Had a tough night last night. There were just so many questions and uncertainties and so much stuff stuck in my brain. Thankfully God sent angels around me who gave me advices and comforted me. Helped me to let go certain things and focus on what's more important ahead. Definitely felt better going into Day 3 of Orientation.
Okay so now it's just like half way into the day (lunch time), so it's not gonna cover everything in the day (unless I edit this post later on). Anyway, in the morning we had some lectures and talks about employment, particularly on-campus jobs and also differences in culture between America and other countries and how to adjust and adapt.
I am just so passionate right now about getting a job on campus. It's not as easy because you've got so many people looking for an on-campus job but there's only so little jobs available. Also you have to write a resume (in which I am not writing because of certain reasons) and go through interview, which is later on in the afternoon to get a job.
Also learning about American culture kinda make me like anxious to meet more Americans (so far there's only international students on campus, at least majority) and discover their traits. Am looking forward to be changed by them but also not lose my identity as in the culture and habits from where I come from. I really hope school starts soon because I can see a very exciting year ahead!
It was a fun and wonderful morning and I guess all these stuff fired up the passion in me to really enjoy my life here in Moody and it also helped me to like move on from the things that were troubling me. It's just amazing how God works and pull you up from a tough situation even when it looks like there's no hope anymore. I am pretty pumped up and excited right now so pray for me to land a suitable job and most importantly, for the Lord's will to be done, not my will! Will post an update if I am hired so see you all soon!!!
Monday, 18 August 2014
Saturday, 16 August 2014
Orientation Day 1
Previously this blog is all meant for my testimonials and biblical stuff but I guess from now on I'm gonna mix it up with records of my life at Moody Bible Institute, Chicago.
So... in case some of you don't know, I'm a freshmen and also an international student at Moody. Today we had our first day of orientation and I'm gonna share my experience!
Orientation actually begins only at 3 p.m. so I woke up around 6 in the morning? (Was probably jet lagging) Got myself cleaned up and dressed up as I head to Walmart to buy some food that I need. After navigating around I finally reached there and whoa, my first impression of it is that it has so many things and awesome food! The price is not that expensive also (if you don't do the conversion from USD that is), bought a tuna sandwich and some groceries.
Reached my dorm around 9 a.m. and it's like 10 p.m. in Malaysia so I was hanging out and whatsapp-ing all my friends in Malaysia. After that I slept from like 11 to 2.45 p.m.? I didn't intentionally set an alarm even though there's an activity at 3 in the afternoon cause I was thinking I probably won't sleep that long but whoa, God woke me up right on time!
So we had campus tour, walked around the school, chatted with a few people and got to know them a little, pretty ordinary experience. I guess I still can't really let go of certain things at my hometown, that's why I'm not entirely happy or enjoying myself but no worries! Am changing and adapting.
Ate chicken with brown rice and also a pie at 5? (it's really kinda early for dinner). Got to know someone from Canada and also two of the MKs (missionary kids) from Germany and the other one is China and Canada? (MKs have mixed nationalities and culture due to the difference in where they're born and where they grew up). Chat for a lot and they gave us some advice on time management, tips on getting an on-campus job, different cultures and also, not to get into a relationship at least during the first semester of freshmen year.
Oh ya speaking of relationships! Did you know that some people call this place Moody Bridal Institute (instead of BIBLE institute), because most people who met here, even though from different country and cultures, end up getting together and married. Anyway haha the other guy was saying dating in Chicago is very expensive and he said we better not get into it so soon, at least until we've adapted and got used to the environment and school life, say second semester or sophomore year.
The most fun part of the day was this Informal Fellowship at night! We played games for basically an hour, got to know LOTS of people, worship Jesus for like 10 minutes and prayed in a prayer group for like another 15-20 minutes. It's really fun and awesome and amazing at the same time how the love of Christ has brought us here, and we're here to study God and learn more about Him, to be more like Him. I'm starting to get myself into the community here and it's just wonderful.
After that we had ice cream (treated by the International Students Office), and hanged out at the Plaza. Americans are soooo passionate about football (they call it soccer), they can just kick it indoor or outdoors or basically anywhere possible. This guy whom I met earlier in the day called Micah, he's an American but also a MK, doing the same major as me, same duration (5 years), and he's all passionate about basketball too! He said we could train together and I seriously can't wait for that and also for training camp in October to begin. Awesome stuff coming up!
On a side note it seems like there are many couples here in school and they're just dating all over the place. Sigh all the fine looking girls seem to be taken too :(
That's all for today! I just feel so blessed to be here. We're going Moody Church tomorrow, according to what I heard it seems like they have a congregation size of 2000-3000 members so am definitely looking forward to it. Goodnight everyone!
So... in case some of you don't know, I'm a freshmen and also an international student at Moody. Today we had our first day of orientation and I'm gonna share my experience!
Orientation actually begins only at 3 p.m. so I woke up around 6 in the morning? (Was probably jet lagging) Got myself cleaned up and dressed up as I head to Walmart to buy some food that I need. After navigating around I finally reached there and whoa, my first impression of it is that it has so many things and awesome food! The price is not that expensive also (if you don't do the conversion from USD that is), bought a tuna sandwich and some groceries.
Reached my dorm around 9 a.m. and it's like 10 p.m. in Malaysia so I was hanging out and whatsapp-ing all my friends in Malaysia. After that I slept from like 11 to 2.45 p.m.? I didn't intentionally set an alarm even though there's an activity at 3 in the afternoon cause I was thinking I probably won't sleep that long but whoa, God woke me up right on time!
So we had campus tour, walked around the school, chatted with a few people and got to know them a little, pretty ordinary experience. I guess I still can't really let go of certain things at my hometown, that's why I'm not entirely happy or enjoying myself but no worries! Am changing and adapting.
Ate chicken with brown rice and also a pie at 5? (it's really kinda early for dinner). Got to know someone from Canada and also two of the MKs (missionary kids) from Germany and the other one is China and Canada? (MKs have mixed nationalities and culture due to the difference in where they're born and where they grew up). Chat for a lot and they gave us some advice on time management, tips on getting an on-campus job, different cultures and also, not to get into a relationship at least during the first semester of freshmen year.
Oh ya speaking of relationships! Did you know that some people call this place Moody Bridal Institute (instead of BIBLE institute), because most people who met here, even though from different country and cultures, end up getting together and married. Anyway haha the other guy was saying dating in Chicago is very expensive and he said we better not get into it so soon, at least until we've adapted and got used to the environment and school life, say second semester or sophomore year.
The most fun part of the day was this Informal Fellowship at night! We played games for basically an hour, got to know LOTS of people, worship Jesus for like 10 minutes and prayed in a prayer group for like another 15-20 minutes. It's really fun and awesome and amazing at the same time how the love of Christ has brought us here, and we're here to study God and learn more about Him, to be more like Him. I'm starting to get myself into the community here and it's just wonderful.
After that we had ice cream (treated by the International Students Office), and hanged out at the Plaza. Americans are soooo passionate about football (they call it soccer), they can just kick it indoor or outdoors or basically anywhere possible. This guy whom I met earlier in the day called Micah, he's an American but also a MK, doing the same major as me, same duration (5 years), and he's all passionate about basketball too! He said we could train together and I seriously can't wait for that and also for training camp in October to begin. Awesome stuff coming up!
On a side note it seems like there are many couples here in school and they're just dating all over the place. Sigh all the fine looking girls seem to be taken too :(
That's all for today! I just feel so blessed to be here. We're going Moody Church tomorrow, according to what I heard it seems like they have a congregation size of 2000-3000 members so am definitely looking forward to it. Goodnight everyone!
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
6/8 灵修心得
神藉先知何西阿的婚姻显示出爱的真义：
在对方有不可爱的时候仍去爱她；
对方有不可爱的地方仍接纳她，无条件地饶恕她；
对方闯祸时付代价解困；
随时付出去满足对方的需要而不求回报。
在对方有不可爱的时候仍去爱她；
对方有不可爱的地方仍接纳她，无条件地饶恕她；
对方闯祸时付代价解困；
随时付出去满足对方的需要而不求回报。
容易做到吗？绝对不容易！但到底怎样才可做到？圣经说：“基督为我们舍命，我们从此便知道何为爱，我们也当为弟兄舍命！“ 学习饶恕那些你心中还未能饶恕的人，主必帮助你成长！（何1-3）
Monday, 4 August 2014
个人献身见证与分享
牧师、传道、教会领袖，主内长辈弟兄姐妹，主里平安！
“太年轻”、“社会经验不足”，“经不起考验”。或多或少，一般人对于一个17岁就打算献身的小孩都会有这般的怀疑。
2012年，由于交通不方便，孩子在团契后一般上都是跟声忠牧师的车回家。记得牧师很常在路途上告诉我说：“诚赞，以后要献身做牧师哦～”。当时的我虽然口头上回答说：“好啊，会考虑，会考虑“，但是心里其实一直都坚持着自己的理想，想要去读电脑和科技学，心想在科技越来越发达的时代，读这个一定能赚大钱。至于当传道人，一直以来都没有认真考虑过，就算真的要的话也不是9号毕业后就直接去念。
有一次，晋光堂邀请到“零零歌”的创作人 —— 萧招和牧师在主日崇拜证道。在他的信息里，牧师提到“欧洲国家极度缺乏牧者和传道人”。这看似普通的一句话，我听到的时候却看见了一副图画
—— 在一片沙漠里，自己站在一个平台上，底下有许多的人在听我证道。当下的我真的不知所措也感到很震惊。回到家后就马上发信息通知俊杰牧师和声忠牧师，他们鼓励我祷告求上帝赐予印证，同时预备好自己的心。两个星期后，神在我的梦中再次向我显现，同样的图画出现在我梦中。
去年6月，我参加了年会少团在诗巫所举办的代表大会。孩子在那里有幸与主题讲员，刘世尧牧师接触并且问了他许多的问题。牧师告诉我说：“主观蒙召，客观印证”。主观蒙召就是自己有意全时间服事上帝，客观印证就是上帝透过身边的人的鼓励、推荐或支持来向你肯定祂对你的呼召。确实，从2012年看见异象到参加这个营会差不多一年的时间里，在恒切祷告后，看见自己对兴旺福音更加有委身，更是看见原本反对我献身的父母逐渐转向支持我一生摆上为主使用。也是在那营会里，我肯定地走上台回应神的呼召，在主面前立志献上自己，终生引人归主。
在过滤了各神学院的要求后，孩子选择了沙巴神学院，因为只有沙巴神学院有英文的神学学士课程（符合在欧洲国家服事的使命），而且愿意录取刚从 9号毕业的学生。谁也没想到，沙巴神学院的夏忠就牧师认识我的母亲。于是在他的鼓励和推荐下，我前往槟城考了国际英文考试
TOEFL，写了4篇个人生命见证篇，让声忠牧师和教会领袖，李国华执事和陈绍维荣誉执事填写推荐信后交上给美国芝加哥的慕迪神学院，申请入学。托大家的代祷与关心，所有的文件在时间内顺利抵达学院，我也成功被慕迪录取了。
在这里我要特别向一些人致谢。首先是我的父母亲，谢谢他们一路来的支持和栽培，让我从小在知识、语言掌控、实际事奉经验，待人处事和各方面上都得到学习与成长。这包括给予我上等的教育，支持我参与教会活动和服事，不断地鼓励我和帮助我等等。接下来是声忠牧师，感谢他不放弃地呼吁我献身。我不知道他有没有听出我很多时候只是敷衍地回答他，但他不断的鼓励让我从敷衍的态度走到今天真正踏上献身之路。俊杰牧师，虽然他今天不会在场，但是我觉得一句谢谢实在不足以表达孩子对他的谢意。当我遇到一些圣经知识方面的问题、或者在个人事奉中收到批评和打击，甚至是个人感情或待人处事方面遇到问题时，我都会打电话给他，他每次都尽能力扶持我，鼓励我和帮助我。
最后，我要谢谢晋光堂各位弟兄姐妹的支持。虽然一些人我都叫不出你们的名字，你们都让我从各方面感受到教会的爱与关心。其中包括鼓励我在次序单后面所写的文章、无私地教导和塑造我个人的生命与灵命素质、坦率直接地告诉我自己事奉的不足和需要学习的地方等等，当然也不忘记大家在整个过程中的问候与代祷。我更要谢谢少团，若不是少团在过去8年来不断地教导我，装备我，给我服事和学习的机会，我相信今天我也不会走上献身之路。曾经，甚至是现在还在少团服事的教会长辈和弟兄姐妹，谢谢你们！孩子想要告诉大家，无论你现在在教会参与什么样的服事，委身和用心地去做吧！一个小小的关心和问候也能带来很大的改变。执事职员，主日学老师，甚至是普通会友也好，我相信正如大家如何培育了我，你现在所做的一切一切，都很有可能在间接栽培一个传道人！
到了美国，孩子仍然会在祷告中纪念大家和教会一切的需要。虽然很遗憾自己无法参与50周年庆典，但是我相信神的时间和旨意最美好。希望大家也能在祷告中纪念我在那里的学业和生活，适应美国的文化和生活环境，与同学和朋友之间的关系等等。虽然我们在不同的地方，我相信主必用这里的每一个人，包括你和我，为主共同扩展上帝国度，引人归主！晋光堂，我爱你！愿神继续引领和看顾大家往后的需要，也继续赐福你们的学业、工作、家庭和服事。但愿我们在主里，一切为福音共同努力！谢谢。
Wednesday, 16 July 2014
感恩
7月1号早上经历了迷你心脏病！那天灵修祷告后进入领事馆，凭信心地在第一关
感谢主，面试通过了！这次在预备充足的文件后，面试在差不多 5-10 分钟之内就结束了。非常感恩，从领受神的呼召到今天顺利拿到准证
希西家患了必死的顽疾时，他再度呼求神，向他祷告求医治，神又藉
上帝透过今早个人灵修时的心得提醒我，骄者必败！感谢父母亲不顾
个人从整件事的领悟就是，上帝一直在掌权。如果你生命中正面对什
感谢主，面试通过了！这次在预备充足的文件后，面试在差不多 5-10 分钟之内就结束了。非常感恩，从领受神的呼召到今天顺利拿到准证
希西家患了必死的顽疾时，他再度呼求神，向他祷告求医治，神又藉
上帝透过今早个人灵修时的心得提醒我，骄者必败！感谢父母亲不顾
个人从整件事的领悟就是，上帝一直在掌权。如果你生命中正面对什
Thursday, 12 June 2014
失败的经历
12号早上前往美国领事馆面试，欲申请出国留学准证。到了那里，办了手续耗了差不多 2个小时半的时间终于轮到我面试。先前大学给了两个选择，缴付第一年全数的学费，或呈交银行对账单（bank statement）来证明你有能力还 5年的学费。缴付第一年的全数学费后，学校出了一封信说明我经济上没有问题。万万没有想到美国领事馆很死板地一定要看 bank statement，由于资料不足，面试失败并且拿不到准证。这件事给我的个人领悟与反思：
一、起初真的很失望，但是圣灵让我想起那天早上看到某位牧师发的文，“我们都有跌倒的时候，但跌倒之后，要立刻爬起来”。让我想起上帝从我选择神学院、考国际英文考试（TOEFL)、邮寄文件至当地的大学等等，一路来都没有遇到很大的问题。整个过程都蛮顺利，就这么一次跌倒难道就对失去信心了吗？敢敢再申请！
二、缺乏迫切祷告。比起上一次申请慕迪神学院，这次申请准证似乎轻视了整个过程。总觉得只要意图不是犯法或偷渡，拿准证应该是轻而易举。自己也没有很主动地告诉人这件事让他们帮忙代祷，没有上台找牧师按手祷告，在家更没有认真为此代祷。忽略了最重要和关键的行动。
三、防不胜防。体会到美国领事馆，面谈员的权力。当下如果被拒绝，毫无商妥的余地。因为只有一次的机会，如果申请不被批准就必须再还申请费、买飞机票、订酒店等等。从中学习到无论处理什么事情都必须以细心和认真的态度去面对。各样的资料都必须预备好来应付他们各方面的要求。
罗马书4:20，“并且仰望神的应许，总没有因不信心里起疑惑，反倒因信心里得坚固，将荣耀归给神，”。但愿以这个经验与大家共勉之。若你正处于相似的情景，愿圣灵赐你能力对上帝再次有不易动摇的信心，勇敢爬起来尝试！
神有祂最美的时间与计划，每件事情的发生都有祂要我们学习的功课。埋冤使人看不见和忘记神的恩典与带领，凡事学习顺服和感恩才会发现自己是何等蒙福！这件事让我领悟到，不要看差一步就达到终点，而要看自己已经走了多远。笔者也要在此请大家为我代祷。本人大概下星期三或星期四又会前往吉隆坡做第二次的面试与申请，求神帮助我不重犯同样的错误。愿我们在主里继续彼此勉励与成长，阿门！
Saturday, 24 May 2014
Simple look at my life
When I look back at my life on what I have experienced, including the education I received, the love and care from my parents (particularly my mom), to build a good solid foundation of faith in me, the support from family members and friends, I realize how blessed I am and that I should never take life for granted.
My whole life, since the beginning, is everything part of God's flawless plan. He supplied me with knowledge and experience like language skills, biblical understanding, practical ministry, music ability, all for no other purpose - but to call upon me and use me, among so many people, as one who will serve him in full time ministry. I am aware that my journey will begin soon, a life long journey with no turning back, and I am more than excited, honored as well as relieved to be able to dedicate my life to God the Almighty, the one who sacrificed His son Jesus Christ for sinner's sake, to be utilized in bringing more lost souls to Christ.
Praise the Lord! He is indeed faithful and loving, and for those of you reading this but have yet to accept Jesus Christ as your Personal Savior, I invite you to take this important step and decision in your life. May the Lord intervene into your life, to bless you and guide you on the path ahead, which might be filled with challenges but with Him walking beside you, you shall feel your burdens lifted up and you'll live a more meaningful and joyful life. If you are willing to do so, please say the following prayer,
"Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I need you in my life to guide me. I ask you to be my personal Savior and the Savior of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
My whole life, since the beginning, is everything part of God's flawless plan. He supplied me with knowledge and experience like language skills, biblical understanding, practical ministry, music ability, all for no other purpose - but to call upon me and use me, among so many people, as one who will serve him in full time ministry. I am aware that my journey will begin soon, a life long journey with no turning back, and I am more than excited, honored as well as relieved to be able to dedicate my life to God the Almighty, the one who sacrificed His son Jesus Christ for sinner's sake, to be utilized in bringing more lost souls to Christ.
Praise the Lord! He is indeed faithful and loving, and for those of you reading this but have yet to accept Jesus Christ as your Personal Savior, I invite you to take this important step and decision in your life. May the Lord intervene into your life, to bless you and guide you on the path ahead, which might be filled with challenges but with Him walking beside you, you shall feel your burdens lifted up and you'll live a more meaningful and joyful life. If you are willing to do so, please say the following prayer,
"Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I need you in my life to guide me. I ask you to be my personal Savior and the Savior of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
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