Resolutions for 2009

Hello everyone! Hows things been? i am been really busy! I got back to Singapore on the 12th of December after convention. There are so many things on my mind now that i am about to explode. Well this entry will not be that long, but i will put up my resolutions at the end of it.

OCF Convention 08 was indeed really excellent. Although at the start of it, i was tired and feeling a little down, but as the days go by, i pick up my good joyous mood and was having so much fun. The messages were really excellent stuff too. We had 2 good speakers sharing from the book of Thessalonians, straight to the point and spoke without beating around the bush.

After coming back to Singapore, i went to my church youth camp, and i helped out in a few items during camp. The sad part about the camp was that during the camp, my camera battery died! It was only day 2, that was saddening. Anyway i got a new battery now, so i am back in action. Camp was alright, as it was meant to be an evangelistic camp, so got to talk to a few non-christians and was quite interesting to find out their thoughts.

After camp, i spend the next few days shopping and spending time with family. It was good =) Got quite a bit of new clothes to wear in Perth next year. Yes Yes i am changing my clothes. Time flies by so quickly. Today would be the last day of the year.

So here's my resolution for 2009:

• Produce and direct my own short film
• Run a marathon
• Have my Mexcian dinner with Helen
• Learn the keyboard
• Make an impact in people's lives
• Quit whining
  

I think thats it for now, if i think of more, i will add it in.

Well see you guys in 2009 unless the Lord decides to return tonight. haha.

God Bless
Baoshun

In a thinking mood..

Hello everyone! It has been a while since i last updated my blog again. Hows everyone been? The year is coming to an end soon, another year just went by so quickly. Soon i will be twenty-five, I will have lived a quarter of a century. Other than assignments, i have been thinking quite alot about next year. Plans for my life, OCF, and my thoughts on some issues.

Now where shall i start? It is going to be a really long entry. So i hope you guys be patient with me.

Lets start with my thoughts. Recently i have been thinking about what i would like to do next year, it will be my final year here in Murdoch University. I was thinking that i should be more involved with what i am studying and helping out in production areas whenever i can. With that means most of my time will go into it, and thus i will have to give up certain other aspects of my life. In this sense, i would think that service in ministry might get affected.

As i thought more about it, the more i want to be equip in my area of expertise. Sometimes in school, i do feel that i am lagging behind, everyone seems to know what they are doing, and there i am struggling with work and theories. It does get really frustrating, especially after getting back my results, it is like adding oil to fire.

So in frustration, i cry out to God. I really just keep asking him everyday what i should do, and how i should carry on. Job has been my source of motivation. The idea of asking God what He wants. I really did not know what i should do, i just wanted God's direction. I just wanted Him to show me where to go, God for a moment felt so distant. This went on for quite a few weeks, and still nothing, then, during homegroup one night, God answered me. Not really the answer i was looking for.

If you guys have your bible with you, would you like to turn to James 4:1-10. I kinda got scolded. James here was scolding the twelve tribes in the Dispersion. They were asking God for things that are for their own passion. He was asking them to stop being hypocrites or double minded snakes and remember who they are suppose to be serving.

As i thought more about it, i questioned myself. What is the motivation that i would like to be more involved and what are the reasons for it. Being honest to one self is not easy. As i thought further, i realise i am doing all these because of my own passions, my desire of wanting to be good, to be seen a pro by others. Pride was my greatest enemy! v10 says therefore humble yourselve before the Lord and He will exalt you.

Well some of you guys might think its foolish, that i should make my own decisions with what i want to do in my life. As i think about it, i do make my own decisions in my life, only that my purpose is not for self glory but to glorify my LORD; my saviour and friend. With this, i know what was God answer to me already, and i decided how to go on next year.

Now moving along to my plans for next semester. If given the opporunity to help out in production, i will not hesitate and go for it. This is not for my own self glory, but so that i can equip myself better for the future when i go into ministry. If it does not come, then i will not chase after it either, but build my own knowledge first. Now that i have learn to take things seriously, next is to learn not to take things so shallow, but be more in depth with things.

Next i would have to start thinking about what i want to do after university.

Now in regards to OCF, i wonder what will it be like next semester. I was thinking, serving in ministry is not easy, it is very easy to burn out. When we get discouraged, we tend to just give up after. Now i think there is where we find joy, knowing that we suffer for God and also knowing that He is building us up to be good worksman for him.

Next year OCF Murdoch's theme will be AGAPE LOVE. Now we split AGAPE into acryonames. A for Assurance, G for Giving, A for Acceptance, P for Passion, E for Endurance. So interesting, i have to write Bible study materials on it. It will be kinda exciting. I need help~~~~~

okie what else am i going to do in OCF next semester, well its still uncertain, but i will keep you guys updated.

Now at the end of this entry, i realise how immature my thinking is.

The beauty of Spring

Hello everyone. It has been a while. Sorry this post will be mostly photos. I went to Araluen again this year to take nice pictures of the tulips. Sadly to my disappointment, the flowers arrangement were not really nice, there were only so few flowers and my photography skills have not improve in a year. I need to buck up.

Okie the photos look more colorful on my computer, i guess it must have loss some of its resolution when it got uploaded.

The greatest director

I was reading a book, and it stated that some people call God a scriptwriter. A scriptwriter writes a script, and in the script, the writer states who the characters are, their emotions and the things they say and do. Some people describe this as God. God as our sovereign ruler, decides everything for us, our actions, our thoughts, which is why He knows everything about us.

As i thought more about it, God is sovereign, but i think He gives us the freedom to choose. I would say that God is more like a director. The script has been selected, the roles are given, whats going to happen God knows. When the script is being played out, the actors and actresses though they have a script to follow, they can choose to follow exactly, or choose to say something else but its still along the same lines of the script. So in life when we made decisions, i do sometimes feel that God gives us the choice, that either decision we make will ultimately end up according to His plan.

But this play cannot 'cut' and redo, its a one way show. So live your best for Him and make decisions wisely. The stage has been set, it will come to an end soon.

The Selfish I am

Hello everyone. Its been a while since i last updated my blog. Well i have been really busy these holidays. In the month of june, i had friends from Singapore who came over to visit. So had to bring them around. After that, there was OCF winter camp, and finally the past 2 weeks, i get to rest at home. Time flies, school is starting in 2 weeks time again.

When i had to bring my friends around, we went to swan valley. Its like a place full of wineries. There is this particular winery that attracted my attention. They sell non-alcoholic wines, in other words, sparkling juices. Oh its really good! The winery is called Patritti. I love the Grape sparkling one. I will buy a few bottles back when i go back Singapore. So people in Singapore can wait for it. Also i went to this pizza place called 'Little Caesars', they serve the best pizza there. Its a world famous award winning pizza outlet. I kinda expected to have a large dining area, but its like really small. But its pizzas are so good, especially the dessert pizzas, makes a person drool in his/her sleep.

The other place i visit was the aquarium, its really nice, i think i can just sit down at the underwater tunnel and stare at the fishes all day. The biggests StingRay in the world is known as Smooth Rays apparently, or maybe in Aussie Land. Its 4.3metres long. The first thing that came to mind was Sambal Stingray, think about the amount of meat it will have. Yum.

Well after those highlights, the next highlight was OCF Winter Camp. It was 25mins drive from my place, so near home. That camp was really good. The theme was "God, Our Confidence". or something like that. Anyway made alot of new and good friends there. It was a combine camp between the three centres. The theme verse was taken from Romans 8:1. We are no longer condemned, PRAISE GOD!

We have a hope for the future. A hope that is not uncertain, but a hope that is certain. You know people these days always say :"i hope my exams do fine, i hope that things will turn out alright". They hope in something that is not sure of, but the hope we have in Christ is something that we are sure of, and something we can look forward to because we know God keeps his Promises.

This is only possible because of what Christ has done. God did not do it to reward or to discipline us, but because of His Grace and Mercy. Humans are bound to die, because it is our punishment for sin. All have sin, everyone has done something wrong before. Dont deny it. But God in his great love and mercy, sent Christ to pay the price. We are therefore free. Yet you see God is not a God who forces people to accept it, so you have the freedom to choose whether to accept or not.

It is true, that if you do not accept it, you go to hell, and its true that if you do accept it, you will be with God in heaven. Heres the tricky part. So why do you accept it? Because its your ticket out of hell? I am sorry to say, if thats your motive for accepting it, i believe that God knows. And that i wont be surprise on that day he will say "I never knew you". Matt 7.

Accepting God means admitting you have sin and thanking God for Jesus Christ. Not only so, you will want to change and repent from your past. And now being changed, we can do what is genuinely good and right, because we are made righteous.

Now what is meant by genuinely good and right? It means to do good or right things for another person to benefit. Everyone is selfish, all of us do good because we benefit from it. People say that all religion are the same, all teaches us to do good, but really i think christianity is really different. People do good deeds, because they want to save themselves, the more good deeds they do, the more "good points" they earn. So therefore knowing that i help an old lady, is something good, and therefore i have earn "a point" for my future. So the more good things i do, the more "points" i earn. Now with christianity doing good does not earn any "points". We do good because we want someone else to benefit from it. We hope that the person will be bless because of what we do. Which is why christians should be seen as unselfish people to help within the means of what they can.

I dont think every Christian can be perfect and that good, but with the help of the holy spirit, it slowly changes us and mold us to become like Christ. When you struggle, you know, that the spirit is there helping you and guiding you. It cries out for us. So always set your eyes on what is ahead. The hope that we are assured of.

I only recently discovered that i am that selfish person too. Its really all about me. I do things to be recognize, think about my own benefits and with service is so that i am seen to God as "a good and faithful servant". Service is more than just being seen as doing what is good to God, it also means to make sure someone else whom you are serving is benefiting and that God is seen by others because of what you do. I do not think i can do this by myself, but i firmly believe as Paul has, that in Christ who strengthens me, i can do all things.

Well other than that there were workshops during camp. The one on being single is very good. If YF needs a speaker on it, let me know. haha. i wont mind speaking on outreach too. Alright till next time guys seeya!

It is time

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now i see

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour i first believed

Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
Praise God! Praise God!Praise God! Praise God!
Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!

This song has been ringing in my head for the past few weeks. Looking at God's salvation for man. I really cannot stop giving praise to Him. Today in church, a speaker mike rayson was sharing with us, his life story. The struggles that he went through, and how he hit life's bottom rock. But he reminded us that the rock that he hit was not any hard rock, but was Christ the solid rock. Understanding the very foundation that he has, he cannot stop but give thanks to God. I thank the Lord for the grace that he had given us (Roms 8:32).

The speaker shared about "Walking in the valley of the shadow of death" (Psa 23:4), that we are all walking in this valley till the day the Lord comes again and the most amazing thing is that we have God with us as we walk through this journey.

It is time to let go of things. Pray that i walk in faith.

Documentary....

Hello all. Hows everyone been? The exams results are all right? how did everyone fair? i hope you guys went well. ZhiQiang and Rosemary congratulation's! God bless the marriage! I am sorry i cant be there for the wedding, sigh, i really wanted to, but kinda broke. Anyway will keep you guys in prayer!

Well today has been quite exciting and happy. This semester, my film group have been focusing on doing a documentary on a transsexual. We talk about his life before and what cause him to become her. It was really an eye opener, at the same time really saddening.

So in school, we had like a mini "film festival". Show casing some of the year two's work. There were documentaries and short drama films. I have to say, i am impressed with some of their work. There were really good.

So in this mini "film festival", we had nominations for different categories, such as sound, cinematography, director, best drama, best doco etc. Our documentary was nominated for best Sound, Director, Documentary and Production.

So we won, best Director, Documentary and Production. woo hoo! Honestly, i think we should have won best Sound too. Maybe we won too many and they decided to give it someone else. Actually in my opinion, we should not have won best Production, we had really bad visuals and the edit was not that smooth. I guess maybe they decided to give us best Production instead of Sound. Best Production should have been given to another group.

A lot of the other groups were not happy with our production. They feel that the tutor was bias. Our tutor is the unit coordinator. So that kinda explains why they feel that way. Although our visuals and edit is not that good, but i think the one thing we really have is content. Squeezing 9 hours of content into 35minutes was not easy. There was so much "meat" that had to be taken out. Moreover, we receive a lawyer's letter that we are not to mention his wife or his children in our film, which probably cut away 50% of our original footage. So i conclude that "content is king".

Although our documentary did well, but i think this is only our beginning. For myself, i learn a lot from making this documentary. I realise there is still a long way to go. This is where my headaches come in. Next semester i have to choose on what roles i would like to specialize in. I was thinking "director" and "editor" or just "cinematographer". Any comments on that?

Well, really Thank God for that. Alright i hope to hear from you guys soon. Take care and God bless.

A tiresome day

Hello world, hows everyone been? I have handed in another assignment, but i get this feeling i did it wrong. Pray it goes well.

Well i think this half year God has answered so many prayers that i am really so thankful for. But i think it came abit too much too. I always have this impression that i have a never dying battery in my body. I have the energy to keep going no matter the circumstance. So i pray and ask God to show me my limits. He has answered my prayer. I found my limit.

I think this is where i have to stop and take a break.
I am tired.

A new idealogy

Hello everyone! Exams are drawing near for lots of people in Perth. Everyone seem so stressed. I was just thinking through my philosophy for life. It changes as one matures. At this stage, i have developed my own philosophy for life.

" I do not aim to do well, but to do my best in everything."

How did i come up with that? Well i was thinking about doing well in studies, doing well in service, doing well at work. I just want to do well, and when something wrong comes, i crumble and start whining. I get disappointed. People would always encourage you to never give up, but to keep trying and learn from mistakes. Thus i came up with that.

The higher ones' aim is, the harder the fall. But if you try your best in everything, you know where your limits are. When you reach your limit, you know where you can further improve yourself. Even if you fail, you know you tried your best, thus would want to even try harder.

This also comes with the idea that God is whom i worship. Because God is one that i wish to honor, thus i would want to do my best because i know He is there with me. My teacher and my source of strength.

To many, the line between doing well in everything and doing the best is very thin. I would say it is the attitude that would be different in both circumstance. If you did aim to do well, you do not, you would usually get very frustrated and disappointed with yourselve, and thus avoiding it all the next time it happens. Some may not, but most usually will.

Alright an update about me so far in Aussie land. I am currently staying with 2 other guys, Leighton Gan and James Ho. Leighton is a guy i met in OCF, while James is Lindy's bf. Leighton works in subway, so i have been eating loads of subways cookies! I am so going to put on weight in winter. Time to exercise!

There is a time for everything, from the book of eccs. Something i have been learning. To learn when to talk things of necessity, to know the right time to do things and the right time to serve. It comes with a lot of discipline (self control) and knowledge. I guess to give up something i enjoy doing, really teaches me that it is not me, but Gods'.

The other day i went for an evangelism talk, it kinda shock me. We were asked to think about a person whom we are trying to evangelize to and throw out some of his core beliefs. Then i was thinking to myself, there are so many people i have been trying to reach out too, but i never really knew or understand their core beliefs. It make me reflect about the way i do evangelism and the relations i build.

The talk was really good, man after that i was so on "fire". Not really to go out there to preach , but to give a talk on what i have learnt! Haha I will start praying if there is a chance i will give a talk to OCF or maybe YF about it. I need 1.5 hours. haha! its a workshop.

Alright thats all for now, see you guys soon. I miss Singapore food. ~~~

The "I" Age

Hello everyone, its been a short while since i last blog. Hows everyone doing? People back in Singapore are currently having their exams right? I pray that you guys did well for it. For some, it will be the end of their school days and would jump right into the working force.

Recently i have been thinking about this word "I". People are actually selfish people. They think for themselves and no one else. When people give they expect a return. For example, if someone ask you for help, you would expect that someone to return the favor to you some day in one way or another. If you ask that person for help and the person did not help you back, you would feel frustrated and think to yourself why did you even want to help that person and thus you would conclude that you would not help that person again. Sadly, even Christians fall into this category too.

Now what has this got to do with the "I" age? Well the current age we live in, stressed alot about "I". It is all about me, everything that is around is all for me. This can be seen through advertisements and promotion. When selling skin care products, they would tell you this would make your skin look smooth, it will make you stand out as an individual. Thus making you feel important and without this, you would just be a regular person. I am not saying that it is wrong to advertise that way, because that skin care product may be good for you. What i am saying is that the thought process after seeing it. You feel that you want to buy it, so that YOU would stand out among the rest, feel different from everyone. You would not buy it because the product is good for you. It is all about me.

With technology these days, we can get all kinds of information by ourselves and not relying on others. As i think about my youngest brother, he grows up with computer games, internet and televisions. The interaction with people is almost non-existence other than school. His generation may be one that would not how to socialize or know how to take hardships in the future. Thinking about it again, but if everyone cannot take hardship in the future, maybe there would not be any hardships then? I doubt it.

We think alot for ourself and not for other people. I mean it is their own life and what right do we have to interfere in someone's life. It is because of that mentality that distance us away from people, make us judge against others. Isolation begins.

Now about Christians, forgive me for those that i may offend, the songs we sing these days, is also alot about "I". For example songs like "Jesus died on the cross for my sin..." That in itself is not wrong, but when in worship, we would start to think about our own relationship with God. Are we giving God the utmost glory? We are called to worship God as one body, but if each of us during worship is thinking about our own relationship with God, how then can we come together to worship God as a whole? We are singing praise to God as a group but yet as separate entities.

In our daily walk with God, we might subtly have this same "I" thinking. We think about our relationship with God, how we have sin, and how we ourselves must work out that relationship with God. I would encourage everyone to take one step further and look beyond that. It means to share our lives to people around. This is where accountability takes places and it helps to build each other up even more. Its no longer an "I" thing but a "We" thing. Unity comes into place and we stand firm together to worship our LORD.

hm.. okie to end it off just a short sharing. 2 kings 5:1-15
This guy name Naaman is a great commander but yet has leprosy. He received news that Elisha the prophet has the power to heal him. So he set forth to seek him out. But when he arrives at Elisha's place, Elisha did not meet him directly, but instead send forth a servant to talk to Naaman. Naaman got really angry because he thought that Elisha would come out and wave his hands and a miracle would happen. Not only that, he has to wash himself in the river of Jordan.

In our own lives, when we are in trouble or when we need directions, we tend to look out for a sign from God. Hoping that God would outrightly show us what to do and where to go. Let us learn to humble our hearts and listen to God's people, for they are the ones that God may use to guide you. In the passage, it was the servants that convince Naaman to go wash in the river. Not just one servant but servants, as we listen wisely, do not just listen to one, but yet the opinions of a few and see what are the common thoughts. Also i think his servants know him quite well and thus brave enough to tell him, so as we listen, listen to those that understand us and not from anybody.

Not only that, let us come before God with a humble attitude trusting that He will guide us and not demanding that he will guide us. Naaman was a proud man, but in v15 he acknowledge God in the end. Even for us, after learning a lesson from God, let us acknowledge and give thanks to God for what he has taught.

Alright guys enough for the week, i think i make alot of sweeping statements in this post, haha those who disagree, do let me know your thoughts.

Standing Firm on my Two Little Feets

Hello World. How have you guys been doing? i have been wondering if anyone still reads my blog these days. But nevertheless i will still continue blogging for the sake of my fans out there. Nah i am just kidding about the fans part.

Its my break week, i had a good break and so now starts the assignment parts. Pray for strength and discipline. Went shopping at the city on Monday for Pearline's wedding present, was supposed to go on Tuesday, but in the end no one organize it, i wonder why. Anyway shifu, i got you this really cute ornament, i think you can find it in Singapore, but well its the thought that counts right?

Recently there has been quite a lot on my mind. Can someone actually not change and remain the same in his/her character or beliefs? I used to believe so, but as i grow up i realize it is not possible. I can no longer behave or act like what i used to be like 5 years ago, young, childish and hot-headed. I have to change.

Things are not so simple as it seems. Even in Christianity, the only simple part is the moment a person accept Christ, other than that everything else is complex.
Proverbs 9:6,7
"Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."
As we mature as a person, and even in our faith, we can no longer live life so simply, but to really understand and make the right decisions after much thought in any situations.

In one week, God has answered so many prayers that i am really amazed! Thank God for being such a wonderful teacher and also for his Grace and Mercy.

Let us turn our bibles to 2 Corinthians 2:5-11.
This short passage is about forgiving the sinner. Here Paul says that when someone sins, it is not Paul that grieves only, but yet is everyone who knows of the person's sin, grieves with Paul.
Not only so, Paul also knows that the person who had sinned is feeling really guilty about it, because in verse 6 Paul said that such a punishment would be enough for the person.

So what are we suppose to do? We are asked to forgive and love that person. Paul actually beg the Corinthians(verse8) to love that person by re-affirming him. This is so that the person will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I can think of so many examples as Christians, we have rebuke a fellow brother or sister, but yet never really loving them after. This could be why we see christians nowadays giving up their faith after something "bad" has happen to them. When i say loving them, i do not mean just by thoughts or by words, but by actions. Most of the time, we pray for that person, or we just ask how that person has been doing, but never really taking any action to be involved in the person's life.

Christ when he taught us to pray in Matthew, he taught us to pray to forgive those who have trespass us. And if Christ is willing to forgive the person, are we not suppose to forgive that person too? When Paul said that he forgives is not because he forgives for the sake of forgiving, but for the sake of unity. If we are unable to forgive that person, there will be division, not just between the person and us, but even those around because they will start to take stands and have their own says. And Paul knows this clearly because he acknowledges that it is one of Satan's way of breaking the unity.

So i ask of those who have anger or are upset with people, learn to forgive and love them as Christ did, not because you have too, but because of the unity as a body of Christ that we may work as ONE to worship our God.

For those who are feeling guilty and upset. 2 Corinthians 13:4
we are all weak, even Christ himself was weak when he was crucified, but yet he was strong because of the power of God and He lives by that power. Never once did He doubt God, but was sure that God will carry him through. So even as we go through life's tough journey, let us remember we can do nothing by ourselve, but by God we can do anything.

Romans 8:1,2 We are no longer condemn, so do not feel guilty, but change and stand firm for Christ is our solid foundation.

I hope this serves as an encouragement to all.

Its been a long time...

Hey all! It has been a while since i last updated my blog, getting lazy these days. So hows everyone been? Hope you guys back in SG are doing well. Its been quite a journey these 2 months back here in Perth.

So many things God has taught me! The other day had a mini retreat and just focus on the book of Proverbs. There is so much depth in that book on wisdom. God has been a good teacher, discipling and guiding me as i walk life's journey.

School has been alright, just the usuals busy with assignment. Next week is the 2nd term break i am having. Its going to be a stressful week, catching up on studies and finishing up assignments. 6 More weeks, and school will come to a term end.

Oh guys, i will not be coming back this winter. Sorry ZQ and Rosemary & Raymond and Ava i cant make it for your wedding, if you guys need anything from Aussie just let me know and see if i can get it. Oh shifu! your wedding too! 3 more weeks!!

Other than school stuff, have been pretty busy with OCF too. Alot of things happen in just a few weeks. OCF have been a place, where i have learnt alot about myself, my flaws and where i have really learn to depend on God.

The one major lesson i have learn is credibility. It does not just apply to service, but also even when you study or work in the future. Without proper credits, people will not take you seriously, or even choose to ignore you. Everyone is different in character, so do not let what other people say about you put you down, but yet to continue to do what is right in God's eyes.

A verse to share with those who are going through emotional/self-denial periods.
Proverbs 18 : 1,2
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgement.
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.

So do not isolate yourselve and think that you are right, but be open to yourselve and understand what people are trying to say.

Alright i am going off already, i will see you guys soon... i pray.

In God's Love
Baoshun