A Fruitful Farmer

About twenty five years ago, Mr. Keens bought an acre of farm land from a 60 year old farmer.

He was attracted by the watercress ponds and thought this vegetable could provide steady monthly income for his brothers who took over the farm later.

In fact, he was more impressed by the owner’s working attitude and professionalism in his farming than the farm itself.

Though the farmer was 60 years old, he was diligent and hard working. He was assisted by his wife and both lived a simple life in bringing up 6 children, three boys who furthered their studies in the United States of America; all of them are graduates from reputable universities.

The eldest son was appointed the Managing Director of an international investment bank in Hong Kong a few years ago. The old man migrated to USA after he sold the farm to M. Keens.

The farmer passed away two years ago, at the age of 80.

The farmer was grateful to have owned the farm and worked hard to plant vegetables at every available space of the farm so he could have harvest in abundance.

He noted that he saved every possible cent and worked at the farm barefooted with full dedication in his work.

He believed his purpose of working hard was to provide all the needs for his family including his sons’ overseas educations.
When Mr.Keens' brothers took over, regrettably, they were less diligent though they did their best to expand the farm land. He could easily see the difference in quality of work between them.

This experience gave Mr. Keens a greater insight into one’s life of what one can lose if one does not capitalize the opportunity that is offered or made available.

Sadly, instead of ploughing the land, sowing the seeds, some of us would begin to worry, complain and or even criticize about the land and leave it to waste, and not getting much fruits and harvest from it.
Man is born to toil the soil and to work hard so as to live a fruitful life. There is no short cut to success but to use all the gifts that God has created of us and work hard.
It may be just a small plot of land or something that may not be too big to be noticed, if we put our time and effort into it, we will reap good harvest.

Christian Fellowship

is allowed in school though it is not categorized as a part of the school curriculum. It is pictured like the piece of farm land described above.
We should encourage everybody whether young, old, rich or poor to attend the fellowship in order to keep its existence meaningful. The attendance should be respectable.
Likewise, if the students’ enthusiasm is not in the Fellowship, the school may not take heed of its existence.
It will then be too late to appeal or make any complaint if the school decided to do away with it.

On the other hand, Bible Knowledge (BK) is allowed by the Education Ministry as an elective examination subject.




But, in reality, how many of us really want to sign up for this subject? If we do not support such provision, isn’t it going to be a piece of land left to waste?

Later, when the opportunity is lost, we start to complain and murmur about the whole matter. Isn’t it too late to regret?

Be grateful with what we have, become a hard working and fruitful farmer without anymore hesitation!

God Bless.

God Said... I said...

Hope you guys enjoy this conversation- it may even seem a little familiar to you... =)
( written by Susie Shellenberger )

God said: I miss talking with you.

I said: What? I just prayed on Sunday.

How often do you talk with Katie?

I dunno.

Think about it.

Well, OK. Let’s see . . . we usually hang together before school, then we have English and math together. And — oh yeah — we’ve got study hall together in the afternoon. And lunch, I forgot about lunch. We eat lunch together every day.

So how often do you talk with Katie?

I guess all the time. We call each other a few times during the week to check on homework stuff. And we instant-message a lot in the evenings when we’re both on the computer. I’d say we pretty much talk all the time. After all, she is my best friend!

How often do you talk with Me?

I don’t know.

Think about it.

Sigh. Well . . . on Sundays at church — and at youth group. You know.

I’d love to talk with you more.

But God, I already give You chitchat time.

I want more than chitchat. I’d like for you to tell Me everything.

Everything?

Why not? I already know what you’re thinking anyway.

Yeah. And that’s just it! If You know everything, what’s the big deal about me having to talk with You?

Having to talk? Hmmm. I was hoping it would be more of an enjoyment instead of an obligation.

Ah, You know what I mean.

You’re right, I do. And that’s exactly what hurts Me. Most of the time when you speak with Me, it’s because you feel you’re supposed to, or it’s because your back is against the wall and you need help — fast.

I didn’t know You felt that way.

My child, I paid the highest price I could pay for you. I long to be with you and to hear you voice your thoughts, your joys, your tears, your loneliness, your victories.

Well, OK. If it really means that much to You. But I still don’t get this prayer thing. If You already know what I’m going to say before I even say it, what’s the point in telling You?

It’s the process.

Huh?

Remember last week when Katie took first place in the track meet?

Sure! I remember. Boy, was she excited!

Yes. And you were, too.

Well, yeah. I am her best friend. You know.

But you actually heard about it before Katie told you.

Oh, yeah! Jason told me before I even saw Katie.

But when Katie rushed to you, waving her ribbon, you were just as happy and proud for her as if you were hearing the news for the first time.

Yeah.

That’s friendship. That’s relationship. That’s love. Would you have wanted her to keep the news from you because you already knew?

No way! I love it when Katie gets excited. Her face lights up with that crooked grin, and her eyes glow like sparklers.

I feel the same way.

Hmmm.

I not only love for you to tell Me everything — I can’t wait to hear it!

I think I’m starting to understand.

I’m not finished with Katie yet.

Oh?

Yeah. Let’s keep talking about your friendship for just a bit longer.

OK.

The more you two share (secrets, giggles, notes), and the more you two do (trips together, youth group parties, football games), the closer you become.

So it’s doing stuff that makes us such great friends, right?

Partly right. But I really want you to think about this, OK?

OK.

It’s also the p-r-o-c-e-s-s.

I’m thinking.

The time invested in sharing and doing.

Yeah. I get it. We’re sort of investing ourselves in each other’s lives.

Exactly. And your friendship is growing because of it.

Yeah! Cool.

Do you hear what I’m saying?

Keep talking. I’m listening, God. I really am. I want to get this.

Your relationship with Me is pretty static right now.

Static?

Yeah. Dull. Boring.

I didn’t think You noticed stuff like that.

I’m God, remember?

Oh, yeah.

But it doesn’t have to be static. Don’t forget. I died so we could have a relationship — an exciting, fun relationship, not a boring one.

Well, what can I do?

Spend more time with Me. Talk to Me. When you cry, let Me wipe your tears. When you ace a history exam, share your good news with Me. When Lisa snubs you in the hallway, tell Me how bad it hurts. I want our relationship to grow.

Wow. Lord, I’ve never even thought of all that. I mean, why would You be so interested in my everyday, ordinary life?

Because I love you. Oh, how I love you!

Jesus, I’m sorry. I’ve pretty much left You on the shelf. I mean, yeah, I go to church, and I even read my Bible at times, and people know I’m a Christian. But You want me to grow in You too, and I haven’t been — I’ve been static, just like You said. Will You forgive me?

I forgive you.

Jesus, I want to have a best-friend, Lord-of-Lords relationship with You. I want You to own me and consume me.

Yes! That’s what I want, too. And you know what?

What?

I love the way you’re praying right now.

Praying? I’m not praying. We’re just talking.

Yeah. And that’s exactly what prayer is.

I get it.

Open, honest, consistent communication.

I can’t wait till tomorrow morning.

Why’s that?

I’m going to get up early and pray.

You don’t have to wait till tomorrow morning. Talk to Me when you get up at 1:30 a.m. to go to the bathroom.

Really?

Sure! And at 3 a.m. when you’re tossing in bed and scrunching your pillow.

Hey! How’d You know I always? . . . Oh, yeah, You’re God.

Right.

Well, in that case, how about hanging out right now? I’ve got some stuff I need to talk with You about.

Great. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.

God doesn't just want to be a 'Sunday' God; He wants to have a personal relationship with you!

You can talk to Him about anything under the sun, from exam anxieties, your relationship with your parents; ANYTHING!!

Will YOU put Him first in everything?

Posted by Khristy

The Four Candles

Just a quick update...

Tomorrow's CF [Shing Shong Shang Day]
will start at 1245 sharp, so don't be late!!

DUCFers, here are your CG names!!

Isaiah - DUCF CG Committee

[in alphabetical order, so there's no favoritism...]

Amos - David Rosh's CG


Hosea - Aaron Wu's CG


Jeremiah - Khye Yuen's CG


Malachi - Kah Hoe's CG


Zechariah - Jen Wei's CG


Everybody, try to get your parents to come to the PIBG this saturday k?
There's comfort in numbers =)
We will be supporting the three parents...
We'll also be seeing the progress to making CF official =)

*DUCF is currently approved by the school but not yet by the ministry =(

so yeahh, grab your parents along if you wanna see CF official!!
________________________________________________

Back to the story...

THE FOUR CANDLES

The Four Candles burned slowly. The ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...

The first candle said, "I Am Peace,
but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit."

Then Peace's flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.

The second candle says, "I Am Faith,
but these days, I am no longer Indispensable."

Then Faith's flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.

Sadly the third candle spoke, "I Am Love
and I haven't the strength to stay Lit any longer.
People put me aside and don't understand my importance.
They even forget to love those who are nearest to them."

And waiting no longer, Love goes out completely.

Suddenly...

A child enters the room and sees the three candles no longer burning.

The child begins to cry, "Why are you not burning?
You are supposed to stay lit until the end."

Then the Fourth Candle spoke gently to the little boy,

"Don't be afraid, for I am Hope, and while I still burn,
we can re-light the other candles."

With Shining eyes the child took the Candle of Hope and
lit the other three Candles.

Never let the Flame of Hope go out of your life.

With Hope, no matter how bad things look and are...
Peace, Faith and Love can shine brightly in our lives.

DUCF

Posted by Joel Lee

Tigers or Pork Chops =)

Disclaimer: DUCF would like to apologise to our muslim friends out there who are reading this blog as this post is not a halal post. Read at your own discretion. Everybody say it with me.....AWWWWW MAN!!!! In a zoo in California , a mother tiger gave birth to a rare set of triplet tiger cubs. Unfortunately, due to complications in the pregnancy, the cubs were born prematurely and due to their tiny size, they died shortly after birth. The mother tiger after recovering from the delivery, suddenly started to decline in health, although physically she was fine. The veterinarians felt that the loss of her litter had caused the tigress to fall into a depression. The doctors decided that if the tigress could surrogate another mother's cubs, perhaps she would improve. After checking with many other zoos across the country, the depressing news was that there were no tiger cubs of the right age to introduce to the mourning mother. The veterinarians decided to try something that had never been tried in a zoo environment. Sometimes a mother of one species will take on the care of a different species. The only orphans" that could be found quickly, were a litter of weanling pigs. The zoo keepers and vets wrapped the piglets in tiger skin and placed the babies around the mother tiger. Would they become cubs or pork chops? Take a look...you won't believe your eyes!! Now, please tell me one more time.......... why can't the rest of the world get along?

DUCF Posted by Joel Lee *story adapted from an e-mail

Happy Valentine's Day

For the passion-filled casanovas out there,

Here's a little thought to what the word Valentine means =)

"For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believes In Him
Shall Not perish,
But have Everlasting life."
John 3:16

Love 2008
Sand art by Ilana Yahav

To those who won medals/trophies in Sports Day, congrats!
To those who didn't, don't worry, God still loves you =)

God Bless

DUCF

Posted by Joel Lee

End Abortion: Hear Us From Heaven

Here is a video that will keep you thinking...

Just a little bit of facts on abortion before we view the video

Annually, 46 million babies die from abortion worldwide. That’s approximately one baby being aborted every two seconds.

46 million ppl that will never have the chance to see daylight

Approximately 24% of all U.S. pregnancies end in abortion.

Author's note
"God dropped the idea for this video into my head a few weeks ago. The song is "Hear Us From Heaven" by Jared Anderson. I used some clips from The Passion as well as some images from Bound 4 Life. These images are from silent prayer sieges all over the nation. The prayers also come from the Bound 4 Life website. The main verses for this video are:

Before I formed you in your mother's womb I knew you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
(Jeremiah 1:5)

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

Jesus, I plead your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America. Not only America, Lord, but let a fire of revival and repentance be set ablaze across all the countries and continents of this earth. Check out www.bound4life.com"
*video taken from Godtube.com

Taking away the lives of those God has created is completely not in our hands..

As you watch the video, I encourage you to pay deep attention to the lyrics and the meaning behind it. [THE SONG IS REALLY NICE!!] The prayers at the start and at the end are earnest prayers to God crying out in desperation. Take time off to Decipher the meaning behind the duct tape "LIFE"

Presenting
End Abortion: Hear Us From Heaven



Hear Us From Heaven Lyrics

Lord, hear our cry
Come heal our land
Breath life into these dry and thirsty souls
Lord, hear our prayer
Forgive our sin
And as we call on Your name
Would You make this a place
For Your glory to dwell

Chorus:
Open the blind eyes
Unlock the deaf ears
Come to Your people
As we draw near
Hear us from heaven
Touch our generation
We are Your people
Crying out in desperation

Lord hear our song
Your children worship
As we sing out Your praise
Would You make this a place for Your glory to dwell

Bridge:
Hear Us From Heaven,
Hear Us From Heaven,
Hear Us From Heaven (4x)

Hear Us From Heaven Chords by Jared Anderson

Hear Us From Heaven
Jared Anderson

Key: B
Intro:
B  B/A#  C#m7  E2  G#m7


Verse:
E2          F#/A#  E2/G#  G#m7
Lord, hear our cry
E2           F#/A#  E2/G#  G#m7
Come heal our land
E2           F#/A#        E2/G#      B/D#  E2  F#sus G#m7
Breath life into these dry and thirsty souls
E2             F#/A#  E/G#  G#m7
Lord, hear our prayer
E2          F#/A#  E/G#  G#m7
Forgive our sin
E2               F#/A#
And as we call on Your name
  E2/G#          B/D#
Would You make this a place
 E2          F#sus
For Your glory to dwell


Chorus:
    B
Open the blind eyes
   B/A#
Unlock the deaf ears
    C#m7
Come to Your people
B/D#     E2
As we draw near
F#sus     B
Hear us from heaven
   B/A#
Touch our generation
   C#m7
We are Your people
B/D#   E2
Crying out in desperation


Other:
B  B/A#  C#m7  E2  B  B/A#  C#m7  E


Bridge:
       B
Hear Us From Heaven,
    B/A#
Hear Us From Heaven,
    C#m7  E
Hear Us From Heaven  (4x)

*chords from 911tabs.com

Here are some pictures of people from Bound 4 Life






Don't forget to check out


Did the post get you thinking? Leave a comment if it did.

God bless and Take Care...

DUCF =)

Posted by Joel Lee

To The Fans of HSM

Hey, guys!!
Now, i'm sure most of you (or at least the younger lot of you), tuned in to watch the BIG premiere of High School Musical 2 a couple of months ago...
The ratings shot over the top, and now they're even planning a third one!
awesome... right?
hmmm.... maybe.
The movie may be all about following your dreams, and not just sticking with your friends.
Perfectly good themes for a movie, but what about the stars of the movie?
Are they really as 'squeaky clean' as their characters portray them to be?

(adapted from Brio magazine, published by Focus on the Family [a christian organization], written by Bob Smithouser)

Q: I've been a really big fan of Vanessa Hudgens (Gabriella in the movie- the good girl), but after i heard about her nude pictures, I've been asking myself if its OK to listen to her music or watch her movies. What do you think?
-Jenna, Houston, Texas.

A: The main thing is steering clear of entertainment that misses the mark. Celebrity indiscretions are extremely disappointing, but a clean movie is still a clean movie. so its really up to you.
If Hudgens' poor judgment creates a big distraction, even when you're watching or listening to her good projects, by all means avoid them. But there's no compromise in enjoying High School Musical just because one of its stars did something foolish off-camera.(Just make sure you cross her off your 'potential role model' list)


Q: What do you think of Ashley Tisdale and her Headstrong CD?
-Emi, Arlington Heights, lll.

A: Whatever happened to the funny, candy-counter girl from 'The Suite Life of Zack & Cody'?
I'm beginning to think Ashley's been getting career advice from the people who turned Disney forebears Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera into 5-foot-3-inch hormones. She's not there yet but seems to be headed in that direction.
Headstrong contains a lot of dance pop with electronica groove. Its mostly love songs tracking romantic ups and downs. On 'Don't Touch (The Zoom Song)" Ashley rightly tells a guy to keep his hands to himself. But 'He Said She Said' has lyrics such as "baby i could see us kissin' like that..." and so on. YIKES!! And in CD photos and a few music videos she's looking like a Paris Hilton-lite tease. Right now that's the exception. Let's hope it doesn't become the rule.



Hope this has somehow benefited you, in one way or another =P

Check out the Focus on the Family website if you want to find out more about the author/seek answers for your questions

If there's any celeb, movie, CD or anything you'd like to get an opinion on, feel free to send us a message..

God Bless

The Most Beautiful Rainbow

The Most Beautiful Rainbow

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that
wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You
will have your heart broken probably more than once and
it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so
remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight
with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things
an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast,
and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too
many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never
been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset
is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. Don't be
afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never
begin.



Live simply. Love generously.
Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
_________________________________________

sudah makan belum? =)
hope you guys out there enjoyed your first day of school
Remember,
the first CF is next week!!

stay tuned for more details

An Interview with God

Want a full interview from God?

Here goes. =]

A Glass of Milk

“ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4: 8-9

A GLASS OF MILK

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house.







-__________________________-
okay maybe not a buffet course, but just a cookie =)



However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.



Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water [probably cause she was so hot]. She thought he looked hungry so instead, she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?" "You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness." He said..... "Then I thank you from my heart."


As Howard Kelly [the little boy] left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God which he almost abandoned grew stronger too.

Years later that young woman became critically ill.

The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once [hot chick ma =P]. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to the young woman's room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words.....


"Paid in full with one glass of milk" Signed Dr. Howard Kelly.


Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands."



There's a saying that goes : Bread thrown over the water returns to you.

An act of goodness that you do today can come back to you or to the person you love when you are least expecting it. If you do not see this act of goodness return, at least you had made a difference in the world.






And in the end, isn't that what life is about?

Sharing and Giving

God bless and have a nice day =)

Photo-Sketch - The Wise Sage =)

The Wise Sage

brought to you by DUCF =)

There once was a wise sage [yes, she's a girl] who wandered the countryside.

One day, as she passed near a village, she was approached by a man who told her of a sick child nearby.

He beseeched her to help this child.

"Do you really think your prayer will help her, when medicine has failed?" yelled a man [or in this case, tiger] from the crowd.

"You know nothing of such things! You are a stupid fool!" said the sage to the man [tiger].

The man [tiger] became very angry with these words and his face grew hot and red.

He was about to say something, or perhaps strike out, when the sage walked over to him and said: "If one word has such power as to make you so angry and hot, may not another have the power to heal?"

And thus, the sage healed two people that day.

Language does have the power to change reality. Therefore, treat your words as the mighty instruments they are - to heal, to bring into being, to nurture, to cherish, to bless, to forgive." - Daphne Rose Kingma

Hope you caught the lesson =)



Cast and Crew:
The Wise Sage: Joanna
Dude by the road: Joel
Sick girl: Khristy
Foolish man: Mr Tigerawrrer
Crowd: buncha soft toys
Props guy: Joel
Cameraman: Khristy, Joanna, Joel



Author unknown

God bless and have a nice day.
Hope you laughed.
We know we did xD
the four [yes, four plus Mr tigerarrwr] people in front of/behind the scenes