passion @ uwa

As I was thinking about my past, lots of memories popped up in my mind. If you didn’t know, I was not a Christian before I came over to Perth. I can say that I was a free thinker or maybe even a Buddhist. But seriously, I seldom went to the temple, maybe once a year? I don’t read those Buddhist things, and the most that I would do was to pray with joss sticks at home when my mum asked me to do so. My mum would even say to me, “why can’t you be more initiative to pray with joss sticks?” After that I would be thinking “Hmm I don’t know…I just don’t like to do this…one of the reasons was the smell of it…I hated the smoke!!”

But since young, I’ve always had this feeling to be a Christian. I don’t know why I felt this way. I still remember when I was in school, I would often admire my Christian friends because they knew so much about the bible. Sometimes, during school times, the teacher would need to fill up some form regarding the students’ details. And I remember that there’s always this question that the teacher had to ask, “Students who are Christian please raise your hands.” Then I would be like…urghhh…I’m not T.T then would feel a bit sad but after a while, I would just let it go, and continue moving on.

Till I came over to Perth, I followed one of my college friends to Zion Praise Harvest. I missed the first Saturday service that time because I was at the city alone, and I couldn’t find my way to UWA, and it was getting late. So I went to ask people how to get to UWA. I was so happy that I finally reached UWA that day. I called my friend and asked where the service was at. Sadly when I arrived, the service ended. But thankfully, the church had actually organized a food festival thingy after service. So I just followed my friend there and got to know new people too. After that day, I consistently came to church every week and I joined a cell group too. I was so happy because I finally got the chance to attend a church service and know more about God.

So I finally made the decision to accept Christ and follow Him forever. I was delighted that I’m now a Christian, learning His words daily and growing in Him more and more each day. Remember, my family is not Christian. So, after I’ve accepted Christ, I didn’t tell them about it at all. All I told them was I attended cell every Friday and church service every Saturday in UWA. At first I was afraid, I was scared that if I told them that I’m a Christian, they would scold me or won’t let me continue my studies here because they once told me that I shouldn’t become a Christian (but I didn’t bother about it). So during the summer holidays, I went back for holidays. As usual, I was reluctant to pray with joss sticks, but I was forced to do so. In my mind, I was like, oh no, will the Lord punish me if I do this because I’ve accepted Him in my life? I was so afraid that time, I even prayed to God before I pray the joss sticks. So, I just did whatever I could that time, and still didn’t have the courage to tell my parents. I continued praying and seeking God. I prayed that God would change my parents’ perspective about Christianity, and one day He would bring them to His kingdom.

I came back to Perth and during one service, the Pastor said that we shall not be fearful or something along the line (I can’t remember who the guest speaker was that time). I still remember that after he finished preaching, he asked us to bow our heads, and quiet down our hearts. During that time, it was this question that popped into my mind, should I tell my parents that I’m Christian? Suddenly, I heard the Pastor said that “You must be brave, don’t be fearful, and lift up everything to God!” I was then shocked. I was like……is he talking about me? And that was when I decided to tell my parents that I’m a Christian. I took up the courage to text them and explained to them about why I wanted to be a Christian. And guess what? They didn’t get offended, instead they were happy for me. Praise the Lord! I felt so relieved after receiving their reply because I was so nervous while waiting to get their reply. I didn’t know what to do if the answer was a NO. But thank God my parents finally know that I’m a Christian.

When I went back during the last summer holidays, I was never forced to pray with joss sticks anymore. In fact, I was able to attend church service at City Harvest KL. I was really happy and amazed by what God had done in my life. Really thank God for his blessings and protection upon my life. And for now onwards, I will continue to pray for my family, that they may be saved one day!

Hmm that’s all from me now. Byeeeee ! And I will leave you with this verse.

In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.” [Isaiah12:4]

Do you think you’re good looking??

Sometimes. I guess it depends on how friendly the mirror is being that day J But more often than not I don’t think about myself as good looking.

If you were a girl, which guy in Zion would your FIRST choice?? (No lying now!)

Seriously??? What kind of question is that??? Let me think for a while… Ok, it would have to be my housemate Ziech. I don’t think he would be the easiest person to be married to but I honestly can’t think of anyone that I respect more and that you could more safely trust your future to. His number is 0430 459… Actually, if you’re interested just let me know and I’ll add your name to the pile of applicants J

What do you think is the circumference measurement of your right bicep?

Not sure. Hang on… 40cm (41 when flexed so it must be mostly fat)

If you were to join the World Wrestling Federation, what would your stage name be?

The Insomner

What’s the 1^st thing you will ask Jesus when you see him?

I’m not sure that the first thing I would do is ask a question. If I did ask a question it might be something like “why me?” or “what were all those questions I wanted to ask you?”

Do you think ignorance is bliss?

Yeah. There are some things that I would love to unlearn or that it would be much easier not to know. But I also think that it’s unhealthy because acting in ignorance can lead you down a path away from God.

Which is your favorite movie?

I can’t think of one movie that really stands out. But action movies are definitely my favourite. If you were to ask about TV shows I’d say either ‘House’ or ‘Scrubs’

What was your dream job when you were a little boy?

I wanted to be a farmer. Most holidays when I was young were spent on farms and I loved to help milk the cows, hand-feed the sheep, play in the haystacks and mess around with the dogs.

What’s the most embarrassing moment/incident in your life?

When I was young my mum got me involved in a market research taste testing. Each kid was put in a little booth and they would push tiny plates of food through a little door in the wall of the booth. I really (like really) needed to pee and each time I tried to talk to them through the gap when they would shut the door too quickly. I couldn’t find a toilet anywhere and ended up peeing in the corridor ‘cos I just couldn’t hold on any longer. Scarred for life.

What is your personal vision/goal for the youths of Zion Praise Harvest?

I want to see a generation of young people totally surrendered to Christ, totally separated from their old lives, totally willing to go anywhere and do anything for God, totally abandoned in worship and totally outspoken about their faith.

If Josh and Max were drowning…. WHO WOULD YOU SAVE????

Finally an easy question! Josh of course. Max is much more likely to be able to touch the bottom and he’s already lived a long life. Not to forget that it would be a ‘tall’ order to try and save Max.

~ Mark ~

*More details about Peter can be found under Leadership Profiles, have a look!*

On the 2^nd night, Ps. Harold asked those who wanted a touch from the Holy Spirit to come forward. I felt a prompting from God to go. And I obeyed. But I told myself “Whatever happens, I’m not gonna cry.”

But when Ps. Harold came to me, something quite extraordinary happened. I felt this hardened wall of emotions crumble down bit by bit. I started tearing as he asked me to continue praising God and receiving from Him. And then Ps. Harold uttered the 3 most unexpected words that still blow my mind up to this day. He said “The Spirit of God asked me to tell you this: It is fine. God has heard your prayers.”

“God listens to prayers”- one of the first few things you would learn in Sunday School. It is such a basic statement that it has lost its significance and meaning over the years. Being repeated again and again only made it a cliché to me.

But when Ps. Harold actually said those words out loud, they were so surreal that I almost choked. Not only was I amazed at how anointed Ps. Harold was, but more so, I was in awe of the fact that we have a Living God who listens to our every cry. The God of the universe listens to me. My problems and struggles- yes, no matter how big or small they are, God is there listening (And probably chuckling at how anxious mere mortals can get about the future). Speechless and stupefied, I broke down as I pondered upon what an incredibly loving God we have. And how little faith we have in the God that set the stars in their place.

It is fine. The 3 most reassuring words I’ve heard in ages. Sometimes really all you need to know is that everything is going to be OK, that your future is safe in God’s hands. I feel thoroughly blessed to have had a face to face encounter with my King.

In retrospect, I find the irony of it all quite hilarious. I never expected to come back from camp overwhelmed by the peace of God. Prior to camp, the most I prayed and asked God for was a renewed and refreshed Spirit. But God superseded my expectations and gave me way beyond what I bargained for.

I am now convinced that it is divinely possible to be flooded with the peace of God just after a 3-day camp. For with God, nothing is impossible. There are certainly no words to describe this peace in me. You just have to experience it for yourself. =)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Phil 4:6-7]

~Adeline~

Jesus – the Good Shepherd

The Holy Spirit – the Empowerer

In John 10:10 (NIV) it says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

As I was pondering on what to share for my experience in Easter camp, trying to put together my thoughts, I found myself praying this prayer in my heart, “God, I know you’ve given me so much, you are everything I need Lord, so I ask Lord that you help me to share this truth with others so that your will be done, in Jesus’ name.” And it hit me like a snowball in winter or hailstone in UWA :P

This is my second year going to Easter camp and compared to last year, I wasn’t nearly as reluctant to go, worrying over deadlines, assignments and reports. One thing one of my previous cell leaders has taught me is to have an expectant heart to receive from God. So, this year when Easter camp was first announced in church I was so excited and I believed that God had something he wanted to tell me, teach me or show me. And God being God, didn’t just give me what I expected, but gave me so much more than I expected.

One of the things that I asked God for was, “How can I be a good witness for you?” It is an area that I struggle in and what Karen wrote in the devotional, “There are decisions we must make that bear not only upon our own lives but also upon the lives of everyone with whom we are associated. My life touches my family, my neighbours and my business associates” has challenged me to be a better witness for the sake of my family members and friends who have yet to be saved.

And I thank God that He answered my question on the first night of Easter Camp through Mark Pomery who shared about Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-35). He said this, “The greatest gift that God gave us was His Son, and the greatest gift we can give to others is the message that He has risen”. He went on teaching us a three point action plan - PRAY, ENGAGE & INVEST. Pray, as it is the starting point and foundation of what we do. Engage, to meet people where they are, to be concerned with they are concerned about. Invest, to be interested in people and to consistently give your best to someone. Jesus’ words that invested in the Samaritan woman compelled her to bring the villagers to meet with Him.

If you’re like me, then you’ve probably shied yourself from people at the fear of not knowing what to talk about or how to act around them. Then, there are the times when you muster your courage and finally talk to someone you’ve never talked to before and you get the feeling, they are just uninterested in what you have to say.

This leads me to my last point: Submit and Obey and He will give you the victory. Like David who was up against Goliath, Moses against Pharoah, Jesus facing the pain and suffering of betrayal and crucifixion, and yet submitted to God and followed through to His will, triumphed over their overwhelming circumstances. So, what is the thing you want to overcome in this year? For me, it’s inexperience and the fear of reaching out to people. I don’t know, but can I encourage you that God’s spirit in us will empower us to overcome those difficult situations when we earnestly seek Him.

Alright, enough of my ramblings. Haha. God’s peace!!!

~ Henry ~

So after ALLLLL that anticipation and excitement, Image Matters finally arrived! What a spectacular turn out, albeit transport woes amongst others. Once again, Elizabeth Jolley LT was filled to its brim with such an enthusiastic crowd of Aunty Irene Low herself, Zion Praise Harvest members and guests! How privileged one is, to be part of such an event :)

Reflecting back on this special night, the first person that comes straight to my mind is none other than Mr. Timmy Yip, Zion’s very own star of the show. Thumbs up for his incredulous spontaneity, having stood confidently under the scrutiny of 500 odd, in a daring contrast of red shirt versus yellow tie, and of course, a belly that just had to accentuate the contrast. I vaguely remember the conclusions made about Tim’s image but one tip I recall picking up was that ties are to end at the level of belts, not above, not below. So working guys and future wives, keep that in mind!

Then came a session of questions and answers, which I trust was pretty enriching for many. From a crazy crowd of 500 over people, you would never have been able to imagine the variety of questions asked, some of which I have to say were pretty interesting. Examples:

What do you do if you fart during a meeting? Do you admit to being the culprit, or act as if it were someone else?

What do you think of the combination – socks and sandals?


You get my drift, LOL!

Nonetheless, this was the highlight of the night for me, and I sure speak for many. Doubts were finally clarified, including things like the correct way of sitting, exchange of business cards, and so forth. It amazes me how these things seem to be part and parcel of our daily lives, and thus we should technically know them pretty well, yet there seems to be a never-ending barrage of learning to do!

On a more serious note, here and beyond shall detail a dilemma that I have endeavored to solve for quite some time already:

If man looks at the outward appearance while God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), are we being of the world by placing this much emphasis on our image?

This dilemma stemmed from the mindset that when you surrender yourself to God, it involves following Him in his thoughts and ways. As such, placing a high value on the exterior and claiming image does matter, seems to contradict God’s affinity for the heart. However, from the short sharing Aunty Irene gave on Sunday at the UWA Live service, I finally managed to find a reasonable compromise between these two extremes. In short, BOTH IMAGE AND HEART MATTER.

It seems to be the general consensus that Christians are not the coolest bunch of people out there, and that saddens me. It is my wish that one day people will start to realize that being Christians does not mean you are in any way socially inferior, and that begins with us putting our efforts to represent God to our best of capabilities. After all, being Christian does NOT mean having to devoid ourselves of looking good, as long as it is not for self-benefits but for our beloved God.

Once again, what really matters is the motivation behind your actions, and needless to say, our God takes centre stage in this. If you had a heart after God but with a less ideal image in worldly terms, you still earn points in heaven, and you will always be beautiful in the eyes of God. SO if you really had to choose one to go with, I say go with the heart, DUH!

Alrighty, hope you enjoyed this little piece from me, presented to you directly from my heart. Take care, God bless and REJOICE for the weekend approaches.

xoxo, Vera