'

'Yes, son, there's cold too.'

'No sir, there isn't.' The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet.

The student begins to explain. 'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest-458 degrees. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'

Silence across the room.

A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'

'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night if it isn't darkness?'

'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester.

'So what point are you making, young man?'

'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. 'Flawed? Can you explain how?'

'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains. 'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.'

'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'

'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do.'

'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.

'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.'

The student looks around the room.'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?'

The class breaks out into laughter. 'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt theprofessor's brain, touched or smelled the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir. So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity,the old man answers. 'I guess you'll have to take them on faith.'

'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues.

'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?'

Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'

To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.'

The professor sat down.

The Physical Discipline of Stillness

the following is extracted from a book im currently reading called "When God Writes Your Life Story" by Eric and Leslie Ludy. thought this part should be shared with you guys.. it's long.. just read. (:

Hudson Taylor, a pioneer of mission work in China, eloquently described the antidote for stress. "Are you in a hurry, flurried, distressed?" he wrote, "Look up! Let the face of Jesus shine upon you - the face of the Lord Jesus Christ. Is He worried, troubled, distressed? There is no wrinkle on His brow, no least shade of anxiety. Yet the [problems you face] are His as much as yours."

Hudson Taylor did not have an easy life. He frequently faced poverty, hunger, death threats, and the tragic loss of loved ones. And yet he discovered the secret to overcoming anxiety and stress: "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."

When we look at life from our limited human perspective, it seems there is always plenty to worry and stress about. What we need is to look at our circumstances from a heavenly perspective. When we remain still in God's presence, we soon realize there's nothing to fear. Our God is not shaken by any circumstance. And when we slow down enough to finally see things through His eyes, we will experience "peace... which surpasses all comprehension."

Stillness takes practice. We are habitually consumed with problems, fears and worries. And often we don't let go of those distractions even during our times alone with God. It's easy to pray about a problem but not really give the problem to God. We may ask God to help us with a challenge, but often we continue to stress about it and try to solve it in our own strength. But to cast our cares upon God means to lay them at His feet and leave them there.

Next time you feel the cares of life weighing you down, steal away to a quiet place and practice stillness in God's presence. Ignore your body's apathy and you mind's distraction. Train yourself to be still before God. Place your worries at His feet. Allow Him to do whatever He wants in the situation you are facing, even if it is not the outcome you were hoping for. His ways are perfect, and though we can't always see it at first, His faithfulness is beyond out understanding. He cares more about our life than we do, and He only wants the best for us. Take some time to read His Word and be reminded that He sees everything and worries about nothing. The more you put this physical discipline of stillness into practice, the more it will become a way of life.

Before we leave..

Before we (aka me, zl, wj) leave for mission trip, please remember to:

1. INVITE friends to service!! CQ, Serene, Joel, Hui Zhen, Hui Yu, Sze Rong, Wenn Ni, Yan Jun, Shu Zhen... Hold on to them! It wasn't easy for them to be able to come, so we gotta clear the path so that it'll be easier! Start by inviting them for service, lunch etc!!


2. Permission granted to be EXTRA SUPER DUPER HIGH!!!! lol.. It's important that we show our support and involvement in all activities, especially when less people are around.. It matters!


3. Give all the help you can!! Not only because we're not around and we don't want ah wang 副组长 to become ah wang 老阿嬷 when we come back, but also because it's time we served others!! Be it what we love to do (eg serve the elderly) or what we don't quite enjoy doing (eg going to the room and study), EVERYTHING IS A CHANCE FOR US TO BUILD THE CHURCH!!


4. Ah wang 老阿嬷 (oops!!) will be helping to send down the smses in our absence.. So, send her your smses to be forwarded down.


5. Thanks to Mel Mel, we have a smooth system of smses EVERYDAY! Ok, maybe not at first, but we're getting there! Please continue to be faithful in this, because I believe that this will definitely build our cg, and make us an even bigger blessing to Charis. (Hey.. Not too many 'personal' smses hor.. Especially guys to gals and gals to guys.. DEFINITELY no calls after 10.30pm k!! Don't get?? Follow then ask when we come back.. ^^)


6. Thanks guys, for all the support and help given for this mission trip!!! Let youths be a great blessing to Charis, in whatever we do k!!


(P.S.: It's less than 25hrs to our flight.. Miss us!! But better, PRAY FOR US!! Gonna miss you all lots!!!! :'( )

Have you ever wondered...?

Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue?

Some say:
A clear cloudless day-time sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light. When we look towards the sun at sunset, we see red and orange colours because the blue light has been scattered out and away from the line of sight. Blah blah blah...

We say:
Cuz God created it like that.




Have you ever wondered how many varieties of beetles there are in this world?

They say:
There are over 350,000 different known beetle species worldwide and new species are being discovered all the time.

We say:
Yea, cuz God likes variety. (Can see; beetles already so many different species liao..)




Have you ever wondered why we're all different?

Research says:
What makes people different may not just be their different genes, but how many copies they have of each one, and how many stretches of DNA are "missing".

We say:
Cuz God took time out to create each and everyone of us to be unique in our own ways, so that He can use us in His ways!














P.S.: Don't forget about the 难题解答.. Pass me the questions when I see you guys on 22/03/08 k.. Will miss you guys and gals.. !!

How Do I Get God To Do What I Want?

Sorry, you have it backward. God is trying to get you to do
what He wants, because His way is perfect, and yours is
obviously not.

PSALM 18:30 NKJ
30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is
proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

You don't need to get God to do anything. God knows what to do.
You are the one who does not know what to do.

Imagine a two year old child telling his parents what they
should be doing. It is even more crazy to think we know more
than God about what is best for us, and that we need to tell
Him what to do.

This attitude indicates immaturity.

If we were so good at figuring out things, we should be running
the universe instead of God. But look at what our decisions
have produced -- a mess. What we need is new management, not
just to get God to do something for us.

Even if we were to get God to do what we think He should do for
us, would it really fix our life?

For example, many people think getting a lot of money would
solve every problem, but the facts show differently. Just look
at the record of people who won the lottery. Some people think
getting a spouse would fix everything, but don't think about
how half the people who do get married then seek a divorce.

What you need is to let Jesus be Lord of your life. You need to
learn of Him and follow His directions. You need to learn His
ways. Your ways have got you in a mess. You need to change your
ways so you can have a change in your life.

God has already done what He needs to do. Now we must learn how
to receive His provision and walk in victory.

If you are on the road to destruction, why should God give you
a new car and gas money to go down that road? Your decisions
have produced wrecks in your life. What you need is a new
driver. Let Jesus take the wheel.

You don't need to argue with Jesus or tell Him what to do. You
just need to trust Him.

God knows more than you do, and loves you more than you love
yourself. He desires the best for you. You can trust someone
like that!

Lord Jesus I trust You. Please take over management
of my life.

Please take management of our lives.