the love that grow cold..

There are quite a few questions that I had thought about over the past few months, ranging from salvation - what do you mean by believing? Is it just accepting Jesus Christ in your mind but your actions doesn't follow what you believe?(such as following and obeying the commands) satan also believe and know God existed..

What about the things you do and don't? Is it because you know what is right and what isn't or is it because you obey and bring glory to God? How do you know that you are doing it for God and not for yourself?

It seems that I know a range of things, but it only stays on the very superficial level, without much understanding, only understand the terms literally.

Matthew 7:21-22 (New International Version)

²¹"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²²Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'

But back to the above questions, I have asked and also talk about it with one or two friends and discovered that all these relate back to how is your relationship with God? If you have a relationship with God and experience Him I guess it means that you not only believe in Him mentally but you make the effort to obey and hence able to experience Him.

We can be seems to be serving in church but if its for personal gains it does not please God. I think the bottom line is that God looks at the heart, am I doing these for myself or for God? But do not be fool by the heart -

Jeremiah 17:9 (New International Version)

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?

we might thought that we doing it for God but our hearts are telling us lies.

We have to remind ourselves that we are sinners and salvation is not earn but have to be thankful that it is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (New International Version)

⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast.

Recently heard from preacher yip that about the vine and the branches from john 15. He raised a question: which one is the vine which one is the branches? we answered: the thicker one is the vine? The vine is from the ground?

But the answer is actually: you can't tell!! Then he used this as an illustration, that we, christians are to live in a way that when people see us they will see God! (you see the branches you see the vine! the same!)

Regarding the question on whether I'm doing it for myself or for God, my thinking is that it's like if you love someone you will do and sacrifice for him/her. If we love God we will do it for Him. But do I love God? Do I know Him enough to love Him? I guess it is back to the how is your relationship with God again. Honestly speaking I feel a distant from God and He seems very "abstract" to me.

So the problem I guess is I know the teachings but I never really apply it in my life. Christian life is not part of me, but maybe only during saturday or sunday and during meal times etc..Hence I didn't really experience God much..

Shijia mentioned about accountability, that might be the thing I've lack, without accountability it's normal that human beings will slack of. With accountability we can check on each other, pray and support for each other.

I came across Joyce Meyer on goodtv(it's a good internet resource for online video sermons and other programmes do check it out, its by a chinese website by the taiwan i believe..) the video on backsliding and would like to share =) It mentioned about love that grow cold towards the end of the video, she said example of (cold love can be like we talk about it but we don't do it..) seems to be my case. (And God is love, the greater you understand love the greater you know God. How can we say we love God and not love everyone?)
I actually had a book of her,it's given to be for my 24th birthday lol.. the book is titled -battlefield of the mind (I'm still reading it, it is a good book and helps to correct my negative thinking.. a on-going process)

http://twch2.goodtv.com.tw/category_text.phtml?setid=64&order=1&filename=LIW080#

New Blog

Hi guys, since I'm free and to think of a way to keep you guys updated on my life overseas, I've created a blog.

This is my blog link. or http://douiuimi.blogspot.com if you can't click.

Yup, incase you guys wanna know the meaning of my blog title it simply means "what do you mean?" Cya! God bless!

Chapter to read

If you haven't got time to read so much, just try chapter 14. I think this lesson: to avoid rash judgement is a great one for all of us. Otherwise, do, do,do try reading a chapter a day.

http://www.leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imb1c11-20.html#RTFToC43

Must read book

Hey people. There's this really good that i've got to recommend and you don't even have to buy it to read it! http://www.leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imitation.html It's called the Imitation of Christ. It's a Christian classic that has been around for centuries but it's truth continues to apply, just like the Bible. Do not expect a book that makes you feel good about yourself but rather help us realize how far we are away from being Christians and how much we have fallen since the first disciples. It's not an easy read either but perseverence in reading, meditating and applying them (Maybe not so much part 4 of the book though) would bear much fruit, i'm sure.

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.