Native American Proverb

The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives.

Love one another, youths.

Apologise when you need to.

Thank and appreciate as much as you can.

Remember to pray for each other.

Send smses of encouragements.

Write a card with your heart.

Smile to the one beside you.

Allow others to cry on your shoulders.

Don't see what hasn't been done to you.

Think of what could have been done to others.

Don't drink up your own pond, 0104, Charis.
That's not wise.
Let's be wise...

Report from East Coast...

Those who didn't go, you'll be please to know that we've all enjoyed and reached home safe and sound. Was a humid day and although we wasted some time resting because the girls butts are complaining and the guys were saying of not able to have as many children... Blah. Excuses as you know us.

Everyone ready to move?! Gears and brakes checked?!

Haven't even started already blocking the traffic's way as usual. And taking out own sweet time to move off...
It's never easy to get 0104 started on the move. Our warming-up is long~
Our ZA. I did my part in advicing him to eat more and to wear heavy material's clothing to cover his bones. Now you have to do your part to buy him food and clothes! Hahaha...

ZY. The usual smile he generously shares all the time. To take this photo, he has to cycle super slowly and thus maintaining his balance was a difficult as maintaining his smile. Appreciate the effort -..-

Seriously he's more stable than he looked. He only fell a few times and flew once to the fence and got 2 cuts on his forehead. He's not as bad as I sound. He's more stable, really. So GIVE WAY!

This boy. Looks steady. But tell you a secret. Fell the most number of times. More importantly, caused most jam-ups and accidents within ourselves. We were thinking of banning him from the next trip. Before that, GIVE WAY!

This man. See until don't want to see. But someone we cannot have without.

I think this ah-pek can memorise SBS and SMRT guide in his lifetime. He's a walking directory! Guess everyone needs him too...

I had to shout to WW to take photos. As you guessed. She's always blocked.

For DQ, most of his photos are like this: Result of sliding specs.

And our own monkey-ways. As usual.

FINALLY after lots of paddling, we found a place too beautiful to miss. (EXCUSES. Cause we were plain tired.)


Nice throw of Frisbie!
That's of course a nice catch too!


Little girl: "?!? Swing is for boys this kind of age?!"

DQ: "See what see? Kor kor also can swing high high ok!"
"See! You can?! Na-nee-na-nee-bu-boo..."


After the cycle, the frisbie, the swings... We are tired.


But it surely was an adventurous and fun day for all!

Don't blame them, it was WJ's idea... And don't blame WJ also. All he needs is time to change.


Man, you just have to look at the backview to envy us. Backview frontview, all God's creations! (This is the only photo with Victor didi... Because he came later than us. But look at the way he stood, haha!)


It's always the same feeling being out together. Blissfully annoyed by all your nonsenses. What's new in 0104? It's the "Home Huui-Lingg" that never changes.

With Love,
CL :)

stop, lOOK, reflect..

our God never gives us less than what we need.

Know your Creator in the days of youth...

I love you. Sometimes I really would like to say this to you. But sometimes fear ate up the chance, lack of courage visited, or moments of anger brushed that thought of. But all these didn't had any value that last... Because, I love you.

Come to think of our 0203 and 0104, there are many things which you all did are amazing. How you all faithfully attend service and tq without having to call and how you all willing fulfill demanding requests made just because people would think youths have lots of free time. We shouldn't take all these efforts that you guys made for granted!

From time to time, you grow into more mature and thinking-alike with Jesus. From time to time, you start to understand the confusions in life. Nevertheless from time to time, you also find the higher purpose of living. That's growing up, and that's healthy!
From letting your leaders track your tithes and doing up styroforms wordings for services and weddings... Your energy to talk all night round, your strength to move the sound systems, your willingness to come few hours early for most of the events... WOW! So much efforts put in!

Although we always make mistakes, anger the adults and frighten our parents especially with our results, but at least we live a life truthful to ourselves. We are living a life of our own. However, as you grow, you may find life beyond your control in many more areas. And you'll find yourself struggling to balance what you want to do, what you should do and then comes up with something kind of balancing both.

That kind of life has more value, because you start to live for others more than for yourselves. Moreover, for Christ. But there's a good news to this kind of life! And the secret is... You can enjoy it! Yes, I'm saying you can enjoy the struggles and the troubles which comes along the way. Not that we will enjoy struggling or troubling, but these trials often bring about greater joy, peace and love to your life.

Find your position. Find your balance. Don't be upset if you're trying very hard but seems just not to get it right. Sometimes it's only the process you have to go through to make you a better and stronger person. Eagles carry their babies high up in the sky and throw them down. Their mothers look at them struggle, kick about and many a times in great frustrations. Before they reach the ground, their parent will be there to pick them up safely and carry them to heights to throw them down again.

Youth days are like that. It's the few throws you are facing now which will prepare you to soar higher than other birds. Don't worry, His hands will always be there to reach out for you before you crash to ground, He's in total control!

0204 and 0104 have been brave and I'm so proud of all of you. Sometimes whenever I have chance, I'll brag about how good our youth performance, unity and mature values are to other churches... Oh I really think many many many of us should learn from you guys in a lot of ways. Like, your sincerity, your courage and humbleness.

SO let's keep up the good work, and not let our guards down, because in time to come, YOU are the one answering YOUR life to God. Hopefully then it's not full of regrets but rewards! Share your weights around, let others dress your wounds.
THEN, love will...

grOW!

PS: I love you.

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.