Sera speaks: "Balance."

Sera is a theatre production student from La'Salle, she never fails to inspire others around her with her deep convictions and carefree expression of God's love. She's blessed with a beautiful singing voice too!

Hey there,

Was reading something about balance and it really encouraged me.

Luke 5:16 NLT

"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer."

Jesus modelled a life balanced by involvement and withdrawal, action and reflection, mission and meditation, effort and then time for spiritual energizing. This pace allowed Him to remain open to God's direction instead of human pressures.

What encouraged me was the first balance. "Involvement and Withdrawal" Ha! I never thought of withdrawal like that before. Retreating to the wilderness to pray to God. In times of hecticness, we need to take time to retreat and go to God in prayer and just be calm and still for a> moment. This encouraged me because God gives us time to be involve in doing His work and also time to withdraw from it to look into ourselves to take time for rejuvination. Like batteries. Need charging right? Well, we need charging too. The other 3 are very similar. It's a balance between doing doing and thinking thinking and feeling feeling and relaxing relaxing. =)

I'm glad I can see that and take this time to retreat for a little while to just read the bible and pray to God. To get back my calm and my centre and my focus. (Yoga hee hee) But seriously, yea. =)

Hope it's not just me who draws an insight from this. =)

When it gets too tough.... Be still and be quiet. Pray. =)

Love you guys so much! =)

Sera

Victoria speaks: "A conversation with God"

Victoria, a fresh psychology grad from NUS, is a full-time teacher in a secondary school. She enjoys cooking and that makes many of us in Campus very happy indeed!

God: Hello. You called me.

I, Me, Myself: Called you? No, who is this?

God: This is God. I heard your prayers . So I thought I will chat with you.

IMM: Sure, I pray. Just makes me feel good. Actually, I am busy now. In the midst of something, you know.

God: What are you busy with? Ants are busy, too.

IMM: Don't know. But I can't find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

God: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.

IMM: But I still can't figure it out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

God: Well, I wanted to help you resolve your fight for time by giving you some clarity. I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

IMM: Tell me, why has life become so complicated?

God: Stop analysing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

IMM: Why are we then constantly unhappy?

God: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because the act of worrying has become a habit. That's why you are not happy.

IMM: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

God: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

IMM: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty.

God: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

IMM: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

God: Diamonds cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials. With that experience their life becomes better, not bitter.

IMM: You mean to say such experience is useful?

God: Yes. Experience is a hard teacher, though. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

IMM: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free from problems?

God: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons to Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.

IMM: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading.

God: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight

I Me Myself: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here? I don't know the answers.

God: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be.

IMM: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction.

God: Success is relative, quantified by others. Satisfaction is absolute, quantified by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead.

IMM: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here? I don't know the answers.

God: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.

IMM: How can I get the best out of life?

God: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

IMM: Sometimes my prayers are not answered.

God: There are no unanswered prayers . At times the answer is NO.

IMM: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I'll try to be less fearful.

God: Keep the faith and drop the fear. Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem to resolve. Life is wonderful if you know how to live .

Sera speaks: "Ambition"

Sera is a theatre production student from La'Salle, she never fails to inspire others around her with her deep convictions and carefree expression of God's love. She's blessed with a beautiful singing voice too

Hello hello to all !!

For most of us here, we've started school and there's definately tonnes to do. For those who are working there are probably other issues as well... =)

Want to share about ambition. =) As students we can get really sucked into our work, wanting to do well. Not that it's wrong, but when does ambition become destructive?? =)

Genesis 11:1-4 NLT

"Let's build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies -- a monument to OUR greatness!"

(When the purpose is to glorify ourselves.)

Matthew 4:8-10 NLT

"I will give it all to you," said the devil, "if you will only kneel down and worship me."

(When it lures you away from God.)

Mark 10:35-45 NLT

"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to Jesus... "In your glorious kingdom WE WANT TO SIT IN PLACES OF HONOUR next to you..." "

(When it twists friendships and discipleship into petty spirituality competitiveness.)

So when is ambition good for us?

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NLT

"This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before."

When ambition is directed not at the size of an accomplishment but at the quality of our character! =)

Let's be looking at our hearts and see how ambition has affected and moulded it. =)

Let's glorify God!

Love you,

Sera

Lingpin speaks: "Give logic and reason a chance"

Lingpin works for the Army and is a full-time servant for God. He serves in many areas in church, including playing the drums for the church band and editing videos and taking photographs. He inspires many with his sacrificial heart.

My baptism was a purely intellectual decision.

The baptism for the forgiveness of my sins would never have happened, if i hadnt found it true and reasonable that God exists, that God loves me, and that God wants to have a relationship with me. i had zero interest in the emotional aspect of understanding God, of feeling loved and all that. while that may sound a little upsetting for a few, that was certainly my experience.

As a hardcore atheist who went out of my way to make fun of christians, i was made to eat my words when i studied the bible. it seems that everyone seems to know exactly how the world works until youre in it. everyone may think they know exactly what being a christian is all about until they become one themselves.

people like me had no understanding of love because our world is filled with hate and bitterness. when i studied the cross i didnt cry or feel much. i merely acknolowedged intellectually that it was a painful experience that Jesus went through. i had to think hardto accept that my purpose in life is to follow God and fulfill the great commission, because up till then, my life purpose was to make money and be successful, maybe a rock star....

what if im not a christian and i am a total alien to all this bible stuff? the nice lovey dovey stuff? how will i be convinced to follow jesus? i cant relate to any of it. so if we as christians start to throw things at them like our convictions and things that only we understand and experience, we alienate the non-christian.

the only way is to appeal to their logic and reason that perhaps God might exist. it must be seen as trueand reasonable that God exists.

that was my only starting point and thats how my relationship with God grew. maybe others were more open and they were more receptive to the truth like maybe yourself, but we all come from different starting points. give them a chance. after all they can become great examples in the church when they live a changed life.

i know that there are many people in the campuses that just find being a christian not appealing and even false and pretentious. i have been scouring my mind to find out what will help them understand God and christianity better. if raphael and the nus disciples had not appealed to my logic, i would not be a christian today.

i just want to encourage everyone to give logic and reason a chance. it may be the only that someone canbe saved. my intent with this line of questioning is not to test christians. it is to help christians be able to relate to a mind that has not seen the glory of God and his angels and his love, and thus be able to answer them with love and caring, while convincing them that there can be no other truth than that of the bible.

love you always, ling pin

Huixian speaks: "Even God takes risks"

Huixian is a very lovely sister who is currently finishing her degree at NTU in computer engineering. She's the silent server who glorifies God in her own little ways and never fails to encourage her sisters in christ.


Hi All,

"Why would a God who is omnipresent, omnipotent and all loving create people, when He knows such a very small percent will choose to follow Him and the rest will be sent to hell?''

As powerful as God is, I can only say He love us so much that He is willing to take the risk to create us. Before creating us, i'm sure He would have counted the cost, weighed the pros & cons knowing that many will go astray.
He demonstrated His Faith in us by being a risk-taker Himself. God is Love & Love is so amazing that it can go the distance, bearing all the pains & hurts.

In the same way that we are called to love, would we be willing to love someone without expecting the> person to love us back?
In broader terms, would we stop giving humanitarian aid to the aids victims in Africa knowing that a small percentage will benefit from it?

Will we stop protecting the environment knowing> that the nature is almost beyond cure?
Will we stop eating seafood, knowing that it is high in cholesterol & definitely bad for our health? (haha doesn't really apply here :)

Love is beyond reason & difficult to comprehend. It pains Him to know that the bulk of His creation will go to hell. Yet, even for that small percentage of people, God will not stop to take the risk to love us.

The question now is how much risk are we willing to take to love Him?

Lovingly yours,
Huixian

Lingpin speaks: "Why did God create us?"

Lingpin works for the Army and is a full-time servant for God. He serves in many areas in church, including playing the drums for the church band and editing videos and taking photographs. He inspires many with his sacrificial heart.

hey guys,

i have ordered a stack of material and books online to fuel a growing thirst for all knowledge and wisdom regarding Christianity and God. i hope to share this with you in the coming days, but as a start, i hope we can start to post any questions we have online so that we can start our own training to be christian apologetics...

remember the article i sent you regarding "the marksof a spiritual leader"?.... well, a deep interest in the word and theology is important if we are to be able to answer the questions that the world has to throw at us. I hope it will stimulate our minds no end and strengthen our own convictions, especially if youp ut them to the test....:)

but let me start the ball rolling....hahaha...

QUESTION 1.

"Why would a God who is omnipresent, omnipotent and all loving create people, when He knows such a very small percent will choose to follow Him and the rest will be sent to hell?''

i look forward to your responses....:)

love, ling pin.

Vanessa speaks: "Who will win this war?"

Vanessa, an Economic and Management graduate from SIM, is a very well balanced woman of God who knows when to have great fun and also deep spiritual times. She's loved and respected by all her brothers and sisters for her down to earth nature.

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:12-13

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Paul wrote these words and warned Timothy of a time where there will be terrible times of sins, ungodliness and corruption of the souls of many. Been reading the Screwtape letters by C. S. Lewis and it really strike me that satan is really working around the clock to invade our souls and corrupt them. He brings our attention to ourselves rather than God. In our worship, he makes us focus on our act of worship rather than God Himself. He feeds our ego, makes us think we are ok; we are great Christians who have prayed enough and loved enough. At the end of the day, it's not the only Almighty God whom we are serving and loving but an imaginary god whom we have created in our minute minds. The works of satan is indeed powerful and it doesn't take him much to defeat us and lure us into his trap.

A day gone by without prayer and bible reading doesn't seem to have much impact but it is a start of the deterioration of our conviction, of our ability to fight this spiritual warfare. Complacency kills our desire for spiritual growth, it makes us proud and lazy, it kills our souls slowly. It irks me to see the deterioration of this world, it leaves me helpless and in despair, I can't comprehend the stupidity of this world and their no lack of ignorance. Perhaps, this is what satan wants us all to feel, we start focusing on what we cannot change (meaning the world) and start moping around. In reality, God wants us to start from looking into our own hearts first, to see what we can change in and help those around us to turn to Him.

"Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:12b-13

We need to keep working, to keep our hearts burning, to keep our minds sobered, to keep our love flowing, to keep our faith and gratitude to the Lord close to our hearts. Indeed the love of the world will grow cold but we will stand firm till the end.

Tell me, whose side are you fighting on?

And tell me…who will win this war?

With much love,
Vanessa

Poernomo speaks: "Do not worry, your treasures are in heaven."

Poernomo, a PHD student in chemical engineering from NTU, is a delightful person who inspires all of us with his awe and amazement for God's creations.

Today I'd like to share something Iearnt from Matthew 6, two passages about "Treasures in Heaven" and "Do not worry". Initially I didn't expect to gain more insight from these two passage, but as I read it slowly and tried to relate it to my own condition and the world now, I can;t help but feel in awe on how God's words are really alive.

Matthew 6:19 starts with a warning not to focus on storing up treasures on earth as they are not eternal. As I read this, I was thinking of what treasures that I pursue here on earth? For myself, recognition, reputation, ambitions, obsessions, and glory are all what I tend to pursue here on earth. And all these sourced out of my pride, which is my biggest weakness. Can it help me to keep my salvation? No! Most likely when I focus on them, I;ll put God aside and it definitely ruins my relationship with Him. This is the reason why Jesus continues asking us to eagerly store up heavenly treasures that are eternal. Absolutely if we're pursuing humility, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, joy, we will focus on God alone.

Regarding this, Jesus wants to remind us to guard our eye. Why? Because it is the lamp of our body. Means what we see everyday through our eyes, absolutely affects us alot. If we see things in the worldly way, such as when we see someone is doing so much better than us, and we become envious, Jesus says our whole body will be full of darkness. How true it is as we will not be able to think about anything else but ourselves critisizing him/her and end up being plunged more in our worldly desire. This example is really true for me as I'm facing this challenge in my workplace everyday.

And the last part of this passage when Jesus says that we can;t serve two masters, it makes me think about pursuing a balanced life. Is there such thing of having a "balanced life"? What is a "balanced life"? Is it having a great secular life with all its wealth and succes and at the same time having a great spiritual life and serving God? I don;t think there is such thing. Motivation will always be the big issue! Nowadays many people are blinded with prosperity doctrine, saying that if you are trully a Christian, you are surely be blessed materially. Is it true? For many times I heard people saying something like "God blessed me with a new car when I was about to pledge this amount of money, so and so." Once again, God says,"No one can serve two masters, You cannot serve both God and money." This verse really convicts me alot, as it make me think again about my motivation in doing this PhD course. Is it because I want the fame, wealth, and reputation or because I want to be a changed person, to learn more, to prepare me to play my role as what God has set for me as a PhD.

So the conclusion from this passage: Why are we doing what we are doing now? What treasure are we storing up? And what can we do in order to serve one mater only, which is God?
Quoting from Rick Warren,"We are here on earth to prepare for eternity". How does this fact affect us? That God created us as "human being", NOT either "human having" or "human doing". God expect us to merely become a true human, with all limitations and strength, to treasure life here together with Him, not worrying about food, drinks, clothes and other materials (nowadays these basic necesities have become a "want", no longer a "need").

All right, love you guys.

Love, poer

"Father, we surrender this to you."

Dearest Father God,

You are the father of every nation. The father of every kind of people. The father of every creature, every living thing and everything that happens. God you are the creator and we can't question how you rule.

God we open up our hands to you, surrendering all anger and bitterness towards what's happening in the world right now. God help us to pray deeply for the South Korean disciples. Help us let go all of our anger and bitterness.

I pray God, that the christians turn to you right now for comfort and assurance of your presence. God you are right there right now. Comforting them. Comforting their confused hearts to why this is happening. But help their relationship with you to be strong and to be calm and at peace in their hearts that they are saved.

I know God you have plans that we don't and may never understand. We are only a very small part of this world and the world a very small part of the universe. And the universe a very small part of your hand. God comfort them and comfort us. God we're deeply in mourning for those who have already been killed, help us to surrender to your plan. Help us surrender to your control.

God be with the christian's family and the congregation they belong to. Be with them so that they know you're in control. Help them to pray. Just help them to pray.

Deep in our hearts we all want the captives to be freed. God that will be a blessing. To be freed from fear, freed from the world's corruption, freed from selfishness and freed from greed. God forgive those who've let this affect their christian life. Help them to understand we are only human and all we can do it give it up to you to decide. Help us not to be take control of the situation. Help us to surrender.

Father, help us to surrender.

In Jesus name,

Amen.