Yesterday, some of our YF members, comprisingUncle Nie( C.P, Y.P, V.D, R.K, ETC), Sharma( illegally known as Shammah ), Jazzie Kan, Carissa, Anita, Hashah, Joanna,Victoria,Xing Guo aka Thomas, Jason and who else la? Me, went to the International Ambassadors Church located on the 10th Floor of Mutiara Complex,located somewhere along Jalan Ipoh.
Well our church was invited to the event held there. There were youths from other churches and guess who was there? Caleb, more commonly known as Raj, fellow TARC College aka Ah Beng College and Broadcast student, who was one of the actors in a sketch performed and who got shot. BANG! and I met his sister, the one who spammed his blog's chat box for fun.
Before it all started, we played a game where we were all given tissues and we are supposed to mark our positions with it. Shammah broke his into 2. Anyway, one of the participants is supposed to do a dance move and say ' the wind blows to...' and describe people with particular characteristics like wearing blue jeans for example. Those who 'kena' must move to a new position and who ever loses, must dance. Well, Uncle Nie 'kena' and he did a Mr Bean dance and then shifted to John Travolta style dance like in 'Saturday Night Fever'.
During the sketch, where 2 guys acting as robbers held up a cafe, we were having fun at the back, making remarks like asking Xing Guo to call his dad who is a policemen to inform him of a 'holdup' and we made remarks like' shoot shoot shoot' when one of the robbers threatened to shoot a particularly big-mouthed hostage. How cruel....(sniggers)
Anyway the event was closed with one group of youths from a church who closed with a praise song. Man, that was when the fun began. First of all the transparency didn't work and so we don't know what song was it and we were straining our ears to catch the words. It was so funny. It was supposed to be fast but it sounded so draggy(according to Carissa-I'm tone deaf) Heh heh and the song sounded so Ah Beng-ish.
Refreshment was AWESOME! Imagine pizzas, canned sodas, rice and curry( not Dr Bombay's song ) and best of all, raw carrots, celeries and baby tomatoes! How cool is that? And the best part is, we all ate at the main sanctuary. Man, how I wish we could do this in Selayang(PS, then it will attract more rats and pastor can go catch em, heh heh).
Well it was a fun day. I would like to extend my gratitude to Pastor Amos and his wife Pastor Lisa for inviting us and their wonderful hospitality.
Okay....I don’t know what’s got into me, but I have this
sudden craze for Shalwar Qameez, the baggy style pants wore by South Asians and
Afghans. I just feel like getting my
hands onto one, preferably black and wear it with one of the Youth Camp
T-shirts that I have and top it all with a Taliban-style turban and best of
all, walk around KL with it and carry a huge back-pack. Haha.
And I'll look like that?
Anyway, pray I'll won't get arrested under the ISA for this stunt.
It’s official. I’m 20 today. First, I thank God that I’ve
managed to survive until today and that His Grace is upon me and all the
blessings He bestowed upon me.
Looking back, I am thankful that I came to know Him and accepted
Him as my LORD and Savior. I thank Him for transforming and changing me into a
completely new person, that He delivered me from my inferiority complex and
social weakness.
Now that I’m already 20, there are things to be done. I’m
not very ‘young’ now so I must not sit back anymore but go full speed ahead.
First, get my diploma and get a job to earn $$$ so that I can pay for my
studies in a Bible seminary.
Next, get my OWN place to stay. I’m already 20 and it’s time
that I shift out and stay on my own and enjoy the fruits of liberty. Haha.
Then, look for a class that teaches Farsi, go for lots of
short-term mission trips to gain the experience and to learn how to interpret
the Scriptures to ensure that it is not quoted out of context. Then, be a
missionary to Iran. That’s what I have in mind.
So,as I reached 20 today, I thank God for all that He’s done
for me. I look forward to what the future holds and the Race ahead!
THE LITTLE RED HEN - A Parable About the United States
Got this from Facebook and I LOVE this.
What an explanation this is on our country.
THE LITTLE RED HEN
The little red hen called all of her Democrat neighbors together and
said, 'If we plant this wheat, we shall have bread to eat. Who will
help me plant it?"
'Not I,' said the cow.
'Not I,' said the duck.
'Not I,' said the pig.
'Not I,' said the goose.
'Then I will do it by myself,' said the little red hen, and so she did.
The wheat grew very tall and ripened into golden grain.
'Who will help me reap my wheat?' asked the little red hen.
'Not I,' said the duck..
'Out of my classification,' said the pig.
'I'd lose my seniority,' said the cow.
'I'd lose my unemployment compensation,' said the goose.
'Then I will do it by myself,' said the little red hen, and so she did.
At last it came time to bake the bread.
'Who will help me bake the bread?' asked the little red hen.
'That would be overtime for me,' said the cow.
'I'd lose my welfare benefits,' said the duck.
'I'm a dropout and never learned how,' said the pig.
'If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination,' said the goose.
'Then I will do it by myself,' said the little red hen.
She baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors to see.
They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share.
But the little red hen said, 'No, I shall eat all five loaves.'
'Excess profits!' cried the cow. (Nancy Pelosi)
'Capitalist leech!' screamed the duck. (Barbara Boxer)
'I demand equal rights!' yelled the goose. (Jesse Jackson)
The pig just grunted in disdain. (Ted Kennedy)
And they all painted 'Unfair!' picket signs and marched
around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.
Then the farmer (Obama) came.
He said to the little red hen, 'You must not be so greedy.'
'But I earned the bread,' said the little red hen.
'Exactly,' said Barack the farmer. 'That is what makes our free
enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much
as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the
productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who
are lazy and idle.'
And they all lived happily ever after,
including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked,
'I am grateful, for now I truly understand.'
But her neighbors became quite disappointed in her.
She never again baked bread because
she joined the 'party' and got her bread free.
And all the Democrats smiled.
'Fairness' had been established.
Individual initiative had died, but nobody noticed; perhaps no one cared...
so long as there was free bread that 'the rich' were paying for.
EPILOGUE
Bill Clinton is getting $12 million for his memoirs.
Hillary got $8 million for hers.
That's $20 million for the memories from two people, who for eight
years, repeatedly testified, under oath, that they couldn't remember
anything.
The political scene in our country for this past 3 months is
nothing short or a joke or a Shakespearean tragedy. For a multi-racial country
living in peace for the past 51 years and counting, the peace and tranquility
of our nation has been stirred up by a bunch of ‘politicians’ hell-bent on
causing chaos for their own interests.
Politicians as we know, are people who run for office and
are elected by peoples from their own constituency to help them and address
their plight. In short, they are supposed to serve and put the public’s
interest above them. Hence, they are also known as public servants.
However in Malaysia, the political turmoil that we face now
are caused by our politicians. Well, the bad ones at least. Playing the race
card, no balls to apologize and acting like a bunch of sissys, can’t ‘retire’
in peace, former MB making life Sheol for the current MB, party-hopping and the
most worrisome one, thugs from a political party confronting an MP who is wheel
chair bound and verbally abusing him. Reminds me of the Nazi Party’s Brown
Shirts.
Anyway, what I want to say is, though the current political
situation now is very worrying and with politicians, at least the bad ones, who
care about nothing but their own interests, the only thing that we can do is to
intercede and pray for our nation.
Though we worry about the fate of our nation, let us stand
up and pray that the our LORD Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of History, that
His Hand’s will be upon our nation and that no evil shall prevail in this land.
We must remember that ‘our struggle is
not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of
wickedness in the heavenly places.’ (Ephesiansn6:12)
So, during this time, let us rise up during this time and
pray. Pray for the peace of our nation. Pray for justice and righteousness to
rule this land. Pray against corruption. Pray against every pride in our
leaders. Pray that God will give them a humble and contrite spirit. Just pray
for Malaysia.
Got my first pair of glasses when I was in the 4th grade. Wore it because I read too much,even with dim light. Suffered from 'inferiority complex'. Find it hard to communicate with people.
5 years ago I...
Was a rebel. Even though a Christian I wasn't living up to my name. Constantly fooling around in school and being not serious in studying.
3 years ago I... Began to reflect about life's purpose. Began to get serious with my relationship with Jesus. Suddenly, life is full of hope after all!
1 year ago I...
Still in college taking my Diploma in Mass Comm(Journalism). Looked forward to the new year with the expectation that God will do something new and change me. Was disappointed when nothing happened but instead, I faced so much trouble and discouragement. Almost gave up on God.
So far this year I... Realised that God is slowly changing me to be a totally different person. Giving up my life's 'idol' and yearning for more of Him. Committed my life fully to Him and am determined to use the breath that God gave me count. Got the desire for the persecuted Christians of Iran. Maybe I'm going to be a missionary?
Yesterday I... Read the Bible and planned for Saturday's YF. Panicked over what to do. Prepared my message for today and wrote them down in my notebook. Kept flipping the Scriptures to ensure it's in line and not quoted out of context. Can't wait for college to start.
Today I...
Went to church for worship practice. Shared what I've been thinking for the past 2 weeks. Thank God nothing went wrong. I actually love doing this. Leading youths? Serving God is not easy but it indeed is satisfying and it brings joy.
Tomorrow I... Will be going to church to praise and worship Him! Play the drums and listen to what God has installed for us. And take a well deserved sleep.
Next year I... Might be working in the secular world, preferably with a defense company or wherever God lead me to be.
3 years from now I...
Will be in the missions field, probably in Iran or wherever God calls me to be. Or maybe commit to leading youths and counselling them. Found my life partner and together we serve the LORD wherever He calls us to. Or remain single? Leave it to God.
5 years from now I... Will still be serving Him faithfully wherever He calls me to be. I don't know about the future but I'm sure all's well in God's hands.
10 years from now I... Will still serve Him and look back at all the things God has done for me. Will continue to run the Race and never look back. Now it's your turn!Copy the time limits and write your own answers and predictions
Of course it's not easy. With pastor and family in Peacehaven for the FGA Satelite Heads Retreat from Friday to Sunday, the responsibility of YF fell to Joanna, Allison and me. Imagine the terror I felt!
To make things worst, we are supposed to have Prima Cell today but yesterday nightI received a message informing that it has been cancelled due to the kids having school! Of all the time. At night and it was 9++pm!
My mind started spinning around, worrying what to do for tomorrow(Saturday). Text Joanna and Allison to ask them to go online and discuss tomorrow's plans for YF. Each of us agreed to share what's in our heart and later, played Bible Quiz with Hangman.
To our relief, quite a number of youths turned up. We took turns sharing our testimonyand what was in our hearts. I shared about what's been on my mind for the past 2 weeks, idols in life. Had trouble sharing it due to my lack of interpersonal relation skill. Paused at every 2 or 3 words. I hope that this won't happen again, especially with my desire to share the Gospel to the lost. Imagine a bunch of Iranians laughing their heads off at a missionary.
Anyway it took effort(quite) to prepare this. Mind you all, this is my first sermon and my main concern is that I quote Bible texts according to context or that it's not in line with the Scriptures. Anyway thank the LORD that it was ok. Everyone enjoyed themselves except myself, who have to pullout from the quiz due to me answering the 1st question with ease,' Where did Noah's Ark settled?'.
In the end, the credit goes to our LORD Jesus Christ who helped us to prepare in a short while and to Joanna and Allison for their calmness amidst the storm. You should look at their faces. So calm.
Persia,otherwise known as Iran, has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Since then, mention the word 'Iran' and images of the Ayatollah and fundementalist Moslems flash through one's mind.
Being on the radar for all the wrong reasons, from state-sponsored terrorism to nuclear weapons programme, one issue remains hidden, at least on main stream media, the persecution of Christians.
During the Acts of the Apostles, there are Persians among the very first Christian converts(Acts 2:9,2:41). Since then, Christianity thrived in Persia. However, due to their location on the then Roman-Persian border, Persian Christians were persecuted by the then Sassanid rulers of Persia after Constantine 1 proclaimed Christianity to be the main religion of the Roman Empire.
After the Islamic conquest of the 7th Century, Christians enjoyed freedom because they were considered a protected minority. However, religious tension in the 10th Century led to persecutiononce more, particularly during the Crusades. After the events of 1979, things got from bad to worst for the Christians there.
The plight of Christians there came to international attention when an Iranian pastor of Armenian descent, Haik Hovsepian, leader of the Assemblies of God church in Iran, Jama'at-e Rabbani, was found murdered, stabbed 26 times in the chest, 12 days after he disappeared on Jan 19 1994 after he chose to spoke out and launch an international campaign to have the sentences of Mehdi Dibaj, sentenced to death for apostasy, to be overturned. It was successful but ultimately, he lost his life saving Mehdi. Since then, several believers have been brutally tortured and put to death.
Among the various denominations in Iran, Jama'at-e Rabbani is the most persecuted denomination in Iran because they conduct their services in Persian(Farsi),instead of like other denominations which conducts their service in Armenian. Plus, according to statistics, 80% of the believers are converts from Islam.
After coming to power in 2005, Iran under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has intensified its persecution on Christians. Since then, the future looks gloomy for the Christians in Iran. However, our LORD Jesus Christ is faithful and His Grace will enable the faithful ones to endure persecution.
I don't know why but after befriending a couple of Iranian students here in Malaysia, I fell in love with Persian culture and most importantly, it's people. Now, I have the desire to minister to them, to bring the Gospel of Love and Hope to these people who are lost in spiritual darkness.
As Christians we are called to spread the good news to the lost. That's why we must ask God to give us the opportunity and open the door to us to minister to our family members and friends who are lost.
As for me, who knows what I will be in the future. But I can see myself in Iran, ministering to the Persians and bringing the message of Love and Hope to them. To tell them that they don't need to wait for the 12th Mehdi, because Jesus Christ has came and saved the world.
"... In the last days ... I shall restore the fortunes of Elam (Iran), declares the Lord." Jeremiah 49:39
Josiah13389 March 13th Male KL A sinner saved by Christ and constantly covered by His Grace, running the Race of Life, a guy who has a lot more to learn about what life is all about, a disciple of Jesus Christ and last but not least, a goner for beef-noodles.
