My Exam Schedule_Yuan Jun

Hi brothers and sisters, I'm in my final exam period which is untill 7th Dec, during which I will thus miss some fellowships with you all. But I will be attending all CGMs and Services, and I still love you all. : )
At the same time, please pray for me, pray for God's grace upon me.

My rather tight exam schedule for your information.

23/11 || 0900-1130 || Advanced Biocomputational Methods
25/11 || 1700-1930 || Biomedical Instrumentation
26/11 || 0900-1130 || Biomolecular Engineering
30/11 || 0900-1130 || Control In Biosystems
30/11 || 1700-1930 || Biomaterials
03/12 || 0900-1130 || Biomedical Imaging
07/12 || 0900-1100 || Signal Processing In Biosystems

Your prayers and love surely help and support me.
Thanks bro and sis, looking forward to bringing good results to you.

Thank God in advance.

Let the whole world

[hillsong london, 'Jesus is' album]

Let the whole world sing Your praise
Let creation bow down before You
You've got my whole world in Your hands
Let my heart sing a song of freedom.
My heart's abandoned to Your name,
Light of the whole world, livin' in me.
Let the nations resound for you, Lord
To see salvation, here on the earth, here on the earth.

You are the God of all my dreams
I'll follow You and everything
I have is Your, it's Yours
I'm living life for You and my world will never be the same.

I'm living for You, God
So all will see Your kingdom come
And nothing in this world is gonna stop me now
It won't hold me down.


latest praise song sang in church. very nice! wanna learn to play this on guitar! :D

Things to know about Sun..

By Ps Kong - Daily devotion


In 2007, my wife Sun released a music video of the hit single “China Wine,” the result of a creative collaboration with Reggie wunderkind, Wyclef Jean. That video garnered a lot of attention on YouTube with more than two million hits over a dozen fan sites [KK to verify]. It has received rave reviews from industry insiders as well as kids who love dance pop the world over. Not surprisingly, the video also raised quite a few eyebrows among the religious fraternity who felt it is inappropriate for a Christian to be featured in a dance video.

Although Sun is married to me, she herself was never formally ordained as a minister. She never felt gifted to have a pulpit ministry. But since Sun was a child, she had participated in many singing contests and won quite a few of them. As a preacher’s wife, Sun functioned faithful from behind-the-scenes as my helpmate, and became an effective counselor and choir singer in the church.

At the turn of the millennium, as I began to formulate my doctrine on the Cultural Mandate to get my generation to come out of isolation and engage the marketplace, I challenged Sun to help me embody that message. In 2002, she launched her new career in Taiwan as a pop singer. Since then, she has done very well with more than four million units sold, five multi-platinum records, and over 30 number one songs in five different countries. Today, she is known in the Far East as a bona fide singer, entertainer and humanitarian.

From her royalties, she has built eight schools, one orphanages, two medical centers, one community services, and one charity foundation. Through her connections, she has helped to raise funds for three other orphanages, one hospital and one rehabilitation clinic. [WL, verify again.] For all these humanitarian achievements, she was awarded the Top Outstanding Young Person of the World in 2003, and became the Ambassador of the Children’s Foundation in China since 2005. In 2007, she sang the theme song for the Special Olympics in Shanghai, and last year, she sang the 2008 Olympic Anthem during the pre-game launch in Beijing. The unchurched loves Sun and view her as an exemplary model to the youths of society.

Yet, in spite of all her secular and creative achievements, many conservative pastors find it hard to imagine Sun in any role outside of church ministries. But the reality is that she is no longer a church staff or a gospel singer. She doesn’t work for any religious organization.
As a professional singer, Sun has to take on many dramatic stage personas. That is what entertainers do. In the “China Wine” video, she happens to be acting one such role. Fiction must be separated from fact. I think the struggle many pastors have is the difficulty to separate her association with me (as my wife) and her career as a singer. I agree that if she is a “pastor” or “preacher,” perhaps the video would have been inappropriate. But Sun is not a pastor. She is an entertainer. All her music videos are not produced by the church but by her secular music label, the company she is working for.

“China Wine” is a short film about a girl who has to work an extra job at a nightclub to make ends meet for her family. Some pastors immediately took offense at the club scene and sexy dancers around her. As for her costumes, she wore gym clothes which was not inappropriate for the set she had to act in. At the end of the music video, she caught her boyfriend cheating on her in the night club and confronted him in Chinese. If you understand her words, they were neither crude nor profane at all. She basically shouted at the guy, “Hey, what are you doing with this mistress?” Unfortunately, the video translator subtitled that as “Hey, what are you doing with this b****?” That final b-word caused quite an uproar among pastors, who condemned her for uttering profanities. A few of them wrote me angry emails calling Sun a “whore,” “hooker,” and in other nastier, derogatory terms. Some say she is promoting free sex and immorality. But any intelligent, objective viewer would know that the whole drama is not about sex, and if anything, to portray the reality of a fallen secular world.

All these storms in a tea cup set me thinking: Are Christians living a sanitized life? Why have “Christian” productions been so ineffective in reaching not only the unchurched, but even believers don’t want their products?

In the book, Eyes Wide Open: Looking For God in Popular Culture, by William D. Romanowski, the author talks about a 1993 survey which reported that over 80 percent of all churchgoing Christians also go to the movies. When they were asked what they think about Christian movies, TV productions and Christian Contemporary Music, these were what they say:


1. Christian popular arts are inferior imitations as compared to mainstream culture. To many, Christian music is substandard guitar pop and happy-clappy lyrics about Jesus. This is not surprising as many Christian artists feel that their main job is to preach the gospel and proclaim the faith. As such, artistic quality or creativity is not so important. But what they forget is that when people go to a movie or buy an album, their first desire is to be entertained. If they want to be preached to, they would have gone to a church!

2. Christian popular arts are unrealistic, sanitized versions of the real world. Some reviewers even use the phrase “wholesome shallowness” to describe them. Christian entertainment has come to mean movies and music appropriate for “family-only” audiences. That basically means kids-oriented programs or old-time TV reruns for senior citizens. Are Christians that naive and immature that we can’t handle the reality of our real world?

As early as 1916, Hollywood has already discovered that 60 percent of theater owners wanted pictures that portray the real world—even if they contained some violence, sex and money. This is because moviegoers want films that artistically and honestly address the issues of life. And when Christian pop arts are sanitized, what happens next is …

3. Christian popular arts are limited in content and purpose. If you listen to most CCM, you would think that all Christians do is worship and evangelize 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But people in general, Christians and non-Christians alike, don’t want to be preached to 24/7. They want a pop culture that is fun, entertaining, artistically good and innovative. They are also concerned with the issues of life—being addressed with artistic flair.

Everybody knows the trials and temptations of day-to-day living. We are not immune to problems and tensions. We are concerned about love and relationship, life and health, career and finances, the global economy and politics, war and peace, and our future. We are all trying to understand why things happen the way they do and how to live our lives properly. Pop culture helps us to navigate through all that.

People get inspired and moved by U2, the biggest band in the world now. Their music captures a sense of religious longing and the struggle of living in a world torn by war, injustice and poverty. The Matrix speaks of an invisible world behind our natural world. Schindler’s List (rated R) touches on courage, sacrifice, the dealing with racism. CHC member, Jack Neo, is probably the best movie director in Southeast Asia today. His films, I Not Stupid I and I Not Stupid II, were box office hits regionally because they realistically deal with the pressure of the rat-race in an Asian society.

Moviegoers cried buckets in theaters over these powerful songs and films. They may be secular, but people get touched by such films more so than most Christian productions. If Christian pop culture is artistically inferior, sanitized to a point that it is unrealistic, and limited in its content and purpose, then is there any surprise that when surveys were done, even churchgoers are not excited about them? No wonder Christian popular arts have a difficult time selling their products beyond small church book tables.

The beautiful truth is that God is not against pop culture. There is a section of the Old Testament known as “The Writings,” covering books like Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Songs of Solomon, Ecclesiastes and Lamentation. Honestly, aren’t they all popular songs, dramas and musicals of biblical times?

Psalms are songs of frustration, regret and anger, yet sung with love to a sometime hidden God. Isn’t that like most songs on the Billboard Chart?
Job deals with the sufferings of life, and the desire to find meaning through them. Isn’t that like the Korean TV serial __________________?

Proverbs deal with the danger of shortcuts, the snares of temptation, and the rewards of honesty. Isn’t that just like the cartoon series The Simpsons?

The Songs of Solomon is about obsession with love and the sensual. Just turn on pop radio and we have our modern-day Songs of Solomon being broadcasted 24/7.

Ecclesiastes deal with the weariness of daily living in an imperfect world. Isn’t that portrayed in movies like ______________?

Lamentations deal with grief. When one listens to most of Eric Clapton’s songs, aren’t they dealing with grief?

Like the Old Testament writings themselves, pop culture is the collective wisdom of our generation. Popular arts explore social injustice, songs of sorrow, and even tributes to women. Like the Book of Esther, they may not even mention the name of God. Like Ecclesiastes, they suggest that in this life, bad things do happen to good people. Or like the Songs of Solomon, they may celebrate romance and sex. These songs and movies may not have a salvation purpose but nonetheless, they still offer us with essential comfort and wisdom for living. As such, pop culture represents a powerful means of communicating to us what the real world is like and how to live in it.

Can you remember John the Baptist questioning the authenticity of Jesus’ ministry when he heard about Jesus’ ministry style? Jesus had become widely known as a friend of sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes and drunkards. He was even going to parties and events that the Pharisees themselves wouldn’t set foot in. John was concerned that Jesus was becoming worldly, immoral and compromising, a bad example to the disciples. Our Lord’s reply to him was simply this: “Look at my fruits. Look at how the gospel is preached. ‘And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me’” (Matt. 11:6). The Greek word for “offended” is scandalizo, which means “to trip up, stumble, or be enticed to sin.” I would say the same to those who may be offended by Sun.

The purpose of the “China Wine” music video is not meant for a church event. Neither is it ever intended to be an evangelism tool or a gospel music video. It is simply pop entertainment. People watching the video and regarding it as just that will never get offended or stumbled, which explains the millions of hits and tens of thousands of good reviews on YouTube.

So to the religious and conservative who have used nasty, derogatory and expletive terms to describe her, my part shot are the words of Jesus Christ from Matthew 21:31, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.”

it's important to know why Sun did what she did. it's not easy to be a celebrity and living our the message as a symbol of love and light for all. despite all the discrimination and accuses.. our heroine stands tall and steadfast.. commited to the vision of the church. Let's model after our great leaders!

Fancy Free - Sun Ho

This video is awesome! i'm so proud of Sun! She looks pretty like Lady Gaga in this video. but nevertheless.. she is really sensational! She is really a star and inspiration in the marketplace.. being an example to all of us how Christians can shine in the marketplace!



enjoy video!

Shelladay!

Happy 21st Birthday Shella!

Thanks for being a nice kind friend to many of us all. May u grow more and more happy and glorious this year! :) ya our shining star! So continue to live your dream everyday.

more photos @ w116-facebook

Getting ready..

Hello my dear W116 peeps...

As I'm having vacation, I'll be planning all sorts of activities for the Cell Group to cultivate a momentum for exercise and keeping fit and healthy..

1st up, this fri which is the 11 Sep, we'll be having Badminton at NTU, 1845-2015.. Hope to see you guys there..

And also another thing is that Vic has kindly suggested that maybe, by GOD's grace and blessings, we could go BATAM for holiday, by then, Elaine will be back together with us.. =D

I've kind of check some of the prices, if we will to stay for 1 night, the cost is about $100. If u can, do save up to $200-$250.. This BATAM plan is still on the process of planning, we will either go this year end or next year..

And another thing, CHRISTMAS is just 3 months away, please do save some money.. I believe this year will have gift xchange too.. Let's get geared up and anticipate the arrival of CHRISTMAS!! *jungle bells, jungle bells* =D

with love,
shella

Water Baptism_30/08/2009

Praise the Lord, the day finally came to pass!

John and me, were water baptized on 30 Aug 2009. This marked a VICTORY in both of our lives. And I would take the boldness to shout, WE ARE WARRIORS OF GOD!
Heaven is open, new lives are here, and we are ready, to give whatever it takes to please our Heavenly Father! To be the LIGHT and SALT!

















Friends, thanks again for your love and support. God is amazing, Water Baptism is amazing, and you are the MOST amazing friends in our lives.

perfectionism

just had a great CGM today! :) im so happy with all the testimonies i hear today in cg. isabelle from the 4th top insurance sales agent in bank has risen to 2nd! and Lyn... was given more important responsibilities to take care of... qihui being able to find ntu room (alot of drama... for finding this place... urgh... she terrorise me enough) , Shella having a good break from her busy schedule.. yuan jun getting scholarship bonuses and His spirtitual walk getting better and better!!



wow. The grace of God is here!


today i just wanted to have a prayer cg... but i began sharing abt being a family in church.


you know lately i hear alot of times... cg is a commitment.... i cant connect with pple... everyone's in their own world. only some pple can do this .. some can do that. i prefer to visit other groups. i want to serve in cg if i feel i am feeling ok..




But can i propose to you? : Cell group is a family!



We do not come cell group because... there are 5 blessings of fellowship. or serve because there are 10 benefits of leading worship. in fact! our head-knowledge that we know through the years as a christian can puff us up.. and it becomes pride! it is not just a place of chit chat... and hang around with pple u like to have fun. every week there is a divine appointment we made with God. God schedules it in His planner... and He gets ready when he knows that His people are gathering to meet Him. or when we are gathering to do something that glorifies His name. even a simple dinner.... if done with joy and edification.. builds up our cell group.. and the body of Christ.


Paul says to the Cor church : let everything done be done with edification... esteeming one another. This is what our group is for. We grow to be more than conquerors by interceding one another... and praying for one another. Even in the most inconvenient time.. we inconvenient ourselves to show care.




to me.. i feel it all begins with how you see this cg as your family. have you made this house. w116 your family?


or are you a cruiser? cruising to better ships all the time?

The cell group is a place for christians who love God.... who are serious in God to come together as one.... to seek God and His kingdom 1st. a group who treasures relationship... as if they are like pearls. it's a place that i learn... dreams are realise. mistakes made can be a learning groud for improvements. and at the end of the day. we are linked by the spiritman together.

there is no perfect tent to dwell in. only a perfect God that we serve. and a family that shelters.



w116. family that shelters.

My SOT experience

I'm feeling a bittersweet loss after SOT. Its been a tiring, trying, challenging, and tiring (yes tiring again) 5 months of SOT. I can remember the beginning just as if it happened yesterday, but now, its over.

Now that I've graduated, I found that I suddenly don't have....

Stress and intensive use of time for the past 5 months. There was never a moment I was "free". I was busy reading the assignment books, or reading the bible, or giving tuition, or catching up on sleep, or completing my FYP, or journeying to give tuition, or doing my usher stuff, etc. I only remembered I had only One saturday when I had completely no tuition to do and I could do stuff that ministered to me (ie sleeping). Today, other than tuition, I can actually afford to take an evening nap and stay up till 4am (no need to wake up at 7 to get to SOT!)

I am also reeling because...

Suddenly, I don' t need to fulfill the other requirements of SOT anymore.. makeup for girls! Rather prophetically, my packet of makeup remover tissues was used up yesterday. I don't need to wear anymore makeup if I don't want to. But I guess, I think I will still continue wearing makeup when going to church. These 5 months have changed me to see that I can actually look very much better when I wear makeup, and improved my self confidence too.

I miss.....

The fellowship of the saints. We have an indian pastor in our team. On the last school day, we went out for a time of fellowship, and he shared with us and preached to us his revelations from the Word of God. I would so dearly miss his simple sharing and preaching to us! 3Ps and 3Rs of the Samaritan woman, 3Ps of Joseph's life, etc. We also have a worship leader in our team. He had sung before crowds of 100 000 before. Unthinkable. Yet he's like one of the cutest, nicest, humblest guys in our team, with a great smile! I'll miss his singing. I'll miss the early morning smses from concerned team mates, "hey have you reached?" and I'll miss the good natured ribbing of a certain concerned married teammate, "how come no guys chase you?!", "i'm rooting for you!", "the guys must be blind!".

I miss.....

The bible studies, every day we're filled with the Word of God and learnt some new things. I've amazingly completed the whole course of bible studies, without sleeping for the large part of it due to an amazing discovery of super sour sweets. Considering that sometimes I didn't study for exams because of lack of time, or I was so tired that I just want to complete the exam paper so that I could spend the remaining time sleeping, I passed everything with flying rainbow colours, 9As, 3Bs, that's a crazily good result.

I miss.....

The great books that are part of our syllabus that are so addictive and inspiring etc. I enjoyed the books that are part of our assignments, most of the time it is more of an enjoyment than chore-ish work to read them.

I miss.....

The immense spiritual warfare and pressure upon me during mission trip. 23 people were supposed to come, led by a capable leader while I was just a helper. Then the devil struck, and just like that, 5 people, including the leader, could not go on with us. The baton was thrown to me, and I had to assume the responsibility of leadership. It was actually leadership for 1 day (the other day was play-day), but the load was tough on me, because I was reeling from past leadership scars and problems, and it just seems that all the decisions I made didn't get through etc. really tough. But here I am, I survived to tell the story. And I still want to go for more mission trips!

Last but not least, I'll miss the special touch of God in the place, for the n-th time we consecrate our lives and give our lives fully unto the Lord, but every time that happens, tears of the touch of God flow and flow. We can never give enough of our lives to our God who gave His life for us.

As a chapter ends, a new chapter unfolds. Thank you all, my dear cg, for all your support and love. I'm looking forward to living out the Word that has been invested in our lives these 5 months, a life that reflects the glorious God that made all these possible. Praise God! Thank God for what He has done!

Men's Outing

backdated.. 1st august 2009. saturday

10:00 yj and ng played table tennis

11:30 sgt chong joined the duo. walked ard find suitable prayer ground. conclusion : yj room

14:00 john and special quest - emil join group. ate at funan food court. john detest kfc due to overconsumption of it during NDP practises.

15:30 ben got off police duty. join us together. went to see guitars at penisula.

18:00 bros wondered ard. some felt hungry.. go kfc grab some bites. john ate kfc eventually.

18:30 walked to paradiz. started our long-awaited lan gaming. 2 teams.. 3 v 3. ben and chong very excited. fight the good fight... and we had our fun.

21:30 went to eat famous chicken rice near paradiz. (see above pic). it was delicious

10:30 packed up and go. john goes back to camp. its home sweet home.

men had 4 faces. the ox. the eagle. the human. and the lion.

we are tough stewards. spiritual leaders. practical and emotional beings. and impactful kings.

with all these mantles.. the brothers u got to carry. that's what we shared during prayer meeting. carry it. cos that's the role of a men. male by birth, men by choice. lets take up the leadership of leading sisters..