rayishappy's Xanga

Photos from up to 20th June 09

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:52:14 GMT

Hartley Library at 9am during exam weeks

My book-shelf after exams.

SUCU SEND map 2009

17th June 09 morning, at SUCU prayer breakfast, ready to go!

Toluca, Mexico!

Missionaries' conference

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Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it. (Gensis 4:7)

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Time flew, and I am already in Mexico!

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Toluca
So far it has been great. I am now staying with Juan Carlos (or JC), youth pastor in Toluca. Toluca's elevation is the highest in Mexico. Thus the temperature here is relatively cool, ranging from 9 to 23 degrees.

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Spanish
I am slowly progressing.

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Activities for the first 10 days (18th June - 28th June)
On my first day of arrival, JC told me I will be preaching a lot, which I had not expected at all. I preached my first ever sermon yesterday in a missionaries' conference. Tonight I will be preaching my second, to a fairly large (over 200 people) youth group at JC's church. Next week I shall be preaching in some newly planted churches around the city, doing a lot of visiting.

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Private time
This is my 3rd day in Mexico and until an hour ago I started to have some free time other than my daily reading time. Each sermon take about 10 hours to prepare, I am glad God led me to start writing my first sermon 2 weeks ago (on mission, Colossians 1:24-2:5) which perfectly matched yesterday's topic!

I have brought with me 5 books to Mexico,
1. J. Hudson Taylor - Roger Steer (which I am now half way through)
2. Mere Christianity - C. S. Lewis
3. God's big picture - Vaughan Roberts
4. Why won't they listen? - Ken Ham
5. A hunger for God - John Piper

So hopefully I will find time to read most if not all of them, as they are quite heavy to carry.

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I have also bought a Spanish bible here, I hope to be able to read and understand it by the time I leave for Southampton in 12 weeks time. Lots of hard work on Spanish needed!

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Loneliness and any other anticipated problems have not occured yet.

Summer term 09

Thu, 28 May 2009 19:11:58 GMT

Southampton University Christian Union Charity Ball 09

SUCU International Cafe team, some of.

Cell Group, missing a few

Fresher's Week Committee

i-Welcome Week Committee

i-Cafe - Games Evening

ABC Student's Church Away Weekend

Kiwi's Birthday Party

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Therefore, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1,2)

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It has been over six weeks since I last updated my blog. Life has been very busy, but exciting! I am so grateful of the way God is training my faith and equiping me for whatever race He has marked out for me.

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After waiting and praying for five months, I spoke to the girl that I like, she didn't feel the same way. I thank God that when I trusted in Him, He has given me the peace which transcends all understanding and guards my heart and my mind. With His help, I am able to focus on God and love her with a brotherly love. I thank Him for all the brothers and sisters in Christ I have here in Southampton! God is amazing!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it does not keep record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Cor 13:4-8a)

And God is love. (1 John 4:16)

After spending 2 semsters learning Logic, and this is my conclusion:

Premise 1: God is love.
Premise 2: Love never fails.

Conclusion: God never fails! Happy days! =D

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One exam down on Tuesday, which I am not sure at all how well or bad I did. Two more next Wednesday and Thursday and then done! Woop! =D

I need to do more past exam papers, that's for sure.

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Mexico here I come in 3 weeks time! Wow! Scary, yet exciting! 80 days of walking with God without familiar faces! =D

There are still a lot of uncertainties with the plans and schdules. Also I really need to start learning Spanish as soon as exams are finished. For funds, I have received £ 235 out of the £ 1,500 I need. I trust God will provide by touching people's hearts or by other unimaginable means.

If you are skeptical about this, watch. I promise I won't ask people for money personally and have enough money for the trip.

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Whether you want to support me in prayer, encouragement, financially or you just want to see God's work in Mexico through me and other Christians or simply want to know more about the trip or doubting whether I will get the funds I said I will, you are all invited to join my group on facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=77002659748&ref=ts

I shall be sending out regular newsletters/messages with updates and prayer requests.

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New Word Alive, Easter

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:23:44 GMT

The 2 Minibuses that took us to Wales

Some of us who took the Minibus, taking a break on the way

Above Bar Church boy's Caravan

On the way to the beach, beautiful picture, beautiful creation!

Fun at beach

Food for roughly 45 people for 6 days

Excited about the bible! (Actually finding passages related to homosexuality)

Evening celebrations

Welsh

God's amazing creation, and please note the new creation will be much greater!

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But now, this is what the Lord says -
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:1-2)

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3 of the 4 weeks of Easter holiday have past.
God has simply been amazing, as He is.

First week was awesome despite being alone in the house most of the time.
Had some rests, did fair amount of revision/work and spending quality time with the Holy Spirit.

Second week, New Word Alive in Wales. A whole week of great bible teaching, 2 sermons, 2 celebration/music worship, seminars, fellowship everyday. There was this one day in the middle of the week which I was unable to totally focus on God, even when I tried hard. Praise God for sending Chris for a perfect timing prayer and sharing. The time spent alone with God is definitely a gift, an uncomparable gift.

Third week, again, a week of grace of the merciful Almighty. There were times when I could not fulfil my Nazarite vow well but He provided me many prayers and of course His words were essential.

The last few days and Easter - My vow finishes today. Though I don't think I am quite ready for a relationship yet, after reading the first few pages of this book. I thank God for giving the book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" written by Joshua Harris, perfect timing I have to say. I am not even half way through the book, but it is already one of my top 3 books, including the Bible, that is how good I think "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" is.

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God and I have been working pretty hard and closely together to prepare me for relationship for over 12 months, including a 4 months vow of focusing entirely on and being seperated to God. Much progress has been made, however the J. Harris's book reminded me a lot of important things to note. One of which is that my attitute on relationship is still not as pure as I want, or more precisely, as pure as God wants. Also a lot of responsibilities and consequences that come with it I have overlooked.

I still have lots to learn in love; both loving God with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, all my strength and loving my neighbours as myself. Pleasing God and blessing others with a loving and sincere heart. Thanks for God diciplining me. =]

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For my Mexico summer, I am still in the dark completely. Praise God for whatever reason that is! My faith is undoubtedly being trained. It can be hard at different times, but he has proved how faithful he is too many times.

God's work, done in God's way, will never lack God's supply. - Hudson Taylor

I am called, I shall be stilled and know that you are God. I shall go wherever you lead. Amen

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Here are some prayer points for those who managed to read to this point.

1. Wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) on loving him and other relationships with people.

2. Mexico
   a. my faith (Hebrews 11:1) in waiting
   b. my sensitivity to the Spirit's guidance (Galatians 5:25)
   c. my obedience when plan confirmed (Isaiah 6:8)
   d. family, none are Christians yet. (Out of their where, when, what, how etc questions, I could only answer the why I am going question, but obviously they are not very happy with "because God told me to".) Good thing is that they are not too against it and recently the relationship between my mother and I has become closer than ever been. Pray that I will honour them (Deuteronomy 5:16) and be good witness to them whenever I can (Luke 8:16)
   e. I will spend more time praying for my preparation in knowledge of truth and for Mexico daily. (Ephesians 6:18)
   f. finance, this I am least concerned even though I don't have any of the money needed yet. God has called me and I believe when we seek first his kingdom, he will provide our needs. (Matthew 6:33)

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Oh yes, Easter day today! Happy day! Jesus is risen! Let's rejoice and celebrate! It is not only history, not just a random fact, but it is just as relevant today as 2000 years ago!

Because Christ died in our place, innocently, our wage of sin was paid. And as he rose, and defeated death, we can be certain that as he promised, whoever put their trust in him and repent will rise with him in glory when he comes back on judgement day!

By grace we are saved. Freely we receive, freely we give.

Praise him!

Photos - Paris (Dec 08)

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:38:25 GMT

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Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1Thes 5:16-18)

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It's been over 3 months since I last properly updated the blog.

This term has been a really busy term for me, yet I enjoyed it so much!

I have learnt quite a lot in lectures, notes, but what's more is the faithfulness of God.

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A lot has happened.

God has called me to Mexico in the summer, exciting! =D

I am a Nazirite until Easter. Can't wait to be bald! =P

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Plan for this Easter holiday:

1. Lots of reading

2. Lots of note taking

3. Lots of praying

4. Lots of fun in New Words Alive

5. Shaving hair!! Wooop! =D

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Tim Hughes, Interview at Soul Survivor

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:54:31 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhSjpxzLRp0

This Blood is for YOU

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:17:45 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgWBefASD08

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:02:45 GMT

There is a God

http://www.ohtv.co.uk/video/there-is-a-god

Tearfund

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:23:12 GMT

World AIDS Day film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daXr-fOVWgU

What is poverty? (three-minute video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL-8HPdBroc

Glorious food

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3W_-wFJxqI

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Proverbs 3

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

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Time has been a constrain lately due to exams and other activities. But God's amazing grace cannot be overlooked.

My relationship with God is continuing to grow everyday.

And the 2 verses above are what I decided to focus on learning this year.

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Praise Him for all His promises and blessings.

Praise Him for His faithfulness and love.

Amen!

Amnesty International - Human Rights

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:17:00 GMT

You Are Powerful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=channel&v=522KkWPcwDA

An introduction to Amnesty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tf9CmbI4fM

Salisbury and Stonehenge with international cafe (13th Dec 2008)

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:02:24 GMT

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