Saturday, January 21, 2006
11:50 pm
Okay here's another long overdue post. =P Sorry if I'm flooding all at once. But if I don't get this all done now I'll never ever get it done. Remember last week when David told us that we are blessed for a reason and we have to be disciplined with our blessings? Here's something interesting:
If the apostle Paul had not brought the Gospel to Europe, the foundational principles such as freedom and human dignity would not be part of the American heritage. Because the Holy Spirit instructed him to turn away from Asia and go West, America has been blessed with its systems of law and economics - the principles that made it rich and free. In addition, American is the only nation in the world founded by believers in Christ who made a covenant with God - dedicating a new nation to god. Born into affluence, freedom and divine blessings, Americans should be the most thankful people on earth. But along with the privilege comes a responsibility. The Christian must ask not only why, but what he or she should do with these unearned favors?I find it very interesting because America was the ONLY modern nation dedicated to God, and it is no wonder that they are so blessed! Read on:
Religion, I discovered, is a multi-billion dollar business in the United States. Many North American Christians live isolated from reality - even from the poor in their own cities. I found that believers are ready to get involved in almost any activity which looks spiritual but allows them to escape their responsibility to the Gospel.I can't remember who it was that spoke to us during one of our services at Wesley, but it was someone from somewhere that oversees the Churches in Singapore. He was telling us about how much they pray for wisdom for the government such that God's judgement does not fall on Singapore. And I really believe that Singapore is so blessed today because of this community of people who are actively praying and seeking God's will for the nation.
What we discussed this afternoon is very pertinent to this issue, because I think that it is very true and real that we as a nation, and as individuals (I'm guilty of it too!), are succumbing to materialism, as the author above believes that America is guilty of. He has also been urged by God in miraculous ways to warn America as a nation that if there is no change, a huge judgement will fall upon America. (and yes, he is a credible person, not some siao guy on the street.)
C.T. Studd, the famours British Athlete and founder of Worldwide Evangelization Crusade, was one who gave up all achievements in this life for Christ's sake. He was challenged to his commitment by an article written by an atheist. That article in part said: If I firmly believed, as millions say they do, that the knowledge and practice of religion in this life influences destiny in another, then religion would mean to me everything. I would cast away earthly enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings as vanity. Religion would be my first waking thought and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I should labor in this cause alone. Earthly consequences would never stay my hand, or seal my lips. Earth, its joys and its griefs, would occupy no moment of my thoughts. I would strive to look upon eternity alone, and on the immortal souls around me, soon to be everlastingly happy or everlastingly miserable. "Love not the world," says John in his first epistle.... Watchman Nee, an early Chinese native missionary, in his book
Love Not the World:
When material things are under spiritual control they fulfill their proper subordinate role. Released from that restraint they manifest very quickly the power that lies behind them. The law of nature asserts itself, and their worldly character is proved by the course they take.(I have to stop here because I'm feeling quite blur and sleepy now. Hope it was an enriching read!)
You were blessed by Jocelyn
Dear (in alphabetical order) Cyrus, James, Marilyn, Yizhen and Zhuang Mao, =)
This post should have been done last week (or was is two weeks ago?), but procrastination got the better of me.
If you remember, Chunxiang and Cyrus shared with us the results of the survey that we did during the Esword camp. I would just like to share with you guys how different Evangelism is in many other parts of Asia (mostly the third world countries, but including developing countries like China).
While films, radio, television and video are becoming more common in Asia, the most effective methods still sound more as if they came from the Book of Acts! The more effective evangelism is done face-to-face in the streets. Most native missionaries walk or ride bicycles between villages much like the Methodist circuit riders did in America's frontier days. Street preaching and open-air evangelism, often using megaphones is the most common way to proclaim the Gospel. Sometimes evangelists arrange witnessing parades and/or tent campaigns and distribute simple Gospel tracts during the week-long village crusades. Since the majority of the world's one billion illiterates live in Asia, the Gospel often must be proclaimed to them without using literature. this is done through showing films on the life of Jesus, and also using casettes, flip charts and other visual aids to communicate the Gospel.How different it is indeed and how heartwarming! And if you would recall, street-E and pamphlets/books are the amongst the most unpopular methods in Singapore.
You were blessed by Jocelyn
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
10:47 pm
WELCOME!Marilyn and Zhuang Mao have joined the cell and I'll like to extend a very warm welcome to the both of you here on the BLOG! =)
Please feel free to post anything that happens in your life... your thoughts, ramblings, photos, drawings, web links, articles, stories, insights, etc. etc., the list goes on. If there's something interesting that you learnt while doing Quiet Time, you can post that too!
Cell Bible Study will be @ 5pm this Saturday at 53 Chancery Lane. (Marilyn and Zhuang Mao will be having Secell RA at the same time on that day.)
You were blessed by EJ
Thursday, January 12, 2006
8:45 pm
Wow, that's really advanced notice Yizhen.. hee.. thank u!
*Everyone pls take note of the dates hoh! =D
This is my first post of 2006...
so Happy Blessed Bloggy New Year everyone! heh.
Haven't been able to post for quite some time cos I've been so busy with attachment and especially YEP preparation towards the end of 2005. Time flies... cos tmr will be my last day of attachment! =p And that also means... I'm
BACK on the
BLOG!
Note: Cell as usual at Chancery 5pm this Saturday. Our 'freshies' will be joining us for the very first time so be sure to be around! =) Next Saturday (or a weekday can also) will be our first Bible Study session for 2006.
You were blessed by EJ
Monday, January 09, 2006
12:32 am
The following is my exam timetable.... just received it only....
17-FEB (FRI)
04:30PM - 06:30PM
BM0055
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT & PRACTICES
20-FEB (MON)
08:30AM - 10:30AM
BM0384
E-SERVICES/IT ENABLED SERVICES 22-FEB (WED)
08:30AM - 10:30AM
BM0385
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OPERATIONS MGMT
23-FEB (THU)
08:30AM - 10:30AM
BM0386
SERVICES MARKETING MANAGEMENT
You were blessed by zhen~
