Saturday, 24 November 2007
my testi about camp (Joy)

I converted on 18 Feb 06 ... being a 'joker' for more than half a yr before God really changed my life through my first camp (at NUS). Last time, i was the worst ever sheep, really ... ask my shepherd (Andria)... how she suffered from me. THough we were classmates, i hated her for so long. it was becos she accidentally called me Dung (shit) 3 times. I didnt talk to her, ignored her, she wanna sit besides me then i stood up and changed seat. I was so childish doing all these things (like playing hide n seek haha). And i was very stubborn and proud cos i thought that why should i listen to her. and nobody did believe i could be changed one day ... nobody except God.

At first, i didnt wanna come for camp. i told Chantel, my cg :'If Andria comes, i will not come!'. That showed how bad i was. but thank God, Chantel kept encourage me to give it a try. at last, i came unwillingly. And guess wad, i was so emo ... so self-centered n i locked myself in the room n tried to gain attention. Then while everyone enjoyed the camp, i felt sad and wanna went back home. But God did miracles in my life in His own way - the way i am never be able to know.

I still rmb the date - 8th June 06. when Pastor Shirley asked us to come up to the leaders to be annointed n prayed for. i followed the crowd cos my cg everyone went to be prayed for. Jasmine (the East JC unit leader) prayed for me. and i didnt noe why ... for goodness shake ... my tears just kept falling down ... gosh ... couldnt believe i cried. then God really spoke to me dat moment. He asked me to change : to be less hot tempered, to be less self centerd, to be more loving, to be more joyful, to be ....And God touched my heart.

Then guess wad ... after that i was finding my shepherd. n i said sorry to her for all the things i had done in her life. i bet she was shocked. her eyes rolled dont noe how many times haha. if u dont believe me, she can testify haha ...

That'how God really changed me big big time. I am still very imperfect now obviously. I m still hot tempered, still sin blah blah ... But looking back at my life, i am just so amazed by how much God can change a person like me. And if God can change me, why not you????!!!

Camp is really a time for life transformation ... for growth ... for bonding ... for everything. And if u miss the camp, u will miss out a lot. so i hope those who havent registered for camp will give it a try. And if u think u cant afford the camp, tell me or ur cg members. I believe each of us whose went for camp before has experienced God in our very own way. We can testify that's great. Is it so cheap to transform ur life with just $120??!!!

In the infinity line, life is a scratch... dont forget who are we and what are we doing becos we only have 1 life to live. Live for Jesus :)

Wednesday, 31 October 2007
God's Plan

God's Plan

I was once told that as time goes by
Everything changes with no reason why
Explanations we won't receive
We're just told we must believe
The Lord has a plan for each of us
This I Believe - This I Trust
Doctor - Lawyer - Teacher - Wife
Lord what's your plan for my life?
Explanations I don't expect
Just some guidance down the right track
Show me Lord your plan for me
I ask this of you while on my knees
Praying to you helps me to see
The wonderful plan you have for me
The Lord has a plan for each of us
This I Believe - This I Trust

~Benjamin

Saturday, 27 October 2007
The key is TRUST

Todae i woke up, feeling aching all over cos ytd i went gym with Sharon n Luke after 4 months never exercise AT ALL. Meeting Zhiwei, Hsiaoen, Huiying at Mac then go M&S. at first i decided not to go CLM becos i really wanna met my sheep after such a long time i couldnt meet her. but it seemed that she couldnt make it on time for shepherding so i decided to go CLM with Zhiwei.

during CLM, God spoke to me through the verse Genesis : 32:25-26:'... i will not let you go unless you bless me'. and God spoke to me through dat verse again during svc. At the beginning of the svc, i was not emotionally rite maybe becos all my sheeps n others cg members couldnt make it for svc . Then God rebuked me and challenged me to put His kingdom first in wadever decisions i m gonna make in the future. I repented ...

Todae God also taught me a lesson about TRUST. i really think i need to grow in this area, in trusting my sheeps n people around me. Maybe becos i was a very bad sheep, i did all the bad things a sheep can do to a shepherd so I kind of think others will also do the same thing as me. But i was wrong ... Maybe the reason why the relationship with me n my sheeps didnt grow though i've tried so hard is the lack of TRUST. i didnt trust my sheeps enuf ... i will change.

the reason why God rebuked me is becos of my slack attitude. Alevel cant be an excuse. Going back with family cant be an excuse. n worst, being a Vietnamese cant be an excuse. Nothing can be an excuse for me to slack in growing my sheeps n my cg. i know i've been slack with these rubbish reasons n at first i thought it was fine anyway since all the reasons seemed quite logic. But ... I've sinned.

'teach me how to love like u've loved me
teach me how to trust like u've trusted me'

posted by Joy

Sunday, 16 September 2007
Birthday celebration pics

Saturday, 15 September 2007
Hope Church 16th Anniversary

Hope Church 16th Anniversary

It is Hope Church birthday today! We had a salubrious service today with Hope bangkok joing us in the celebration. It was real fun at the praise and worship. All of us were jumping,singing and practically so engaged. I think God had really heard us, for he had always been around us.


Ah... These little kids from Hope Kids are real cute. You should have seen them performing.




This picture was taken after the service, outside the marquee. It is the CG North together, with some people missing from they picture as they had already left.




They look like bullies don't they?
























Dung and Canice are SHORT. Hahas




Joseph and Yan Shan, in his jumper. Hahas





The good lord be with all of you.
~Benjamin

A great birthday celebration (15/9/07)

A great birthday celebration (15/9/07)


Thanks to 'demure auntie' Nerissa who couldnt figure out the bus 86 for like 20 mins (or more than that lol), Alvin n me had to wait for her,looking here n there searching for a red cab haha. Finally she came n we started our games at the field behind Canice's house. We played soccer n frisbee. haha Elbert was super good at it man. Just anyhow throw, he confirm can catch one k haha. After finish the match (my team lost lol), we headed back to Canice's house, waiting to start the steamboat. happily walking , suddenly i heard a loud scream ... oh my gosh ... someone ran towards me with speed of light, i hadnt had enuf time to realize whose was it n ... yup ... i got wet ... well ... thanks to Ben. he hit me so hard with the water bomb haha. I was stunned for a while then i realized that i needed to attack since i was wet alr haha. so i decided to take revenge on Ben first lol. Then Nerissa also kanna haha ... she got the honour to be bombed by ME ... after my first water bomb,Alvin n Elbert attacked her like mad. She was wet even though she wore quite nice haha . we didnt give chance lol ... play to our best :). so everyone was soaked with water lol ... finally reached canice's house.

After settling down, we played indoor game : Eating 'rubbish' ??!! (i make the name 1 lol). we were divided into 2 teams n we supposed to close our eyes then we were fed by the game masters (Michelle n Pras) n we had to guess wad was it. haha seriously i didnt noe wad is the first thing they fed me le but i noe it yucks ... the second 1 should be Chinese tea. lol ... our team lost ... we all not food pro wad haha (except Nerissa as Alvin proclaimed that but i doubt so also lol). the forfeit was to drink the raw egg ... yucks second time haha. but thanks God for Yan Shi for being so sacrificial lol he drank it all so the gals no need to drink lol.

Then we played polar bear haha ... actually it supposed to be simple game but thanks to Luke's high intellectual (quoted by Evan lol), some of them found it quite complicated. lol then the loser could go eat ... so all of us so eager to be killed haha. THere the food came ... so tempting man haha ... thanks God for our food IC : my beloved sheepie (Gisela n Dawn) n Lixin also. n thanks Canice's grandma also :) (for her chicken soaked with XO wow). Hey thank God for those who cooked the food also ... without minding the heat n the oil n all lol. We had a great time eating ...

Then Dawn came n told me :'hey Dung, we are writing birthday card for Luke so dont let anyone go inside the room k. Then later we are going to celebrate Luke's birthday but we act like we celebrate ur birthday k'. haha then later i realized that my dear sheep Dawn so smart la. she told Luke the same thing :'hey Luke, later we are going to celebrate Dung's birthday but we act like we celebrate ur birthday k'. Haha ... thanks huh Dawn lol

Then when Gis brought the cake out, 2 of us were noob k haha ... cos we thought it's for the other lol ... then we realized it after few seconds haha. then they made us blow the candle from far la ... lol ... there it goes ... the 'cake war' ...

so I supposed to feed luke n vice versa (sep birthday babies in Yj caregroup) ... then Luke so naughty la ... he started the 'cake war' by smashing it on my cutie face ... oh my gosh yucks yucks ... then the war start ... people start to attack one another ... i went to the bathroom to wash up while hearing screaming from here n there haha (someone was attacked). i just finished washing up ... come out ... laughing at those got cake on the face ...then ... walau haha second time ... everyone kanna cake on the face ... oh my gosh ... then poor thing le Dawn haha. while she was cleaning the mess under the table (was she trying to hide haha), Alvin gave her a real big one on the face lol. oh ya ... Ben's case was the best la. He was sitting at the sofa... then Elbert came ... gosh ... he used the plate filled with cake n like go all over Ben's face ... yucks haha ... i was stunned when seeing that. Ben was just so shocked to noe wad just happened to him haha. the place really filled with cake ... so so sorri Canice :(. Then we started to clear up the place. Gis n Shirley invented the cleaning competition haha . it was cool k ... i n Dawn joined in haha. first time i really enjoy cleaning the floor le lol.

THen we started to go back since it was about 10 plus ... it was an awesome celebration ... thanks YJC caregroup n friends who joined us : Elbert, Evan, Alvin, Nerissa, Kerine, Sharon Tan aka Fish, Waidek, Shirly, Ken. Thanks guys ... I was so blessed to be in this beloved caregroup, a family of God. You guys are really my second family :).

The pics n video will be uploaded next time. haha a lot of disgusting pics with cake all over our faces haha.

God loves u. God bless u guys :)

Posted by Joy aka Dung.

Sunday, 9 September 2007
Faith without deeds is dead

LUKE

Today's sermon was AWESOME! Too bad, yan shan and hwee zhong can't come, as both of them r grounded! So sad, man, but let's not repeat this mistake, so all of us gotta study very hard for our promos and As!

Anyway, in order to apply ytd's sermon, we went to study toge at yishun. I left earlier with joseph, but yan shi, li xin, gisela and dawn are still studying i guess they are going to study overnight.

Gotta to comment that our blog is fantastic, thanks ben for the wonderful song and pics! but gotta do sth to the pictures by the side, man. Some old pics and gisela's forfeit video.

Thursday, 6 September 2007
God is Good!

Myspace Graphics


~Benjamin

Tuesday, 4 September 2007
You never give up on me

thank God for never giving up on us
(Joy)

Sunday, 26 August 2007
CG On 24 Aug

Hey dear people! I think we had a great time, though I arrived late. My appologies people! Yah heard you people had fun with whipped cream. I guess it must have been really messy, but you all have enjoyed it for sure! Anyway study hard people, for all we can enjoy together. OKs HAHA.




Argh... I look like some convict. LOL. God will be with us forever.

~Benjamin

We Are The Reason

We Are The Reason



~Benjamin

Saturday, 25 August 2007
We are the reason

We Are The Reason - Avalon (Joy)

As little children
We would dream of Christmas morn
Of all the gifts and toys
We knew we'd find
But we never realized
A baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

We were the reason
That He gave His life
We were the reason
That He suffered and died
To a world that was lost
He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

As the years went by
We learned more about gifts
The giving of ourselves
And what that means
On a dark and cloudy day
A man hung crying in the rain
All because of love, all because of love

I've finally found the reason for living
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him
In all that I do every word that I say
I'll be giving my all just for Him, for Him

He is my reason to live

Why BOTAK JONES?!!! Wad is SEMI SELF SERVICE??!!

After 2 papers todae, i felt really tired and headache. i wanted to go home with the twins in my class to rest before cg. but then due to Mr.X who made us practise stand up and sit down blah blah ... he dragged until 4PM (supposed to end around 3h35 like dat). so i left 2 hours ... then i decided to go to Canice's house with Michelle. Her new house is much better than the previous one. it is bigger, nicer and more rooms. u guys shall see it for urself next week ^^.
I was still very tired and impatient when i knew that our people were going to be late for cg. becos todae i really wanted to practise punctuality and time management for cg. then i prayed and asked God to change my heart condition becos i really wanna set aside my emotions. then God reminded me of ACTS church and He told me:'Hey Dung,YJcg is going to be like dat ... trust me'. i felt awakened and my attitude towards things changed. And thank God dat we had great time fellowship tgt and most importantly ... our promise of giving all to him.



oh ok ... haha so much of my own thoughts ... just wanna share with u guys ^^. here comes Botak Jones ... and semi self service ???!!!

Finally ... we were at BOTAK JONES. Ben looked tired. Thank god for u ^^



Yummy ... we were choosing the food ^^ all are great k :)


haha do u see something ???!!! unglanced pic of Matt ^^


Yup here is the place with SEMI SELF SERVICE ... we were discussing about dat?! so wad does it mean?!! anyone has any idea ^^







great time eating tgt with u guys ^^ . Love YJcg ... thank God for blessing me with this cg :)

PS : if u guys can find the reason for the 2 question i posted plz get bak to me thanks ^^

Thursday, 23 August 2007
VS: Yan Shan and Luke's exploration!

VS: Yan Shan and Luke's exploration!

haha, today i went with yan shan to his alma mater! It was an awesome sight! the school totally rocks, man! we even took a picture of Victoria School at Level SEVEN!

this school actually has a parade square at Level FIVE! students are required to rush to fifth story everyday! Cool, no wonder every victorian looks skinner and fit(unlike yan shan haha, just kidding) While we are busying taking pictures, we heard keys sounds! meaning we r going to get caught! hence, we quickly did a 100m sprint to the other dark end! We weren't caught! YEAH, so continued our exploration!

The school actually has a three story high library and a big ECO-POND( one that cost millions, as there are live arowana swimming around!) And there is a five-star hostel! haha wat a school! Also one more thing that would increased its market value: YAN SHAN's pinned up drawing!( i took a picture too)

This is VS 2-story HIGH Ceiling

Monday, 20 August 2007
psalm 24

Psalm 24 (NIV)

Of David. A psalm.
1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.

3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.

5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob. [b]
Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
Selah

We are not just mearly christians, we want to be christians who seek after God's own heart..

Joseph

Sunday, 19 August 2007
Reviews on last CG

Care Group on 17 August was GREAT and AWESOME!
First up we have a very INNOVATIVE Game NAMED: SA! It's a tough time of brainteaser over words with similar meanings and opposites! As usual, i was been forfeited, ALTHOUGH i played according to the rules! so i was punished by having flour into my eyes!






























Next up, we have the second games, which is very fun too! Although we messed up the place, i believe enjoyed themselves!

It's a great time of fun and knowing who is very vain, haha. those ppl who brush off the flour immediately aft been thrown at. So i conclude BEN is very image conscious! haha, no offense, ben. we took some photos too!






I'm looking forward to the next CG!
PS: God, do bless the j2s, for they r having their(our) prelims!

Luke

Tuesday, 14 August 2007
F A M I L Y ... a touching reminder

F A M I L Y ... a touching reminder

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.


He said, 'Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you.'


We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.


But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.


Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.


When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
'Move out of the way,' I said with a frown.


He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.


While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,


'While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse..


Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.


Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.


He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.'


By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.


I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said.


'Are these the flowers you picked for me?'
He smiled, 'I found 'em, out by the tree.


I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue.'


I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.'
He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway.'

I said, 'Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue.'


FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in
a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss
for the rest of their lives.


And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
into work than into our own family,
an unwise investment indeed,
don't you think?
So what is behind the story?


Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

~Benjamin

Tuesday, 7 August 2007
God's Forgiveness

Should we pray to God for forgiveness?

Forgiveness
Is the mightiest sword
Forgiveness of those you fear
Is the highest reward
When they bruise you with words
When they make you feel small
When it's hardest to take
You must do nothing at all...


When you make any mistake, consciously or unconsciously, immediately you should cry for forgiveness. If you do not ask the Supreme for forgiveness, then your own negative qualities will be intensified. With your aspiration, your prayer, your meditation, your dedication and your oneness with God’s Will you have to ask God to forgive you for all your mistakes, conscious and unconscious. You have to ask Him to illumine your unconscious mistakes so that you will become aware of them and not make them again.

~Benjamin

Monday, 6 August 2007
To my deer sheepie Gis

Hey ... i felt super duper bad when i heard u said that u guys couldnt get into the stadium after Qing so so long. then i asked u so wad u guys gonna do. Then u told me 'go home lor' . I sensed the disappointment in ur voice. i dont noe ... but if it was me, i would feel super disappointed, sad, upset .... I just wanna say sorry even if i noe it wont change anything. erm and sori for that dinner day also, u had waited for 1 hour then... when u guys were going to board the train to go to amk to meet us then we went home. haiz ... felt so sorry ...
Dont feel disappointed k ... next year ... i dont noe ... if there is a chance according to God's will, i may be in singapore lol. then we can go c tgt . yeah :)

Thank God for u for everything u've done to the caregroup and all ur encouragements to me when i was tired. Continue to walk and grow in ur walk with God. It's an awesome walk to discover everyday. Love u :)

Saturday, 4 August 2007
Jesus Is My Shepherd

I like to take the time
To think and to ponder,
About all God's lost Sheep
Who continue to wander.

I remember the times
When I went astray.
I did not seek guidance
And I failed to pray.

I hid in the mountains
And veered from His path.
He searched and then found me
But showed no great wrath.

By pastures so green,
He guided me home.
I felt safe and secure,
Feeling no need to roam.

Instead, I sensed care,
And I knew that my wool,
Was far less protection
Than a saved and cleansed soul.

He fed and loved me.
He's my Shepherd and Rock.
And I know it was much better
To stay in His flock.

~Benjamin

Wednesday, 1 August 2007
31/7/07

Thought that we couldnt make it for breakfast tgt at 7am, it turned out differently. Luke n Joshep were there at 7am. then Canice came about 5 mins after dat. Michelle and me came at 7h10. THen Matthias and Yanshi came just 5 mins later. I think it's a super cool idea to start our day eating breakfast with one another and have a short prayer meet, to start our day with God.

We headed down to our caregroup table (near the pool table there) and had a short prayer meet. It's one of very first time we finish praying and the song hasnt sung. wow so we could relax a bit, looked at the track to c people running. Then i was reminded that Yjc was my second home (cos i m from Vietnam). i dont noe ... yup maybe a lot of people think YJ suck ... i used to think so. but i know God put me in this school for a reason. Thank God for blessing me with such a great class (115&215). Thank God for blessing me with this YJ caregroup. then i thought 'Gosh ... 2 more weeks to prelim... 2 and a half month to Alevel ... it also means i m leaving this school soon' . Sometimes when u have something in ur hands, u wont treasure it until u loose it lol (i sound so emo ^^).

Then after school i headed down to our table. Matt, Luke n Canice have been there. It's great to have our own table where people can come study and spend time tgt. it's our little home in YJC. then Matt, Joshep, Yanshi, Luke, Canice, Andria and me went to Bishan tgt for Core team meeting at 6. we ended up playing catching and Ice Man. i think it's cool, but a bit scary cos Luke is super duper fast. then suddenly he fell down ... seemed that he sprained his ankle. so we all gathered around him to c whether he was ok or not. Then guess wad ... after 1 min when every1 was around him. he suddenly touched all of us . walau he used this trick to cheat us ... haha ... so we all died. But i thought it was fun. Oh forgot to tell that when Joshep was the Ice man (he supposed to close his eyes and caught us but he was not allowed to climb up).we were very bad haha ... we all ran and hid in a corner. So he kept finding us ... but Yanshi (his sheep) was kind enuf to come out first lol. Thank God for Luke and Joshep ^^.

After the meeting we all except Minghui,Huiying (MI), Aaron, Jiahao (PJ) went Botak Jones. i shared with Sandy (IJ) the Botak JOnes cheese hamburger ... so nice ... the fries is the best man ^^ ... one day YJ cg should go eat tgt ^^. After eating we all went home ....

That's all for an exciting day!! :) Thank God for such a wonderful day!

PS : Dear YJ cg, let's donate blood tgt this Thurs as a caregroup ^^. Let's overcome our fear of the neddle lol. and let's be excited for our Transformer caregroup this Thursday ^^

(From : Dung aka Joy)

Monday, 30 July 2007
Why by Nicole Nordeman

We rode into town the other day, just me and my Daddy. He said I’d finally reached that age,
and I could ride next to him on a horse that of course was not quite as wide
We heard a crowd of people shouting and so we stopped to find out why There was that man that my dad said he loved,
but today there was fear in his eyes

So I said Daddy why are they screaming? Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why is he dressed in that bright purple robe? I bet that crown hurts him more than he shows Daddy please can’t you do something?
He looks as if he’s going to cry
You said he is stronger than all of those guys-Daddy please tell me why, why does everyone want him to die?

Later that day the sky grew cloudy and daddy said I should go inside
Somehow he knew things would get stormy, boy was he right
But I could not keep from wondering if there was something that he had to hide
So after he left I had to find out, I was not afraid of getting lost
So I followed the crowds to a hill where I knew men had been killed
And I heard a voice come from a cross:

And it said : Father why are they screaming.Why are the faces of some of them beaming?Why are they casting their lots for my clothes??
I bet that crown hurts him more than he showsFather please can’t you do something? I know that you must hear my cry
I thought I could handle a cross of this size, Father remind me why, why does everyone want me to die.When will I understand why?

My precious Son, I hear them screaming.
I’m watching the face of the enemy beaming but soon I will clothe you in robes of my own.
Jesus this hurts me more than you know But this dark hour I must do nothing.
I’ve heard your unbearable cry—the power in your blood destroys all the lies, soon you’ll see past their unmerciful eyes.
Look there below see the child trembling by her father’s side. Now I can tell you why, she is why you must die.

TESTING TESTING ONE TWO THREE...