FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!

JS Reu 2 photo's from yours truly. Limited number. For more, ask Ming Han... ;-)



Not edited whatsoeva... After following the link, click on the thumbs to see and download the fullsize (in 2MP!!!) some included were bored pictures while waiting for the stupid KTM. Enjoy!!!

Edited: Noticed that the photo's are not of superior quality... Well, from a camera phone without photoshop, this is what you expect... Sorry for the limited number of photos as i didn't took much (this is all that i have)

Sheng Yong's Brithday

I know this is one day late, but...

HAPPY EIGHTEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessed 18th Rosheen!!!!!

Please don't do anything silly although it's a legal age.
He he!!!

=)

Anyway God bless you!!!
Sorry didn't get any present for you.

Prayer Request

2 prayer items.

1. Do pray for me and Rosh in regards to our families as we are trying our best to improve our relationship with our other family members, in particular, our parents (i know many would be nodding your head to this). Also, pray for our MYFs as we are pushing forward some reforms and refreshing to revive and improve our respective youth groups in the limited time we have in the limited capacity we have. Do keep us in prayer as being a leader can be tough.

2. Sibu's now in Labuan studying Matriculation. Do keep him in your prayers as he tries to adjust to the new enviroment (particularly living in a hostel). Let it be that the little lamp that Sibu brings into the new enviroment will be a great testimony to the non-believers that are there. Also pray for his spritual protection.

That's all from me for now. Now, WHEN IS THE REUNION FINALLY GOING TO OCCUR??????

Lessons Forgotten

Yesterday during church service I remembered something we learned during JS.
At home, I find it difficult to focus on God, even remembering that God exist is also difficult for me. But at church it is totally different. I can think of a few reasons for this.
Firstly is the surroundings. At church, everything is about God, from the start of the service to the end. I call this the "Influence Reason". I know it's a lame name.
Secondly is what we learned at JS, is that the powers of Satan differs geographically(is that the right term?). Right beside my residential area(or taman, which is only a street with 20 houses) and not more than 100 m or so from my house is a Buddhist temple. Yeah. And behind my area is a river, and across it not far about 1 or 2 km is a Hindu temple. And in a 10 km radius there are (as far as I know) two Mosques and another Hindu temple. Cool right? Strongholds... Well, the church is dedicated to God, so the power of Satan in the church will a significantly less. That's what I learned.
Well, Form 6 is not bad, for now. Visit my blog for more crap talk.
Time is of the essence. I'm going to waste my time on useless things again. Bye for now.

Memmories.. =D

Some pictures I was looking at.. Brings back sweet memories.. =)


Haha.. Austin enjoying urself huh? Omg.. Lol.. Tim.. U ok? xD



Uncle Herbie!! Feeling young again? Haha.. Or r u alwiz young?



Haha.. F4? So cool..



The guys..



The girls..



The group..

Wonderful memories. I'll cherish these memories forever. Thanks to all of you people. Hope to keep in touch with you guys. See ya all soon. Best wishes!! =D

Hey people
If some of you know
Mr Ling Hwa Wei is going for matriculation tomorrow.
He will be starting classes next monday.
Do commit him into your prayers that God will bless him and protect him wherever he goes.
Thanks!!!!!

A Testimony

FYI, this is posted NOT because nobody is posting, ok, it's caused by MYF Sunday @ my church today.

Preparing for my MYF Sunday is a very nervous event for me for many reasons, first, it's because i am a committee member. Second, the commitment of MYF taking over an entire worship service (including preaching which was by our MYF president Andrew Wong), particularly roles which you have not taken before/not used to taking, is simply nerve-wrecking. With addition to that, the amount of guest we expected from SOOOOO many churches - there were 70+ guest -, and most importantly, number 3, my worry of committment as our members are few and committment little.

That aside, we have marked the MYF sunday to be an important event because from the second we are officially installed as committee (me being one of them), we have to put up official restructuring and reviving of our once vibrant youth. This is because due to various reasons and situations, our youth has shrunk considerbaly in size, physically - about 50 odd to 10 plus in 5 years -, and perhaps even spritually. Basically, i have a huge job up my hands. And that is a heavy burden.

However, God is a gracious God, and He makes sure our burden is never too much to bear. Besides, He did say 'cast our burdens', right???

So that was what He did.

I never saw a form of committment so sincere and desperate FOR GOD in MYF before in the run-up to this Sunday. Plus, He even sent encouragement to many of us, particularly me as a worship leader, even last minute (and most meaningful ones) in the form of Micheal Sam - thanks bro!-. And that is not all.

We had a mini-run through of the service yesterday, plus a second worship practice, given that we were all new in our various jobs. So we practiced and had a kick out of it, because we were almost literally falling onto each other. Then something bad struck - i started having a funny feeling up in my throat. Suddenly talking seemed so strainful - i started sounding like Jun Arn (i meant the 'what?!!!' kind of ter-pitched) on the way back after practice. It hurt on the climb up the stairs. And when i lay down on the bed to sleep, i tried to call my mom who was outside, but the voice was totally, GONE.

The night was agony because i was sick with worry. Nevertheless, i committed it to God, and went to sleep nervous. I had lots of sinus at night, almost had an asthma attack, woke up, went to church with just barely enough voice, struggled to the final run-through (i masked it though), but somehow as i was running through just the verse of Running After You, the voice started coming back, and during the pre-service prayer, total restoration. I went through leading the worship without a single problem with my voice, whatsoever. To make things better, as i started worship leading, i was filled with a kind of wierd burning feeling. I can only conclude it is the filling of the Holy Spirit as i have never felt it before.

And to make things better, Sheng Yong gave me a testmimony regarding his father. The people were moved in those few minutes, the installation was funny and meaningful, and Andrew's sermon - wow. Relying on God is sooooo good.

So what can i say? Glory to God!

MYPG Information

http://mypg.wordpress.com/

Is this forgotten???

Michael Sam Jun Ming

Tomorrow is Michael's Birthday (I think).
Happy Birthday Michael!!! God bless you as you reach the legal age of 18!!
Don't do anything bad ya!

Reminder

Guys next time before any of you talk nonsense please remember that Kedah have weekends on Friday and Saturday, do kindly remember at all times thank you very much.

Grace Methodist Church, Sentul - MYF Sunday

This notice is for all KL/PJ-ians and for those who happen to drop by/so free can specially come/currently residing in KL or PJ... (so is d one below, i presume)

My church MYF is having a special MYF sunday this May 17. (it's a rearranged sunday worship service). It's 9am at Grace MC, Sentul (beside Sentul LRT station). Food, songs (many), testimonies, a hot sermon (s'baners n KLians, i take u kno tat who am i implicating???), an a installation of the new MYF committee. My church's MYF will be taking charge of the WHOLE service. All are cordially invited. Do be warned that the church's gonna be packed and we need to confirm food so those who are coming plz confirm via sms/email to me or andrew wong. Thanks. Do spread tis 2 ur church MYF if u r from KL/Selangor district.

Tim

 

Dear Friends!!

Hello everyone!! Keeping well? Some I heard having exams and some on semester break! I pray that all of you are well in the Lord!! =)

Our TUCSG is coming soon again!! A time to catch up with one another!! A time to pray for one another too!! A time to take a break from all the hectic schedule of studies!! A time to connect with 'old' and 'new' friends! A time of sharing laughter! A time of sharing tears? A time to be warmed by God's love and providence.....

Venue   :     TRAC HQ

Time         :     7.30 pm

Date        :      29th May 2009

Happening :     "An Evening with Uncle Herbie"

NECF Prayer Week

NECF Prayer Week - Concern for Recent Development in the Nation

March 1 to 8, 2009

NECF MALAYSIA has called on all member churches to hold round the clock prayer and prayer services for the nation come 1 to 8 March 2008. This call is made in view of recent developments since the beginning of the year that brought attention and caused great concern for the Christian church and community. Some matters of concern are:-

* On 30/12/08, the Utusan Malaysia reported a statement by Minister in the Prime Minister' Department, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that the Bible cannot be translated into Bahasa Malaysia. The Daily quoted the Minister as saying, "the government will hinder any effort whatsoever to spread Christianity including the translation of the Bible into Bahasa Malaysia that is intended to confuse the Muslims in this country".
* Also, on the same day, the Home Ministry approved the publication’s annual printing permit with several conditions, one of which is to cease publication of the Herald in Bahasa Malaysia until the court decides on its move to seek a declaratory relief that it is entitled to use the word "Allah". Subsequently, it has been reported that the Home Ministry had never prohibited the use of Bahasa Malaysia in the The Herald but only against the use of the word 'Allah' to refer to God
* The statement by Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to the Mingguan Malaysia (reported by The Straits Times, 2 February 2009) that a small group of non-Muslim leaders was trying to question the position of Islam in Malaysia has brought about concerns to Christians.
* The warning issued by the Minister saying "Don't play with fire and challenge the Muslims. We are willing to do anything to protect our religion" is also unwarranted and uncalled for (see link above).
* The economic downturn and unemployment rate projected to hit 6% with more than 660,000 expected to lose their jobs through the year (NST, 30 Jan, 2009).
* The political situation in the state of Perak and subsequent events that transpired.



NECF Malaysia deemed it urgent and necessary to mobilize all churches and Christians to turn to our God and seek his intervention for the welfare and well being of the nation and urged all member churches to hold the following:-

* Organised round the clock prayer moments in which your congregation may participate in prayer
* Organised special prayer service so that the collective congregation may collective come together to pray for the nation
* Avail yourselves to be present and participate in specially organized prayer service around designated churches praying for the nation on the 8th of March. Details will be posted in the website.



We believe our struggle is not merely against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms and that the Lord of heaven will hear the prayers of the righteous. We want to pray for the Lord’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Eph.6:12; Matt.6:10)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRAISE!

hope you find worship :p

Response

Hey. Tim here.

Seriously, thanks a lot for your b'day wishes. It made my otherwise plain day very, very happening. I'll keep it in my heart for the times, years, and perhaps my lifetime to come. Honestly, i've never had such a happening b'day. And that's inclusive of last minute butt-numbing work. It was truely amazing.

Just a note, a personal email will be sent from me to most JS 2009-ers very, very soon. It'll contain alot of PnC information that is to be shared exclusively with only you. It also contains information that is gonna be potentially destructive to many parties if handled the wrong way. So, when you recieve it (my best guess, given my suddenly hectic schedule, by the end of this week), PLEASE do not, at all, spill the beans to anyone outside the JS '09 circle (including the counsellors). And please do be weary of your surroundings if you do talk about this to other JS '09 mates, as i do not want this precious information to be overheard by accident to others in anyway as it (i know i'm repeating this) might outright destroy the life of many individual and parties. Relax as it regards something i have wanted to share with all of you people to encourage and edify as that is my best interest. Thank you once again for your birthday wishes and prayer. I was truely blessed.

Sincerely,
Timothy (middle name Ignatius) Lewis
a.k.a TOMATO!!!!

Tomorrow is someone's birthday!!!
Blessed birthday to Timothy Lewis!!!!
Have a wonderful time being 18,legal age
So continue to shine for God in whatever you do!!
May God be with you always and enjoy your day.

A Story

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: 'How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?' The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.' Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?' The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.' Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. 'Would you like a lock of his hair?' the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sal ly. The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, ' Mom , I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom .' She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.' Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep. It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said: 'Dear20Mom , I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You'. I will always love you, Mom , even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be s ad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom ? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me t o gi ve you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'where was He when I needed him?' 'God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom , no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore the cancer is all gone.. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that? Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

SHOCKING!!!!

Something damn interesting i witnessed juz now... Please do have the patience to read this.

In the course of doing a sound and music business, resource n redundancy is important. You'll need to have access to all the brands n type of equipment (or at least their contacts lar) and have, at best 2-3 suppliers to a certain type of equipment to prevent embarrassing moments, since d market in Malaysia is abit, erm, monopolized by some unscrupulous people who can 'main-main' with you when you desperately need stock. A substansial sound company can have up to 8-10 different suppliers (by suppliers i mean with an open account)

So juz now, my dad sent me n my mom to get some stuff from a big-time veteran (one of those not so unethical ones) supplier in Klang. We used the car, since we were only getting connectors n a small smoke machine. since d stock had 2 be taken from the store upstairs, we waited abit. And checked out some new products that just arrived at the showroom. Like good old Hokkien buisnesspeople, they were staunch Buddist people. Proof of it lies in a HUGE shrine at the back of the showroom with incense smoking 24/7.

That shop was as packed as usual with customers coming to sent their spoilt goods (mostly caused by idiotic handling) for repair or for a warantee claim, customers collecting their repaired goods, interested customers coming to grab some stuffs, n juz some plain window shoppers looking for the best bargain. One of them is from a surau, coming to pick up an amplifier tat had some warantee problems (he bought cheap stuff, in all honesty, which isn't realible). So the salesman on duty plugged in a CD player to test the guy's amp in front of the guy to show him that the amp is repaired. I saw him plugging it in, since, i was about 4 feet away from those two guys, just bored and nothing to do. He loaded a CD-R, which was lying on top of a stack of similiar looking CD-Rs, which in my millions of times going there in the course of my life, knew what they were - Test CDs containing a compilation of nice-sounding songs, seperated by genre per CD, so that they can test the sound quality of whatever PA system that is plugged in.

I turned around and walked away, knowing that these salesman would play whatever that CD contains REALLY LOUD. I wanted to protect my ears from bleeding. And that salesguy punched play. I turned around in shock at the song that was being played back.

The song was Break Free. Played in public by a non-christian supplier, in front of many Malay and Chinese customers, through an amplifier meant for a SURAU. At rock concert levels. For 2 full minutes.

Cool, eh? This shows that God's word is being broadcasted even further and wider than we can ever imagine due to the popularity and universal appeal of music. The best part is, even if those guys (by those guys i mean overly-sensitive Malays) didn't like it, they cannot do anything about it. Why?

Because the song didn't contain the ever-so-sensitive words Jesus, Christ or Allah. And that's the thing, you can't prosecute a person for playing back something religiously sensitive even IN THEIR FACE, if, it doesn't contain any words that are deemed religiously specific. Have a Christian song without those three words broadcasted all you want, and as long if you have a public music broadcast license, they can't put a hand on you - especially songs like God is Good, Break Free, etc, etc, etc...

So, having any ideas, people???

It's now two months from the day we graduated from JS...

Hieeeeeeeee to everybody!!!!!!!!!!!
Well each of us have a season of the bad and good times.
Never give up on yourself!!!
Same as how God never gives up on you!!!
I know it's hard standing strong at times when the strong wind blows at different directions, but hold fast to your faith in God and in what you believe in!!
Let's hold hands and help each other when one person falls, at least we have the other person to pick us up.
Keep trusting in God!
We can run this marathon and win the prize for God!

People..

hey guys, guys. we'll alwiz keep in touch no matter wat okay. i noe its hard, n i miss all of u too. it's not like i'm not coming back. i promise i'll come back, den can hav reu again. if u all r wondering whn my holidays r here's d link to my academic calender: http://www.np.edu.sg/aa/Pages/calendar.aspx so continue to keep in touch n keep each other in ur prayers. and to sy, mike n alfredo: alwiz rmb (u noe wat i mean).. =) so, yah. i will treasure everyones frenship for life. so, till we meet again.

Hey, how’s everyone? I've got mixed feelings about jun arn leaving . sad to see him leave but its a way better education there i guess.

anyways, lately I've been in quite bad shape in terms of my walk with God? is anyone going through the same? oh well. hope everyone’s doing fine.

Everything by Lifehouse

Find me here
And speak to me
I want to feel You
I need to hear You
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place
Where I find peace again

You are the strength
That keeps me walking
You are the hope
That keeps me trusting
You are the life
To my soul
You are my purpose
You're everything

And how can I stand here with You
And not be moved by You
Would You tell me how could it be
Any better than this
(Ahh Yeahhh)

You calm the storms
And You give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won't let me fall
You steal my heart
And You take my breath away
Would You take me in
Would You take me deeper, now

And how can I stand here with You
And not be moved by You
Would You tell me how could it be
Any better than this

And how can I stand here with You
And not be moved by You
Would You tell me how could it be
Any better than this

Cause you're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
Everything, everything...

When how can I stand here with You
And not be moved by You
Would you tell me how could it be
Any better than this

Oh And how can I stand here with You
And not be moved by You
Would You tell me how could it be
Any better any better than this

And how can I stand here with You
And not be moved by You
Would You tell me how could it be
Any better than this

Would You tell me how could it be
Any better than this....

It's here~ ^^

aaaaaand of course i saved the best for the official JS blog (giving face 2 stone 4 his hard work)
hmm i guess u guys have already seen the black & white version on facebook (aah, tim spoilt d surprise, LOL)
but oh well, here it is.. *teng teng teng teng*
another piece of work, dis time inspired by mike.. Mike: i didnt 4get!! lol..

i kinda messed up a few parts along the way..
and if u guys r wondering whr sibu n rosh is..
sibu's d island (duh) n rosheen is.. well.. the darkest part of the picture. xD
other than dat i guess it's quite obvious who's who..

sooo...

hope you guys like it, have fun & remember to think back about those times in JS once in a while..

the long sessions.. the late afternoon eager-ness to play captainball.. the one who wakes you up every morning.. that rainy evening where we had to walk to the canteen with that plastic sheet & the river was flooded.. and that awesome journey that we shared TOGETHER..

Long live JS 2009~!

Smile

Guess who is who...

Brings a smile to my face.

Edit: Credits to Han Yun for drawing this (it's quite obvious, isn't it?). Apparently, there's a coloured version coming up. I, honestly, have lost touch with everything happening in this Christmunity. Please do me a favour by keeping me updated, please, as i'm not on facebook. I don't have the time to managed another account. I've got a company to run. 2 email inboxes and 2 blogs is the limit i can handle.

-------
Jun Arn leaving tomorrow. Have a safe trip man. Good luck and God bless. REMEMBER US!!!

Memories

Credits: Stone for posting it on youtube.

Reminds me of alot of stuff.

Blessed Easter :)

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Written by Maya Angelou.

God's love is the ultimate and final love.
Blessed Easter my dearest brothers and sisters. :)

If some of you even read my blog, you will know that i strained my back.
Anyway please do pray for me
It will take a while for it to fully get heal.
And i need to take a good care of my back.
Need to strengthen it by maybe exercise or drinking milk!
Ah ha!!
Please pray that i will be fully heal and that it won't cause me any problem in the future.
Thanks people!

Nehemiah

Wanted this to be in time for the Holy week but anyways... It's extremely long, so if no time, don't read this (yet)! Ming Han has an important notice below. Read that first.

My (rather inconsistent) morning devotion has a program of the same old one chapter a day thingy, alternating with a NT book (remember that incompleted assignment anyone?) with a random book from the old testament, preferably a prophet/historical book to challenge meself. So after finishing Ecclesiastes and 2 Thessalonians, I landed in Nehemiah, which i thought rhymes with Zechariah, as such should be a great continuation of the challenge and 'torture' i had back in JS - just one step harder.

And did Nehemiah speak to me indeed. Hope this sharing blesses you guys. (The reading was done in somewhere around MYPC, FYI)

I'm no bible scholar, as you all would have known by now, and such, you can read up the story yourself. Instead, i will give out the thing that hit me and what i can challenge us with.

Chapter 1
Many of us is in trouble and some even shame caused by people, our own faults and many other factors when we arrived in JS. Me, for example, was near suicide and had doubts about God. One of my problems in mixing with you all was a case that happened in August which unfortunately can't be shared over a public website. Our reaction was to pray and give God one last chance (for me, at least). We were willing to sit down and weep. And this was exactly what Nehemiah did. The result? God spoke. In individual ways to us as individuals. Like how He used you guys to speak to me.

Chapter 2
verses 10: Since we are now restored, healed, and equipped to start serving in God's Kingdom once more, Satan will get disturbed. So do keep caution on what the father of all lies has in store. He will hit us hard, as some of us are already hit by him. Do remember that God's on our side.

Inspecting the walls: Our temple, or what i would like to describe as heart, might be healed. We are filled with overflowing joy and peace, but sometimes the rest of our city, or life, is still in disarray as what v.12-15 tells us. Some of us it might be our line of defense - any intruder can enter and wreck havoc. So we must inspect it and rebuild the parts that are broken - despite mockery (v.19). Some of us it might be self-esteem. Some of us might be the ability to resist certain tempations, for example pornography or BGR. Some of us it might be anger or pride. This must be fixed, or Satan has a foothold in our lives - and can make it 7 times as bad (remember Jesus words).

Sometimes this appiles to us in our local Christmunity or TRAC youth. Something that hit me as i was typing this.

Chapter 3
As each person rebuilt the wall placed in front of their own house, we should remember to strengthen the community around us, in unity, so that Satan is kept outside. Unity, obedience to God-ordained leaders is important, or we cannot be intergrated and complete the wall of defense against the troubles and corruption of the world. Likewise, we must remember is our lives must be in intergrity (remember our course on Spritual Warfare) so that no holds is available for Satan to invade our lives. All holes must be plugged.

Chapter 4 and 6:1-14
Remember to constantly be on guard against Satan's schemes! Do pray for strength (6:9) from God to handle whatever Satan throws at us. Make sure we do not fail in anyway as stipulated by '7 steps to freedom'.

Chapter 5
We must never lose the fear of the Lord in our lives. If not, corruption and lust will set in. A lot of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, many of them leaders are now living in a lifestyle that is in a mockery to God's name. We must not follow so, or we will be judged someday - severely. A serious issue to take note of.

Chapter 6:15ono and Chapter 7
Perserverence and Patience pays. If we sow in pain, we will reap in joy. Remember that - always.
Also, do remember that the leaders who are here and that came before us did put up the rules and regulations for a purpose. Which reminds me of a book all of us Methodist people HATE... :-p
On a serious note, orderly work is important.

Chapter 8
Remember to give thanks to God no matter the circumstances. It is important as even us being alive is a miracle.

Chapter 9
Remember to confess and repent sincerely whenever we fall. We are human - let's face it.

Chapter 10
UNITY~!!!!

Chapter 11
verse 2, in context of verse 1. Read it for yourself. Note the words.

Chapter 12
Remember to base whatever we do in Christ. It's not only about us giving our all. Even in rebuilding our lives when it falls apart.

Chapter 13
STAY PURE!!!! Do not conform to the patterns of the world, and let it corrupt us. And in all things, do not find for the praise and regconition - let God do the rewarding.

-------

This is what i feel personally (hey, it really applies to me, ok!). Hope it blesses you guys. Amen. Sorry for being 'preachy'. That's how i 'torture' myself.

Tim

Prayer request

By the time you read this, I'll most probably be on Hong Kong soil. Nevertheless, please pray that God will grant me and my dad journey mercies on our way to Hong Kong and whilst we're there. Please pray too that God will give me the right words to speak, as part of the interview is in Cantonese. How much, I have no idea. Pray too that God will grant us protection and journey mercies on our way back.

Will be back on Maundy Thursday (if you haven't noticed, it's Holy Week, people) and will start posting when I've pried myself off Caesar 4 :).

Fast & Furious 4

Reminds me of fun memories :)

News (about me lar...)

i'm seriously dead tired now...

let me give all of you an update to what i've been up to.

i'm now officially working full time in my dad's company. pay cheque's coming end of the month, if my dad's financial situation allow. my studies are put on hold due to financial and staffing problems. Since my dad's health is rapidly failing (as in he can't work as hard as last time, and always sick), i'll be taking over the reins of the company, Major Seven Music, very soon - probably end of next year or so, depending on the situation. As it is, i'm already starting to take charge of some of the workload my dad used to handle. it's not a easy task, as my experience is limited and it's quite a big responsibility (thankfully my brother, micheal lewis, is joining me in July) to be a breadwinner for the extended family of 5 which has a lorry, a van, 2 cars and 3 (one for the store of equipment and one for grandmom) houses plus a study loan to maintain rental/installment. i'm trying my best to get a driving license in by the end of May/June to make it a little easier. And also so that i can be more free to serve in the youth and also visitation of friends (school and you guys lar)

Business is unstable but thankfully income is coming in to pay up the bills and the debt caused by the 11k+ investment we made recently. One of my top goals is to reduce the overheads of the company from the staggering 7k+ a month (it's normal for a sound company this size) to a more managable 4-5k or so. An impossible task, but by God's grace, i can suceed. Studies wise, i'm honestly not sure what course i take come this december, but sound engineering and some bible course is one option. However, if funds do not allow, then i'll not further my studies - not good.

Grace Sentul's MYF is getting on to be pretty vibrant. The young dudes there (most of the older guys have gone overseas to study, or just have moved on from the church) are astounding me with their unity and desire to see the group grow. I really get fired up everytime i see them - so much so i start shaking inside. The only thing is their pretty inexperienced - so it's up to me, sheng yong (who, honestly, looks like he's buried in college duties to me) and my MYF president (some of you know him), Andrew Wong. We are now very small (take Faith, Cheras to be identical in size for those who went there), but revival can break out, with God's will. I can only pray hard, and serve whatever i can as a Missions Coordinator (Sheng Yong's Fellowship Coordinator).

Personally, i see God at work in my life. Like just just now in the service, i see that God has been talking to me since i entered Grace Sentul about 5 years back. He's also challenging me to things i have never dreamt of doing even 2 months back - like being a intercessor in the youth. Also, i'm finding it hard to keep a regular disipline due of the busyness i'm being buried in. Also, i'm really finding the temptation to return to what i was before JS like a ton of bricks. Past addictions (yes, i'm naming it past) is haunting me. I'm trying to meet up with Austin to continue my counselling sessions so that i can really BREAK FREE from what has happened last August (some of you already know what happened, others in JS, i don't mind telling). It's not that i can't break free or anything, but i need additional help to be free, earlier. In fact, i can tell you that God used August 2008 to get my attention, and, that was just one of the reasons why He did that.

So, for those who have been having difficulty in their walk on the real world, you are not alone and do not despair. If He managed to touch you in anyway in JS, it's clear that He has a plan for you and all you have to do is do your best and leave the results to God. I'm not sure on what bible to give you guys, except to echo Jesus' words on 'come to Me and I will give you rest'. May you find rest in God and stay strong. Also, do uphold each other in prayer and stay in touch. Lets make sure we continue to be a community of believers who will be a blessing to each other, so that we, as individuals and as a group, can bless our neighbours and society. God is moving, only that we don't realize it. And we need to realize it.

A fast, impromtu but sincere note from,
Timothy

Edit: I really miss you guys!!! for those that are now in KL, can we all meet up someday???

i had youth earlier, and we were watching this paul washer video by paul washer. i feel like i’ve like, seriously gone astray since JS. but not only after JS but even during. the questions like AM I A REAL CHRISTIAN? its more than doing good deeds, its about lifestyle and all. and, i know that i’ve fallen so short. but, i duno. mixture of guilt and confusing at the moment.

Mr Woo Jun Arn is in Singapore. Anyway just for laughs.
Remember we tied his hair using the telephone wires?
And he insisted we tie using all we got.
This is just another side of him...

The Little Things

Hey all! :)

Just wanna share a funny snapshot with you guys. Something I saw during class today. It made me smile to myself, thinking of all the wonderful and comical moments we had together.




It's amazing how the little things you see everyday remind you of our JS memories, and what those little things mean to us.
(Not only the funny jokes of course :D)
Have a fun weekend and I love you guys! :)

Running on empty

***NOTE: If you don't have enough time or inclination to read whatever I've written here, please don't. Jun Arn has an important notice in the post immediately preceding (chronologically) / after (positionally) this one. Read that one first if you have no time. Thanks.***

Every action we do on Earth requires energy, regardless of whether it is a monkey climbing up a tree, a plant synthesizing a glucose molecule, a human thinking of a joke to crack or a car moving up a slope. And everything which does work has a reservoir of energy. The monkey and human derives its energy from glucose in the blood, then from glycogen in its liver, and then from its fat deposits. The plant gets its energy from the sun while a car has its gas tank.

Throughout JS, I found that this kept thought kept on coming back to me: Running on empty. The first time I encountered this thought was when a group of eight of us crammed into an Unser Uncle Herbert had borrowed and made our way to EMC, PJ.

The Unser didn’t have a full tank; it was probably only one-quarter full. So after travelling for a while, the gauge started going down real fast. This was hardly surprising: Unsers are known for being gas guzzlers. Then, of course, it hit “E” and then after that, the low petrol light came on.

I didn’t know exactly when or where it was when the tank light lit up, but I thought that Uncle Herbert would have realized it. Later, however, he asked me when or where did it light up, and asked me how much farther could the car travel with the light on. To be honest, I had no idea. I come from a family which tops up its petrol tank when the needle reaches the quarter mark, and thus I have only seen the low petrol light on once or twice in my life. This was probably the first time I was in a car with the light on for such a long period of time.

Nevertheless, we were in an unenviable position. We had no idea as to where the next petrol station was, we were low on gas, and we had a deadline to meet. Uncle Herbert joked that maybe for us, we would have to multiply petrol to graduate from JS.

But I digress.

Somehow, the Unser made it to Rawang with the low petrol light on from, if I remember correctly, at the nearest, Slim River. Throughout the trip with the light on, we were hoping that we would have enough petrol, not only so that we would arrive on time, but also so that we could avoid the embarrassment of calling on the Peronda PLUS for some petrol.

Somehow we did. Or maybe we didn’t, but Someone else decided that we did. So somehow, we had enough fuel for the journey…enough to reach Rawang, and go pretty deep into Rawang before refueling at a petrol station.

After that, we stopped by for tea at Uncle Herbert’s house, and there I had my first contact with his family…at least in my living memory. For some, they had met and remembered Uncle Herbert’s family; I believe it’s obvious who. For others, it was their first time as well. So after tea, and a bit of rest, plus time to stretch our legs, we went down to Kelana Jaya and I got the closest I have been to my house in days.

One can say I was pretty pampered during JS; I got to go home during the first weekend, and during the second one, I was closer to home than most people. Sure, Mike probably was even closer, but then again, he didn’t actually get to set foot in his house.

I wasn’t left with another running on empty situation until we went to Penang. After the good lunch we had at the food court, the Penang Trinity group rushed to, where else, Penang Trinity. After going for their MYF meeting, and then having a barbeque, I was left pretty run down. I wasn’t starving, even though I didn’t eat much during the barbeque, but I was just plain tired. Somehow, I found the strength to walk and eat around Gurney Drive, even though, very frankly speaking, I was dead tired.

However, walking and eating was not the end of it. There was also the strength to stay awake until much later at night then I had originally planned, and as such, I only got 5 hours of sleep rather than the 6 I should have.

The next day, Michael wanted to wake me up at the usual time, meaning half past six in the morning. However, I could hear Sheng Yong telling him to let me sleep. I didn’t manage to get any sleep after that, no matter how hard I tried, but the “damage” had already been done; I had had less than enough sleep, probably somewhere around four to four and a half hours sleep.

Immediately after breakfast, and whatever time I had for cleaning up, we all went for service. Surprisingly, even after so little sleep, I managed to stay up during both sermons. Running on empty again? I would have to say yes.

Normally, if I’m dead tired, six hours of sleep won’t cut it; I need seven or eight. I normally prefer to get six hours of sleep; during school term, I used to get by on five, but I had naps in the afternoon. If I don’t sleep in the afternoon, I would be tired by eleven. But if I’m dead tired, and I don’t get enough sleep, I normally find myself sleeping during the pastoral prayer and struggling to stay awake during the sermons.

So when I managed to stay awake all the time, I found it absolutely amazing.

But that wasn’t the last of it. During mission week, on Thursday, I decided to hang my clothes instead of eating lunch first. By the time I had finished doing that, I didn’t have enough time to eat lunch, so I went to St. George’s on an empty stomach. However, I didn’t feel hungry, which was surprising, because whenever I fast, I would nonetheless feel hungry at some point.

I had one more experience, but that was not during JS per se, so it wouldn’t really fit here. On top of that, it was in…errmm…err...Pangkor, so the files (and my lips, figuratively and literally) are sealed. Maybe some other time…

Running on empty…hmm….were we really drawing on the last of our resources, or were we drawing on someone else’s resources? Were we scraping the bottom of the barrel, or was our barrel being refilled by someone else? Were we squeezing the last drop of wine from the cup, or was someone shoving an overflowing one into our hands when we wanted it most?

My brother came back from driving school one day, saying that the “E” sign on the petrol meter did not mean “empty”. He said that his driving instructor told him that it meant enough. Most cars, when the petrol gauge hits “E”, have enough fuel to take them another forty kilometers or so. So maybe we weren’t running on empty.

We had enough.

But then again, why do we think we’re running on empty, when we have enough? It’s because the gauge is pointing at the bottom of the range. It’s because our bodies tell us enough is enough, and it is time to take a rest. We see it as the end of the line. However, it is not, because while our senses tell us it is, there is still a little bit more in us which we don’t know was there.

We tap into it when we need it most, and we get it whenever we need it, especially when it is to do His work.

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (KJV)

His grace is sufficient; not excessive, not abundant, but sufficient. Moreover, His strength is made perfect in weakness. We know Him most when we are down, we feel Him most when we truly reach out to Him, when all our hope is truly in Him. And, sadly, we are only in that kind of mood when we are dead tired or down for the count, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially or spiritually.

So the next time you’re dead tired, feeling like you want to crash, that you’re running on empty or don’t have enough rest, whether you’re expanding His kingdom or doing whatever activity He has called you to in the secular world, remember:

The One who can give strength in measures more than we can ask or imagine is with us.

Amen.

Happy April Fool’s Day.

News about me..

Hey guys (n girls). I've got news that I'm offered a place at the Ngee Ann polytechnic in Singapore. So I'm going to Singapore this Thursday for registration and orientation and will be back only next Thursday (1 week). The course is starting on 20th April. Please pray for me that I would be able to adjust to the environment and that God would prepare me to go there. By the way, if i have the time I might take a trip down to KL before I leave Malaysia for studies. I'll tell you KL people if I'm going down. Thanks for your prayers.

p/s
This is NOT an April fool joke as it is April Fool's day already. It's serious stuff. =)

 

This place like so… un-happening. haha. where’s everyone? anyways! everyone post something, see how everyone’s doing. Happy Belated April Fool’s!

Prayer requests

Please pray for our friends who are in NS now.
The 2 melissa's, chuan sheng, tze phei and if i have left out any.
Pray that God's protection will be upon them even as they are place in different camps.
They will be used to make a difference in the lives of the non christians and the people they will come across.
No health problems, I am sure all of you know that anything can happen right?
They will have an enjoyable moment during their time there.
Do keep these people in your daily prayers!
Let's start praying from today!!!

Hey Guys! (and Gals)

How's stuff been? It's your noisy talker here again.

It's juz a friendly spam on this blog, in case you were wondering why.

Ok.

First, i hope you guys have been keeping regular quiet time and morning devotion. I didn't see most of you in MYPC, but i hope that the joy left from JS is still vibrant. Keep on tapping into God's strength, ya! Don't ever forget who's Boss and the things you learnt in JS. I know some of you guys are having severe withdrawal symptoms. Trust me, i am too. But i think we should start focusing on God, which is the point of JS, really. And not let this distract us.

Secondly, i hope we still stay in touch with each other. It's a next to impossible task i know, but at least keep contacts (and tabs for accountability) with those you are closest with, physically (in terms of how far from each other are you) and your closeness in terms of friendship. Do msn, email and spam each other. Also, remember that it's an opportunity to minister to each other. A side note: SPAM THIS BLOG and direct others who do not know/not visiting to this blog. I do not want this blog to be a 2-3 man/woman show.

Next, i do hope that the fire in us is impacting our local youth or whereever we are. Since God impact us, i think we should impact each other. Like what our dearest Uncle H said again and again, Conversational Mnisitry!!! Even by adding a lil noise helps, really.

Lastly and most importantly for those who are now back studying, especially outstation:

I know it's tough, but continue to keep your faith in God. Challenges and trials will hit us more hardly than ever before, but let us not lose sight of the race He has set before us. Remember about Laminin and how God literally holds us together. We will give us the strength to carry through, so DO NOT LOSE HEART. And also, do not disobey His word in anyway(BGR, especially, coz we can get really desperate in this stage of life).

That's all from me. Do spam me whenever you can. I'm quite lonely too, you know.

-splat-

Community service announcement.

This post is directed at anyone who reads it personally and at everyone who reads it in general.

And now, time for the community service announcement. But first…

I have many demands on my time.

From reading papers, other books and the Bible, to doing housework, to handling university applications, and very soon, attending interviews, to playing computer games, like Sudden Attack.

You know, I have to spend a considerable time playing Sudden Attack as the more I play, the more points I get, which enables me to get the weapons I need to play better. I grew rather fond of sniper rifles, until I actually used one of them. I then found that it was almost impossible to hit anything as there are no crosshairs, and with the scope on, I’m limited to a perspective of a few degrees. Shotguns are what I like to use, but they don’t work well at long range, so maybe I‘ll just stick to assault rifles. One of these days I‘ll try out a machine gun, but with such ridiculously high recoil, I’ll probably flop at it.

And by taking time off to write this community service announcement, I’m ensuring that I’ll end up with an M-16 for the next week or so in my battles.

Ok, so I’m joking. But I digress.

After Form 5, most people would say that the natural progression in the education system in Malaysia would be Form 6. When I say natural, I mean that it is by default. Most people who finish Form 5 don’t do Form 6. They go into college to do a variety of programs, such as Foundation Years for various universities, matriculation programs for Australia, such as SAM and AUSMAT, or Pre-U programs for North America, such as ICPU and ADTP or more recently, International Baccalaureate.

A large number of people also do A-Levels, which gives them a large choice of programs once they finish their pre-U program. Some also go straight into Diploma programs, or Certificate programs. (For those of you who did accounts and want to do ACCA, you’re lucky. I have to sit for another test if I want to get my LCCI certification). Others go straight into full time work. A lucky few will get into local matriculation, but when local matriculation doesn’t come one’s way, most people would rather go into private education rather than go into Form 6. Why? Well, for good reason…

Here are the top 10 reasons why you shouldn’t do Form 6. Yes people, you read that correctly, it is why you shouldn’t.

Number 10: Even Sixth Formers have to wear uniforms.

Some schools may have their Sixth Formers wear a uniform different form the rest of the students; for ladies, this is universal, while for the men, some schools allow you to continue wearing whatever you were wearing at the end of Form 5. As for prefects and librarians, that is up to the individual schools. As Sixth Formers would most probably be wearing a uniform different from the rest of the school, they are more easily recognized by the rest of the school. Teachers treat them as adults, to a certain degree, while the rest of the student body knows who they are dealing with.

If you have no problem with this, then it is okay. Personally, I have no problem with wearing uniforms, but then again, that is only my opinion. If you are the free and expressive type and wish to wear whatever you want whenever you want, Form 6 is not the place not to go. As an institution under the purview of the Ministry of Education of Malaysia, it also means everything else on your body must also be in order. Hair, shoes, socks, earrings, bangles, unity bands, ear studs, nose rings, moustache, beard, goatee, nails, etc. all have to be within the limits set by the Ministry. After 11 years of being told how to dress, do you need another one and a half?

Number 9: More often than not, you will be unable to use your handphone, or any other electronic gadget more sophisticated than a calculator.

As I stated earlier, all schools offering Form 6 fall under the purview of the Ministry of Education, which gave an order barring all students from having hand phones. While the implementation of this order is on a school by school basis, there is a good chance you will be deprived of your handphone during school hours. Of course, if you have been bringing your phone to school all this while, then the only difference between going to college and going to Form 6 would mean that you would not have to constantly look over your shoulder to ensure that there are no teachers nearby whenever you use your hand phone.

While the ministry said no handphones at all, some schools do allow their Sixth Formers to bring their handphones to school. As far as I know, Taman SEA allows its Sixth Formers to bring, and keep their phones on themselves during school hours.

This also means that unlike going to college, you would not have peace of mind if you decide to bring laptops, MP3 players, PDAs or cameras to class. Makes life very troublesome for the gadget inclined, doesn’t it?

The most troublesome part about all this is not being able to contact others, or use your gadgets, when you need to or want to. But then you know all this already…

Number 8: Most people are limited by their schools to taking four subjects, rather than five.

There are two caveats to this problem. The first is some schools still do offer five subjects for STPM. The second is that if you want to drop a subject or two, then this is not a problem at all; this is in fact an advantage of doing Form 6.

For most, this is not a problem. However, if you want a wider range of studies, Form 6 is not the place to go to. International Baccalaureate ensures that students take subjects from both the science and social science stream, while A-Levels still allows you to take four science subjects. Taking all the sciences would enable you to widen your knowledge of physics if you like biology, or biology if you like physics, so you won’t end up like a frog under a coconut shell.

The greatest disadvantage of not taking all the science subjects is apparent after STPM; some universities want all the science subjects, or you might find that what you’re studying in your first year is what some people have already done at Form 6.

Though most programs narrow down your choices of programs at university, at least you get to take multiple subjects, whereas in Form 6, you only get to take a few.

Number 7: Your studying conditions will probably be pretty similar to the ones you had while you were in Form 5.

Remember the days when the sun is bearing down on you, the classroom feels like it is cooking and you want to sleep? Or that table which you used to sit at which has enough graffiti to cover the perimeter wall of your school? Or the splatter of water that would come in when it rains? Well, at least you’re used to it, because if you’re going back to do Form 6, you would get another chance to endure it all over again.

Sure, most colleges have a temperature that can rival a freezer, but at least there are ways you can overcome that. (If you have trouble remembering how, let me know :D)As far as I know, there is no way one can cool oneself down when the temperature in the classroom approaches that of an oven, or a way one can dehumidify an open space when the humidity of the surrounding area goes sky high.

The only exception to this rule would be when you shift from one school to another school to do Form 6, in which case you have absolutely no idea what the conditions will be like. But then again, the conditions between schools for Sixth Form classes are pretty similar. And they are pretty similar to that of the Form 5 classes. So unless your school, or the school you will be going to, has a separate block for Sixth Formers with a different set of conditions, your studying conditions will be similar to that of those in Form 5.

Number 6: You will be expected to participate, run and lead in extra-curricular activities in a manner similar to when you were in Form 5.

As I wrote earlier, Form 6 falls under the purview of the Ministry of Education. As such, your extra-curricular achievement will still be calculated as it was in Form 5. You know the details, but I’ll just put them here so you don’t have to dig them up yourself.

You are supposed to join one uniformed body, at least one game club and at least one society. The points taken from these activities are averaged out and any bonus points you collect are added to form your overall grade. And as a Sixth Former, you would be expected to help out in the running of the society or whatever else you join, especially if the school you choose to do Form 6 in is the same school in which you did Form 5 in.

Even if the school you do your Form 6 in is a different one compared to the one in which you did your SPM in, you would still be expected to take up leadership positions, especially in uniformed bodies with good connections to your former alma mater, or in clubs or societies which prefer Sixth Formers as their leaders, or clubs or societies which have no other leaders.

Just for your info, extra-curricular achievement for local government universities is taken from four years: Form 4, Form 5 and Lower and Upper Six. So slacking is not good for your extra-curricular activities marks.

Number 5: The teachers will still treat you like kids.

As you are still in school, wear uniforms and the like, you still get to be treated, or are treated (depending on how you look at it) as a kid. So there’s no going out of school early, no coming into school late and no walking out of class when there are no teachers in class. On top of that, you get to line up every day for assembly, receive report cards at the end of every term (which your parents still have to sign) and get demerit if you refuse to follow school rules.

On the extra-curricular front, activities run by any society you choose to lead are subject to approval by the teacher adviser. This does not mean that if you go to a college, this would not occur, but that in a school, your activities are still limited by the whims, fancies and idiosyncrasies of your teacher advisor.

Academic wise, Form 6 is not a good way to develop independence. Teachers will still chase you for your work, rather than considering you an adult and mature enough to send in your own work on time. This is not to say it is a bad thing, but just that you would have somewhat poorer study habits compared to your peers who went to college if you aren’t the type who hands in your homework day in and day out.

But wait, didn’t I say that teachers treat Sixth Formers like adults earlier? Well, in certain ways, you’re treated like an adult, but not in every way. What I wrote above are the exceptions to the rule.


So let’s say that you don’t mind wearing a uniform, you know all the tricks when it comes to bringing and using handphones during school hours, you want fewer subjects, you don’t mind baking in the hot sun, being treated like a kid, and you ignore all your extra-curricular activities. What comes next is stuff no Sixth Former can run away from…

Number 4: A subject of questionable usefulness, Pengajian Am, is there to cause you to study more stuff which you might not want to know.

Pengajian Am, more commonly known as PA among Sixth Formers here has two papers; Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 has 60 multiple choice questions, where 15 test your ability to think, qualitatively and quantitatively, while the remaining 45 test your citizenship knowledge. Normally the questions are citizenship first, with the thinking skills ones later. If you don’t know what citizenship is all about, it is basically the second half of the history syllabus for SPM.

Just that the book you have to read for it is about as thick as your Chemistry reference book.

There are numerous policies, laws, positions, procedures, bodies, commissions, councils, courts, jurisdictions and powers to remember. You get the idea…

Paper 2 is was once known as Kertas Am, until one fine day the ministry thought we were not patriotic enough and introduced Paper 1. Nevertheless, it has 2 essays, which are relatively easy to score decently in, provided one doesn’t go off topic. This is followed by two comprehension passages, which are basically about as hard to screw up as the essays.

What normally kills students off and is the bane of many a Sixth Former is Section D and Section E.

Section D involves translating an entire passage into a graph within the time constraints. We are supposed to take at most 30 minutes to do this. I normally take forty five minutes to an hour to do this, and took the former during STPM proper. The exercise is time-consuming and is not always worth the time put in; a good graph will net you 12 to 14 marks, with most flawless graphs falling here. Few people get between 11 ½ to 4 ½ because most mistakes normally cause you to get less than 4 ½ marks. And missing out a word, whether omitting it on the graph or failing to read it in the passage can cost one dearly.

Section E involves translating a table, graph, bar chart, pie chart, flow chart or fish bone diagram into a passage. Normally, this part doesn’t cost most people their marks, except when the instructions are read wrongly, or when another word is omitted from one’s answer, then the same situation occurs; a “fatally flawed” essay is worth only 2 or 3 marks.

Personally I have no problems with Paper 1 of PA; but then that’s just me. As for Paper 2, it was Sections D and E which I worried about, and which you should worry about too. Last year, weird stuff came out for both sections. The graph I did also had a mistake in the information. I still got an “A”, somehow (must be God’s grace), but is it worth spending so much time on a subject of worth only to local government universities? I don’t think so…

Number 3: With the exception of certain science papers with practical papers, your entire grade is based on your performance in one exam.

Form 6 starts in mid-May. Officially, that is. It used to start in March after the SPM results come out, but due to National Service, the intake was pushed back to May. Some schools start early (some schools in Sibu…DANIEL!!) which gives them sufficient time to cover the entire syllabus before they sit for STPM.

Nevertheless, the typical Sixth Former will spend about one and a half years studying, and at the end of all that studying, his or her entire grade will be based on two papers he or she will sit in November or December in the year he or she is in Upper Six. For PA, your entire grade will be based on five hours of exams, all taken within two weeks, while for most social science papers, your entire grade will be based on six hours of exams, all taken within two weeks as well.

Science papers with practical components are a little bit easier. Twenty percent will be based on you course work, of which you will normally get nineteen or twenty points out of twenty, while the remaining eighty percent is based off four and a quarter hours of exams, all taken within two weeks.

Basically, one and a half years of study are crammed into four, five or six hours of exams. And how you perform during the exam determines your grade. If you flop, there are no second chances.

Even A-Levels is not so merciless. There are two exams, AS and A2, for Cambridge A-Levels, while Edexcel has up to three. Most other courses have a very big proportion of their marks devoted to coursework.

Number 2: STPM is notorious for having a heavier syllabus compared to most other Pre-U programs, and is said to be the equivalent of most first year degree programs.

Some Pre-U programs narrow down the student’s further choice of study pretty dramatically. This is especially true for Foundation years and Diplomas, but has the added advantage of first, you will not study anything you do not need to know and secondly, you will spend less time studying what you do need to know. However, you go deep into what you do need to know, as you have fewer subjects to study.

Other Pre-U programs force you to study subjects which you do not need to know; SAM and IB being two of them. The only catch is, you don’t go so deep. As for A-Levels, you probably don’t go as deep as STPM, which makes it easier to score in, even though you have to think more while taking A-Levels than you do when taking STPM.

STPM combines the worst of both sets of programs. You learn a lot of stuff, much of it which you will only need to use once in your lifetime. Of course, you learn a lot of stuff you will eventually use, but in the meantime, you’ve got to cram your head with a lot of stuff which you won’t use ever again in your life.

Number 1: There is no graph when determining the grades for STPM. Grades are rarely inflated, and when they do, they often deflate after that.

Every year the MEC (Malaysians Examination Council, or Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia) releases a report on the performance of the candidates the year before. I haven’t looked at the report for the arts stream before, but I have for the science stream. In the report, the answers for most objective papers and for the mathematics papers are included. On top of that, a general description on the performance of the candidates for each question is also included.

However, at the start of every report there is a description of the general performance of the candidates in the subject itself, and included as well is the percentage of people who get every grade.

I’ll just be frank; there is no such thing as a normal graph when it comes to grading for STPM students. When it comes to PA, the normal graph maybe used; however, there are a high percentage of people who fail PA, so the graph doesn’t really fall towards the end. For bio, the graph is more smoothed out. For chemistry, the graph is less smoothed out; chemistry is notoriously hard to score in. The mathematics graph, looks nothing like a normal graph. There are a high number of people with “A”s, even higher than those with “A-“s, and there is another peak towards the middle. However, the highest peak comes at the end; about 15-25% of the candidates fail to get a subsidiary pass every year.

The best (or worst, depending on how you look at it) part is that the percentages change every year. Sure, the percentages for SPM change as well, but most of the time, they only go up. As for STPM, they go all over the place. Most of the time, they hold steady, but sometimes, they go up, others, they go down. The variations in the percentages are pretty alarming; one year, 3% had “A”s in chemistry, the year before, 2%.

For certain subjects, like computer science, there have been years where less than 1% of all candidates got “A”s. On the other hand, subjects like PA normally have an “A” rate of about 6%, with bio around 7%.

The variation in “A” rate between years and subjects is proof enough that the MEC doesn’t use a normal distribution graph when it comes to grading students.

If you’re doing Form 6 to get into a local government university, I suggest you consider the following:

Matrikulasi students have an easier time getting the grades they need to get into universities. They have lighter syllabi, easier exams and are assessed continuously rather than their entire grade being based off one exam. They are also guaranteed a place in local universities.

Matrikulasi students also have an easier time getting the points they need from their extracurricular activities. As there is only one college per state, anyone who represents their college represents the state, and gets a whole ton of points while they’re at it.

You’ll also have to compete with the Diploma students who leave the local universities, who have similar benefits with the Matrikulasi students.

If you go overseas or private, PA is normally not regarded as a Principle subject, which means that you’ll normally only have three Principles. This is a disadvantage when you compare yourself with students who did A-Levels; they normally have 4 Principles.

If you still want to do Form 6, you are probably a combination of two kinds of people:

The very poor.

Or the very foolish.

The biggest reason, by far, as to why people do Form 6, is that they do not have enough money to go private. It doesn’t cost much more than the rest of secondary education, and allows one to get into a local public university. However, consider the following:

If you have the money and are academically inclined, why on earth are you doing (or wish to do) Form 6? Go join Tze Phei when she enters Taylor’s. Private education will be easier, more convenient and more worth your time.

If you are poor and smart, go join Sarah Alfred in MCKL. As most (if not all) JS alumni are Methodists, you’ll be able to get a discount there, and I believe they’ll do the best they can do to ensure you get a scholarship to further your studies.

***Writer's note: As I feared, some people might read the above comment as saying that people who go to MCKL are poor. Let me state it here for clarity: Not all people who go to MCKL are poor, and Sarah Alfred, in particular, is far from it. The comment is directed at people who do not have the money to continue their education overseas, not at people who go to MCKL in general. I would also like to state that some people who do go to MCKL are materially blessed. So please DO NOT infer more than you see.***

If you are poor and not that academically inclined, then I would strongly discourage you from doing Form 6. Private education would be cheaper, easier and, as long as it’s your passion (or calling) it would be well worth your time. Sure, you might not have the money to go private, but I’ll have to warn you: Form 6 has a way of sucking the life out of people like no other program can. If you wish to or know it is God’s calling for you, then maybe you could try out STM…nevertheless…

If you are rich and not that academically inclined, then don’t be a fool. Don’t try Form 6. It’d be a waste of your time. You might as well pay for an easier program.

There is a need to include another caveat here: no program is a sure pass. Regardless of what you choose to do, you need to study, whether it be A-Levels, SAM, AUSMAT, ICPU, ADTP, MUFY, CAT, Diploma, Certificate, or, even after such extensive and comprehensive dissuasion, Form 6.

However, I can assure you that Form 6 will be the toughest of the lot. So maybe you should consider while you still have the time…

Just one last thing: Whatever decision you make, or course you take, let us all know that we may be able to continue praying for you.

God bless.