yemulan

Mary

2008-10-19T12:28:00.002+08:00

i'v received these weekly devotionals which are related to yesterday's cell, so i decided to share it. =]

They had a dinner for Jesus. Martha served the food, and Lazarus was one of the people eating with Jesus. Mary brought in a pint of very expensive perfume made from pure nard. She poured the perfume on his feet, and then she wiped his feet with her hair. And the sweet smell from the perfume filled the whole house.- JOHN 12:2–3

Mary

by Max Lucado

Marys are gifted with praise. They don’t just sing; they worship. They don’t simply attend church; they go to offer praise. They don’t just talk about Christ; they radiate Christ.

Marys have one foot in heaven and the other on a cloud. It’s not easy for them to come to earth, but sometimes they need to. Sometimes they need to be reminded that there are bills to be paid and classes to be taught. But don’t remind them too harshly. Flutes are fragile. Marys are precious souls with tender hearts. If they have found a place at the foot of Jesus, don’t ask them to leave. Much better to ask them to pray for you.

That’s what I do. When I find a Mary (or a Michael), I’m quick to ask, “How do I get on your prayer list?”

Every church desperately needs some Marys.

We need them to pray for our children.

We need them to put passion in our worship.

We need them to write songs of praise and sing songs of glory.

We need them to kneel and weep and lift their hands and pray.

We need them because we tend to forget how much God loves worship. Marys don’t forget. They know that God wants to be known as a father. They know that a father likes nothing more than to have his children sit as his feet and spend time with him.

Marys are good at that.

They, too, must be careful. They must meditate often on Luke 6:46. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?” Marys need to remember that service is also worship.

If God has called you to be a Mary, then worship! Remind the rest of us that we don’t have to be busy to be holy. Urge us with your example to put down our clipboards and megaphones and be quiet in worship.

From Cast of Characters© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008) Max Lucado

Martha

2008-10-19T12:23:00.003+08:00

Martha
by Max Lucado

Every church needs a Martha. Change that. Every church needs a hundred Marthas. Sleeves rolled and ready, they keep the pace for the church. Because of Marthas, the church budget gets balanced, the church babies get bounced, and the church building gets built. You don’t appreciate Marthas until a Martha is missing, and then all the Marys and Lazaruses are scrambling around looking for the keys and the thermostats and the overhead projectors.

Marthas are the Energizer bunnies of the church. They keep going and going and going. They store strength like a camel stores water. Since they don’t seek the spotlight, they don’t live off the applause. That’s not to say they don’t need it. They just aren’t addicted to it.

Marthas have a mission. In fact, if Marthas have a weakness, it is their tendency to elevate the mission over the Master. Remember when Martha did that? A younger Martha invites a younger Jesus to come for dinner. Jesus accepts and brings his disciples.

The scene Luke describes has Mary seated and Martha fuming. Martha is angry because Mary is, horror of horrors, sitting at the feet of Jesus. How impractical! How irrelevant! How unnecessary! I mean, who has time to sit and listen when there is bread to be baked, tables to be set, and souls to be saved? So Martha complained, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40).

All of a sudden Martha has gone from serving Jesus to making demands of Jesus. The room falls silent. The disciples duck their eyes. Mary flushes red. And Jesus speaks.

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42).

Apparently Martha got the point, for later we find her serving again.

“Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:2–3 NIV).

Is Mary in the kitchen? No she is worshiping, for that is what she loves to do. But this time Martha doesn’t object. She has learned that there is a place for praise and worship, and that is what Mary is doing. And what is Mary’s part in the dinner? She brings a pint of very expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet, then wipes his feet with her hair. The smell of the perfume fills the house, just like the sound of praise can fill a church.

An earlier Martha would have objected. Such an act was too lavish, too extravagant, too generous. But this mature Martha has learned that just as there is a place in the kingdom of God for sacrificial service, there is also a place for extravagant praise.

From Cast of Characters© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008) Max Lucado

our henderson wave outing... :)

2008-10-01T18:32:00.007+08:00

Last sat, we went to henderson wave for cell! :) Fun! though we took a long cut up the henderson wave.. :) that's the wave!

don't we look like maid?? :)

we had lot of food!!! end up playing zhong ji min ma!

that's ye mu lan!!

who is missinG? :)

2008-09-18T22:52:00.003+08:00

YeMuLan celebrates mooncake festival aka lantern festival=D

5 wise virgins waiting for the bridegroom=p

Give me oil in my lamp, keep it burning...

Perfect dough size for the mould! Congrats shiya! haha!

New creation in town! By the music-lover shuiling! yays!

Who made these? Are they edible?

This is made by zhenling n iris. Definitely not edible

Yay my first 4 mooncakes! Yummy!=D

The showgirls presenting you YeMuLan mooncakes!

kneading & moulding

These are made by Iris. Erm.. what's these?

Made by the youngest, Jia hui

Once again, these are made my me! HUA HAO! Thanks to my teacher shuiling!=D

Thank God for the wonderful time and friends=)

2008-09-18T12:25:00.005+08:00

God blessed Huiwen to smoothly deliver baby Joshua ytd on 17thSept2008! Zhenling Iris and myself(Jiayi) went down to KK Hospital to visit the great mother and the cute baby! And i took many pictures of the big baby weighing 3.695kg! Huiwen n Joshua will be discharged today and may God bless them with good health!=D

Little Joshua's first day on earth! WELCOME!!!!=D

Baby yawns all the time.. but how do they yawn in such a cute way?

Big eyes and has double eyelids just like his parents!

Baby fat face

Contented after drinking milk and had his diapers changed

Sleep well and grow up fast. God bless you little Joshua!

2008-08-09T22:19:00.002+08:00

today cell @ east coast!

Remark: FUN!

WHy only one photo? cos iris's old laptop infra is not workin again! at least i upload one photo! still upload more tmr k! stay tune!!

i believe you gals will be interested! :)

2008-07-24T09:02:00.001+08:00

FOP is here again! :)

tris

PRAYER AND FAITH

2008-07-16T00:06:00.002+08:00

It does not make sense to pray WithOut Faith.
Unbelieving Prayer is a waste of time, energy and words.

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" Matthew 21:22

"Have FAITH in God" Mark 11:22

"Whatever is not of FAith is sin"Romans 14:23

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" Hebrews 11:6

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord" James 1"5-7

When we waver, we doubt. If you have any doubts about God, then why pray?

Any questions???

-zhenling

I forgot

2008-07-15T09:09:00.004+08:00

this is a very precious and meaningful comics.. T.T

2008-07-13T04:46:00.003+08:00

"Jesus, How much do You love me?"

"So much." He stretched himself and died on the Cross.

~Qi Qin

2008-07-04T09:13:00.004+08:00

hey! ye mu lan!
some details on the places we are going!

MAAD
MAAD (stands for Market for Artists and Designers) is a weekend market that showcases original creative works. Inviting local artists and designers to set up stalls, the carnival will act as the testing ground for marketability of their products and creations. MAAD takes place during the first weekend of every month...so don't miss it!
More information can be found at: http://www.maad.sg/ or http://www.reddottraffic.com/

I think this is the pool hall you all talking about right...? I did a check.. i believe is the cheapest in singapore!

Name Of Pool Hall : MegaPool American Poolhall
Location : Parkway Centre,5th floor(above Mcdonald, across Parkway Parade)
Operation Hrs : 11am to 3am
Rates : Off Peak Hrs(Mon to Fri from 11am to 5pm)-$4.60 (7ft),$5.20(8 & 9ft)
Peak Hrs(Mon to Fri after 5pm, Sat & Sun all day)-$6.80(7ft), $7.80(8 & 9ft)
Students & NSF-10% off all day
Members-20% off all day

if you all decided to go this pool hall .. you can take 196 from the nearest bus stop from the museum!

SBS ! Ask iris!

2nd Day FAstINg and ThIngs Working

2008-07-02T23:04:00.002+08:00

Today is the 2nd day of fasting and guess what ...Something pretty small happened BUT I still Wanna THANK GOD!

Have been praying for my manager ( a christian who dont go church now and prays only before meals) and my younger colleague Justina during these 2 days of lunch. Pls pardon me bcos I only pray for them when they go buy food, so its kinda short prayers.

However, today, this very 2nd Day of fasting, just after lunch.....Justina suddenly stands up from her seat and says "Does anyone have a bible? Can i read the bible?"

I was like "HUh? (cos a bit stunned) I have...but Chinese leh, u still want?"
Thank God i bring my bible wherever i go. Not as a 护身符 huh..........
Bcos, in my mind, i nv tot of letting her read my chinese bible (not sure if she knows how to read) but lend her an english bible.

My boss was actually more excited than I am and tell Justina she should read it, its good for her. So i took out my Chinese Bible, give to Justina, and she flipped prob 3-4 times and returned back to me.

Although there is nothing much about evangelism, I still thank God for this opportunity and pray with me that both of them will turn back to our Heavenly Father one day real soon.

AMEN!

~Zhenling

ATTENTION!

2008-07-02T22:40:00.002+08:00

My Dear Dear yemulaners........our yemulan blog is very special bcos its shared by SOOOOOOOOOOOO many warriors out there (abt 15???) & So, pls initial your name after ur article somewhere??? Then we can know which mighty warrior write something so MIghtily on the blog!!!!

ATTENTION ALL YEMULANERS AND FRIENDS~~

This Sat (5th July 08) we will have NO CELL! BUT,
we will meet to go one FLEA MARKET ( A place with ARTY FARTY stuffs)

Venue: Red Dot Museum @ Tanjong Pagar
Meeting Place: Tanjong Pagar MRT Control Station
Meeting Time: 2pm

Afterwhich, we'll go play pool.....

Meeting place: Marine Parade???
Meeting time: Ard 6pm...

PS There will be NEW FRiendS.....No obligations to the above outings, however do join us if u can! The More the MERRIER!

~Zhenling

The Florida Outpouring

2008-07-02T14:20:00.002+08:00

must visit:
http://www.freshfire.ca/ffmstream/index.php

hello yemulaners
yesterday during prayer meeting the pastor advise us to watch the lakeland,florida revival. i'm still watching it now. and i am totally amaze by God's work. It's really great what God is doing. So if all of you have time just sit down and watch the service. If all of you are wondering why the pastor has so much tattoo, he was a ex-ah-beng. they are currently praying for cancer patients. this whole revival has been going for 90+ days. must watch!!!!

p.s. i'm working on the blogskin!

2008-07-02T11:57:00.002+08:00

this is smt tt i've read from an email. Wana share with all of u:)

Breakfast at McDonald's

This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end!

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.
The last class I had to take was Sociology.
The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.
Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile.'
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.
I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So I thought this would be a piece of cake.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.
It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.
We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then
even my husband did.
I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside me as I turned to see why they had moved.
As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.
As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was 'smiling'.
His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.
He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.
The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.
I held my tears as I stood there with them.
The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.
He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).
Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.
I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.
I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.
He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.'
I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.'

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope.'
We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not church goers, but we are believers.
That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.
I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.
I turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it.
Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?'
I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.
She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.
In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:

UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to

LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

Let us all use our life to love and accept everyone ard us in our lives:) God Bless.

YAY!

2008-07-01T12:30:00.006+08:00

Christian Fasting - What is it?What is Christian fasting?
Biblically, fasting is abstaining from food, drink, sleep or sex to focus on a period of spiritual growth. Specifically, we humbly deny something of the flesh to glorify God, enhance our spirit, and go deeper in our prayer life.

Christian Fasting - Focus Deeper on God
Christian fasting isn't some kind of a "work" that's commanded by Christ or required by Scripture. However, that doesn't mean that fasting isn't recommended as a part of our spiritual growth. The Book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:4; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. However, the purpose of fasting is to take our eyes off the things of this world and instead focus on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God and to ourselves that we are serious about our relationship with Him.

Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when the fasting is from food. Extended periods of time without eating are harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish our flesh, but to focus on God. Fasting should not be considered a "dieting method" either. We shouldn't fast to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Yes, anyone can fast. Some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example), but everyone can temporarily give up something in order to focus on God.

Even unplugging the television for a period of time can be an effective fast. Yes, it's a good idea for believers to fast from time to time. Fasting is not required in Scripture, but it's highly recommended. The only Biblical reason to fast is to develop a closer walk with God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ. "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18).

Christian Fasting - A Lifestyle of Servant Living Christian fasting is more than denying ourselves food or something else of the flesh -

it's a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, we learn what a "true fast" is. It's not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God, it's a lifestyle of servant ministry to others. As Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. This concept of fasting isn't a one day thing - it's a lifestyle of servant living for God and others. "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am' (Isaiah 58:8-9).

Hey Gals, Today is our 1st day fasting! Remember what ZL shared with us on last sat ! Fasting come with ? PRAY!! No matter what we are fasting from, let us learn to put our focus on God and we can stand against any temptation in this world! Jia you!

Our God is a Good God.

2008-06-30T02:28:00.011+08:00

Week of June 27
Your God is a Good God by Max Lucado

Use your uniqueness to take great risks for God!

The only mistake is not to risk making one.

Such was the error of the one-talent servant. Did the master notice him? Indeed, he did. And from the third servant we learn a sobering lesson. "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground' " (Matt. 25: 24--25).

Contrast the reaction of the third servant with that of the first two.

The faithful servants "went and traded" (v. 16).

The fearful one "went and dug" (v. 18).The first two invested. The last one buried.

The first two went out on a limb. The third hugged the trunk.

The master wouldn't stand for it. Brace yourself for the force of his response. "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest" (vv. 26--27).

Whoa. What just happened? Why the blowtorch? Find the answer in the missing phrase. The master repeated the assessment of the servant, word for word, with one exclusion. Did you note it? "I knew you to be a hard man" (v. 24). The master didn't repeat the description he wouldn't accept.

The servant levied a cruel judgment by calling the master a hard man. The servant used the exact word for "hard" that Christ used to describe stiff-necked and stubborn Pharisees (see Matt. 19:8; Acts 7:51). The writer of Hebrews employed the term to beg readers not to harden their hearts (3:8). The one-talent servant called his master stiff-necked, stubborn, and hard.

His sin was not mismanagement, but misunderstanding. Was his master hard? He gave multimillion-dollar gifts to undeserving servants; he honored the two-talent worker as much as the five; he stood face to face with both at homecoming and announced before the audiences of heaven and hell, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Was this a hard master? Infinitely good, graciously abundant, yes. But hard? No.

The one-talent servant never knew his master. He should have. He lived under his roof and shared his address. He knew his face, his name, but he never knew his master's heart. And, as a result, he broke it.

Who is this unprofitable servant? If you never use your gifts for God, you are. If you think God is a hard God, you are.

For fear of doing the wrong thing for God, you'll do nothing for God. For fear of making the wrong kingdom decision, you'll make no kingdom decision. For fear of messing up, you'll miss out. You will give what this servant gave and will hear what this servant heard: "You wicked and lazy servant" (v. 26).

But you don't have to. It's not too late to seek your Father's heart. Your God is a good God.

so, Let's be daring to use e special gifts to make our big dreams for God to come true! Because our God is a good God! =D

2008-06-28T23:30:00.001+08:00

Just bear with this blog skin for a while!!

Photo will be upload soon! ( cant find my usb wire! )

Do leave a tag with your blog address if you have one!

This blog will be open to all yemulan-ness ! you can upload photos! you can share anything with us if you have any! prayer needs, encouraging verses, interesting devotion! or even a lame joke! let's share our joy and sorrow together with you, me and God! :D