Philippians

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Have finished reading The Clockwork Angel.

Am fascinated by the song You In Me by Juwita Suwito.

Am currently studying Philippians in ICF.

Am reading The Secret Garden - The Annotated version.

Am still looking for a full time job.

Baptism

I'm thinking of changing from blogger to wordpress. It seems fun to be able to put up protected posts. But what is the point? Btw, fuhuisxc if you're reading this could you please add me to your list of allowed readers? :D If cannot, then nevermind ler.

Back to my title. Merilyn and I went to the morning service as well as Mosaic yesterday. I was bringing my mentee visiting. Heh. And there was baptism going on as well. At Mosaic (after the process), the pastor's wife asked me whether was I baptised. I answered no and she looked quite surprised and asked why.

I said it was complicated but proceeded to say that at first my dad did not allow me to become baptised till I was 21 years old. And I am 21 end of this year. She said good and turned around. After thinking about it, I was kind of offended that she was shocked just because I wasn't baptised. It doesn't mean that you have to be baptised in order to be a Christian. Lots of people (whom I know) are baptised even though they go to the temple. So whatever mian!

Although I know that she might not mean that, still I was annoyed. However that got me thinking whether am I ready for it.

Before I came to New Zealand in year 2006, about a month before I left, my dad did say that I should have gotten baptised. But it was already a bit too rush and I wasn't even thinking about it so it caught me by surprised. I have been thinking about it for the last two years and I think I am ready now.

I just can't made up my mind where. And when.

p.s. I did Liyana's true friend test and am proud that i got number 5 with 35%. Although number 1 was 70%. Muahaha.

p.s.s. i'm truly all right now

God first?

From when I started going to church, Sunday School teachers, youth teachers and elders always said that God should be first in your life.

However, one might argue. What about studies? Like I was talking with this friend of mine:

Discussing about going for a church event (eg youth group)
Friend: Don't want to go la.. Need to study..
Me: Aren't you suppose to put God first in your life?
Friend: Yeah but have to study mah..Cannot fail also.
Me: Yeah but isn't God suppose to be first in your life?
After some back and forth sentences like the previous..
Friend: *milok*

Do you get it? I agree with both my friend and me. This is really a dilemma for me.

I can guess one could also argue that if you organize your timetable you would be able to balance both God and study. However, lets say you were planning to study tonight for tomorrow's test/exam. But there was an impromptu meeting at church.

If it was really something that you wanted to go, you can always argue that God comes first so can go. On the other hand, the Bible didn't say anything about it being compulsory to go for these sort of meeting. I think I'm confusing me self.

The thing is I have seen Christian parents who don't allow their child to go to youth group just because its exam week. I have seen dedicated Christian friends who does the same thing.

I guess there is a fine line drawn between this two. I also guess that there can never be a final conclusion. What do you think?

Refiner and Purifier

Malachi 3:3..."He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered yes - he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy...when I see my image in it."

-http://www.mikeysfunnies.com-
same story here

this is so interesting. to me.

p.s. i have so many posts in just one day

Chocolate mud cake and more!

On Monday, after waiting 45 minutes (!!!) for Jas at the optometrist, I was too lazy to cook so we planned to go to Asha (a Chinese restaurant) next to Riccarton Mall. Before that, because it was too early, we went walking around in the Mall. I saw a really nice hoodie, $40. I'm waiting for my $100 mall voucher that I would get from the Health and Wellbeing Study. =D

Jas saw this really Yummy Chocolate Mud Cake at Divine's and she contemplated for quite a long time whether to buy or not. It was $15 and I thought it was worth it because you can't get such cheap cakes in M.
Finally, as you all suspected we bought it =) Yup, I shared with Jas the cost.
We bought it from this place called Divine and the cake was really yummy!! If you ever go there you should try it =))

I seriously love this picture!! Don't you think my photography skills are good? *beams*

Did I mention that we will be going to Anu's place for dinner? Her parents are coming down and have invited us to dinner. It will be really cool to finally see her parents cause I've heard so much about them. At the same time, its a bit scary. To me la.

My keyboard thingy is going all right. Usually during practice time, we have 'sharing'. Its my turn this week. I don't know what am I going to share about. I am just going to go with the flow =)

I just had a test yesterday. Sure fail one. I have another test next week plus an assignment due. Then I would have to be rajin and study for my econs exam so that I won't fail.

Thats all I wanted to let out for the mo.

p.s. Do Do Do take my test in the previous post!! =) I will post the answers after my exam to give people time to do it =D

p.s.s. Is it possible to be a Christian and not believe in hell?