A meaningful story

Hey just recieved this email from winnie. Guess it was a meaningful story that I wanna share to all those who are reading my blog. :)

THE ROOM
17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote.." It also was the last.

Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teary Valley High School. Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every piece of his life near them-notes from classmates and teachers, his homework.

Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment of the teen's life. But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce Moore realized that their son had described his view of heaven. "It makes such an impact that people want to share it. You feel like you are there." Mr. Moore said.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day afterMemorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted. The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him."

Brian's Essay: The Room...

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.Often there were many more cards than I expected.

Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it,shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented. When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it.. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just criedwith me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Philippians 4:13
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3: 16

Rockingham trip was great

The trip to Rockingham, just 1 hr drive south from Perth, was great and fun. Have a fun time navigating to Rockingham and finding our accomodation on the spot. Hehe...

It was good for a bonding session with Gerard, Ah Shui and gang (Tall nette, Tiny and Shiling).

Play some beach games at the beach. Mainly, freebies, soccer and even dog and bones.. hahaha... and oh ya, captain's ball... hehhehe...

And celebrated Gerard's birthday (supposedly to be on wed) but we decided to celebrate during the trip and it was a 3 days celebration! hehhee... hope Gerard enjoyed it and I'm sure he enjoyed evey moment of it rite?? hehehhe

* the photos are up on the photo gallery. Enjoy! :)

Where are You, God???

Yes, the thoughts just come to my mind. Where are You, God? Are You real in my life right now in Perth? Are You really here with me when You said You will be before I left for Perth?

Maybe it's because I'm too stressed out due to mid-sem tests. It may seems like a small issue. "Hey, it's just a mid-sem tests what. No big deal." Well, it's BIG deal because it's 4 mid-sem tests in 2 consecutive days. And at this period of time when I'm busy studying, I cant seem to sense the presense of God anymore. Just cant seem to feel that He's with me. Even when I'm playing guitar, worshipping God alone in my room, I just don't sense His presense.

Guess maybe it's because I'm too caught up with my school works then I tend to neglect God so much so that I didn't go cell group this week and then planning not to go church this week. Don't know why but just thought that monday is my tests and I have yet to make ample preparation for it. Is the thoughts from the Devil? Can someone please pray for me? If it's from the Devil, I will reject it in the name of Jesus.

Beside studying, there's some rehearsals for some event in my hall and the rehearsals happen to be on the same day as my tests. So after tests at night, I have to go for rehearsals. Never been so tough for me and I don't why I'm living a very packed schedule over here.

Just finished worshipping God in my room with my guitar. At first, just really want the presense of the Holy Spirit to fall in my room. Negative. Can't sense him. Singing the song "Emmanuel", hoping to remind and convince me that God is Emmanuel does not help. But half way through that song, He's there. He reminded me in Genesis that Joseph was sold by his brothers to Egypt and that God is always with him in Egypt. And Joseph eventually was made the ruler of Egypt and then in the end, he returned to his homeland after he met up with his brothers and forgave them for what they did to him.

Same thing, God reminded me that even when I'm having a period of spiritual dryness right now, He's always with me and always in control of things.

Yes Lord, You are indeed here with me. Even when You only speaks to me a short while, You have affirmed me of Your presense in Perth. Amen. :)