Thursday, September 23, 2004

the problem with a lot of people today is that they dont give thanks...when u complain about something...seriously, count your own blessings.

here are several pictures i have from my pictures folder...they're kinda random. about things in life which i normally dont give thanks for.


this is eugenneeeeeeeeeeeee ;D


my super ahma


super cute baby caleb acting sheepish

haiii there are so many wonderful things in life........im really thankful i have a fish tank at home becuz the fish are soooo pretty today i bought tetras....and they're like shimmery fishes..and they look pretty with the discus. the tank really reminds me of God's creativeness.

hear the song? its about a father who's passed away..its really nice so yu must give thanks for your father too ;D


matthew admired God's creations at 11:04 PM [comment]

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Saturday, September 11, 2004

one of the things i do while i pray is to pray for people. it takes up about 90% of the prayer..and i haven't been able to do that recently with all the studying. i go into bed, after my short QT ( haii..), i close my eyes, recall a few people...then i start zzzzzzzzzzing. so, before i go to sleep...i shall pray, here.

Dear God,
i'm sorry i haven't had much time for you lately. i want to pray for many many many people...
for those in school,

azizul: i thank You for zul's zealousness to find out about You.....pls help me remind me that im to pass him the book and the bible!

mattay: i thank You that he's so serious about You, he's been an inspiration to me..he kinda reminds me of myself when i first truly believed. i hope you continue to keep him running strongly, and i pray that he can go to church soon to enjoy fellowship!

maxwell: i thank You that maxwell has finally decided to start studying. please soften his heart...he needs You.

james: i thank You that james has started loving you more. i pray that he continues to run the race.

yam: i am sorry that i haven't loved yam. i have criticized him alot and done nothing about it. please help me to love him.

andrew: i thank You that drew careys been such an inspiration to me and he's been helping me a lil in history. i pray that he continues to run the race well too!

zhongmin: i haven't connected with him much on a spiritual level...i hope i do query him about his spiritual life.

yabbie: i thank You that yabbie's been such a funny chap in class...i do pray that he'll do well in life and get to know You!

jongster: i thank You that jongs been such a gd friend...i do hope that you'll soften his heart too and accept you!

cedric: cedric sucks la.

cedric: ha ha i thank You too that cedrics been such a gd friend..sharing *cough* at the back of the class during J*cough*E's lesson. i do hope you'll soften his heart soon!

hongyue: i thank You that Hongyue's helped me a lot in studies and i do pray that he'll go to church soon...he hasn't experienced much fellowship. but i suppose he is running the race, i am not really sure though..

yehmin: i thank You that yehmin's been such an ego boost to my intelligence...ha ha no la im glad i've talked to him a little about his spiritual life before..it seems a little stagnant tho', i pray that he'll get it going

gerbert: i thank You that gerberts been such a joy to my life..he's really witty and everything...but he needs You..i pray that you'll give me the courage to talk to him about it some time

hankit: same as gerbert minus the witty and everything part. ha ha.

danli: i thank You that danli is pretty serious about you, that he realises his church isn't doing much to help him spiritually. i pray for his youth fellowship..that they'll wake up.

joey: i thank You that joey's been a joy to our class..:) but i pray that he decides to be hardworking!! he's really smart...if he studies he'll probably own sergius. ha ha ha ha. i thank You that james has brought him to church too, so that he has had some exposure to you

bryant: i thank You that bryant has accepted you, which is really really awesome...i pray that you'll help him to run the race with conviction!!!

punkster: i thank You that punkster has been such a close friend..i pray that he'll take his faith seriously!

teo: i thank You that teooooooooo has been such a close friend too, and i pray that his parents will be less strict on him. i think he's really stressed now O_O. i pray that he'll get to know You!

huananananannanananananananannannananana: i thank You that huannnnnnananannanaa's been such a gooodfrieind tooo. he's been one of the most good tempered ppl i've ever known...and i really respect him for that. i pray that he'll get to know You!

yeongchyuan: i thank You that chyuan-ge's temper has simmered down a lot, and i thank You too that he read my blog so that he gained a new perspective of our world.

for churchies

eugene: i thank You for eugene, he's been one of the biggest inspirations in my life. i pray that you'll enable Him to continue running the race with such conviction. and that he'll marry karen :P

jiji: i thank You for jiji, he's been one of my bestest buddiess since i started going to cherith. i thank you for him, who's provided me with so much memories in my churchgoing years

yunfeng:i thank You for ah fenggg, who's provided sooo much joy to my church going years too...i pray that he'll do well for his studies :)

jingQin: i thank You for this cousin i grew up with..she's been a real joy cuz of her crappiness..i pray that she'll do her best for you in life, not only on the track but also as a committee member! and basically, your servant.

jiaen: i thank You that jiaens been an inspiration to me too, she's a real responsible person, and i know that she's got a good family which has helped her to become what she is today.

muen: same as jiaen.

kaijun and gang(benteo, nicholas, keehan, yisong, glenn): i thank You that they've come to cherith..and i pray that they'll all take their spiritual lives seriously

benjamin lee, jia he, yikai, yiheng, nathanial: i pray that they'll all be able to come to church on a more consistent basis, sometimes its their parents. :( i pray that they'll all run the race well.

the girls (tammy, jolene, dawn, my sister, yanling): i pray that i'll get to know them better...and get to know them as friends, not just as TF members.

ben khong: i thank You that Bk's been such a joy to TF with his antics...and you've really blessed him with soccer skills. i hope that somehow he'll use his talents to serve You in the future.

yiming: i thank You for yiming, who's been such an inspiration in my life too. he's going to america soon,, and will leave eugene in charge of TF. i pray that you'll take care of him there, and come back in 1 piece! i'll miss himm. and i pray that he'll take good care of weilingjiejie also ^^

for childrens choir: i thank You for childrens choir, which i have grown to love..it really is a graet avenue to serve you, and i thank You for sandra, santi, and rebecca who have been so patient with us rascals.

for TF: i pray that TF is on its road to recovery. Your the doctor, please heal the sick TF.



for gymmers

david,nahnah,kangwei, lei, seetoh, jingheng, ryan: i do hope these few will continue to run a steadfast race and not get distracted by wordly desires. i pray that they'll love You more and more.

jem: i thank You that jem's been such a great captain. i pray that he'll get to know You.

jenhan: i thank You for jenhan, whom i've known for such a long time. i pray that you will soften his heart too. I pray that he'll do his best for his o's

linghan: i thank You that linghan's been such a funny chap, and a really fun person to be with cuz we can discuss warcraft strategies heehhehehe. i pray that he'll get to know You too..

mingwei: i thank You that mingwei's been an inspirational ex-capt...and i'll always remember him for praying for me when i injured my ankle at comp '03. i pray that he'll continue to love you more and more too

tengjin: i thank You that tengjin's been such a great exvicecapt too, and i pray that he'll get to know You. i hope he forgives me for all the hk jokes.....ahhem ahhem.

alex: i thank You for alexlimactseh, he's been such a greaaaaat friend and such a funnny guy. i pray that he'll run the race well too!

xavier: i thank You that xavieer's been such a great exexcapt, but i think he's fallen away. i pray that somehow..he'll get to feel your love. and realise it.

alvin: i thank You that alvin's been such a great exexex capt! and i know he's been a real good brother to stacy (i think. ha ha)

damian: i pray that damian will work hard for his O's!! ha ha

peishan: i thank You that i've known peishan since p4, she's been a real good friend. i pray that you'll soften her heart.

stacy: i thank You for stacy, who's been an inspiration to everyone in the gym arena when she did her floor routine despite her injury during the comp'04. Yup, shes' the champppp ^^

youzi: i thank You that i know youzi, who's been really nice and i'm really glad that she's accepted You, and that she'll b able to go to church soon to share the joy of knowing you with others ^^

wei: i thank You that i know wei, tho' not very well..please bless her with good health and that she'll achieve much in gym! i pray that she'll get to know you really soon too.

wensi: i thank You that i know wensi, who's been a good advisor to me. i pray that she'll realise she needs You too, and that she can't be stuck in her own comfort zone. i pray that she'll do her best for her A's...

wenling: i thank You for wenling, who's been such a joy to talk to...all the crap we talk about been's really good at relieving stress. i pray that she'll strive in gym and she'll follow in the footsteps of her sister!

joy: i thank You for joy, who's really been a joy to know. she's been a real good sister to david, and im sure david knows that. i pray that she'll continue to love You.

nicole and tabitha: i thank You for these two, who's really been fun knowing. i pray that as they grow older and mature, they'll take You seriously.


random people:

fongsterrr: i thank You that i know msfong who's built me up alot in You. i hope we continue to build each other up in You, and i thank You that she's been a source of inspiration in my life.

patty: i thank You that i know patty, who's really helped me a lot in my hard times during sec3, and i hope she realises macs everyday isn't very good for her...ha ha. i pray that she'll love you mroe and more.

ryan(fr sji): i thank You that he's decided to take his spiritual life seriously, i pray that he'll start running the race with a steadfast heart.

kayli: i thank You that kayli's accompanied me online for most of my late nights, (i finally outlasted her today hehee) she's been a real source of crappiness and laughter...and i thank You for that.

elissa: i thank You for elly, who's been such a good mei. tho' we've drifted, i do pray that she continues to run a steadfast race too.

limhui: i thank You for limhui, whom i've known for a really long time too. she was such a good friend in primary school, and i thank You for that. i pray that she loves you more and more as the yrs go by.

liz: i thank You for elizabeth, and i'm really glad that she's under good influence from ms fong. continue to bless her and i hope she'll love you more and more too.

denise: i thank You for denise, who's mum has spared mum many trips to the gym. im really glad that she took interest in her faith.

family members:

yanrong: i thank you for this big cusin who's pretty talented in music. i know she's helped me in many areas of life, and i thank You for that. i pray that yich treats her well and that he'll not b so itchy. =D

jingmin: i thank you for this cusin also whom i am closer to, she's helped me a lot in many areas of life too, and im really glad i visited her church. i pray that she'll love you more too as the yrs go by.

daddy,mummy,yingying,mike:i thank You for this family, that i've grown up with. they are truly your greatest gifts to me.

yanling: i thank You for yanling, who's provided so much joy in ahmas house with her witty jokes. i pray that she'll learn to love you more.

pamela: i thank You for pamela, who's been a real cool cuzin too, studying together in gloria n joshua's room..i pray that she'll love you more too!

mark: i pray for this big cuzin of mine, and although he makes me feel inferior physically sometimes, i do hope i get closer to him.

megan: i thank you for this adorable cousin, and i hope that we'll both continue liking the moon...ha ha

ahma and ahgong: thank You for such loving grandparents. i really really really pray that they'll get to know you,, and that ahgong wont be so stubborn ;(

ancho: i thank You for ancho. many people dont get to see their great grandmothers, and i have a healthy one. im really sad i can't speak hokkien,and i can't talk to her. and after reading jingmins blog i do rreally empathize for her. i really dont know what i can do, God, but please, help ancho.

yeyemama: same as ahma ahgong but change ahgong to mama. hahaha

aprime people: jia you for amath! =D

azizul(special request): i pray that azizul will......study hard in sch today! hahaha.

yup, thats about it God. i pray that i'll remebmer those whom i've left out!! ;( and pray for them asap!

Amen.


matthew admired God's creations at 2:18 AM [comment]

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Friday, September 03, 2004

i've always felt that there was such a concept as 'feel-good' churches. basically they are churches which make you feel extremely happy after a sermon, because they hammer into you that God is great, God is generous, God will bless you, He will never let you go etc.

While all that is true, the way that he blesses us, i dont think, is correctly conveyed to people. you see, God is generous, and He will bless us, but in ways in which we do not comprehend. Usually we view being blessed as getting RICH and enjoying success in all areas of life. Yet, do u know how blessed we are? Just start counting your blessings, u'll never be able to finish. i was horrified when i heard city harvest church preaches that since God blesses you, christians will be rich. I think its completely ridiculous anyone'd believe that. since when did running the spiritual race have anything to do with wordly wealth? 'for the love of money is the root of all evil' this quote is from the bible. i seriously doubt that if God did make christians rich, we'd turn into better people. as the bible puts it, even our worldly fathers wouldn't give us anything bad, how much more so for our heavenly father with His infinite wisdom? i think, the more money we have, the more we'll sink into debauchery.

i am seriously worried about 'feel-good' churches. people listening to the sermons will all feel that life is a bed of roses with God by our sides. I think it is so much the opposite. Jesus led a hard life, and we are called to be Christ-like. we are called to be the light and salt of the world, and this light has to outshine the worldy pressures which we succumb to ever so easily. we are called to love, our neighbours and our enemies, and this is such a difficult task. its awfully difficult.

yet, i think these 'feel good' churches make the church-goers fair weather believers. if so, they dont qualify as believers at all. they should be just called fair weather church goers. when life's good, ppl are eager to serve and are thankful. [ i hope]. Before elaborating about the situation during the bad times in life, some information is needed about the end days.

the end days is a time when Jesus will come back to earth and judge everyone. there are two theories about what will happen.

one is that those who have finished running the spiritual race suddenly disappear from the face of the earth, and following that, those left behind will endure 7 years of horrible suffering on earth. this theory is based on the fact that the bible mentions that nobody knows when the end of times will arrive. it will be 'like a thief', striking at an unknown time. (yet, we know it is soon. we can see from the many predictions of the bible which have already come true, one of which is the reformatino of Israel. i have an article on that, come get it from me if you are curious)

the second theory is that the believers and the non-believers all will endure this 7 years of suffering together, and the believers who stand firm to their faith will then have truly finished the gruelling race. this theory is based on the fact that christians will suffer.

1 peter 4:12-19
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though some thing strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of CHrist, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. FOr it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,

"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" (proverbs 11:31)

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."


From this verse, and the possible fact that christians may suffer during the 7 years, life is definitely not a bed of roses. I just feel that these 'feel-good' churches should not only continually tell the people what God'll do for you, and what wonderful things you shall receive, but also prepare them.

Nevertheless, i do not think that the suffering of the 7 years is the main issue right now. the main issue is the fact that christians, or those who claim they are, have stopped running the race. they see pretty flowers at the side, and proceed to look at it. they see shortcuts and pursue them, and they lead them further backward.

another type of runner is the kind which is running the straight path. they think the race is fun, and thats because it is easy to run. there's bound to be a mountain or a valley somewhere along the race, and they MUST prepare for it.

and another kind. the runner who runs with the wrong attitude. they think the spiritual race is a joke. as such, they do not run it properly, they behave like the backsliders or those at the start of the race. WAKE UP. stop your foolhardy behaviour and run properly.

there's a phrase which christians can abide by. WWJD? what would Jesus do? it can be a motto for life, as we are called to be christ-like. what kind of a life did Jesus live? he had no home, no money, couldn't bathe, no good food, yet he lived the most meaningful life ever. i think one of the most wonderful ways our lives can be blessed is for God to use us, to spread the word and get more people to know Him. but before helping others to run the race, we must run correctly with strong steps of faith.

and the book of Eccleciastes so wonderfully sums up life.

Eccleciastes 12:13-14
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

(i have a feeling there are several mistakes in this entry especially with information about the end days--the 7 years of suffering is a bit shady. i will clarify it ASAP. im writing this at 1.25 am, what do u expect!!)





matthew admired God's creations at 11:22 PM [comment]

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