A dip into the past..

.Roses are black.

*Thursday, December 29, 2005

Went to Plaza Singapura to watch "The Lion,The Witch and The Wardrobe" yesterday with WoeiXi and Michael...it was really good!The casting and setting of the movie was extremely well done...
I've often heard many people say that Narnia has biblical undertones to Christianity,and that C.S Lewis was a christian philosopher.I don't know if C.S Lewis intended for the Chronicles of Narnia to have biblical meanings or not...But I must say that this movie really had strong hints of religious undertones.Watching how Aslan(the King of Narnia) sacrifice his life in order for Edmond to be free from the clutches of the White Witch,and to see him being shamed and scorned by the White Witch's followers whilst taking on a meek and mild manner(ironical as he is the great and mighty lion) strongly reminded me of how Jesus,whom is refered to the Lion and the Lamb slain on the Cross.By watching the vivid images on screen,it has increased my sensitivity to Christ's death on the Cross...Who were we,that a pure and blameless Lord had to die on the Cross for us?Still,it came to realisation that it had to be done,and we could either reject it or accept it.As Aslan died,the White Witch hissed into his ear,"Do you really think you can save that boy?You've died in vain...You disappoint me,Aslan.".That's probably how Satan was...mocking Christ for not putting up a fight,but he didn't take into account how Christ rose again and is now sitted on the right hand of God.
Edmund,betraying his siblings for Turkish delight...he's an extremely greedy boy=).But I suppose men can sometimes,in effort to obtain their desired items...end up sinning.Him being captured and shackled by the White Witch and unable to escape when he realises that the White Witch is evil is similar to how we try to break away from sin,but by human nature are unable to.Only by the grace of God,are we saved.
The battle scene,to me...was a depiction of our daily battles,some of spiritual warfare...and others,daily battles.Everybody stuggles to win...but its with God that we're given the extra strength to fight with victory.People have to work together when fighting a battle,just like how the army of God has to be strong in order to withstand the spiritual attacks of the evil one.God has given fellow christians to spur each other one,and to help one another when the one is injured.However,some battles are meant to be fought alone...When Peter was fighting with the White Witch(I think...),when others rush to help him...they're stopped by Aslan,"Its his battle...".Everybody has to go through his or hers on battle in life...and sometimes God allows us to battle in order to grow strong,and in turn be able to withstand the attacks of the evil one.Of coz,He will always be watching over us...
There was also a part of the show when the professor(or at least,I think its the prof) arrives in Narnia and hands the children weapons and gifts.Each of them were handed a different weapon,and it made me think about the various spiritual gifts that the Spirit gives His warriors.These are meant for us to use them...and possibly,would help us in spiritual warfare.
In the middle of the show,when Peter first received the sword and was forced to use it...The wolf and later,the White Witch tried to discourage him by saying things like,"Do you really think you're the King of Narnia".."Little Prince"..."You don't have it in you..".Similarly,the Enermy constantly uses ways and means to discourage and make us feel inadequate.But to doubt that things that God has blessed you with,and to disregard the way that God has made you...is to doubt His abilities.

.:~Dawn was awake at 1:06 PM:.
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*Wednesday, December 14, 2005

""Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."

1 Cor 10:23-26,NIV

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."

1 Cor 10:31-33,NIV

~~~~~~~>As compared to....

"We should not tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness] as some of them did--and were killed by poisonous serpents;
Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did--and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death).
Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period).
Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]."

1 Cor 10:9-12,Amplified Bible.

From these passages taken from the NIV and Amplified version...I see two aspects of God.One is His great love for us,how He would never force us into doing things that we so stubbornly don't want to do.Freedom of choice is given to every believer,however,He cautions us that although everything is "permissible",not everything is or will be beneficial and constructive to us.Further more,in all things...it must be done for the joy and the glory of the Lord.And in all things,do not hurt His people.In 1 Cor 10:9-12,it is harshly written that those who test the Lord will be destroyed.This shows that as much as the Father's Love for us is great,He is a pure and holy God...and does not tolerate such obnoxiousness of His people.The Lord doesn't force people...but He yearns for everyone to set their heart right with Him...

Jehovah-Tsidkenu -- The Lord our Righteousness

.:~Dawn was awake at 11:30 AM:.
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*Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Junming,Aaron,Andrew,Shernise,Beverly,Kevin,Ashley,Daniel and I went to Jurong East entertainment centre for Junming's Birthday yesterday!First,we met up for dinner...then we went up to the iceskating rink!Andrew needed to go home early,so he couldn't join us=(...Aaron said that he was too tired,so after watching us skate around the rink,he decided to head home.It was ladies night!So Bev,Shern and I only paid $6+ for rental of skates and entry...while the others paid like,$10+?Hahaha...
Iceskating was really fun...I was remembered of the time I attended iceskating classes when I was a little kid.I loved the skimming across the ice!Sadly,I stopped after awhile...and when I threaded on the icy surface of the rink yesterday,it was like learning to take baby steps all over again.Thankfully,I got the hang of it after awhile...and I've rekindled my love of iceskating once again!All of us took turns teaching and steadying Beverly,since it was her first time to the rink...Daniel is super pro!He definately should be...judging by his cca(some rollarblading club) and ardent passion for rollarblading.Haha,he caused several people to stop and stare with his comically exaggerated imitations of graceful figure skaters on ice.Kevin was swerving around the rink dangerously with the metal supporting thing(you know,that metal structure used by beginners to help learn iceskating?)...which got confiscated by the authorities there after.
Basically,we really have fun skating,marching and jumping(fooling around) on ice...and I don't recall having so much fun and laughter with friends in ages=).
At the end of the whole thing,although my feet were aching from the tightness of the boots,and my right foot developed a blister and a 'bubble'(haha),and a considerably lighter wallet...I felt so content becoz it was really a time well spent.=)
Hope you had a wonderful 17th BIRTHDAY JUN MING!!!!

.:~Dawn was awake at 11:22 PM:.
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*Monday, December 05, 2005

This year's Youth camp(2-4th Dec) has indeed been a faith filled event.Since the camp's theme was FAITH,the sermons were all directed on the topic of Faith...and yeps,it was really enriching.Faith is not an abstract,but real...Faith is build up through the Father's refining fire,the past experiences of yourselves and others and through His promises.During the camp,I was challenged to let go of the emotional baggage I've been carrying and well as to step out in Faith and trust in the plans His has for me.To my shock and amusement,I was actually placed in charge of a group(Ahhh,my AGAPE group...I 'lub' you!!!haha,its a group joke),and I remember what Wendy said when she passed the pink FAITH rubber wristband to the of the leaders in the camp,"Lead the group by Faith".Wondering which group won 1st prize?AGAPE of coz!Haha,Daniel told me later that it was becoz our team displayed the most team spirit and stuff.Marshall,Shernise,Aaron,Benjamin,Gracia,Joyce,Rudy,Weeteck,Jiaen,Melissa and others which I may have forgotten to mention...Thanks for being in my group!You guys were great team members!My prayer to you all is that you'd live by FAITH daily!Remember to "zheng" your FAITH!

O my soul
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
It's been told form the beginning
The Lord your God is on your side

O my soul don't be afraid
Hope in the Lord
By His righteousness and power
He will strengthen
He will guide

Chorus:
And I will soar
On wings like eagles
Held by the hand of God
I will run and not grow tired
When on His name I call

For the Lord is never weary
His ways are beyond my thoughts
I will trust in Him
With all my heart
(Repeat verses and Chorus)

And I will rest upon His promise
Patiently I'll wait...
(Repeat Chorus 2 times)

I will trust in Him
With all my heart

And I will rest upon His promise
Patiently I'll wait...

Don Moen,Like Eagles

Without a doubt,O Lord...You are always by my side,I know by faith that You are because You've revealed Yourself through many instances and I will praise You for that.Oh God teach me to teach in You which all of my heart,and lean not on my own understanding...For Your ways are beyond my thoughts.Held by Your hand,I will run the race that You've set for me..and not grow weary..

.:~Dawn was awake at 11:55 AM:.
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