We worried about Bad Press?

I definitely agree with ZM. Look at the recent controversial movies like DVC.. I believe that the 'world' will always put our Christ and faith in a bad light. Look at what they did to the prophets of old.. the disciples..

At times I think it's discouraging, that there's so much negativity. But at the same time I see so much around that makes me think that people desperately need the Lord. Just like the 4D story. People are desperately trying to find things that will fill their lives.. this obsession with material wealth, thinking that 'if only I won the 4D, I'd be happy'. Maybe not everyone is like that, but i think many are. Just like to share a bit about the people in my work place.

They are the people who will take part in the lottery every week. Initially, I tried to reason with them, working out logically that the possibility of winning big in a lottery is very very very slim. I tried to argue with them, saying if they saved that money they spent on 4D, they'd have quite a bit after a year. I tried persuading them to invest their money in me.. (lol, not very persuasive I know). Then one lady finally told me... it's about the money definitely.. but more importantly, it was about the little hope that they got each week, the hope that life can be made better than what it was.

It Hit me... these people are buying hope.. But we (Christians), we have a hope of something better, which has yet to come. We have a purpose in our lives.. that is Christ. We have a God who loves us, assurance that He'll be there for us... surrounded us with people with the same goals with the command to love.

I think about this and am so thankful to be found in God.. it also makes me ache to share this hope with the people around me. How they too can live with freedom and hope that only comes from knowing the Almighty. How they can be freed from their desperation.

Don't worry what the press says.. People need God, and deep down they know it.

Temptations...

Dear all...

I agree with what Zhuang Mao said in his post earlier... one question to ask ourselves is... are we willing to die for our faith if it ever becomes necessary? Well, my answer is a BIG and DEFINITE yes!! I will never let the devil get his way in this world! not in church, not in my friends, not in my family! and most certainly not in this cell! He can burn in hell for all I care, but my soul belongs to God and only to Him will I yield my life to!

But to those who are tempted in any way... remember this... fear God, and at the same time, trust Him! God only has plans to prosper us!! He WILL provide a way out for you! If you would just trust Him and allow Him to work in your life, I can assure you, God will show you his miraculous works! It is not a matter of 'if', but a matter of 'when'...

....And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 COR 10:13

Bad Press

Somehow, I have this feeling that the mass media is giving Christianity a bad press recently, explictly or otherwise.

Let me cite 3 recent examples.

Last Saturday, if you would remember the featured article, it was about the growing religiousity of Singaporeans. One of the important negative consequence which they derived from this was that there would be a reduced common space. Now, I am quite unable to comment on whether it is negative or whether it is a consequence; what I am able to say is that they make it sound like people should not do this. This was one reason which they cited for not allowing a room for prayer in a certain school. They felt that we are free to do whatever we want outside of schools but there should be maximal common space in the school iteself. I don't know about you, but somehow I don't feel like being a part time Christian.

Another thing. I hope that the leader's views on other religion (can't remember if it is Dr Robert Solomon or some other person) is not what they portray it to be. As far as I know, we are not called to merely be tolerant of other religion. We are called to correct them lovingly and kindly.

There was an article by Times "When not Seeing is Believing". One of the main messages that it carried forward is that the fundamentalists are wrong in believing that we can know God fully. This gives the impression that they claim that, when in reality, we do not. What we do believe is that God's Words (the Bible) are true and that He alone is God. Reducing Christianity merely to a set of things we do (love and forgive) is nonsense. Reducing Jesus to a mere moral teacher is blasphemy. This is not humility. At best, it is being ignorant of what we believe in. At worst, it is rebellion.

The third is today's Sunday Times. On the front page of Lifestyle is this article about the Taoist Deity who is able to give people 4D numbers. It may be true, but how am I supposed to convince people that this is done by false Gods? It will draw more people away.

This post is not meant to be a critical analysis on the articles and to find out the logical fallacies. I had not done that. I just wanted to give an idea of how the press had been against us.

All prophecised. Hold tight. The end is near.

Sharon and Vyn

Mr Mao Mao and Mr Beh!

SMILE!

our cell!

The Battle belongs to the Lord!

Since few of us weren't around, thought I'd do a recap of today. The message is something quite a few of us identified with, so I thought I'd put up the main points..

Kevin Lam spoke about fighting our battles on the Lord's side.

We are stressed because we take ownership of our responsibilities. Thinking we can use our smarts to gain results/victory. Take the case study of Joshua (Josh 5:13-15)

1. Josh asked whose side are you on? The commander said "neither".. He fights his own battles. The question is, whose side are we (am I) on? The Lord's side?

2. vs.15 - Take off your sandals... sometimes we're so geared up for battle the most important thing to do first is to set that time aside to enquire of the Lord.

3. "And Joshua did so"... Joshua obeyed. So must we.

Romans 8:31 - If God is for us, who can be against us..
Let us be on the Lord's team. What do we need to be stressed about if God is our captain?

Really.. if any of you stressed out there (I know I sometimes feel like I'm drowning).. getting flustered with life and its tests. Remember we're on the winning team. Don't live life like our God isn't an all powerful commander.

Prayer Requests:
Algene: Exams!
Wei Wei: Parent's salvation! (Battle belongs to the Lord) Strength.
Mao Mao: Good relations between project mates.. smooth flow of work.
Sharon: Ear Problem. Pray for deliverance (in case the ear prob stems from spiritual attack)
Cyrus: Lab results. Rest in the midst of a packed schedule. Committing every aspect to God.
Sujun: Fever.
Syl-vyn: Learning to lean on God even at work.
Mel: ? Exam we know, anything else?

Love you all.. Remember to pray.. Do your QT/Masterlife.

How can you forget me????

MELANIE!!
I box you arh!! How can you forget about your business partner?!.. =p Anyway, I will pray for you always! and the cell will too! But on your part, you must also do your very best ok!! Then we'll graduate together & do God's work together!!

My exam schedule are as follows -->

History of Management Thought (I still have no idea what this is about... haha) - 25th Oct
Management Accounting & Business - 27th Oct
Corporate Finance -2nd Nov
Employment Relations - 6th Nov

Our RAMLI BURGER BUSINESS is in sight!! hahahhahahaha!!

P.S If you're wondering what's the 'GOOD EATS' section about... well, I will continually find new makan places so that we can have our gatherings! We shouldn't be a 'sunday only' cell if ya' know what I mean!!..

OPPS!

Opps Sorry forgot abt Algene!
oh no so so sorry my dear business partner!
Hey business partner! Study hard for the sake of our future business ha ha!
take care!

Greetings From DOWNUNDER!

Yo what's up MATES !!! (OK i am trying hard to be aussie!)

Whoo hoo the Blog is UP! Big thank yous to Algene and our two wonderful cell leaders, Vyn and Cyrus!

Hey Vyn: How's work?
Peng Hong: YO! dotn overwork yourself ah! must take time off for yourself to relax :)
Wei wei: Hey did nt get to meet ya when i was back. remember me? Kahyong's friend! ha ha indeed the world is small... Catch up w ya when i am back :)
Sharon: Hey everying in sch going well? DOnt stress yourself too much ya? hey how's the biological busniess module you re taking?
Mao Mao: MAO MAO! hey hey still turning on the canteen lights :) hope u re doing good :)
Cyrus: Mr Beh! thanks for not Bugging me as much as i thought u would! (ha ha OPPS!) kidding lah. thanks for your msges :) Hope lab work is going well :)

yup yup as you guys would have received an email from cyrus and as Algene as mentioned below.....

MY EXAMS ARE COMING IN 11 DAYS TIME... (Somebody save me!!!)

I was in need and i needed a hand, i was alone and i needed a friend, i was goin down but someone rescued me! My God cares too much to say, His mercies are new everyday,
I GET DOWN AND PRAY, And then HELP is on its way!

Prayer Request!!!
That from now till the end of my exams i ll have proper time management to finish my revision and OF COURSE do my materlife :) thanks dear cell!
Well whenever i am in need (well like e song) and a fellow bro or sis tells me "Hey dont worry i ll be praying for you" Woah it gives instead comfort! Cause our God is in control no matter what :)

Here are my exam dates :) (hey Algene what's urs?)
Computerised Accounting Systems 30-OCT-06 05:30 PM

Data Analysis For Business 31-OCT-06 08:30 AM

Finance 1 01-NOV-06 08:30 AM

Finanical Accouting 09-NOV-06 08:30 AM

Well till then... God Bless and hey hey do post pics for me to see.. what s happening at cell :)
take care everyone!

In His Love
Melanie

Opening speech!..

Hi to my beloved cell!!

After making you all wait & wait & wait (sorry lah!!), I'm extremely pleased to present to all of you........ OUR CELL BLOG!!! I hope this will bring us even closer to one another!! Use this as a communication tool to post anything at all! From prayer requests to problems & anything you want to share with the cell! And we'll be there for you!! Well, this is the place for you to complain, to praise, to suggest and blah blah blah.... meaning ANYTHING!!! So treat this like a 'home' ok??!!!

Well, for starters... you can start praying for those who are taking exams! Like Melanie & myself! And for the cell, you can pray for us to be closely knitted and to function as a family in Christ! No buts... No ifs... JUST DO IT!!.. As the song goes... We'll forever sing of God's love for us...

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13