Retreat Blues

Last week, I had the priviledge of participating a youth retreat organized by my church, well I thank them for still considering me a 'youth' though, haha..Nevertheless, I will still go even though they consider me an 'over-aged-ancient-bones', no way they are gonna stop me from coming! *grin**I'M UNSTOPPABLE!!(Juggernaut's quote)*

*IM UNSTOPPABLE!*

Nevertheless, the retreat was very relaxing and lived up to it's title.Was able to get away from all my daily routines and work by spending time with a lively group of young people.It was not only refreshing but it's also a time for stack on!Almost every guy get 'stacked on' (except myself ^ ^) whenever there's an opening for the opportunity~For those who doesn't know what stacks on is, please refer to the photo below :

*too bad I didn't take any stacks on photos for you guys to see =( *

Fun eh?Should try that once a while ya when you gather up with your friends..They will surely love it and it tightens your 'bond'.Haha well that's not the only thing we did in the retreat else it would be a stack-ons camp and not retreat!We did some other cool activities together such as painting each other's legs, washing each other's legs (after painting them), PAINtBALL, and eat tons of food. At the end of the retreat, I gained around 2 kgs in just 3 days! Now I officially weigh 71kgs and I think I should be careful lest I become 100 kg! Haha

Besides of all those fun, we had some serious talks and workshops to keep our brains sane before all the food and games makes us insane.The talks were given by Alan, our youth leader, to give us a rough background of how false teachings in the church have crept in subtlely and make its home amongst us.We were warned to contend for the faith and stick the the bible alone regardless of many other teachings that were taught by men.To stand firm and believe solely on what the Bible says alone really takes alot of courage and guts when we are challenged inwardly or outwardly.To hold on to Sola Scriptura (which means "Scripture and Scripture Alone") stand will definitely put alot of believer's smile to frown because of the different stands that most believers hold.

Many so called church goers would call themselves "Christians" because they believe in God and Jesus, well it's not for me to judge whether are they true born again believers or not but it is God's calling for us all to test all the spirits.How can we test it with our own perceptions when there's the Bible to test it?How can we test unless we know the Truth?Jesus warned his disciples that in the last days, there will be many false prophets and false Christ and many people will follow them.Thus, we gotta know and contend for the faith with which we are in.


The choice is simple: "Come out and be separate" or "Join in and partake along".Which choice would we pick?Take the easy way or suffer for the sake of the call.Jesus didn't came to bring peace on earth but a sword which means we are meant to suffer because of Jesus.He suffered thus we as believers too are to participate in His sufferings; He glorified, we as believers too will be glorified together with Him.It is stated that "Narrow is the way that leadeth to life;Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction" in the Bible.

After that, we had a night session to wet our appetite on the calling to preach the gospel via a special video clip by Steven Curtis Chapman's live concert.The short video is based on "Operation Aucas Indians" formed by 5 young Christian missionaries that gave their lives for the sake of these indians in Ecuador.To cut the long story short, you can view the whole video here via YouTube:

Beyond the Gates Of Splendor Part 1

Beyond the Gates of Splendor Part 2

*sadly I have yet to find out how to embed these videos into my post..thus I can only give you the links*

Did you cried after watching them?Hehe..This was what was showed during the night session that encourages me to go forth and preach the Word with boldness.

Overall, I've greatly benefited from this retreat and nurished by the fellowship/teaching among my church members.We have surely gotten closer in our bonds after this retreat and I'm sure each and everyone of us that participated in this retreat will have the same thought with me.Here's the group photo we took after camp! I love you guys as my brothers and sisters in Christ!









"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." Phil 2:1-2

I am who I am

I did an online temperament test to see what kind of person I am.The results are below :



I'm classified as strong Phlegmatic and a little of Sanguine which makes me someone that is quite sluggish at doing things, lazy in nature, spontaneous, 'last-minute' kind of person, reluctant, always keeping the 'status quo' kind of person and much more.You can actually read them from the link above.

Well, as you can see, there's alot of weaknesses in me but you may be asking me, why am I stating only my weaknesses and not my strengths. My point would be simply this: I would rather esteem others better than myself. In my experience, I've always come across all this temperament tests that are usually to boost up our confidence and place our trust upon our strengths.

Sometimes, we rely too much on ourselves and who we are.Sometimes, we blame who we are for the wrong things that we do just simply because I am made this way.And then we expect others to accept our flaws and weaknesses.Some would say "I am a Sanguine, thus what I'm doing now is normal to me.I'm sorry, your values are not my values", and then some would determine that they are right regardless of what wrong they did to the other individual.

I guess we have pride in ourselves, just the measure of pride that differs.Our pride in us makes us think that we are who we are and what we do, others must respect.The culture around us today makes us very selfish creatures and we always think inwardly.The lack of love and care around us forces us to conform towards the patterns of this world.Sadly, we thought there's no choice, therefore we conform.

However, I found the cure for my pride. This cure can only be found in putting on humility and putting our trust upon Jesus Christ to change us into a being that is according to His traits.As Christians, we do not place our temperaments before us to determines who we are.All Christians are called to conform into Christ likeness and bear the fruits of the Spirit.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:22-26

How nice if everyone around us bear such traits and live together in love.There will still be temperaments among Christians, but there is one thing that all of us have in common in our character because we are all in One Spirit.

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Amen.

No More World

The world was once my stronghold,

Once I was led captivity to the world,

Being led by its powers,

I have succumbed to its addiction,

That captivates even the most casual players,

Nay, I will say No to the World,

Though once I walked in the paths of Kalimdor and Azeroth,

Now no longer will I see the wonders of Outland,

Because I am free,

Free from the bondage of the World,

For only He can set me free,

Thank You Lord Jesus.

On the 19th of August 2007 marks a turning point of my life, the day which I willingly quit World of Warcraft. Not because of the monthly subsciptions fee, not because of work, not because of time, not because of friends, and certainly not because of boredom. The reason is because I have wasted so much in my life playing this MMORPG which turns me into a useless Christian.

I have fading slowly ever since I have started this game last 2 years ago, fading from Him, fading from being fervent to Him, the one who was without sin and was made sin for my sake. Yes, the One who died for me so that I that was once dead and now alive in Him.I have drawn myself away from Him, my parents and friends.

This game is superbly done and well maintained, this I give it to them.I have to admit that this is the best game I've ever played in my entire 25 years of life.Superb graphics, very interactive game play, more than 5 million people plays this game, interesting quests hubs and exciting dungeon experience.I have influenced so many people in playing this game but now come to think of it, I kinda regret for doing so.Most of them now are lifeless in reality but full of life in a complete virtual world.

Thank God, I am able to break from this virtual cage and I thank my God for opening my spiritual eyes to look at what is eternal rather than what is temporal.Just look at the awards that this game has won. I wonder how can I break free from the best game ever made.One would wonder and question me, why?My reason?Because I want to do what God wants me to do.Period.

This morning I surfed the net and guess what I saw?Here it is:

Maybe Blizzard knew that their most influencial player has left the game thus they are giving such promotion?Hehehe (For those who can't see what it writes, Blizzard is offering their players one month free gaming if they are able to 'persuade' their ex-gamers)

Highlights of 2007

Halo semua!! I know I've been missing for quite some time now (almost 1 year) and I do not know whether anyone misses me or not, nevertheless I gonna try to be much more active and committed in updating my blog now.Why such enthusiasm? Well, I have much more time in my hands now since I stopped playing World Of Warcraft now (will elaborate reasons in the next post) thus I can spend more time doing something different.

Various events that I've experienced this year :

- Went to Australia for a 1 week tour (Sydney/Melbourne) which I willingly sponsored myself to go. Got to know a Sammi Cheng/Miriam Yeung lookalike as my tour guide.



-Bing in Australia-

- Organized 2 main church event : Ang Pow Night and IA games. Being involved in this 2 event tells me that it is fun to work with younger people in the church.




- Attended a bible reading conference held in Genting View Resort that changed my life permanently. Change my life priority completely and given up most of my gaming pleasures after what was heard.



- Quited World Of Warcraft. Now, this was a tough one but nevertheless the decision was made and it was a right one. After 2 years of gaming, I felt that I need to retire from this to do some other things that I've missed out in my life.

I believe there will be more to come but I guess this year is quite an eventful year for me.Well I hope there will be more exciting adventures and hopefully updates in here..hehe