gLaDieZz's Xanga

Monday, June 05, 2006

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 02:21:31 GMT

RULES TO ABIDE
- The tagged victim have to come up with 8 different points about his/her perfect lover.

- Have to mention the gender of his/her perfect lover.

- Tag eight other victims to join this game and leave a comment on their blog.

- If you are tagged the second time.There is NO need to do this again.

- Lastly, most importantly, HAVE FUN DOING IT.

Gender of my perfect lover: Male

    The 8 different points :-

    1. A Christian - to be able to pray together.
    2. Have known you for quite a while - so I really know you.
    3. Being able to set some time aside for me.
    4. NO bad breath. [Chew some mint gum...]
    5. Give me a ride, walk me. smiLes.
    6.
    7.
    8.

Gladys tags Kim Seng , Gloria , Kashin , Pearly , Happy , Fitrianoviani , Jasmine , Florence

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Saturday, January 14, 2006

Sat, 14 Jan 2006 05:04:54 GMT

Dear all,

This article appears in the latest issue of "Worship Leader" magazine. Like it or not, the movie's coming to town starring Tom Hanks and looks slated to be a blockbuster. For your info and reading.

DEBUGGING THE DA VINCI CODE
Getting ready for The Da Vinci Code movie without losing our heads.
by Mark D. Roberts

"¡ let's pray that God will use the release of The Da Vinci Code movie to open a door of opportunity for telling the truth about Jesus. As this happens, what might have caused harm, God will turn around and use for good. "

On May 19, 2006, one of the most popular books of all time will hit the big screen. The Da Vinci Code, having sold more than 36 million copies worldwide, will come to life under the direction of Ron Howard. With Tom Hanks as the featured star, Dan Brown's riveting "who-done-it" will draw millions to the theatre. Many will be devotees of the novel; others will discover for the first time the secrets of The Da Vinci Code.

Most of these secrets have to do with clever codes and arcane conspiracies. But the book's central secret concerns Jesus. According to The Da Vinci Code¡ªhere comes the spoiler¡ªJesus was married to Mary Magdalene, by whom he fathered a child. If these things weren't enough, it turns out that Jesus was not divine, and that the biblical gospels are filled with "historical discrepancies and fabrications." The truth about the merely human Jesus is to be found only in the non-canonical gospels. Thus, "almost everything our fathers taught us about Christ is false" (p. 235).

It's easy to see why The Da Vinci Code has riled up many Christians and spawned a cottage industry of "Da Vinci Code busting" books. I hopped on that bandwagon myself, adding an appendix on the supposed marriage of Jesus to my book Jesus Revealed. It's also easy to see why many Christians are concerned about the release of The Da Vinci Code film. It will popularize further the book's controversial portrayal of Jesus and its undermining of the Bible.

But It's Just a Work of Fiction
One common response to Christian concern over The Da Vinci Code focuses on the book's genre: "It's only a novel," many have said. "It's fiction. Why get so worked up over something that isn't meant to be historical?"

I think it's important for Christians to acknowledge that Dan Brown did indeed write a novel. When we treat The Da Vinci Code as if it's a non-fiction piece meant to disparage Jesus, we end up looking foolish. Yet there are reasons for engaging the ideas of this novel from a historical, and not merely a literary point of view.

For one thing, millions of readers have taken the "historical" revelations of The Da Vinci Code as if they were factual. A recent survey on the beliefnet Web site found that twenty-two percent of respondents believed Jesus to have been married to Mary Magdalene. Because I have written on this issue, both in my book Jesus Revealed and on my Web site (markdroberts.com), I've received dozens of e-mails from readers who are passionately committed to the notion that Jesus was married and angry with me for rebutting it.

The novel itself contributes to the pretext that what is revealed about Jesus and the Bible is true in fact. Sir Leigh Teabing, a fictional historian in the book, lays out the supposedly true story of Jesus and his marriage to Mary. He bolsters its apparent historicity by saying things like, the marriage of Mary to Jesus is "a matter of historical record" (p. 244) and the "vast majority of educated Christians know the history of their faith" (p. 234), which, in context, is the "history" related by Teabing. Moreover, the first page of the novel includes this statement: "FACT: . . . All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate" (p. 1). Since the "Jesus married but not divine" theory is supposedly derived from ancient documents, it seems as if Brown is claiming that what Sir Leigh Teabing reveals is actually true. (In interviews, Brown himself admitted to believing many of these things.)

So, given the impact of The Da Vinci Code on people's actual beliefs about Jesus, and given the way in which wild theories are presented as historical truth, I believe Christians can't simply dismiss The Da Vinci Code as fiction and forget about it. Though I don't know how much of Teabing's pseudo-history will make it into the film, I can't see how the story could be rewritten to remove the offense to orthodox Christianity. Even if the movie's Teabing is a little less offensive than the literary version, Christians will still face a clear affront to genuine Christian faith.

How Should Christians Respond to The Da Vinci Code Movie?
Given what I've said so far, it's obvious that Christians can't simply stand back without some response to The Da Vinci Code movie. Inaction will multiply misperceptions of Jesus. Yet I am concerned about the potential for some well-meaning Christians to overreact to the film, thus losing an opportunity to speak clearly about Jesus in the larger world. If we believers focus our efforts negatively, then I fear we'll see a re-run of The Last Temptation of Christ debacle. If you don't remember the unfortunate events of 1988, let me simply say that many Christians were outraged about this film's portrayal of Jesus, understandably so, but ended up looking foolish because of how they acted publicly.

Though I strongly disagree with the portrayal of Jesus in The Da Vinci Code, I see the release of the film as an opportunity to get people talking about the real Jesus. Sure, I'd prefer that the film did justice to Jesus, like The Passion of the Christ, for example. But even though it doesn't, I don't want to be so strident in my criticisms that I lose the chance to talk about Jesus with people who aren't Christians. Rather than public protests and impassioned denunciations, I hope orthodox Christians will speak clearly, sanely and persuasively about who Jesus really is.

Be Prepared
For this to happen, we need to follow the Boy Scout motto and be prepared. It is especially important for Christian leaders to be informed about The Da Vinci Code and about the solid evidence for the orthodox Christian understanding of Jesus. But I believe that we who lead must also help our people be prepared. Let me spell out a few specific steps for ourselves and for those whom we lead.

1. Be familiar with the controversial elements of The Da Vinci Code.
In this article I've focused on the elements that concern Jesus and the Bible. In fact, there are many other contentious matters, including a defamatory presentation of the Catholic Church and an unsettling depiction of sexualized religion. Though you can gain the required familiarity by reading The Da Vinci Code, I'm not necessarily recommending this. The story is engaging, but it includes depictions of sex and violence that are unsuitable for many readers. The most efficient way to prepare is by focusing on chapters 55-60. A short trip to the library will save you the cost of the book.

2. Be familiar with responsible criticism of The Da Vinci Code.
Several top-notch scholars have written popular critiques of the controversial elements of The Da Vinci Code . I would recommend The Gospel Code by Ben Witherington III and Breaking the Da Vinci Code by Darrell L. Bock. For those who are inclined to look for free material on the Internet, I'd point you to my own Web site. I have already posted an article called Was Jesus Married? Plus, starting in January 2006, I'm going to put up a series that examines every statement in The Da Vinci Code that impinges upon Jesus or the Bible.

3. Look for and develop opportunities to talk with people about Jesus when The Da Vinci Code movie comes out in May.
There will be lots of conversation about Jesus for about three weeks around the time of the movie's release. We need to be ready both to respond and to initiate discussion about Jesus. Plus, churches can seize this opportunity by sponsoring public lectures or discussion groups. Careful planning will give birth to events that are helpful to both believers and seekers.
4. Pray.
Individually and together, let's pray that God will use the release of The Da Vinci Code movie to open a door of opportunity for telling the truth about Jesus. As this happens, what might have caused harm, God will turn around and use for good.

Dr. Mark D. Roberts is Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church. Mark is the author of several books, including Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better (WaterBrook, 2002). Mark's writings on various topics, including his critical examination of The Da Vinci Code, are available at his Web site: www.markdroberts.com.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 05:00:01 GMT

Again, songs from Evermore - Planet Shakers - 2005

gmaiL people ;)

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Tue, 19 Jul 2005 07:01:31 GMT

hey aLL, i have them in my gmaiL already. can log into it and get them... just got it on fruday, from Australia! together with the songbook! hahah...... so happy... original and free! both the DVD, CD, and also the song book!

Friday, March 11, 2005

Fri, 11 Mar 2005 23:32:15 GMT

visit aGain!
as toLd.... i always feel that people do not visit my new site. hmmpf

Friday, February 18, 2005

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 03:00:30 GMT

*HUGS* TOTAL!
give gLaDieZz more *HUGS*

Thursday, January 27, 2005

Thu, 27 Jan 2005 02:57:01 GMT

Was late for cLass yesterday. nVm bout that. Talked to Mr Lau about further studies. He recommend A levels at Sedaya because it-s modular basis. But it-s London A-levels, and not Cambridge. So yea. So far, I-ve visited a few col. The first was Sedaya, then Taylors, then Inti. So. . I-m still thinking of where to study. Had a nap in the afternoon. Night – I got permission from my dad to attend college group meeting last night. When it comes to my mom where I need to ask for the key. . . she said ask your dad. Then I replied - edi I think she dun let, so she said something else. . . bodo one. Out of patience, I just said you ask me to ask dad, but now you dun let, might as well dun ask, so I just walked out from the kitchen and walked to Uncle Kester-s place for meeting. hmmm, during meeting. . . just felt so down and stuffs. WeLL, I managed to go out for supper with them. . . haha, sat beside Jason. . . at first ah bin post for the camera. . . but in the end, just normal. Penang hokkien, and Kuching hokkien. Few funny words. . kanga, ian - from kanga to kaliu. Haha so fuNNy. Jason - sad and cried because the tsunami hit the food stall over in Penang, and not because of the Tsunami victims. . . haha.

Sunday, January 23, 2005

Sun, 23 Jan 2005 12:42:42 GMT

I really had a full day yesterday. Lets refer to my organiser. . . .

2 to 4 > Leadership Equipping and Training

3:30 > music practice for Sunday Service

4:30 to 5 > prayer meeting

5 to 6:30 > music practice for Face 2 Face

7:15 onwards > pre-worship preparation

7:45 onwards > Face 2 Face

yea, and of course, I missed the prayer meeting and half of the equipping and training. I think it kinda ended earlier ( the equipping and training ) so, I did not really miss it. Just the sharing of potential and giftings. So yea. WeLL, on the piano the whole day makes my hand kinda painful after Face 2 Face. WeLL, eventually my fingers turn red and still painful now plus the playing this morning. Hmm, I got a treat last night from ivy, massaging my fingers. THANKS ivy. WeLL, josh beh was the worship leader. And yes, he played the piano at the end of the service. . . oh yea. . . it helps a lot. To 3^rd mile open air for a drink. . . left early because I have to send Fong Yin, Stephanie and Sherlyn back. home, and also get some rest for today, I still have to play. Yea, overall, my fingers are painful. . . and yea, skin peel off too, plus fingernails. . . got cacated. Both thumbs still painful. . . like biG gLadys say, nge si bang. . . on the piano. Lunch at Tun Jugah. . . all 22 of us. Stephanie, Sherlyn, Josh Beh, Ian Lee, Jason Tan, Jason Wong, Benjamin, Bennedict, Ivyonne, Wye Yi, Fong Yin, Jesmine, Edison, Yi Ping, Eirene che, Galvin, Thaddeus, Keith, Sean Wong, gord0n, and i. Went shopping, around Tun Jugah, then to Sarawak Plaza, then brought Sherlyn for tennis. Then to Hopoh. Bought a pair of earrings, stephanie too. . . to uncle mervyns place. . . koko johnny gave the SHE staff name tag to stephanie! Haha, together with a VCD. tok to thad, then jason, aunt edna asked for ideas on the kid's name tag this kid's camp... hahaha. just a one day camp at Lodge. expecting 200 kids. leaving stephanie and mark to pack for school tommorow, i went back home. Picked brO up from tuition at 9.

Friday, January 21, 2005

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 14:18:19 GMT

Were out since 1 pm. Yeaps, Stephanie, biG glaDyS and I went to India street, yes I do find something nice and worth it, but still I will make some thinking and then go back for it if it REALLY satisfies me.. . .. we went to parkson tho, where I got a t-shirt which really satisfy me, but the pRice.. .. .. not so satisfactory lah.. .. cos kinda expensive. stephanie got the same shirt too. we met JOSH BEH and gord0n there, right in parkson... hai hai hai... i dun wanna greet them, but this che che glaDys go and run to them... so, trying to avoid them, faye and i walked slowly..... but still, we have to face them, and yea, 7070..... backizz, met them aGain, on our way back to the t shirt..... wondering to buy or not to buy on the spot.... Then yea, baCk to unc mervyn's place where aunt edna chiia me diNNer, and visited green gallery and we care bakery. .. .. ya, steohanie and I bought something for al the youths this chinese new year… so, want something, attend youth meeting! then I went home for a while.. just to let my parents see my face and tell them that I’m going out to music practice.. .. .. yea, was talking to ta ke jaRed about studies.. .. then gord0n asked me to teach Samuel piano and the synthesizer. Then gord0n ssked me to join the others for a drink… so we left early .. .. .. yea, the others was koko keSter, josh beh, ah bin, jaRed, iaN Lee. That’s all. On the way home, galvin honked at me! Looking so excited! WeLL.. .. .. anD of course I’m happy, things just pop up all the way, better than being at home all day, doing nothing!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, January 21, 2005

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 00:10:27 GMT

yay! it's FriDay !