YO!

How's everybody doing? Good? Not good? If you are, good! If you aren't and need us to pray, just request it and we shall!

Firstly, let's thank God for Jessica's results. They're awesome results. Go ask her if you don't know ya. Pray that she may be able to hear what God wants her to do next. It's a tough choice to make, so we pray that she will know. Sharma passed his ACCA paper too! One more to go before becomes a professional!

Pray for Geng Yi too. You guys remember his modelling company? It's growing fine but there are a few problems here and there. There's a client who is not paying money to him after using the company's services. Pray that he may be able to get the proper amount from this client and that things may go smoothly. Also, pray that he as the company's head, may know clearly the direction the company will be going and to be Christlike in all manners when doing business.

Pray for Timothy Keong. He attended MGC for a few months when in MMU but then went to Cyberjaya to study after that. If you can't remember him, he's the dude who roars when playing Captain Ball he's in between Hwei and Unc Rodney in the MGC blog banner. He's in his final year already and we all know how tough it gets.

As for Simon Lye who's back with us, pray that he may get a new place to stay. Government took back the building he was in so he has to move out by April and stay in another place. He's in his final year too. Pray that he can juggle the time between finding a place to stay and assignments.

On Saturday we'll be having the Children's Hour Picnic. Pray that those helping out can control the kids and that they may have a good time.

That's all!

I may not

be, Percy Jackson

who's the son of Poseidon.

This is Poseidon.

I may not even be the son of....

Zeus.

who is...

The familiar face, Hercules.

I may not even be the son of Hades (i'm not sure who's his son),

Hades.

But i'm actually much more than that. I'm one of the sons of The Most High (Psalm 82:6). I am redeemed by His own blood. I am saved. I have been shown mercy over and over again. And He did all of those simply and plainly because He loved me too much. Too much till predestined that I will be His son (Romans 8:30).

Because He loved me in abundance, I am going to trust in him. I'm going to walk with Him, by faith, not by sight. I am going to count on Him in times of trouble. And I'm going to try my best to give Him all glory without having some to myself. The temptation is there, but with His help, I can do it.

I may not be one of the sons of the Greek gods. But I am indeed the son of the Living God. I may not have super strength nor am I super smart, but I am weak. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). In my weakness, I will be shaped to be stronger.

I am glad that I am the son of the One and Only Living God. Not some myth.

p/s : if u guys pay enuff attention, in movies about some mythical gods, the narrator would probably say "Some may say... some may say..." For example, "some may say, the gods are angry with us, some may say that the gods came down and lie with humans" but as you can see, they are "may"s... Which means, they are not backed up by real facts. They are just myths.

But we Christians, we have solid proof which is known as... The Bible.
The more reason why you and I should study it even more so we wouldn't be lacking.
So, when u're free, do study the Bible. As I will too.

like derk said,

 

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, 

or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe 

that God will bring with Jesus 

those who have fallen asleep in Him.

According to the Lord's own word, 

we tell you that we who are still alive, 

who are left till the coming of the Lord, 

will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, 

with a loud command, 

with the voice of the archangel 

and with the trumpet call of God, 

and the dead in Christ will rise first.  

After that, we who are still alive and are left 

will be caught up together with them in the clouds 

to meet the Lord in the air. 

And so 

we will be with the Lord forever. 

Therefore encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Wake Service - Friday

Three person stood up to share their experience with Raymond.


For Mrs Chua, Raymonds a helpful person. He wouldn't say no as long as he could help. Raymond was a thoughtful person. He occasionally sent her home after service on Sundays. He always gave her cookies that his mom made.

For Daniel See, Raymond was a brother who loved serving the Lord. Even while he was in Korea, he served. Raymond was a perfectionist. Whatever he does, he wants it done well. Raymond was a responsible and obedient son. He loved and cared for his family.

For Cassie, Raymond was a man after God's own heart. He sought the Lord consistently through Bible reading, songs and prayers. Even in their phone conversations, they would praise and worship God. Raymond's a prayer warrior. He insisted they prayed every night before they sleep and every morning after they woke up. Raymond trusted God.

Theme verse: It is better to take refuge in the Lord, than to trust in man.
(Psalms 118:8)

Uncle Kian Boon spoke.

Raymond's life centered around Christ. Raymond was exemplary in speech, character and life. At home, he contributed to the family's welfare and looked after his younger siblings. At work, he was diligent, accountable and always eager to learn. In any relationships, he showed much love and care. In speech, he was always careful and decent. In faith, Raymond showed purity. He tries hard to be pure in heart.


Such was the life of Raymond. He could claim the words of Paul.

"For me to live is Christ, to die is gain"

Because to die means to be with Christ.

Let us be reminded that Raymond is indeed in a far better place, with his dear Lord.

Uncle Kian Boon ended by saying:

If Raymond is with us today, he'll say "I'm in a much better place."

Wake service - Thursday

Sharma started the service with a verse.

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

-John 11:25-

Uncle Philip spoke:

Science boast about discoveries and advancement. People live their lives in ways that shows they don't need God. Everything that needs to be discovered has been discovered.

But the virus slowly ate away Raymond's life.

And the doctors remained clueless as to what it was.

We have been praying. Hard. Everywhere, Christians from everywhere.

Because we know our only hope is God in this hopelessness.

In the end, we need God.



Raymond was a quiet man. A man of few words.

Yet in his sufferings, he never complained. He never question God.

His silence showed the unwavering faith and trust that he had in His God.

Mr. See always said this when Raymond was ill, "Just leave everything to God"

Would any of us have such courage and trust in times of tribulation and trials?


John 11:3
"Lord, the one you love is sick."

Even those God loves fall sick.

God loved Raymond.

And at his death bed, God was there in that very room, to take him home.

John 11:35
Jesus wept.

Jesus wept for a loved one.

Jesus is weeping now as he sees our grief, as he sees us weeping for the loss of a loved one.

God knows and understand.

Raymond's time on earth has ended and it was time to go home.

In the sweet by and by,

We will meet on that beautiful shore.


:-)

We don't say goodbye.

Wake Service - Wednesday

Uncle Rodney spoke.

A summary of what he said:

Yesterday when Raymond closed his eyes and fall asleep, he woke up in glory.

It's ok to weep, to cry and to grieve over Raymond's death.

God gave us tears for us to cry, and even Jesus wept over the loss of a loved one.

We mourn so that we don't forget.

We mourn to remember that Raymond loved not only his family and fiance, he loved God.

When Elijah was taken up to heaven, Elisha was sad.

All that's left behind was Elijah's cloak.

Elisha took the cloak, wore it, and pick up where Elijah left.

Likewise, let's not forget Raymond's dedication, love and work for the Lord and pick up where he left.

Raymond did not escape the unknown disease. But he has beaten the grips of the devil.

Finally, to all who ever knew Raymond,

Be there.

Cling to our faith and be there so that one day we'll all meet again.


Wake service from Wednesday till Friday, 8.30 pm.

Funeral service on Saturday, 10am in church.

Cortege at 11am

Burial at Cheng Christian Cemetery

Details *updated*

The wake service will be held in church, from Wednesday till Friday.

*Time: 8.30 pm*

The funeral will be on Saturday, at 10 am in church.

The *cortege* (ceremonial procession) will begin at 11 am.

The burial will be at Cheng Christian Cemetery.

raymond.

raymond when he went for prayer meet.

raymond when he showed cassandra to the world.

raymond when he quietly watched. 
   

raymond when he quietly listened.

my last photo of raymond.

raymond, the first time he noticed my phone.

you know,

not enough photos were taken,

because we spent so little time together.

but now i appreciate the candid shots i took of people,

and i’m glad i didn’t respect their privacy very much.

“raymond just passed away”

four words hard enough to stun.

in times like this, why, Lord, 

 comes easier than yes, Lord.

raymond see.

i didn’t get to eat the asam pedas for you.

but you know that i’ll clear my debt someday.

our big party in heaven will come.

then i will eat asam pedas for you.

brother,

we don’t say goodbye.

you know what.

in a moment of sadness in the evening, 

i had this sudden thought:

we’re all crying here on earth, 

and he’s probably looking down from his mansion, 

and asking why.

Raymond #10.

Update from Daniel See (1 February 2010):

Raymond’s mouth come out a lot of saliva so nurse have to use a machine to suck it out from his mouth. If nurse is busy, we have to use tissue to wipe his saliva. Doctor said his brain is 60% dead, 40% still can use.

*He has now been moved to Bilik Rawatan Rapi, Aras 2, Wad 4, Katil 3, GH Melaka.

Lies are lies no matter what you call them

Lesson for the day.

No such thing as black lie, white lie or half truths.

Lies are lies no matter what you call them.


Is being truthful all the time possible at all?

Is it really impossible to not lie?


A challenge was thrown out today.

To not lie this week.

To be truthful in every way possible.


Not easy at all.

Then again, belum cuba belum tahu. ^_^

Let's pray for wisdom and courage as we take up this challenge.

Are you up for it?