They asked''

I was sitting next to 'them'.

They asked me, one question "Why are you so strict and fierce when we are at school, but here you are so different, kind, gentle".

I looked at them, and gave a shy smile, "Well, first we're not at school. And second I'm with you, how could I do what I do at school?"

They looked at me and gave a smile.

They asked'

They asked me, why are you so sad leaving school? You should be overjoyed.

The answer came with only a smile towards them.

But the real answer, I said to myself, I'm sad because I'm leaving a person I love.

9221 Bible Knowledge notes Acts Of the Apostles Paul's second MJ

This is regarding the 2nd Missionary Journey of St. Paul which takes place from Acts 15:36- 18:22.

Chapter 15

Paul and Barnabbas decided to check up on the towns they visited during the 1st Missionary Journey.

Barnabbas had took John Mark with him and went to Cyprus

Paul had taken Silas and went to Syria and Cilicia

Chapter 16

Paul went to Derbe and Lystra where he found Timothy

Timothy: Christian, Christian mother but Greek father, the believers in Iconium and Lystra spoke well of him.

They went through the towns strengthening their faiths.

Paul, Silas, Timothy and the rest traveled through Phyrgia and Galatia

The Holy Spirit did not allow them to travel to Asia

The Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go to Bithynia (East of Mysia)

So they went to Troas

Where at night Paul had a vision of a Macedonian standing and begging them to go to their help

After this, they got ready and went to Macedonia

On the Sabbath, they went to the riverside where they sat down and started to preach to the women gathered there.

There was Lydia from Thyatira who was a dealer in purple cloth, she had worshiped God and the Lord had opened her mind to listen to Paul's saying

She invited them to stay at her house after being baptised.

One day, they all went to a place of prayer.

There was a girl with an evil spirit which allowed her to predict the future.

She followed Paul and "Us" (whereby "us" refers to Timothy, Silas and Luke)

She kept on saying that these men are the servants of the Most High God and announce how if the people were to follow these men they will be saved.

Paul became upset and ordered the Spirit to come out of her.

Her owners became very angry because they had lost a source of income.

They had seized Paul and Silas, dragged them to the authorities at the Public Square.

They brought them before the Roman officials and accused them of teaching customs that were against the Law.

The officials stripped Paul and Silas.

Whipped them.

Had them thrown into jail.

A jailer had thrown them into the inner cell.

Their feet were fastened with heavy blocks of wood.

At midnight: Paul and Silas were singing hymns to God while the other prisoners were listening.

Then suddenly there was a violent earthquake.

The doors of the prison had opened and the chains fell off the prisoners.

The jailer woke up and took a sword to kill himself.

Paul shouted to not to do that.

The jailer called for some light and fell to Paul's and Silas' feet, he asked them what must he do to be saved.

They said he must believe in the Lord Jesus.

They preached the Word of God to the jailer's family and the jailer cleaned their wounds. The whole family got baptised.

Next morning, police officers sent by the Roman officials with the orders to release Paul and Silas.

Paul said to the officers that he wanted the Roman officials themselves to apologize to them for they are Roman officials.

They came and apologized.

They went back to Lydia's place.

Chapter 17

Paul and Silas traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica.

When they had arrived there they had went to the synagogues, and for 3 Sabbaths they held discussions and explained the Scriptures.

The Jews got jealous and they had gathered loafers. They formed a mob and created an uproar int the city. They attacked a man's home- Jason to find Paul and Silas but they had fail. Then they dragged the followers out of Jason's house and brought them to the authorities. The authorities made Jason and the other followers to pay a required amount and was set free.

At night the followers sent Paul and Silas to Berea

At Berea, the people were more open minded, listened to Paul's teaching and kept checking the Scriptures to see whether Paul's sayings were true.

The Jews from Thessalonica came and started a riot in Berea.

The believers had Paul sent to the coast and they sent him off to Athens. He left a message to Silas and Timothy that they should join him as soon as possible.

Silas and Timothy had stayed back.

When Paul arrived in Athens he was very upset over the city's worship of idols.

He had debated with Epicurean and Stoic teachers.

He went to the Aeropagus and gave a speech.

Some had made fun of him while there are some that listened.

Dysonias and Damaris converted.

Chapter 18

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth

He then met Aquila and Priscilla from Italy.

He met them because Emperor Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome.

Paul stayed and worked with them. He made a living by making tents.

Every Sabbath he went and held discussions in the synagogues.

Timothy and Silas had joined him now.

Paul preached and the Jews opposed him and said evil thing about him.

They went to a house of Titus Justus where his house was next to a synagogue and the leader was Crispus.

At night Paul had a vision where the Lord said to him to not be afraid, keep on speaking and do not give up. No one is able to harm him because the people were His'.

Paul stayed here for about a year and a half.

Gallio was now the new governor of Achaia.

The Jews brought Paul before him.

He dismissed them.

The Jews then took Sosthenes and beat him up.

Paul Stayed with the believers in Corinth for many months. Then he went to the port of Cenchrea where he had shaved his head for a vow.

He went to Ephesus where he left Aquila and Priscilla.

He then ventured to Ceaserea, on to Jerusalem where he greeted the Church

and Finally he went on to Syria in Antioch.

9221 Bible Knowledge notes GASt.L Part 1

If you are taking the 9221 Bible Knowledge for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia 2010. These 'guides' may be rather useful. These are not "spotted" questions but rather major topics that may come out after doing the analysis for a period of 16 years (from 1993 to 2009). We'll start off with the Gospel According to St. Luke.

Birth of Jesus announced (Lk 2:1-7)

• Emperor Augustus' reign*
• Ordered a census to be carried out
• Quirinius was the governor of Syria
• Everyone went to register themselves at their hometown
• Joseph went from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Birthplace of Kind David)*
• He went to register with Mary- who was promised in marriage to him*
• She was pregnant*
• It was time for her to give birth while they were in Bethlehem*
• She gave first to her first born son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger*
• There was no room for them to stay in the inn*

The Shepherds and Angels (Lk 2: 8- 20)

• Shepherds in their fields that night taking care of their flocks
• An angel appeared to them- They were afraid
• The angel said to them: Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Saviour was born- Christ the Lord! And this will prove it to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
• Great army of heaven's angels appeared, singing praises to God
• "Glory to God in the Highest heaven, and peace to on earth to those whom he is pleased"
• When the angels went back, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem
• They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby in the manger
• The shepherds told them what the Angels had said
• Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them
• The shepherds went back singing praises to God for what they had seen and heard just as the angels has said.

The Temptations of Jesus (Lk 4:1- 13)

• Jesus returned from River Jordan full of the Holy Spirit
• Led by the Spirit into the dessert
• He was tempted by the Devil for 40 days.
• During that time he ate nothing, so after that he was very hungry when it was over
• The first temptation: The Devil tempted Jesus if He is God's son he can turn some stones into bread.
• Jesus' rebuttal: Human beings cannot live on Bread alone
• The second temptation: Took Him to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. He tempted Jesus that all these have been handed over to him an all the wealth and power will be Jesus' if He worshiped him (the Devil).
• Jesus said: Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him
• The third temptation: Taking Jesus to the highest point on the Jerusalem Temple. and said to him if Jesus is the son of God, he should throw himself down and God will order the angels of heaven to take good care of Jesus that not even is feet shall be hurt by the stones.
• Jesus answered: Do not put your God to the test
• after this the Devil finished tempting Jesus in every way, he left Him

Jesus Calls the First Disciples (Lk 5:1-11)

• Jesus was standing at the shore of Gennesaret
• The people pushed through to listen to the word of God
• He saw two boats and the fishermen were washing their nets
• Jesus got into Simon's boat and asked him to push off a little from the shore
• Jesus sat in the boat and started preaching
• When he was done, he said to Simon to push his boat further into deep water and with his partners let down their nets.
• Simon said that they had worked hard all night long and had caught nothing. But if He says so they will do it.
• They caught such a large number of fish
• The nets were about to break
• They motioned to their partners to help them
• They filled the boats with the fishes that now the boat was about to sink.
• Simon Peter saw what had happened and fell on his knees before Jesus
• He told Jesus to go away from him for he is a sinful man!
• Simon Peter and the others were amazed at the large number of fish that they had just caught
• The same happened to James and John the sons of Zebedee.
• Jesus said to Simon: Don't be afraid; from now on you will be catching people
• They left everything and followed Jesus.

Jesus heals a Man (Lk 5: 12 -16)

The first miracle as recorded by the Gospel of St. Luke*

• In a town
• A man suffering from a dreaded skin disease
• He threw himself down before Jesus
• "Sir, if you want to, you can make me clean!"
• Jesus touched him
• "Be clean!"
• Jesus then said to the man not to tell anyone about this but rather go the priest and let him examine you. Then to prove that you are cured offer up sacrifices as Moses has ordered.
• The news of Jesus spread fast
• More wildly people came to get healed from their disease and to listen to him.
• He went to lonely places to pray.

Jesus Raises a Widow's Son (Lk 7: 11-17)

• After healing the Roman Officer's Servant at Capernaum, Jesus went to a town called Nain
• He was accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd.
• As he arrived at the town's gate, a funeral was coming out.
• The dead man was a widow's son and a large crowd from the town followed her.
• When Jesus saw her, his heart was full of pity.
• He told her not to cry
• He walked over to the coffin and touched it.
• He said "Young man! Get up, I tell you!"
  
• The dead man sat up and began to talk.
• All the people were afraid and praised God.
• They said a great prophet has appeared among them and God has come to save them
• The news about Jesus went through all the country and surrounding territory.

It isn't over.

No, SPM is not over for me yet. My last paper will be on the 16th of December, Thursday. Probably the hardest subject for me: Bible Knowledge. Yes, I know, most people never heard of this subject, let alone know the existence of it. Many people would also not take it at all because this is one of the subjects where getting A+ is virtually impossible. But nevertheless, it is my 10th SPM subject.

Most Malaysian students age 17 has already completed their FINAL exam after 11 years of schooling. To them I say congratulations. To the few thousand left who has either 3, 2, or 1 more paper left; I say work hard, strive, this is it! If you didn't do THAT well with the others, take your time now and work for these\this last paper(s).

What else is there to say?

SPM was fun, truth be told I wasn't as worried or cold feet-ed, as I was for the UPSR and my PMR. Which is not important at all!

Talking about that, have you ever noticed how people make such a big fast over the other two minor government exam whereas the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia is the biggest and life-changing exam. Strange and ironic if you ask me.

Well, wish me luck people!

The Hopeless Fool in "an affection" Part 1

Part 1

Setting: School environment.

Setting: High school teenagers.

Setting: School hours.

I was sitting there all by myself watching the other students go by. On the table in front of me, were my books. I looked at the canteen clock, it was 10.15. I saw Jiyanathan and Aminul walking towards the canteen. "Hey guys", I said to them.

Jiyanathan looked at me, no he was staring at me. He turned behind, "Oh Jeremy! Just go and tell her, will you!? You are an idiot, man"

I was take aback. "What?" I asked cautiously.

"Oh come on, just get up and tell her. Half this school knows that you like her. She is cute, she is just the girl for you."

I couldn't. I couldn't tell her how I felt for her. By grace, she is too good for me! Every time she walks by, I smile at her, I imagine her by my side. She's my friend, but no more than that.

I slapped myself at the forehead. "No, I can't".

I sit back in the chair, seeing her walk back to her class.

The Past time, the now moment.

I stand by myself under the car park watching as the children in white shirts and green slacks running around the compound. I stand here with my arms crossed. I turn behind, I look at the canteen, I imagine those days of sitting at the long tables, lining up at the counter shouting;

"Mak cik, nasi seringgit, tambah ayam!"

It has been over so many years since I last set foot in this place. The last time I set foot here, was the day that I attained my final official government exam, Malaysia's O-level-cum-SPM. Since then I never returned here. When I entered the school grounds this morning, I was instantly shot aback, hardly anything changed. The old school 'terminal' was still the same. The broken mock cannon still aiming at the neighbouring school, the now painted gold 12-feet keris and the orange door that leads to the prefect's port.

I walk towards the canteen. As I enter, I feel hundred of pairs of eyes looking at me. Have they never seen a man before? I walked casually and took a seat at the last table. I sit there, I stare at the "Siti Faridah" signboard. The school canteen hardly changed; the sink is new, there are fans now, but the rest is still the same. I look at a group of boys, walking from class, in their hand holding tightly STPM Organic Chemistry, another was holding Mathematics T. Ah, Form 6, so brave of them to take it up.

I look at my watch. I lean back into the chair, I see a group of blue dressed students walking in my direction. The forward one's face was full of spirit and determination, he was tall and he looked like a leader, my eyes meet his eyes, I instantly give a nod. "Prefects", I whisper to myself. This brings back memories.

I here a voice from the back, "Dad!", she hugged me so tightly. I kiss her on her cheek.

"You are early, dad. Where's mom?"

"She went to see Cikgu Hanifah" I say as I brush her hair.

"Oh, well Dad suppose you have met, Jennifer, Nia Hui, Mariamanthi and of course Eugene".

"How can I forgot your friends?", I thrust my right forward towards Eugene, he held it tight and firm. I shook it, if you are going to date my daughter you sure must be a man, I said to myself.

I tell my daughter that I am early because her mom and I had some errands to do, so we came early. She went back with her friends.

I then walked towards the teachers room, I cross the principal's office, I remember the days when I forbid other students from walking here. I entered the staff room. It was the same. Only the teachers were different, none that taught me are here now. My eyes started to warm up.

It is now 12.30pm. The school hall was now open, I stand outside the hall with other men, all fathers, some are teachers. I see my beautiful wife in the hall, waiting anxiously to get this over with. As I stare at her, I remember that in this very school that I had met her, fell in love with her, and finally marry her. In this very school, that I had my first crush and my first heartbreak. My first political ambition and my first sovereign power. I had numerous enemies and had a handful of trustful friends.

I continue to talk with the other men, when suddenly I saw a brown file in front of my face.

"She got 5A+ and 3As, two B's!" my wife said.

"That was my results too, only thing I got an A+ for English only" I say it, followed with a smile.

I shake hands with the other four men I am with, and wave goodbye. We walked towards our car and get in it. "Where's is she? Isn't she coming with us?"

A soft strike hit my head, "Oh come on, didn't you know that she has this so called 'motivation' after this?"

I nod.

We drive towards the gate, I wave goodbye to the guard, as we pass the keris, the cannons, and the 'terminal'. We drove out passing the glorious words of "Sentiasa Maju".