test-imony

I have an interesting week ahead. This weekend pastor chris long will be in Miri at the indoor stadium for a weekend event called Amplified 2007. Since i'm part of VCF and the president of VCF is part of EYM of SIB Canada Hill; joanna's church we're part of the Ushers. But unfortunately I can only go for one day because I'll be leaving for Kuching and eventually for Muar for the youth conference.

Leaving on Saturday for the week long event means i'll miss one whole week of lectures. This is something i forsaw but my justification was this: if i don't start with God here then what am I here for? It seemed so easy to say but right now i'm getting to realise the full meaning of those words.

I'll be missing class, a no-no for Curtin. Things happen very fast here and you cannot be caught slacking. I'll also be missing the Amplified concert but i'm not too worried about that one.

I'm not sure who said this but i remember someone said all faith will be tested and i feel this is mine, but i've prayed about it and i feel its the right thing to do.

The past few weeks God has been challenging me to do something out of the ordinary, something that i will look back on and think, thats just not me. I'm reminded of some of the decisions I made in the beginning of this year, one of them is to take chances and be daring and somehow i've forgotten about it but i feel i'm being reminded of this each time i go to church or read some of the books i have.

I've also been made to see some aspects of my life and attitude I need to change and work on. Yesterday the pastor said alot of things that encouraged me but the one that stood out atleast for me is that we must be willing to let God's word change our lives. He must have full access to the darkest grimmest parts of our lives we're not proud of but thats there regardless. And thats something i've not been actively doing.

Finally i bought a book. For me this is a miracle because i remember the time when my mom would force me to read books. Now I don't need her to tell me anymore. I buy books I'm not sure i'll read anytime soon and its ok because i read in a book this statement: "buy books even though you dont read them" and in fact i saw that same book in the bookstore where i bought this book. Aaaaaaaanyway, I want to leave with this thought, and its not just a thought its the truth. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. He's actively fighting on our behalf even when we dont notice. And sometimes we go through storms and hard times but its encouraging to know that we're not alone. He's the good sheperd and we're not alone in the storms.

There's no testimony without a test.

~shalom~

flu hu again

Seriously i dont like being down with flu. Its so weakening, you can't get anything done. This is the second time this year i'm having flu {first time}. Maybe its because of the aircon. From school, bus, and home its always blowing. To make things worse my bed is right below the darn thing.

My roommate first became sick now its my turn. Guess i need to boost my immune system. I just thank God for my friends who gave me medicine since i never keep any medicine around. And for Samson for giving me vitamins.

I wanted to post some pictures but my internet connection is really bad at the moment so maybe next time.

~shalom~

better is one day

Sometimes when i think about my life and how it would have turned out if i never found Jesus I suddenly have alot to be thankful for. I think sometimes we take that we are secure in him for granted. Being a christian is not just following a cool guy who stunned the world when he was on earth and being weak, turning the other cheek, being called a freak or looked down on, being unpopular and i heard someone say outdated. Its more than that.

Today just going to church i feel refreshed. Yesterday just joining the El shaddai Youth Ministry of Sib Canada hill, i feel refreshed. Its been i while since i jumped in service :P missed that.

Where am I going with this? Well we feel hurt sometimes, we make mistakes, we hurt others and make choice that may alter who we are, our futures, our lives and the direction it takes. We lose people and friends especially those that have been at some times very close and you wonder why, is it really worth it? How do I carry on, "where would i be without you..." hehe.

One thing that will never change through all the hardships and trials and temptations, self-inflicted or divinely arranged is the love of God. Today i was reminded of Hebrews 12:5 I almost cried, actually i cried in my heart la. As long as you have the mindset that trials and temptations are there to equip you and give you an opportunity to grow you can take courage and face them. We are not called to run away and surrender to pressure but to press on despite the pressure. Knowing that the Lord will not try you beyond your capacity to endure but we already have victory and he's always good.

GOD IS PURE GOOD FOREVER.

A quote that has stayed with me for a while now is this the root of all sin is in the suspicion that God is not good. I find it to be true. So hang in there, this is for me too.

~shalom~

letting go

I know someone who just love these precious memories thing :) Picture taken from a store near where i live.


Suppose to be studying wo. I like mashimaro btw.


the students' life.

The past week has been quite smooth. I'm trying to adjust to miri and one thing i've been doing since this month is take record of how much i spend daily and on average i spend close to 10 bucks a day on food alone. Scary!

One good thing with miri is that transportation is cheap and much better than Kuching. A bus ride to town is just 2.40 one way. Hehe, its not like rapid kl unfortunately.

Generally miri is a small town, nothing much to do here except for those who go clubbing, so they have a place to hang out at odd hours. The shops generally close quite early about 9:30 the streets are empty. And i know they say miri is hot but i've not really felt it because i go from class to bus to house all under the chill of air conditioning so much that i bought a jacket. Good thing it was on sale and only cost me 25bucks.

Given the present state of my life, i find this song very encouraging.

Cry Out To Jesus - Third Day (2005)

To everyone who's lost someone they love
long before it was their time.
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye.

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
keepin' you back from your life.
You believe that there's nothing
and there is no one who can make it right.

There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are.

Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love.
and they've done all they can to make it right again
still it's not enough.

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
you try to give up but you come back again.
Just remember that you're not alone
in your shame and your suffering.

There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are.

Cry out to Jesus.

When you're lonely and it feels like the whole world is falling on you
you just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus

Cry to Jesus.

To the widow who suffers from being alone,
wipin' the tears from her eyes.
For the children around the world without a home,
say a prayer tonight.

There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
that meets you wherever you are.
There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary,
and love for the broken hearts.
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing
that meets you wherever you are.

Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.

Cry out to Jesus. Cry out to Jesus.

Lyrics source: sing365
Father i really want to let go and move on but its hard for me. I need you, i need your strength.

~shalom~

Testimonies for the month: July '07

Testimonies for the month is my way to look back on the month and thank God for all his faithfulness in my life. I got the idea last Sunday from the Pastor at Calvary and decided it was a good way to stay thankful for everything thats been happening.

I'll just state them as they come, its not in chronological order or anything so here we go.

I will like to thank God for my acceptance offer at Curtin. I applied to the University of Nottingham and they rejected my application. I want to thank God especially for allowing me do something i've always wanted to do and to do it in a place where I get the chance to be pushed and develop skills for life.

I want to thank God also for my parents for their understanding in allowing me pursue this course. And also of course for their financial support for me al these while.

I want to also thank God for the successful burial of my Grandfather last weekend. For the strength and resources He gave to my mother to plan, organise and implement everything especially as my father was away for a job.

I want to thank God that despite everything that has been said and done that His word is still true and He has shown himself faithful in the eyes of those who do no put their trust in him. I still believe that one day the hearts that have been hostile to him will bow in surrender to Him.

I also like to thank God for his grace and his help with the renewal of my passport. For me its not just a trivial thing. Even for the help of friends, brothers and sisters when i needed their support. I thank God especially for the family of believers i have been a part of. It doesn't matter where I go he's prepared people who love him to stand alongside me and help me along my way. In a related matter, i want to thank God for his help getting a place to stay in KL and for his provision in terms of transportation and his protection while i was there. Usually my mindset is that i'll get mogged or something but it didn't happen. Praise God.

I thank God for the opportunity to serve in curtin with the Varsity Christian Fellowship (VCF). I really need fellowship in this school where things are very liberal. Thank God for Kimberly, Joanna and her mom for housing me for the night when i arrived here. Taking me in in such warmth and love. May God bless them indeed. Also for Gia and Rachel and Diane for their help :) Thank God for people like Samson who's also from Kuching, like me. :P And Dominic who's from PJ and Edward who works in Shell for picking us up for church last sunday. Last Sunday i went to Calvary and the service was quite good. Although it wouldn't hurt to see more young people involved in the church.

Thank God for the character defining time i'm going through now. All i want to do is submit and allow him to work in me to will and to do his good pleasure. And make me who he wants me to be.

I thank God for my courses, even though they are challenging, I thank God that I can do all things through his Son who gives me strength.

Finally I thank God for you all for your love for God and if there's one thing i've learnt in my life thats been helping me out even now, is this: DON"T EVER GIVE UP! Keep pushing on the pressure thats pushing you.

God bless you

~shalom~