Giving Thanks...Looking Forward

Another semester has gone. Time flies...doesn't it? It was no ordinary semester. What we went through was quite spectacular. No, we didn't see any supernatural events or miracles or whatsoever. But we tasted God's faithfulness. Everything that happened seemed a miracle to us.
We started off this semester very excitedly. All of us were geared up for the new intake...especially after the powerful SRCC in June. We were just ready to go forward but some setbacks came along. Out of the 4 new converts we had in the previous semester, most were stuggling with their faith. Suddenly it seemed as if the fruits of our labor in the previous semester were gone. Frankly, we did have high hopes on them...hoping that they would rise up and take the Promised Land together with us. But it wouldn't happen that way. Not only did we had some difficulties with the new believers, but we also had some regular visitors deciding not to join us anymore. On top of that, the MHS didn't go as we thought would be. Due to some communication errors, we didn't manage to get the list of Christians who wished to join us for the Sunday Service.

Despite of all these, we were detrmined to make a difference. We managed to get hold of the list of Christians in the new intake, called them one by one and invited them to our Service. The response was quite overwhelmed, with over 20 juniors attended our Service on the Sunday after MHS were over. Like before, only a few stayed on but the rest went away as time went by. But we were determined to go all the way to make a difference.

Many wonderful and significant events happened over the semester. Among them are:

New CG
After dreaming of having 2 CGs, it finally became a reality in August. It was a dream of about 2 years and we kept working hard and tireslessly to achieve this. Seeing the need of meeting the different language groups, we decided to have one English CG (Uni 1 led by Bro Sunny) and the other Mandarin CG (Uni 2 led by Bro Khang Yinn).

New Core Team
We had 2 more people (Jingzu and Kelvin) joining our core team...the CORE, since Adrian and Graig graduated in the previous semester. It was great to have this two young, willing, vibrant, teacheble brothers in the team. They have really been a great blessing though they only started to pick up in ministry in the beginning of the semester. They officially received their church membership on 22-11-09.

CG Growth

There was a "boom" (explosive) growth on the sisters' side. A few years ago, we only had Peniel. Last year God brought in Li Fong. This semester, we saw how God answered our prayers... after the many years of praying and working hard. There's now Lily, Bel, (became more stable this semester though they did join us last semester), Qian Ying, Hei Ling, Pui Ying, Jia Sin and many other visitors (both believers and pre-believers totals more than 15)! (If your name is not mentioned, you are equally important, ok?!) It was just unbelievable but true. Really want to appreciate both Peniel and LF for their hardwork and faith in God. Rise up, sisters! Brothers, don't give up!

Breakthrough in Relationship
Someone said that our CG was like a magnet - keep drawing people into the CG. By faith we proclaim that! Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (Jn 13:33-35). We did have a great breakthrough in our relationship with one another - among the core team, shepherds and sheep, among the sheep, members and visitors. The kind of relationship that we live out touched many lives. We're far from being perfect of course. But when each one choose to put down themselves to care and love one another, truly many were attracted to join. Praise God! It's so true that "We love because he first loved us." (1 Jn 4:19) In fact, we attracted so many that we recorded the highest number of attendance for SS and CG during the study week before final exams!

New Converts
We had 3 new converts this semester! It's a miracle to see how each one of them came to know Christ! First, Ban Leong accepted Jesus during our Bible Conference in JB. That's amazing because BC focus on teaching the Word of God and may not cater well to the pre-believer. But the Holy Spirit works in all occassions...beyond man's wisdom. Next Pui Ying received Jesus in Oct. She came to join us through her cousin who's in Hope JB. The amazing thing was that she's LF's coursemate. Not long after joining us, she accepted Jesus. Lastly, Kok Leong @ Superman accepted Jesus during the MNC! It seemed impossible but once again, God was at work. He joined the MNC last minute. Throughout the MNC, he didn't give much response. But surely God was working in His heart. He accpeted Christ at the end of the MNC when everyone was leaving PICC. He was kinda "hard" when we FU him but God softened his heart. Seeing the 3 new converts is AMAZING! Continue to grow in Christ! We want to believe for more new converts next semester!

Baptism
On 22-11-09, apart from Jingzu and Kelvin received their membership, 7 bros and sis from Uni were water baptised! They were Kelvin, Ban Leong, Li Fong, Qian Ying, Lily, Bel and Pui Ying. Each has their own story to tell. Li Fong waited for years to be baptised! Finally...! After having gone through so many struggles in her faith, Lily now have a strong conviction towards Jesus and the vision. Bel was not baptised by immersion decided to be baptised after being taught the Word of God. Kelvin, though only accepted Christ in April '09 grown in his walk with Christ and decided to obey God's command to be baptised. Ban Leong, Qian Ying and Pui Ying (last minute decided) though fearful of their parents' reaction decided to be baptised anyhow. Their parents objected their baptism when were approached for permission. Thank God for their faith in Jesus! "I have decided to follow Jesus...No turning back!"

New Home
We have been blessed by a new ministry house as well. The previous semester was really tough on us, having the police visited us so many times. Probably we are in their "Top 10" list now. Trying our best to be considerate to our neighbor, we moved to the cabin for CG though it was more troublesome. Of course, there were times where we could not avoid using our house for CG. Come next semester, we will be having a brand new home for CG! This house is truly a blessing from God and we want to use it to bless so many others!

There's just so many more wonderful things God has done in the past semester. Too many to list down one by one. But in our hearts, we keep counting God's blessings. We are very thankful to God. Looking forward to 2010! We will continue to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Just for Laughs!

For those who are stressed up for exams, have a break. Enjoy some jokes here. Just for laughs...HA HA HA =)

There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible

to her brother in another part of the country.

'Is there anything breakable in here?' asked the postal clerk.

'Only the Ten Commandments. ' answered the lady.

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'Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world.

There are those who wake up in the morning and say,

'Good morning, Lord,'

and there are those who wake up in the morning and say,

'Good Lord, it's morning.'

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A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because

he was short of time and couldn't find aspace with a meter.

Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read:

'I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment.

Forgive us our trespasses.'

When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note

'I've circled this block for 10 years.

If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.'

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There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation:

'I have good news and bad news.

The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program.

The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets.'

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A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question,

'Boys andgirls, what do we know about God?'

A hand shot up in the air.

'He is an artist!' said the kindergarten boy.

'Really? How do you know?' the teacher asked.

'You know

- Our Father, who does art in Heaven... '

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A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend.

The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him.

Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.

'Reverend,' said the young man, 'I'm so sorry about the delay..

It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.'

The minister chuckled, 'I know what you mean. It's the same in my business.'

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People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the

center of attention.

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A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly,

'I know what the Bible means!'

His father smiled and replied,

'What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?'

The son replied, 'I do know!'

'Okay,' said his father. 'What does the Bible mean?'

'That's easy, Daddy.' the young boy replied excitedly,

'It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.''

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Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about.

The daughter answered, 'Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt.'

Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed.

Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and

the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school

lesson was about.

He said 'Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming.'

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VATICAN HUMOR

After getting all of Pope Benedict's luggage loaded into the limo, (and he doesn't travel light),

the driver notices the Pope is still standing on the curb.

'Excuse me, Your Holiness,' says the driver,

'Would you please take your seat so we can leave?'

'Well, to tell you the truth,' says the Pope,

'they never let me drive at the Vatican when I was a cardinal, and I'd really like to drive today.'

'I'm sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job! What if something should happen?'

protests the driver, wishing he'd never gone to work that morning.

'Who's going to tell?' says the Pope with a smile?

Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel.

The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport,

the Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 205 kph.

(Remember, the Pope is German.)

'Please slow down, Your Holiness!' pleads the worried driver,

but the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear sirens.

'Oh, dear God, I'm going to lose my license -- and my job!' moans the driver.

The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches,

but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.

'I need to talk to the Chief,' he says to the dispatcher.

The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going 205 kph.

'So bust him,' says the Chief.

'I don't think we want to do that, he's really important,' said the cop.

The Chief exclaimed,' All the more reason!'

'No, I mean really important,' said the cop with a bit of persistence.

The Chief then asked, 'Who do you have there, the mayor?'

Cop: 'Bigger.'

Chief: ' A senator?'

Cop: 'Bigger.'

Chief: 'The Prime Minister?'

Cop: 'Bigger.'

Well,' said the Chief, 'Who is it?'

Cop: 'I think it's God!'

The Chief is even more puzzled and curious,

'What makes you think it's God?'

Cop: 'His chauffeur is the Pope!'

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Give me a sense of humor, Lord,

Give me the grace to see a joke,

To get some humor out of life,

And pass it on to other folk!

Islamization of Europe

Here is the speech of Geert Wilders, Chairman, Party for Freedom, the Netherlands, at the Four Seasons, New York, introducing an Alliance of Patriots and announcing the Facing Jihad Conference in Jerusalem.

Dear friends,

Thank you very much for inviting me.

I come to America with a mission. All is not well in the old world. There is a tremendous danger looming, and it is very difficult to be optimistic. We might be in the final stages of the Islamization of Europe. This not only is a clear and present danger to the future of Europe itself, it is a threat to America and the sheer survival of the West. The United States as the last bastion of Western civilization, facing an Islamic Europe.

First I will describe the situation on the ground in Europe. Then, I will say a few things about Islam. To close I will tell you about a meeting in Jerusalem.

The Europe you know is changing.

You have probably seen the landmarks. But in all of these cities, sometimes a few blocks away from your tourist destination, there is another world. It is the world of the parallel society created by Muslim mass-migration.

All throughout Europe a new reality is rising: entire Muslim neighborhoods where very few indigenous people reside or are even seen. And if they are, they might regret it. This goes for the police as well. It's the world of head scarves, where women walk around in figureless tents, with baby strollers and a group of children. Their husbands, or slaveholders if you prefer, walk three steps ahead. With mosques on many street corners. The shops have signs you and I cannot read. You will be hard-pressed to find any economic activity. These are Muslim ghettos controlled by religious fanatics. These are Muslim neighborhoods, and they are mushrooming in every city across Europe. These are the building-blocks for territorial control of increasingly larger portions of Europe, street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood, city by city.

There are now thousands of mosques throughout Europe. With larger congregations than there are in churches. And in every European city there are plans to build super-mosques that will dwarf every church in the region. Clearly, the signal is: we rule.

Many European cities are already one-quarter Muslim: just take Amsterdam, Marseille and Malmo in Sweden. In many cities the majority of the under-18 population is Muslim. Paris is now surrounded by a ring of Muslim neighborhoods. Mohammed is the most popular name among boys in many cities.

In some elementary schools in Amsterdam the farm can no longer be mentioned, because that would also mean mentioning the pig, and that would be an insult to Muslims.

Many state schools in Belgium and Denmark only serve halal food to all pupils. In once-tolerant Amsterdam gays are beaten up almost exclusively by Muslims. Non-Muslim women routinely hear 'whore, whore'. Satellite dishes are not pointed to local TV stations, but to stations in the country of origin.

In France school teachers are advised to avoid authors deemed offensive to Muslims, including Voltaire and Diderot; the same is increasingly true of Darwin. The history of the Holocaust can no longer be taught because of Muslim sensitivity.

In England sharia courts are now officially part of the British legal system. Many neighborhoods in France are no-go areas for women without head scarves. Last week a man almost died after being beaten up by Muslims in Brussels, because he was drinking during the Ramadan.

Jews are fleeing France in record numbers, on the run for the worst wave of anti-Semitism since World War II. French is now commonly spoken on the streets of Tel Aviv and Netanya, Israel. I could go on forever with stories like this. Stories about Islamization.

A total of fifty-four million Muslims now live in Europe. San Diego University recently calculated that a staggering 25 percent of the population in Europe will be Muslim just 12 years from now. Bernhard Lewis has predicted a Muslim majority by the end of this century.

Now these are just numbers. And the numbers would not be threatening if the Muslim-immigrants had a strong desire to assimilate. But there are few signs of that. The Pew Research Center reported that half of French Muslims see their loyalty to Islam as greater than their loyalty to France. One-third of French Muslims do not object to suicide attacks. The British Centre for Social Cohesion reported that one-third of British Muslim students are in favor of a worldwide caliphate. Muslims demand what they call 'respect'. And this is how we give them respect. We have Muslim official state holidays.

The Christian-Democratic attorney general is willing to accept sharia in the Netherlands if there is a Muslim majority. We have cabinet members with passports from Morocco and Turkey.

Muslim demands are supported by unlawful behavior, ranging from petty crimes and random violence, for example against ambulance workers and bus drivers, to small-scale riots. Paris has seen its uprising in the low-income suburbs, the banlieus. I call the perpetrators 'settlers'. Because that is what they are. They do not come to integrate into our societies; they come to integrate our society into their Dar-al-Islam. Therefore, they are settlers.

Much of this street violence I mentioned is directed exclusively against non-Muslims, forcing many native people to leave their neighborhoods, their cities, their countries. Moreover, Muslims are now a swing vote not to be ignored.

The second thing you need to know is the importance of Mohammed the prophet. His behavior is an example to all Muslims and cannot be criticized. Now, if Mohammed had been a man of peace, let us say like Ghandi and Mother Theresa wrapped in one, there would be no problem. But Mohammed was a warlord, a mass murderer, a pedophile, and had several marriages - at the same time. Islamic tradition tells us how he fought in battles, how he had his enemies murdered and even had prisoners of war executed. Mohammed himself slaughtered the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza. If it is good for Islam, it is good. If it is bad for Islam, it is bad.

Let no one fool you about Islam being a religion. Sure, it has a god, and a here-after, and 72 virgins. But in its essence Islam is a political ideology. It is a system that lays down detailed rules for society and the life of every person. Islam wants to dictate every aspect of life. Islam means 'submission'. Islam is not compatible with freedom and democracy, because what it strives for is sharia. If you want to compare Islam to anything, compare it to communism or national-socialism, these are all totalitarian ideologies.

Now you know why Winston Churchill called Islam 'the most retrograde force in the world', and why he compared Mein Kampf to the Quran. The public has wholeheartedly accepted the Palestinian narrative, and sees Israel as the aggressor. I have lived in this country and visited it dozens of times. I support Israel. First, because it is the Jewish homeland after two thousand years of exile up to and including Auschwitz, second because it is a democracy, and third because Israel is our first line of defense.

This tiny country is situated on the fault line of jihad, frustrating Islam's territorial advance. Israel is facing the front lines of jihad, like Kashmir, Kosovo, the Philippines, Southern Thailand, Darfur in Sudan, Lebanon, and Aceh in Indonesia. Israel is simply in the way. The same way West-Berlin was during the Cold War.

The war against Israel is not a war against Israel. It is a war against the West. It is jihad. Israel is simply receiving the blows that are meant for all of us. If there would have been no Israel, Islamic imperialism would have found other venues to release its energy and its desire for conquest. Thanks to Israeli parents who send their children to the army and lay awake at night, parents in Europe and America can sleep well and dream, unaware of the dangers looming.

Many in Europe argue in favor of abandoning Israel in order to address the grievances of our Muslim minorities. But if Israel were, God forbid, to go down, it would not bring any solace to the West It would not mean our Muslim minorities would all of a sudden change their behavior, and accept our values. On the contrary, the end of Israel would give enormous encouragement to the forces of Islam. They would, and rightly so, see the demise of Israel as proof that the West is weak, and doomed. The end of Israel would not mean the end of our problems with Islam, but only the beginning. It would mean the start of the final battle for world domination. If they can get Israel, they can get everything. So-called journalists volunteer to label any and all critics of Islamization as a 'right-wing extremists' or 'racists'. In my country, the Netherlands, 60 percent of the population now sees the mass immigration of Muslims as the number one policy mistake since World War II. And another 60 percent sees Islam as the biggest threat. Yet there is a danger greater danger than terrorist attacks, the scenario of America as the last man standing. The lights may go out in Europe faster than you can imagine. An Islamic Europe means a Europe without freedom and democracy, an economic wasteland, an intellectual nightmare, and a loss of military might for America - as its allies will turn into enemies, enemies with atomic bombs. With an Islamic Europe, it would be up to America alone to preserve the heritage of Rome, Athens and Jerusalem.

Dear friends, liberty is the most precious of gifts. My generation never had to fight for this freedom, it was offered to us on a silver platter, by people who fought for it with their lives. All throughout Europe, American cemeteries remind us of the young boys who never made it home, and whose memory we cherish. My generation does not own this freedom; we are merely its custodians. We can only hand over this hard won liberty to Europe's children in the same state in which it was offered to us. We cannot strike a deal with mullahs and imams. Future generations would never forgive us. We cannot squander our liberties. We simply do not have the right to do so.

(End of speech)

Any thoughts on this? I believe that the world will turn back to Jesus! Not sure how God is moving, but one thing for sure is that the CHURCH is the main instrument that God will use to fulfill His will.