Monday, June 27, 2005
Half Time Reflections
Attended a Bible Study Leaders Training yesterday and we were given a list of reflection questions. Decided to take the afternoon to go through them and do a spiritual audit. It has been 7 months plus since I first attended BTPC. Time really flies and I hope to take time to review my service there and work on the areas which I've been neglecting. I guess prayer is one area I need to work on, especially to pray more for the youths whom I'm leading, and to spend more time with them. Acts 20:28 says “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit had made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” One thing which struck me in the training session is that we can spend a lot of time preparing for bible studies yet fail to let God's Word soak into our hearts, that is, we forget to teach ourselves first. Is my life a model for them? May I always watch my doctrine and my life.
Thank God for a couple of young adults He has brought into our midst. There's Jonathan and Jean who just joined us recently. Jonathan used to attend ARPC and I think he got to know about BTPC through Pastor Andrew. Jean will be doing the BSc in PE soon, guess I'll be seeing her quite often in school. Besides both of them, there are familiar faces around too, and many teachers! 7 in total, including trainees and lecturers. :)
Thank God for a couple of young adults He has brought into our midst. There's Jonathan and Jean who just joined us recently. Jonathan used to attend ARPC and I think he got to know about BTPC through Pastor Andrew. Jean will be doing the BSc in PE soon, guess I'll be seeing her quite often in school. Besides both of them, there are familiar faces around too, and many teachers! 7 in total, including trainees and lecturers. :)
Friday, June 24, 2005
The art of drinking frappucinos
Almost forgot to blog about an interesting observation I made on Sunday. :) Let's take a poll first. Question: How do you drink your frappucinos? 1) Finish off the whipped cream first and then drink the rest of the nice blended drink. 2) Drink the frappucino together with the whipped cream. 3) Go without the whipped cream (for the health conscious). I've always thought there's only 2 ways, both 2) and 3). Apparently, someone drink it by eating the whipped cream (yes, on its own) first, and he thought that is the typical way. Haha..you know who you are. ;p
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Tables in blogs?
Does anyone have any idea if it is possible to create or paste a table in our blog postings? Tried copy and paste method but it didn't work. I would like to share some summary notes on the talks. A pity if I can't present it in a table format.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Back from Church Camp
Hi all! I"m back. :) The camp was great! It's my first time attending such a big camp, it was like a conference to some extent. I must say Marriott is a very good choice for big camps, there was sufficient space for both ARPC and BTPC. The rooms are big too, you can even hold a small BS group. The talks were great, challenging me to fear God in all aspects of my life, for that is really wise living. Worldly wisdom is always lurking around us, pray that we may all choose to be wise in all that we do! Besides the good teaching, I thank God for the opportunities to build up relationships with other people in BTPC and ARPC. Managed to know the Helping Hand brothers better. What struck me is their generosity and care shown towards others, exemplifying servanthood in small ways. I used to think they are very quiet and keep to themselves. The trip to KL city was alright only, as there was nothing much to see at Times Square. The kids and youth had a good time at the indoor theme park though. A pity we couldn't check out the many food places which Cheryl recommended due to time constraint. However, Cheryl, Isabel, Kum Fun and myself managed to catch a decent meal of dim sum at Sungei Wang. BTPC had our own special night thus we missed a good talk and some Q & A session over at ARPC side. Hope to catch part of it online though. The wrap-up session by Pastor Andrew was clear and well presented. Will put up the notes soon. :) The journey back was pretty long, and our coach reached at 8.30pm. I thought it was very late already, turned out that Sern Khoon and Barnabas' coach reached even later! Now it is time to consolidate what I've learnt and put it into application.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Short notes on Japan Trip :)
The Japan trip was really enjoyable, how I wished it could be longer. The package was pretty comprehensive, covering the main attractions in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo, which of course includes Mount Fuji, Universal Studios and Disneyland. A pity I did not take MANY pictures as some of you expected, although I used up both my cards. On top of that, my parents and I used up 3 rolls of film, and there are some pictures on my neighbour's digital camera. The standard of living is very high, and there is no way that you can get a bowl of noodles at $2. (exchange rate being 100 Yen = S$1.55) Perhaps you can get a triangular shape 饭团 at that price. Bottled and hot drinks from the vending machine cost around 120 Yen. Although it is quite pricey as compared to prices in Singapore, the variety is wide. I was quite excited when I saw the different types of drinks and was really spoilt for choices. Most were different types of tea, and you could even catch a video of the drink-making process while listening to some upbeat music. Tried this drink called cc Lemon, which supposedly contains a high content of Vitamin C. It is very refreshing! Had a chance to eat ramen at a roadside stall while being entertained by the owner who kept saying ‘好吃，好吃’. We thought it didn't taste too good though, a tad bit too salty and not much of ingredients, and it cost 600 Yen! Had a better deal on the last day at Ikebukuro, tasty ramen at a comfortable restaurant with prices that ranges from 390 Yen to 540 Yen. Surprisingly, the coffee at Starbucks is cheaper than in Singapore. Some snacks are cheaper as well. Generally, the cost of living is still very high. Transportation is worse, just a 12 minute ride on the bullet train cost almost S$20. So much about the costs, will share more about the people and culture when I'm back from the camp. :)
Friday, June 03, 2005
Love amongst believers
After hearing what some of my Christian friends go through in their life, be it in ministry or in relating with others, I can't help but feel saddened by the lack of love shown amongst believers. I know we are imperfect and we still live in this fallen world. But I hope this isn't an excuse. I admit that I've failed many times in this aspect as well, but it just saddens me that I see an increasing trend. Perhaps it is coincidence. I don't know. What is the point of knowing so much of the Bible yet unable to apply the truths to our lives? Just a note of encouragement to all my fellow brothers and sisters who have been hurt in one way or another. Press on and know that we always have other Christians who are willing to lend a listening ear and shoulder your burden. Let us also keep one another accountable in our doctrine and way of life, and gently correct or rebuke if we go off track. This is not easy, an art I would say.
On a lighter note, I'm heading off to 'The Land of the Rising Sun' tonight! Gonna take many pictures and try authentic Jap food. Will try to post up the pictures when I'm back. :) Looking forward to meet the other tour group members too. Do pray for opportunities to share the gospel.
On a lighter note, I'm heading off to 'The Land of the Rising Sun' tonight! Gonna take many pictures and try authentic Jap food. Will try to post up the pictures when I'm back. :) Looking forward to meet the other tour group members too. Do pray for opportunities to share the gospel.
