illusions.

"personality is a dangerous illusion."

That line struck me today when I was sitting in the auditorium, watching the AY Drama 12 students take the stage with absurd, intriguing and brilliant theatre. The context of the line came from one of the absurd pieces where it was said by the priest (i think) where he is a representative of the church in the eyes of society, but within the play, he had hidden secrets, doing drugs and only putting out that proper image when in the light.

This bugs me a lot, when we as Christians, representatives are Christ are two-faced. Yes, i understand that we are not perfect, but its the worst when we know of it yet we choose to continue to still do it. By doing so, we smear the name of Christ. Christ was known as love, accepting, non-judgemental, and wise. He was known for much more than that, and we have to continue to live that out. We are called to be light of the world, and the way of Christ is not the ways of this world. By following him and living out a life glorifying Him, we will stand out, and if the people around you can't see that in you, there's a problem.

What bothers me the most is that when we misrepresent Christ, it can easily hinder those around you from coming to hear this great news. Seeing and thinking, "oh there's nothing special about them, they do exactly what we do", there's no reason for them to be interested why you live how you live. When representing Christ, we don't have to be all verbal, and voice everything out, i've learnt that actions speak equally if not louder.

We're not perfect, and I'm not saying I'm the perfect example and representative either, but as long as try, we understand, we learn and we execute, then God will be pleased. Let him use you as his instrument to fulfill his will and your purpose.

²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:20

broken, fragmented

Easter is fast approaching, and we have to take the time to reflect on our Saviour's sacrifice. Christ was beaten, battered, spat on, speared, cussed at, all the horrible, painful things one could ever imagine. He bore all that for us. He took on the sin of the world, the sin of mankind upon his shoulders and on the cross. WE were the ones that nailed him to that cross.

He was broken for us. But he made us whole.

Without him, our lives have no purpose, because of God he has made me who i am now, with a reason on this earth, with a specific route and plan for my life. He's given me people who i can be accountable with, people who support and love me. To bind us, unifying us, and making us whole. It is through Christ we have come together. Praise God.

As Easter comes along, think about who he went through for us, and what he has done for us by doing so.

²³ For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread ²⁴ and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”

1 Corinthians 11:23-24

sunlight sweep

Coming home today, I realized something which i somewhat made into an analogy, and i just wanted to share it with you all.

I've heard many many times people ask, "how does salvation work for those who wont ever hear the gospel?". Personally, i know that God has a plan for each and every one of us, a perfect, almighty plan with a purpose, with a goal, and with reasons. So I think that no matter where you are, everyone will somehow hear the gospel at least once in their life. God sent his Son to die on the cross for everyone, and everyone is a child of God, so he wont leave anyone out. Like a shepard and his sheep, if one strays off, he will go in search of it until they find it.

So walking home, on this bright and sunny day, i saw the shadow and the sunlight hitting the walls of the houses, and i thought to myself. Sunlight hits everything. The sun encircles the earth, and everyday we see it rise in the east and set in the west, you watch the shadows move, and eventually, everything is hit and touched by the rays of light.

Like the world, every single person is touched by the gospel, but there's more to do. Will you take this gift of salvation when you hear about it? Everyone gets the chance, but its up to you to act upon it. No one else can give you that gift and force you to take it. God has handed it out on a silver platter and no one else can make you take it.

The choice is yours.

¹¹ For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.

Titus 2:11

3 Stories. 1 God.

It was one hectic Saturday (yesterday). Why? For Sunday school we had to make a video and my group had nothing planned until yesterday and it was due this morning. The moment I got to church i quickly talked to those who were already at church. We brainstormed then came up with an idea. There were 4 topics that we were to chose off of a list that was given to us by the teacher. I already knew what the other group was doing so we combined the rest of the 3 of 4 topics and made one conclusion.

There were 3 stories and here they are:

A girl isn't doing so well in school because she's spending too much time at church and worshiping God. Her parents aren't Christian so it's hard for them to understand how God has changed her life. She's forced to study, study, and study just to receive that 100% on every course. She struggles with trying to evangelize with her parents and then feels disappointed in herself because she has failed to do it.

The second story is about a girl that struggles with fitting in with her peers. She's constantly striving to be more and more 'pretty' to keep up with the trends. She gives into peer pressure by skipping class with her friends. She feels like she's not good enough for God because she has fallen into temptation so many times.

And lastly, this girl has a boyfriend who is a non-christian. She invites her boyfriend to Bible study and he shows up late and doesn't care about anything. They soon get into a fight and break up. Since she failed at evangelizing to him she soon feels that she's also failed the task of spreading the Gospel.

In the end it's not MARKS, FITTING IN, or EARTHLY RELATIONSHIPS that define you but it's your faith that defines you.

God loves you no matter how many struggles you face. It's okay to fail at spreading the Gospel because there may be other opportunities that are open for you.

Hello, My Name is: Lamb of God

Lamb. The cutest, most purest animal. In its white wool coat, this animal represents our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

But this lamb was killed. The purest of all creatures, white as snow, was taken, beaten, killed and sacrificed, shedding his blood for all the sins of mankind. In the old testament, there would be regular offerings of the lamb, and the best, most healthy/fit animals were the ones to be slaughtered and not eaten as a sacrifice for their sins. But when God sent his Son down from heaven, he, Jesus was the lamb, that perfect sacrifice. Not only was he the PERFECT sacrifice, he was the FINAL sacrifice.

When Christ died on the cross, he died for all mankind. Not just the group of people that witnessed it, not only the generation that lived in that year, but for every single person that was there and was to come as well. Including me and you. He was the last, final, perfect sacrifice, granting us forgiveness of our sins, and salvation if we believed and took Christ as our Lord and Saviour.

We discussed this at our CORE leadership meeting for the MOBS Bible Study today, and it really popped out at me this one time. When we repent from our sins and turn to God, and we say the sinners prayer, we MUST realize that we are accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour.

Saviour. That God sent his Son to die for us on the cross to save us from the eternal consequence of sin, Death.

LORD. Many people do not realize that when you do choose to run back to Christ and follow him, you're giving up your life for him to reign because you know that he has the best in mind for you and a plan for you.

more joy

Yesterday, before my driving lesson, i quickly ran to subway to grab lunch because i was too lazy to cook and there wasnt anything at home to eat. The main story is in the line at subway there was just a lot of drama going on. The two people before me, one had all these complications and requests and the construction worker behind her got fired up and they started arguing, and in the end she let him go first. While i was making my order, a family comes in with a boy who was loud. Not in an annoying way, just expressing himself a lot. "Wow, is that my sandwich?" "That's beautiful!". It really made my day. He was so adorable and just radiating joy and happiness. He had no worries, he had no complaints, he was living his life a day at a time, enjoying every moment of it. Right before i went to pay, he said hi to me and i said hi back and told his mom that he's absolutely adorable. The first thing she said to me was "he has autism".

I didnt think that at all. After I paid, I left and on the walk home i started to think. Thinking about how much joy he has in his life. How happy he was. Even though he was autistic. I have no clue what he's gone through, rejection, or pain. The past day or two i've also been thinking about myself. About what i've gone though, from loneliness, to acting upon it, sinning, and im scared of what those things will lead to. But thinking about, i think God was really trying to speak to me within that 10 min time period. To rejoice, to live each moment with joy knowing we've been saved, we're forgiven and we're loved.

Having faith in God, and believing that He has saved us has secured us a spot in heaven. Now we have to continue to live out his name and his life to share the great news with others.

²² So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, andyour hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. ²³ In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name,he will give it to you. ²⁴ Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

John 16:22-25

Truth?

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.² In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going.” ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him andhave seen him.”

⁸ Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”⁹Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. ¹¹ Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

¹² “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

John 14:1-14

I was able to read through this passage several times throughout the day, and i think thats extremely necessary when we are trying to understand scripture, to fully break it down and understand each word and phrase. I also think that if one has a open heart and mind to receiving the word, it will speak and be understood different each time.

When I read verses 5-6, it immediately brought me back to a discussion we had at retreat, when someone brought up the question, "how do we know Christianity is the true faith?" I confess and admit that i've had my doubts, and im sure we all have. We may question, what if this isnt the "right" way, what if after we pass, there was no heaven, it was all a trick, what if the pastors knew about something and were just tricking us all along? How can i be sure that Christianity is what i should believe in? And as we were discussing, these are a few points that came up. Firstly, i've learnt that out of all the different religions, from Buddhism to Hinduism, that Christianity seems to be the only INVITING others to come see what this "relationship" is about. We also brought up a second point, that was that Christianity is not self-oriented. Many other religions are based on doing deeds/goods to gain blessings or goodness. Whereas in Christianity, Christ has already died for you, and he presents each and every one of us with the gift of eternal life, and it is only if we accept and take the gift, is then that we become saved. And therefore like in verse 12, we do these good works not to gain salvation or approval, but out of thanksgiving, out of commitment, as we follow Christ's footsteps.

side note: I myself am a Christian and believe that through Christ, believing that he died on the cross, and has forgiven me of my sins has saved me from the consequences of sins, and has granted me eternal life. Although i may say that Christianity is the "right" (lack of better word) way, it does not mean that all other religions are wrong, there are definitely things about other religions we can learn from and follow.

Verse 8 also stood out to me. Many many of us are like Philip, we are constantly looking for more. Again back to the retreat discussion, we talked about proof and facts. The world is all about facts, especially the science realm of things, we need proof we need evidence to believe that something is true, but this is faith, not science. There are so many crazy questions that we are curious about, for instance, how the dinosaurs fit into the whole seven days of creation, but over the years of being a Christian i've learnt that sometimes, its just not humanly possible for one to fully understand all this. We can go ask the father when we see him one day! Its hard to believe like that, blindly, but that is faith! Believing without seeing. Its impossible to have all the questions answered. I think this also goes for a test, that with these curiosities, these things that dont fully make sense, its another type of test of our faith. If we can continue to follow him, knowing that he is greater and has plans for us, even though many of our questions are not answered.

People are constantly afraid of change, of the unknown, but are you willing to dig deeper and follow Christ and let him take the reigns of your life?

verse of the day: Ephesians 2:8-10

⁸ Forby grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing;it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast.¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Its Valentine's Day!

¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

john 15:13

Im not a big valentine's day guy, the whole lovey dovey thing, there were so many things going on at school today, maybe it be the candy grams, the roses, or the sing o grams, love was in the air. Seeing couples everywhere, just enjoying each other's company and presence. But things popped into my head today.

Valentine's day is clearly known as a day of love, and i feel like its a day where EXTRA love is shown. We should be showing as much love as we can, on every single day! Not just on the 14th of the second month. I challenge you to continue to love others, those you know, those you dont know, those you love, and those you hate. Love them. Give them a hug, give them a high five, you dont need to buy them a rose and have a candle light dinner, but just show love by simply helping them, caring for them, and being a friend.

Being single on valentine's day. People are all saying HAPPY SINGLE AWARENESS DAY, blah blah. I guess today i guess since its "the day of love", use the day to reflect on GOD's love for you. His never ending, never failing, everlasting love for you. Its deeper than the sea, and he sent his one and only son to die for you.

I think i've realized that love is truly shown through sacrifice. If you're willing to sacrifice something thats yours for someone else, thats love. It doesnt have to be something huge like a laptop or something, but something small. Time. Thought. Effort. These little things seem like they have no impact, but together can easily show your love for someone.

Happy Valentine's Day!

constant reminders.

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— ¹⁴ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

james 4:13-14

Im sure you all have heard. Whitney Houston has passed, today. One of the legends and greatest vocalists of all time. And to me, its just another smack and another reminder.

Im constantly taking life for granted. Seeing this death, its probably one thats making a bit more of an impact on me. Confession: I didnt really listen to MJ, or Amy Winehouse, and even Whitney, but all these people passing, its just crazy. This one was more shocking because it was so out of the blue, so sudden, and she was only 48. Finding out while watching The Vow.

Thinking about it, what if i went to sleep tonight, and woke up, checking twitter to find out that one of my closest friends passed away. Just typing it right now, my heart hurts. I cant even stand to think about losing someone who i love. I just cant even think about it.

And thinking even further now, this is similar to the gospel. That God sent his ONE and ONLY son to die. It wasnt even sudden, it was planned, it was what was wanted. That someone COULD even LET someone that dear to them pass? That must have been horribly painful for our Father.

God is constantly sending these reminders that life is short, and to live it out each day. I dont think i will fully understand until it happens to me.

Clearing The Air: Salvation ≠ Works

Many people think like this, and i think its needed to clear it up and get it out once and for all. Salvation does not come from good works. God does not list down every good or bad work, and then weigh it and then decide if you are "worthy". That isnt how it works. Many MANY people think that doing these good works gets you into heaven. Many people do good works just to feel good about themselves.

But as followers of Christ, thats not really how it works. I've learnt that its more of the other way around. We've confessed, repented, and believed, and through our faith we have been saved. Believing that God sent his only son to die for us, that he took our sin and died, but more importantly rose again. He's the reason we live, and because of this sacrificial act, we're thankful and we're grateful. Thats why we choose to live out his name and reflect his nature and character, through those good works.

Let us continue to spread and share the good news and God's love through our speech and our actions. Lead and influence by example.