CARPE DIEM

Thought of the Day

2010-05-09T23:47:00.000+10:00

A man fell in a ditch. Realist: "That is a ditch". Optimist: "Things will get better". Pessimist: "Things will get worse". Newspaper reporter: "I will pay you for an exclusive story about life in the ditch". Mathematician: "I will calculate the length and depth and width of the ditch". A Christian Pastor: " I see three things about the ditch that are noteworthy". Income tax agent: "Have you paid your taxes for the ditch?". A Man: Give me your hand" and his name is Jesus Christ of Divine Mercy. ♥ ♥

Holidays ending~

2010-04-18T20:01:00.002+10:00

Well, my two weeks of heavenly HOLIDAYS are coming to an end. Actually it is at the end. Tomorrow is the end of my holidays. I will start back my 3rd term of school on this Tuesday. Well, let me recap what i did for the past 2 weeks of holiday.

Week 1:

Did practically nothing. Watch anime and movies.

Week 2:
Monday - played basketball then played cards

Tuesday- Went to watch a movie(Date Night). It was ok. =) Then played cars again.

Thursday- Played Cards

Today(Sunday)- A new puppy came in our family. My uncle bought a new puppy. Name is Lucy.

Anyway, will post an informative post soon.

One hell of a week!

2010-04-07T20:22:00.003+10:00

My exams has finished last week and many incidents happened in between then till now.

1st) Exams was really difficult! It was hard. I didn't put much effort in it. Must be the procrastinating. I'm really good at it. Haha.

2nd) I watched like 5 Animes( average 25 episeodes each) finished during that duration. I must be MAD! Haha

3rd) One of my friend, Masuho's grandfather passed away! The grandfather that she loves so much has left her. Well, i comforted her and she is on the road the road to recovery now. =) All thanks to ME ;), Johanna for a "girly" soothing talks, and of course Megan for her advice on song choice. The song that we finally picked for Masuo was Footprints in the sand by Leona Lewis even though I liked Dance with my father again more. Haha. Girl power!

4) Will be goin out with friends next week onwards as next week is my last week of holiday!

I dedicate this post to Masuho's grandfather! :)

Back from LAZINESS of blogging!!

2010-02-27T21:04:00.003+11:00

Well, my holiday in Malaysia was an awesome one. I really had a great time with my family and friends. Got lots of "red packets" too. I stayed in Malaysia for nearly 2 months and TIME FLIES!!!!!!!! I remember a saying that goes like this," When you want time to go faster, it will be slow; When you want time to move slower, it will move fast." Anyway, my time there was well spent! I was planning to study in Malaysia BUT I didn't alas. U know how hard to study when you are IN your holiday mood. Haha.

My aunt from Malaysia came down to Sydney last week to watch Cliff Richard's Last Concert. I tagged along as my uncle from Melbourne couldn't make it. It was a lovely show even though he is 70 years old. Haha. Well, my uncle from Melbourne came down on Tuesday. And now both of them are in Melbourne. How sad. They just left today. I had a great 1 week with them.

Anyway, my exams are like in a week time. So, I really have to focus on my study! It's hard, but i will try.

Enjoy this video I made about my Last Day In Malaysia:

SORRY!!

2010-01-10T02:50:00.001+11:00

Sorry people. I will start blogging after 6 February as I am enjoying my holiday in Malaysia. I can tell you it is one awesome holiday and feeling to be home. Will be flying back on the 6th of Feb, so wish me a safe flight. In the mean time, stay safe and take care.

YEAR 11 CAMP

2009-11-14T20:57:00.008+11:00

Sorry for not posting for a long while. Been busy or maybe PROCRASTINATING. Last week on the 2nd of Nov(Monday) i went on a school camp that lasted for 3 days(2nd - 4th). It's been one hell of a camp. Best camp so far. I wil brief you through what happened in the camp during the 3 days of FUN.

1st Day

I woke at 5.45a.m as the bus will be leaving at 8a.m. I got to arrive at school before 7.30a.m. So after getting dressed and ready, I carried my luggage all the way to school. It was terribly heavy. But I managed nonetheless. When i reached school, few students were there. Maybe around 5. At 7.15a.m, the teachers instructed us to head in the school to be allocated to groups and to be marked in the attendance sheet. At 8a.m, we headed to the front of the school to catch our bus. I sat on the last bus(the only bus with no air-conditioning) . However, the trip there was pretty awesome. I sat with Tung Bui. We arrived at the camp 1 hour and 30 mins later. The place we will be staying is called Stanwell Tops. We were then allocated to our rooms. My room was B7. My roommates are Matthew Hampe, Tung Bui, Jonathan Zhang and last but not least Virat Nehru. It was a bunker bed. I chose the down one. Luckily we got our own bathrooms!! So, after getting organized, we headed to the common room/hall to be brief on what activity we were going to be doing. Each group were assigned to a specific activity. My group were GROUP 4. The members are Warren , Andy, Sach, Jason, Jess, Norel, Lewis, Tung, Andrew Zhang, Steven, Fraser, James, Adam, Angela, Gina, Nicola,Sam Conway, Matthew Westurland, Brendan, Danielle, Xena, Frank Su and of course me. Our first activity was the Giant Swing. You guys get the idea of a giant swing right??!! By the way, it is 15m high. I didn't do it giving the reason " I have medical conditions". =)

After the giant swing, we went for Lunch. Actually we had lunch first before Giant Swing.
After the giant swing, we played Survivor(bunch of puzzles). By the time we finished, it was time for dinner. I like the food there. Very good. like a buffet style. After dinner, we had Trivia Challenge. I was in another group consisting of Tung Bui, Antonia, Jonathan, Sandy, Christina, and Joyce. I thought it was quite fun that night. After the trivia thingy, everyone headed to their cabin. Jonathan and I headed to the girls room to play some card game(Big 2). At certain time, we(Jonathan and I) had to hide in the bathrooms when we thought the teachers were coming to check. We weren't allowed to be in a girl's room. Anyway, later at nigt, Jonathan and I headed back to our room sneakily.

2nd day

We had to have our breakfast at 8a.m. So each of us took turns to use the bathroom. After breakfast(we ate at a dining place each time we have our meals), my group had to do the Mission Impossible(a type of quiz game- running everywhere solving quizzes. It was preety fun and HOT. Tiring of course too. Each of us in my group had a role. I was the medic. My job was to report if anyone was injured. A useless role i guess as no one got injured. My feet were all sore after the activity. We failed to defused the bomb. After that, we had our lunch. After lunch, Group 4,5 and 6 went to the beach as Groups 1,2 and 3 went yesterday. It was pretty awesome but the journey there was gruesome. So much walking. I played with my friends in the beach a game whereby a person stands in the middle of a circle and they hav to snatch or touch the ball to be substitute out of the circle and the person whom they catch the ball from will be in the circle. Confusing right but it was enjoyable. We took the bus back to the facility. Had our dinner then it was DISCO NIGHT. Pretty good.

The teachers dressing up for the disco:

After the disco, we headed back to our rooms. I was caught after that for leaving the room to get some water. The teachers say no one is allowed to leave their room. But i say i want to refill my water. They say i could have used the sink water. I said i don't drink for the sink. Then they say the water i'm getting is from the sink water. I must have look stupid and dumb at that moment but i really didn't know. They thought i was making an excuse. Anyway, at the end I was just punished to do clean up after lunch with a few more who was caught.

3rd Day

Today was the final day. We had or breakfast then we headed to our last activity. My group did the HIGH ROPES. It was pretty scary. You will get the idea in my video below. Just for the records, I did the High Ropes. By the way, it was raining(slightly) at that time. It made the course much more challenging and slippery. After that, we headed back for lunch. Then we packed and headed home. We reached school at 2.50p.m. Jonathan and I walked home with our luggage.

P/S: at free times during the camp, I played some table tennis. I realised that my table tennis skills is rusting because I didn't play for quite some time already.

Here is the video to sum it up. I <3 teh camp!!!!

YEARLY EXAM

2009-09-20T02:14:00.002+10:00

Did my first day of yearly exam on friday. Fri: Biology and English. I got 6 subjects, so therefore, now I only got 4 more to go. Quite tiring to study.

I don't have to go to school on Monday!! Yes!! haha. Cause I have no exams on that day. I only go to school at the time of the exam and day when i have the exam. My next exam will be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Tuesday: Economics. Wednesday: Chemistry. Thursday: Maths. And then on Monday on the following week, I have Ancient History. After that I start my holiday while others like Year 10,9,8 and 7 still need to go to school. Well..I end on Monday. However, some of my friends end on Thursday and some this week. Anyway...will be blogging only after exams. So take care guys. =)

Sick and sick and sick~~~~

2009-09-01T18:07:00.002+10:00

Sick again....ughh. Hate getting sick. Anyway, there is a good part of it. The optimistic part is that I am able to skip school. YES!!!!!!!. The bad part, is that I will not be able to eat all the nice foods and not being able to do most of the things. Got to lie in bed all day some more...=(

Anyway, I got a speech tomorrow. Economics speech(presentation). Those that is in my group are Justin, Jay and me....haha. J, J and then N. I'm the unlucky one or rather the rose among the thorns....haha. By the way, just for the knowledge of some of you readers, a friend of mine(Johanna) is starting her first day of school IN FRANCE tomorrow. So, may God help her cope and adapt in her surrounding but not forgetting her virtues. So, it's D-day for me being sick and got to do my presentation and D-day for Johanna for her first day in her new school.

MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD WHO IS EVER SO KIND AND LOVING, SPREAD HIS GLORIOUS HOLY SPIRIT UPON ALL WHO NEEDS HIM

Love Letter From God

2009-08-24T23:55:00.001+10:00

This is a wonderful message from God. I look north and south for this video. So, it must be really good. So do watch it and don't waste my energy. =)

Great,Touching,Sad and Funny Commercials- Pt.1

2009-08-23T22:40:00.008+10:00

This is a great video: watch IT!!!!

The next video won few awards. Very touching and loving.

The next two videos are sad videos. Enjoy!!

Finally, is a Malaysian Paroduction video. It is funny.

Songs here and Songs there~~ =]

2009-08-22T17:51:00.009+10:00

I like the lyrics of this song. What if we could stay young forever?! We could enjoy like how we are now without thinking of work and mid-life crisis or even death. What if we could just remain like how we are now so we could play hide & seek with our friends and do lots of games together like what ADULTS can't do. For example, when you were like 8 years old, you and your buddies may like to chase each other around school or at the playground. But, don't tell me when you are 18 years old you still do that?! If you do, they people may call you childish or a "crazy" person. Kick that aside, and just enjoy this song.

Next song is for all my relatives that are overseas, friends that had left me (when i was in Malaysia) to go to somewhere else and friends that I did not meet but left to somewhere else. I would like to dedicate this song to them. The list of names that I would like to list out is too long therefore, you guys know that if you fall in any of the category above, then this song is for YOU. Enjoy!!

I also love this song below. Meaningful and beautiful. Learned this song from one of beloved movie: Bridge to Terabithia

And the final video is taken from a friend's of mine blog. She is the one who taught me how to put YOUTUBE videos into my blog. I'm not that "clever" in blogging yet there tolong tunjuk ajar everyone. Anyway, I know she wants to be famous. Therefore, I will publish her name: Johanna. =]

Lazy Lazy Lazy ME!!!! =D

2009-08-20T23:24:00.002+10:00

Thank God(which ever God you are praying..=D) for curing my flu. When I was having the flu, thoughts of me getting the H1N1 flu were floating around my head. Thoughts like will I be going to die today? And to make matters worse, I got all the symptoms of a normal flu and H1N1 flu. So it was hard to differentiate between both. I suffered from fever,flu(not much), phlegm(not much), and the worst of all some difficulty in breathing. The difficulty in breathing symptom is not that common for normal flu but it is common for H1N1 confirmed patients. It is also because the H1N1 virus affect the "victim's" respiratory system. So, while i was suffering from these symptoms for like 3 days, i kept thinking before i went to sleep, before I close my eyes and dream of MISS PERFECT(haha), of whether I will make it through the night. Whether I will be waking up tomorrow. So, I was kind of frightened. Terrified I would say. I kept praying to God saying that I have not finish exploring the world yet. I got lots more to offer. And as my previous school in Malaysia motto says," To Touch Hearts and Change Lives", I have not yet touch people's heart(maybe i did...hehe. You tell me!! =D). And i have not yet change people's life(in a good way). So, i prayed and prayed and prayed. And then I thought to myself. Maybe this is a trial or test that God put unto me to test my strength and faith and also to make me realize how important life is. And that I should not waste it doing nonsense but rather to spread love and His message. Therefore, with this mind set, I changed my view of my sickness and I try to look at it in a positively way rather than before when i kept thinking negatively.

As the topic says, I am becoming lazier by the day but not to the point of not doing homework at all. I can't find any motivations for myself. I seem to have the will to study on one day but loses it on the nest day. And then it repeat and repeat over again. I just can't imagine how all the smart kids are able to concentrate and find the will to study and revise everyday. Honestly, I can't do that!! Actually, most of us can't do that...LOL. Therefore, I need advices. haha....xD. Please do give me some!!! That's all. I seem to post a lot about myself these days.....haha. Will change to something else.

Cheers!!! Enjoy Life. Remember that you are not a cat but a human. You only have 1 life. So make the most out of it!!!

Update On Me!!

2009-08-14T22:36:00.006+10:00

Hi guys,

It has been a rough week for me. There were good stuffs that happened but overall it's bad. Not feeling quite well recently. Caught a flu. I'm hoping it is not swine flu. Anyway, I just can't get why certain people find it hard to TRUST people. I just don't understand. They always think that the person is not honest. Well, you always got to give the benefit of doubt and trust to anyone.

Trust is not something that is easy for certain people as maybe they were cheated before or their heart has been broken before. However, not everyone is the same. We are all completely different from one another even though we may seem to be alike on the outside.

We got to try to trust other people like how we trust GOD.

Anyway, here are some good movies with a good message in it:

1) Bridge to Terabithia - This movie teaches us about true friendship and that FRIENDS do help and change our lives.

2) Gran Torino - This movies tells us that no matter how strong you are on the outside, you are still a small child in the inside. And that people whom you may not know yet may change your life in one way or another.

3) Meet the Robinsons - This movies tells us to keep moving forward and to learn from our past.

4) Pursuit of Happiness - This movie tells us that hardship and determination will bring you a long way.

Last but not least, enjoy this cool music video from the movie MEET THE ROBINSONS:

The Eucharistic Miracle

2009-07-29T23:50:00.002+10:00

Some people doubt that Jesus Christ is in the host(bread) during mass. But this video below prove(in one way) that Jesus Christ is in it. PROVE OF JESUS IN BREAD

"We do not need to see the miracle to believe but we should have faith in Him"

Down and Uninspired

2009-07-26T23:58:00.002+10:00

These few days during the holiday break, i didn't have the mood to post anything new. I'm just feeling quite down as firstly i'm BORED and LONELY. Maybe i'm feeling HOMESICK, "FRIENDSICK" or maybe just "CHURCHSICK". I really don't know. I'm just hoping i can go through my "down" time. I definitely need God's help. I can't do this alone. Furthermore, i'm also feeling not inspired to post anything new as firstly i'm down and secondly I got nothing to post about. I will definitely be posting something soon, so do check on my blog once a while .

Push all the bad things one side, during the holidays, my friends and I went to watch the most anticipated movie of the year that is Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. It's quite dull the movie but it does give you an overall impact of satisfaction after the movie. Well, played some CS(Counter Strike) with my schoolmates. It was awesome!! But after that, i pretty much do nothing during my holidays.

Therefore, i will be starting school soon and i will be hoping to get some good marks in my subjects. Wish me all the best and may God bless you all!! Will be posting soon..............

SHOCK!!

2009-07-11T15:07:00.007+10:00

Few days ago, i read a friend of mine blog and was shock to discover what the Muslim people did. It is still lingering in my mind even though many days have passed. What was so shocking was that the Muslim people pretend to be christians and then followed the mass and include themselves in the sacredness rituals. They were spying on the christians!!!! They wanted to see whether the christians were using the word "Allah" which they proclaimed it is their God and no other religion can use the word "Allah". Well, that is not the end of it as one muslim fellow took communion, which is strictly allowed only to christian , and spat it out which was then published in an Islam magazine. This is total disrespect towards another religion. First by spying then secondly, spitting out the most sacred thing in the christian community.

I am hoping people who just read this post may lodge a police report in any nearest police station(that is if you are in Malaysia) or maybe spread the news out. For more details on what happened, please proceed to this website http://www.andrew4jc.blogspot.com

Tell me what will they(Muslim practitioner) do if other religion spy and disrespect their religion??!!!!

I just feel angered and disturbed by what they did. Anyway, holidays has just started for two whole weeks......haha
May God bless us all and may all the wrong doers out there repent.

The Greatest Man in History

2009-06-06T23:07:00.000+10:00

J E S U S
had no servants, yet they called Him
M a s t e r.
Had no degree, yet they called Him
T e a c h e r.

Had no medicines, yet they called Him
H e a l e r.
He had no army, yet
Kings Feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet
He Conquered the World.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

He was buried in a tomb, yet
He lives today.
Who is Jesus?

HE IS JESUS
WHO IS HE?

IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION;

IN PHYSICS, HE DISAPPROVED THE LAW OF
GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN;

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISAPPROVED THE LAW
OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN
WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE
BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND
THE END;

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR,
PRINCE OF PEACE;

IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;

SO...WHO IS HE?

HE IS JESUS!

JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM;

HE IS WORTHY.

THE EYES BEHOLDING THIS MESSAGE SHALL NOT BEHOLD EVIL,

THE HAND THAT WILL SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY SHALL NOT LABOR IN
VAIN,

AND THE MOUTH SAYING AMEN TO THIS PRAYER SHALL SMILE FOREVER.

REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS.

AMEN

IN GOD I'VE FOUND EVERYTHING!

I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!
AND HE IS COMING AGAIN!!!!

Life is Tough

2009-06-04T19:50:00.002+10:00

Today when i woke up, there were a lot of fog. It was like the clouds had descended. Well, I went to school as usual. Nothing much happened in school. Just "normal" things such as study,play and eat. After school, i walked back with my school mates. It was raining. We hang out in a shopping complex(a small one) for quite sometime before deciding to go back. That's all that happened today. Quite dull and nothing special. That's life right?

Life doesn't always go as what we wish. If it does, i will be hoping that a million dollars of cash would drop down in front of me or maybe I won a competition and i will get a new laptop. However, this is life we are talking about and it is not easy. We have to work hard to get or achieve what we want. And sometimes till a point of frustration. You just feel that life isn't fair to you.

In life, we also will be able to see many friends "come & go". But some do stay with you and they are called "Good Friends". I myself have experienced disappointment because of them. It is either they betrayed your trust or they try to take advantage of you. Well, what could I say?!!

Life is like war. Everyone is like a soldier fighting for themselves to survive in this harsh world. Every men is for himself. However, there are still some good people who does believe in helping one another. They are like soldiers who are fighting for their life but in the same time they help the wounded. Not many, but there are still few.

Life is Tough and you got to admit it. However, I still long and wish that people will change and be more caring and appreciate the people they are meeting,talking or seeing everyday as it may be the last time you meet, talk or see that specific person.

DARING TO BE DIFFERENT

2009-06-02T13:14:00.015+10:00

People in the world today tend to forget what is originality is. Everyone is so caught up with the media and fashion sense until they try to become other people. For instance, many people try to be "cool". Many people are familiar with this word. They try to be "hip hop", wear the pants till the kness, or wearing caps sideways or at the back, talking like a "walking radio" with the funny "hip hop" accent, and also the redundant hand movements while they are talking. You parents should know this better than any one in the world. You can see your child gradually change from an adorable,sweet, and unique child to someone else("cool" people). This phenomena can be seen especially in schools. Many kids try to be "cool". Colour their hair, buy funky school bags, wearing sneakers to school, and lots more. Why are they doing this???!!! It is because they are seeing many people doing that and they want to be in the "GANG". In school life, if you are not in the "GANG"(the cool group), then you are classified as a WIERDO, GEEK, NERD and many more which they can think about. However, they are not getting the point. People who are trying to be DIFFERENT are not the wierdos but YOU GUYS are the wierdos. You guys are trying to be someone else which is not yourselves. You guys are trying to COPY other people. That is so fake and lack of originality.

Personally, i try to be different as much as possible in a GOOD way. I'm not asking you guys to be completely DIFFERENT. Well, autism kids are different than us but we should not classify them as wierdos or "disgusting" creatures. They are so like us in every way. Only their brains are not functioning as well as ours. Yes, they are different, but we should never discriminate the CHILDREN of GOD. They are our brothers and sisters. Treat them with respect.

Give them the comfort and sense of belonging that they need as what Christ will do.

Give them a helping hand that they are all waiting for.

Another thing is that racism is still a big issue in this world. This race discriminate the other race. Another race discriminate another race and so on. Why should we discriminate or look down on other people based on their races?! Once again, they are all humans like us. Just that their skin tone is different. Black,brown, yellow, white etc are just colours. They don't mean anything. It is what is inside that person that counts.

Chinese people are great people. Loving, caring and humble.

And Indians are the same too. Loving and caring in the same time.

Caucasians are no worse than that. They are equally good as the chinese and the indians. They are no better and no worse than them. Everyone is the same. Look at their laughters. Why should there be discriminations?!

So therefore, i stress out again that we all should not hide in our safety "box" but to get out of it and be different. Different is unique and special. And being special is a great thing rather than being just like anyone else. DARE TO BE DIFFERENT!!!!!

~~ GOD created us all differently, so why not we try to be different then try to be the same?!~~

Bridge To Terabithia

2009-05-09T09:59:00.011+10:00

Few days ago, i watched this fantastic movie called Bridge to Terabithia. Don't get me wrong. I'm not an outdated person. I had watched this movie when it first came out not few days ago. I chose this movie as my related text for my English assignment whereby each of us had to find a related text that has "journey" and relate it back to the novel that we studied "Looking for Alibrandi".

This movie really had touched me in some way. This movie is so meaningful that Katherine Paterson(the author of this movie) should be applauded. However, we should not forget Gabor Csupo'(director) who did a wonderful job directing this movie. Josh Hutcherson and Annasophia Robb the actor and actress for this movie who played Jesse(Jess) Aarons and Leslie Burke respectively were great too. Both of them did a brilliant job well done. I personally like the character Leslie Burke(Annasophia Robb) as she is filled with joy and such charisma. It was sad that she died at the end of the film. I was like," What!!!! She died?!" I have to admit that this movie brought me to tears.

For those who didn't watch this movie, here is a sypnosis:-

"Animation master Gabor Csupo directs his first live-action film in this adaptation of the novel The Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson. In the film, Jess (Josh Hutcherson) is misunderstood. Despite Jess' talents as an artist, the school bullies pick on him, his father (Robert Patrick) belittles his dreams, and his four sisters invade his space in the family's cramped house. Jess' bleak world changes when Leslie (Annasophia Robb) moves into the house next door. Bright, creative and outspoken, Leslie also finds herself an outsider in their school. Soon the two are thick as thieves, spending their after school hours exploring the woods beyond their backyards and on the others side of a creek, which Leslie deems the kingdom of Terabithia. Here, they create their own magical world, complete with a Dark Master and his minions, dragonfly soldiers, giant trolls and a treehouse fortress. In Terabithia, the two friends let their imaginations run wild and control their destiny, far away from school bullies and the pressures of adolescence. Hutcherson and Robb are well cast as Jess and Leslie in this coming-of-age tale. Hutcherson handles both the melancholy intensity and unbridled joy of his character beautifully, and Robb's smile and charisma are infectious. Zooey Deschanel also stars as Miss Edmunds, the music teacher who befriends Jess. Parents should read the book or learn more about the story before taking young children to see this film, as the story includes not only some scary creatures, but also the death of a young person. Terabithia and its creatures are created by WETA Digital LTD, the same company that did the effects for the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy and KING KONG."

Well, for me, the sypnosis of a movie is never enough. Those who still didn't watch the movie yet, should get a copy of it right now. This movie is not a children movie but actually for every group age. I could confidently and bravely say that this movie will change your life in some way. This movie will definitely be in my TOP 10 favourite movie in my whole life. WATCH THE MOVIE!!!!!! I wish and hope there is Bridge to Terabithia 2. However i got a strong feeling that it won't have a sequel as firstly, Katherine Paterson did not wrote a sequel and secondly, Leslie is dead. So, what will the sequel be about?! Anyway, my fingers are always crossed. Haha.....GO JOSH AND ANNASOPHIA!!!!!

Here is a video clip of Annasophia Robb's music video:

P/s: By the way, i heard that Annasophia Robb is acting in a film directed by Gabor Csupo'. The movie is not out yet. Maybe in 2010 or 2011.

BEST OF LUCK JOSH AND ANNASOPHIA!!

Mother Teresa

2009-04-21T21:05:00.010+10:00

Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia, on August 26, 1910. Her family was of Albanian descent. At the age of twelve, she felt strongly the call of God. She knew she had to be a missionary to spread the love of Christ. At the age of eighteen she left her parental home in Skopje and joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India. After a few months' training in Dublin she was sent to India, where on May 24, 1931, she took her initial vows as a nun. From 1931 to 1948 Mother Teresa taught at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta, but the suffering and poverty she glimpsed outside the convent walls made such a deep impression on her that in 1948 she received permission from her superiors to leave the convent school and devote herself to working among the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta. Although she had no funds, she depended on Divine Providence, and started an open-air school for slum children. Soon she was joined by voluntary helpers, and financial support was also forthcoming. This made it possible for her to extend the scope of her work.

On October 7, 1950, Mother Teresa received permission from the Holy See to start her own order, "The Missionaries of Charity", whose primary task was to love and care for those persons nobody was prepared to look after. In 1965 the Society became an International Religious Family by a decree of Pope Paul VI.

Today the order comprises Active and Contemplative branches of Sisters and Brothers in many countries. In 1963 both the Contemplative branch of the Sisters and the Active branch of the Brothers was founded. In 1979 the Contemplative branch of the Brothers was added, and in 1984 the Priest branch was established.

The Society of Missionaries has spread all over the world, including the former Soviet Union and Eastern European countries. They provide effective help to the poorest of the poor in a number of countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and they undertake relief work in the wake of natural catastrophes such as floods, epidemics, and famine, and for refugees. The order also has houses in North America, Europe and Australia, where they take care of the shut-ins, alcoholics, homeless, and AIDS sufferers.

The Missionaries of Charity throughout the world are aided and assisted by Co-Workers who became an official International Association on March 29, 1969. By the 1990s there were over one million Co-Workers in more than 40 countries. Along with the Co-Workers, the lay Missionaries of Charity try to follow Mother Teresa's spirit and charism in their families.

Mother Teresa's work has been recognised and acclaimed throughout the world and she has received a number of awards and distinctions, including the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize (1971) and the Nehru Prize for her promotion of international peace and understanding (1972). She also received the Balzan Prize (1979) and the Templeton and Magsaysay awards.

OCTAVE DAY OF EASTER

2009-04-19T14:45:00.000+10:00

Today is the Octave of Easter, the day which completes the Easter Octave. In the liturgy the eight days of the Octave are like One Day. Since the Octave begins and ends on the same day of the week(Sunday), it is as though the days in between are subsumed within it and we celebrate one great Sunday as Easter breaks upon us. Each day of the Octave is (liturgical) still Easter Sunday- thus all this last week the Gloria was prayed at every Mass, the Easter Dismissal is given ('Go in the peace of Christ, alleluia, alleluia! Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!)

Today then is still Easter Sunday in our liturgy, a Day too great to be confined to one day. And after today, we continue the Season of Easter: 50 days which do not come to their end until Pentecost as we celebrate the great fruit of Easter- the outpouring of the Spirit of God.

As we took 40 days to prepare for Easter, let's not forget to take even longer- 50 days- to celebrate it.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T16:45:00.001+10:00

My blessed Easter wish to all of u out there. May this Easter unite all Christian together as Jesus wanted. While we r rejoicing over Jesus's resurrection, we shd also think of our Father whom had to see his only son suffering........

Will post more soon

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW

2009-04-01T23:51:00.001+11:00

THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS !!!!!
MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US!!!

No religion can ever justify such hideous crimes

Pass it on .......let the world know what's happening in Iran

It Must Be Known WORLD WIDE!

Food for thought-Communion on the hand? Why?

2009-03-21T23:55:00.000+11:00

FOOD FOR THOUGHT- Communion on the hand? Why?

'Out of reverence towards this Sacrament, nothing touches it but what is consecrated.'

Have you noticed a change in the way the Catholic Church receives and administers Holy Communion from the way it once was?
Do you remember when Catholics always knelt for Holy Communion?
Do you remember when Catholics received Holy Communion on the tongue only?
Do you remember when only the priest administered Holy Communion?
Do you remember our priests and sisters teaching us it was sacrilegious for anyone but the priest to touch the Sacred Host?
Do you remember when tabernacles were always on the center of the altar as the primary focal point?
Why has kneeling for Holy Communion disappeared?
Why are tabernacles disappearing from the center of the Churches and placed on the side?
Why are people receiving Communion in the hand?
Why are there communion-ministers of the Eucharist?
Why were these things changed?
If things were changed for the sake of "modern times" and "modern men", has it resulted in record crowds of "modern men" flocking into the Churches to pray and receive the Sacraments?
Do we have record turnouts in our seminaries, monasteries, and convents?
Has the introduction of these new things increased the amount of vocations in the Church?
Has the introduction of these new things increased the amount of converts coming into the Church?
Was there a "vocation crisis" before these essential and fundamental things were changed?
Was there more faith in the Real Presence before the "renewal?"
Was there a deeper and greater understanding and appreciation of the Blessed Sacrament as really and truly being the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ under the appearance of bread and wine?
Were the old rubrics simply "over scrupulous?"
Did the old rubrics and strict laws safeguarding reverence, dignity, and holiness, not express the Catholic Faith regarding the Blessed Sacrament properly?
Do we now understand and believe in it in a different manner, and this is therefore manifested by the actions of first the clergy, then the laity?
Are we afraid to adore the Sacred Host?
Are we ashamed to adore the Sacred Host?
Is it any coincidence that Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament began to fade away more and more with the introduction of Communion in the hand and communion ministers of the Eucharist?
Has Catholic teaching changed regarding TRANSUBSTANTIATION, that is, the changing of the bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ during the Sacrifice of the Mass?
If the teaching has not changed, why has attitude, spirit, rubrics and practice changed?
Where did Communion in the hand come from since it is nowhere proposed or even mentioned in the documents of Vatican II?
Why did it still come about on a worldwide scale even after Pope Paul VI in his 1969 letter to the Bishops, "Memoriale Domini" stated "This method, 'on the tongue' must be retained?"
If it is supposed to be "optional", why are the little children in most parochial schools taught no other way than receiving in the hand as "this is the way it is done?"
Why is there a new attitude of "anyone can handle it?"
Have we created a "vicious circle" or a "cause and effect" situation where radical changes are introduced, vocations drop as a result, and then more changes such as "lay ministers of the Eucharist" are introduced appealing to their need because of the "vocation crisis?"

The results of Communion in the hand and the Novus Ordo have caused a major crisis in the Catholic Church. The New York Times reported that when Catholics were asked, in a Times-CBS news poll, what best describes their belief about what happens to the bread and wine at Mass, most chose the answer that the bread and wine are "symbolic reminders of Christ" over the answer that they are "changed into the Body and Blood of Christ". The official Church teaching, which we must believe in order to be saved, is this: "The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharist species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and the whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ."

'Allah' ban for Catholic paper

2009-03-03T22:53:00.000+11:00

Come on...give it a break. Anyone can use the word 'Allah"......jus read the following:

Malaysia to reinstate 'Allah' ban for Catholic paper: report

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Malaysia's government has rescinded a Catholic newspaper's right to use the word "Allah" just weeks after it gazetted a law allowing the paper to do so, according to reports Sunday.

On Friday, the editor of the Herald newspaper, Father Lawrence Andrew, said the weekly had been allowed to use the word as a translation for "God" in its Malay-language edition, as long as it printed "For Christians" on the cover.

The permission had been granted after a long battle with the government which threatened to close it down.

However, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar told the New Straits Times newspaper Sunday a "mistake" had been made, although he did not specify what it was.

"I think there was a mistake in enacting the gazette. When we make a mistake, I must admit that there is a need to look at it thoroughly," he was quoted as saying.

Syed Hamid said the ban on the use of the word would remain in force until a pending court case decided on the matter, the paper reported.

"There is a judicial review on the matter and we leave it to the court to decide," he added.

Home ministry officials could not immediately confirm the decision.

Andrew said he was surprised at the decision to rescind permission to use the word.

"Unfortunately, the apparent relief that we were able to enjoy has been shortlived," he told AFP.

"I don't know what the present status is as we have not received any official letter on the new decision," he added.

However, he said the Herald would continue with the court case which it started to force the government to allow it to print the word "Allah."

The government has argued that the word should be used only by Muslims, who dominate the population of multicultural Malaysia.

Andrew said Malaysian Christians have been using the word "Allah" for centuries in translations of the Bible, and in popular prayers.

The home minister's comments come as some conservative Islamic leaders criticised the government's decision to allow the use of the word.

"To me, it's a mistake," Malaysian Islamic Dakwah Foundation chairman Nakhaie Ahmad told the state news agency Bernama.

Around 60 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people are Muslim Malays.

The rest of the population includes indigenous tribes as well as ethnic Chinese and Indians, variously practising Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism, among others.

This is ridiculous, right? How can he(home minister) do such a thing...........

Good Friday: What's Good About it?

2009-02-16T15:37:00.000+11:00

GOOD FRIDAY: What's Good About It?

Today is the day that most of Christianity celebrates or remembers in some way as "Good Friday." It is the day we remember as the day when Jesus was nailed to that old rugged cross about which we sing -- there to bleed and die for "the sins of the world." When we read the Bible's account of the crucifixion and the brutal events leading up to it; When we see a film such as Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ," we must pause to ask ourselves, "What's so GOOD about such a day as that?"

The answer is that it this day is not good because of what was done TO Jesus, but we see this day as good because of what He willingly, deliberately and lovingly ALLOWED to be done -- what He gave Himself to as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

The depravity of mankind, the nature of man to sin, is at both the most unpopular of the Christian doctrines and also the most empirically verifiable. We have within us a basic sense of our desperate condition. We are aware, or are often reminded, that we are not quite what we were intended to be. Something went wrong, something we want to see made right, but somehow find ourselves incapable of restoring.

Ralph Wood, professor of theology and literature at Baylor University, once asked a group of seminary students to compare two scenes. First is an astute, post graduate college student who insists that sin and the fall of man are myths invented by superstitious people. Second is a young pagan in a remote jungle somewhere whom you find in a clearing sacrificing a chicken on a makeshift altar. "Which man is closer to understanding the truth about his own true nature?" he asked. The students debated and discussed the issue for a time but ultimately agreed that the pagan boy, however primitively, understood something the other did not. There is a need in our lives for atonement. There is a need for sacrifice.

For generations it is recorded in the Old Testament how the Israelites labored to follow laws that were meant to atone for their sin and restore them to a right standing in the presence of God. "And you shall provide a lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt offering to the LORD daily; morning by morning you shall provide it" (Ezekiel 46:13). The language of sacrifice and offering was found throughout Near Eastern culture. But the blood of Israel's sacrifices was not like the blood shed by those attempting to appease and approach the gods they feared and followed. The prophets sent throughout Israel's history were forever insisting that God wanted more than the empty performance of sacrifice. He desired the offerings to exemplify the heart of a worshiper, one yearning to be in the presence of Him who created us, drawing nearer through the blood of a spotless lamb.

When Scriptures speak of Christ as the Lamb of God, it is easy to see the symbolism. Each time we read of the lamb or the lion in Scripture, it is easy to move through the text with an instantaneous recognition: The lamb is Christ. The lion is Christ. But Oxford scholar John Lennox reminds us that these passages tell us not only who it is, but what it is. It's Christ as the lamb, the spotless lamb who died in my place. The description moves well beyond symbolism. He is the Lamb whose blood atones my depravity, the Lamb who moves me forever into the presence of God. "For God so loved the world the He GAVE His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) God provided His own lamb of sacrifice to bring us to Himself. And that Lamb gave Himself for us on Good Friday.

When John describes his vision of heaven in the book of Revelation, the Lamb is found in the center of a singing multitude. "Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders" (Rev. 5:6). Asks Lennox, "But how can a slain lamb stand?" On this Good Friday, it is an image that challenges our hearts and minds. The Lamb who bore my sins, forever bears the scars of my atonement, even as he stands ... alive forevermore, in Heaven.

As the Lamb, Christ has met, fulfilled and satisfied a need we could not. He has become the sacrifice we could not give. He is the Lamb who was slain so that we could bow and sing in the presence of God. There is a hymn that declares the glory of Christ, the only one who is worthy:

Behold the Lamb of God!
Into the sacred flood
Of Thy most precious blood
My soul I cast:
Wash me and make me clean within,
And keep me pure from every sin,
Till this life be past.

Behold the Lamb of God! The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Cornerstone, the Shepherd, our Advocate has bowed to death and overcome. The Slain Lamb stands. That's what is GOOD about Good Friday.

What's wrong with Vatican?!

2009-02-13T17:09:00.000+11:00

What do you think of the change? Do you think the Catholic Church has changed for good? Read on............

The Vatican (Digital Dementia News Services) - The Holy Roman Catholic Church announced sweeping new changes to its rituals and traditions. The newly announced revisions were met with much wailing and gnashing of teeth, a favored response among conservative religious cognoscenti.

The changes are said to be necessary to keep the church current and viable with its congregations in the 21st century. Critics say the changes are just cheap marketing ploys intended to stem the precipitous drop in church membership.

Many of the changes are anathema to die-hard conservatives within the church and come as a total shock to those who expected Pope Benedict’s papacy to uphold conservative values and preserve church traditions.

Perhaps most shocking among the sweeping changes is the substitution of beer in place of the traditional wine in the church services. No particular brand of beer has yet been formally sanctioned for use in the Catholic mass. Insiders speculate that the choice of beer will be left to individuals and that lite beers may also be acceptable.

Another revision to church rites that has raised many eyebrows is the development of alternative forms of the basic Catholic service the “holy mass.” Some forty years ago the Roman Catholic Church abandoned the tradition of holding all church services in old Latin, allowing services to be held in all modern languages according to the linguistic needs of the local congregation. The new proposal is intended to “spice up” the mass services by allowing a variety of alternative presentational themes and styles designed to appeal to local markets. A “country & western” mass has been developed for use in the American southwest and a “rapper” version of the mass has been developed for use in some inner city parishes.

Cardinal Sin of the Philippines commented that, “The Roman Catholic Church is not going to allow itself to be left behind and has to adapt itself to modern ways.” Cardinal Sin was one of the prime movers in the Catholic Church’s adoption of digital age technology and was the first to embrace on-line Confessional Chat Rooms in place of the traditional in-church confessional boxes.

Catholic churches will also be encouraged to offer other commercial services in addition to their traditional offerings. Some congregations have already begun offering automotive services. The Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Escondido, California promises “oil & filter changes and engine tune-up while you pray.” Other churches are making plans for in-chapel Starbucks and other conveniences.

The sweeping controversial changes are said to have been approved by Pope Benedict and to be fully supported by the Cardinals.

A spokesman for the St. Louis Cardinals said the baseball team and its management had no comment on the matter.

Friends

2009-01-24T16:07:00.000+11:00

Hi my brothers and sisters of CHRIST, this few days, i've been thinking how to categorized GOOD friends and JUST friends. Good friends want to stay connected with you or in other words keep in touch always with you but JUST friends are friends that "come and go". This is just a definition and intro.

As many of us know, friends are very important people in our life. Like some would say, life is meaningless without friends. Yes i agree. However, family is important too. Blood is always thicker than Water. We should not neglect our family for our friends neither should we neglect our friends for our family as both are equally important. BUT I HAVE TO ASK YOU THIS QUESTIONS: Why do you want to befriend me? What in me you like until u want to be friends with me?

This is just a few questions to ponder on. It seems easy but it is not. One wrong answer and KABOOM. Your friendship is over.

I tried asking a few people and many answered this question like this:

ME: Why do you want to friend me actually?
Peter: Friend you? You mean me and you?
ME: Yeah.........
Peter: er.......(thinking)
**i was wondering why it was so hard for him to answer my question**
ME: Faster...faster. I ain't got all day.
Peter: Because.....er....because...er...you...
ME: Ya...................
Peter: You are kind, hardworking and friendly.

Ok, what you just saw was a example of a conversation. Peter said to me that he befriended me because I was kind, hardworking and friendly. That is not a very good answer actually. This answer is actually used by few MILLION people around the world. It is indeed the safest answer but it's lame. And when i heard that from him, i just felt like not satisfied. I'm not angry at him but just feel......u know...THE FEELING. The best way to answer a question like this is actually saying "DON'T KNOW" or "DUNNO". Think of this, a friend whom don't know why he befriend you but likes to be your friend. Isn't this amazing. You should actually take good care and do not let go of that friend as he is speacial. He likes to friend you for no reason. He himself doesn't know why he friend you. It's the power of LOVE and FRIENDSHIP actually. So this is why i say a friend who say he don't know why he befriend you IS GOOD:

What if they say this:

1. you are pretty/handsome- if they say this then they indirectly mean they won't friend you anymore if you are ugly or one day when your beauty fade away. Right?!

2. you are hardworking- so they are saying that if you one day decided not to study but play, they won't friend you anymore. Right?!

3. you are the top boy in your school- what if you become second best in your school?! They won't friend you anymore?!

4. you are rich- again, if you one day became poor, then they will not friend you anymore?! Right?!

So, "DON'T KNOW" or "DUNNO" is the best answer i think. You may disagree but i've told you the reason why it is GOOD.

Ask your friends why they befriended you and see how they struggle to answer you. Over 50% wiil say they don't know why. It is because they love(care for you) and befriend you without any conditions or in Bahasa Melayu-tiada syarat.

That is all I can write for now......do enjoy my other postings. Do comment if you have thing you want to ask. Take care. God bless.

St.Paul(apostle) does not restrict women from serving????

2009-01-19T11:27:00.000+11:00

Phoebe (Christian woman)

Phoebe (Koine Greek Φοίβη) was a Christian woman mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 16:1.
Some have interpreted the Greek "diakonos" to relate Phoebe as a deaconess, however the more traditional and literal interpretation of the word is as a servant. The proper exegesis would allow continuity with the Pastoral Epistles which strictly show that the Apostle Paul directed men in the ordination of deacon's. This would also allow the continuity of other scripture where the same Greek word "diakonos" is primarily translated as minister and servant.
The Greek of Romans 16:2 uses the term prostatis which may indicate that she was Paul's patroness [1].
Some scholars believe Phoebe was responsible for delivering Paul's epistle to the Roman Christian church.[citation needed] She is commemorated with Lydia of Thyatira and Dorcas in the Calendar of Saints of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on January 27 and on October 25 in the Calendar of Saints of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Her feast day in the Roman Catholic Church is September 3.
Phoebe was a Christian woman, described in Romans 16:1 as a "deacon" or "servant" in the church of Cenchreae. Some have called Phoebe a "servant," using a general rather than specific translation of the text from the original Greek. Still others have referred to Phoebe as a "deaconess."
The Greek word diakonos, used to describe Phoebe in Romans 16:1, is the masculine form of the noun. Therefore, the word should be translated into English as deacon rather than deaconess. Phoebe was a deacon of the church in Cenchrae, according to a strict translation of Romans 16:1. While the word diakonos is translated in other portions of the New Testament as servant, it is also translated as deacon in still other passages. The Today's New International Version of the New Testament rightly translates diakonos as deacon.
While some maintain that Paul restricted the office of deacon to men, other scholars dispute that assertion. For example, when describing the qualities that the office holders called "deacons" must possess, Paul, wrote in I Timothy 3:11 that the gunaikas (Greek for women) "are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything." Combined with the fact that Paul called Phoebe a diakonos in the church, Paul's instruction to the "women" in I Timothy makes it apparent that there was an order of deacons in the early church that included both male and female members.

Who is St.Nicholas?

2009-01-19T00:04:00.000+11:00

WHO IS ST. NICHOLAS?

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.
Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day.
Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value—a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home-providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is a gift-giver.
One of the oldest stories showing St. Nicholas as a protector of children takes place long after his death. The townspeople of Myra were celebrating the good saint on the eve of his feast day when a band of Arab pirates from Crete came into the district. They stole treasures from the Church of Saint Nicholas to take away as booty. As they were leaving town, they snatched a young boy, Basilios, to make into a slave. The emir, or ruler, selected Basilios to be his personal cupbearer, as not knowing the language, Basilios would not understand what the king said to those around him. So, for the next year Basilios waited on the king, bringing his wine in a beautiful golden cup. For Basilios' parents, devastated at the loss of their only child, the year passed slowly, filled with grief. As the next St. Nicholas' feast day approached, Basilios' mother would not join in the festivity, as it was now a day of tragedy. However, she was persuaded to have a simple observance at home—with quiet prayers for Basilios' safekeeping. Meanwhile, as Basilios was fulfilling his tasks serving the emir, he was suddenly whisked up and away. St. Nicholas appeared to the terrified boy, blessed him, and set him down at his home back in Myra. Imagine the joy and wonderment when Basilios amazingly appeared before his parents, still holding the king's golden cup. This is the first story told of St. Nicholas protecting children—which became his primary role in the West.

Another story tells of three theological students, traveling on their way to study in Athens. A wicked innkeeper robbed and murdered them, hiding their remains in a large pickling tub. It so happened that Bishop Nicholas, traveling along the same route, stopped at this very inn. In the night he dreamed of the crime, got up, and summoned the innkeeper. As Nicholas prayed earnestly to God the three boys were restored to life and wholeness. In France the story is told of three small children, wandering in their play until lost, lured, and captured by an evil butcher. St. Nicholas appears and appeals to God to return them to life and to their families. And so St. Nicholas is the patron and protector of children.

Several stories tell of Nicholas and the sea. When he was young, Nicholas sought the holy by making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There as he walked where Jesus walked, he sought to more deeply experience Jesus' life, passion, and resurrection. Returning by sea, a mighty storm threatened to wreck the ship. Nicholas calmly prayed. The terrified sailors were amazed when the wind and waves suddenly calmed, sparing them all. And so St. Nicholas is the patron of sailors and voyagers.
Other stories tell of Nicholas saving his people from famine, sparing the lives of those innocently accused, and much more. He did many kind and generous deeds in secret, expecting nothing in return. Within a century of his death he was celebrated as a saint. Today he is venerated in the East as wonder, or miracle worker and in the West as patron of a great variety of persons-children, mariners, bankers, pawn-brokers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, perfumers, even thieves and murderers! He is known as the friend and protector of all in trouble or need (see list).

Sailors, claiming St. Nicholas as patron, carried stories of his favor and protection far and wide. St. Nicholas chapels were built in many seaports. As his popularity spread during the Middle Ages, he became the patron saint of Apulia (Italy), Sicily, Greece, and Lorraine (France), and many cities in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and the Netherlands (See list). Following his baptism in Constantinople, Vladimir I of Russia brought St. Nicholas' stories and devotion to St. Nicholas to his homeland where Nicholas became the most beloved saint. Nicholas was so widely revered that more than 2,000 churches were named for him, including three hundred in Belgium, thirty-four in Rome, twenty-three in the Netherlands and more than four hundred in England.

Nicholas' tomb in Myra became a popular place of pilgrimage. Because of the many wars and attacks in the region, some Christians were concerned that access to the tomb might become difficult. For both the religious and commercial advantages of a major pilgrimage site, the Italian cities of Venice and Bari vied to get the Nicholas relics. In the spring of 1087, sailors from Bari succeeded in spiriting away the bones, bringing them to Bari, a seaport on the southeast coast of Italy. An impressive church was built over St. Nicholas' crypt and many faithful journeyed to honor the saint who had rescued children, prisoners, sailors, famine victims, and many others through his compassion, generosity, and the countless miracles attributed to his intercession. The Nicholas shrine in Bari was one of medieval Europe's great pilgrimage centers and Nicholas became known as "Saint in Bari." To this day pilgrims and tourists visit Bari's great Basilica di San Nicola.
Through the centuries St. Nicholas has continued to be venerated by Catholics and Orthodox and honored by Protestants. By his example of generosity to those in need, especially children, St. Nicholas continues to be a model for the compassionate life.

Widely celebrated in Europe, St. Nicholas' feast day, December 6th, kept alive the stories of his goodness and generosity. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed as bishops begged alms for the poor—and sometimes for themselves! In the Netherlands and Belgium, St. Nicholas arrived on a steamship from Spain to ride a white horse on his gift-giving rounds. December 6th is still the main day for gift giving and merrymaking in much of Europe. For example, in the Netherlands St. Nicholas is celebrated on the 5th, the eve of the day, by sharing candies (thrown in the door), chocolate initial letters, small gifts, and riddles. Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the saint's horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts. Simple gift-giving in early Advent helps preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ Child.

STUCK

2009-01-18T00:28:00.000+11:00

Hi my brothers and sisters of Christ,

It has been a very hard and challenging 3 weeks for me as i migrated to another country which i never step foot into since i was 6 months old. Entering a foreign country like Australia is actually like entering another new school. Everyone here is a stranger and their customs and their way of lifestyle is quite different. Ok forget about that... :)

So, i've been attending masses here for already 3 weeks at a church named St.Gerard Majella. The way of the church celebrate the mass is different commpared to asian countries. Here, everything seems to be very "chin-chai" or in better words "easy going". No initiative to actually build the community of the Church. The church i'm going is pretty much too "relax". The Mass is the Eucharistic celebration in the Latin liturgical rites of the Roman Catholic Church. The mass is very important thing. We are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. So why are this churches not doing as good as it should be??? Anyway, that's how their churches celebrate mass here and it is stupid for me to actually change it. I'll be "killed". For instance, i went to church for the past 3 Saturday evening mass and in each mass, a different priest celebrate it. All three priests look at me with their eyes wide when i chose to receive the bread(body of Christ) with my tongue. For them, receiving with the tongue is wierd or is "alien". All the parishioneers there receive with their hands. Not even one i see receive with their tongue. What have happen to them??? It is not their fault as they are not taught the right way. That's all one can write for now.

Will write soon...
To be continue....................

People claiming to be Jesus Nazareth

2009-01-17T11:25:00.000+11:00

The list of people who claimed to be Jesus consists of notable people who have made statements claiming to be Jesus of Nazareth

John Nichols Thom

1799-1838
Cornishman who claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and his body temple of the Holy Ghost. He was killed by British soldiers at the Battle of Bossenden Wood, on May 31, 1838 in Kent, England.

Jim Jones
May 13, 1931 – November 18, 1978
Claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus, Akhenaten, Buddha, Lenin, and Father Divine. [1] (see Jonestown).

Marshall Applewhite
1931–1997
Applewhite posted a famous Usenet message declaring, "I, Jesus—Son of God—acknowledge on this date of September 25/26, 1995: …".[2] This was two years before he and his Heaven's Gate cult committed suicide to rendezvous with a spaceship hiding behind the comet Hale-Bopp.

Suma Ching Hai
Born May 12, 1950
A meditation teacher who claims to be an incarnation of Avalokitesvara and a living reincarnation of the Buddha and Jesus Christ.

2009-01-17T11:19:00.000+11:00

Origin of the Name of Jesus Christ

In this article, we shall consider the two words which compose the Sacred Name.

Jesus

The word Jesus is the Latin form of the Greek Iesous, which in turn is the transliteration of the Hebrew Jeshua, or Joshua, or again Jehoshua, meaning "Jehovah is salvation." Though the name in one form or another occurs frequently in the Old Testament, it was not borne by a person of prominence between the time of Josue, the son of Nun and Josue, the high priest in the days of Zorobabel. It was also the name of the author of Ecclesiaticus, of one of Christ's ancestors mentioned in the genealogy, found in the Third Gospel (Luke 3:29), and one of the St. Paul's companions (Colossians 4:11). During the Hellenizing period, Jason, a purely Greek analogon of Jesus, appears to have been adopted by many (1 Maccabees 8:17; 12:16; 14:22; 2 Maccabees 1:7; 2:24; 4:7-26; 5:5-10; Acts 17:5-9; Romans 16:21). The Greek name is connected with verb iasthai, to heal; it is therefore, not surprising that some of the Greek Fathers allied the word Jesus with same root (Eusebius, "Dem. Ev.", IV; cf. Acts 9:34; 10:38). Though about the time of Christ the name Jesus appears to have been fairly common (Josephus, "Ant.", XV, ix, 2; XVII, xiii, 1; XX, ix, 1; "Bel. Jud.", III, ix, 7; IV, iii, 9; VI, v, 5; "Vit.", 22) it was imposed on our Lord by God's express order (Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:21), to foreshow that the Child was destined to "save his people from their sins." Philo ("De Mutt. Nom.", 21) is therefore, right when he explains Iesous as meaning soteria kyrion; Eusebius (Dem., Ev., IV, ad fin.; P.G., XXII, 333) gives the meaning Theou soterion; while St. Cyril of Jerusalem interprets the word as equivalent to soter (Catechetical Lectures X.13). This last writer, however, appears to agree with Clement of Alexandria in considering the word Iesous as of Greek origin (The Pedagogue III.12); St. Chrysostom emphasizes again the Hebrew derivation of the word and its meaning soter (Homily 2 on Matthew, No. 2), thus agreeing with the exegesis of the angel speaking to St. Joseph (Matthew 1:21).

Christ

The word Christ, Christos, the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Messias, means "anointed." According to the Old Law, priests (Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 4:3), kings (1 Samuel 10:1; 24:7), and prophets (Isaiah 61:1) were supposed to be anointed for their respective offices; now, the Christ, or the Messias, combined this threefold dignity in His Person. It is not surprising, therefore, that for centuries the Jews had referred to their expected Deliverer as "the Anointed"; perhaps this designation alludes to Isaias 61:1, and Daniel 9:24-26, or even to Psalms 2:2; 19:7; 44:8. Thus the term Christ or Messias was a title rather than a proper name: "Non proprium nomen est, sed nuncupatio potestatis et regni", says Lactantius (Divine Institutes IV.7). The Evangelists recognize the same truth; excepting Matthew 1:1, 1:18; Mark 1:1; John 1:17; 17:3; 9:22; Mark 9:40; Luke 2:11; 22:2, the word Christ is always preceded by the article.
Only after the Resurrection did the title gradually pass into a proper name, and the expression Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus became only one designation. But at this stage the Greeks and Romans understood little or nothing about the import of the word anointed; to them it did not convey any sacred conception. Hence they substituted Chrestus, or "excellent", for Christus or "anointed", and Chrestians instead of "Christians." There may be an allusion to this practice in 1 Peter 2:3; hoti chrestos ho kyrios, which is rendered "that the Lord is sweet." Justin Martyr (First Apology 4), Clement of Alexandria (Stromata II.4.18), Tertullian (To the Nations II), and Lactantius (Divine Institutes IV.7), as well as St. Jerome (In Gal., V, 22), are acquainted with the pagan substitution of Chrestes for Christus, and are careful to explain the new term in a favourable sense. The pagans made little or no effort to learn anything accurate about Christ and the Christians; Suetonius, for instance, ascribes the expulsion of the Jews from Rome under Claudius to the constant instigation of sedition by Chrestus, whom he conceives as acting in Rome the part of a leader of insurgents.
The use of the definite article before the word Christ and its gradual development into a proper name show the Christians identified the bearer with the promised Messias of the Jews. He combined in His person the offices of prophet (John 6:14; Matthew 13:57; Luke 13:33; 24:19) of king (Luke 23:2; Acts 17:7; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Apocalypse 15:3), and of priest (Hebrews 2:17; etc.); he fulfilled all the Messianic predictions in a fuller and a higher sense than had been given them by the teachers of the Synagogue.

Why Girls Should Not be Altar Servers

2009-01-17T00:01:00.001+11:00

I got this from someone..........

Why Girls Should Not Be Altar Servers

Christ himself chose to limit the ordination of priests and Bishops to men only; consequently, the Church does not have the authority to ordain women to the priesthood or the Episcopate. Women cannot be validly ordained as priests or Bishops. Altar servers are not ordained, so girls could possibly serve at the altar. However, it is wiser and more prudent to restrict girls from serving at the altar, for the following reasons.

1. Boys serve at the altar partly as a way to introduce youths to the priesthood, which is for males only. Currently, the vast majority of altar servers do not become priests. However, this trend can and should change. Boys should be encouraged to consider the priesthood from an early age. And they should be encouraged to become altar servers as a good first introduction to the priesthood. But if girls serve along side boys, the role of altar server will not be viewed by the children or their parents as an introduction to the role of a priest.Now some say that the role of altar girl can be an introduction for the girls to the religious life, so that boys would see serving at the altar as a precursor to the role of a priest, and girls would see it as a precursor to the role of a religious sister. This view is incorrect. It is not the role of women religious to serve at the altar. Nuns are called to the consecrated life for prayer, self-sacrifice, and works of mercy. Nuns are not called to take those roles which are most fitting only for the ordained, but which do not absolutely require ordination. There are certain roles in the Church which require ordination, and other roles which, while not absolutely requiring ordination, are most fitting only for the ordained.

2. The altar servers assist a male-only priesthood. As a group, even though most do not become priests, the altar boys are a foreshadowing and a reflection of the male-only priesthood. By example, the altar boys teach that only men can and should be priests and Bishops.Some may say that we should view the role of altar server as separate from the priesthood, since altar servers are not ordained. But those who serve at the altar serve along side ordained priests, assisting them closely throughout the holy Mass. The reduction of male-only roles to nothing other than those roles absolutely requiring ordination erodes the teaching of the Church on the male-only priesthood. Following this erroneous path would lead to a reduction in the role of the priest to nothing other than a dispenser of Sacraments. Such is not the will of God.

3. God intends men and women to have different roles in the Church, the family, and society. This teaching of Tradition and Scripture is not restricted, within the Church, only to the role of priests and Bishops, but to many other roles as well. In the family, the husband is the head of the family, not the wife; nor does the family have two heads, husband and wife. In society, it is not the will of God to have all roles filled by both men and women without regard to gender. Some differences in roles makes for a wise and orderly society.When girls serve along side boys at the altar, the teaching of the Church that men and women are intended by God to have different roles is contradicted by example. Children learn the incorrect idea that boys and girls, men and women, can and should have the same roles in everything. When only boys serve, children learn the correct teaching that some roles are for males only. The choice of males only as altar servers wisely reflects the wider teaching that not all roles are for persons of either gender. The use of both girls and boys at the altar contradicts by example this understanding of different roles based on gender.

4. The Church must not be overly influenced by sinful secular society. The Church has teachings which come from Divine Revelation. But secular society also has its teachings, some of which are irreconcilable with Church teaching. One such contrary teaching is the idea that there should be no distinctions, no differences in roles, based on gender. The widespread and very recent innovation of having altar girls is not a reflection of the teachings of Tradition and Scripture, but is a reflection of the teachings of secular society. Although the Church does not absolutely forbid girls to serve at the altar, the choice of boys only as altar servers better reflects the teachings and traditions of the Church. This wise choice also undermines the false teaching of secular society that male and females must have the same roles in everything.

5. There is a tendency in the parishes and dioceses today to over-hire women. Perhaps partly because women cannot be ordained, there is a tendency to permit or encourage women to be in the majority in every non-ordained role. This is seen in many parishes where most extraordinary ministers of holy Communion are female, where most lectors are female, where most parish council members are female, etc. It is also seen in parishes where the proportion and number of altar girls increases and that of boys decreases. The end result of this tendency is for women to dominate every role other than that of ordained deacons, priests, and Bishops. There is no teaching in Tradition or Scripture which supports this tendency; it is not the work of the Holy Spirit.This over-use of women in various non-ordained roles presents religious service as if it were primarily the domain of females. The result is that males tend not to see religion as a possible vocation, despite the fact that only men are priests. The use of altar girls further extends the roles of females in religion, also further undermining the view that men are called by God to be leaders of the Church.

6. A certain percentage of Catholics believe that it is best not to have altar girls. Yet the Lincoln, Nebraska diocese is said to be the only diocese left in the United States which does not permit girls to serve at the altar. The percentage of dioceses in the U.S. which have only boys as altar servers is less than one percent. Yet the percentage of Catholics who believe that girls should not be altar servers is significantly more than one percent. The insights of these more conservative Catholics into the Faith is not represented in the widespread practice of choosing altar girls. Now the Church is not and should not be a democracy. So it should not be the case that the majority view, permitting girls to serve, entirely eclipses the insights of a faithful minority. Having some dioceses which do not permit altar girls witnesses to the insights of this minority of the faithful, and it witnesses to the majority of years, from the founding of the Church until the present day, when only males served.

7. The Church has the authority to forbid females to serve at the altar and to choose to have only males as servers. For such has been the traditional practice of the Church. But the Church does not have the authority to forbid males to serve at the altar, and to have only female altar servers. Those who serve at the altar serve a male-only priesthood. Thus male altar servers are the norm, and female altar servers are the exception.If every diocese and parish were to permit female altar servers, then this practice would teach by example that female altar servers are a norm, not an exception. How can a practice be understood as an exception if it is found in every diocese and parish without exception? Furthermore, such a practice of permitting female altar servers, if it were found in every diocese, would teach by example that it is wrong to have only male altar servers. The exception would then become the rule, and the norm would become prohibited. Such a disorder contradicts the tradition of the Church from the beginning and is therefore contrary to the will of God.

by Ronald L. Conte Jr.March 23, 2006

Hi there....

2009-01-16T23:52:00.000+11:00

Hi there everyone. I'm new here therefore give me some time to post something.