What's your say?

Ann Pang; a final year music student had a memorable experience last year at Life-RW. The rally verse spoke to her in a very personal way. To find out more, let's here what Ann has to say in this edition of "What's your say?".

Easter rally Life-RW was a great and successful event in 2008. By God's grace there are 500 people came on that night. I thank God that i had the chance to serve Him in the worship team and He had blessed us throughout the few months practices.

One of the performance i remember is the 'mime'. The effects was awesome! The song of the mime spoke to my heart. The song by Casting crown "Who am i". answering the questions i asked for some time. Who am i? do i really deserve God's love? do God really care for me? God said He loves us not because who we are, what we've done, but who He is. He sent Jesus to died on the cross for our sins, He forgives us all who willingly surrender His everything to God. He is our father who will catch us when we fall and gives us new life. John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full". Life-Rw was a reminder for me about God's amazing love, knowing he is always there when I need Him. He care for the birds in the air, how much more valuable we are than the birds? He helps me understand that there is never not too late or too small to serve Him.

Easter rally is a good chance of bringing friends to know God, not only to enjoy the performance and music but spreading the good news to our friends. I'm glad my friends went for it, asked me alot of things about easter while on my way fetching them back home.

Making Friends...

A letter from a friend described the adjustments that his son and daughter-in-law were facing as young missionaries in a country long resistant to the gospel of Christ. "After some rough early going," he wrote, "they are getting used to not having modern conveniences and are falling in love with the people."

A photo showed the couple's 2-year-old-son Wesley and a waiter in a restaurant, both grinning widely as they shared a moment of friendship. My friend commented, "Ever smiling, Wesley makes friends wherever he goes." That got me to thinking. Making friends and loving people is the key to sharing the gospel wherever we are, because that's what Jesus did.

Some religious leaders were surprised when Jesus openly associated with people they considered undesirable. They said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" (Mark 2:16). Yet Jesus was known as the friend of sinners. He said, "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance" (v.17).

A loving heart and a friendly smile go a long way to communicate the love of Christ to the people we meet each day. May they say of us, as they did of little Wesley, "Ever smiling, he makes friends wherever he goes." — David C. McCasland

To the lost is where Christ went,Revealing grace from God above;To lost sinners we've been sentTo be their friends, to share God's love. —Fitzhugh

Loving the lost is the first step in leading them to Christ.

What's your say?

Thanks to all of you who have been keeping in-touch with our website in the run-up to Redeemed 09' . This time we'll carry on with our regular section of 'What's your say?'. We have with us a native of Penang; Aileen Tay a final semester A-levels student to share with us the meaning of Easter to her and how it has changed her life. Enjoy!

Easter is a time where Christians all around the world commemorate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. For me, it is a time where I reflect on the goodness of God, that his love is so great and selfless, for Him to choose to die on the cross for someone so unworthy as me.

Contrary to popular believe, being a Christian doesn’t mean that life is going be smooth sailing and perfect. But it means that God is with us and in us and will NEVER forsake us as long as we cling to him in times of trouble. This is an amazing assurance that one must experience in order to comprehend. I have my fair share of hardships and disappointments, but I can assure you that God’s grace has been sufficient for me! Of course, sometimes I do wish “Oh lord, please make this problem/person disappear into thin air, I don’t want to suffer anymore”. :) But His plans are always the best, and He will only give good things to us, His children.

This year, I hope that my family and friends will also experience the joy of Easter, that is Jesus is risen from the dead and He is lord. ;)

Tick Tick Tick...

Do you have a clock or watch available with a secondhand on it? Stop and follow that hand as it ticks away 1 minute. Those seconds, of course, are the way we measure time, and time is the very essence of our lives. By the time you reach the age of 75, the clocks and watches of this world will have ticked away a total of nearly 2.5 billion seconds.

Bernard Berenson, an internationally famous art critic, had a zest for life. Even when he was in ill health, he cherished every moment. Shortly before he died at age 94, he said to a friend, "I would willingly stand at street corners, hat in hand, asking passersby to drop their unused minutes into it." Oh, that we would learn to appreciate the value of time!

We certainly don't want to be so time-conscious that we become driven workaholics, neglecting our families, never relaxing with our friends, too busy to smell the roses or admire a sunset. Yet Paul urged us to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:15-16), and Moses prayed, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).

Let's ask the Lord to help us appreciate the value of time. May we wisely invest our seconds, minutes, hours, and days, realizing that beyond time lies eternity. — Vernon C. Grounds

We do not know how long we have Till time for us is past,So let us live as if this dayIs going to be our last. —DJD

To spend time wisely, invest it in eternity.

What's your say?

Today another CF-er takes the stage to share with us her views on what Easter is and how much it means to her. Presenting none other than Jaclyn Ooi; a second year Food Science & Nutrition student highlighted on today's edition of 'What's your say?'.

Easter. It’s an occasion less hyped up than Christmas yet its significance transcends the latter. While Christmas is a celebration of the birth of baby Jesus, Easter commemorates the reason Jesus was sent down to earth in the first place. The reason He had to go through all the sufferings and humiliation. It’s for you and me. Unworthy sinners and yet God saw something worthy enough to send His only Son to die on the cross for us, to bear our sins, or as the theme of this coming Easter Rally puts it, to REDEEM us. For God loves us and intend for us to have eternal life with Him in heaven.

(John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.)

I remember very clearly the first time I heard of the reason behind Easter =) It was profoundly the most significant time of my life. The feeling is as though I was blind before and I’m able to see for the first time. So drama rigghht.. but it’s true! I was really touched by God’s love for us and that was the moment I accepted Christ into my heart and life. I can’t thank God enough for His grace and mercy upon my life and most of all, His love.

Last year’s Easter Rally was GREAT no doubt. It was great in the sense that God’s presence was so strong amongst us and many were touched that day. The committee and others involved in the rally worked hard and their efforts truly glorified God. The performances spoke to many and the message conveyed by the pastor (alamak I forgot his name ><) cut through hearts. The peak of the event? People were saved =) So I pray that this year’s rally would be a GREAT one too =) May many be able to hear the story of His wonderful love as I did before. Amen.

What's your say?

We've been getting pretty positive responses to the promo video. We just hope that the event will change lives for real. It's approximately 3 weeks to rally and every one's really excited about it. She's the only other person who carries a camera around during CF events. The next person who submitted their testimonial to us was none other than Nally Woo, our CF treasurer ;a second year business administration undergraduate.

In a blink of an eye 1 year has past and we are up to our next Easter rally. Last year's Easter rally was a blast!!! It was my 1st semester in UCSI and I didn't know anybody here and the Easter rally really helped me fit in. Thank God for all the wonderful people that made everything more interesting in UCSI. Well I really enjoyed preparing for the rally; staying back for all thing practices... all the mamak and bonding sessions... a lot of laughs...oh!! for those who went for last year's rally.Yes I am the glowing pants and for the last time!! my apologies!! but the presentation was still wonderful~ haha..

Well last year's rally theme was "Life Re-writable", the theme really spoke to me and made me realise again that Jesus Loves us and gave us this second chance to rewrite our lives and through Jesus we can have a new life. So now I am excited for what God has installed for my life =)

Everybody deserves a chance to rewrite their lives... haha

Redeemed 09' Promo Video

Ladies and Gentleman, it's been a month in the making and today at our weekly CF meeting marked the world premier of Redeemed09's official promo video. However, if you missed today's meeting you can always watch it all right here at Redeemed09.blogspot.com. Alternatively you can view it at our Facebook event page or even look it up on youtube.

Do check back often for more updates as from today onwards things are gonna be flying as we gear up for the most life changing event at UCSI.

Credits for the promotional video

Cast:

Keezya Ubong - bible reading girl

Joanne Lee- studious girl

Leslie Lian- HOPE holder

Paul Aun & Vi Vien- Fighting Couple

Kelvin Kuan- Guy with tapped mouth

Nicole Lim- Redeemed 1

Jason Lee- MU shirt guy

Charissa Ng- Redeemed at the closing sequence

Crew:

Cameramen: Leslie Lian & Jonathan Mah

Casting: Lim Su Ann

Editing: Lam Foo Tseng

Director /Producer: Jonathan Mah

What's your say?

Looking back at the cross of Calvary, Easter becomes a greater event for Aaron Loh, a former UCSI CF member who completed his A-Levels at UCSI in 2007. Currently pursuing a degree in physiotherapy at Masterskill College, Aaron relates to us his experiences at UCSI CF and ultimately what Easter means to him.

It was a great honor to be involved in last year’s Easter rally. Was also a really great encouragement to see how UCSI CF has grown through the years and also to see such a big crowd as the event. The theme ‘Life-RW’ was something that I could connect with last year as I was going through some tough times in my life. Looking back from almost a year on is so great seeing how God has worked through my life and also how God worked through UCSI CF ever since I left UCSI in February 2007.

Easter to me used to be just a usual church celebration and a world-wide remembrance of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but it changed for me after last year. Looking back to that cross at Calvary means so much more now. Its so much more then just a place that my sins were forgiven, it’s a place where all my troubles and worries lay. A place of redemption, a place where my life can be re-written. That cross really brings hope in my times of troubles, to know that Christ conquered over death and sin, all trails and temptation.

Dear God...

This item appeared in a newspaper after the 1999 fatal shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado:

Dear God: Why didn't You save the children of the Littleton school? —Sincerely, a student

Dear Student: I am not allowed in schools. —Sincerely, God

The intended message seems clear: If we bring God back into the public schools by allowing prayer and Bible reading, then such tragedies would not occur. Whether you agree with that sentiment or not, one thing is sure—laws can't keep God out of school. They didn't that fateful day at Columbine High! God reached out to the gunmen through those who confessed their faith in Christ before being shot. He was there in the courage of a teacher who gave his life helping students escape.

God may be doing His greatest work when evil seems to triumph. When Job looked back, he saw that his suffering gave him a new understanding of God (Job 42:5-6). At Calvary, man crucified the only sinless One who ever lived, yet God turned history's darkest day into man's redemption.

Are you facing a great injustice? Keep trusting God. Those who go through the greatest darkness are those who most fully appreciate the glory of His light. — Dennis J. De Haan

When tragedy, heartache, and sorrow abound,When evil appears to have conquered the right,We center our heart on our Father's great love,For He will bring hope in the darkest of night. —DJD


God may be doing His greatest work when evil seems to triumph.

What's your say?

Is Easter all about bunnies and chocolate eggs? Well Joanne Lee; a final semester foundation in science student tells us exactly what Easter is all about through her eyes. So what about the bunnies and eggs? Read on to find out.

Easter. It’s all about cute little bunnies and colourful eggs and of course, chocolate eggs! Well, that was what I thought when I was much younger! (I don’t mind receiving chocolate eggs on Easter though. It’s food after all. :P)

Today, Easter means much more to me. Easter – the day Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead. Easter reminds me of the pain and suffering Jesus went through. He died on the cross for you and I and He took away our sins along with Him. I find it the most amazing thing that I’ve ever came across. It is because of God’s love for us that He chose to redeem us. It is because of this day that I’ve found my Saviour and my Lord. I’m glad that I have been redeemed!

This would be my first Easter rally in UCSI University and I’m really looking forward to it. So people, are you excited for it? I know I am!