This was long overdue, but yea i shall write my new year's resolution for this year
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, i urge you brothers in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
To be a living sacrifice means that i have to devote my life fully to God, which means obeying all his commands and keeping all His decrees. Not an easy resolution for this year, haha... Lots of challenge as there are many things that will attempt to set my sights away from God, but keep praying that i will stay firm to this resolution. So that when i look back in 2011, i can see my growth and thank God for it.
Compare this to when Isaac was being offered as a living sacrifice, literally, by his father Abraham. He was oblivious at first. He said the wood and fire was ready, but where is the sacrificial lamb? Abraham said God will provide, but later he bound Isaac to be sacrificed, as instructed by God. And then God, convinced by his faith, sent an angel to stop him. The story here showed that Abraham feared the Lord enough to sacrifice his only son Isaac as God had instructed.
But what about Isaac's side of the story? he could have easily broken off, struggled, screamed or outrun his hundred years old father. But the bible did not show any signs of struggle. He was willing to be sacrificed as an offering to the end. We should be like Isaac, ready to obey God to the end.
Now, there is no longer any need for any sacrifice, as Jesus was the last Sacrifice that has paid our penalties, once and for all on the cross. Now what it means to be a living sacrifice is to forsake our old self and live our lives for God.
And the next part of the resolution, is to not conform to the ways of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind. This world does not offer salvation. Instead, it gives us empty sense of security and tries to keep us away from God. Therefore, we should not set our sights on this world. Instead, we should renew our minds and set our sights on God. We should be ready to offer ourselves as living sacrifices.
These 2 verses are really deep haha... and i am barely scratching the surface. If i were to continue, i can go on and on and on. But i am not good at writing these kind of deep stuffs haha, so i shall stop here. Hope i can listen to sermons on these 2 verses sometime in the future.
Merry Christmas to everyone!!! actually, to anyone who happens to still be reading my blog haha... havent updated in ages, so i guess i shld just post an entry once in a while to maintain it.
Christmas, a season of giving? yep! but most people expect gifts instead of giving to other people. Christmas reminds us of the most wonderful gift possible that God has sent to us, and the sacrifice of His Son Jesus so that we can have salvation.
and just as God who loved us so much, we should give our lives to him. To serve Him and to serve others as well in His name.
tts something that i have listened to many times over and over again, but to actually apply that into our lives is still a challenge and i need to be reminded over and over again.
Love, a simple word, but carries with it a profound and powerful message.
okay. i feel like i am in a reflective mode right now. too deep already haha... oh wells back to more superficial stuff, cuz i am not quite suited to this kind of deep stuff haha...
on a lighter note, spending christmas back in my church is such an awesome thing. Maybe its a different kind of atmosphere to FOCUS, but yea it feels heartwarming to be back with in my family church. From sunday school choirs, to young adults worship and song dedications by the old people. Everyone is worshiping together as a whole church. And its so encouraging to see my fellow youths who are still so passionate in serving the Lord.
And yesterday for christmas eve, went to GRII to attend Stephen Tong's sermon. Was really amazed by the number of people attending, even some of the people from the government are there. And my favourite part was when we light up each other's candles from the front to the back.
yep Christmas is as usual this year. I learnt the same message as I did last year. And i thank God that i can still enjoy Christmas with family and friends =D
6 more days to 2010...
And i gotta do smth abt my portfolio :S
Just went for cosplaying at AFA again. Wanted to upload all the pics up on my blog, but quite daunted and unwilling to start due to the massive number of photos taken.
Unfortunately, i pressed "delete all" button on my Day 1 photos, so i only have day 2 photos with me now.
me: *cried myself to sleep*
Pillow: *is wet*
Anyway AFA is such a great event. Had cosplayers from singapore, malaysia, indonesia, thailand and phillipines all gathering at suntec convention hall. Famous people from japan, like ichirou mizuki (aka the great aniki), shoko-tan and may'n (macross frontier seiyuu + singer) came and gave concerts for the event. Even Dannychoo (famous anime blogger) was present for the event.
There was also the Moe moe kyun maid cafe, where moe girls dressed up in maid uniform serve us with food. They occasionally have a bit of fan service, like a game of jan-ken-pon in which the loser have to serve us tea. and the way they clumsily and shyly serve the food are also part of the attraction too. hahaha...
enuff said. i have already uploaded my pictures in this forum thread. Its easier to look at anyway if u click on the link here
IMPACT CONFERENCE 2010
Who: those studying in Australia in 2010
When: 26-28 January 2010
Where: National Service Resort & Country Club, Singapore
How much: $70 for all 3 days
this is for anyone who will chance upon my blog through random search in google
keywords: UNSW, Australia uni, Medicine, Christians, church
for more information, go to the website
http://www.impactconference.info/
or join our facebook group, just type in "Impact Conference"
****copy and pasted from the info page in facebook group****
Introduction--
Studying in Australia and looking to be part of a solid gospel-centered church or student group? Studying in Australia and wanting to meet other like-minded Christian students? Studying in Australia and hoping to make a gospel impact in Singapore?
What is IMPACT about?--
Impact is about helping Singaporean students studying in Australia get integrated with the vast network of other gospel-minded Singaporean students studying in Australia. It aims to inform students about the many opportunities available to them to be trained and equipped in the gospel while in Australia so that they may be better able to serve the gospel upon their return to Singapore. Freshman attending IMPACT will also be able to meet with seniors who have gone ahead of them and hear first hand accounts of their experiences in the land Down Under.
Theme--
Adapted from the infamous riposte from our very own army, the theme for IMPACT 2010 is “You think. I thought. He confirm”: When it comes to the Gospel, ignorance is never an excuse for the stakes are too high. With so many different versions of the Gospel out there, who can confirm that what you believe is the true Gospel? Come join us at Impact Conference 2010 as we investigate what Jesus says the Good News of the Gospel really is. Only He has the authority to confirm what you thought, or I think.
What will the conference look like?--
Gospel-charged bible talks,
Loads of chill out time with your mates and new friends,
Sharing experiences studying in Australia over a BBQ,
Workshops on ‘Love on the other side of the world’, ‘Reading the bible for all its worth’ and ‘How to think about choosing a church?’
and lots more!
Register--
Online at http://www.impactconference.info/
