*+_Praise † Grace_+*

I personally find it hard to juggle between my identities: I am a student, and I am a follower of Christ. Many find this hard to reconcile too. When I look back into my journals, I find myself in a constant journey seeking my place in university as a Christian student. Nearing the end of my 4 years study in university, these are 5 things that helped me to live out an amazing, Christ-centered student life: 1. Study is our vocation I understand this is odd coming from me, but yes, our academics and university involvement is our vocation. We are first called to be Christ's followers, and second to be a student. Our first and foremost testimony about God's goodness is the manifestation of God's blessing upon our academic excellence. Study is perhaps that one thing that helps us to relate to friends around us, therefore, being our utmost best in study helps to draw people towards us. 1 Corinthians 10:31 calls us to work for the glory of God, regardless of our position,...

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, ...”  Luke 10:27a ESV Luke 10:27 is probably one of the popular verse that pastors would quote in their teachings. To put it simply, the Scripture commanded us to love God with everything we have. In fact, to break it down to us, the Scripture mentioned 4 different levels of commitment to love God: heart, soul, strength and mind. 1. Love God with all your heart The heart is often associated with affections. It describes our deepest longing to be in a relationship with someone. When we say to connect hearts, we often mean to connect people in the most intimate relationship possible. So then, to love our God with all our hearts, is to give our entire affections to Him. Our heart's deepest longing must begin with an intimate relationship with Him. We must desire to see Him and to communicate with Him. This desire and affectio...

Honestly, until today, I am still very proud of the fact that I was elected as the first Fellowship, Evangelism, Mission and Social Concerns (FEMS) Coordinator. Quite a mouthful I know. But, I'm not here to boast, because all of the experiences was only possible because God led me through every circumstances. Instead, I want to share my mission experience with you. When I came into USM, I was only about 3 years old in Christ. I was actively serving in the School Chapel Ministry, but the idea of mission trip was very strange to me. I wanted to experience that, so I signed up for my first Mission Trip with USM KKJ Christian Fellowship that I would regret if I didn't. The first Mission Trip opened my eyes and heart for people, and I have discovered so much. The first Mission Trip, I was assigned under Ernest and Isaac. I remember Joshua Chan being one of them. We were sent to Lenggong, Perak. A strange, new mission ground for us as we trailed Pastor Loh for her new assign...

Question: Is marriage man-instituted or God-instituted? If marriage is man-instituted, why bother instituting it at all? If the basic function of a married unit is to reproduce, the only logical instinct is to have multiple mates to increase chances of survival of the gene. So why would man make such an illogical institution that limits these chances? If marriage is meant to manifest the ultimatum of love, it could be done without marriage. Put a ring on and live together loving one another. I've been doing that with my parents and sister for years. Marriage then would serve no purpose. If marriage serves a purpose, the only logical answer is that Someone with absolute morality and authority gave such a concept that permeates virtually all cultures. The only logical explanation of why the concept of marriage exists is because God designed it. And He designed it so that one man comes in union with one woman. No other moral ways about it. So the truth is, the Christians (an...

I just watch a reaction video of elders to a viral music video that's basically made up of imitation of chicken sound. When asked why do they think these MVs are such a success, a few of them responded "because people hardly give any thoughts to things anymore. Lazy brain. Anything that's pleasing and enjoyable comes at them, they are going to take it." I have to agree with them. Honestly, I am a generation of people to take things without giving much thoughts. The rules are simple: I like it, I take it! As I reflect, oh God, isn't that how Adam and Eve fell into the deceiving trap of Satan? So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.  Genesis 3:6 I guess I am guilty of being lazy-brained lately.  I haven't gave much thought on the things I do la...

I love watching educational channels. I subscribed to this channel called Veritasium, where the maker of the channel constantly challenges my intellect and reasons. Recently, Veritasium's video has challenged me to think about my faith. This video did an experiment on the social phenomena called "Loss Aversion". A bet was proposed to subjects where the odds are favourable to them as much as twice the reward for a 50% chance of losing. It's interesting to note that many people would pass up the bet. People generally value loss at about 1.5 to 2.5 times than of gain. Interesting. While I presume all human beings are logical, we are not. People are also influenced by their emotion, much like the lady who refused to take the bet at all cost for her feeling that her $10 is worth far more than the $20 offered. ~~~ I guess that's how we treat our spiritual life (or life as a whole) as well. Most of the time when people do not believe in the saving gr...

"Fool", An adequate description, For me who trades glory for shame; Innocence for guilt; Power for sickness; Freedom for slavery. O a fool I am! Crowned to be a son of God, But I traded the birth right for a stew, And my crown for manure. I abandoned my inheritance, To whore after destruction. O what a fool I am! To desire the lust of man, Over the glory of the Lord. O Lord my God, You are awesome, How could I trade Your glory for my shame? Forgive me a fool, By Your mercy and Your grace!