First week at Boarding School.

Hahaha hello once again! I'm back from the boarding school after one week of stay. Ahhhh really so different so much change so weird feeling from the stay. Aye. I have quite some stuff to talk about, things learnt through the week, ups and downs, reflections. Hmmm. Anyways I hope everyone is doing well, and really pressing on this race and not giving up the hope that we have been committed to last yr or before. Don't forget what He's done, don't forget victr'ys won! Forget not God's benefits and blessings in our lives. Remember how He taught us to praise before. So, really don't lose focus now. Jus kp pressing on! Lets make 2005 a year where we can truly testify that God has kept us close to Him, a year where we grow and never stop growing in our r/s with Christ. Whatever it is, dont stray don't falter dont feel discouraged or depressed. Rather, trust God and press on!

SO, one week has past. But in this short period of time, many things have changed. Okay lar, quite a few things. Hehhs. Well, the first week isnt particularly relaxing because I had 3 tests this week and the tests are really those with thick stacks of notes and can read-and-read-until-12am-and-you-will-forget-what-you-have-read type. So I didnt actually have a very relaxing stay this first week. Plus assignment. And taking into account the fact that my trainings are till so late type. But really have to thank my Lord that His grace had carried me through. Here are somethings which I've developed and changed:

1. First up! The food isnt exactly ideal. Well. Its edible I should say. But something that I've really changed and realised was how picky I was with my food before. And really, the stay made me change. After training going back to the boarding school, I will comfirm be famished so super hungry. Then sometimes the two dishes would be something I've never tasted before nor like. Something like "taukan" and green vege. Ha. So despite that I had to force myself to clear my plate because I was so so hungry. But I really miss my mom's cooking. Aye. I have really really taken her cookings for granted. And shouldnt really shouldnt have been so picky with my food. So, haha I've learnt to eat food which I never would have and ever think of eating! Thats so, errr.. Ha ohwells. But its quite true that if we say grace and thank God for the food, we shouldnt be picky ya? ;)
2. Secondly: Thank my Lord I have truly tasted His goodness and grace. I have had nights in the boarding school where truly I am so filled with God's grace and peace, joy, love really flows within. Well. It truly was a feeling of blessedness. And I look back and truly thank Him for those times.
3. Thirdly: I need to learn to place more importance of God's word. Prayer to me, is really so important and I really seek to pray and pray. But however God's Word doesnt exactly appeal to me the way I feel it should. I yearn to pant for God's Word daily as the deer pants for the water brook. I yearn to hunger and thirst for God's precious Word. But every morn I simply read through the passage I am suppose to. Sometimes nothing goes in. It just seem like reading. Why? I don't understand. Really. But I plead that God will truly speak to me and let His Living Word spring up at my face every morning when I seek Him.
4. Next up. I havent been able to wake up early. Sighs. I usually wake up at about 650am. So late right? I used to wake up at 5am. But now, 1h50mins more! And this has caused me sometimes to rush through my quiet time and feels to uneasy through the day. I really hope to seek God earnestly every day. I am beginning to feel so lerthagic in doing all these and I truly need His grace to be poured out on me. Discpline to cont doing so and I pray God will show me His glory through seeking Him and let me thrist and pant for His Word and His righteousness.
5. I've learnt something new this week and this simple truth has blessed me richly and given me confidence in God. And it was from a song, called "Before the Throne of God Above".
   
   Hebrews 2:17
   Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
   
   Hebrews 7:25
   Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intervession for them.
   
   Its an amazing truth to cling to and it really has encouraged, blessed an comforted me alot. To know that I have Jesus, My Faithful High Priest who not only was the propitiation for my sins but also lives now, standing before God's throne, making intercessions for me! And He intercedes and pleads me for when I sin, when I am going about my daily buisness, and He will continue forever and ever to intercede for me no matter what happens. God looks at Jesus, His sacrifice on the cross and pardons me. Ever considered the fact that we are forgiven not because of what we did and who we are? And understand this simple truth that our Holy God is satisfied to look at Christ's death on the cross and forgives us? If we have truly understood it, we will not be living selfish lives for ourselves. If we have understood it, we will be filled with so much love for Christ. If we have understood it, we will be humble enough and never lift ourselves up with pride. We are indeed nothing. And only because of Christ, God not only made us SOMETHING, but He made us His sons and daughters. Wow! Its an amazing truth to grasp and live out. I really wonder how we can lift ourselves in pride sometimes when we have done nothing to deserve what we have, but Christ did everything. Why should we not be living for Him, but for our own selfish desires? Why can we be so proud of what we did, when nothing we do can ever save ourselves? I really wonder.. May God search our hearts, convict, cleanse and renew!
6. Lastly, (sadly, cause I have to leave soon) I thank God that boarding school gives me more freedom. But with freedom really comes responsibility. And I cannot abuse the freedom given to me. I thank God that I could go for prayer meeting yesterday. Pastor's message was really thought provoking. I thought that we many many things to be learnt, as the days we are living in are so similar to those days before the flood. Compromise in anyway leads to sin. We cannot deny this absolute fact. And I jus studied for Geog on thur because I had geog test on Fri. So, I was exposed to population studies and rapid population growth. Ha. And when pastor talked about how similar these days or rapid population growth is to those days before the flood. WE cannot deny that Christ IS going to come soon. Pastor said something which I thought I could understand perfectly. The tsunami disaster struck the world- yes- for a moment. Before everyone returns to their normal lives and everything resumes. I understood that because after the tsunami disaster, Christ's return seemed so near and so real. Many, undoubtedly, remembered Christ's coming and began to watch their lives and fear God. And for that period of time, all remember and fear God, including me. But one or two months have past. And what has that disaster impacted us? Do we not all return to our normal lives and stray and sin. Yes, for a moment we fear and keep His commandment. But after that, what now? Don't allow ourselves to be decieved and distracted by the devil. Remember, Christ is coming soon! If you didnt remember, now you do! Should we not watch and pray and await His return? Should we not fear Him, with a godly fear, of His righteousness and His judgement? And keep His commandments. Let us not turn away from the fact that His return draweth nigh and that when He returns what will Christ find us doing? In sin? Or watching as a faithful servant does? I say, fear God with that godly fear and keep all of His commandments. Because of our fear, and also, our love for Him, may we desire to please Him and do His will. And when Christ returns, we may be counted as faithful stewards. ((:

Yay! Tmr's sunday! Ha. (=