Foundation - A Manual for Christian Growth... [Book Summary]

Based on the Book Foundation - A Manual for Christian Growth.
Chapter 1 - The Bible: The Book God Wrote
The first chapter talks about the introduction of the Bible. It also touches a little on QT, that is Quiet Time.

Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Chapter 2 - God: Our Heavenly Father
This chapter talks about God. How God is. God is good. God is Holy. God is love. God is Trinity. One of the greatest things we can do here on earth right on is to worship God. And worship is not so much what we can do but the condition of our hearts before God.

Romans 8:16
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

Chapter 3- Jesus: Our Savior and Lord
This chapter talks about Jesus, what the Bible says about Jesus. Mostly about His life on earth. Jesus died for us so that we can leave our life of sin and have a relationship with God.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Chapter 4 - Holy Spirit: God Present With Us
This chapter talks about God's presence with us. We often feel weak and tempted and also sometimes we find it hard to live a good life.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law

Being Baptized.... What does it mean?

What does it actually mean of being baptized? Does it mean that you will be saved already? Why should be baptized? I had all this questions stuck up in my head until I attended one of the baptism classes. My questions were answered by the pastor... and I learnt quite a bit too.

There are three types of baptism... sprinkling of water, pouring of water and the last one, immersion. And does baptism ensure you a sure ticket to heaven? The answer is no. People are saved through believing in Jesus Christ and putting their faith in Him. And why should be baptized? There are some passages from the bible explains this.

Galatians 3:27

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

We put on Christ when we are baptized.

1 Peter 3:21

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Baptism is not an outward cleaning, but saves us through an inward cleaning. It is an appeal to God for a good conscience and asks God to take away the guilt of our past sin.

Foundation - A Manual for Christian Growth....

I'm going to get baptized this coming Thursday. Keep me in your prayers please. Pastor gave me a book, Foundation - a manual for Christian growth [Youth Edition], as a guide. I have roughly read through, I skipped the puzzles and games part though.

Frankly, I would have preferred the adult version, cause this version has a lot of puzzles, games and etc. But nevertheless, this is a good book as a guide. This book is divided into 12 chapters. Maybe I'll start sharing about what I learnt in this book later. =)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets... the novel...

The second book after Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. This book is slightly thicker. 251 pages compared to the first of 223 pages, but still... it's not THAT long... =)

It all starts with the Dursleys again. A house elf arrives to warn Harry that he will be in mortal danger if he returns to Hogwarts, confessing that he has been intercepting Harry's letters to make it seem as though his friends had forgotten him. The Wesleys rescue Harry and take him away. They stole the car and flew to Hogwarts but crash into the Whomping Willow and damaged Ron's wand. Trouble started when Harry and his friends find the caretaker's cat, Mrs. Norris, petrified after they visit Nearly Headless Nick's death day party. Harry then finds a blank diary belonging to Tom Riddle and decides to keep it. Hagrid said beforehand to Harry and Ron before he was sent to Azkaban is to follow the spiders. The two of them go into the forest only to come across and their leader, Aragog and many other spiders. They then found the entrance to the Chamber, Lockhart reveals that he is not the hero he pretends to be. He attempts to use Ron's broken wand to erase Harry and Ron's memories, but the spell backfires on him, erasing his instead. It is this fragment of soul in the diary which has set loose the basilisk that attacks Harry. Harry draws out the mystic sword from the sorting hat. Fawkes blinds the basilisk, destroying its fatal gaze, and Harry slays it with the sword. As a school treat, all final exams are canceled, much to Hermione's dismay.

I like the last part the best, where Harry slays the basilisk. After reading all the books again, I must watch all the movies over again... A movie marathon =) My moms gonna kill me if I do that. I wonder whether the movie left out many details like the movie Twilight.. I can't seem to remember how was the movie like.

"Very well," Professor McGonagall prompted him, as he paused, "so you found out where the entrance was - breaking a hundred school rules into pieces along the way, I might add- but how on earth did you all get out of there alive, Potter?"

Taken from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Rating of this book: 7/10
Genre: Fantasy

Say Goodbye to 2008, and Hello to 2009...

2009

In a few days time, 2008 shall come to an end, which is rather sad. I wish 2008 will never end. And 2009 will never come. SPM year. Stressful year. Exam filled year. The clock ticks as I write this post. The hours of the year 2008 are numbered, decreasing fast. How I wish 2008 would never end. In less than 2 days, we'll welcome the new year.

2009 will be a year filled with stress, worry, tiredness, exams, and also good stuff like joy, happiness.. etc... There are always two different sides to look upon. I wish everyone a Happy New Year =) and also A Happy Facing SPM YEAR! =(

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone... the novel...

This is the first book of the seven of J.K. Rowling's famous series, Harry Potter... I've just finished reading it this morning. It took me about an hour to finish it. The book is quite thin compared to the others. 223 pages only. =)

The early part of the book talks about Harry's early life with the Dursleys. Later afterwards, he gets to know his real heritage and goes to this wizarding school called Hogwarts. He meets Ron and Hermonie along the way, soon becoming best friends. The final challenge protecting the Stone is the Mirror of Erised. Quirrell forces Harry to look in the mirror to discover where the Stone is. Harry successfully resists, and the Stone drops into his own pocket. Lord Voldemort now reveals himself; he has possessed Quirrell and appears as a ghastly face on the back of Quirrell's head. He tries to attack Harry, but merely touching Harry proves to be agony for Quirrell. Dumbledore arrives back in time to save Harry, Voldemort flees and Quirrell dies. At the end-of-year feast, where Harry is welcomed as a hero, Dumbledore gives a few "last-minute additions", granting enough points to Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville for Gryffindor to win the House Cup!

Cause I have read all 7 books before, I found reading it again to rather boring... But it's still okay... I found that the ending of the story in this book to be the most interesting and exciting part of the book, when Harry was trying to protect the stone and the things he had to go through to save it...

"Shut up, I'm trying to remember how to kill it!" said Hermonie.
"Well, hurry up, I can't breathe!" Harry gasped, wrestling with it as it curled around his chest.
"Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare... What did Professor Sprout say? It likes the dark and the damp-"
"So light a fire!" Harry choked.
"Yes-of course- but there's no wood!" Hermonie cried, wringing her hands.
"HAVE YOU GONE MAD?" Ron bellowed. "ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?"

Taken from Harry Potter and Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Rating of this book: 6/10
Genre: Fantasy

Reading Marathon...

Holidays are coming to an end. I may as well spend the time remaining reading. Going on a reading marathon! When school starts, I shan't have the luxury of reading so often anymore. So, I decided to read the Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling again. I've read her books quite a number of times, but I have already forgotten the story line. I hope I can finish all 7 in 5 days. Look how thick the books are combined together...There are 7 books in all...

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
6. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.

Wish me luck! =)

breaking dawn... the novel...

For the past few days, I have been reading this book. It's the continuation of the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer. I have finally finished all 4 books of Twilight. Among the 4, I still think the first book is the best. After reading all 4, I tend to feel the first book to be more original than the others.

This book is kinda confusing. Cause we read from the perspective of Bella than to Jacob than to Bella again. In this book, Bella gives birth to a baby! Named of Renesmee... In this book, Bella also transforms into a vampire after giving birth.

It would have been nicer if the Volturi had fought with them. It would have made one interesting story!

"Forever and forever and forever," he murmured.
"That sound exactly right to me."
And we continued blissfully into this small but perfect piece of our forever.

Taken from breaking dawn by Stephanie Meyer

Rating of this book: 8/10.
Genre: Fantasy.

Some Pictures I took...

I have been always fascinated by the beauty of clouds in the sky that we see everyday. It can be sometimes very beautiful and picturesque.
When I'm older, I'm going to get a good camera. Another thing on my want list... =)

School is Reopening Soon... Urgh!!!

The holidays are coming to an end. The hours left are numbered and is decreasing quickly. I can't imagine myself being trapped in that same routine day by day, week by week. After so much fun-filled activities this hols, I don't feel like going back to school.

School means: Study. Exam. Stress. SPM! Homework. Tuitions. Memorizing facts. The list can go on and on. Why do Malaysian schools focus on exams and not other fields? I don't mean that we shouldn't focus on exams, but we should also focus on other aspects too.

School also means: Less time for outings. Less time on hobbies. Less time blogging. Last time online. Last time hanging out with friends. Less free time. Less time to sleep. Less time to read story-books. The list can go on and on. Sigh! Why do I need to go to school???

I going to have tons of stress and headaches next year. Cause of one thing. SPM. I wish I didn't have to take it. I wonder how long before I pass out. LOL!

Horrid SPM!

Random Pictures in Titi Hayun...

I really enjoyed the picnic at Titi Hayun yesterday. Pity the water was lower than usual, cause it hasn't been raining for quite some time. I wonder where and when shall the next picnic be. Probably after SPM.

Rekreasi Titi Hayun...

The place where we swam...

After we packed up, our spot was quickly taken over by someone else. It seems that the spot we picked was quite a popular one.

Playing in the water...

The so called 'kitchen'

This is where all the food is. This is also where Mr. Chew cooked his first omelette!

A picture I took when we were leaving...

Surprisingly, there are a lot of people picnicking at Titi Hayun. And surprisingly, there are no Chinese and Indian families out there. What happened to the spending time with families outdoor tradition go?

A Trip Down to Titi Hayun...[Part 2]

I like nature, WHEN THERE ARE NO MOSQUITOES OR LEECHES! That is the most important thing.

Nature at its best...

I took quite a number of photos when we were so called jungle trekking. I also managed to capture a humongous spider. This spider is no ordinary spider. It's HUGE! Just look at the picture below...

Spider...

After jungle trekking, me, Loh, Uncle Ti Peng, & Mr. Chew did stream trotting upstream. There were a lot of rocks, huge rocks everywhere. During the mid-process of stream trotting, Mr. Chew's specs got lost, somewhere at the deep end of the water where we were.

After that, we played a game called "monkey" with a ball, in the water. It was fun.

Playing in water...

We did stream trotting again with Uncle Tiam Hock, but this time further. It seems that the upstream waters are more stagnant, due to man-made dams (built by rocks). This reduces speed and the flow of water.

Packing up...

All fun things always come to an end. At about 1, we packed up, and left Titi Hayun. On the way out, further downstream, it was packed with people. It seems to me, that it is one popular spot for people to go picnicking here. I hope they will clear the rubbish they created, so that everyone can enjoy it...

A Trip Down to Titi Hayun... [Part 1]

It has been quite some time since I last went for a picnic. I think the last time I went for a picnic was last year... 2nd of June at Sedim to be exact, my post about it can be found here.

Well, I was dragged out of bed this morning yet again by my parents. I couldn't wake up. I am really one sleepy pig. LOL! But still, I woke up in the end. My parents was in a hurry to leave the house, because we still had to pick the Loh's up and meet the group at Nasmir at 7:30 a.m. There was quite a number of us that turned up. I think there were around 40 to 50 people that went.

Praying before we leave...

When we arrived at the same spot we picnicked a few years ago, to our dismay, the place was littered with rubbish left by the irresponsible picnickers. It was literally filled with RUBBISH! Is it so hard to just put the rubbish you made into a plastic bag and throw it later into a rubbish bin? So that everyone can enjoy the nature as you have just did so?

Littered with rubbish...

We had to clean up the place first before we started. Some suggested to find another location further up, but there was no other suitable place.

The small pool beside the place we picnicked.

Aaron and Jonathan getting into the water...

The first into the water was Aunt. Chua! Soon, all the younger ones joined into the pool. The water was FREEZING!

A new way to chill watermelons...

Guess what Yi Hong found, a bat!

We did a little jungle trekking (well maybe not exactly jungle trekking, because there was a cemented path) to the waterfall. But we didn't make it to see it, cause there were to many LEECHES!!! Aunty Nancy alone attracted 6 to 8 leeches. She was like a leech magnet.

This post is getting rather long, shall continue later...

MYF Christmas Party 2008...

Today, MYF celebrated MYF Christmas Party 2008. The first here in WMC... Every year, we will organize this party for the youth. Unfortunately, not many people showed up. Many of the ex-MYF'ers attended though.

A funny thing happened though. When I arrived, I saw these two puppies running around near the church. Suddenly, one of the puppies got stuck between the door and the metal railing. No one saw how it happened, but was concerned to get it out once they saw it was stuck.

The puppies...

The people who attended (side 1).The people who attended (side 2).

After worship, we performed our skit again. I think this time was much better, cause we practiced quite a number of times and performed it once already. Everything ran more smoothly.

The food.

This year, the organization of the party was a little different. Usually, there would be a short message first before we all makan. The food was quite good. Everything was made by the MY'ers this time (I think)...

Uncle Yam Boon speaking...

MYF ended rather late though, because we started late. At the end of the party, there were exchanging gifts time. Everyone who attended brought a gift to be exchanged. I got a key chain (exchanged with Aaron). =) Some people got cans of sardine. Don't know who was the one who gave that.

Church School Christmas Party 2008...

Every year, our church will organize a Christmas party for the small children, aged from 4-12. Last time when I was small, I always looked forward to this party, because it's the time I get presents, and get to play games and also makan. Helping out in today's party brings back fond memories of my childhood.

There were quite a number of small ones that showed up today. I think there were about 100 children that showed up. There were many helpers also, that was made up mostly of young people. We had a little worship first. Then, a short puppet show and then a short message from Aunt. Chiam.

Aunt Chiam speaking...

The kids that showed up...

After the message was said, there were games for the kids. 3 games to be exact. It was quite fun for them.

The ornaments to decorate the tree with...

The entrance...

The balloon man...

Group Brown was declared the winner, and the second was Purple... Then, it was time for makan. And there were presents and balloons given to every child who attended.

Random Shots of Caroling 2008...

Here are some random pictures of caroling 2008...

From left to right: Grace Chew and Aaron.

What is this shadow? A woman?

Illegal bonfire...

I took this picture on the way back from Daniel C's house.

Burgers at Daniel C's place.

Do you want a jelly?
From left to right: Uncle Koay and Aaron...

From left to right: Joseph Foo, me and Aaron...

1st Christmas Service at WMCAS!

We just moved in to this sanctuary this year. So it was our first time here at WMCAS celebrating Christmas! I was playing the drums for worship... I was kinda nervous, because it's quite rare that you play for so MANY people... And also because that I was going to perform in the MYF Christmas skit in front of the so MANY people...

Me at the drums...

I played as Jesus in the skit. It was rather frightening for me. I wonder why I did not get stage fright. Usually, I do, when I'm really nervous.

The skit..
From left to right: Joanne (drunken), Ai Yong (model), Loh (devil), Joyce (the girl created by God).

Caroling...

This year, we visited 10 houses for caroling. Caroling is one of the things I look forward to every year. It's the time, where all the youth get together and go from house to house to sing carols to those who invited us over to sing for them. There was a record number of 45 people this year.

The first house: Granny Thamboo

The second house was Joyce's house. Since it was so near to Granny Thamboo's house, we had to walk there. Aunt Peh Lan was telling her story of her car getting stuck there, how Joyce's house was just nearby. We had to walk because of her... LOL!

Second house: Mr. & Mrs. Tan house...
From left to right: Loh, Tim, Shan, Lydia, Sarah & Joanne...

Third house: Mr. & Mrs. Chiam

We had burgers here. =) The drink Aunt Chiam served was so unique!

Fourth house: Datuk Ng's house...

Fifth house: Mr. & Mrs. Ng house...

Sixth house: Ms. Ong's house...

House No. 7: Mr. & Mrs. Tan's house...

House No. 8: Uncle Khor's house..

House No. 9: Mr. & Mrs. Foo's house...

Last house: Aunty Chua!!!

The last house is always the best house... Because the last house's food is always the best! Aunt Chua cooking ROCKS!!!