Thursday, January 25, 2007
The Same?
January 26, 2007
"The Same?"
For by grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
The other day I handed out my business card. I was at the airport and sitting
behind me I overheard two college students talking about religion. The common
consensus was that all religions, with some very minor differences, are
basically the same. With some degree of fervor, they agreed that every religion
had the same deity and all believers were going to end up in the same place.
Finally, when I could stand it no more, I interrupted. "Excuse me, my name is
Ken Klaus, I am a Lutheran pastor. I apologize, but I couldn't help overhearing
your opinions about religion. You have a fascinating position on things, but I
don't think you've got the whole story. There isn't a Christian, Muslim, Hindu,
or Buddhist who would agree with you. Each of us knows there are major
differences in what we believe."
I continued, "Personally, I believe Christianity is unique because of a Savior
who has substituted Himself so I can be saved. I realize that other religions
believe they are distinctive, but Christianity really is one-of-a-kind."
Then, because the plane was boarding, I had to end with, "If you'd like to talk
about those differences and why Jesus is special, here is my card. I'd love to
visit with you at length." They took the card, and who knows, maybe the Holy
Spirit will have them call me.
I pray they will, because they need to know that all religions are definitely
not the same. Let me give a short example. Last week, many of the citizens of
Sydney, Australia became upset with a Muslim cleric who urged children to be
martyrs for Islam. According to Sydney's Daily Telegraph, the leader said, "Put
in their soft, tender hearts the zeal of jihad and a love of martyrdom." I don't
know any Christian pastor, no matter what denomination he represents, who would
make a similar statement.
Nor do I know any Christian who would agree with the Ramadan message of the Imam
of Australia's biggest mosque who said, "Unveiled women were like uncovered
meat."
Are there differences in religion? Yes. For example, while Islam and all other
religions say its adherents must work their way up to god; only Christianity
says God has come down to us. While all other religions says each of us must pay
for our sins, Christianity stands alone in preaching that Jesus has, with His
life, suffering, death, and resurrection, paid the price for our forgiveness.
While Islam and all other religions say heaven must be earned, Christianity says
eternal life is a gift, which comes from a gracious God.
I could go on and on and on another day, and I probably will. But for now,
please join me in prayer.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord and Savior, Jesus, I give thanks that it is through Your
suffering and death, and not through anything that I can do, that heaven has
been given to me. Today I ask that You will call to faith those who through
ignorance or unbelief deny the sacrifice that You have made. In Your Name. Amen.
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Monday, January 22, 2007
"Laughing at the Lord"
No time to blog ...but this article caught my attention.. Happy Reading!
January 23, 2007
"Laughing at the Lord"
And they laughed at Him Mark 5:40
The television show, American Idol, is on tonight!
I am absolutely convinced that the short sentence above will cause more reactionfrom the readers of these devotions than anything else I've written. In all probability, some of you are thinking something like: "Watching American Idol is a ridiculous waste of time. Anyone who watches that program needs to get a life."
Allow me to explain American Idol to those of you who have recently awakened from a coma and still think Elvis is king and Dwight Eisenhower is in the WhiteHouse. American Idol is an immensely popular TV program that auditions tens ofthousands of young people who think they have the talent necessary to become a pop-singing star. Most of them are mistaken. Some of those young people are terribly, embarrassingly, shockingly mistaken.For every person who can sing, there are a hundred who can't carry a tune with ascoop loader. Listening to these vocal catastrophes, the audience may feel sorrow when a nice person is told he has no talent. More often than not, the audience laughs when they see some pompous performer being taken down a peg by acritical judge.
That same kind of critical laughter was once directed against Jesus when He entered the house of a man named Jairus. The Savior had been asked to do what Hecould to help Jairus' daughter who was dying. Sadly, the girl passed away before Jesus ever got to her house. By the time the Savior arrived, the crowd hadalready begun to mourn her passing. When Jesus commented, "the little girl was just sleeping," the people responded with laughter.
Many must have thought, 'Jesus may be a wise teacher and a workerof many miracles, but He is sadly misinformed if He thinks He can help a girl who has breathed her last.' The crowd laughed because they knew that anyone whothought he could conquer death was miserably mistaken. If it hadn't been for a single, notable fact, they would have been right. And what is this single, notable fact? Simply this: Jesus brought the dead girl back to life.
Although the Bible doesn't say so, I'm pretty sure that when the girl started moving, the laughter of the crowd was stilled. Of course 2,000 years is too long for the snickers of a smug crowd to be silenced.
If you watch television; if you read the papers you will hear many people scoffing at the Savior. "Jesus is a joke," they say with a smile. How wrong they are; how sad is their smile. Will you not join with me in prayer forthose who laugh at the Lord? Ask the Holy Spirit to take them for a visit to Jairus' house or to the empty tomb. Pray that they may be lead to faith in Jesus who said, "because I live, you shall live also" (John 14:19).
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, to the world the cross is foolishness, and theempty tomb a hoax. I ask You to touch skeptical hearts with the truth and wonderof Your resurrection miracle. In Your Name. Amen.
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Sunday, January 07, 2007
BLOOGG!! (Censored) Some one's picking a fight.
LONG TIME NO BLOG!!!!!
(Censored).
Been looking thru camp Pics...fantastic memories.....I just wished that I'm one of the members instead of being the Camp Commandant..It's LIKE SO FUN!!..lolz....Haiz.....Need to control My Emotions....recent events have really upset me quite a little. Both good and bad and...confusing ..things. Still... I must refocus on my life again.... A good example for all to follow. =]. My goal...: People will start saying that I'm one heck of a good guy again. Hees. I can do It!!!
Ok..Now for What you've all been waiting for! My INSIGHTS on the Camp!!
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Erm...Commercial break
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Hazel Requested a really nice request of sending her the Camp Photos through Friendster one by one. Dotz.......Really Nice... Anyway..The friendster capacity is so little ..did not manage to send much....
Aiya..So mah fun......She ask me to tried... well I did tried....but I ain't gonna try the next time. I'll send Christopher!! Well ..since they are in the same group it should be better.
Hmm..Today, Yf had Orientation. Shall talk about today's line of Event first.
Morning -
-1 on 1Breakfast with Angelina Low Xiao Wei
(Censored)
Well....I wish that Parents can really spent more time with their children ...especially if they are ladies....THEY NEED YOU!!! AND IT REALLY HURTS IF YOU FAVOUR THE SON MORE THAN THE DAUGHTER!!! COME ON PARENT!!!! Take care of your daughters! They are super Vunerable!! Without your attention, they will go around falling for any guys that treat them "nice".
(Censored)
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Ahh..That joker Jessalyn just asked me to treat her a $8 drink because she wanted to treat me food for betraying me today......Hmm...after much thought(few seconds) I decided to treat her $8 worth of water cooler water....She got guts to ask me to treat ..hahahaz. Poor thing...
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-Broken Necklace
Ok....During the youth.....Many things happened. Ok...Erm....Carrie took my Handphone...Then Stacy and her proceed to attempt to blow my necklace whistle. After that....Carrie decided to also take my Necklace. Hmm....in attempt to do so, we accidentally broke it..haiz....Terrick gave me that..and I really like it...but well...it's broken....Stacy took the whistle and went to a corner to play with it...blowing whistle really that fun meh? Well..I guess so..hahaz. Carrie ..was ShockeD? ..hahaz..She attempt to repair it...in the end , She manage to tie the two end together..Well....After putting so much effort how can I reject? HAhaz.. Funny girl. Those who are not born cute..behaves cute *faints*...oh...did I mention ? She tried to bite me.. HAhaz.. Freaky Dino.
-Oh! I just hate you cos you're Black!
Did a silly dialogue with Christopher for no particular reason ...except to make the new comers feel at home. Hees. I'm the Racist Yellow( I wore Yellow today. =]) He is the cocky black guy ( He wore Black' =] ) We ended chest fighting..hahaz...tilled he shouldered my chin...ouchh...
Anyway, through this experience I learnt something....I'm becoming weaker..I 'm not moving as fast as I used to...I guess project to get fat was not worth it. I'm gonna start training le.. Hees. Time to get my figure back. YEAH!!!!!!
-Senseless blaming....
Another comic performance for the new comers. I kicked my bro and he hit Jasper. So it goes like this...We stand in a Triangle...and..
Jasper - Gordon : You stepped on me!
Gordon - Me : You kicked me!
Me - Jasper : You did nothing!
By the way we are shouting..HAhaz... We keep repeating and repeating.. Hahaz...
- Others
Carine said that I'm siao today...well...I will not blame her. *SMiLeZ*
Talked to New COmers : Zhen Wei , Jia Hui , Justin , Sabrina , Jarren.
Hmmm....Fun people...but I hope other people do talk to them...It's like they are so lonely..I can't do everything! lolz...I can only See Aunty Seok Hoon , Aunty Monica and Me doing the befriending thing lor...and it's so difficult ofr me to do so....I never really had a lot of experience talking to friends....sobs...now I want to learn and to be a good friend. Hahaz . Not too late I hope?
-Worship Started
Was Beautiful ..like all worship.
- Orientation !
The small frys from Sunday School are : Trina , Tracy , Andrew , Carine , Stacia , Jarren , Jarren , Angela and one ,two more....cannot remember all...
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DINNER TIME
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BAcked...
Orientation Game was FUN!!
We had to write a Question down and the answer down. A question only you know.
Then We will mixed it with everybody! And each of us will pick a random question. Our objective is to find the oringinal writer of the Question!!! How? We go around asking people the Question on our paper! If if THE ONE!, You will form a chain behind him/her. If not , he/she will say BOOOOOOMMM!!! HAhaz...Longest CHain wins. Hees.
I found mine almost immediately Hees..Too easy. But so did the one finding me...Sobs...Must be my hand writing....See..I designed Christmas Cards and I designed my Answer....I must have been really stupid. Hahaz.
Ok! THis is My Question. !
Who recently had this nick?
Wong Wong Wong
Wong Wong Wong
Wo shi yi ke da mi feng!
Answer: Eu-[Nice] Wong!!!!
Hahaz....Something I started on friday. Meant for Ivan only...but I guess it was good enough to be spread around..hahaz..Poor thing.
I went a little nut and keep shouting Booom! At everyone! hahaz... Not much retaliation...expect a tickle attack from Hazel...and.....a shouting competition with my bro! Hees!
Orientation ended...Matthew , Stanford and me when to get Refreshments!
AfTerNoon
We had refreshments after Youth Fellowship. Had fun going around chatting with the new comers...because they are being neglected...somehow..lol
But in the end they manage to integrate! Praise GOd!! Josiah Brought his group out...So goood!! When I'm working and having enough money, I'll treat people too!!
Then I got Ivan to follow to meet Miss Depressed Jessalyn. One the way out ..We saw BARBIE DOLL!! Erm...This Cute little girl name Crystalbel. She is one of those born to be super cute.... I exclaimed BArbie Doll!!..But I guess she forgot me le....saded.....Iven then say...Hey...Be careful dude....there can only be one phidophile in church.....I collapse...hahahz.
Jessalyn was disappointing....wasn't there..betrayed me...i was rather angry...but am okay now...even talk to her about it.hahaz. Welll..I cannot get angry for over a few minutes...pathetic me...but hey!! It's a strength !! I'm born to LOVE! hahaz Forgiving YU Ki =]
Ok...After that, we had 1.5 hours of prayer....then home sweet home...I wished that I have went out with Josiah or at least eat with Stacy they all. I wanna catch up with them.....Missed them all suddenly..this is soo weird.. HAhaz
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Commercial Ends
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2006 'The One' BB/YF End Year Evangelistic Camp!
DAy one...
Ermm...Cannot Remember !!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! *faint*
Ok..I'll brief through the important or memorable events..
-Night Walk
I love night walks...well..the scaring people part. I wanted one in...because it is fun...No evangelistic purpose however. God however, had other plans....well..he is a better planner than I ...I'm new too by the way. =] and God is faithful!
It is raining the whole day..We prayed for the rain ..to stop...but it did not stop.Hmmm....God did not answer prayer? Nope...In fact God is saying No. We are forced to cancelled Night walk. Aunty Julia then came up with another game. Something like night walk. There will be 3+ station....Each Team will carry Three candles which they must keep it alighted. 'Devils' will be going around to put them out. They travel throughout the dark camp site. The Gospel is being preached at each stations.
Cool! Huh? God Change the Night walk to a mini night walk with the Gospel being spread!
We had just as much fun too!Ivan and I got the most deserted and darkest place! I got my chance to scare people! Wheee!!
Well..I pretented to be dead,....and also...hide in a dark corner....hahaz... Super Mean.
Oh..Did I mention that the rain became a drizzle when we start the game? Cool Huh?
Another beautiful thing that happened....We realised that Andrew Sng...A thought to be joker ..had a leader's heart....Wow...He took everything on himself....He broke down on the first day! lol..He cried because two of his members are sick. I gave a little talk before leaving him to think/brood....hahaz..Well...After the camp he was on fire to lead for God...Praise God!!
Day2
During Debriefing, the adults expressed their craving for Chilli. We did not do anything about it.
But the Next day..Which is Day 2, THE CATERER provided CHILLI!!?!?!?!?! Ok..Once is Coincidence....
WE had games.....it was raining....a prayer and song from Josiah to the Lord creates a fantastic weather...Cool huh? I joined in... Hees... Super Fun....Reason I joined in?
1) I WANNA PLAY TOOO! (Not supposed to...but..who cares?)
2) My Team is really really...in need of a Yu Ki...They are like..not really sporty....Except for some...
3) I need to exert myself....
Results? We turned the Green field brown.... It's captain's ball! With....Oily Cabbage...tomatoes....and balloon with flour and water? Eeeewwwww....yuck....but God who was always working and interacting with us, had before hand prepared the field. Blur? Ok...Remember that is was raining earlier? Hees ... it is as if God the intention of the game is to get everybody dirty. So Oil-filled Cabbage + Tomatoes + balloon with flour and water + God provided mud = A VERY DIRTY US! hahahaahz...God is fantastic ...really...like I said before ....He is a God who is real and living....a humorous God too. =] God is also detailed....the rain provided puddles for us to clean our feet after each game. So that we do not dirty the camp grounds. So knowingly or unknowingly people got their feet cleaned.. Hahaz..
Reminds me of this saying..My beloved Sis Eunice Sent it to me thru a Christmas Card:
If you seek God,
You will know Him.
If you know God ,
You will love Him.
If you love God,
You will obey Him.
If you know God ..you will really love Him.=] so..Brothers and Sisters in CHRIST!!!
GO SEEK GOD!!! Start DOING YouR QUiet TimeS And PRayer. DOn't PRay As if you are Praying To The Wall!! PRAY TO A GOD!!REad His Words Too!! Ask Him To Reveal HimsElf to YOU!!
Games ended with everybody tired except for me.....Hmmm...Welll.....I'm gifted with unlimited Stamina =p.
We had Concert!! Concert Went well..Lol...I love to dance..HAhaz..*faint* I miissed those times....I'm actually amazed and touched by Hazel's dedication and passion in dance. It was amazing...Well.. She is a fantastic teacher...it must have been tough to teach a bunch of inexperienced and unwilling crowd like us..BUT in the end we all had fun. HAhaz...Memorable stuff from the Dance!
1) Stacy as My Dance PArtner! It's refreshing to see people stepping out of their comfort zone.
2) Hazel's inability to spin when I spin her...hahaz..it's like so comical..
3) Matthew's way of doing the dance part that looks like a proposal to a lady. Super funny..MAtthew is fun..Just found out this year. Hahaz
3) Stacia's super cute way of doing the proposal dance part.
4) Ivan's increasing coolness in his dance steps.
5) Wacky things that we do...Arcade styled fighting , Spiderman on wall ( Me!!) , Handstands , funny dance moves , bonding and fellowship...
6) Hazel's sword..erm..plastic tube fight with me....hees...she keep aiming at my feet. I tap her head. Hees.. She's so fun.Hahaz.
7) MAtthew and Shawn's fight. I always wanted to stop a fight. Looks cool! Hees. Had the chance to! When they argued....Well..not that we shd celebrate...lol...
8) Hazel teaching me Salsa Hahaz... I guess I stiull have much to learn!
9) Carrie's growth and her Dance game....Ivan traitor,...join their group...sobs...Hees.
10)LEarning the dance steps.
11) MAny many more =)
Concert went well....
We had a salvation and many seeds planted..Hees
During the rededication for Christians....It was amazing.... All the youth went down within....a few minutes!!! t's so touching...But My intention was not right t that time....I was more intented on insiring people to move forward by going forward than a rededication. I guess God showed that He did not need me to do all this...but to put Him in first and in mind. He would do the rest...Just Like Celeb. Whos Said: As long as The Lord is with me and I follow Him whole heartedly, nothing is impossible..Well... something like that..hahaz.
Then We had debrief at night again.
3rd Day
Yesterday's Debrief . We need lesser Rice and Gravy!
THe next day, THe FOod IC Forgot!!! Oh no!..But? FOr those who said the Chilli event was a coincidence, GOd provided a more fantastic miracle. Through the I/c's failure to inform, God provided a miracle of the Caterer giving lesser rice and gravy! HAhaz..Two things this time!! AIN'T GOD JUST FANTASTIC????
Well...On the Third day...we had some unsettling things to build me up.
Morning Quiet time, I manage to get Stacy and and Garrick...Well..we had a problem with Youths not doing Quiet time...ya..you know...non-christian like christians.. hahaz.. Anyway..It was fantastic...being able to sit at the swing chair with them and do Quiet time with them...My greatest joy that morning is to be able to talk to Stacy..Whos spiritual health I was worried about about God and the questions she have....I wish I have more of such opportunities to build people up!
After a while Hazel Came..but time to go le...Then WE HAVE PT!! Man...The Youths are weak. hahaz... oops..Sorrie..people...but welll....you shd have respected Ivan a bit more and do your PT.
We had station games..later...It was fun.....but people are coming to complain about Hazel's team..LeiChi...Hmmm.....After some discussion we deduct alot of marks from Her Team...
The result? Wow......killer.
Hazel came up to talk to me. Crying.....Stunned and afraid...but putting a brave front..I talked to her... First time someone cryed talking to me...welll first girl to do so...mostly are guys..hahaz. I was like...BIG PROBLEM. She said all sorts of things in her inability to control her emotion. She later apologise but ....I'm ok with it...HAhaz...I was too stunned to notice... I also apologised for causing so much trauma...and i wished I'm more equipped to deal with situations like this... I'm rather much paralysed ..at that time..
Well...She aint't the only one. My Group had a quarrel....Stacy and Yang Peng Cried...waaaa.....I follishly abandoned Hazel..but ..God sent Chien Hui and Timothy to administer to her...The group took care of Stacy. I had to duty to calm Mr close to suicidal YAng Peng...HE was declaring that he is going to run off... I did..the calming ...Wei Long did ...the stunning and We masterminded the Anti -Escape plan.... Hees... However....I felt a drift between Wei Long and me.....It's like we no longer coordinate well.....It' not his fault....it's both...Hmm....Sad......I feel the drift more..nowadays...like the trust has been broken..
The Experience was freaky and unnerving but it's learning lesson and a warning from God to stop being Cocky . YEahhh..HAhaz..God Disciplines too you know?
- CAmpFire
God's Divine Intervention. !
We were again hoping that the rain will stop. We prayed... God again said no. He saw something that we did not. Which is so obvious but I was not observant. Not only is the Campfire Ground too small, we do not have light there and our Emcees are inexperienced. If we were to have it in the open, we will not be able to hear them.. I'm glad it rained..then we can use power point and
microphones.The campfire ground is wet too... Great is My God! Who watches over me....He must have quite a laughter to see how I work....without thinking .
Campfire was scary at first...cos The Emcees cannot make it...I got Khoon Fai to go ..and All ends well....Hees...The Inhouse Campfire beautiful.... The sKits are super funny... yar...I'm so happy hahaz...I'm supposed to get things to thanks the committe but I forgot lol....nvm...save money like that.. I give what I could. What I have,... hhaha Cheers!! Hip Hip Hurray!!
Lost voice le...faint
hahaz..
At night, We HAD NIGHT WALK!!!!!!!!! Welll!! Our Great GOd Knew this had been many's expectations...So He provided one...In the Middle of the night!! You cannot outdo God!! He is just too fantastic! What He provides is always the best ...just let go and let God. In the Camp I had no one but God to depend on..and He shows His faithfulness. I'm so blessed.
I did not sleep Hees...welll did abit...7+ am..hahahz..We wanted to see the Sunrise..BUT We faced the wrong direction...SO SAD MAN!!!! hahaz...Aiya..I still remember Stacia trying to talk to me...but I doze off...Poor Stacia..She's made for me to ignore.. hahahaz..
Camp Aftermath? Eunice sounding like a guy. some infatuated youths , some grumpy youths , some high youths , some siao youth , lots of on fire youths, and lots of experienced earned.
Oh Ya I made a new friend..A young puppy..it's super cute....together with Hazel we named it Sexy. Hahaz...She called it sexy when she first saw it.....Hmmm...I don't know why....she've got weird taste..hahahaz....So I decide that it should be called Sexy. Hees! =]
And Sexy Is super cute...I call it but calling miao! ?!??!?!? Lol! It comes when I call and it is a stray dog. Cool Huh?
I LOVE SEXY !!!
I LOVE GOD MORE !!!
I LOVE EVERYBODY!!!
I still love God best cos He loves me too!
AND YOU WHO READ MY BLOG! I LOVE YOU! HAHAZ...Brotherly Love.
DAy4
Area Cleaning and Final Debrief.
8 Pizzas
2 Tubs of Ice Cream.
Lots of Fun With Youths.
I never had so much fun...I guess I can finally connect? Haiz...My Future is blurred...but I no longer care! I live each day for God's Glory!
CAMP CLOSURE !!!
ONE WAY!! JESUS!!!
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