Hey dear friends, for those who have watched Chronicles of Narnia, here are some thoughts after reviewing the show again during our 2nd Surprise weekend.

Recap:

NARNIA
Once a peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants.

The downfall...

Turned into a world of eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis


The Saviour

Aided by the wise and magnificent lion Aslan, the children lead Narnia into a spectacular, climatic battle to be free of the Witch’s glacial powers forever.

-----------------------------------------------END-------------------------------------------

That’s all fantasy…How about in this world you are living in?

THE WORLD

Once a peaceful and perfect place where Man has the liberty to enjoy all that God has created


The downfall…

Turned into a sinful and plagued world caused by Satan and the fallacy of Man.


Our Saviour

Aided by the son of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, we are called into God’s saving grace and to spread the FULL gospel to the world.

Will we be able to fulfill our great commission and set the world free?

Our New Friends

Firstly, let me introduce the girls to all of you!

They are Hui Wen, Yu Ping and Hui Qin!

And now, the guy!

Let's welcome Alex (on the right)!

Do continue to join us for our weekly Youth Fusion gatherings on every Saturday, 3.30pm!

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Romans 5:1~5

Paul, the traveller and Roman citizen, had made three prolonged and extensive journeys, pioneering the Christian message throughout the eastern provinces of the Empire and establishing churches. Having significant contributions in building the early churches, i would assume that God will probably make his life easier thereafter. I would imagine God would make Paul the Dean of some mega-church, let him be an invited speaker in churches worldwide, or maybe let him retire early with a big fat pension, or even give him a all-expenses-paid holiday to Hawaii for a sabbatical. Alas, it was not meant to be......

Paul was arrested in Jerusalem(Acts 21:27), spends two years in custody in Caesarea, was called before the authorities three times(Felix, Festus & Agrippa), was extradited to Rome to be brought before Caesar in court, but before he could reach Rome, he was shipwrecked with the "Perfect Storm"(Acts 27), with quicksands and whirlwinds off the North African coast, and with neither sun nor stars to set a course or calculate their position. So Paul reaches Rome at last, though hardly in the way he imagined. Later on in AD64, Emperor Nero made a scapegoat of the Christians, laying the blame on them when Rome went up in flames. Paul was imprisoned and executed in about AD67 in the ferocious persecution that followed.

For my braadders and sistaars who are disheartened by troubles in your life, take heart, cuz we never face any of them alone. And like King Leonidas, or King Peter(for the younger ones), let us rise to the occasion once again...

You and I are made in God's image (Genesis 1:27)

He will remain in us if we remain in Him (John 15:4)

so, with our loving Father on our side, doesn't that make us as tough too? ;-)

Past, Present and Future
By Eddy John Sng

Recently I heard the song Angels by Robbie Williams with fresh, new insights. I had listened to this song years ago, but this time round, God spoke to me through the lyrics of the song [adapted to reflect God instead of angels]:

And through it all
He offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong

Past
These four lines sum up my first year with the Lord [I entered WAC around this time last year]. As I reflect on what has happened to me during this year, I realise that through all the good times and bad times He has always been there for me, sheltering me against sins, temptations and the Devil's works.

The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.
Exodus 15:2

Even when my behaviour was less than acceptable to Him (giving in to temptations, disobeying His will), He did not cast me out, but instead poured out even more of His love and grace into my life.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call
He won't forsake me
I'm loving Jesus instead

Present
Having just finished my studies at NTU, there are many decisions I have to make that will determine my future. Initially, I was very worried and constantly thought about many things. I did not want to end up making a wrong choice that would take me away from the Lord. But as I sought and prayed for His guidance, I came to realise that all I needed to do was to rely and depend upon Him to chart my life's path.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

As of now, I still don't have a concrete idea of where I'll be serving the Lord. But wherever God sends me, whatever trials I face, I will not fear, because I know that He is with me, and He will never leave me.

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5

Future
Friends, how has your year with the Lord been? How has God been speaking to you? Has He been telling you to move in a direction you never anticipated?

If He has, do not worry, but place your trust in Him and take that leap of faith to accomplish what He has tasked you to do.

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 hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

New every morning



i woke up this morning to a pleasant, fresh and cooling morning
it rained last night, i think some of you are still asleep ;-)

i propped my head outside my window and took a deep breath
woah, F.R.E.S.H.!

immediately, i was reminded of my NS days where we had field camps or overnight outstations where we would be out early before the sun rises
waking up on grass patches
or in push up position to have an upclose look on how morning dew looks like ;D

i'm really amazed at how articulate our God is
a God of details
how is it ever possible to control every kind of molecules in the air structure that our bodies have just enough oxygen through the air we breathe?

there's a newness and freshness every morning
(if not, why do you think the old uncles and aunties are doing at your void decks so early?)
just like the morning dew, it's a reminder that God's grace for us is new every morning

He puts in 100% to keep us alive
no less
not just by providing us a wonderful environment to live in

but most importantly
His work on the Cross

------

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.


John 4:14
but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

-----

alright,
off to work
have a blessed and FRESH day in the Lord ahead! =)

HELLO?????

where has everyone gone to???

hmm... seems rather quiet these days huh?

oh well, nvm

doesn't matter

at least YOU are reading this right?
lol ;-)

well, let me first bore you with some of the things I'm busy with currently:
Marking exam scripts
Marking exam scripts
Marking exam scripts
Marking exam scripts

oh, wait a minute, let me put down my red pen
didn't realised i was still holding on to it
no wonder i m typing a little slow

*puts red pen down*

ok.
i understand many of us are busy with exams, work etc
it seems like everything has become a bore/chore
you don't find meaning in the things you do

or maybe
you have come to a point where you can't be bothered to find a meaning

or maybe
you are so satisfied with what you have now

maybe you think
you do not need..... God


well
please take a step back,

seriously,

physically,

lean back on your chair (provided you have a backrest)

turn off the lights in your room
turn off that noisy mp3 (yes, i don't care if that's hillsongs or planetshakers that you are listening to)


i want to share this verse with you
just a simple verse
----------------------------------------------
Psalm 46:1-2
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
----------------------------------------------

as i took a step back
i realised i have missed out alot by being TOO INVOLVED in the things I do
yes, i do enjoy doing the things i do
but i find that i have come to such a comfortable point where i realised i m relying so much on myself..

i seem to have missed the whole point.. have you?

do i want to wait till the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea to begin to appreciate God?
do i need to wait for every weekend to come to church to meet with God cos throughout the week, i'm too busy?

God is not just marvelous on weekends
He wants to marvel you every single day.

and trust me,
when you marvel at the awesomeness of Him

You will then realised that it's not simply well written poetry that says "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."

but literally,
His ever strong and open arms are there to welcome you
to increase You
to give you strength
to give you wisdom
to give you so on and so forth

and most importantly
He wants to
to show you His LOVE for you

if only

YOU

CHOOSE

TO

so what are you waiting for?
take a step back and discover
the really Important Thing
or rather
the really Important Person

III. FAITH & SURVIVAL 12:13

A. Personal 12:13a

1. "Fear God" ... a personal call.
a. This kind of fear means “respect" or "honor!"
b. The bottom line to the whole book of Ecclesiastes is found in this verse, a call to personalize our relationship with the Creator God!

2. To "fear God" in such a way that you are too afraid to let go of the Lord!
a. It may be hard to serve the Lord but have you ever considered the alternative? It is much harder not too!
b. God offers us safety for our soul; the alternative is to lose that soul!
c. "Hanging on" is not a bad option, "letting go" of God may prove to be more dangerous!

ILLUS: LIKE A MAN NAMED HENRY DEMPSEY WHO WAS TAKING A COMMUTER FLIGHT FROM PORTLAND, MAINE TO BOSTON. HENRY WAS THE PILOT OF THE PLANE. AFTER TAKING OFF HE KEPT HEARING A NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE SMALL PLANE. FINALLY HE DECIDED TO GO LOOK. HE TURNED THE CONTROLS OVER TO HIS CO-PILOT AND WENT TO THE BACK OF THE PLANE TO LOOK AROUND. HE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM QUICKLY ENOUGH, AS SOON AS HE GOT NEAR THE TAIL THE PLANE HIT AN AIR POCKET THROWING DEMPSEY AGAINST THE DOOR WHICH IMMEDIATELY POPPED OPEN SINCE IT WAS LOOSE ALREADY ... THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE TO BEGIN WITH. HE WAS INSTANTLY SUCKED OUT OF THE PLANE AS THE DOOR OPENED. HIS CO-PILOT SAW THE RED LIGHT COME ON INDICATING AN OPEN REAR DOOR AND HE RADIOED THE NEAREST AIRPORT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. HE REPORTED THE LOSS OF HIS PILOT AND REQUESTED A HELICOPTER SEARCH BE MADE OVER THE AREA WHERE HIS DOOR SUDDENLY BLEW OPEN. HE HAD HOPED THEY WOULD FIND THE BODY OF HIS FRIEND FOR THE FAMILY. AFTER THE PLANE LANDED THEY FOUND HENRY DEMPSEY ALL RIGHT, HANGING ON STILL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LADDER OF THE AIRCRAFT! HE HAD HUNG ON FOR 10 MINUTES AS THE PLANE FLEW AT 200 MILES PER HOUR AT AN ALTITUDE OF 4,OOO FEET, AND THEN WHILE LANDING SOMEHOW KEPT HIS HEAD FROM HITTING THE RUNWAY, WHICH WAS ONLY 12 INCHES AWAY! IT TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES FOR AIRPORT PERSONNEL TO PRY HIS FINGERS OPEN FROM CLUTCHING THE LADDER. HE HAD WEIGHED THE CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING ON AGAINST THOSE OF LETTING GO AND DECIDED THE PAIN OF HOLDING ON WAS LESS THAN THE PAIN OF LETTING GO! THERE’S A GOOD MESSAGE HERE ABOUT HANGING ON TO GOD VERSES LETTING GO ... HANG ON BRETHREN! – SOURCE UNKNOWN

3. It is better to fear God more than fearing this world!