Rayson Tan's and Chew Chor Meng's Testimonies

Found this two testimonies by Rayson Tan and Chew Chor Meng respectively from the links posted by John on Facebook.

Ministering is the word. :)

When you have the time with ears to spare, give them a go.

Testimony 1 of 2: Rayson Tan


Testimony 2 of 2: Chew Chor Meng

A Cleansed Past: The Room

After I read the story, I was crying in my heart and felt loved by Jesus. I hope to share the story with all of you. It may take some time to read.

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In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files.

They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. The lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their contents. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird: "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in Anger," "Things I Have Muttered under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards that I expected. Sometimes there were fewer that I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it possible that I had the time in my twenty years to write each of these thousands, possibly millions, of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed contents. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

Suddenly I felt an almost animal rage. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took the file at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly hopeless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please, not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't angered me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands, and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked backed to the walls of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

"No!" I shouted, rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No,no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and continued to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There were no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

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This is more than a heart-warming story. It's not imaginary. The dream is a picture of what Christ truly accomplished when He died on the cross. He literally took our guilt on Himself. And this meant much more than just having His name on a card. It meant receiving the punishment from God that all those sinful words and actions deserved.

Here is what's important to understand: It is only by repenting of our sins and putting our faith in Christ that this substitution can take place. We each have a "room" containing all our sinful deeds and thoughts. But just because we admit this or feel bad about it doesn't mean we're forgiven. Remorse can't save anyone. Only faith in Christ can. Only trust in His death and resurrection for us.

Adapted from "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris

21 Oct 09: Memory Verse

Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:30-31 (KJV)
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

~ Contributor: Stanley

Discipleship

Something that I read today that makes loads of sense.

We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises—human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus.

A little scriptural reference that I thought will explain it better in the "ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus" sense.

Matthew 6:1-4 (NIV)
1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Is there any assumption that you have that you have to do exceptional things for God? Performing miracles of healing, or maybe evangelising to the lost? The text further explains.

It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God—but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people—and this is not learned in five minutes.

As we continued to live our lives, let us always remember to empty our lives and thoughts, that we may be earthen vessels where our Treasure may dwell, that we may be of use to His Kingdom.

Let's discipline our earthly bodies and minds to the glory of our God. Praise the Lord!

Pressing questions singles raise

Questions of the Heart:

-Is there really only one perfect match - one soul mate for each person?
-What's the difference between having standards and being too picky?
-Are all the really great ones already taken?
-What's the best way to meet the person who's right for me?
-Should I take matters into my own hands, or should I wait for God to bring him or her to me?
-How do I know God's will?
-How does one really know he or she is in love?

Whew! Quite a list. But actually, if you look at the questions again, you will find there is one pivotal question. If you answer this one, all the rest will come into focus. The pivotal question is, Can God's will be discovered?

Can God's will be discovered - or Will I Ever Find Mr. or Miss Right for Me?

There is ample evidence from the Bible that God's will can be discovered. The Scriptures use many phrases to assure us of God's leadership, including "He leads me beside quiet waters," "guide me in your truth," "your word is a lamp to my feet," and "seek and you will find." Of this one thing you can be sure: God wants you to know His will even more than you want to receive it! [Comment: God does not necessarily promise a mate when you seek Him. What He does promise is an abundant, meaningful life.]

The question is not, Can I find God's will? but rather, How can I find God's will?

First, if you want God's blessings, then live a life He can bless. Having a mate is just one kind of blessing. Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." However, check out what the apostle Paul recommends in 1 Corinthians 7:6-9:

I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has the gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

God says singleness can be a gift! Okay, so how do we know we're not choosing someone else present?

To discern God's will, start with the known. In the Bible, God provides several verses that explicitly say, "This is God's will for you."

Adapted from "Single Men Are Like Waffles, Single Women Are like Spaghetti" by Bill and Pam Farrel.

20091002 BBQ-cum-Yann Ling's Birthday!

Praise be to God for the recent gathering at Elaine's house! It was amazing for the abundant grace we've received, from the fine weather, to the enthusiasm and safety of everyone, to the food that we enjoyed, let's all thank God for them! :)

First and foremost, thanks Elaine for the opening up the venue, looking through the menu of what to order, and the constant emails to finalise everything.

Thanks to our top chefs, Adriel, Stanley, Troven, Min Shiung, any one else whom I may have missed out.

For Adriel and Stanley who reached there earlier to help set up the stuff and fire.

For Gabriel who brought the ultimate fan, without which might have to start the fire over and over again. loL~ I think part of the reason why the food was good was because we had a good fan. What do you guys think? :D Also for leading the way for Fiona, John and myself to Elaine's house.

For Min Shiung and Yiyi, our leaders, for bringing the disposables, else we would have ran out of supplies, and also for that bottle of red wine!

For Harry too, for that bottle of sparkling wine. yuMz~!

For Siew Hor, who probably had the biggest role of evangelising to the aunties. You left a deep impression in their lives, and a great example for the rest of us to follow as well. :)

For Andrew, for the surprise visit!

For Fiona, who is our debt collector! loL~ If you haven't paid, please make her life easier hor. :P

And essentially, everyone! The outing was only possible with the participation of all of us. Indeed, to God be all the glory that we as members dwell together as one body of Christ.

Here are some of the photos taken that night.

Our chefs!

Look how busy the hands were! :D

Cute Gab!

The marshmallow girl!

The birthday girl!

Finale Photo!

The rest of that night's exciting photos are available for viewing here. All glory and praise to God for this cell! :D

07 Oct 09: Memory Verse

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (KJV)
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

~ Contributor: Priscilla

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

I've included two versions, which is unlike what I usually do, which is just posting from the NIV.

Making a comparison, here's the summation of both.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power through God to demolish strongholds.

We cast down imaginations, demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

I think in verse 4 the important thing is to recognise that this divine power that we wield is provided through God, and not of our own. In verse 5, I would also think "casting down imaginations" should be included from KJV, as it aptly describes men and his willful imaginations. Putting together with NIV, we see a clearer picture, as one might be pretentious and act humble, when in his imagination he thinks he's higher than others.

Of course, choose one to memorise will do. :D