Moving to our new home - Part 1

More updates to come..
Venue: Skudai Parade

Exam season - Snippets of God's faithfulness

"....give thanks for my shepherd, whose sharing deeply encouraged and renewed me in my walk with God. He did mention the importance behind every choices we make, and that one of the key to breakthrough in certain areas that we can see, is seeking 1st God’s kingdom and His righteousness, to lay down ourselves and put Him at the centre of what we do. Then, we see how God is able to open the floodgates of heaven, because 1st and foremost, God looks at the heart, not at your ability. As we continue to do so, we know that He will be with us always, in the things that we do. One example includes how despite his final thesis presentation scheduled the next morning, and he is only half-done with it, he made the decision not to compromise, but to sacrifice whatever little time he had left and attend the Vision and Philosophy class on that very night, and by the time he got home it was already past midnight. Nevertheless, despite the lack of time, able to see how God helped him pull through, and even provided him with the best thesis and overall top architecture student award in UTM. It definitely served as an encouragement to me as we approached the season of final exams.."
Christopher Heng

"....I wanted to testify to God’s goodness over the past week or so, where I have been extremely busy with submission. Although the presentation has been postponed to Friday, but I fell sick on Monday and it became so bad even on Tuesday that I was unable to get out of bed. I felt very weak and needed to rest, and initially did not intend to go for caregroup on Wednesday despite being rostered to come up with games for this week. Nevertheless, I got reminded of a passage where God loves a cheerful giver, and I want to give Him my best. Today, I resolve to tell myself not to complain, give excuses or do things just for the sake of completing it, but in our everyday ministry and serving Him, let us truly see it as a privilege to do so. Throughout the process of preparing and leading games, gradually I experienced God’s renewal not only spiritually, but also physically. All glory belongs to Him."
Jing Jing

You will never walk alone

Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 - Two are better than one, because they have good return for their work.

Where: Taman Sri Putri, Skudai
When: Wednesday, 7 October 2009, 7.30pm

Photo acknowledgements: Antonius Susanto Thambrin

Light of the world 2

Graduation photos - UTM

Looking back at what had gone down, how time really does flies.. soon my turn will come, probably as quick as next year [sigh]

When 2 become 1 :-)

Whatver the case, You are in control

Currently listening: Planetshakers - Jesus Reigns

Psalm 62 (NIV)
1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

4 They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah

9 Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.

10 Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.

11 One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,

12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.

Note: Thanks Sze Yean :-)

Here I am waiting.... for an answer, for a breakthrough.

Currently listening: Hillsong - Shout to the Lord

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Psalms 13 (NIV)
1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.

Sacrifice / Unconditional love

Synopsis:
Senior Chief Ben Randall is a top legendary rescue swimmer with over 200 saves, who has been juggling his crumbling marriage and his work with the U.S. Coast Guard. When he loses his crew and best friend in a helicopter mishap, he reluctantly chose to take up the post as senior instructor at a Coast Guard training facility to recompose himself, where he encounters Jake Fischer, an arrogant candidate who happens to be a top competitive swimmer with scholarships to every Ivy League university.

Ben's unorthodox training methods turned the entire programme upside down, and egos collide as he tries to force Jake into quitting, but Jake ended up beating all his records. While complaining to his girlfriend, Jake was humbled when the local barkeeper told him about an unbeatable record, when Ben saved all the victims of a ship fire, and with one victim left and a broken winch, held the last victim by his fingertips all the way until the helicopter landed, resulting in severe hand and shoulder injuries.

Nevertheless, Ben learnt about Jake's past, that he was the driver and only survivor of a motor vehicle accident which killed his relay team, and he was searching for his place in life. After being one of the few candidates left who graduated, Jake was posted to Kodiak, Alaska to oversee protection of the Bering Sea, Randall's post. During a rescue mission, Ben experienced a flashback of the night when he lost his crew, and had to be rescued by Jake. At this point, he realises he cannot continue, and hands in his resignation letter.

As Ben remorsefully spent time handing in divorce papers to his wife, and clearing his office, he overheard the radio chatter that Jake is trapped in the hull of a sinking ship while rescuing the crew. Ben gathered his gear and rushes to the scene. He managed to rescue Jake, but as the winch jams and cable unravels, he realises that it can't hold both of them, and unstraps himself, plummeting into the sea, never to be seen again.

"What makes a legend? Is it what someone did when they were alive... or how they're remembered after they're gone? There's a legend — of a man who lives beneath the sea. He's a fisher of men. A last hope for all those who have been left behind. He is known as The Guardian. Ben Randall always said life is about making choices. In the end, by making his, he helped me make mine."

Why God is never late in answering prayer :-)

Currently listening: Your grace is sufficient

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4th year medical students have to do a case write-up on a chronic illness / disability patient as part of their GP posting. So while at my private GP, I clerked and examined a boy who came in with his mum, due to poorly controlled asthma. Took down his medications, and enquired a bit about his family and stuff.. technically I'm supposed to review him again a 2nd time, and I was only at the private GP for 6 weeks, not knowing when he will come in. So in the 2 weeks leading up to the deadline I decided to give my patient's mum a call to check on how they are doing, and to request more information required in the assignment guidelines.

To my horror, the handphone number on the patient's case file was no longer in service, and my GP suggested me going over to the patient's house based on the address given, which I did, but nobody was at home (probably went out to buy food for breaking fast). Costly trip it was to go there twice(RM17 each time by taxi, return trip by bus). Since they were not around on this recent Sunday afternoon, left a note requesting them to contact me, and left. Prayed and ask God to open up a way, coz as much as possible I do not wanna make up stuff (ie cheating)..

It was an agonising wait, 7pm.. 8pm.. 9pm.. and all I've got so far is the basic skeleton of my assignment, with the next day (Monday) being the deadline. Then out of nowhere at 9.45pm I received a phone call from a source I completely did not expect. My GP called, "Gary, you remembered the asthma patient you wanted? I was about to close my clinic when his mum brought him in for an acute exacerbation. He is now on nebuliser. Would you like to talk to the mum?" All of a sudden the rest was history, did my best, and whatever marks came out from the assignment no longer mattered.

Eureka moments from Kukup

Currently listening:
讚美之泉-單單只為你 (Stream of Praise - For You Alone)

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Nice music for stress relief

Overcoming barriers to success - where is your focus?

The fields were parched and brown from lack of rain, and the crops lay wilting from thirst. People were anxious and irritable as they searched the sky for any sign of relief. Days turned into arid weeks. No rain came.

The ministers of the local churches called for an hour of prayer on the town square the following Saturday. They requested that everyone bring an object of faith for inspiration.

At high noon on the appointed Saturday the townspeople turned out en masse, filling the square with anxious faces and hopeful hearts. The ministers were touched to see the variety of objects clutched in prayerful hands - holy books, crosses, rosaries.

When the hour ended, as if on magical command, a soft rain began to fall. Cheers swept the crowd as they held their treasured objects high in gratitude and praise. From the middle of the crowd, one faith symbol seemed to overshadow all the others: A small nine-year old child had brought an umbrella.

Laverne W. Hall
From: Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul

Hi, my name is Jing Jing, and I’m currently studying architecture in UTM. As many of you may already know, architecture is well-known in UTM as a 6-year course that never sleeps. Take a walk around the campus throughout the semester, and chances are there are times when you will find the faculty's studio lights still switched on even though it’s already 3am, as students worked on their projects. Today I want to share about how God helped me breakthrough in the area of focusing on Him in overcoming my challenges.

Recently, I encountered a challenge in the form of my 1st major project. As the deadline drew closer, I don’t even have a direction for my project, no idea of what to come up with. I started getting worried and feeling lost. Therefore I prayed and asked God to give me direction, wisdom, strength and peace. I wanted to finish up my project as much as possible so that I can join the student group’s Eureka Camp. Eventually, I found an interesting topic and God gave me the concentration I have never experienced before, as well as a burning passion for my project. I keep focusing on God’s presence rather than negative feelings, worry and tiredness, His power rather than my ability, His promise rather than circumstances. As a result, peace and joy filled my heart (John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.).

On Friday before the camp, I intended to submit my finished project. Upon looking through my project, my lecturer asked me whether I am clear about the objectives of my project. I explained my proposal to him, and little did I expect that he would drop a bombshell by saying that my design and its objectives were already flawed right from the beginning, thus he rejected it. That meant I have to start re-doing it all over again from zero. Submission is on Monday and I’m supposed to be joining the camp later that evening! I know I can’t miss Eureka camp, because it is a camp that can change my life. The word ‘Eureka’ itself means ‘I have discovered something’, and I wouldn’t want to miss the experience of learning more about the wonderful plan He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.).

I prayed to God to guide me and give me strength so that I won’t be tired after the camp. By faith, I uphold my project into His hand and made the decision to go for the camp. By the time we returned home from camp, it was already Saturday evening, and next day we have Sunday service. After the camp, I continued with my work and God blessed me with people to help me too. His love sustained me through the entire process. It’s not easy but His presence comforts me.

After a gruelling weekend, I finally submitted my work on Monday. To my surprise, I was the only one who successfully submitted it on time, and this time my lecturer even praised me for my good work. All this is God’s work and blessing. His grace is always sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12:9 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me). He is faithful as long as I choose to focus on Him and let Him lead me.

Lim Jing Jing
U2A

Decision time

Currently listening: Ana Laura - Completely

I know the situation may not be favourable from all angles at the moment, but I wanna uphold and believe for Your favour for today's decision making.

The Widow's Oil - 2 Kings 4:1-7
1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves." 2 Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?" "Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil."
3 Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."
5 She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.
7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."

Basically got reminded on how much am I willing to step out and believe when carrying out certain things, as reflected in the number of jars the widow collected - an indication of their faith. God's provision was as large as their faith and willingness to obey. Therefore, do not limit God's ability because He is able to do much more than we can ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20)

Mr Bridges: "Grant, I heard a story about 2 farmers who desperately needed rain, and both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out and prepared his fields to receive it.
Which one do you think trusted God to send the rain?"
Grant Taylor: "Well, the one who prepared his fields for it?"
Mr Bridges: "Which one are you? God will send the rain when He is ready. You need to prepare your field to receive it."
-from the movie 'Facing the Giants'-

Forever Strong - The key is the man

Synopsis
Rick Penning (Sean Faris) lives life just like he plays rugby: fast, hard-hitting and intense. When life on the edge lands him in jail, prison ward Marcus Tate (Sean Astin) offers him a chance to get back in the game by playing for longtime rival, Highland Rugby. Reluctantly Rick joins the team where he must adopt the grueling training schedule and unique code of conduct that Highland’s legendary coach (Gary Cole) demands. Egos clash and bitter competitors struggle to find the meaning of “team.”

As on-field battles rage, hearts are challenged and loyalties are tried. Rick Penning has to decide between the life he lived and a life that stands before him. With a national championship on the line, he will learn that the greatest victories are born in the heart.

"It's not about rugby, it's about young men. It's not about building a championship team. It's about building championship boys, boys who will be forever strong."
-Coach Larry Gelwix, Highland Rugby-

Random bits of humour

Honestly speaking..

It may not be much to shout about, and doing medicine is not entirely about this.. but to me it is something meaningful, especially if you have been turning up to class blur and constantly being nagged by bedside tutors despite being in your 2nd last week of O&G.

It may seem like a useless, time-wasting activity, going to the community clinic just to wait for a patient to come in requiring a referral to the hospital. My assignment involves writing an a referral letter for that patient. Yeah, right.. as if its going to happen, even if they need a referral, the family medicine specialist should be able to handle it on site, no need to go to the hospital.

I have people coming up and asking me to fabricate a patient / clerk and make up some details here and there, rather than waste time in such petty matters, might as well use the time to study or do something else.. In fact, one scolded me the week before for asking consent from a patient for pap smears and wasting a golden opportunity to get my log book signed off when the patient turned me down (thanks to my 'stupidity', since chances like these don't come by easily).. Nevertheless, I'm thankful for the staff nurse who subsequently helped me out with that matter. The one-way taxi fare RM10 to go there myself is already burning a hole in my pocket, considering the fact that I'm not very well-to-do. 3 trips there already and still nothing. As mentioned earlier, might as well study right? (since I don't really know much)

Nevertheless, it was an opportunity to teach me that God is never late in fulfilling His promises, and the end does not justify the means. Therefore, do not compromise. A week before the assignment deadline while sitting in with the MO, the MA dropped by to inform that there is a case of fever (suspected dengue). What more could I ask for? Quickly clerked, briefly examined and compared any missed details with the MA and patient's consultation card, and there it was.. The night before the deadline, a word of pessimistic caution came from a friend that the referral letter was supposed to be addressed specifically to a specialist based on the marking scheme, which some tutors are particular about (mine was addressed to the MO of the emergency department). Nevertheless, it's already been typed out, what else could I do, apart from uphold it unto God's hands, for better or worse.

A few days ago, found out that despite being cross-marked by 2 relatively strict tutors, my referral letter turned out to be one of those which were awarded a perfect score. At the end of the day, what more could I ask for?

Because someone picked me up

Will it make a difference?
In Australia, there is a beach where at certain times each year thousands of starfish are washed up on the sand. Usually at night, a high tide, a large wave will bring them in so far that the water won't carry them back out. Then, as the sun shines on the starfish, they slowly dry out and die.

One morning a tourist came out of his hotel for a jog at dawn. Down on the beach he noticed a little boy picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea. But there were thousands of them up and down the shore.

The man ran up to the boy and said, "I know what you are doing, and I think I know why you're doing it. But there are thousands of starfish here and miles of beach. Do you really think that what you are doing is going to make a difference?"

The boy said, "I don't know. But I think it will make a difference in this one!" And he picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea.

-Excerpt from: 'Whose Child is This?: A story of hope and help for a generation at peril' - by Bill Wilson-

I'll bring You more than a song..

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Long-overdue 1st semester updates - Birthdays of 3J's

Joo's, Ji Keon's, Jia Lin's

A Sustainable Church - 1

水
延续生态的气息 大地的脉搏
造就一片生机勃勃的广袤大地
沧海桑田 历久不衰
周而复始 生生不息

水
带领人类挥别茹毛饮血的荒蛮
孕育出令人叹为观止的灿烂文明
惠及众生 造福后世

神的话语
划破空虚混沌 使无变有
立定大地根基 维系宇宙 哺育万有

神的话语
从天而降的清流 属神的甘霖
使教会得洁净 得装备 得能力
进而与黑暗势力展开一场
历时千年 空前绝后 惊天动地的大决战

恶者歇斯底里地发动连串攻势
威逼利诱 软硬兼施
要将教会逼入历史博物馆的坟墓
然而 从诞生 兴旺
到大逼迫后的如日中天
教会焚而不毁的永续生命力令人心生敬畏
一千年的堕落 腐败 黑暗
无法毁灭神欲使教会永续的应许
难怪拿破仑感叹地说：
“世上的王朝都消逝了，惟有教会仍然存留”

纵观历史 教会所到之处
影响有目共睹 铁证如山

从欧洲开始
骁勇善战 野蛮暴力 摧毁罗马帝国的北欧蛮族
遇上神的真道 即被驯化成为文明人
将古希腊文明发扬光大
缔造灿烂的欧洲文明
要认识上帝的渴慕激发了他们探索世界的熊心
现代科学开始抬头
新发明 新发现 接踵而来
带动农业革命 工业革命
人类进入机器时代 生活水平提升
工人福利更受重视 慈善机构应运而生

到美洲
美国人说：“我们信神”
短短两百年 她从一片蛮荒之地
兴起成为举世无双的超级强国
支配全球的政经文教领域

再看亚洲及非洲
福音的登陆带来了光明与盼望
开拓市镇 设立学校 医院
不人道的殉夫习俗 奴隶买卖 成为历史
千千万万被罪奴役 被传统压迫的灵魂
蒙拯救 得释放

时间的考验证明了教会的永续性
跨地域 越文化的影响 彰显出教会的震撼力
今天 神正在执笔撰写
永续教会传奇的完结篇
“荣耀的教会”
里头的主角不是
保罗 马丁路德 卫斯理约翰
威廉克里 马礼逊 李文斯顿
而是每一个活在这末后世代
全心全意回应他
按着他所赐的蓝图
建立起荣耀教会的子民们
神的子民们 神已发出呼召
让我们跟随这些云彩见证人的脚踪
一同完成这最后的篇章
从荣耀主的手中接过
永不朽坏的荣耀冠冕