Noah & his Ark

Ok, I've not posted for a very long time but I have one major question to ask about an aethist's vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RV46fsmx6E that challenges christians about the Bible's fact.

It'll be good if anyone have the liberty to answer any one of the questions/errors listed in that video. I'm going to bring out one question that even my dad have difficulty answering.

-> There are 2 explaination to the great flood; one is that the flood flooded the entire world literally (evidences have been found all over the world that there is indeed a flood), the other is that the flood flooded the known world at that time which is not the entire world.

The vid stats that it is impossible to the point of ridiculous that the ark itself can hold millions of species of animals in that one ark. And if the flood indeed floods the entire world, that means all animal species have to come to the ark. Imagine this, polar bear from north pole travelling to the middle east. Giraffe coming from africa..and how is it possible for land animals overseas to travel to the ark without touching sea? It is only logical to say that the flood only flood the known world at that time. But if it only flood the known world, how is it possible that major flood evidence is found all over the world? Isn't this contradictory?

That's my question, I'm still pretty confused and hope someone can explain to me.

Hmm I guess most of us roughly know what are the reasons behind the situation we are in now..some of us have different views on it but..the issue is not what are the reasons, it is what we can do at the present moment.. eg, you are running a race, say 1000m relay.. half-way thru, you pulled a muscle.. will you: 1) stopped and think why it happen, is it becos warm up not enough? or 2) carry on and finish the race the best you can.. Though sometimes it's gd to reflect and think abt the possiblity.. but now if I were to think abt it.. I think we really spent alot time on no.1.. the committee members tried and plan and sit ard to think of various possiblilties to try to attract more ppl to tuan qi and stuffs.. kept trying.. but =/ hmm

Now, they are heading towards the no.2 stage.. what we can do.. =/ I used the word "they" instead of "us", because they are doing it!! cool ya?hmm and I'm following them behind lol..Hmm now with the new preacher coming to guide us..that's what I found out recently =)hmm yup. He will be teaching us the basics and foundation of our faith which is very impt. Without the foundation within each christian, a church can be a nice place to socialise where you find all you ka-kees, hang-out buddies and stuffs, eventually it might look just like another community place where ppl with common interest hang ard with.. But with the foundations, and provided that one follow it, PERSEVERE -_-" and hopefully someone whom can support you to do that.. someone whom u can account to. So if he/she practice what is taught abt the foundation.. you might see the change.. it might be a small change.. might be over the next few yrs.. the thing is that his/her life will kinda influence you.. and if he/she really does.. he/she might be the type that will normally care and concern for ppl and their spiritual life in someway.. (=/ well at least that is what I think) yea

So well, let's jia you!! Let's try to interact more with one another :P

Grp updates !

Prayer Requests !

Group Gathering

• There will a group gathering this sat. Please try your very best to attend. We will have a group meeting with Preacher Yap first on the plans for our group w.e.f 2008. After which, we will go for dinner. Its a very important gathering. So, hope that everyone will appear during the gathering! Do pray for the discussion matters and the fellowship during the activity.

National Service

• Leawei will be entering NS next weekend. Do pray for him while in NS and keep him in prayers !
• Zehao has ORD from NS w.e.f May 2007 and is now studying in SIM-RMIT Management programme.

Studies

• Yong Sing has graduated from UOL w.e.f June 2007. Do pray for her in her career ahead.

Other matters

• Jeremy has returned to join us in the group in fellowship. Let's all welcome him back!
• Min Quan, Shi Jia, Jeremy and Isaac Lim will be playing for the end of year christmas Celebrations in church on 22nd Dec 07. Do pray for them in handling their studies and the tight practice schedule.
• Do pray for everyone in the group to open up ourselves and share. Pray for the bonds as well. Let our group be an model for the younger youths in peixun !

thoughts

i am just wondering should i very much blog on a class blog. just on some thoughts on how the bonds in our class gt "loosen up" within the years. its just some random thoughts.no offence to everyone ya!?Let's just say 6 years ago..when our class was a seperated class as Daniel and Joshua grps. From the time we entered the "senior" youths class. a merger of class took place..and fellowship started blah blah..we have so much fun together..the sharings everything...soon..one by one left. i dont know what's really wrong with our group..the feelings is wierd..we used to having different care groups during fellowship..and ya. we shared with specific people....now when we are one whole group...we tend to share and open up ourselves..so much things happen from the beginning of this year..from the death of brother Qing Wen..and the many that left the group...are our bond really there?

Of course..as time passed by, our bonds was tested again..it was ups and downs..we have such wonderful great CGls.but are we really sharing our lives? when we have grp outing..how many of us..take the time off to come? The bible says“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear” (Matthew 6:25) so spending for 2 hours for a simple grp gathering really takes so much of our time? i know its a bit crude to say all this..cos i may be wrong or my perspective or my thinkings may not be what everyone thinks...are our bonds today yes..today till now really close..looking at the number of ppl coming for peixun..from a number that could fill mgt room 1 (20) to only 8 ppl..

I do not know what's happening to everyone.why cant we be like last time..like having being close..and able to share..i lost this feeling for quite some time..really...

its a cruel truth that i have written..but i think we should all think about it..especially when we are going to be a seperate fellowship from others..( thinking of it..it hurts me...) i will missed fellowships on sat...

Evolution? Big Bang? All that stuff vs the bible?

Evolution? Big Bang? All that stuff vs the bible?

Hey, found out from my friend's church that there're 4 P.H.D. guys coming down to Singapore to talk about how all the "scientific theories" weighed against what the bible says about creation. I think it'll be very very enriching because listening to 1 of the guys sermons already helped me clear up some stuff.

I think it's also a fantastic opportunity to drag along some of our non-christian friends who happen to be very scienc-y or rational, u know the type that says "show me proof!" to these talks.

Date: 4-6 October 2007
Venue: St Andrews Cathedral
Programme Outline: http://downloads.creationontheweb.com/pdfs/csc07_program.pdf
Website: http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/5204/

I'm definitely going to 2 or 3 of the talks. They're not free though, otherwise it'll be cool to listen to everything.

Sharing

Hi.. I got something to share with you guys..It's about what happen recently and hope it act as an encouragement to trust God more. I Thank God for a place in Uni and the successful application of disruption from NS. I started to asked about the distruption thingy from my PNS side quite early but was then told that I cannot send in too early so have to wait till around june. The next time I asked, they said they need the Letter of Acceptance from the Uni which I already gave it to them, so no choice got to bring another copy to them.. So finally I got the noticed on the 20th July and served my last duty on 30th night till 2400hrs.. then dekit and return my police issued items on the 31st.

The other thing is that my grandma actually won a laptop from the company's lucky draw.. it's a third price.. It was just nice that I needed a laptop for Uni.. and on top of that I got a place in hostel.. Yup application was successful.. then on the 30th night shift.. my mdm bought me burger king as a treat and send me home after my work, as she is also working till 2400hrs that day.. All I can say is that I'm blessed.. yup. Actually if you were to ask me, I believe that I take everything for granted, and only noticed those stuffs that I dun have, such as girl-friend, capable, be it studies or socialising with ppl.. But I noticed that if I were to look at those fine little details, I still can find things to praise God for, as everything is under His control..It’s just something I found out recently.. and I think I have to paste it somewhere on my head to remind myself..

Guess what, today I went to Uni to take my English qualifying test to see whether I need to add one more English module to my course of study, as my O level English not that good.. I was surprised and so happy to see a few of my poly coursemates.. they also taking mechanical engineering.. I was so happy really.. Because I was so scare.. direct 2nd yr it’s going to be tough, and I got friends whom I can ask for help in studies.. Yup really.. Cheers..

Resentful

Hi… if you have noticed, my presence in church is dropping.. To let you all know, it’s actually the fact that I’m being resentful for various reasons.. Mostly I believe is that I did not manage to find a gf =s and partly I felt lonely and longing for a person whom I can really relate to, share my life and my thoughts and inner feelings with, as in a close friend.. Still hoping to find him/her =/ then I started to go to some churches that is nearer to home.. hoping to find another place that I can belong to.. This act is what I think most men will do when they face some problems and they will be likely to hide in their cave working out this problem.. you can try to talk to them, you will feel like their heart is not there.. they are trying all their might to solve or rather for me (think) about the problems.. Ya I begin to slowly let myself disappear… an act of being resentful..then on the other hand, wishing someone would have just cared about me.. hmm…

But then on that Friday nite, 27th july, the dinner with my pei xun’s class.. hmm felt a bit kinda sad that the state where our class or fellowship is becoming.. I think most ppl are burdened with sch and church.. and then I’m doing nothing.. I felt like doing something and be a part too.. But part of me just want to hide in the shadows and not to be seen.. I hope I’ll get back to things and start to do my part.. be it any small part in church..

Updates.Upcoming actvities.Prayer requests

Firstly, i aplogized that this blog is kinda of not very updated as everyone is like with stuff.. so here are the updates and prayer requests !

In the Synod Youth Games which we participated...we got super great results ! Praise the Lord !

The Results

Soccer 18-25 category ( guys) - 1st runner up !
Captain Ball 13-17 category ( mixed) - 4th

* the captain ball team is the ALL-GIRLS team !

Chalet 2007

Next, the chalet held on 19-21st Jun 2007 @ Aloha Changi was great. I'm sure those who went will feel more kinda of relaxed activities this time. Thank God for the weather especially for the bbq and the night cycling on the 1st day. I'm sure those who came for the bbq enjoy the bbq food from the "chefs" ritez?

Worship nite 2007

This year theme of Worship Nite is black and white. the publicity of the event is coming soon..so keep a lookout on it ! Rehersals are on-going at the final stage already...so pray for everyone that's involved ranging from the worship leaders, the backup singers, the musicians, the urshers, the publicity team, the logistics team and those who are coming. pray for their health everything ya ! this event is held on the 11th Aug 2007 @ the education hall. Time is 7pm. so do bring your friends , non-christians to join us sing and praise the Lord !
Event IC is Sis adeline and team.

Mission Trip to North Thailand

This morning ( 4th Jul) at 4am, 3 of our fellow bros and sisters ( Shijia, Weijie and Yong Sing) left for a mission trip with Rev.Chen and 3 adults to North Thailand.Pray for Journey mercy and their work there in Thailand will be a very fulfilling one. Pray that their work there, the various workshops, the paintings, teaching how to use the laptops as as a gospel rally etc as well. Pray that God gave them the wisdom to spread the word of God and an ambassdor of God and sharing their testimonials with the people there ! They will be back on the 11th Jul @ 1pm.

Class updates

As all of us know that we will not be in peixun and fellowship from next year onwards. We will be functioning as a cell group. So do pray for OUR group the bonds, our group spritual life , activities will be able to cater to all of us. Most importantly, continue to keep the fellowship and peixun in prayers as well..

Ying Shan is back from England already after 6 months exchange in Manchester, UK.

Synod Youth Sports Day 2007

We will be having our fellowship on 26th May 2007 at Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary from 130pm-6pm. There will also be a praise and worship at 130pm-2pm. We will be partcipating in the 19-25 Soccer and 13-18 captain ball mixed competition. Do come and join in the fun ! Most importantly, cheer us all ! There will be a carnival as well running concurrently during the competition...Transport will be provided for those participating and the cheer leaders as well.( to

be confirmed)

just some humour for those who're stressed

My friend introduced me to this comedian, Russell Peters. Apparently he's been around for quite some time but slow me hasn't heard of him. Seriously very very funny though :D This is his famous clip where he tries to imitate Chinese shop keepers. Just something to lighten up those who are feeling a bit stressed or frustrated

some updates

okie. theophilusians..for some updates..hope that all who came for the GUM Cafe enjoys the games and all the bonding..all the shoutings etc...okie..ritez.those who missed it..we will play it again...i think..in may..if i'm nt wrong.

another thingy is i think this is the exam and study week..except shijia who have finished exams..(opps)..but u mugged longer than us..lar..okie..nvm...do pray for each other who are having exams like from this week till June...okie..that's all i gotta to say...

let's keep this blog alive..leh..hehehe...

GUM Cafe

Hey guys. Just a reminder that we our very own version of settler's cafe for our fellowship activity today! It's a relaxed occasion... so do come! Be you in the midst of exams (though some of these games are very intellectually challenging) or whatever, do join us! We would be at the huge kindergarten classroom next to music room 2 (where we used to fellowship). 5-7pm. See you guys!
Do bring friends along if you like!

* Click to see the details

Those interested for the above talk, you may wish to enquire with Pastor Willy for more details.

GUM Cafe 1

This sat fellowship activity !

Join us for the extreme fun !

Activity: GUM Cafe

Venue: GPC 2nd Music Rm

Time: 5pm-7pm

everyone's busy but spend some time to share..

yoz yoz..ppl...i noe everyone's busy..but ya..jux spending some time to share..or to check whether are all doing well..maybe nobody will even viewed this..but nvm..to all who read this regularly for updates..thanks ! jux checking that everyone is doing well..and pray for each other especially for those in universities..all of us are rushing projects and exams coming soon..if i m nt wrong..exams will end only in May and some of us early June..be it..when exams end or wadeva...pray for each other ya.. those in Ns are i think having ur IPPT test or sth soon..ritez..ya.pray for them as well..for nw..i'm gotta to rush my project liao..cya..do come for fellowship activities..exciting actvities are on their way to fellowship..yea..and for nw..cya.

Hmm wondering if anyone shares the same feeling.. I tend to be more like a real christian on sundays.. that means to say attend for service.. present at church.. But on other days.. I seems to be like on my own.. having my own lists of to do list.. well actually doing nothing much.. acomplish nothing much.. in front of computer only.. It feels so normal to do that.. as in it's like born with it.. or shld I say it's a habit.. Being a one day christian a week which is on sunday.. The rest of the week back to normal self.

Maybe it takes very effort I have to keep on reminding myself that I'm a christian and there are certian things that I should not do and certain things that I should do..Not to mention the basic two - QT and prayer.. More imptantly do we think abt God? In the midst of doing things do we think of Him? Whisper to Him? (just a thought that came across my mind) We can read the bible but not think of Him..

Btw I'm just thinking abt smthing.. I'm wondering if we seriously lack fellowship??? Esp for the younger ones.. cos if you come to think of it.. what they doing now.. The by rite.. is to go for pei xun.. lessons lessons and more lessons.. then for service.. more knowledge.. but how much can one absorb? though some really can absord and some wrote it down into notes.. But for me personally.. I can't really absorb..I dunno what's the problem maybe my mind keep on thinking abt useless things, hence can't really concentrate most of the time.. or can it be too much "teaching"- as in one teacher follow by another preacher keep on telling u the teachings and stuffs (referring to pei xun and sermons).. and you just sit there.. then slowly all these become too dead liao.. guess it's a sort of personal problem bah.. Guess I need to focus more..

Well back to the main topic.. the younger ones.. let's say they really absorb it.. But how many actually practice what is being taught? (not to mention that i'm also guilty always) hmm the point i'm trying to bring across is that.. being involve in fellowship.. serving inside fellowship then maybe we can see, experience and feel the "teachings" as we might be also to see people who actually practice what is being taught and it motivates us to do likewise.. being in fellowship, caring and loving one and other.. practice of love.. hmm you know what I'm thinking? I'm thinking about... you know there are different grps rite? Then let's say ok this group this week the program you all incharge.. you all do.. you all settle.. so ppl will be invovle.. planning.. decorations.. arrangging of chairs and stuff.. equipment.. this not only allow more ppl to learn and discover what they are gd at in serving, but also interaction also alot more.. it sounds like last time tuai qi rite? hmm.. Thru all these maybe we can better practice more of the teachings also ya??.. hmm what do we really lack of? the tuai qi seems to me like yet another sunday activity.. teachings.. hm just personal opinions and comments.. not a propaganda or anything.. Well do take care guys.. esp Uni students life not ez.. do share out the problems and pray for one another ya? (Well just to note that.. whatever u see here, what I type.. pls dun mistaken me as a very nice guy or whatever sia.. i'm not.. really i'm not, I'm not very stable.. once in a blue moon I will happen to think about stuffs and just say.. and its a say say only thing.. well it is a NATO (no action talk only) ).. well cheers!

Synod Youth Mentor Gathering @ GPC

Dear all, Presbyterian Synod Youth Ministry is organizing the following gathering to be held at our church !!!



Speaker: Dr. Liu Yi Jiang (Asia Theological Center), in Mandarin
Date: 7th Apr 2007
Time: 7:00-9:00pm (snacks provided)
Venue: Glory PC

Please attend and spread the word around for this gathering! I think this will be quite interesting for all of us as the topic kinda of suit us ! Do attend it ya !!!

"At the foot of the cross" by Kathryn Scott

A very beautiful song, it was the responsive song after today's sermon. I'm still trying to appreciate the lyrics fully :) Download it here: http://www.woodmenvalley.org/images/images_WVC/04_-_At_the_Feet_of_the_Cross_(K_Scott).mp3

INTRO
E

VERSE 1:
B C#m
At the foot of the cross
A E
Where grace and suffering meet
B C#m
You have shown me Your love
A B
Through the judgment You received
F#m E/G# A B
And You've won my heart
F#m E/G# A A2/B
Yes You've won my heart Now I Can


CHORUS
E B F#m E
Trade these ashes in for beauty
E B F#m
And wear forgiveness like a crown
E B F#m
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
C#m B F#m
I lay every burden down
B E
At the foot of the cross


BRIDGE
(Guitar)E B C#m A E B C#m A B
F#m E/G# A B
And You've won my heart
F#m E/G# A A2/B
Yes You've won my heart Now I Can

VERSE 2
At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death You bore for me
And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart Now I Can

Click here for lyrics

Source: Lyrics & Chords from Ultimate-Guitar.com

comments

some thoughts from the posts by jerm and edison....i was jux thinking thru..i gt the same experience of being fearful of cristism by others..perhaps this is the reason why i stopped singin in zhan mei xiao zhu for quite so long..i noe i dont haf the talent of singing..but who m i singing for? i m strugglin to go back to the choir but cos of certain reasons..i didnt.... maybe its the tests from God ya..tad's why i was being called to be in the band..( jux formed recently)...

i was jux thinking..why should we even bothered of wad ppl think hw we sing..and stuff since we r singing for God...some people are comparing how the choir members sing..hw well and lousy they are and stuf..ya..i jux wonder why? the bible says praise the Lord with all our heart..but why are we commenting or comparing with others? No one is perfect except God ritez. any comments?

Ah, it's quite sad that this is the norm in church right? Under-appreciation and passively sticking to good friends and not others. Although as di sheng and (who is germ?) said, it's understandable because we find ourselves doing the same thing. Guess we should start with ourselves, small steps :) Cuz Jesus wasn't passive at all, He went out to all the people who no one wanted to talk with.

I've got some thoughts after reading Edison's post. As a church musician I often feel stressed out before serving not because of the fear of making careless mistakes but because of the fear of congregation critism. The worst thing is that they speak behind you, often critism, never encouragement; and most of them comes from non-musician playing people.

Nevertheless you can never agree more with the fact that musicians often goes under-appreciated and never or seldom receive encouragement. Often comparisons were made between pianists and bring about more harm than help, poor-playing musicians often fall because of these factors.

That's all my thoughts about serving in music for so long, and I guess that this message have to get around pretty strong to stir encouragement instead of critisism as a habit.

seeking approval??

1)Hmm have you ever felt the need of approval from ppl, esp ppl with low-self esteem? Ever done something that had slove a certain situation or help people in some way and expect them to thanks you, but in the end nobody seems to say that out to you?

2)Ever try to show a concern for people but they just seems like not to know and stick with their clique? (or maybe is it that you chose to be quiet that's why people doesn't seems to wan to talk to you as they can't really clique and you seems to be rather cold and aloof and had to understand)

Ever felt left out? When all the people are there and you just seems to be forgotten? (Is it that you chose to be alone and too quiet that's why you are forgoten?)

Hmmm ok what does all these means? I dunno... I just felt like saying what i think and felt. For situation no. 1 hmmm.. I think maybe sometimes the things we do people really don't appreciate, and sometimes we even want praises from people for what we had done.. But the end of the day.. Maybe we just need to remind ourselves that.. no matter what we do, if we know that what is done is correct and right its enough le.. Because if we going to seek for those "acknowledgement" we will sure be disappointed. Especially in church, if we do what is correct and right at the moment and it benefit the whole situation.. its good enough.. Shld be thankful.. thankful that you are able to at least do something to help out..(thankful for a chance to serve)

Hmm for situation no.2 is more difficult bah.. For me its difficult, because I often look for the "return" when i give out "love" to people.. So i guess the only solution is to pray and practice to give out love with no "return" thoughts in mind. (Well tough one.. easier said then done)

Hmm felt left out? Hmm the only way is to be the one who join them and not wait for people to look for you.. As most people are passive bah.. Well some situations have more than one solutions =/ btw though i manage to say these out.. but that doesn't mean i do, as i don't really do what i say out actually.. Hmm why leh? I guess because is now i'm thinking.. den after this thing i forget about it already.. So it is stuck in the thinking stage.. not even the planning stage.. not to mention even about the doing stage.. dotz.. what a person i am..

another song to share."Lead me"..reflecting this song..it tell me that things i been thru, our God is there to lead me ..he walked me thru..thru many difficult times in my life..i m kinda of really stressed for projects these few weeks especially the CNY week..many things have happen..from rushing assignments till the news of losing a friend...to the lessons learnt.God is there and he's teaching me lesson every little event in the week.. this song gave me a reminder that what i've been thru till today..since 2001..from graduation in sec 4 till enter ns to enter University..goin for operations..all these was lessons..all these God have brought me thru.. more importantly, no matter what difficulty i go thru..no matter what obstacles i will go past..God will be there for me in my life.. I'm sure its the same for theophilusians and everyone in peixun and fellowship..reflect on this song and share ya.!

Here's a song for sharing..some may find this song familiar..its from GPC Jam site..this is Stained Glass Masquerade by Casting Crowns is really meaningful..the lyrics questioned us in things we do in church, our feelings and the willingness to share..hear and enjoy the song..and most importantly, share ! Enjoy !

note to all who posts

a gentle reminder to all theophilusians posting..

the max font size for posting is only normal size..do not use large, huge fonts as the words would go past the borders..of the right column..ya..thanks

Food For Thought.....

Chanced across this article today....

Lets discuss :)

Article: Jesus tomb found, says film-maker

Jesus had a son named Judah and was buried alongside Mary Magdalene, according to a new documentary by Hollywood film director James Cameron.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6397373.stm

sharing

yesterday lesson was an emotional session for most of us...learnt important lesson thru the hard way...so i shall share on wad are my feelings for yesterday session..

a human nature is to hear nice words..and nt hearing not nice words..what i am goin to say..may be crude but i gotta to say it..it quite sad to see a friend jux left us like tad...tad's a saying..treasure everything that u have..dont regret when u lose it...this is really application in our case..here..i learnt that we should really treasure every friends around me.treasure the fellowship that we have...every session in fellowship is a chance to bond..is a chance to noe everyone better..i think we should start sharing our life..opening up our life and impact each other with our testimonial.its a reflection after what happen.. should we have any problems, i think all of us should start sharing not only in sat bible study once a month but also every sunday during class..any problem that we faced..we should all start saying it out.nt keepin all to ourselves..cos when we say it out..together as a grp or fellowship, we can pray for one another...and the bible did say the importance of prayer..and praying in a grp is more effective too..ritez...

Rosslyn Chapel - featured in Davinci Code

Rosslyn Chapel - featured in Davinci Code

Hi dear friends, I visited the Rosslyn Chapel today in Edinburg, Scotland. It's... such a bizarre chapel, I thought I'd share it with you'll before I forgot all that I'd absorbed. You can click on the links to view the pictures. The interior is really ornately decorated, which isn't at all strange for a cathedral. Many of the carvings too are based on biblical references: alot of angels, of Jesus and Mary, Star of Bethlehem etc..

But it's the other carvings placed right alongside these traditional images that are sooooooo strange. Out of no where, there's a length of carvings called "Dance of Death", pretty freaky actually, it depicts different kinds of people being led away by skeletons (symbolizing death), supposed to represent man's powerlessness against death. (I totally didn't understand why this was in a church where one of the main messages is Christ's victory and therefore our victory over death). And nearby to this is a small carving of Lucifer, as you can see the angel is upside down, showing his fall. These are not the strangest things yet ok. Behind these 2 carvings are 2 pillars depicting the Apprentice's Story: where supposedly the Master Mason in charge of building this chapel killed the Apprentice for deciding to build a pillar on his own. Oh and their 'heads' happen to 'hang' above the seats on top of pillars. (This is the grieving mother of the killed Apprentice).

I'm not exactly sure how this is featured in the Davinci Code since I neither read the book nor the movie but there really are alot of puzzles and legends in that place. There was a carving of a Knights Templar on the floor but it was too faded to take a picture. There was also a carving of St Margaret and the Knight who supposedly found the 'holy rod', I think that's supposed the cross that Christ was hung on, although I think they didn't state that clearly. And then there were carvings of the Seven Virtues and the Seven Deadly Sins, except that Greed was swopped with Charity so that Greed appears under Virtues. It's either a very silly error or a very bizarre message.

It's really a very strange condensed puzzlebox, the main chapel was only the size of... our fellowship room + kitchen I think. And I haven't mentioned the strange mythology there as well. At the bottom of the Apprentice's Pillar are snakes and according to the information panel, this was just like there would be snakes under the Yggardysil Tree (ok i have no idea how to spell this)

Yup so just thought I'd share with you'll this place since I think the Davinci Code is still being discussed now and then. *yawn* ok gotta go folks. I need to wake up early to do laundry, joy.
(Also writing about this is kinda freaky when I think about the stuff >____<)

A friend, brother-in christ lost

the news came to me in a sudden and shocking manner.. i couldnt believe wad i saw and heard from isaac..i called kaisun..and asked wad happen..it was a total shock..i called shijia..to tell him the news..i remember that qing wen called me 3 weeks ago..on a thurs.he was concerned and asked him hw i was doing and stuff...i was rushing my project..so i told him i was busy and i would called him back..i saw him in church when Rev.Tan was in church preaching. he was with kaisun..i regret i always kinda act dao to him..he talked to him..but yet i replied him in words nt sentences..though i noe him for like 2 years..i talked to him several times on the fone while i was in ns..he was asking me bout further studies and stuff..he came to my hse once..he told me bout his interests and stuff..yes..i regret tad i didnt bring him back to church..to fellowship.. to understand him more when he left us for quite some time.. it was sad..the news came too sudden..tad a friend jux like tad..

life is too fragile.. this incident of our friend has really caused me to reflect on myself as a christan....my attitude..hw i treat towards friends..towards ppl in church..act smart attitude..acting dao..neglecting friends who are concerned for me bt i didnt realized

i was poundering wad shijia said bout....do we really care for the souls of our non-christian friends?... before i wrote this entry..i have lots..yes..in sch....i asked myself..did i ever make an attempt asking them to come for our christmas concert last year? worship nite? i didnt..i jux causually asked.this incident kinda of reminded me many things..to be more concerned for our non-christian friends..and also to be concerned for brothers and sisters in chirst..whether they are in our fellowship or peixun or those who left us for other churches /services or nt..we should care for them..we are all in God's big family...i am praying that me as well as all of us will have the willing to care,concern and love each other..to share..communicate with each other..nt only with ppl from our class..but the younger ones..the sec 1, 2 3 etc etc.....i may be a big crude..but i think we are lacking in communications lots..as yingshan has said previously.. i really prayed that we would all grow into chrstians who influenced each other life..

we wont know what will happen to us..only God knows..maybe wad happen to our brother here really warn us..that we should stay close..to be more bonded.to share more..it might be God's plan..i dont know. whatever things may happen, its really God's plan for us..

Life

All of you know by now that our friend, Sue Qing Wen passed away during a dive over Chinese New Year weekend. I was probably one of the last of us who got to hear his voice before his demise.

He called me on Friday night to tell me of the dive that would take place on saturday, possibly stretching till sunday. The last thing he said was that he'll see me on sunday if the dive did not drag. Therefore, i wasn't too surprised that i didn't see him on sunday. More so because i came in late and left early, to my shame. It was only on tuesday night that i got wind of his accident from Isaac. The only regret i have is that i did not put more effort into keeping him with us to affirm his salvation after i did san fu with him, during which he seemingly accepted Christ. But it was too easy, too quick. His actions and words after that seemed to show that he was probably not that serious about accepting Christ back then.

Is he safe? I don't know and i can't do anything for him anymore.

Even now i am shocked not because he left so soon but rather that i, being a Christian have so little of Jesus inside of me- so little love. I do pray that God would slowly transform me to be like his son. To love everyone around us. But i feel numb. Feels the same towards Church stuff too. There's so much to be done. Yet the workers are so few. Then as time goes on, my expectations go down too. How long would this downward spiral go? I can only continue to pray to God for solutions and inspiration, for all of us.

So what do we get out of this incident? Do we have non-Christian friends who are closer to us? Do we care for their souls? If we don't, let's pray for passion. Passion for them, passion for God, and towards one another. We are made to work and rule the earth. But we are made, more importantly, as i think i pointed out in my last entry, for relationships.

Hi guys! Haa, been a long time huh? Bet alot's been changed when I'm gone. Anyways, glad to see that you guys have grown with the Lord and it seems that you guys have become alot closer too.

Happy cny and God bless!

CNY

My first (hopefully of many) posts! Let me wish all of you theophilusians out there a blessed Chinese New Year.

Today was a great day for me. Mostly sparked off by the sermon. (In which our dear loudspeaker friend is absent! Yay! A 10am service i can concentrate in) It's like God planned for it to reinforce what i learnt in the Christian Fellowship back in School. Be it Genesis or Revelations, God's plan for us is to bring us back to that perfect relationship, also known as rest (please correct me if i am wrong, theologically trained ones... pastors) and we are to rule with him. The original plan is- God is King over us, we obey him totally. That is the perfect relationship. In return, we rule over the earth. Only with the earlier relationship can everything be perfect.

The main take away was this verse though: v8 "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

As i look at myself. I am unbelieving, untrusting in God. I believe this is what led to my disobedience to him. I am also cowardly. Cowardly to live out my faith, though i know, and get reassurances every now and then that it is true.

How did God speak to you through the sermon?

Also to let all of you know, i've been praying for each and everyone of us in our class, for our spiritual revival and also that we would be amongst those who have overcome (Rev21:7). That's why it's important that we encourage each other. But if we don't know each other well enough, we don't know each other's problems, each other's true selves, how do we do that? I am also reminded to pray for our unity. Hopefully, 20 years down the road, it's still us (and alot more people of course) fellowshiping together, persevering these short period of time on earth, that we may spend the rest of eternity together, at rest with God.

CNY Is here !

right theophilusians ! here wishing all a blessed chinese new year !! may it be a year that our class bond would be built even stronger..and we are able to communicate more than past years ! may all be it studying or working be blessed by God ! May this year be a fruitful year for all and may we grow closer to God each day ! Of course, may our fellowship grow even stronger !!

BLESSED CNY TO ALL !!!!

Photos?

Many Many hurrays to Isaac who took the trouble to set up our class blog! Because one thing our class surely lacks is more communication :) Tsk, since I've been in Manchester, I can count on 1 hand the number of people from our class who have contacted me, don't you'll miss me? ^__^

So! I have a question. Since we now have such a wonderful space of our own on the web, are we going to put photos of our class up here too?

GPC Jam

alritez. let's made this sweet & simple. Jeremy has set up GPC jam team ( we have yet to come up wif a new name) for our YF. Its unofficial still but our objectives is simply to share and jam music together and improve on our music skills so that we can serve God better. We jam on mostly saturdays and its always before fellowship starts @ 5pm. Our jamming session is very very near church and its jux a stone throw from church. We are recruiting more people to join if you have the passion to join this team. Currently, the team membership stands at 8. If U are interested in drums, guitars, singing or any other instruments u can use or noe..join us..let's praise God together as one ! yea.. More information, refer to our blog...

Our blog add is http://www.gpcjam.blogspot.com.

This advertisement proudly brought to u by GPC Jam Team 2007

welcome to theophilus !

okie. Greetings to alll ! This is the official theophilusians blog specially for theophilus of GUM. For theophilusians, some admin matters to clarify,this blog will allow all theophilusians to post, upload stuff on the blog itself. Before u can do that, please get your respective access rights from me. As blogger requires a gmail please set up an account for yourself ya..send to theophilusians@gmail.com

Theophilusians ! You are strongly encourage to share on your personal QT sharings, fellowship upcoming actvities, our class outings, posting of bible study materials, songs, anything under the sun ! ( cars, fellowship matters- any comments, school stuff, work stuff etc etc ). Let's all share and impact our lives with one another !

-isaac-