* PaRtiCipAnt oNLy fOr nEw InTaKe sTuDeNt / 1sT yEaR StUdEnT...  XD

~provided bigger leaflet to view:-

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=ecf82a7397&attid=0.1&disp=inline&view=att&th=11adc8f03a0e7449

Don't give up.....

One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
'God', I asked, 'Can you give me one good reason not to quit?'
His answer surprised me...
'Look around', He said. 'Do you see the fern and the bamboo?'
'Yes', I replied.
'When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I t ook very good care of them.
I gave them light.
I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.
'In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would
not quit.' He said.
'Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared
to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6
months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.'
He asked me. 'Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots'.
'I would not quit on the bamboo.
I will never quit on you.'
'Don't compare yourself to others.'
He said.
'The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful.'
'Your time will come', God said to me.
'You will rise high'
'How high should I rise?'
I asked.
'How high will the bamboo rise?' He asked in return.
'As high as it can?' I questioned.
'Yes.' He said, 'Give me glory by rising as high as you can.'
I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Never, Never, Never Give up.
For the Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.
Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,
tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Heavens door open this morning, God asked me...
'My CHILD, what can I do for you?'
And I said, 'Daddy, please protect and bless the one reading this message.'
God smiled and answered, 'Request granted.'

An old man lived alone in Minnesota. He wanted to spade his potato garden, but it was very hard work. His only son, who would have helped him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and mentioned his situation:

Dear Son,

I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my potato garden this year. I hate to miss doing the garden, because your mother always loved planting time. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be
over. I know you would dig the plot for me, if you weren't in prison.

Love, Dad

Shortly, the old man received this telegram: "For Heaven's sake, Dad, don't dig up the garden!! That's where I buried the GUNS!!" At 4 a.m. the next morning, a dozen FBI agents and local police officers showed up and dug up the entire garden without finding any guns. Confused, the
old man wrote another note to his son telling him what happened, and asked him what to do next.

His son's reply was: "Go ahead and plant your potatoes, Dad.. It's the best I could do for you from here."

Moral:
No matter where you are in the world, if you have decided to do something deep from your heart you can do it. It is the thought that matters not where you are or where the person is.

Right at this moment are you having...problems...trials... tribulations...heartache?...Draw closer to God...Right at this moment are you peaceful...is there a lull in your storm? Draw closer to God...Right at this moment...has one of your prayers been answered? Draw closer to God...Right at this moment whatever the state of your life share it with God...acknowledge His presence...share your problems...share your joys...Hear Jesus? Right at this moment He is calling..."Come unto me...all ye who labor, and are heavy laden, I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Right at this moment are you feeling lonely? . . . Jesus says, "Lo, I am with thee always . . . even to the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20) How do you draw nigh unto God?...You start by acknowledging His presence right where you are... knowing He is with you...right there...not afar off...Start communicating with Him... knowing He is there...knowing He will answer...knowing He cares...Knowing He is interested in your problems... Knowing He is interested in your joys...Start...if you haven't already...sharing your innermost thoughts with Him...knowing He cares...The moment you draw nigh unto the Lord...at that very moment... you're set free in a glorious way. . . just knowing He cares . . . The moment you draw closer to God...to share your joy...the wonder of His love floods your soul...just knowing He cares, adds wondrous dimension to our lives...He cares. .He tells us of His love...when He says, "Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you." (Psalm 50:15) He doesn't push us aside...He tells us "Come unto me"... He is always with us and He cares . . . now that is joy . . . we are no longer alone...we have the Lord...He is always with us..

http://advancehgi.blogspot.com/search/label/family

check it out the link to get more info abt HOPE in different part of the world. thanks soe kian to share the link =)

    personally I feel encouragement plays important role among the teams, it helps to improve the effectiveness, unity, momentum  of the team. as a individual  I need encouragement to carry on my role, to overcome obstacles, to make difference in hard situations.encouragement from bro and sis gives me the sense of Christ love, joy, and the energy. let's practice it in our life ( not only in church but bring this Godly character into our office, our family, our friends ) Amen! I remember I read a book where it says that a christian life which God want us to live for is not making ourself  holy but naturally bring fruit of the spirit into our life ( love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control ). that is great isn't it. Let's start to do it if you have not started !

19 Ways to Encourage Others

Encouragement goes straight to the heart. In fact, the word itself comes from a combination of the prefix "en" which means "to put into" and the Latin word "cor" which means heart.

Knowing what a big difference encouragement makes in your own life, what can you do to help others "to take heart" when the going gets tough and way feels long?

Become aware of what encourages you, and do those same things for others.

Learn individuals' "love language"-the special way in which they feel most valued. In his book, The Five Languages of Love, Gary Chapman explains that not everyone's emotional needs are met in the same way, and that it's important to learn to speak others' love language. The five love languages are: words of affirmation, spending quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch.

If an encouraging thought comes to mind, share it! It may not have the same effect if you wait. Don't let shyness hold you back. Instead, form a new habit: "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today…" (Hebrews 3:13).

When you introduce someone, add a few words of praise for the person's abilities, accomplishments, about how they've helped you or about the nature of your relationship. It's encouraging to be praised in front of others.*

When someone is discouraged or hurting, offer specific, practical help. If you ask, "How can I help?" the person might be at a loss to answer. It's better to ask, "Would it help if I…(specific action) or say, "I would like to…(specific action)?*

Remind fellow Christians of the specific promises of God and characteristics of God. We may know something with our mind, but need to be reminded in our heart. The Apostle Peter wrote, "I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have" (2 Peter 1:12).

Write someone a note to tell them that you're praying for them. Tell them what you're praying. You can pray specific Scriptures for individuals such as Romans 15:13, "[I pray that] the God of hope [will] fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Make celebration a more regular part of your relationships. Celebrate others' victories, large and small-with a note, with coffee together, with a special meal, a congratulatory phone call or just a high-five!

Be specific when you offer words of praise; it makes your encouragement more credible and concrete "You did a great job at…" "I really appreciate that you…" "I was really impressed that you…"

Encourage other believers with a reminder of Christ's coming. It redirects our thinking to an eternal perspective and ultimate deliverance from the sin and death. "We who are still alive and are left will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words" (1 Thessalonians 5:17b-18).

Realize the power of presence. Just being there is encouraging! When you're with others, you're telling them that they're important. The Apostle Paul closed his letter to the church at Colosse promising to send his friend Tychius "that he may encourage your hearts" (Colossians 4:8b).

If you're part of a church, Bible study or fellowship, be committed to showing up. Your simple presence encourages others that they are part of a community of faith and that they are not alone. That's why the writer of Hebrews says, "Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as we see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).

If someone you know is working on a large project, send her a single flower to encourage her at the beginning of the project, and a full bouquet when it's done.*

Use encouragement as an outreach. If anyone should be known for being an encourager, it should be the Christian. Write a letter of appreciation to people at work, your apartment manager, your child's teacher or your doctor. Often when we interact with these people, we are asking for their services. Take time just to say thank you!*

If you really want to encourage someone who gives you excellent service, write a letter of commendation to the person's boss.*

We could learn something from the way team athletes freely pat, touch and high-five each other in competition. Touch is a powerful encouragement. Be sure to be sensitive in this area, though. Ask someone if you can hug her first. And be careful to be above reproach with persons of the opposite sex.

…One of the hardest things a Christian has to learn is to rely on God's ability and not our strength…our own sufficiency…Relying on self has to literally die…God tells us to put our trust in Him…We may be having problems…God tells us to seek Him out…Prayer is communicating with God…Through Jesus Christ we can enter into the very presence of God…We can take our failings…our problems…our fears…our needs…any troubles or trials that beset us…and seek God…and He promises He will be found and will answer us…Praying is actually talking to our Father…who holds all the to our every need…our Mediator is Jesus…The fears we have…the troubles we may be experiencing…seem to get stronger more menacing in the dark…in our minds…God directs us to bring them into the light of His presence…"Cast thy burden upon the Lord(Psalm55:22)…God tells us over and over again…"Be not anxious"…He wants us to put our trust in for Him…Look to Him for all our needs…As we seek first the Kingdom of God,and His righteousness…in other words as we pray…talk to God in Jesus' name…as we rely on our Father's ability ..on our Father's. strength…we see the hand of God working in our lives…He opens up the way for us…He makes the paths straight for us…He guides us…He leads us in the way we should go…He answers our prayers …He takes care of our needs…Don't worry about fancy phrases…or fancy prayers…Just seek God out…talk to Him ,really tell Him what is on your heart…tell Him of your joys.. .your problems …the things that bother you or whatever is weighing you down…Hand everything over to Him…seek His answers…prayer is a form of praising God…(Psalm145:18) says, "The Lord is nigh unto all them all them that call upon Him." Amen

praise God for great experience for those 1st time joining us for OR in front of taylors uni! thanks kelvin, ee sing, jacq, shing yee! u all did the best! although on that day still raining yet didn't stop us to fish new frens! we have 29 contacts on that nite!! yeah! let us continue to keep in touch with our contacts, build friendship and share life with them ya! all of reward in heaven ya!

jia you jia you jia you!!! 

We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, “Hi there.” He pounded his fat baby hands on the highchair tray. His eyes were wide with excitement and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin. He wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man with a tattered rag of a coat; dirty, greasy, and worn. His pants were baggy, with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty ane his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard, and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.

We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. “Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,” the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, “What do we do?” Erik continued to laugh and answer, “Hi, hi there.” Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, “Do ya know patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo.”

Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. “Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,” I prayed.

As I drew closer to the man, I turned by back trying to side-step him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s “pick-me-up” position.

Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man’s. Suddenly a very old, smelly man, and a very young baby consummated their love relationship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder.

The man’s eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands, full of grime, pain, and hard labor gently, so gently, cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked his back.

No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms for a moment and then his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm, commanding voice, “You take car of this baby.”

Somehow I managed, “I will,” from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest, unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I received by baby and the man said, “God bless you, ma’am, you’ve given me my Christmas gift.” I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husbands was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly and why I was saying, “My God, my God, forgive me.” I had just witnessed Christ’s love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgement, a child who saw a soul and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, “Are you willing to share your son for as moment?” when he shared his for all eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me. “To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children.”
—Source unknown

Two brothers decided to dig a deep hole behind their house. As they were working, a couple of older boys stopped by to watch.

"What are you doing?" asked one of the visitors.

"We plan to dig a hole all the way through the earth!" one of the brothers volunteered excitedly.

The older boys began to laugh, telling the younger ones that digging a hole all the way through the earth was impossible. After a long silence, one of the diggers picked up a jar full of spiders, worms and a wide assortment of insects. He removed the lid and showed the wonderful contents to the scoffing visitors. Then he said quietly and confidently, "Even if we don't dig all the way through the earth, look what we found along the way!"

Their goal was far too ambitious, but it did cause them to dig. And that is what a goal is for - to cause us to move in the direction we have chosen; in other words, to set us to digging!

But not every goal will be fully achieved. Not every job will end successfully. Not every relationship will endure. Not every hope will come to pass. Not every love will last. Not every endeavor will be completed. Not every dream will be realized. But when you fall short of your aim, perhaps you can say, "Yes, but look at what I found along the way! Look at the wonderful things which have come into my life because I tried to do something!"

It is in the digging that life is lived. And I believe it is joy in the journey, in the end, that truly matters.

If GOD had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If HE had a wallet, your picture would be in it.
HE sends you flowers every spring.
HE sends you a sunrise every morning.
HE reassures us with Rainbows after the storms have passed.

Whenever you want to talk, HE listens.
Your Birthday is on HIS calendar.
HE never rests when you stay away too long without calling.
HE is happy when you read the BOOK HE wrote.
HE is Joyous to see you satisfied with what he gives you.
HE can live anywhere in the Universe, yet HE chooses your Heart!

FACE IT FRIENDS, GOD REALLY LOVES YOU!

I thank You, God, for skies so blue,
for sunshine warm, for each day new,

For mountains high and oceans deep
for joyful play and restful sleep,

For quiet nights and busy days,
a touch of love, a word of praise,

For friends so true, who share our years,
through joy and sorrow, smiles and tears,

For winters white, and summers green
and all the lovely months between,

For distant moon and twinkling star,
who make us see how small we are,

For nurturing sun and gentle rain,
on thirsty land and fields of grain,

For farmer’s toil on fertile field,
with harvest ripe and fruitful yield,

For sunsets red, and golden dawn,
for songs of birds, to start each morn.

Each day a miracle anew,
for all this, God, I’m thanking you.

 

—Catharina Rita

 

 

The Blarney Stone is a historical stone, or actually part of the Blarney Castle in Ireland where it was believed that kissing the stone can grant you the gift of gab. Yeah, it seems strange in this day and age, but who are we to question tradition? It's not like I'm saying that Santa Claus doesn't exist (OOPS!).

There is so much to know about conversation that anyone, even I, could ever realize. You can go though watching talk shows; radio programs; clubs dedicated to public speaking; ordinary conversations; certain rules still apply when it comes to interaction through words. It may sound tedious, I know, but even though it's your mouth that's doing the work, your brain works twice as hard to churn out a lot of things you know. So what better way to start learning to be an effective communication is to know the very person closest to you: yourself.

1. What you know. Education is all about learning the basics, but to be an effective speaker is to practice what you've learned. My stint as guest at every Toastmasters' meeting I go to taught me that we all have our limitations, but that doesn't mean we can't learn to keep up and share what we know.

2. Listening. It's just as important as asking questions. Sometimes listening to the sound of our own voice can teach us to be a little bit confident with ourselves and to say the things we believe in with conviction.

3. Humility We all make mistakes, and sometimes we tend to slur our words, stutter, and probably mispronounce certain words even though we know what it means, but rarely use it only to impress listeners. So in a group, don't be afraid to ask if you're saying the right word properly and if they're unsure about it then make a joke out of it. I promise you it'll make everyone laugh and you can get away with it as well.

4. Eye Contact There's a lot to say when it comes to directing your attention to your audience with an eye-catching gaze. It's important that you keep your focus when talking to a large group in a meeting or a gathering, even though he or she may be gorgeous.

5. Kidding around A little bit of humor can do wonders to lift the tension, or worse boredom when making your speech. That way, you'll get the attention of the majority of the crowd and they'll feel that you're just as approachable, and as human to those who listen.

6. Be like the rest of them Interaction is all about mingling with other people. You'll get a lot of ideas, as well as knowing what people make them as they are.

7. Me, Myself, and I Admit it, there are times you sing to yourself in the shower. I know I do! Listening to the sound of your own voice while you practice your speech in front of a mirror can help correct the stress areas of your pitch. And while you're at it you can spruce up as well.

8. With a smile A smile says it all much like eye contact. There's no point on grimacing or frowning in a meeting or a gathering, unless it's a wake. You can better express what you're saying when you smile.

9. A Role Model There must be at least one or two people in your life you have listened to when they're at a public gathering or maybe at church. Sure they read their lines, but taking a mental note of how they emphasize what they say can help you once you take center stage.

10. Preparation Make the best out of preparation rather than just scribbling notes and often in a hurried panic. Some people like to write things down on index cards, while other resort to being a little more silly as they look at their notes written on the palm of their hand (not for clammy hands, please). Just be comfortable with what you know since you enjoy your work.

And that about wraps it up. These suggestions are rather amateurish in edgewise, but I've learned to empower myself when it comes to public or private speaking and it never hurts to be with people to listen how they make conversations and meetings far more enjoyable as well as educational.

by Prince Oversol

There was a professor of philosophy who was a deeply committed atheist.
His primary goal for one required class was to spend the entire semester
attempting to prove that God couldn't exist. His students were always afraid
to argue with him because of his impeccable logic.
For twenty years he had taught this class, and no one ever had the courage
to go against him. Sure, some had argued with him in class at times,
but no one had ever tested him.

On the last day of every semester, he would say to his class of 300 students,
"If there is anyone here who still believes in Jesus, stand up!"
In twenty years, no one had ever stood up.
They knew what he was going to do next.
He would say, "Anyone who believes in God is a fool.
If God existed, he could stop this piece of chalk from hitting the ground
and breaking. Such a simple task to prove that He is God, and yet He can't do it." And every year, he would drop the chalk onto the tile floor of the classroom and
it would shatter into a hundred pieces.
All of the students would do nothing but stop and stare.
Most of the students thought that God couldn't exist.
Certainly, a number of Christians had slipped through, but for 20 years,
they had been too afraid to stand up.

Well, a few years ago there was a freshman who happened
to enroll. He was a Christian, and had heard the stories about his
professor. He was required to take the class for his major, and he
was afraid. For three months that semester, he prayed every morning
that he would have the courage to stand up, no matter what the
professor said or what the class thought.
Nothing they said could ever shatter his faith....he hoped.

Finally, the day came.
The professor said, "If there is anyone here who still believes in God, stand up!"
The professor and the class of 300 people looked at him, shocked, as he stood
up at the back of the classroom.
The professor shouted, "You FOOL!!! If God existed, he would keep this piece of chalk from breaking when it hit the ground."
Then, as usual, he proceeded to drop the chalk, but as he did, it slipped out of his fingers, off his shirt cuff, onto the pleat of his pants, down his leg, and off his shoe.
As it hit the ground, it simply rolled away.....unbroken.
At that, the professor's jaw dropped as he stared at the chalk.
He looked up at the young man, and then ran out of the lecture hall.

The young man who had stood, proceeded to walk to the front of the
classroom and shared his faith in Jesus for the next half hour.
300 students stayed and listened as he told of God's love for them and
of His power through Jesus.

Before I sleep!!

What is an attitude?

It is the "advance man" of our true selves.

Its roots are inward but its fruit is outward.

It is our best friend and our worst enemy.

It is more honest and more consistent than our words.

It is an outward look based on past experiences.

It is a thing which draws people to us or repels them.

It is never content until it is expressed.

It is the librarian of our past.

It is the speaker of our present.

It is the prophet of our future.

Just thought it very encouraging to share. Taken from 'The winning attitude" by good ol' John. Eheh, our fortnightly guest speaker during DMM ;)

'attitude-a small things that makes a big difference'...imagine water ripples or a rain drop falling upon the ground, and you'll know the signifance of that phrase.

Good night...*yawN*

Yay! Finally everything come to an end for now... hehe...

1st post... Just wanna share with everyone the songs that are in my recent playlist... and suddenly I just realized, hehe, they are all malaysian production! Go back the post michelle posted (a repentant critic), you know, we should support our local production too!! haha, and you know what? They are GOOD! Really, give it a try-> just click here to go to my playlist and listen to them!

Have Fun!

it was happy receiving blessings from all of you

the specially hand made gift card warmly encouraged me

thank God for the telent and creativity you blessed your children with

and so artistic that a few of the signatures were just too hard to read :p


anyway...thanks to you all for the encouragement

i know that not many people really use this web group

those who get to see this pls help pass my word on to the others.

and hope you all are doing fine overthere

God loves you all

have a blessed CNY!