It's been long...Finally having a long break at home now. 1 month is gone and 3 more months of break left.

Life is so good especially this year. Sometimes I just don't know how to thank God more for this life. My character is shaped a lot this year and learnt lots of stuffs, both at church and at uni. Memorable year of my life...

Last 2 weeks was a long vacation for me. Went to Thailand for family vacation for 5 days, which reminds me to praise God that the flood wasn't there at that time. Then, went to uni for a week to visit senior's convocation and visiting church friends over there. It's a great week, meeting seniors that I didnt met for so long and hanging out with juniors. After that, going out with friends who came to Kuching for travelling. Tiring Gunung Gading trip but was good. Went for the first time and saw Rafflesia.

Pastor's famous expression.

Church of Praise Tronoh.

Rafflesia at Gunung Gading

Going to start my volunteering work with Logos Hope ship as they are coming to Kuching starting tomorrow till Nov 13th. See you there eh! Finally got myself busy on something on this break! =D

Thank God tonight the internet connection was so good and fast. I wonder if most people had slept already or went back home which leads to less people using the hostel internet connection now.

So what more? I went immediately to youtube and videos just load so fast. Managed to watch several music videos of Hillsong. Was so nice compared to the mp3s where you can't see how the team sings and plays. It was encouraging and joyful to see the team just give all out - playing like mad, singing, jumping, just lifting the hands up so high....Fantastic! That's how it brings the mood and encourage the crowd to join in the praise and worship to God.

Really like David where though he's a king, when he worships - he goes all out, crazy he may look. But I guess that was what kind of worship that pleases God. Really amazed.

Praise God for this observation. The drawback is I stayed up late to watch the videos till now. Haha.

Something that caused me to feel so sad, up to the point of weeping inside of me recently.

I just encountered two situations regarding talents. For the first one, I came to met and know a brother in christ recently. He shared to me that when he just accepted the Lord, he was so on fire that he wants to find something, yea, i mean SOMETHING he can serve the Lord. He can't play the guitar, he can't share to others because he was still not firm in the Word too and lots more the list goes. And it adds the more frustration to himself when he sees others can serve as they have the gifts. And as a testimony, God gave the gifts according to His time, and he is now leading in sharing the word in a sunday school to the kids and he is so happy about it.

On the contrary, there are people whom God had gave the gifts to serve Him. However, the willingness, the passion to use it is not there as the first one.

This really reminded me of the Parable of Talents, which I still remembered I first listened to it when I was in iscf. (Matt 25:14-28)
Those who received talents and use it, God will give more.
Those who received talents but do not use it, God will be disappointed and not please with you.

How can that be? We gotta surrender ourselves as we follow Him. As we do that, we should desire, find delight in knowing His desires and fulfill it. And it is always a joy in serving the Lord. =)

Are You Following?

Side note: First of all, I thank a few of you who linked me which I do not when was it and I just linked you guys recently too. Keep blogging about your life with God and it really just inspires the readers. =)

You know, sometimes when times are difficult, it really reflects what matters the most to you in life and who or what do you put your trust in. In easy times, I could always say I will follow You Lord and do whatever You say in my life. And as a university student, there are times where assignments and projects just come together to you without queueing first. At those times, it is quite difficult to juggle time between serving God and doing all these works. There are even times where you would ask yourself: is it worth it? the sacrifices you made, whether it is for following or serving the Lord.

God spoke to me in a special way through people, the worship and the sermon last week. (Luke 14:27)
²⁷ And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

I really thanked God I made it. It's like a test for me at this point of time. He is my God! I will follow Him! Sacrifices are all worth it. He is a merciful God!

"Jesus I decide to live, live a life that shouts Your fame...(repeat)"

It is definitely not by concidence that I'm placed here.

This walk with God we have is an interesting one.

Just as a plant either grows or withers, our relationship does the same with God. Everyday, its either we receive something or we 'wither' a bit. There's no such thing as stop growing. That's why if we are not receiving something today, we are 'withering' a bit. If that continues for days or longer, you will not even realise why has your faith in God starts to grow cold.

We need to do a check up on ourselves once in a while. Those who serve in ministries especially worship leaders or pastors need to do that all the more and be even more cautious. Because when you feel dry, sometimes no one can see it. Just you and God knows it. That is why it adds to the reason why you just need to come to Him for help and let Him fill you, refresh you.

Continue to have a steady relationship with Him. Only then you can be able to reachout to others and be the light of the world.

His Wants, Your Wants

Lately, God has been speaking to me about surrendering to Him, completely. The things we feel important to us, our successes, failures, the way we do things, all we need to surrender to Him. That's surrender.

A brother gave a nice metaphor for this:
When you invite a guest to your house, how do you treat him? You tell him all the rules you expect him to follow like no touching the furnitures, lights off by 10pm and more or you tell him, "Make yourself at home." and let him do all he wants.

It is not easy. Somehow, there are still some things we do like to control because we feel more comfortable this way. Take a look, great people of God are great not because they are but they all surrender to God. Let His wants in your life be your wants, your desires.

In that way, you will find peace and He will take care of your needs and plans for your future. God bless. =)

Wow. I think I'm being quite busy to come out with a time to leave something here. But not really, maybe I'm just not much into blogging.

Lately, I feel amazed about how I am who I am today. God did planned out everything in my life and all of it being done one by one.

Many times we always set our limits on our own strength - what we can do and what we cannot. But God's grace takes that limit furthur, stretching it day by day. The stretching hasn't end yet, we do not where is the end. But one thing we should focus instead is - are we willing to be stretched by God? Surrender to Him and let Him be our Potter?

Take care everyone. =)

Random photo of the month:

Traditional weapons from China selling on a booth in uni.

Christmas!

Went to Boulevard the other day and saw these nice decorations.

 Plastics bottles only.

 Seriously nice and simple.

Interior view of the bell.



So I guess this is that time of the year again. Can you feel the Christmas mood already? I don't really feel it yet though.

Coming To An End

Time really pass fast. November's coming to an end already. Then I'll be back home in December.

Surprisingly, I don't really feel that homesick anymore. It's like not even a little of it.

As I'm having the last service at COP Tronoh yesterday, I suddenly feel sad.

I really got blended into COP already with the people and the activities. Of course, not to forget this place is another platform for me to continue to grow in the Lord.

COP Family

Gonna create more memories in this place for more sems to go. Believing in greater things to happen through COP!

2 more weeks of exam weeks then going back home!

Trials

This two weeks would be the peak of busy-ness for this semester. One week done. If I can go through next week, my workload, most of it would be done, leaving only a few tests before heading to finals.

Through this period, really need to be strong and really believe for God's strength.

Despite being busy or not, God still deserves the first place in life.

God bless!

Move on.

Stand Firmly

The longer you are exposed to society, the more problems you see in society. Sometimes, you are too conscious of being relevent to the fact that you compromise your own principles and stands with the world's.

It may seem ridiculous to some, but do you know that sometimes small things like when you are not helping your friends to sign attendance when they skip lectures or cheat with them in exam together, they may somehow dislike you. As for more serious cases, you may even get ignored by them. It is not easy to stay righteous for God, I admit. But it happens in many university, if you're observant and is lucky to encounter these cases.

When you come to that time of always enduring and coming to God, you will always know that you are doing the right thing. Sooner or later, people around you can see the difference in you and not getting mad at you. It really feels good when you know you're doing the right thing and God the Father is please with you.

Let's obey God and stay righteous for him. God bless!

Worshipper

I remembered once during ISCF, the Scripture Union representative came for a sharing. The thing I am most attracted is when he shared about worship. Of course, it's not about songs but when you're singing it, mean it, express it to God.

For example, the song Hosanna's bridge part. Don't just sing it because it sounds nice. I mean how could you take it lightly, just singing "Break my heart for what break Yours.." like that? Are you ready and really mean it?



A great video that deserve the time to watch. Don't look for answers. Look for Him.

Care Trip

So, two days ago, I went to visit an orphanage home with my group mates. It was a project for Moral studies. We admit, we went there not preparing enough on what we should do there. Everything happened so fast, like getting permission for the visit.

Right after class, in the afternoon we went down to Ipoh to where it is. It was fun. We have the address of the place but we do not know where it is. Even someone from our group who is from Ipoh also don't know where it is. Haha, well, it reminded me that I do not know some places too when batchmates come to Kuching for travelling. The solution was - GPS.

We counted on the GPS from the mobile phone of a friend. But it rained so heavily when we departed from uni. Thank God the rain stopped just so soon and so the GPS can be used. Found the place and almost fainted to the fact that it WAS situated in Taman bla bla bla, but that Taman is like just a lorong, no wonder the GPS can't track it! HAHAHA

We went there and was really greeted by the kids. They were happy and excited to see us. Basically, we played simple games with them and have some chats with them. I can really say that these kids like anyone of us, really happy having people to care and listen to them. I think we really enjoy ourselves being there too. Seeing the kids eager to show us what they can do,it's amazing. There's quite a lot of them that can do breakdance. No kidding. One of them shared to me about his dream of being a scientist and gonna invent something. I know, reality but how many of us can really be dare to dream like that? Maybe you used to but I think that's cool. They are cool.

Great experience seriously. I question myself, if it weren't for Moral projects, would most people show care and visit them, who like us needs caring as well?

Photos.

Being Slow

I always have this habit of slow, as in getting interested in things only when people have already being bored in things they were interested. Yea, watching the show Glee.

It's so funny how I think it's lame especially the acting and storyline when I watched the first episode many months ago. Then I accidentally watched a few episodes few months ago on the tv. Got quite attracted to the mashups and version of songs. Perception changed. I think it's interesting how the lives of ordinary teachers and students are when they are magnified. It somehow portrays the the cultures we are living in.

Though I only watched up to episode 12, I see many things. Like Kurt which may be one of the most interesting characters to many people due to him admitting and knowing he is a gay. I think it is sad when even his father say he knows and accept him as a gay. I mean, there's no such thing as gay and a father's not doing anything about it.

Then there's Quinn, whose father kicked her out of the house straight knowing she's pregnant. The problem of acceptance, but, from a father!? And having a mother who's not supporting at all!? What parents are they, not supporting and accepting their child. Really opposes with the Prodigal's Son.

And all these kind of things look so normal to be not shocking to the world anymore.

See to it that how cultures are changing and being different today. Our God is a great Father.

Walking

Lately, I've been getting into sleep only after 1a.m. and after that. Too busy with too many stuffs. Which also explains how funny that I have no time for blogging like seriously.

Not mentioning just about academic life in 1st sem of 1st year, but things do change a lot.

Recently, I'm seeing the need to get out of my comfort zone and to grow in the Lord. I believe that like all earthly parents we have, God also delights in seeing us to grow and to be mature in Christ. So that is why Uncle Mervyn has always been telling that it is important how getting to know and be close to your earthly parents help you to understand about God, our heavenly Father as well.

I can only say that I'm learning to leave things to Him and trust Him more and more instead of my own strength. I know by my own might I have limitations. His grace is always enough even though your faith may not be enough.

Thank God that He provides good churches for us. I'm feeling so much more belonging to the family of COP this sem.

Which reminds me. I'm back in 2 weeks' time. Yeah.

40-Day Fast & Prayer 2010

Hello people, today is the first day of the 40-Day Fast & Prayer 2010.

Let us all be encouraged to join this event.

The sole purpose of fasting is to get closer to God and it is not limited to just food or activites that hinder you from God like Facebook or computer games. It may also be unforgiveness and hatred you have been keeping toward someone. "Unforgiveness is like stabbing yourself with a knife over and over again as you meditate on how the person has treated you." There is a need to be set free.

Let us all pray as a united nation and to see life being transformed and revival to take place.

The prayer booklet may be download here.

God bless you all!

It Was Amazing

I guess I'm settled, used to uni life again. No more thinking back of enjoying back home so often during lectures already.

I mean, why not?

2 months break is quite long.

I've gone travelling to Genting with family.

I've been to Damai for photoshoot with friends.

I've been to Permai for Jungle Trekking, seeing the nice waterfall at the peak, swimming, football on beach, kayak-ing and nice seafood dinner. (Thank you for the college group)

Catched up with some friends.

Drove enough already.

Truly enjoyed and relaxed.

Back Again

Side note: I'm back to uni for a week already, starting my 1st semester in degree. Very interesting it is.

Two weeks ago, I went to ISCF of my secondary school, mainly to visit and encourage the juniors through a short sharing. Faith comes by hearing of testimony.

I must say, it was very exciting.

Was anointed in sharing and encouraged the juniors. Thank you God. At the same time, I was also encouraged by them as well. Seeing the very young ones playing the guitar and worship God is amazing, though they may not be very skillful. Seeing also leaders rising up, and boldly sharing about the Word. It is indeed the heart what God seeks.

Memories about there kept flashing back. Amazing. Without realising, it ended already! =)

By the way, the Junior Science Labs which were burnt down 2 years ago were just about to be reconstructed again. Good good.

How i miss this place.

See the building far behind? It's surrounding is covered.

New Wife

Side note: Yea, I finished my Foundation for a long time already and I didn't blog at all. Enjoying at home so much. By the way, Blogger recently added some new cool basic templates. Was thinking of moving to Tumblr for nice templates but now, no.

Don't normally want to post this kind of posts, but I'm really grateful to John for being a great matchmaker. Ever since 2 weeks ago, I've been spending quite a great deal of time with my new wife.

Take a look how beautiful she is...

 

Also feeling very happy finally having a guitar. Been borrowing guitar from friends for the second half of the last semester. Haha.

Going to enjoy the rest of my break before entering undergraduate. World Cup's very interesting this time.

The Profession

Anyone: What do you do as a profession?
Me: I'm a university student.
Anyone: That's awesomely challenging. I respect you!
Me: Duh.

To be frank, a university student is really an awesome occupation. I mean, how many people can really endure the stress you get with a whole pile of assignments and projects being thrown to you? Not forgetting the tests and the finals of course.

It's my last two weeks of being a Foundation student by the way. Just realised it not long ago. Another week of academic week and another week of finals. No study week. Then back home to Kuching I will be for 2 months. I should sound very excited because every time i went back for a break, it's only one week long due to my study system.

Me in 1st sem! Look so naive hor?

Looking back at the photos when I just came here, I was way different from the me now. I learnt things. I experienced things. I've changed. For instance, I like sports now. But some things don't change. I still have my natural dark eye bags with me. Is proud of it by the way.

This 2 weeks is going to be stressful indeed. And Farewell Night is coming up. Can already foresee what I will be doing in Kuching.

Let's wait for my next post, hopefully saying I feel very relieved with all the projects and finals ending already, enjoying the feeling of stepping on Kuching International Airport once again.

Going to be a super nerd now.